8 months!

Our sweet baby girl is 8 months old. Yes she is still just as sweet as can be. I dont think it gets much sweeter than this. She continues to bring so much joy and light into our lives. This month was a huge month for her! She is doing all kinds of new things! She is crawling all over the place and she is really good at it. She chases her buddy Hulk all around the house (under tables and into the closet and all over the house).  Her obsession with Hulk continues to grow everyday. As soon as you as her where hulk is she frantically looks all over for him and has a hige smile on her face. She loves petting his fur and crawling all over him. He is getting used to it, but I still cant say he likes it any better. I love seeing her light up when she sees him. I think they will be geat friends over time. She is getting a good workout these days. She also started pulling herself up all over the place. She loves to stand up and has such a proud look on her face when she is playing while standing. Currently she can only lifet herself onto things taht are a foot off the ground, the coffee table is still just a tad to high for her to get up on. I think we have a few more weeks for that. She is also eating lots of good stuff theses days. She loves crackers and gerber puffs, pancakes, sphagetti and bread. She can pretty much chew anything soft with just those two front teeth, pretty amazing if you ask me. She also started drinking water from a sippy cup (actually it is a straw cup). A friend of ours said her daughter had a really hard time with the sippy cup because she could never understand to tip her head back to drink it. Since she switches from bottle to breast so easily she doesnt really understand the sippy cup needs to be tilted, so we tried a straw cup and she takes it like a champion. It is really fun to watch. This girl defnitely doesnt hide her excitement and pride in doing new things. I swear she sits a little bit taller and has a bigger smile when she is drinking from her straw. She has this spererate "Look at me Face". She is really just the most coordinated little thing. She easily rolls over gets on her knees and gets into a sitting position. She can also maeuver her little body all around to get things she needs. Most mornings when she wakes up I go in her room and find her sitting up with a huge grin on her face just waiting for Momma to come and get her. She is laughing all the time. I think it is so funny when she is sitting playing with her toys and just starts laughing. It always makes me laugh, you have to wonder what is so funny that made her laugh out loud. She really is the happiest little baby around. She is easy to take just about anywhere. She accomodates really well to her surroundings. She has this stare when we go places and you can tell she is taking down every detail she can before she decided whether or not she is going to like the place we have taken her. We have been having a play group on Thursdays with some other mom's in the area. Franki absolutely loves other kids. She climbs all over them and really just enjoys playing with other kids. She has such a sweet little sole. She will crawl over to other said child and rub there head or hair. It cracks me up. (maybe she is just jealous of all the hair her new friends have!) She contiues to make everything in our lives taht much better. She entertains Tyler and I all day everyday and we cant get enough of her. We have been blessed with our little sweetie pie. 8 months old and thriving! Now that she is on the move she will just crawl right into your lap and lay her head on your chest. She especially loved cuddling with her Moma this past weekend. She loved crawling right into her lap and giving her lots of love. She really is starting to get to know and recognize faces that she sees often. You can tell when she recongnizes a face because her smile spreads all the way across her face up into her eyes. She just has one of those smiles, you dont even need to see her mouth , you can just look at her eyes and knows she is smiling. If she doesnt recongize a face she has this dead serious stare that she literally could burn holes if they could. Il lhave to take a picture of her stare next time she does it because it is funny to she this happy little baby so serious. Her serious side comes out anytime we are in public or if there is a lot going on whereever we are. When she gets in one of these staring modes not even I can get her to laugh. Im still nursing her and she continues to get 100% of her milk from her momma. I am so happy I have made it this far. If you recall I had a severe nursing phobia and her I am now one of the biggest breastfeeding advocates out there. 3 more months before I start to wean her. I plan on weaning her right around the one year mark. Well I am going to get back to my little love bug who currently is laying sprawled across my chest, thumb in mouth, sweaty head and clingy body perfectly conformed right onto me. She had a bit of a temperature today, and has been making some seriously strange faces with her mouth, so I am guessing she is getting some more teeth. So for the next couple of days ill enjoy my spring break from work and cuddle our little love bug back to her normal happy, crawling, active baby self. For now ill just stare at her sweet chubby knucles that grip my shirt every so tightly not to let her go and embrace every minute that she is still a baby. Happy 3/4 of a year old my darling Francesca Kaureen! 

If You look closely you can see her two teeth!

