Caterpillar Crawl

That's right....I have finally named the weird Hunter crawl! Caterpillar crawl it is!! He puts his bottom up in the air and pulls with his hands/pushes with feet. Then, he will put his belly parallel to the ground (in plank position) for a few drags, then repeat! He totally looks like a caterpillar/inch worm. This is not the army crawl...it is uniqie, which I love because I have a feeling that Hunter is always going to march to his own drum!! Hunter does stand by himself and he now says, "Hi Dad!" I'm not kidding...he says this every time he sees Scott and he says it clear! I LOVE everything about my sweet almost 1 year old with HALF of ONE tooth that crawls like a caterpillar with his mouth wide open!! Hunter loves our morning walk with his sisters. Zoe gets the best seat in the house!!

11 months

Here is what "11 month Hunter" is up to:

• Finally, one bottom tooth has broken gum!! The tooth isn't all the way out, but it is peaking! 
• He was cranky, on edge, and congested while teething
•  He can stand all by himself
• LOVES mandarin oranges, mango and blueberries
• Is a huge eater!!
• Almost off all baby food
• Still not "all 4 crawling" but he gets around the house in his own "form!" That may just be the way he crawls.
• When he gets tired of "crawling" he sits up and pivots on his bottom in circles until he gets where he wants. I need to put a swiffer on his bottom so he can clean the floor! He is a VERY fast "pivoter!"
• He pulls up in his crib and coffee table, but has little interest to pull up on other things
• Still the happiest, most content baby you will meet. This could be the reason for his slow "crawling/pulling up" because he is perfectly happy just laughing where you place him!
• "Walks" while holding your hand...wobbly steps!
• Continues to laugh and smile ALL the time. His joy is unbelievable!
• Sleeps 7pm-7am...sometimes 7:30am
• Morning nap 9:15-10:30ish and afternoon nap 1:45-3:30ish
• We have started the weaning process, and he is doing great! He gets about 8 oz. of whole milk a day. My body is adjusting well- so far!!
• I have used "time out" a few times, so he is starting to learn that process ;)!
• Dances to Backyardigans theme song and Mickey Mouse clubhouse "Hot dog dance!"
• Waves bye-bye
• Has learned how to "communicate' really good- in his own way!
• Size 3 diapers
• No longer naps in sleep sack (still uses it at night)
• size 9-12mo clothes
• shakes his head "no-no"

In regards to milestones...I have never read or believed in them too much! I have 7 nieces and nephews and they all did things at such different times. As a new mother, I know you can get "caught up" on what your child is "supposed to be doing." From day 1...I made the decision to let Hunter do things in his own time. And I am glad that I made that decision because clearly Hunter has his own "time table!!" Rather than thinking..."why isn't he doing this or that?" I have just sat back and enjoyed things as they come.

 I can tell you one thing...his smile and laugh was WAY before those silly "charts" said he should! That says a lot right there....his gift was to bring brightness! I can honestly say that God has given me the ability to just enjoy motherhood and leave the worrying for Him!! That is huge to say for my personality type! I am so thankful that motherhood has given me the freedom to turn things over to Gods hands! I learned many life lessons from loosing my mom, but the biggest lesson I learned was to let go of what you can't control and enjoy the ride that God has planned! I must say that He has planned a wonderful ride so far with Hunter!

 There are no words to describe Hunter's personality! He is so silly, goofy, social, easy going-and yet so wild! His personality is truly larger than life. He reminds me daily not to take life so serious and let loose! God knew exactly what kind of baby I needed! Hunter makes me feel the way my mom used to make me feel. I felt so "light" when I was with mom, and I feel the same with Hunter. What a blessing!!

Beatin' the Heat

HOT-HOT-HOT! This heat is really "crampin our sytle!" Hunter and I are on the go type of people, and this weather is keeping us indoors WAY more than we like! We still go on our morning walks right when he wakes. Our errands, play dates, and lunches are unbearably hot!! I feel so bad for Hunter when I put him in that hot car seat in my car that says 112 degrees!!! I always try to cool down my car before putting him in, but it never really cools off! We had fun at my bday dinner!

