JustAnn in LA: 10 Months - Pulling Up for Life!

Rachel's 9th month was exhausting and fun at the same time!

What's been fun

- Rachel is a talker and a yeller: when comfy at home she is talking to herself all the time. It's like she is speaking a foreign language!

- Rachel in her walker: against the pediatrician's advice, Rachel has been using a walker. Gong Gong bought one for her immediately upon her arrival and she absolutely loved cruising around the kitchen in circles. Thanks to Auntie Jeannie for sending one to LA as well! So spoiled.

- Great Self Entertainer: the other day, she kept herself occupied for 20 minutes with a plastic water bottle and a bag of granola. This was unusual and a gift from God, because I was home alone with her, not able to walk (see "not so fun")

What's been not so fun:

- mommy out of commission: I injured my foot running up the stairs and couldn't walk for a few days. No one tells you that as a mom, you aren't allowed to take sick days. Thankfully Justin very lovingly took care of both Rachel and me. Still limping, but thankful to The Lord it is healing incredibly quicker than expected!

- teething: maybe this should be assumed to be her status for the next year? She has days where nothing will console her except a frozen washcloth

Pictured here: she just had a big poop and needed to let Mommy know

She got her two front teeth in, which are huge buck teeth- totally cute. We think she is teething again though, because she has been fussy out of the blue lately.

Rachel started cruising along the couch and anything she can lay her hands on. She has most recently started pulling up on walls...which is so safe.

When she gets excited, she pants like a dog. Constantly babbling, Rachel and Mommy like to go back and forth with "wa wa wa"s and "ra ra ra"s. Sometimes they just giggle back and forth for fun.

Rachel likes to lay on Daddy's chest while he sings her favorite song of all time: Wheels on the Bus. Thankfully the lyrics can be made up on the spot after singing all the traditional ones, allowing for continuous repeat...

Baby sign language is going well- she now knows how to sign "more", which is helpful because she used to sign "all done" for "more". She finally knows the difference.

Her self feeding is drastically improving. Weirdly enough, she did not like puréed peas, but will eat them no problem whole. She is a bottomless pit for blueberries (she got that one from her Daddy).

In another life, Rachel was a fish. When playing in a kiddie pool where little fountains of water shot up from the ground, she crawled right up to it, with her head directly above the fountain, splashing in her face, with her mouth wide open. See picture below

Eating lunch outside the library together

Splashing with buddy Caloway (twinkies!)

Cruising around Daddy's electronics

This summer has been filled with parks. Cheesing it up in the swing!

Interesting and challenging times in the crib these days

She passed out this way one day

Rachel being a good host to her buddy Kaylee

Happy 1st Birthday!

Rachel and Grayson figuring out this kiddie pool thing.

Prepping for the Houston trip with Daddy. They are best buds and missed each other like crazy!

So excited to be with PoPo. Always the best dressed in her care

A nice 4th of July at La Centerra

Rachel has the most doting cousins ever! Olivia and Maddie wanted to "hold her" standing up the entire time! That is, until they almost dropped her because she is so heavy.

On this day, Rachel tried to skip her nap because she knew Sarah and Nick were there. When we finally let her out of her room, she was so thrilled to be in both of their arms!

Reunited with the J.Lo's! Jordy was so sweet and brought Rachel toys.

Grandma and Rachel in the dress she sewed just for her! It even has a monogrammed R on the front!

Didn't know I had 3 extra babysitters on hand: they pushed Rachel in this wagon up and down the halls for fun

You know we had to do "cow appreciation day" at Mommy's favorite restaurant. This cow costume was handed down to Rachel from a friend of a friend. Little did they know it would earn us a free meal :)

Dinner with the Leung's, courtesy of the Asian barefoot contessa. Seared ahi tuna, ponzu sauce from scratch, with seaweed, rice, and Japanese seasoning!