Stopping for a Breather

Whew - things have been a bit hectic at the Hemmer house. Jason has been traveling like mad over the past month - he's been in our house about 4 days over the past 3 weeks.  He is in Brazil currently, and next week we are all going to Phoenix together, at least we'll be together next week.  We are looking forward to the sun, pool, and shopping:)  I've been busy keeping M out of trouble, working, and setting up the house.  It's coming together and I PROMISE pictures soon.

This weekend we got back from our spring 2013 east coast grandparents tour.  Miriam traveled really well again, in spite of cutting her first 2 teeth on our flight from Phoenix to Providence!  Jason, Miriam, and I were in Massachusetts and Rhode Island together visiting Jason's family.  Miriam met her Grandma and Grandpa Hemmer, Uncle, Aunt, and 2 cousins. Miriam and I also drove down to Delaware and spent a week with my parents while Jason was at training in Phoenix.  It was a really relaxing week together. I LOVE watching Miriam with her grandparents, it is so sweet.

I spent my mornings cuddling with Grandpa Bailey:)

With Auntie Cindy and Cousin Emelie.  Emelie was a doll and gave M lots and lots of hugs and kisses!

Seeing the Atlantic Ocean for the first time!

With daddy in Bristol, RI at mom and dad's favorite seaside drink spot.

Enjoying Friendly's ice cream.

Auntie Cindy signed me up for a Gymboree class, I loved it!!

With Cousins Emelie and Juliette at the Providence Zoo.

Hanging out with Grandpa Hemmer in his chair.  His beard is silly!

On our way to DE; Girls Only Road Trip!

Snuggles with Grandma

Getting some work done in Grandpa Bailey's office.

Giggles with Grandma and Grandpa Hemmer

In the midst of all this madness we learned that my grandmother passed away. Thankfully she did not suffer, passing away quietly in her sleep, but it was such a shock to us.  My grandmother was 79 years young, active, full of joy, and loved by her whole family.  We will miss her.  She came to Arizona when Miriam was 3 months old and we had the most wonderful visit; I will forever cherish those memories.

Miriam is a joyful, curious, charming 9 month old.  She loves to laugh, and will stare down strangers until they smile at her.  She learned to wave and point, a skill she will use on any person / animal / inanimate object she perceives important.  M is pretty vocal and makes the sweetest darn noises; I especially like it when she points and talks, it is like she is really trying to tell me something.  She's close to crawling, but not quite there yet, all in good time.

Hard for me to believe that my teeny baby girl will be 1 soon.  We went to the pediatrician today and they told me my next visit as at 1 year...it seemed so strange to hear!  She got a clean bill from the doc and is 29 and 3/4 in. long (94%), 18lb 8oz (54%), & her head is 64% -- we say she's finally growing into her head!!

I'll try to make the next update before 2 months from now:)

M

7 months (almost 8!) looks pretty good on her. M is up to her usual tricks: smiling, laughing, staring, and increasingly on the move.  She hasn't figured out crawling or pulling up yet, but pivots and scoots around on her belly and back.  SO HAPPY the weather is improving around here.  It means lots more walks, hikes, and outdoor activity.  Jason heads to Pittsburgh on Sunday, which begins his whirlwind traveling schedule for the next month or so. Luckily, included in that is a trip to Massachusetts to see Jason's parents, brother, sister-in-law, and our 2 nieces, a trip to Delaware to see my parent's, and Phoenix while Jason does a training for work (and M and I visit IKEA and the pool!).  Lots of excitement!  I've started working a few hours a week from home for NAU, and I am loving it.  I'm really fortunate to have a great employer who allows me to work on projects for them while taking care of Miriam.  We do take the occasional trip onto campus; tomorrow M is joining me for a coffee meeting at the Union - what fun!  Here are some photos of Miriam from the past month.

Smiley girl!!

Out to lunch for mommy's birthday.

"Listen here kitty, I'm in charge around here!"

Ready for a St. Patrick's Day lunch 

Ooo Thomas the Tank Engine is on

Cutest picture ever.  My friend brought her 7 week old over and we took their picture together.  M reached down and grabbed her hand...so sweet!!

Ready for spring!

Miriam loves the swing.  There is a park a few minutes from our new house and we go at least once a week to walk, swing, and watch the other kiddos play.