Monkeying around

Yep that is right I wouldnt quite call what she is doing crawling its more like monkeying. She gets around really well its definitely her version of a crawl but it really resembles a baby monkey and it pretty hilarious. She sort of drags her left leg along for the ride and her right leg he uses her foot to get around. She is really getting good at whatever you want to call it though! Things that she loves to crawl to or after, Hulk, the computer, her bibs, her blanki, our cell phones, ty or me, and elmo. She wont crawl for everything just when she really wants something. It amazes me how quickly this little girl has gotten so good at so many things. She is also lifting herself up onto her chair and onto our legs (she is still really wobbly but her legs and back are strong enough to get her into a standing position with very minimal assistance. She also can get herself from a laying position to a sitting position. So the last few mornings I have found her happily playing her piano at the end of the bed sitting up like a big girl. She is such a strong LITTLE (emphasis on the little) Lady.  We are loving her blossoming personality. We seriously love this girl more everyday, its amazing how much more fun she becomes with every passing day. She really is finally starting to laugh a lot more. It doesnt take quite as much to get her going as it used to. She also  is very ticklish. I mean everywhere, her toes, legs, belly, armputs, chin, neck. Sometimes she likes when you tickle her and lets out this big belly laugh and other times she doesnt like it at all and she has this sad crying laugh. We had a really nice weekend and got to spend lots of time together. Again we spent soem time at the park and she loves her swinging. We spent the whole weekend with my family which is a huge benefit when living near family. We met with my Aunt Rita and Rosie for dinner on friday. It was a really nice night out at a restuarant close to our house. Plus Franki loves spaghetti and they have delicious spaghetti at thsi restaurant. She was loving the attention and the food. It was great to get together with them. Staurday Ty and I spent the afternoon walking around exploring the neighborhood and the park. It was a beautiful day! We then went to our first BBQ of the season at my Mom and Dads house. Its nice to have a backyard for hulk to be able to run around in. (lately we have had to keep our front door wide open because he wants to just lay outside our house) the only problem with that is we dont have a screen door and we dont have a yard, so we have to make sure he doesnt decide to roam off anywhere. Sunday we got to have breakfast with my family and our Aunt Kathy. This was the first time we have taken Franki out to breakfast. She was in awe for the first 20 minutes or so at all the people and the noise of the restuarant. She plays a very serious baby when she isnt quite sure where she is or about the people. We got a good laugh at her checking out (staring seriously) at all the people. She then proceeded to devour an etire pancake. Yes an entire pancake. Aunt Kathy was really enjoying feeding her until Franki didnt think it was fast enough and staring digging her hands into the panckae and syrup and eating it all by herself. We all got a great laugh watching her feed herself for the first time. I think it is safe to say this baby loves people food and is really good at eating pancakes. Aunt Kathy probably can still feel the syrup in her hair and on her clothes! Needless to say everyone loves this baby more than words can describe and she seems to put us all in awe just with her presence. I can tell she is really starting to learn faces. She lights up when she sees her Daddy, Moma, Papa, and Elle. She also very quickly learns the people who love her, a.k.a her aunts kathy, rita, and rosie. I think it is something in the voices of those who talk to her but its like she can tell when people get down to her level and talk to her. She warmed up to all of them very quickly. Babies have such instinct when it comes to people. Franki was the same way with Tyler's cousin Kim. She loved the way she got close to her, smiled at her and talked to her. I can speak for Franki I think she definitely feel the love just from the inflection in someones voice. I was explaining this to elle the other day. I think Babies and Dogs are similar. No not in every way (although they do both drool). Although they dont comprehend words or the meaning of what you are saying they respond to the tone of voice you use when you say these words. Such as when you say NO (you typically say it in a deeper louder voice) than you would say Hello in. It just amazes me how smart babies brains really are. Please enjoy our little love bug as she crawls the room for my camera!

P.S.  A special shout out to Ty's Grandma Moe. It was so nice to receive your letter in the mail. It is also so nice to know that you keep up with us and Franki by reading the blog. We love getting your letters and we save every one of them. Sometimes I think we forget how nice it is to get real mail in today's technology filled world! (hence all the internet blogging) but we really appreciate the fact that you are able to read about all of the fun things Franki is doing and keep up with our lives. Thank you so much for the heartfelt note. We think of you often. Love and Hugs to you from all of us. XO

St. Paddy's Day

One of my favorite days of the year and it doesnt hurt that today was almost 70 degrees! Oh yeah and Franki is crawling! Yep it is offical she can do it. The last couple of days she would go for a crawl or two but today we could get her to go all around the room! It was the luck of the IRISH I tell you! She looked as sweet as could be in her little St. Paddy's day outfit and crawling around she looked even cuter. We are definitely proud parents (can you tell!) We played outside most of the day. Franki absolutely loves the fresh air and Hulk and I dont mind it either! Our house smelled of corned beef, cabbage, and potatoes...mmmmm I can still smell it now. It was a delicious end to a perfect day off. Nothing like those days of being at the bar at 8 a.m and drinking green beer all day (tyler and I have done that a year or two ago!), today was even better! Wishing everyone a little luck today and everyday!

Thanks to My Aunt Kathy for the cute St. Patricks day outfit! Franki looks mighty cute!

