How do I already have a 9 month old? “What theme are you doing for his first birthday?” His birthday? Wow, time slow down. He’s growing every day. Before becoming a mother, I always looked forward to feeding him solids. What will be his favorite food? While pregnant, I saved so many ideas on what and how to feed him. Right around 6 months, his personality really started to shine through. Such a funny little guy and loves being close to his mom and dad. This 6-9 month stage was filled with so many firsts, but also lasts. No more bassinet and no more infant car seat. I loved both things so much. Wheeling him around the house in the “Lonnie Train” and taking him home from the hospital. Such fond, special memories now.
His wake windows grew longer and he soon transitioned from 3 naps to 2, which made bedtime be a bit earlier. Around 8 months, we started having more of a consistent routine in between naps, especially since it was just down to 2 naps. After waking, I’d nurse him, then walk, play, then solids, play some more, and sometimes nurse again before nap. Sometimes we have outings. The longer wake windows meant I was more exhausted. I honestly had days where I was more exhausted than I was during the newborn phase. He became more active but also easily bored. Lonnie had a huge growth spurt between 3-6 months. It’s funny to think about but he’s been in size 3 diaper since around 2months old. If you’re going to a baby shower or diaper raffle, bring size 3 diapers!
9 months became so special. 9 months in, 9 months out. It really sets in how much my baby has grown, but also how much I have grown as a mom. Decision fatigue became so real and an almost every day occurrence. That along with brain fog made it so difficult to make even the smallest decisions like what solids to feed Lonnie or go for a walk or rest. I would be making hundreds of decisions daily: when to initiate naps..do I just follow his cues or a schedule, when should he have solids..before or after walk, do I let him play with this toy. Then for me, when do I eat or clean or shower. I would follow the routine. He loves his routine too. Sometimes it would be early and sometimes later, but it was all okay. I love watching him grow and being his mom.
6 Months
We got the “go ahead” from Lonnie’s pediatrician and it was time for him to try solids. She said to have fun with it! We had him in the high chair first so he could get used to how it felt, along with a spoon and plate. The first few weeks were just little bites, tastes to get him used to different flavors. He soon really loved it! We taught him how to drink from a straw. We started using the crib more, not just for playtime but for naps. Bedtime was a little harder. Soon, he started taking 1-hour naps in the crib! My sister told me to focus on me during that time and don’t do chores. The crib naps were the only alone time I was given during the day. I’ve worked a 9-5 and was given lunch breaks, and I would take breaks by walking outside, or just driving alone in the car. I never realized how much it impacts your well being when you don’t get any breaks (to recharge).
We traveled to Alabama for Thanksgiving. It was a little easier this time around. Knowing how to and what to pack, really made a difference. We arrived at the airport early, thinking there would be long lines, but it wasn’t bad at all! Lonnie fell asleep while he was in the carrier when we were getting off the plane. It was so sweet, and it was a much needed nap after not sleeping much on the flight. He slept while we grabbed breakfast and our luggage. Lonnie got to visit with his cousin–they had matching outfits! He wasn’t quite sitting on his own yet, but still had fun playing on the floor. Visiting with family, walks, good food, Christmas market, and watching football always makes for a great Thanksgiving. It was his first time experiencing cold weather, so he did end up getting a slight cold while there. Mostly runny nose and a little cough.
As soon as I put the carrier on, he fell asleep.
7 Months
It took Lonnie a few days to recover from his cold. We got a humidifier to help with his breathing. I had to hold him upright for naps, so he could breathe better. Our 3rd year anniversary was coming up and we had planned to have brunch, just the two of us, at the square. Our first date! Well, I ended up getting a 24-hour bug. No idea how I got it and only me. I couldn’t eat or drink anything, only ice cubes. I was so depleted. Breastfeeding was challenging. I didn’t want to end my breastfeeding journey there, but my body wasn’t producing much at all. Goes to show that nutrition plays a huge role in milk production. In the early months, before my supply leveled out, I would pump more than what Lonnie needed at the time. This became his freezer stash, about 80 ounces. It wasn’t a huge stash but something to dip into whenever I was away from him during a feed or there was an emergency. We used up most of this stash while I was sick and for a week after. It took so long for my body to recover and then get my supply back. I drank water, coconut water, and ate lots of oats. We rescheduled our date to a few weeks after. Honestly, it was so refreshing to have the focus shift to one another. It’s so important to have that time when you’re in the midst of new parenthood.
We got him a play pen, a designated safe place for him to play freely. He started to sit without falling over. I would rotate places in the house with him: play pen with the wooden blocks and his room with the books and ball. We decorated for Christmas before leaving for Thanksgiving. He loved looking at the tree all lit up. Family came over to celebrate Christmas. I was able to bake a couple desserts and enjoy the time together. A blessing to celebrate Christmas together as a family of 3. We went for a stroll on the square. A few days later, we went to the zoo! Except hardly any animals were out. Lonnie loved the little aquariums though.
