11 Months Old!

Wow, I cannot believe Moriah is 11 months old today! Apparently time has flown by so fast I didn't realize I haven't posted for almost 2 months. yikes. Sooo much has happened since the last post. Little Missy is changing so fast and we are just trying to keep up!

So here's some of the things that happened in November:
* Moriah got 2 teeth (the ones on the bottom center).
* She started "crawling" (she low crawls like an army crawl but she gets everywhere she needs to go and she won't be bothered with crawling "On All Fours").
* She celebrated her 1st Thanksgiving. We enjoyed spending time with family at Memaw's house in Sherman, as well as Tootsie & Pop's house in Gilmer. She got to meet alot of Mama's cousins.

Three bullet points doesn't seem like much, but just the fact that she's truly mobile, like literally crawling all over the house, has been a huge GAME CHANGER! It was crazy the first time it really hit me. I had been doing a few things in the kitchen while she was "quietly playing in the living room," then I look up and she'd vanished...crawled her way right into her room!

As for December:
*She's been experimenting with more Big People Foods. So far, Taco Bueno refried beans are her favorite. She also enjoys pears, applesauce, berry yogurt melts, and we found out she likes graham crackers after the nursery worker informed us she was stealing graham crackers right out of the hands of her little friends! In the Lord's House! We are still working on the Foods transition because Mama kinda freaked out when Mo "choked" the first few tries on Big Food (steamed carrots= nightmare). We had a Christmas luncheon at work the other day, which was catered by Catfish King, and seeing as though we weren't ready to give her a crack at the catfish or chicken strips, she had the luxury of trying a few french fries, which she LOVED. Let's hope she enjoyed them, because it will be awhile before we venture down that road again. (I may laugh hysterically at previous statement one of these days).
*Started saying a couple of "words" (Said "DaDa" first. Calls both Daddy and Mama "DaDa." We'll work on that in January). Also says "uh-uh" in place of "uh-oh." She uses a really funny gutteral sound when she says it. Also likes to say "uh-uh," then throw something down on purpose! Says "Duh" for "ball."
*A Big 'Un: MORIAH GOT TUBES on Monday, December 12th! So far, no ear infections in the last week since getting the tubes. Also, tons of BABBLING since then and all of a sudden she's pulling up to her knees and trying to pull up to stand! (she had no interest in this before). Makes me wonder if that fluid constantly sitting in her ears was causing some equilibrium issues! God was so gracious to give Mama peace through the whole process, including: giving Moriah to the nurse to be taken away and PUT UNDER (shudder), waiting while the procedure was taking place (took literally like 15 mins), and then holding a thrashing, screaming, confused Moriah while she came out of the anesthesia. Thank goodness for Daddy and Tootsie who were there to help with the recovery process. With the exception of some teething pains, she's already feeling better!

Not really sure why I put bullets for December because they are clearly full paragraphs. As for what Moriah is into these days:


*She's still obsessed with musical toys, loves to "dance" (sit up and rock forwards and backwards to the music), and kick her legs to the music while laying on her stomach.
*She has a new fascination with doors of all kinds and she loves to repeatedly open and close them from "laying on stomach" position.
*She loves her little black Gilmer plastic ball. She clearly calls it "DUH!" and starts panting rapidly and crawling with a vengeance towards the ball when she sees it. All the while saying "DUH...DUH!"
*Still sucks the left thumb when tired. Left thumb only, the right one won't do.

We are really looking forward to our 1st Christmas with sweet little Moriah Grace! And hoping there are no ear infections awaiting us in 2012!

Pics coming soon...

October 2011

Late Sept/early Oct: Daddy & Moriah playing with one of her favorite toys-When the music plays she starts kicking those legs to the beat!

Mama got me some new shades...trying them on in my PJs...I'm feeling pretty chill!

Here's Axton (one of our special boys from the Ranch) with his bday cherry cheesecake!

Gilmer Yamboree Weekend- Moriah and cousin Karsyn with their matching outfits! Cuties!

"Hey, you've got the same shirt as me!"

"Nose!"

Tootsie & Moriah supporting the Bobcats in their purple

Rollin up to the Yamboree Parade! Watch out now!

Always chewin on somethin!

Brayden & Mawmaw getting ready for the Parade

I see you Karsyn!

Daddy & Moriah at church - Oct 30th

Happy Halloween! - Oct 31st, 2011

All smiles for our 1st Halloween together! (I typically don't wear all that green eyeshadow--it was the leftovers of my witch get-up from earlier in the day)!

Getting our Ladybug costume situated- thanks Grandma!!