Rested and Recovered

Im finally better well almost. I actually ended up getting a full night sleep on Thursday night into Friday! Yep that is right Franki slept all night for the first time ever. She has yet to repeat this and actually slept horrible last night, but were making great progress and even I can handle getting up one or two times a night. Even my body can handle that. I still have a nasty cough but so far (knock on wood) no one else has gotten sick from me which is a blessing. I am well rested after this weekend and lots of time with Franki and Tyler definitely helped the mend a bit. We had a really nice weekend. Wednesday and Friday we celebrated Elle's Birthday! We had a nice dinner on Wednesday night and Friday Ty and I were able to get out for a little bit with Ellen and her friends and just enjoy some time out. It was nice to be able to share some "alone" time together and just catch up. I am guilty of spending too much time and attention on Franki and Hulk and not enough time paying attention to Tyler. But After friday night I realize it is with good reason, because the times we spend together are that much more worth it and held that much more fun and meaning. It was too bad we didnt get to see the night of ELLE's birthday unfold (she always has lots of flair during her nights out and once Id like to be there to see it, but I can only imagaine. Aunt Elle sure knows how to have a good time and make a good time and we love her so much for that! Saturday Ty and I took Franki to a local indoor pool where I could show him how much she enjoys the water. She wasnt too sure at first because it was loud and there was a ton of kids in the swimming pool, but once she realized she was going to get to do some SPLASHING she was all for it! I think Tyler really enjoyed seeing how much fun she was having and we had a really good time too. It was a nice day to break up a cold and wintery day. Franki was a busy body all day saturday. She is now constantly trying to lift herself onto anything that is high enough, the couch, table , entertainment center. She really is on the move now . Sunday my mom, franki elle and I wnjoyed some good ole target shopping and then a nice long walk. Tyler brought hulk and my mom, franki and I all went to the park. She absolutely loved the swing and the walk. She is sooo observant. I always tell Tyler its almost like you can see that she is taking notes in her brain regarding all the things she sees. She always has such an inquisitive look on her face and is so calm watching and taking in new things. While on the swing she laughed and laughed (I have to say the sound of her laugh is music to my heart). It is the most amazing sound and reminds me the beauty of life and how the simple things really are the most fun. Which gets me to the point of my nice relaxing weekend. It was simple and sweet filled with the people and things that I love and I am reminded that this is what makes my heart smile. This is what makes life good. A good laugh and the people we love are all we need in order to be happy. Happy we are. Thank you my sweet Baby for showing us what is really important and reminding us to feel the breeze while we walk, take in the trees and the beautiful surroundings we have been given. Thank you for reminding us what trully matters in life.

She really works the Camera!

Out of Commision

Our family has been what I call out of sorts, commision, really whatever you want to call it. The Momma was sick. Yep still am sick actually. Its not easy being sick (coughing up a lung, running nose, laryngitis, pounding headache) and still waking up every 3-4 hours or so with your fussy teething allergic baby. Poor me yes I am allowed every once in awhile to feel sorry for myself and this is just one of those times. I dont usually complain much about being sick but for some reason between stress, sickness, lack of sleep and work I was just out of all my sorts. I couldnt remember things and I just felt kinda crazy. But after a weekend of R and R with family I am starting on the mend. Still no where near 100% but definitely on the way. On top of being sick Franki was in Clingy Mommy mode and when she wasnt either in my lap of within view of me she had this painful whine. It all started when I started giving her baby yogurt about a week ago. (She actually loved it). She has always had her milk intolerance but the pediatrician said most likely she would grow out of it. So we tried and significantly failed. It hurts her belly and makes her spitty and just absolutely miserable a.k.a clingy, yucky inflammed bowel poop, just not good at all. So we decided this little girl is going to have some tummy issues. No more milk for me either for another 5 months (thank goodness for that one shamrock shake that I finally got!). Whats another 5 months when I made it 7 without one thing of milk. So hopefully she will be a little less clingy and more like the Franki we know now that most of the milk protein is working her way out of his system. Well actually now we need to get the egg out of her systmem! Yep of course the pediatrician said we could give her eggs so this morning I gave her one bite (about the size of a pin and she got hives immediately. Hives were all over her head, neck and face. Luckily it happened fast so I did nto give her any more egg and within about 2 hours all of the Hives were gone. SO allergy testing may be in our near future. So to now its sticking to the basics. She absolutely loves table food and wants whatever we have. Last night we had a surprise birthday dinner for Ellen at my Aunts house and she loved twice baked potatoes and a little cupcake for dessert. Tonight she had some noodles! Those little frotn teeth sure are coming in handy! On other news Franki is obsessed with her Hokey Pokey Elmo. I love watching her look at him while Elmo dances. She is also really moving around. We call it the snake she cant crawl forwards but shes got the backward snake thing going. Baby Baby were praying she grows out of these allergies and we can all be back in commision by the end of this week. Luckily for Tyler he felt ok and we havent passed our ailments on to him yet!

