10 Months Old

How Old: Ten Months
Weight:  (16lbs 12 oz around the 10th percentile)
Length: (27 1/2 in around the 25th percentile)
Clothes: She is in 9 and 12 month clothes.  Her jammies are 12 month because the 9 month ones are too short.  We are still using size 3 diapers.
Sleep: She takes a morning and afternoon nap each day and each are around 1 1/2 to 2 hours.  She will rarely take a third nap, only on days when we are riding in the car at that time or if she has played super hard.  Bedtime is around 8pm some nights 7:30 and some nights 8:30 depending on her day naps.  She wakes between 6:30 - 7:30am but has been known to be a sleepy head and sleep in until 8ish.  On our beach trip, she slept in one morning until 9am!!!  We must have worn her out :)  She has slept through the night only a handful of times this month.  She still likes that one middle of the night feeding, and although I would love for her to sleep through the night, I'm not taking that feeding away because she needs the calories!
Food: She is nursing 4-5 times a day and once in the night.  I try to make at least one or two of those feedings a bottle from milk that I have pumped so I can see exactly how many ounces she is getting.  We have been doing this often right before bed, but I cannot get her to drink more than 4 ounces.  I guess she just has a smaller tummy.  She is eating breakfast, lunch, snack, and dinner of regular food and homemade purees.  This month we have tried a few new things including yogurt (did not like), cottage cheese, hamburger meat, chicken, turkey (did not like).  Here is schedule give or take 30  minutes. 

6:30 Wake/Nurse

7:30 Oatmeal/Fruit/Water

9:00 - 10:45 Nap

11:00 Nurse

12:00 Starch puree/Pick up foods/Water

1:30 - 3:30 Nap

3:30 Nurse/Snack (teething biscuit/diary or fruit/water)

5:30 Oatmeal/Veggie/Pick up foods/Water

7:30 Nurse/Bedtime

1:00ish Nighttime Nurse

Emersyn's Firsts: 
- New Words: banana (said at the beach), night night, bird
- Clapping her hands: she did it the first time with the song "If Your Happy and You Know It"
- Patty Cake: she will clap her hands and when it says 'roll it up' she will roll her hands... adorable!!  She also will roll them sometimes when I sing "The Wheels on the Bus" to her
- Follow single commands for example: 'pick up your paci' 'tickle daddy' 'pick up your blankie' 'love mama' (which will melt your heart because she will lay her head on my shoulder to love me)   She is also responding to what we say.  If I say "Where are the birds" she looks out the window.  If I say "You ready to go night night" and she is ready, she will lay her head on my shoulder. It's precious!!!
- Cruising around everything while holding on: couch, love seat, kitchen cabinets, tables, etc.
- Stand independently
- When she is finished eating now, she will pull her bib down to un-velcro it letting us know she is ready to get out of the highchair. 
- When we say "give me a kiss" she pops loud kisses from her mouth
- Teeth: still the same 5 from last month but I see white on the top
Emersyn Loves: Going outside, taking a bath, when she has visitors, going places, children, giving kisses in the morning, cuddling, playing peek a boo, eating solids, pasta and bread, "Wheels on the Bus" song, music in the car, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and the "Hot Dog" song, getting into cabinets to find new things, blankie and paci, her baby doll, her teddy bear, waving hey and bye, playing silly games with her daddy, going to her Sunday School class (she claps her hands when we go into the church building :), turning the TV on and off, playing with our phones, Brown Bear, Brown Bear book, being rocked before bed
Emersyn Dislikes: Changing outfits, bows in her hair, washing her face, being laid down in her bed awake, and lately she has not wanted to eat a few purees she once loved (sweet potatoes, avocado, and a few others unless we disguise them with another food)
Emersyn is Learning to: Understand what we are saying, follow commands, shake her head no (she also does this when she goes up to something that she knows is off limits like the blinds or the fireplace), stand unsupported, associate words with places (ex. dog is outside)
Mommy's Favorite Thing: You are the friendliest little girl!  You love people and know how to get their attention.  You are PRECIOUS out in public and steal everyone's heart.  When we went to Hilton Head, you made friends with everyone at the hotel, restaurants, beach, pool, you name it.  You will wave that sweet little hand to greet people and if they acknowledge you and wave back, you flash your crazy little cheese grin.  And if there are children anywhere around, you will wave to them big and even squeal to make sure you get their attention.  You love making new friends!!  You stole my heart the most this past month when you started responding to me saying "love mama" by laying your sweet little head on my shoulder or chest to love me!!!  Nothing better :)
Daddy's Favorite Thing: Daddy says, "I love how much your personality has developed and all of the things that you are able to do now just amazes me.  I always love going on new adventures with you and seeing how much you love to "go places" and experience new things with mama and daddy!" 
What I've Learned This Month:
** Don't Blink!!
** I have to be careful what I do, say, and of the expressions I make.  She is copying things that I do daily :)
** That I don't ever think I will get as much sleep as I did before being a mama... but somehow I make it through on adrenaline each day.  

