Baby update

One week from nine months old, Bria is just perfect. She weighs 14 pounds, six ounces, and is wearing mostly 3-6 month clothes.

She is a BUSY girl, always go go go! As far as child-proofing goes, she is extra effort because she is also a clever problem-solver. For example, there are a variety of babies of different ages who come to daycare (she is second from oldest – one little boy is two weeks younger), but she always seems to be the first one to figure out a way around things! We have an accordion-style gate across the entry to the kitchen to keep the kiddos safe from the basement stairs, back door, etc., but up until yesterday all we had to do was close it, not latch it. Even the toddlers would just walk up and shake it! Not Bria. Yesterday Bria figured out how to push one of the gate so it would swing around and allow her to sneak in around the end.

Bria is going strong as a nurser – though the addition of solid food to her diet has changed that lots. Many days and nights she seems to nurse more for comfort than for nourishment.

She does seem to be a bit of a picky eater. No baby food for this girl! Her preference is to eat what ever the rest of the family is eating, and as Daddy says, “Feed it to herself, thank you very much!” She has two bottom teeth, just perfect for mashing up things like peas and carrots, apples, chicken, and lots more.

Sleeping is not little Bria’s strong suit. During the day she tends nap often but briefly – she does her best sleeping in her car seat on the road! She also likes to sleep in her swing. She likes it best when there is some background noise – kids, tv, radio, etc.

At night she likes to nurse and then spread out in “her spot,” right between Mommy and Daddy! Once she is asleep we move her to the cradle in our room, but she wakes up a few times in the night and ends up back in our bed! It seems her best sleep happens after we get up in the morning, when she spreads out across the empty bed and snoozes away until 9 or 10!

Bria has totally mastered the art of crawling, and spends a lot of her play time pulling herself up to standing. She also likes to walk around the house, pushing her toy around.

She is very social – loves other kids. She is a bit nervous about new adults, though, and is not excited to go to people who aren’t around all the time. Mama’s girl, everyone says, as she looks to Mom for comfort in nearly every situation.

Bria loves music, and starts to dance when ever she hears it. This weekend she had a great time dancing at Paula’s wedding!