Week 46 & 47- Movin' Up and Out

These past couple of weeks have been full of more growing and learning both for us and for our Little Sweet.  We are certainly trying to cherish this last month before Karis turns the big O-N-E!

Week 46

Delicate Delectables
Karis has started eating a little more civilly. Although she still manages to make a mess, she will now take bites off of certain soft foods like bananas (if I pre-score it a little).

I also re-introduced using a plate and she has done well not flipping it over (of course with some stern warnings along the way). It has made clean up a lot easier!

Smoothies, Strawberries and What?!
Karis has come a long way in her eating habits. Now if I have some spinach on hand I'll blend a few leaves up and add them to her smoothies.

She also LOVES strawberries and will shove multiple in her mouth with a big smile. I always have to reserve them for last otherwise she won't eat anything else!

In addition, things have gotten a ton easier in terms of meal planning because Karis can now eat pretty much whatever we are eating if we make it bite sized and sometimes remove some of the spice/salt/sugar. She has eaten quite a range of things including xiao long bao, gyro and even falafel! I have definitely tried to seize the moment when she likes something healthy like cooked julienned carrots, tofu and bok choy and pile it up high!

Baby on a Mission
We have noticed that Karis is definitely a particular baby with a very strong senses of what she wants to accomplish. Whenever she crawls it is with full purpose, intent on her goal. She is certainly one baby with a mission!

Playtime!
Karis has only really used her push toy to sit next to it and play music until recently. I tried to set her up walking with it and although she took a few steps, she didn't seem all that interested yet.

She does like to stand up and play though and will often play at the coffee table with her toys.

She also really enjoys playing with balls and will spend a good deal of time rolling/throwing balls back and forth with me.

Face Smash
With growing season underway we have spent more time outside gardening and grilling.

Karis has loved to just watch us go about our business, but sometimes she really wants to be a little too close to the action.

Moving on Up!
Karis can now tackle climbing stairs (with lots of help) which has been pretty scary. Luckily, she doesn't ever attempt it on her own and is never interested in the stairs unless I leave her downstairs and go upstairs without her. Now we need to really start practicing going down safely!

Solo Squatter
Karis is getting really good with her balance and can now squat and stand up just holding onto something which is a huge accomplishment. She often will reach down and pick up a dropped toy (or speck of dirt).

Mama's Day
This year was my first official Mother's Day (although last year Greg also celebrated it for me since I was carrying Karis at the time). Greg did a great job trying to serve and bless me which included homemade meals and dinner with some sweet friends and a cheesecake of my choice from Cheesecake Factory.

Oreo Cheesecake...it was delish!!

In all transparency, my sinful heart had set up a lot of (uncommunicated and self-centered) expectations and put an unnecessary weight on the occasion. As with many other things, it was easy for me to let the world inform what the day should be about (celebration of me, relaxation for me, everything for me... there seems to be a pattern here...) rather than really reflecting on what it means to be a mother and what a blessing it is from the Lord. At the end of it all I was convicted of letting the attitude of entitlement steal my joy in living like Christ and laying down my life for the sake of others. I let expectations drive me to want to use people to gain things rather than use things to serve those God has graciously placed in my life. Although it wasn't the Mother's Day gift I was initially gearing up for, a heart lesson in humility, thankfulness and emptying of self was definitely one of the best gifts from the ultimate Giver of good and perfect things that will have ramifications for a lifetime. It will definitely be a Mother's Day to remember! Here is a great article that God used in my heart!

Week 47

Little Puppy
Sometimes I catch myself comparing Karis to a little puppy. This especially happens when she takes on some dog-like qualities such as crawling around with her sock in her mouth (which she does quite often).

Karis also learned how to make some dog noises and will "arf, arf" when prompted. She also learned how to beg with Bambi eyes...reminds me of Chewie!

Walkin' on Top of the World
Karis has gotten even better at walking than a week ago and now can walk if you hold your hands out for her to grab. She took a few steps one handed as well and easily transfers her weight from one solid object to another, reaching across big gaps to get there. She will be independently mobile soon!

Musical Chair
Since gaining mobility Karis loves to circle around chairs and step stools that I leave out in the kitchen. She will side-step all the way around it to get a little clip I hide for her (even if it is right next to her she will travel around the entire thing to get back to where she was).

What a ham!

La, la, la!
Along with her talking, Karis has also now started to sing! At first I wasn't sure if she was just talking, but it seemed a little more rhythmic and melodic and she would start and stop with her toy. It is adorable, especially when she sings along with my singing.

Sweet Sleeper

Since Karis has been so routine, we hardly ever wake her up (she wakes up pretty much at 1.5 hours after naps and 6:30am in the morning). We woke her early for church once and finally got some shots of her sleeping. She was so sweet and it reminded me of when she was a newborn sleeping everywhere. She is so much bigger now!

Stunna Shades
Since we are outside more often I tried out some sunglasses on Karis to try to protect her eyes. Her reaction was absolutely hilarious as she kind of froze and then slowly moved her hands in front of her, unsure of what just happened. It was a combination of being mesmerized but also scared but we thought it was just priceless.

Until next time!