Meredith 8 Months

Meredith’s 8th month was full of firsts and fun!

img_0370

Samantha, Amelia and Meredith at 8 months. Meredith is really looking like her own person these days. It’s so fun comparing these three– they are so different! If you’re in need of a laugh, check out Samantha and Amelia at 8 months here.  Good times (and I can’t believe Samantha was crawling so well by her 8 month birthday– Meredith isn’t even close)!

picmonkey-collage8months

Unfortunately, there will probably be no more milestone block pictures with the correct numbers on them as Meredith loves to occupy herself eating/swiping/throwing them during picture time.

img_0365

Who, me?

img_0398img_0366

Meredith is HUGE and sported 12-18 (and sometimes 24) month clothes. She started dropping the 3rd nap (Hallelujah!) and slept 11-12 hours at night.

img_0379

img_2775

Firsts included Meredith’s first bike ride, first trip to San Diego, first time swimming in the pool, first Utes game, and, sadly, her first time rolling off the bed! Good thing she’s a tough one.

img_2435 img_4778

img_4794 img_2510

img_0068

Meredith started eating finger foods regularly, and my time spent cleaning increased exponentially. Guess it couldn’t be worse than the twins at this age.

rebeccas-iphone-april-672

img_0384

Meredith ate Cheerios like there was no tomorrow! She also loved sweet potato, squash, pasta, avocado, green beans, broccoli and cauliflower.

img_0184 img_0936

PRUNES AGAIN?

img_5084

Meredith devoured 8 pieces of pita bread at Panini Cafe and I was so afraid she was going to get so constipated! I don’t know where it all went, but she was fine. Note the seven tons of basmati rice all over the floor. Understandably, bus boys flee when they see us coming into restaurants.

img_5225

Meredith’s excursions also included visiting Great Grandpa, co-hosting Allison’s baby shower, chilling at the beach, going raspberry and apple picking, swinging (ALL THE TIME), playing at home, and hanging out at the park with sisters. Meredith also goes along for the ride to the girls’ gymnastics, dance and soccer practices and can’t wait for the day she can join in.

img_4800

img_0080

img_4771 img_2663

Now that Meredith is more mobile and interactive, Samantha and Amelia have a blast playing with her and keeping her entertained. She is absolutely bored to tears when they are at preschool and looks at me like, “WHERE IS MY ENTERTAINMENT?”

img_2460 img_2412

Meredith and Maple enviously watched the big kids roast s’mores at the pool.

img_0926

img_0934 img_0930  img_0881

Samantha and Amelia are awesome with Meredith and treat her like their own little dolly. Seriously, they get 5 stars all around. It’s cute to see how nurturing and caring they are with her, and they’ve become so much more responsible and grown up as a result. Their favorite thing is to tell all the kids at school (and strangers at the park) that they have a “baby sister named Meredith who is 8 months old.”   Out of the blue, sometimes they’ll say, “I LOVE my baby sister!” and I melt into a puddle.

img_0160

“Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth…because I’m happyyyyyyy!”

img_2812

I find it hilarious to contrast Meredith with the girls at each stage.

img_8465

Thinking back to the first year, I always tell people all I remember is 365 days of crying, but I do sometimes wonder if I’m exaggerating about how hard it was. Looking back at pictures confirmed my memories! It was rough!

img_8357

I NEED A SHOULDER TO CRY ON.

img_8355

Occassionally, the twins were in good moods. Like every 1 out of 250 pictures.

img_7991

No one ever accused Samantha of being skinny.

img_8143

Samantha the Grump at 8 months.

img_7649

I WILL NOT SMILE UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE.

img_7749

It’s hard to believe I used to have nothing else to do but chill at the park and watch these two play. Now Meredith is the one observing the chaos.

img_7763

Good times at the park!

img_7731

Like the twins, Meredith enjoys the outdoors and wiggles her whole body when I put her in her stroller or Ergo because she knows an outing is coming. She’s just like Bandit!

img_0387

Meredith started completely rejecting purees this month and pretty much grabbed the spoon out of my hand whenever I would try to feed her. She would either attempt to feed herself, or demand finger foods. Let’s just say it’s been an epically messy month. Bandit was not complaining.

img_0368

img_0358

Meredith loves to engage with people and makes friends wherever she goes. The teachers at the girls’ preschool remarked one day at how it brightens their day to see her in the morning. Whenever I walk or jog with her. it’s funny to see the smiles on bikers or joggers coming the opposite way– for a split second, I always think they are saying hi to me, when I realize that Meredith must be giggling at them.  img_0331

Still no teeth or crawling this month. Meredith’s preferred mode of transportation was rolling. Nighttime sleep took a little bit of a downhill detour once she started rolling all over the place in her sleep and woke up disoriented.

img_2835

Still, I can’t complain. She is a sweetheart and full of personality. Love you, Mer Bear!

img_0375

Lots of love,

Signature

Meredith 6 Months

I wish I could freeze this past month in time. Just when I think she can’t get any happier, chubbier, and more adorable, she ups her game! Happy half birthday to our little monkey!

