Harper has now been living in the outside world as long as the amount of time she was growing inside of me…and just like my pregnancy, time seems to be passing at lightening speed and I’m desperately trying to hold on to all of these moments.
So much has changed in the last month. Just a few days after I posted Harper’s 8 month update, she surprised us and started to crawl and she hasn’t stopped since. It’s a whole new world in this house now and she’s active all day long.
I watch her at daycare sometimes and she just zooms all over my screen from one place to the next, pulling up on absolutely everything. She can climb up our stairs (with support and supervision, of course) and she loves it when we have “crawling competitions.”
Harper is also communicating a lot more. She babbles more and I can tell she understands some things. She is also very demanding and her moods can go from very happy to crying in a snap. The Wonder Weeks app says that she is currently in the 6th leap, and that it’s normal for her to alternate between being “extremely lovely” and having a “bad temper.” That app has really always been right on with developmental stuff.
I just love this age—it of course comes with its own set of challenges, but it’s so fun to see her learn so much and just become a little person who is mobile and makes decisions about what she wants to do and where she wants to go.
It shocks me that in just a few months she will be a year old (I’m in denial, of course) and gone will be the days of bottles of breast milk every 3 hours and purees. So much changes so quickly. Can I please press the pause button?
This past month was full of changes—Harper started her new daycare and we absolutely love it (and best of all, so does she!) We absolutely made the right decision transferring and I love her new class, teachers and the overall environment. I love that they have a little more of a structured day and that they do circle time, songs, baby sign language and arts and crafts that we get to take home every week. I can really see she is thriving there and her classroom is so big and bright! Once the weather gets warmer the babies get outdoor time everyday which I know she will love (bring on the sunscreen!)
This month was also the first time I was with Harper alone for an entire week. My husband was traveling for work and to be honest I was a little bit stressed at how I would manage it all alone because we really split caring for Harper equally. Before he left, I think I made it out in my mind to be worse than it was. In fact, it couldn’t have gone better. I just adapted our schedule if I needed to. One morning, for example, Harper woke up earlier than usual so I didn’t get to pump as soon as my alarm goes off, so I just started off our day like usual and pumped at the kitchen island while I fed her her breakfast in her highchair. It was no big deal, just moving things around a little bit. Candice also came over twice to spend time with Harper and me and help with bath time. Then we had some girl time with dinner and lots of laughs after Harper went to sleep. Harper did really well without her daddy here too. She slept through the night most nights and if she did wake up, I could get her right back to sleep in less than 10 minutes. We did okay, but we’re glad he’s back!
I also confirmed at our 9 month appointment that Harper has indeed developed a small umbilical hernia. The doctor said it’s nothing to worry about. I noticed the change in its appearance a couple of weeks ago during bath time.
Diet: I am still exclusively pumping for Harper (read more about my pumping story here). Harper still drinks about 24-30 oz of breast milk a day in addition to her solids. This past week was the first time I noticed that she sometimes dropped a feed during the day. I think we are so used to feeding her breast milk every 3 hours that I’m listening to her cues instead. She’s also eating more solids so that may be affecting how much breast milk she takes…though she’s not eating significantly less so I am not worried (and she very clearly is a chunk and gaining great!)
I pump anywhere from 29-33 ounces a day now that I’ve reduced my pumping sessions to four per day. I still haven’t decided what I’m going to do with weaning from pumping. I hope to maybe wean down at 11 months and I want to be done completely right at her first birthday because that was my goal and we are traveling soon after and I don’t want to have to pump/bring all of my pumping stuff on that trip. I’ve spent enough time with my pump, thankyouverymuch.
I feel bittersweet about stopping, because it feels so good to know that my body has been nourishing her and making her grow into the amazing little girl that she is… but I’m also ready to have that time back and not having to think about pumping and working my days around my pumping schedule. At this point, I honestly can’t even imagine not having to do it. What will I do with all of that free time? Ha. My hope is that I can get back into weight training and build some strength back. I was hesitant to start working out at all (though it’s not like I had the time with EP) because a lot of my friends told me it affected their milk supply.
I’m still making all of Harper’s food and she absolutely loves eating. Even her teachers told me that they are so impressed with how she eats. We introduced Plum Organics Puffs this month and she also tried her first baby food pouch last weekend (it was this spinach, kiwi and pear one). She loves puffs, but she isn’t really into the squeeze pack purees yet. I think since she’s only ever had food we make, maybe it tasted weird to her. Who knows.
At her nine month appointment our pediatrician told us to go ahead and try any food except for honey. He said reactions usually happen in minutes and to just watch carefully when she tries a new food.
New foods we’ve tried recently include cheese, whole grain bread, peaches, honeydew melon, blueberries, watermelon and eggs. We are going to try turkey and Greek yogurt soon. She started to really chew recently and is able to munch on larger pieces of food as well as feed herself. We still make her purees too, but I’m excited to start offering more foods just steamed or in their normal state. For example, today at lunch, I gave her a piece of cucumber off of my plate which is very convenient when we are out and about. I also gave her chunks of watermelon today. She loved them!