I had to post a lot of 10 month pictures because the progression was too hilarious to leave any out.  Our little girl has some personality and loves life :)

Lake Trip with Friends

We went to the lake for the weekend with our friends Allan, Diana, and baby Everly and Jason, Jennifer, and baby Grace.  We had so much fun relaxing together and watching the little ones!!

 Baby Everly showing off her new teethies

 High school friends with baby girls one month apart :)

 

 Grace and Emmie were so excited to see each other, they had to touch faces.

 Best buddies!

 Emersyn trying to get Grace's dog!  She loves dogs :)

 Boat rides are so relaxing

 And she's out!

 The Barter family

 Sweet Gracie!

 First time in the lake water with her daddy!  She only stayed a few minutes because the life jacket was not the most comfortable :)

 Sweet Everly with her daddy

Family Vacation

We took our first trip as a family of just Daddy, Mommy, and Emmie to Hilton Head, SC.  It was just a quick 3 night trip, but we had a ball together. 

 Eating a snack after a nap on the beach.

 She loved the sand and water and would crawl all over the beach.  Not afraid of the waves either!!

 Out to dinner

 She loved looking at the water and boats.

 Cheesing!!

 Sunset by the marsh at a nearby shopping center

 Trying to catch the clouds :)

 Rocking with Daddy!

 Two sleepy heads!!  They slept until 9am!!!  Why can't she do this at home??!!  

 We asked a person walking by to take a picture of us 3... I think they thought the buildings in the back were more important :(

 Pretty in pink!

 Playing with mama!

 

 She doesn't sit still for long :)

 Our hotel!  We stayed at the Omni and it was great for children!! 

  We drove to Sea Pines on Saturday to explore before heading home.

 Swinging at the park near the lighthouse in Sea Pines.  She had a so much fun!!

 A yummy restaurant we came across.

 Excuse the slicked back hair I had... it was HOT!!

 Loving mommy!!

 Waving "hey"

 She was playing peek a boo with us!  Adorable hand!

Eating Cheerios

 Looking at the birds!

 Leaning in to give a kiss

 Packed up and ready for a day on the beach!

 Napping to the sound of waves

 Yummy blueberries and oatmeal for breakfast!

 Visiting a petting zoo in Sea Pines... She was scared of the Llama because he stuck his head through the fence.  I tried to explain he was nice like Llama Llama Red Pajama.  She didn't buy it!

 Moo cow

 Looking at the horses

Enjoying some home time!

 

 She learned how to get her leg out of her Oball!!!  Little Monkey!

 Messy Hair!

 Library Thursdays

 Emmie's friends Abigail and Lilly

 Always putting something in her mouth

 Mimi joined us one Thursday for library time.  It was a beautiful cooler summer day so we played on the library playground too!

He is Faithful

Taking the "Leap of Faith" to quit my job as I described in my last post was easier to do because of the many times in the past the Lord has been faithful in my life.  I knew He would guide me, carry me, and lead me to where he wanted me to be, and though the journey is not always easy, walking with Him brings me more joy in life than anything else.  I often pray the song by Avalon, "I don't want to go somewhere if I know that you're not there," when making tough decisions because I know if God is not in it the outcome will not be a good one.  