IMG_2182 (1)

Amelia, Samantha and Meredith’s 6 Month Comparison:

PicMonkey Collage

Meredith definitely has similarities to the twins (especially Samantha), but is taking on her own “Meredith” look too.

IMG_1849

At her 6 month appointment, Dr. Young announced Meredith was officially literally off the growth chart. She weighed in at 19 pounds and 28.5 inches tall. She barely fit on the baby scale!

“Clearly, you are starving her,” remarked Dr. Young.

And just because I love graphs:

graph (1) graph

 

Go, Meredith!

IMG_2100

Meredith can still fit in a few 9-12 month outfits, but mostly wears 12-18 month clothes. Unfortunately, the clothes I kept in that size from the twins are all winter clothes, so lucky Meredith got to splurge on some brand new clothes for the summer!

IMG_2247

Meredith usually wakes around 6:30- 7:00 a.m. and takes two 1.5 hour naps and one short cat nap a day before going down for the night around 7-7:30 p.m. Unlike her sisters at this age, Meredith is a star sleeper most days.

IMG_2093

Those cheeks really seem to weigh her down. She gets a workout just keeping her head up!

IMG_2085

It was drool city for Meredith all month, but still no teeth! She loves chewing on her teether toys, though.

IMG_1868 IMG_1872

New activities for Meredith this month included blowing raspberries, grasping more toys (and hair!) and pulling them toward her with ease, bouncing around in the exersaucer, grabbing her feet, giggling hysterically at the twins, swinging, swimming, trying solids and turning to her side more. She can sit up for a few seconds before falling over, so we usually prop her up with pillows.

IMG_1902 IMG_1904

The twins seemed to be more advanced with their gross motor skills, as they were both rolling over all the time and sitting up without help by six months. Meredith definitely gets carried around a lot more than the twins were and is constantly being toted around in the stroller, carseat, Ergo, high chair and wherever the twins go. With her sisters, we were home playing on blankets and mats more, so I have to wonder if that has contributed to her being behind the twins in her gross motor skills, or if it’s just her unique timetable. Meredith seems more advanced by far on the fine motor and cognitive skills. I find all the comparisons between siblings so interesting!

IMG_0131

Meredith can flip from her tummy to her back, but is usually content to hang out, so she doesn’t try too often.

IMG_2203 IMG_2192

She’s usually so content with a toy on her back too, that I think she figures in reference to rolling, “Why bother?”

IMG_0713

Meredith enjoys talking to herself and all the pretty butterflies from her crib. SO different from the twins who were usually screaming to get out of their cage the minute they woke up and were never entertained by toys or with each other.

IMG_0721

IMG_2132IMG_2135

Meredith loves to stick out her tongue and play peekaboo.

IMG_2138

Meredith and her favorite sea creature mat.

IMG_0705

A recap of Meredith’s sixth month:

Her first road trip to Utah (permanently traumatized from being in the car for 12 hours!)

IMG_3431

It was all worth it once we arrive and Meredith enjoyed 24/7 cuddles from Grammy, Grandpa, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

2016JulyFourth6 2016JulyFourth8 IMG_0498

2016JulyFourth252 2016JulyFourth275 2016JulyFourth274 IMG_3729 IMG_3783

First Fourth of July!

IMG_1720

First official tea party.

2016JulyFourth313

The star baby.

2016JulyFourth140

2016JulyFourth228

2016JulyFourth126 2016JulyFourth135

She celebrated Cousin Noah’s 2nd birthday.

IMG_1813

Many beach days!

IMG_0452

First time swinging at the park (true love).

IMG_4233

Meredith couldn’t wait to fit into the Future Harvard Freshman outfit our friend, Marisa, gave the twins when they were babies. And just in case she messes it up, I have an extra.

IMG_0435

The twins constantly asked to hold/squeeze/hug/kiss/feed/play/read to Meredith.

IMG_3513

IMG_3937

The twins dressed up Meredith in the koala outfit Aunt Sarah brought back from her trip to Australia. Not cool, guys!

IMG_4097

Baby playdate with Maple!

IMG_4283

Meredith didn’t miss out on any of the outdoor action in her portable high chair.

IMG_4329

Jake was playing Meredith’s favorite game, airplane, when he got more than he bargained for. IMG_4337

First solids the week of her sixth month birthday. Not a good birthday present, apparently.

IMG_4298

A new cherished activity (on the twins’ part). Meredith acts mostly terrified when they get anywhere near her with a spoon.

IMG_4341

I think I’ll just put my feet up.

IMG_4323

Flashback to Samantha and Amelia hanging out together at six months:

img_6346 IMG_5910

We love you, Meredith!

Lots of love,

 

Signature

Meredith’s Adventures in Solids

Meredith reached a milestone I have been putting off as long as possible– solids! Back when I was a newbie and naive, I couldn’t wait to start the twins on solids. I actually had a special baby meal plan and baby food maker back then (and used recipes– ha!) whereas now I just dig out whatever fruits and veggies we have on hand/are eating that day, steam them and throw them in the blender. Many of the new foods the twins tried had their own dedicated blog posts (too much time on my hands back then?)