Sweet little bug! (I'd like to take this opportunity to point out the little toofer coming through on the bottom center).

Daddy handing me the special Ladybug wand! heehee.

"Hmmm...interesting."

Moriah Bug and Mama

Daddy (with his Army "costume" still on from school) with Little Miss Ladybug (sans hood)

Sweet little bug is getting sleepy! And apparently so is her other antenna! ; )

Standing up like a big girl (bug)! So sweet!!!

That's How She Rolls

This morning was like many other mornings around the Allen house...me rushing around last minute not knowing what to wear. And I've really been thrown for a loop now that we're having these half cold/half warm days. When it's 40 degrees outside in the early morning hours and I'm freezing, I'm wanting to dress for the Chilly. However once the afternoon low 80 temps hit, I'm wishing I'd dressed for the Warm.

While I was sorting through this confusion of wardrobe choices, Moriah was happily playing on the floor at the foot of our bed with her toys. I'd occasionally ask her opinion but didn't get alot of input. As I ventured from my closet over to my dresser, I decided to put her up on our bed. She was a little whiny and tired, and she eventually just laid down right in the middle of our bed and sucked her thumb. I promised her I'd hurry and when I quickly turned around to dig in my drawer (to find the perfect, most professional t-shirt I could find), I heard a loud thump! I turned around in the blink of an eye and she was laying there on the floor at the side of our bed! She had quickly rolled over towards the side and apparently just kept rolling! Bless her heart, I think it startled her alot more than it hurt her, and of course it startled Mama as well! Thank goodness our bed is low off the ground and we have a carpeted floor and she rolled and fell horizontally, not vertically right onto her head. But still! I held her and told her I was so sorry. I called my friend Jennifer to see if she thought I should call the doctor and she didn't think so unless Mo started acting weird.

Well, lesson learned...She will NOT be placed on our bed anymore (or any other surface off the ground) unless I'm right there! and i think i may start laying my outfits out the night before...

Happy 9 months, Moriah! Mama is so sorry I allowed you to roll off the bed. I'm so glad you're ok and you had a great day today regardless. It seems like the John Deere Vibrating Corn Teether i found and gave to you this afternoon has turned out to be a pretty effective olive branch. Thank you for forgiving me!

What's Hot / What's Not

by Moriah

HOT: Trying to get down on the floor constantly so i can play with my toys
NOT: Mom and Dad trying to hold me all the time like i'm a baby!

HOT: Saying "na-na, da-da, ba-ba, ga-ga" clicking my tongue, blowing strawberries, fake coughing, screaming, laughing, screeching, talking in Mo language, and making all kinds of noises.
NOT: Being quiet

HOT: Scooting/Semi-crawling around my crib, rolling around, and best of all--pulling down my crib bumpers so I can look around my room and see what's going on, and also to see if Mom has left the room after she lays me down. (although sometimes i bump my head on the crib slats).
NOT: Laying there and going to sleep...BORING!!!

HOT: Throwing things off the side of my highchair, then leaning way over to the side to see where they fell.
NOT: Sitting straight up, patiently waiting for each bite Daddy or Mama is feeding me.

HOT: Venturing off the blanket the grown-ups put me on so I can slap the tile floor, as well as scratch the little grooves. It feels so cool! I love textures!
NOT: Playing with baby toys on my blanket.

HOT: Wiggling around however and whenever I want!
NOT: Laying still when my diaper is being changed, Mom and Dad forcing my arms into my shirts when they're changing me..ugh!

HOT: Having my VERY FIRST TOOTH break through my gum today!! Being a big girl who's almost 9 months old!
NOT: Staying a toothless little baby.

Get ready Mom and Dad, I'm getting bigger, more independent, more mobile, and I'm loving life more than ever!

Moriah at 8 Months

Dear Moriah,

You turned 8 months old yesterday, September 20th. It's amazing to see how much you've grown and changed since you were that teensy little newborn in the hospital making those little grunts & purring noises! Daddy and I always think the stage you're in is "the best one" until you grow a little more and get into the next stage. So, naturally, we think 8 months is the greatest right now!

I know this is alot of info, but you may wanna go back and read it one day, who knows! At least I know I will! ; ) This is what you're up to these days:

*Personality/Spirit- Thankfully, you still have just the sweetest, kindest, most precious little spirit! You are very inquisitve and curious as well. You're still a little reserved in bigger groups, but you are nevertheless quite expressive. You're such a joyful, happy girl and I love the person you're becoming! I think we are going to be great friends!

