UGH!

I've GOT to stop Googling! It starts out innocently enough but the end result is anything but! For the last few days, it's been on my mind more and more that Amelia just won't sit. She would rather stand and we've all joked she would probably walk before she crawled. Ok, so I casually Googled something along the lines of "preemie sitting" or something like that. Of course, I'm lead to none other than a discussion board of nothing but developmental problems of preemies.

Did you know it's not uncommon for preemies to want to stand rather than sit because they didn't spend the third trimester squished in the uterus? Did you know crawling leads to other developmental milestones such as reading, playing ball and climbing stairs? Did you know some professionals will actually teach an older child how to crawl even after they're walking so that those parts of the child's brain will start to connect? Huh? Huh? Did you know? I didn't but I do now.

I did know that walkers, jumpers, and exersaucers weren't very good for the development of preemies especially which is why I've been considering packing ours away for the next baby. (No, I'm not pregnant. I mean the next hypothetical baby.) Amelia doesn't really like her jumper for extended periods anyway and it takes up half the living room. lol She and I spend more time face to face, talking and exercising throughout the day than she spends in the contraption, which I would think is better for her development in the long run. Plus, I get to steal more kisses. hehe

Back to my obsessiveness. I read a little blurb about a child with Cerebral Palsy (which has been a fear of mine since before I gave birth) that said he had some stiffness in one of his legs. Welllllllllllllllllllll, the lady at the NICU follow-up clinic said the only "off" thing she saw with Amelia a few weeks ago were her left leg reflexes were a little bit stiffer than in her right, but she wasn't concerned at this point. Well, does that mean she's not concerned because it's not her child or she's not concerned because there's nothing to be concerned about? I really shouldn't Google.

Are there different exercises I'm supposed to be doing that I'm not? If I stretch her anymore, she's going to be my own little Gumby but, hey, if that's what works....Why won't she sit contentedly for more than 5 seconds without trying to stand or toppling over? Why won't she roll over from belly to back yet? Is she just being stubborn? What if she never crawls and subsequently can't read nor climb stairs? I love to read and appreciate being able to bound a floor of stairs if needed. She HAS to read and the whole stair climbing thing is a plu.! Why am I suddenly so freaked out? Does anyone have a Xanex? I really shouldn't Google.

On a brighter note:

Amelia is now 7 months old (adjusted)!!! Did I tell y'all that her birthday party is May 8th? Well, it is. :-D Wanna see something beautiful? Ok, be right back....

Well, hold your horses!

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k, I'm back. :-D




Mom and I took Amelia to visit my Granny last Sunday and this is Amelia giving Great-Granny goodbye kisses. Mom called to tell me afterward that Gran told her that Amelia was so sweet, that she didn't even feel like she was holding a baby...it felt like she was holding an angel. AAAAWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!! Aren't grandmothers wonderful?!?! *sigh* I love my granny and I'm so glad Amelia will have the same relationship with her grandmothers.

I guess I'm going to take my stressed butt to bed. Well, no...actually, I need to take a shower then go to bed. Mom and I have appointments tomorrow to get hair cuts so I need to get as much of myself ready as possible before Amelia wakes up in the morning. Otherwise, I'll never make it on time! lol

Thanks for reading my totally unwarranted worries. God continues to hold and grow Amelia perfect, healthy and strong. I believe that with all my heart but my mind tends to get in the way sometimes. I guess that's just part of being human. I hope you'll keep us in your prayers and I appreciate your continued support through reading more than you possibly know.

Good night....

Birthday Party Info and a Small Request

Happy Day After St. Patrick's Day!!!