Now, it just so happens that many times when we step out in faith the enemy is close by waiting to bring doubt into our lives and test our faith.  When I decided to quit my job at the end of April and felt I had made the right decision, I quickly had some doubt creep into my life.  The VERY next week, we took our daughter to her 6 month check up and her pediatrician suggested that we go to The Medical University of South Carolina to have a doctor look at the birthmark around her eye.  We made an appointment for the end of May and were told by the doctor at MUSC that she had a Port Wine Stain which would need a series of laser treatments, and he also wanted her to have an MRI to make sure she did not have Sturge Weber Syndrome.  WHAT?  Okay, so I just quit my job, we were going to lose my state health insurance at the end of June, and you're telling me that my daughter may have a serious syndrome, and on top of that will need laser treatment done to her face once a month for several months until it is cleared!!!  Talk about doubt.  Not to mention while we were in Charleston someone backed into my car while it was parked at a restaurant and didn't bother to leave a note offering to pay for it (which I still haven't repaired haha).  All I could think that week besides praying that my little girl would be okay was that I should have kept my job for our finances.  Did I make the right choice?

The next week, I took a day off of work and had my mother-in-law keep my daughter.  It was really the first time I had been given a moment alone to process all that was going on in my life, and I was overwhelmed with emotion.  I knew there was only one way to solve my problem, GIVE IT TO GOD.  I knew my mind was going in all kinds of tormenting directions so I decided to type my prayer that morning instead of praying in my crazy head.  This is what I wrote:

May 27, 2015

Father,

      Sometimes it is so hard to clear my mind to come to you in prayer, so today I just want to pray to you through writing.  I am very anxious, scared, worried, concerned about my sweet Emersyn.  My mind is very positive one minute knowing that she is a happy, healthy, growing, advanced little girl.  But I also know that she does have some of the symptoms of this Port Wine Stain and Sturge Weber Syndrome. 

       Lord, I lay my worries, anxieties, cares, and concerns at your feet because you are the ONLY one who knows what is ahead.  You know more than the doctors, more than the Internet, even more than me and her daddy.  And Father, YOU are the ONLY one that can ultimately heal her.  Yes, finding the right doctors is important, but YOU are the GREAT PHYSICIAN.  You performed miracles many years ago when you healed the blind and you are still performing them today.

       Father, I ask that you heal Emersyn’s spots around her eye, nose, and head completely and without any laser treatments if it be your will.  I pray that you not allow her to have the Sturge Weber Syndrome but rather have a perfectly normal brain that is developing completely normal for her age.  Nothing is too hard or impossible for you Lord. 

       You know how much her daddy and I love her and want her to have a healthy life full of JOY.  But more over, we know that you created her and love her even more than we do which is hard to even imagine.  Thank you for entrusting her to us.  Thank you for allowing us to raise our sweet Emersyn.  Please give us a peace while we wait, and lead us to the doctors that you would have us see.  If procedures are necessary, please help us to know the right timing to have those procedures completed.  Direct us, lead us, hold us, comfort us, draw us closer to you.  We praise you during this time because we know that YOU are faithful, and even though it is so hard for me not to be able to control the situation and make my daughter be okay right now, I trust that everything good comes from you and that you have Emersyn in the palm of your hand. 

       So just as Abraham gave his son Isaac to you, trusting that you would take care of him, Father, I give my precious daughter Emersyn to you knowing that you will do what is best for her because you are the only one who knows the plans and purpose you have for her life. 