I still do feel tired a lot, but I know it’s because I don’t exercise and sometimes I get less sleep than I should. I try to take short naps on weekends but it’s hard because there is always something else I could be doing around the house and usually I’ll do that instead of resting.
Emotionally I’m doing pretty well. Six months later, I’m still happy with my decision to stay working full time, though some weeks are harder than others. I find when I leave at the time I plan to, my evening runs much smoother and I’m happier overall. So I try to let go of the guilt and just leave at the time that maximizes my time at home with Harper and helps me avoid the worst traffic.
Work has been really busy and the days go by faster, which is great. I thought the cameras at daycare would make me feel bad every time I checked-in, but to be honest, they’ve actually given me the reassurance I needed that she is happy, well taken-care of and getting lots of time to explore and learn. It’s still hard being away from her all day and thinking of the time we won’t get back together, but I also remind myself that by working, we are giving her the best life that we can and saving for her future.
Clothes: I recently packed away a bunch of Harper’s clothes…thats was emotional. Harper is wearing some 6-12 month stuff (Baby Gap onesies and leggings and some sweaters/zip ups) but I’m only buying 12-18 now since she’s starting to grow out of most 6-12 stuff. I’ve also purchased a few 18-24 items. I figure she can wear them longer/grow into them. You can see recent items I bought for Harper here.
Tawnya Faust says
She is so precious! The time really does go so quickly!! I love her rolls!! Scarlett is starting to lose hers now and it makes me a little sad 🙁
Amanda says
So sweet. I love how bright her hair is getting! That last picture is too sweet for words. It reminds me of The Velveteen Rabbit. As far as the drama and theatrics, wait until she is a toddler. It gets so much worse. I'm not talking, tantrum, but theatrics. My toddler 19 month old will hunch over her shoulders, bow her head, and cover her mouth with her hands and "cry" into them. No clue where they pick this stuff up from. Ha! I try not to laugh because I want to validate her feelings but it's too funny. Glad y'all are feeling better! -Xo
Plumtickledpink.blogspot.com
Schnelle says
Awww what a cutie pie! Soak in the next few months because I had a hard time accepting that Aubrey was turing one and I still do sometimes. It goes by way too fast- that line that I heard over and over again and thought was so cliche rang so true. Aubrey gets pretty dramatic too when it comes to getting her way too but usually if we replace and item that she can't have quickly she's ok- unless its an iPhone- there' no replacement as good as an iPhone!
Brass Honey says
Her personality is shining through Veronika. She's growing into the sweetest little person :). Glad to hear your week alone was manageable and that you're feeling better.
Ashley @ Life on the Parsons Farm says
Omg she is just the cutest little thing! It's so fun reading your monthdates a our girls are pretty close in age. I make most of Ellie's food as well and she has an opinion on the baby food pouches as well!! I think it's a texture thing. While Ellie isn't crawling yet she is a rolling machine. I love reading about how other moms feed solids! Thanks for sharing. Also Harpers crib is awesome! Tell me more about it!!
atparsons.blogspot.com
Ashley @ Words About Waverly says
Love this update, I can relate to so much!! I also work & it is very bittersweet! And the working out has totally been eliminated around here too – except that I am running after a little lady at all times!! 😉
Happy nine months Harper!
wordsaboutwaverly.blogspot.com
Julia {daysfullofglitter} says
Harper is definitely the cutest little baby I've ever seen!! Everytime I see pictures on your blog it makes me want to cuddle her 🙂
Happy nine months!
alyssa triviski says
Her hair!! I love it! It is always so hard for me when I have to pack clothes away 🙁 I can't help it – it just shows how fast they are growing! Harper is officially in my favorite stage – 9-12 months is so much fun and they do so much changing – plus it's before the REAL tantrums begin. I just wish I could bottle it all up!
loveandlifesimplified.blogspot.com
Megan says
Ahhh Harper, she looks like such a little lady!!! I'm with you, the Wonder Weeks have been pretty spot on. And I love that you all have crawling competitions, you're such a fun Mom! 🙂
xo
Megan
Hello Newlywed Life Blog
Scout says
Oh my goodness the rolls, I love them!
Erika - TiptoeButterfly says
HOW ADORABLE IS SHE!!!!!!!!!!!!
PS – i'm hosting a GIVEAWAY .. love for you to stop by and pass the good karma on
Joie de Viv says
I love reading Harper's monthly updates, even though she is a a few months younger than K. I just posted K's 12 month update today too! Harper is just so so darling! These photos are so precious! I want to get K the PBK rocking sheep or something soon! The Wonder Weeks app has always been on the dot (3 days early for us) every single time. Amazing. But it seems we get Wonder Months now. :/
xx Viv @ joiedeviv.blogspot.com
Jenny @ Prim New Englander says
With my H and I planning for our future family, I am so happy to read your updates on Harper. You and your H are so blessed with such a chunky little monkey! Not to sound weird, but I LOOOOVE her thighs!! Hahahaha!
Jen
Dahnya says
Chunkiest, cutest, gingery baby!!! 🙂