With the awesome help of Nana, we've been able to reserve the church fellowship hall for Amelia's birthday party. Yay!!!! We were unable to get it for the Saturday following her birthday so we went with May 8th, the Saturday before. Amelia is such a sweet, charming little girl...as long as she's had her nap, so I hope she'll get some good zzzzzz's before she begins to party. ;)

I'm so excited! I want everyone to see the beautiful result of their prayers and positive thoughts over the last year. I don't care two hoots about gifts, I just want to celebrate this awesome gift we've been given. So...come play with us! hehe

I've entered some pictures of Amelia in a few photo contests, two of which the winners are based on the number of votes she receives. Y'all know what's coming. lol Would you pretty please, with a cherry on top, vote for these two pictures of Amelia? *flutters eyelashes*

Easter Photo Contest - http://www.thecutekid.com/ckgallery/votemypic/email/43479

LOL Photo Contest - http://www.thecutekid.com/ckgallery/votemypic/email/43505

We can vote every single day and I just know with all of Amelia's buddies out there, she can win by a landslide! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! (The other contest is actually run by professionals so what we say really doesn't matter. lol)

I had planned to do a bit of rambling tonight but I can't seem to keep my eyes from crossing. lol I'm going to hit the hay but I'll talk to you soon.

Don't forget to vote and don't forget to mark your calendar for May 8th!! *grins* Have a great night and a wonderful Friday.

(((((((((((Big Hugs)))))))))))))

~LaLa

I'm ba-aaaack!

That has GOT to be the longest moment of silence honoring a swing in the history of, um, swing recognition ceremonies. I do believe it has been properly acknowledged and we can respectfully move on. ;-)

So, Amelia went for her 6 month (adjusted age) check-up with the Premature Infant Care Clinic (PICC) last week. I think that's what the program is called but we just call it "goin' to Amos Cottage" since that's the name of the place. She went, she charmed and she conquered. Her weight was a whopping 17 pounds, 3 ounces and there seems to be some discrepancy with her length. The nice folks at Amos Cottage measured her in at just under 27 inches but the pediatrician's office measured her at a little over 25 inches today making her somewhere between 25 and 27 inches long. Either way, that's a lonnnnnnnnnnnnnng way from 12.9 inches at birth!

I had to fill out a questionaire full of questions concerning whether or not Amelia was doing certain things yet and was pleasantly surprised when I was able to check "yes" and "sometimes" to the vast majority of questions! Amelia's strongest area of development is in communication and she's right on target for her adjusted age (calculated from her due date) of 6-7 months.

Y'all, she is just wonderful and is such a beautiful gesture of God's love for His children. She is such a happy, charming little girl. She and I were standing in a store waiting for David to come back from the van when I woman came over to say "hi" to Amelia. I did well - I didn't assault her with Purell nor did I cover Amelia and run. I took deep breaths, smiled and prayed. ;-)

Really, I'm surprised by how smoothly I've transitioned from The Purell Nazi to a somewhat normal person. I still prefer complete strangers not breathe all over my child but I'm very at ease with "known" people holding and playing with her. I used to think touching their little foot was more acceptable than their hand but Amelia would rather chew on her toes than her fingers!

Ok, where was I? Oh! Amelia's new friend. Anyway, Amelia just grinned and laughed at this woman from the moment she approached us. The lady checked out, then came back say her goodbyes to Amelia. As soon as Amelia saw her walking toward us, she started kicking and laughing. She really went crazy when she spotted David coming back. lol NOBODY can make her laugh like her daddy can! He walks into the room and her little face lights up.

*sigh* I melts my heart to see and hear the two of them interact. David brought her back to bed with us when she woke up Sunday morning. She sat on his chest while he laid on his back and they played. David would lean toward her saying, "I'm gonna get you!" while tickling her belly and blowing raspberries. THEN she would do the same thing to him. lol!! It was the cutest thing I've ever seen!

My eyes are going crossed and I'm about to fall out of my chair so I guess I'd better make this entry short-ish. Amelia had 2 shots this morning and went to bed at 6:30 so I figure she'll be up rather early in the morning. I didn't mean for her to go to bed that early. We thought we were just putting her down for a nap. lol

I'll check back in tomorrow. Here are a couple links to her most recent pictures:

February - http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2053034&id=1378911125&l=6c31ac9439

March - http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2056248&id=1378911125&l=5ae8d03ecd

I added a couple to her old Photobucket Album and didn't have the same problems I had before so I might go back to posting pictures there. I'm not sure if there are very many people still following Amelia's story or not, though. If not, it's just as easy to put them on Facebook.

