Since our last post we have had such an eventful (?) summer-haha- so let me explain: this baby has been causing some pains and it has been difficult getting out and about all the time to play with my little Marley. So we always make due with the conditions we do have and also with the extreme heat and our severely pale skin (and overly sensitive due to a growing baby) we have tried really hard to avoid the heat when we can. So far it has been working-difficult, but working non the less-
I feel like July was just so crazy and surreal, we have a one year old, not only that but her personality has really shown through lately and it is so amazing watching her become the little lady she is!
We also found out that this baby is a boy! We are both pretty excited to be expanding our family and making Marley a big sister. She has been so amazing lately that I have NO worries (watch me eat my words when he gets here) that she will be a great big sister!
Something TJ and I have been discussing since Marley started walking, is when she should start helping with chores and picking up her toys. I was so hesitant because I didn't want to push her and make it a bad experience so we decided to wait until she was closer to a year and a half. Well, this was before we knew we were adding on a sibling so we thought maybe we could start a bit earlier. Even then her pediatrician recommended that it might be a bit early still but could give it a shot but not push too hard. Boy, did we really luck out because this girl LOVES to help us out! Her favorite "chore" is helping with the silverware when its in the dishwasher, I always try to let her do the silverware when the dishwasher is clean because she finds so much joy in it! She will pick up the silverware and then hand them to me to put in the drawer. She also has started picking up plates and glasses, something we don't want her helping too much with since they are still a bit heavy and oh yeah, breakable! Haha!
When Marley was younger I was able to vacuum with her in the living room and she would be sound asleep; but around 9 months she started really freaking out any time the vacuum would turn on, and I would always have to hold her. Now, it is a tad more difficult to hold her and vacuum and hold the cord as well so I was kind of desperate for a solution for her not to be afraid. So I had her help me push it around and she was so happy! She doesn't freak out anymore but gets excited when we pull the vacuum out so she can help me push it around. (she will push it around for a second and then applaud herself for helping by saying 'yay'. It really is darling)
I have been trying to spend those good days that I do have and take advantage of Marley and mom time. We have been so lucky to have such wide variety of options around and we take full advantage of it! When it has been too hot out we like to have a little ice cream and a play date. With the hot weather we have gone to the mall just to play in the play court! I know it is so silly to drive to the mall just to play inside, but she LOVES that place! She gets so excited and cant stop running around- which makes for a GREAT nap hour after we get home (for the both of us!)
I have had my concerns on adjusting Marley into having a sibling, and its been difficult because she is so little she doesn't really seem to phase her but lately she will see me with my hands on my belly when he kicks and she will run over and rub my belly for two seconds, then run away :) So I think it will all be just fine! She is so soft and gentle even with little puppies and dogs, so with a little baby brother I think it will work out great.
TJ is still super busy with work, and when he isn't at work he is just the best darn dad a little Marley could ask for! Often during the day she is so curious and asks a billion questions ("whats that" and "where'd it go?" but of course in her little voice, though very clear on what she is saying) recently she has started saying "where'd DAD go?" and pick up my phone wanting to call him. It is just so precious to watch their relationship, and her love for him. They are such a great pair and we cannot wait for little brother to get here to have more fun!
Like I said above, Marley has such the personality; she still is SUPER active and doesn't stop moving until she is asleep but loves to come surprise you with snuggles and loves every now and then. It might be hard to figure out when she is showing a moment of love but she will confirm it by saying 'ahhhhh' (like isn't this sweet? haha she is so funny!) She is not big on watching t.v. (I'm okay with) but LOVES music, and will even start to dance to her own little music. Marley would rather listen to music and run around than watch an animated show, though she does like documentaries (she is so much like TJ).
Marley Milestones: laying down, haha! This is a huge thing for us because it gives us a second to catch our breaths and she will randomly lay down for 10-15 seconds and then back up again! Still loves books and flipping through the pages, she likes it when I let her do that and will pay a little more attention when I allow her to flip through the pages when we are reading. She is a climbing machine, everything is a jungle and will climb all over the couches and climbing in the bath tub all the time! She isn't too big on giving kisses anymore but will blow you a kiss multiple times a day, and she finds that silly and sweet so it makes them that more special. She also loves giving high fives and knuckles and is now waving more to random people! Haha!
She now has four teeth on top and still her two on the bottom but that doesn't stop her from eating anything! She is such a Carney and loves lots of food, we do have a little picky person on some foods but she does pretty good for the most part.
Until next time!
This isn't the best picture but, this is how we found out we were having a BOY!
We had the doctor write the gender on a slip and went to get some balloons, it was a very nice surprise for all of us!
So cute! It's always great to hear about how you are doing! I can't believe how grown-up Marley is becoming that she can help with chores and say sentences. That is so neat! I bet she will have so much fun with her little brother :) You're a good Mom. :)
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