Summer Days

Sprayed by the pool's sprinkler!

Chatting with Daddy. (Telling him what's what.)

Mommy's Surgery

On July 15th, I went in for surgery to have my thyroid removed. All went well and recovery was helped tenfold by the fact that Grandma and Grandpa Good were able to come up and help with Laine, and once Jayson was back at work, we stayed with them in Gig Harbor for a few more days. I was restricted on lifting more than 20 pounds for a week...which was a very hard rule to follow as I'm used to cuddling and lugging my little peanut around 24/7. In addition, Grandma Buechler was in the middle of her hip replacement recovery--so the "A. Buechlers" were totally down for the count!

All this was turned in to baby food for Laine a few days before surgery, so we were well stocked!

Wearing Mommy's baby dress at Grandma and Grandpa Good's.

Grandpa and Grandma's deck. We spent a little time out here one evening and it was SO relaxing!

Watching Grandma clap. Laine is thrilled by the motion, but won't do it herself just yet. (She won't let you grab her hands to show her how, either.)

I was back on my feet and playing Mommy again full time on Monday the 22nd. We learned that a normal sized thyroid is about 15 grams, and my thyroid was nearly 100 grams--glad to have that giant discomfort gone! I am still having my calcium levels monitored and Laine visited PacLab with me for a blood draw that day. We're back to normal and my scar is still a bit tender, but healing nicely. Someone, (who shall remain nameless), tends to inadvertantly touch it all the time, but anything to be holding, carrying and cuddling my lovebug again.

Huge Crib, Sleeping Small

Oh Laine, we buy you a big, expensive crib...

And you sleep in one tiny little corner!

Laine at Nine Months

You're telling me I've already been around 3/4 of a year!?!

In one month, Laine has learned how to "click" her tongue, knows how to go from tummy to a sitting position and hold herself up with her hands when leaning or reaching for something, sticks her hand straight out as a kind of a wave, and pulls herself up on any surrounding object. She started crawling and one week later we found her standing up in her crib (teeth marks on the top rails, just like her mommy made), climbs up all our stairs like it's her hobby, and is babbling at anyone (or anything) that will listen. It started with "meh meh" and then "dadada," "bababa," "fefefe," and "wawawa" all followed closely. She's tried many more foods, including green beans (didn't like mommy's homemade ones, but likes Gerber's), chicken and turkey, cantelope, plums, a vegetable beef mix that we thought gave her a reaction to her skin before we found out it must be all the beta carotene from everything orange she eats. She gives kisses to her PEPS boyfriend, Tyler, and her mommy and daddy, but not on demand.

At her nine month appointment, Laine kept up with her growing! She was 19 pounds, 8 ounces (50 - 75%) and 30 inches (above 95%). We weren't surprised with her height, but all our guesses beforehand on her weight were WAY off. We all thought 21 pounds or higher (daddy guessed 23+). Her peanut head finally took off too, coming in at 17.25 inches (90%). She was a real trooper with her shot, too! The nurse distracted her with the bandaid and Laine never even knew she got a shot! There was no crying, not even any kind of reaction!

This is where we spend hot days.

Love From My Little Lady

Since beginning to crawl, Laine has heard "NO" a lot. My favorite instance involves her fascination with the plant in our family room. Put her down, and she'll make a beeline straight to it. "NO!" Mommy says. Laine laughs, and reaches for it again. "No, Laine," Mommy says again, giving her meanest face. Laine smiles and laughs again. This time, the hand grabs a leaf tightly and directs it towards her mouth. Mommy pulls Laine away and picks her up. "NO," with a very stern, serious face. Laine leans in with her drooling, slobbery mouth wide open and gives Mommy a kiss on the lips. Cue the heart melting. (The plant has since been banished to the garage.)

Crawling

After sitting in a carseat for over 2 hours (heading to Grandma and Grandpa Good's house for the Fourth of July weekend) Laine decided it was time to crawl...the second she was taken out, she took off an went about 6 feet! This wasn't her first moment crawling--but it was within the first 5 minutes of doing so!

Desiree

Once again, Desiree did not disappoint. We had her come to take photos of Laine at eight months, and they turned out amazing! Laine was very cooperative, handling numerous outfit and "scenery" changes. The day was gray and overcast but it still made her squint a bit, so her shots outside aren't true "Laine expressions" as we know them. After almost two hours, Laine let us know we were done--and we really were, anyway!


This is my mom's velvet pram, in amazing condition--and Laine was very taken with it. It sat in our living room for the week before and after the photos, and she was always very excited to touch it as we would walk past.

Couldn't do this before the procedure with the tongue!!

Fauxhawk

When left to his own devices, this is how Daddy styles the hair after bathtime. Actually, I think it's cute!

Working Out With Mommy

Hey! Let's get the show on the road!