Sleepy after the zoo.
8 Months
The start of teething. He’d been using his teethers for months but now his bottom teeth were actually coming in. Sweet little guy, it hit him hard. I was giving him cold teethers, cold cloths, and popsicles around the clock. It definitely affected his sleep and nursing. He was crying, I was crying, it was rough. They came in and he looks so much older.
My mom and a close family friend came for a visit. Having the extra set of hands and a break from cooking and cleaning was so replenishing. I could take that break but also know that Lonnie is getting to spend much quality time with his Nan. There’s just something about having your mom be with your family, doing the every day. Moms need mothering too. I needed my mom there, especially after the rough time Lonnie had had with teething. They ended up leaving a day earlier because of the winter storm coming in (mostly in the south). Most people get a snow day, we had ice.
Lonnie wasn’t yet crawling but started pulling up to his knees in the play pen and throwing his toys out. He started to really love solids and drink from a straw cup on his own.
“You’re a mother, but never just.”
My baby is nine months old. I have been breastfeeding for nine months. Nine months postpartum and being a mom.
How I’ve Filled My Cup (since last post)
Water bath canned jam for gifts.
What started out as workshops I did for work, turned into one of my hobbies. 3rd annual jam making on Veteran’s Day. I knew it would be tricky with a baby. I asked my friend from my old work to come over with some tools and we made carrot cake jam together. Lonnie’s Lola came over to be with him.
I always paint Christmas cards. This year, I couldn’t quite do cards and instead painted a mini sheep to go in a frame, as well as a manger scene.
I have a running list of recipes to make. Any time I get to check one off (and it turns out good), then I’m happy.
Occasionally I’ve gone out for mornings to shop or dinner outings. I finally thrifted a couple baskets. One I will turn into Lonnie’s Easter basket. I just bought some fabric to put inside and I’ll be embroidering his name on it.
I started a scrapbook for his baby book. It’s not an elaborate project, but still a creative hobby to put pictures down on paper. I had been collecting memorabilia over the months and have included them in the book. Sweet memories.
I was asked to present on sourdough at my old work. I hadn’t done a presentation since before I went on maternity leave. Of course, I was nervous, but it was such a fun day and it just came out natural, like I hadn’t taken all those months off.
After my mom came to visit, it became clear that I needed to put a new system into place. I was having a hard time getting chores done, so after Lonnie went to bed, I took 15-20 minutes to tidy and reset. I made a list and would only do one or two in that timeframe. It made me feel so much better and ready for the next day.
"When I entered mothered, I walked through a little door 'This is Motherhood,' it read.Everyone sat there in stripey tops exchanging pleasantries. Things scattered all over the floor, bags overflowing, nervous smiles, connected by motherhood. Disconnected by unspoken truths. Then someone said, 'I love being a Mom, but this is really hard,' and suddenly I didn't feel alone anymore." -Welcome to Motherhood, Jessica Urlichs
9 Month
His bottom teeth came in and now it’s time for his top teeth! These were just as worse as the others. I kept saying they looked so big. He started to really love “reading” his books. Reaching and pulling down the books from the bookcase and tasting all of them. More foods were checked off the list…parsnips, wheat, kiwi..to name a few. He went to the golf range with dad. He was so handsome in his little outfit. He tried the cracker teethers and it was so cute watching him eat it. Something about him bringing it to his mouth and biting it. On February 15th, we brought his mat to church so he could sit and play. By the following week, the 22nd, he was crawling off the mat. There were moments during the week, he was so close to doing it and then the next day, he did it! Now, he’s moving across the room so fast. It definitely helped having a large space of carpet to practice. If he’s on his stomach, he’ll use his arms to push up and into a seated position. Also, pulls to stand now. I’d put him in the pen and he’d immediately pull to stand. A few minutes later, he’s still standing. It’s so funny because my niece is doing the same and my sister and I would tell them to sit down if you’re tired. An afternoon outing to the lake was much needed and fun.
Joys of Motherhood
I’ve been looking back at pictures and memories of when I was pregnant, anticipating the moment we would meet Lonnie. We prayed for you. We listened to your heartbeat on the monitor. And now, I’m holding you. You look at me and smile. Your hand wraps around my fingers. I walk into the room, you cry or laugh, reaching for me. What a privilege it is to be loved by you. Thank you, Lord, for our sweet boy.
“For the one you gave me to have and to hold, help me, God, to show up whole. Let patience flow from a well run dry; bring presence to a scatter mind; send tenderness forth from weary arms; make interest shine in tired eyes. Bind us together in unity that, sure and steady, we might be our family’s vessel sailing forth, a certain refuge in the storm. And let us not forget that you are the water below and the wind above, sending us on, holding us up.” -Marriage in the Little Years,
Gathered and Growing 
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