Have a great night! "see" ya tomorrow!

♥♥♥♥♥

Hello ello llo lo o..

Is there anybody in there?! Yes, I know...a whole month has gone by without a peep from yours truly. What on earth are we going to do with me? I know! Send me to my room for a whole day to think about what I've done. Truth be told, I think you should tack on a full night and possibly another whole day. Did I mention, I HAVE to stay in there all alone, without visitors? Just push a granola bar under the door every once in a while and I'll be fine. Thank goodness we have an attached bathroom or we might have a small problem. So, when do we start?

Angel Bear is just as wonderful as ever, but y'all knew that. ;-) Before I go any further, you must see this picture and you are required to look at it today if at anytime you find yourself becoming a grump. I PROMISE you will smile the second you lay eyes on this....




and should you find yourself with the uncontrollable urge to say, "awwwwwwwwwwwww," just take a peek here...




All together now........AAAAWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!


Ok, let's see here...where to start.... First, I truly am sorry for dropping off the face of blogland. Not just for y'all but for all the stuff I've forgotten simply because I didn't write it down! I have vowed to myself to journal more because I feel like so much is slipping by without being permanently ingrained into my brain. I just can't have that! I'm a stickler for dates and times and it "affects me" that there are so many empty gaps of information to read back on since Amelia came home. On the other hand, there have been endless moments of snuggle time! hehe

The last month has been jam-packed with firsts! Our little Easter Bunny has 2 bottom tooth buds peeking through her gum. One is peeking a little more blatantly and is quite sharp! Bless her heart, she bit her own finger the other day but has since learned she must chew her fingers on the side of her mouth instead of right in the front.

Amelia went to church for the first time AND behaved wonderfully. Of course, I'm sure it helped that Nana kept her fully entertained but she was such a little charmer! I just can't tell you how much David and I enjoyed that entire day...

She has now been out to eat 4 times: Mexican, Italian, Chinese and seafood. Granny (my mom) committed a very serious crime as far as David is concerned. She gave Amelia a lemon while we were eating out and David was more than a little perturbed. Why?? He says it's because he has been looking forward to doing that since it was one of the "mean things" and it's a "father's right" to do those sorts of things first. Men!

Amelia has gone from mostly spitting pureed foods out to downing 3 ounces at a time. She cannot stand pureed chicken or turkey but hasn't met a vegetable or fruit she doesn't like. Organic vanilla low-fat yogurt seems to be her favorite food, though. We bought a safety feeder consisting of a mesh bag and handle for her to hold which has been wonderful for giving her actual chunks of fruit. The bag prohibits larger pieces of food from getting in her mouth yet she's still able to eat and suck on the food itself. I've mostly used it for frozen peaches since the cool soothes her gums and she likes the taste.

She's still rolling over from her back to her tummy like a pro but just. will. not. flip back over. She even rolls over to sleep on her tummy, and no matter how many times a night I go in to roll her back over on her back, she always ends up right back over on her tummy. Unfortunately, when she awakens bright and early, she's "unable" to flip back over on her back and go back to sleep. So0000, she wakes up, realizes she's on her tummy, pages us for assistance and MIGHT go back to sleep once flipped. If she's playing in her crib or on the floor, she'll push her bottom up with her feet but she hasn't gotten up on her hands and knees yet. It won't be long....

We packed up her pretty pink swing this weekend. Let's have a moment of silence for the sanity and naps this beautiful, miracle of a machine helped me retain.









Giving The Swing the respect it deserves, I'm going to sign off for the night but I'll be back tomorrow to finish up and report on Amelia's appointment.

I hope you have a wonnnnnnnnnnnnderful day!!!!!