Crazy Talking almost Crawling 7 month old!

Whoawzaa! I cant believe this little girl is 7 months old. She is so quickly catching on to new things. I continue to love this little girl more than I could ever imagine. Her personality continues to shine. She is definitely going to be a drama queen. She is dramatic about everything and almost laughs at you when you feed into her drama. She has this little fake dramatic whine that she does when she doesnt like what your doing a.k.a not paying total attention to her, and when she doesnt like what she is playing with. She gives the little smirk when you then do what she wants you to do. I guess I have been known to be dramatic once or twice in my life :). She is such a blessing into our lives. She makes everyday that much brighter. She is really starting to be a picky little eater over the last month. She used to love her veggies, but now is starting to gag when you try to feed her them or do her no way lips pursed tight blowing out her nose face when she doesnt want something. This girl sure lets you know what she wants when she wants it. She still really likes her fruit and I have been able to add apricots and mangos to the list of fruits that she eats. I also started baby yogurt this weekend and so far so good she is handling the whole milk with no problems! Yeah that means I can go back to adding som dairy into my diet! Oh yogurt how I have missed you so much! At this point though I am willing to give her whatever she wants in order to get her to keep the pounds coming on. She is also quite entertained by her toys these days, she still puts just about everything in her mouth, but she is actually really enjoying all of her things. Her MoMa recently bought her kitchen stuff and she absolutely loves the stuff in it. Pots, Pans, fake food, spoons, etc. She can keep herself completely entertained for almost an hour just playing with the food. She bangs the pots and pans together and on her head and all over the place. Se also has recently really started moving. I mean really this girl doesnt stop she is constantly on the move however she isnt that coordinated about it. Shell be in my lap one minute and the next she is throwing herself at some toy and faceplanting into the ground (we spend most of our time at ground level so we arent getting to many bumps and brusies yet! She also really wants to crawl, she gets into the crawl position fromt he sitting posititon and eventually just plops herself onto the ground and rolls over. This occurs about every five minutes now. This weekend she really started to have an interest in figuring it out. ALthough I think she has a couple of weeks before she is officially on the move she definitely is headed in the right direction and you can tell by her constatn need to be in the crawl postition that she is ready to be running after Hulk very soon. He has no idea what he is in for! She continues to wake up 2-3 times per night. I still nurse her every monring, night and overnight, but pretty much she gets pumped milk in a bottle all day long. There is a little more wiggle room to feed her with a bottle while she tries to move. We have tried a sippy cup but she still isnt too sure about it, so we will have to wait another week and try again. She still is a cuddle bug and she needs a cuddle every night before bed. You cant just lay her down and expect her to go to bed she likes a little cuddling and I cant blame her I need it too!  Enjoy a few videos of her crazy talking and almost crawling self! 7 months of pure bliss and love that I dont even now how to describe with words. She completes us in a way that I never imagined. Tyler and I couldnt have asked for a better life.

Water Baby

Well a few weeks ago I mentioned that Franki really loved swimming lessons and she did, but there is nothing to describe how much she enjoys it now that we have been to 6 lessons. She used to like it but she would just smile and go with whatever we were doing. The last two weeks everyone in the lessons comments on how happy she is and how much she loves the water. We get into the water and she immediately begins splashing and laughing. She splashes everyone and she kicks her little legs to try to get the floating things in the water, she just really really loves it. She is a little fish. She is the youngest one in the class and she seems to enjoy it much more than all the other kids. The instructor even says how good she is for her age. It is just too cute to watch. I guess she takes after her Papa (he was a great swimmer all through High School). I can only imagine my Grandma Rossi looking down from Heaven watching Franki at her swimming lessons and loving every minute of it. I just remember my Grandma always talking about her only son and what a wonderful swimmer he was (she saved every single ribbon that he ever one and gave them to my dad a a few years back). I just know that she would love to see her swimming around. It makes me happy just thinking about it. So in lieu of Franki being such a good little swimmer, I officially graduated her from her baby bath tub into the regular tubs for baths and she absolutely loves it. She is able to get all her toys and move around in the water and she just loves it because it allows her lots more room and lots of splashing. I cant get enough of how much fun she is and how much her personlity is coming out.

We also started a music class called sign and sing. I am sooooo  exxcited to start teaching her different signs. I have a pretty decent background in American Sign Language since I used it to communicate with my little Angel Dimitri. Its been about 7 years since I have really used it, seeing that Little D was my very first Angel that I had ever taken care of. I just think all of the baby sign language studies are really amazing and I look forward to seeing how my little Franki adapts to learning some signs and some ability to communicate before she can use her words. The class we are in focuses on animals so she should quickly learn the sign for Dog! Anyways I just try to really enjoy our time off together and keep us nice and busy for the winter.