 Hunter is back to sleeping in! He wakes between 7:15-7:45. He goes to sleep around 7, so this little guy gets a solid 12-13 hrs of sleep. He has also been taking 3-4 hours of naps a day too...maybe this heat is taking it out of him!! I've heard that heat makes you sleepy?! Regardless of the reason, this sleep is making Hunter and mommy very happy!!

 Hunter LOVES mandarin oranges, the Backyardigans theme song, and playing ball. He could throw and catch the ball for hours!! Scott thinks this is SO cool, and Hunter does have a "heck of an arm!" Crawling....well, let's just say that he has no problem getting around. haha! He definitely has created his own form of crawling!! And he continues to amaze us with the amount of food that he eats...it's unbelievable!!

 Hunter starts Mothers Day Out at Memorial Drive United Methodist Church (MDUMC.) His first day will be Thursday Sept 1. I have his "Hunter" lunch box and back pack ready to go! We have "meet the teacher" night coming up, and small world....his teacher has been following this blog for months. So, she got so excited and shocked when she read "Hunter Monteverde" on her class roster! I'm sure I will have lots of future blogs and details about "school." I am so excited that he is so loved by his MDUMC family! Finally...BIG NEWS in our house!! Hunter's FIRST tooth has broken gum!! He was cranky and on edge for a couple of days. The tooth isn't all out yet, but there is a sharp white spot peaking out!! Pics to come;)

Happy Birthday Mommy

Birthday wishes "from Hunter"

Mommy, have a happy birthday. Here is what I love most about you...

1. You sing and dance for me- A LOT!
2. You think I am very funny and cute..and I think you're kinda funny too!
3. You always say prayers with me
4. You keep me busy with my friends
5. And...you love me just the way I am!!

Ixtapa Vacation

Was AMAZING!!!! Scott and I enjoyed our time together as we lounged on the beach, swam with dolphins (I stood on their noses,) parasailed, played golf, lots of R&R and yummy meals!! Overall, we had a blast "just being each other!" One of my favorite memories of the trip...about 10pm, Scott and I cuddling on a lounge chair on our fabulous balcony watching a heat lightning storm. We sat there for a couple of hours just being with each other!

We had a wonderful anniversary trip and we are so grateful for Aunt Ginger and Aunt Janis for babysitting/house sitting/dog sitting!! Ginger stayed the first few nights then Janis took over the rest. I had the house SO organized because I was worried there was going to be very little communication since we were out of the country. I was right...I only talked to them a total of 10 minutes the entire vacation! So, I was very glad that I took the time to make sure they had no questions about Hunter, the house, the dogs, my car, etc!

 They are both having "Hunter withdrawals" and miss him so much this week. He was just as good and goofy as ever for them. They said he ate and slept like King...phew, I was relieved to hear that! Janis said that she talked to Hunter about Zsa-Zsa (my mom) a lot and how much she would love his effervescent personality! I am glad that Janis and Ginger got to experience the carefree, silly, content baby that I enjoy daily! Scott and I hardly even talked about Hunter while in Ixtapa...yea for us!! We both said that we "didn't miss him, but were thinking about him." We landed close to his bedtime...so we ran to baggage claim, flew through customs, ran in the door just to give this sweet boy a hug before he went to sleep. Gosh, we love him! It was so sweet, he kept putting his head on my chest!! He did great while we were gone!

My 28th Birthday is tomorrow!! We have a high school babysitter that we would recommend to anyone! She is wonderful and reliable. She is babysitting Hunter for us to celebrate. We are having a happy hour at our house then a group of friends are going to Japerineros (Sushi restaurant in Sugar Land.) Why are we driving all the way to Sugar Land for sushi you ask??? Because...it is the BEST sushi in the world-and may I add- the best mojitos that will ever graze your lips!

 Mojitos.....that brings me to breastfeeding!! I had a TON of milk in the freezer for our vacations. And, there is still over 80 oz left! So, I am beginning the weaning process. I am going to start by skipping one feeding a week and giving Hunter a bottle of pumped milk in place of that breastfeeding session. This "week to week" plan will hopefully make weaning less painful for me! Then, I will start using whole milk once I have run out of my freezer milk. He will be close to 1 year old then, which means this will be the prefect plan. Now, let's see if the plan rolls out as hoped ;-)