*Sounds- Your first syllables to say were "Da-da-da-da-da." Still no "ma-ma-ma-ma" yet. Sometimes you will put together a whole string of different syllables and "words" that are complete jibberish, all the while making a very serious face. I think you know exactly what you're saying, it's just not English yet. You also like to fake cough and fake laugh. Pretty funny! You can do the pooting sound with your mouth (do they call it blowing strawberries)? One time, Daddy was holding you in your room and he passed gas, and you followed that by making the sound with your mouth. hahaha! You love to lay in your crib and "talk" whenever we lay you down and also when you wake up in the morning.

*Looks- Your hair is growing thicker, but it's definitely got a patch that's longer and thicker in the top front than anywhere else. Sort of a backwards mullet, but you definitely pull it off well. It also works great for a little ponytail! You're still covered in delicious little fat rolls all over your arms and legs. You get tons of compliments on your big beautiful eyes and your warm, friendly smile! (Sorry to tell ya but you also get lots of comments on your fat rolls and your thick thighs). But everyone thinks you're just the cutest thing! And they're right! : )

*Sleeping/Eating/Pooping- You still sleep through the night. You usually go to bed about 6:30 and sleep until 6 or 6:30..thank you Babywise! Although it takes you longer to go to sleep nowadays because you like to motor all over your crib before you can find just the perfect spot to lay your head on. When you get real sleepy you'll suck your left thumb, and you'll plop your head to one side, lay there a minute, then turn and plop it to the other side. You'll do that routine of going back and forth for a few more minutes, then decide you've got your head on just the perfect spot and allow yourself to go to sleep. As far as eating goes, you're still a so-so eater. You LOVE your green veggies (not sure where you got that from) as well as fruit and sweet potatoes/corn mix. And ever since we've started putting Miralax (well, technically "ClearLax" from our good friends at Brookshires) in your morning bottle, you've been a regular pooper! For awhile there your poops were getting so big and hard that you would stiffen your legs and try to hold them in, then scream as they came out. It was so sad and painful to see, and we got that fixed in a jiffy! No more painful poopies for you! (I know you're so glad I shared that, but hey it's been a big part of your life thus far)!

*Milestones- You're sitting up good although you still tumble over every now & then. You eat out of your high chair,  and enjoy playing in your exercauser and "Julie Jump-up" contraption.  You love your little doll and monkey, and smile at pretty much any little toy that has a face on it. You love to shake the fire out of your rattle! As well as drop it and let us pick it up for you. Good thing your 8 months, enjoy that game while it lasts, Missy. You love peek-a-boo, Patty Cake, Itsy Bitsy Spider, and Ride That Horsey Go to Town. We think you're gonna start crawling any day now. You get on all fours and rock back and forth. You find some way to motor all over your crib as well. I'll lay you on one end and you'll end up on the opposite end of the crib facing the opposite way you started. Crazy kid! ; ) You've started putting your hands together like you're clapping, you just can't quite make the actual clapping sound. When I show the sign for milk and say "Milk!" you smile real big and even chuckle, because you know you're about to get a bottle. You're getting better at drinking your juice/water combo out of the sippie cup. What am I forgetting?

*Etc.- You love going to Ms. Jennifer's house and playing with the boys. Ms. Jennifer says you think Mr. David is so funny...which is a theme I'm noticing. You think guys are funny. We'll have to keep an eye on that situation. You're so "nosy" and curious and you don't miss a thing! You'll turn your whole body and neck to see who's talking or to see what some noise is. If you're laying in your crib and hear me walk in the room, you'll be up on your hands in no time, perching up and craning that neck to see if I'm there. You love to smile, laugh, babble, and cuddle. And you are busy, busy, busy these days! Gone are the days where I could just sit you on a blanket...you're all over the place now, and I know it's just gonna get "worse" when you start crawling soon!

You are one of the very best gifts I've ever been given. I'm so amazed at how God would allow your Dad and me to have the privilege of raising such an incredible little person. Just today as I was feeding you and you were being your Cute Little Self, your Daddy came in from work and he and I talked about how surreal it is having this awesome little girl in our house with us! From the day you came into our lives you were a wonderful addition to our family, and eight months later, it just keeps getting better and better! Hard to believe, I know! I can't wait to see what God has in store for you and how He might use you to bring glory to His name. That's where life really is, Moriah, in Christ. I hope and pray we will raise you in a way that points you to Him, because He is everything and He is where you will find everything you need-Love, Joy, Peace, Provision, Life, Fun, Adventure, Faithfulness, Fulfilled Promises. He's not always "safe" but He is so good!

Moriah Grace Allen, Happy 8 months! I'm so very thankful for you! Your Daddy and I cherish every moment spent with you.