IMG_5744 IMG_5786

Samantha and Amelia trying solids: click here. 

Little did I know back then how much of a mess and extra work starting solids would be, hence my lack of enthusiasm when it was time to start Meredith the week of her 6 month birthday. She had been eyeing each bite we put into our mouths with envy for months, but when it was finally go-time, she wasn’t too excited about her bland brown rice cereal and oatmeal starters!

Veggies and fruits have been met with much more gusto. The scoreboard so far:

Brown rice: meh
Oatmeal: meh
Bananas: Yum!
Squash: Yum!
Sweet Potatoes: Yum!
Green Beans: Yum!
Corn: Yum!
Prunes: Yum!
Apples: Yum!
Watermelon: Yum!
Cantaloupe: Yum!
Pears: Yum!
Avocado: Ew!

Then many faces of Meredith eating:

PicMonkey Collage

Mealtime is the twins’ favorite part of the day now. They beg to feed Meredith, much to her chagrin!

IMG_4343 IMG_4341

Life is good!

IMG_4494

IMG_4498

More please!

IMG_4496

NO MAS.

IMG_4402

What kind of torture is this? (Her first taste of oatmeal). IMG_4298 IMG_4501

Loving those green beans.

IMG_4410

Meredith enjoys grabbing the spoon and attempting to feed herself (SO messy) and especially loves cold watermelon or cantaloupe put in her silicone self-feeder to soothe those sore gums.

IMG_4520

IMG_4517

So far, the only food she’s really detested is avocado (a tragedy!) We will keep working on it.

The twins eating avocado: click here. 

Our adventures in solids to be continued…

Lots of love,

Signature

Meredith 5 Months

Amelia, Samantha and Meredith’s 5 month comparison:

PicMonkey Collage

Meredith is getting a look of her own, these days, although she still reminds me of Samantha at this age.

IMG_1740 (1)

When Meredith wakes up in the morning or wakes up from her nap and sees us, she erupts into a huge grin and giggles. She’s a pretty patient baby and will coo and gurgle to herself in her crib until we come and get her. I’m totally biased, but she is the cutest.

IMG_1783

Meredith wears 6-9 month clothes, as well as some 12 month outfits. She’s one big girl!IMG_1738 (1)

Meredith takes 3 naps a day with a catnap in the late afternoon, followed by 12 hours of nighttime sleep. Her favorite part of the day includes any time her sisters are up and bath time.

IMG_1737

Meredith loves to kick and squirm, but so far hasn’t rolled over from her back to her tummy. She’s pretty content to hang out and crane her neck to see what’s going on, and loves to do core work by practicing sitting up while lying on her back. This girl has some serious abs!

IMG_1742

No teeth yet, but the drool never ends and neither does putting everything in her mouth.

IMG_1747

Badminton racquet? Fascinating! Meredith loves toys, teethers, random objects and blankies, all of which she usually ends up tasting. The only thing she will routinely spit out? Pacifiers. She’s a thumb sucker and gets angry when I try to give her the Wubbanub!

IMG_1773 IMG_1772

Amelia and Samantha at 5 months with Samantha wearing the same dress. I love the 5 month stage!

IMG_4626c1

She’s always curious about the world and is content sitting and looking around wherever we are.

IMG_1764

IMG_1748

Amelia, 5 months. The twins were definitely a lot harder to entertain at this age.

IMG_5181

Samantha, 5 months, with her characteristic mischievous glint in her eyes.

IMG_5120

Whoa there!

IMG_1771

They call me mellow yellow. IMG_1768

This month, Meredith practiced sitting up, assisted,  grabbing dangly toys and objects off the high chair, yanking mommy’s hair, talking and shrieking, and chewing on toys. IMG_1752

This month, Meredith had a busy social calendar, including visiting Great Grandpa.

IMG_3007

Lots of pool days.

IMG_3226 (1)

IMG_0140

IMG_3333

Meredith was a beach bum this month.

IMG_3405 (1)

IMG_0275-e1467606905208

IMG_0293-e1467606729916

Memorial Day bbq.

IMG_2966

Meredith was an adventurous hiker.

IMG_2942

Meredith loves her sister hugs.

IMG_0227

Meredith begged to eat solid food, but she’s still stuck with pumped bottles for now. IMG_3426

Loving her ocean mat and toys.

IMG_0189

IMG_3115

IMG_0132

Meredith helped Daddy celebrate his first Father’s Day with all three.

IMG_3295

She was fascinated tagging along to all of the girls’ classes.

IMG_0197 IMG_3159

IMG_3202

Meredith was lucky enough to accompany us on all of our date nights while the twins were at home with the sitter.

IMG_0250 (1)

Getting used to photo shoots.

IMG_3069IMG_3079

Wearing sandals for the first time.

IMG_1478

Weekend afternoons at the park.

IMG_0174

Good times on the patio watching her sisters.

IMG_0240 (1)

IMG_1498

So much lounging! IMG_3264

She is our happy girl! IMG_1767

Lots of love,

Signature