Wednesday, April 18, 2012

8 Months!

Dear Linnea,
I can't even believe you are 8 months old. Where has the time gone? You are SO much fun these days...you are really learning and growing, and becoming your own little person. We love every moment we spend with you...you bring such joy to us, and to so many others. We've had a big month, filled with both good times and hard times. Here's what you were up to this month...

You "celebrated" your first Easter...in the hospital...
The week before Easter, you started getting sick. By Good Friday, you were really not yourself, and after a really hard weekend of fevers, lethargy, lots of tears, and vomiting, you were admitted to the hospital on Easter Sunday. We spent Sunday through Thursday at Children's Hospital in Minneapolis where you were treated for a viral infection of unknown origin. You were pretty sick - feverish, lethargic, no energy or appetite, vomiting. You gave your daddy and I quite a scare.

It was a long week, but we were well taken care of at the hospital. The doctors and nurses treated us very well, and really loved you. By mid-week, you really turned a corner and by Thursday, you were discharged. We've had a bit of a hard transition back to our "regular life," but we know it's temporary, and you'll be back to yourself 100% soon.

It's really hard to see you hurting or sick. Unfortunately, we know that this is just one of many times that you will hurt, or sick, or sad....but your daddy and I will do whatever we can to prevent this.

You pulled yourself up...
 Near mid-late March, you learned how to pull yourself up to sitting from crawling. We would find you sitting up in your crib after naps - looking a bit surprised about how you got yourself there! Within a week or two, you were pulling yourself up to kneeling. And just now, as you are home from the hospital, you are pulling yourself up to standing. You are a fast learner!!

This is very true to how you've always been - always active, always curious, always independent. That's my girl! We've always said you would be an early walker. Is it possible that you'll be walking in another couple months??!

You learned "so big..."
The week leading up to your hospital stay, you had "Grandparent Palooza" week because daycare was closed. Grandma & Grandpa and Grammy & Grampy took turns during the week to watch you. Grammy spent a good part of a day teaching you how to play "so big." Sure enough, after the day of practicing, you knew what to do when asked, "How big are you?"

While we were in the hospital we took great comfort in the times that you were more responsive and interactive. Our go to game was "so big." Over and over, we would ask you to show us how big you were. You were so proud to shoot your little arms over your head, and loved when we clapped at you afterwards. Your arms are still pretty short compared to the size of your head, so you can barely get your arms around your head. It is SO. CUTE.

You've grown and changed a lot too...
Just like that, you are looking like a little kid, and not a baby anymore. It's amazing how much you have grown. You still fit into most of your 6 month clothes, but we are pulling out more and more of your 9 month and 12 month clothes as well. You are still wearing size 3 diapers. It's hard to say how long it will be until you move up to the next size.

When you went to the doctor before you were in the hospital you weighed 18 lbs, 15 oz. By the time you were discharged, you were down to 18 lbs, 5 oz. That's not a surprise, since you were barely eating during the time we were in the hospital. We still haven't gotten a "big girl car seat," but we will very, very soon. You are getting to be too tall for your infant carrier, and you are too much of a mover and a shaker to like to be reclined and carried around like that! It's time to move up in the world!

Even when you were sick and in the hospital, your sweet little spirit was alive. As you felt better, your smile came back and so did your personality! You really charmed the doctors and nurses. It says so much about who you are that you were able to be so happy and playful as you were recovering in the hospital. We are so proud of the sweet, happy girl you are becoming!

Although your appetite has suffered recently because of your sickness, you have become quite the baby food connoisseur. You have added more foods, and are definitely starting to enjoy it more. Magna gives you food for breakfast, and we try to give you some for dinner whenever we have time. Magna will likely start lunch with you soon too.

Before getting sick you had been in a good streak with sleep - more consistently through the night. As we've transitioned back home, you've had a really hard time with sleep. We don't know if it's separation anxiety, stress from the hospital, or something else...but you have just been crying and crying at night. Really not like you. We know it's temporary, but it's so hard to see you so sad. Getting back to daycare has helped, as you are falling back into your normal routine. You have been SUCH a trooper, my sweet baby.

I say this every month, but it's the truth. We love you SO much and can't imagine life without you. You bring joy to us and to those around you EVERY day. We love you so much, and are so proud of you.

You brighten all of our days,
Mama and Daddy
 

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