Love You Forever,
Mama

Labor Day, Indians, & Randoms: Aug, Sept 2011

August 2011- Sitting in her high chair like a big girl

A good visit with Uncle Joe, Aunt Barb, & Kat...Moriah was a little suspicious of Barb but treated Joe like her ole buddy. haha. She eyeballed Kathryn from across the room...then decided she'd hang out with her. Here she is relaxing with Uncle Joe. Another noteworthy thing from this visit: We got Barb to eat Edamame for the 1st time.

Labor Day Weekend in Gilmer- The weather finally cooled down and we all went outside for as long as possible! Here's Brayden writing on the kids table with his chalk.

Can't get this to rotate: Here's Kyleigh, Billy, Pop, and Moriah enjoying the nice weather

Karsyn was walking all over the place! Here she is knocking on the door.

Kyleigh, Pop, and Mo

Tootsie & Brayden playing catch- Lovely deck painted by Billy Allen ; )

Moriah is absolutely mesmerized by the Nike swoosh on Pop's shirt. The funny thing is, before seeing the next pic, Billy said,"She's thinking she really wants to touch that thing on Pop's shirt."

I'm married to a prophet.

Watching the kids play and shaking her rattle. Sporting the comb-over.

"I really wanna run around with those kids. That swingset looks fun,"

"Naw, I'm really happy here in Pop's lap!"

Everyone loves a pat on the back every now and then

Another sideways pic---isn't that kids table cute? And there's Karsyn in the background searching for her belly button. haha!

I tried to get another pic of her and she "hid" from me. so funny!

Climbing up! Big girl!

September 9th, 2011: A historic moment! 1st high school football game at the Tomato Bowl in Jacksonville, TX! Many memories at this place! We had a great time hanging out with Emily, Halle, and Whitney (and Chad!). Somehow we never got a pic with Em though...dern! We made it till halftime of the game, then spent the night at the Griffins.

Moriah and me visiting with Amy and Julie, two sweet friends (and fellow mamas!) from Jville,

Having a great time watching the Tribe & Buckeyes play

Saturday morning before we left Jville, Moriah got to meet Ke'odrick, a special young man that I used to babysit/mentor over a period of a few years in high school/college. He is very special to our family and is now a freshman at JHS! Moriah absolutely loved him! She went right to him, smiled, and babbled. It really made my heart smile!

I guess the whole thing didn't upload? Here she is looking right at him while he holds her up. Such a sweet moment for me to see these two together. God is so good.

Summer 2011 Part II

*Before I get started on the Summer Part II post, Moriah wanted me to say "Happy Birthday" to her Grandma Allen and her Pop! She loves you both and hopes you have a fabulous birthday! She loves her grandparents and so do we!

We stayed after the conference in Indianapolis a few days so that Billy's family would have the chance to come down and visit. It was really neat getting to see Moriah interact with them and have such a great time. We are so blessed to have such wonderful, loving families!

Moriah intently watching Grandma's facial expressions...so sweet!

Billy, John, and Jay at the food court

Moriah laughing with Grandma...we got a video of her chuckling everytime Grandma would say "pretty girl" with a high pitched voice and it was so cute! Mo thought it was the funniest thing.

Checking out her uncle's hat

Aunt Mary Jane and cousins Amanda, Abby, and LJ. They cracked me up when one of them said "Finally we have a white cousin!" Silly kids! (their other cousins are Filipino).

She cozied right up to Uncle Louis

The oldest, Amanda, holding Moriah

 Abby's turn!

Love this action shot...Moriah is looking up at Amanda wondering what she missed!

Big Boy LJ holding Moriah--she has just 1 boy cousin on each side of the family!

Louis, Moriah, and Billy

Everybody at the Late Night Holiday Inn Party In Our Room. Some of us (ahem...me)...look rougher than others late at night after they've washed off their make-up and slept a couple hours. But this was the only pic with everyone in it, so the pride had to go out the door! So glad Moriah got to meet the rest of her fam!

The next day I took Moriah "swimming" at the indoor pool...Look at this bathing beauty! heehee.

Drying off after a fun swim!

Mama and Mo in the pool

Sweetie Girl relaxing in the big bed back in the room!

Here's our hotel in Memphis that we stayed in on the way back.

One final night in a hotel before we were back home!



You were such a trooper, Moriah! 4 days of 7+ hours of driving (we went from Tyler to Memphis, from Memphis to Indy, stayed in Indy awhile, then from Indy to Memphis, and from Memphis back to Tyler). She did such a great job but I still think we will fly next time! ; )