Doing some morning exercises

She seriously loves pulling on the string hanging down from her highchair

Smiles:) :)

Kitchen swimming

Snow day dress up party.  M and I played dress up while daddy hung her curtains.

Yummy!  M isn't totally sold on this whole solid food thing, but she's trying lots of new things.  Generally though she likes all different fruits, sweet potatoes, squash, avocado, & bananas. 

We Are In!!

As of this Saturday we are in the new house! It looks kinda like this:

Lots of organizing, & decorating in my future. Truth be told, those are a couple of my favorite things, so lots of fun for me:)  Not as much fun is unpacking boxes, but we have at least tackled items to cook, clean ourselves, and change baby diapers, so we'll survive. I will post lots of pictures once it's internet respectable.

It's been a while since I posted about Miriam. She is becoming more active by the day and loves constant attention from mama (or anyone really).  M is sitting like a champ, still shoving everything in her mouth, and enjoying rolling around and scooting on her back more.  She's even made a few attempts to pull herself up, but not quite there yet.  Still has me up at least twice a night, but we are slowly learning her evolving sleep preferences, no surprise, she likes it how she likes it and no other way (she is her mother's daughter after all:))

One of her favorite things to do is go out! Restaurants, other people's houses, shops, it doesn't matter. As long as she can explore other people's stuff and get attention, she puts on the charm and has a great time.  That's nice for me because I love getting out during the day.

Here are a bunch of pictures to make up for my lack of posting in the past month!

Yogurt is messy

Bundled up for a walk outside

Wearing her Valentine's Day outfit from Grandma Hemmer

Let's move some boxes!!

Helping mommy pack

:)

:):)

Just chillin'...

BFFs

Selfie!

Yup, I'm good at sitting now!! Check me out!

Playing with daddy's socks is funny

Prunes!!

Relaxing with mommy after an exhausting day moving.  

Leave me alone, I'm reading!

Sweet girl

I Love this Face

6 months tomorrow! Time is flying too fast.  Loving cuddling and playing with this little joy.  Lots of errands, visits to the new house, visiting with friends, and M is (usually) a joy all the way.  Smiling at folks, wanting to touch e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g. & playing are her favorites.

Another darling shot...

What's that you say? One more? Ok, if you insist...

And, I'm done:)

Quick update on the house: painters have painted the main living area (we weren't ready to tackle 20 ft ceilings!), Jason is ready to start painting M's room, some furniture & boxes have made the move, and we're continuing to pack up and clear out here.  Hoping to make the official move and start living over there in about a month.  Would like to get the bigger painting jobs & a few odd jobs done before moving in.  Cannot wait!!

As of today, it's ours.

Jason and I are homeowners.  We weren't sure if we'd ever take the plunge, but when this amazing house came on the market, combined with low interest rates, we knew we had to jump on it.  I'm sure I'll post more pictures of the inside once we get moved in and set up, but it ticked all the boxes for us.  It's a 1 story ranch with (very) high ceilings, laminate floors (necessity with a kitty & a kid!), 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and the main living area is nice and open to the living room, dining area, and kitchen.

We are working on painting and fixing a few things and plan to move in by March 1. We still have our rental until March 31, so plenty of time to make the move.

Side note, here are a few pictures of Miriam.  We're closing in on 6 months and she's still growing like a weed.  She's so long that I've started buying 18 month sweaters and tunics and using them like dresses with tights, so much more cost effective as she can wear them later as intended!  As far as eating, she's tried sweet potatoes, carrots, avocados, bananas and isn't really a fan of any of it. I learned she's really not a fan of being fed, but rather will eat a few bites with her self-feeder.  She rolls a lot to her side, but not much onto her tummy.  She'd much rather sit or stand with our help.  From lying down, if I hold her fingers, she'll pull herself up to a seating position, and just this morning pushed herself to stand.  She's so proud of herself and absolutely loves it.

Asleep @ Home Depot. Apparently washer / dryer shopping isn't that exciting for a 5 month old!

Smiles in one of her long sweatshirts & tights get up

Still a chronic finger chewer. Alas, still no teeth.  You can see how much her hair is growing in this one too.

Using her feeder to taste carrots

Looking cute to go sign some loan documents!

Her new highchair toy.  It's suction cup, so at least there is one toy she can't  launch off the tray.

Eating madness...

xoxo