        Father, I love you and thank you that you are always here in my time of need.  Forgive me for not setting aside more time to spend with you in the day in and day out hustle and bustle of life lately.  I cannot wait for summer to begin so I can make it a point to spend time in your Word and in prayer more often.  I also lift up my career to you.  I have made the decision to stay at home, but Father, if that is not what you want of me, please lead me to the job you desire for me to have.  I also lift up Daniel in his career and ask that you continue to open doors for him as you desire and in your timing whether it be through golf courses, basketball, or something we have no clue of yet.  We give you our finances and ask that you would multiply them if it be your will.  I miss having time with you as I used to and thank you for this day of being able to spend some time just sitting with you and being still before you.  I ask in advance that you bless the Bible study I will be doing this summer with Katrina and that you will use it to strengthen my walk with you, Father.  Help me to keep up with it and be held accountable by another person.  My desire is to know you more, understand your Word more deeply, and be the wife and mother you have called me to be.  I love you.  

As the weeks continued, another kink was placed into our lives.  Daniel's employers had told him three years ago when he took his job that they would not give him health insurance since I worked for the state and he could use my insurance.   He told them that was fine, but when we had children I may not continue working and we would need health coverage then.  They said they would not provide health insurance, but rather a stipend to help pay for it.  In June he approached them asking for the stipend since I was no longer employed, and they gave him WAY less than what we expected and what was needed to cover our insurance.  

When Daniel told me, I was pretty angry and ready to attack someone, but Daniel, being the godly, calm man he is, settled me down and reminded me that God was in control.  He enjoyed working at the golf course and loved his crew.  He said he was going to continue to work as if working for the Lord, not for man and he knew God would bless that (Colossians 3:23).  WOW!!  My husband always keeps me grounded especially when my temper gets the best of me.  We gave it to God, and he continued to get up and head to work with a good attitude each day.

In the meantime, we had our daughter's MRI scheduled for June 25th.  My mom and I took her to Charleston and Daniel was coming that evening after work to hear the results that next morning.  On Daniel's drive down, he received a phone call out of the blue from a company that manufactures and sells products for sports fields offering him a job.  He had not sought out any jobs, though we knew he needed a different one that offered benefits.  This person had just thought of him and wanted to see if he was interested.  They were going to offer insurance, retirement, and a company truck... all things he did not have with his current job.  The next morning we went back to the hospital for our daughter's MRI results and received a huge praise report that her brain looked completely normal.  (More details on doctor report here)  I knew God had heard my prayers and was working miracles in our lives.

After leaving the hospital and settling back in, Daniel and I discussed the job offer and it sounded as if it could be an answer to prayer... but as usual, I was hesitant and Daniel was ready to jump.  I told him we needed to take time to pray about it, ask them some more detailed questions, and seek wisdom from others.  I mentioned to him how going to this job would be somewhat moving out of his degree that he went to Clemson for and had put in years of experience.  I was not sure the change out of the golf course industry into sales would be smart in the long run if a better golf course superintendent position came available.  I suggested he get advice from an owner of Corbin Turf, who I knew was a godly man, to see what it was like to be in the turf sales world verses the golf course superintendent side.

He went by Corbin's office and spoke with him about the situation, and he told Daniel not to take the job yet that he possibly wanted to make him an offer to work for their company.  WOW!  Okay, Daniel was not seeking a job and within several days he had two job offers!!  Can you say God heard my prayer?  In the end, the second offer was better and though he would not be making much more than he did in his current job, he had the opportunity to earn commission and they offered insurance, retirement, and a company truck. 

I share this story with you because I know God challenges us all at one time or another to step out on faith trusting in Him and not in ourselves.  Your leap may have nothing to do with quitting your job as it did with me.  It may actually be taking a new job, teaching a Sunday School class, witnessing to someone, getting involved in ministry, relocating, or many other things.  I also share this story as a testimony that God hears our prayers and knows our hearts.  I am amazed at what has occurred since I typed that prayer back in May.  1 Peter 5:7 says "Cast your cares upon Him, for He cares for you." 

So, have my days of being a stay at home mom been all peaches and cream?  Some days are priceless and full of smiles, love, and giggles, but others I have literally wanted to run away and hide :)  I have much more time to spend with my little girl, but we also have to watch our spending much more closely.  It is one of the hardest jobs I have EVER had... but it is right where I need to be for this season in life.  I am thankful that I stepped out of my comfort zone, gave up control, and allowed God to take a good situation and make it even better.