The Eoff's: Our Growing Girl

On Dec. 9th Alayna turned 9 months old. This past Monday she went to the doctor for her 9 month check up and all is going well. She is 28 inches tall (75% for girls) and 16.3lbs (10% for girls). I was a bit concerned about her weight gain since previously she was in the 25% for weight. But, the doctor said that now that she is crawling everywhere, as long as she is eating well, she is not concerned. So, it looks as though we just have a little peanut on our hands. She is still wearing 6-9 and 9 month clothes, though she is getting too tall for some of her pajamas.

It has been another busy month. Alayna and I were home alone the weekend of Nov. 13th. Derek went to Tulsa, OK to bowl a tournament. We girls stayed home and threw my friend Brenda a bridal shower. Brenda is getting married on New Year's Eve and I am her matron of honor. I am really looking forward to the wedding and the New Year's Eve party at their new house. I am honored that she asked me to be in her wedding. Brenda and I have become great friends the past two years. We use to work together in the Youth department at USBC, unfortunately though, Brenda was one of the casulties of the lay-offs last winter. She is now back teaching (which she did before working at USBC). We continue to see each other each week, bowling league together and still hang out a bunch, but I do miss her at the office every day. Anyway....

The weekend of Nov. 20 it was my turn to leave town. I went to Tulsa with a group of girls to bowl the same tournament Derek did the week before. Now, I am no where NEAR the bowler he is, but I am competitive and like to bowl and was excited when my friend Liz invited me to join her team. We bowled pretty well, and I may even get some prize money from the event.

Alayna celebrated her first Thanksgiving this year. It was a quiet affair. In the morning, the four of us (Derek, me, Alayna and Reeses) ran in the Arlington Turkey Trot 5K. It was quite chilly that day, but it was a fun time and nice to get a run in before eating a large dinner. For dinner, it was just the three of us. Derek and I made dinner of turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, green bean casserole and brownies for dessert. Alayna had a bite of mashed potatoes (which she wasn't fond of) and her own sweet potatoes.

Alayna is eating a lot better these days. She has moved up to Stage 2 foods and enjoys combinations of fruits and veggies and is eating about 4oz of baby food a day. Her main nutrition is still formula though. We have also started giving her little baby puffs. They are a good starter food for babies to teach them to feed themselves and they are small and disolve easily so they are not a choking hazzard. We also got the go ahead from Alayna's doctor to start her on other table foods. We need to start getting use out of her 8 teeth.

Alayna is still motoring around everywhere crawling like a champ. She is also cruising on the furniture more and more when she pulls herself to stand. She hasn't let go yet, but I am sure in the next month or so she may be daring enough to do that.

She loves playing with mommy and daddy and likes when we play patty cake and peek-a-boo and sing and dance to the music on her toys.

I am sure I will have lots to report next month with Christmas coming and a trip to WI. There will be lots to fill you all in on.

Here are some pictures from month 9.