7, 8 & 9 Months but who's counting

Turns out having a baby keeps you busy...who knew.  The Spicher family has had an eventfully uneventful couple of months.  While we continue to fall in love with Northwest Arkansas area, and the family we have developed here, we have spent the last few months watching Kennedy develop before our very eyes.  Nicki and I talk almost every day that she is doing something we haven't seen before.

Many of you "experienced parents" told us that each phase will become our favorite phase, and that is absolutely true.  We have been able to watch as she learns how to say "mamma", clap her hands, almost crawl (let's just call it a crawl for mom's sanity), stand upright, eat all kinds of real food, laugh like crazy, and most importantly continue to sleep about 12 hours a night!  And on top of all that, she went on her first flight, for a trip home to see her Nana, Grumpy, Uncle John, Aunt Jen, and cousin Parker!

We know there are plenty of new adventures to come, and can't wait to find out what they are, but for now we are enjoying each day with our favorite little girl.

Memorial Day photo shoot!

Playing at Wilson Park

Enjoying Nana and Grumpy's beautiful back deck

Enjoying some cousin time in Akron

5-6 Months

Where does the time go?!  Clearly, we've dropped the ball on the blog.  Life has been busy - busy as parents, at work and just life in general.  I feel like that's our common theme but in all honesty we love it that way!  Kennedy is growing up WAY too fast but we are enjoying and soaking in every moment.  Here are some highlights over the past two months...

Weight/Height - at 6 Months, Kennedy is now almost 17lbs and over the 50% in height and weight.

Chubby Cheeks  and Thighs - Oh yes.

Giggles/Smiles - ALL of the time.  Her teachers at school tell us she smiles all day long!

Food - We started solids.  Oatmeal, applesauce, sweet potatoes and avocados.  Sweet potatoes are her favorite with avocado as a close runner up.  I do really want to make her own baby food but haven't gotten there just yet.  It is on the list.   Kennedy still eats 5 times a day.

Sitting Up - YES all by herself.

Rolling Over - Yes, but also likes to get "stuck" on her belly and cry for help.

Feet - she loves to grab them and even put them in her mouth.

Hair - it's growing back! YAY!

Teeth - we have the first corner of a tooth coming through which leads me to...

Sleep - Until a week ago, Kennedy continued to be the world's best sleeper at 12 hours per night.  The last week, she's been up non stop.  I'm praying this comes to an end VERY soon.

First Flight - Postponed.  Due to bad weather in Chicago, my flight to Cleveland was cancelled.  We are planning to try again in May!

Toys - loves sophie, plastic rings, books, singing bears, blocks and everything that lights up!


Nick and I have both been on the go for work - Dallas, Indy and Cincinnati.  Luckily, we have the best parents in the world and they both came out to help and love on Kennedy!

When you can't help but smile!

4 Months Old...

So we missed THE picture.  The one with the 4 month sticker on the white onesie, a matching bow in her hair and 4 balloons.  In our defense, we were in Akron on December 25th and between work, adjusting to her new school and traveling, the days slipped by way too fast.  Kennedy had her 4 month well checkup and is doing great!  She is in the 40% for weight (never would guess that with those chubby cheeks!) and 90% in height.  We are truly in love with this little girl.  I've always loved her but going back to work full time has really, really made me love her.  The first two weeks were a little overwhelming and quite busy as we tried to adjust and create a new norm for the three of us.  However, I can honestly say that after 2.5 weeks, we are doing pretty well!  We have an excellent routine and I really think it is the simple things like this that bring peace and happiness to our lives.  I am so thankful for my wonderful husband who really is the most amazing father I could ever imagine.  He truly is a partner in this whole parenting adventure and gives way more than just 50%.  Nick wakes up Kennedy every day at 7am.  He changes her diaper and hands her off to me for her first feed.  He then makes me a chai tea latte and packs Kennedy's bag for the day.  I get her dressed and the two of them walk out the door by 7:35am.  Nick calls me after the drop off and our work day begins!  Everyone asks, is it hard leaving Kennedy during the day?  Absolutely.  No question about it.  But, Nick and I continue to agree that we are doing the right thing.  I enjoy my job and am even more excited about my career path as my management training progresses.  Nick has found a career that maximizes his strengths and talents.  I've never seen him more energized, enthusiastic and optimistic about his work.  Kennedy is adjusting well to Montessori.  I know this sounds crazy, but even at just 4 months old and 2.5 weeks in, we can see her development progressing.  I really think there is something great about surrounding her with other babies and teachers that are so focussed on them and their individual growth.  We even receive a monthly newsletter from her teacher, Valerie, sharing with us the books, songs, crafts etc that the babies will learn and do throughout the month.  We love it.  So, our lives are much different this year in 2013 than ever before but we wouldn't have it any other way.

4 Months and a few things to remember...

• Giggles - they are the cutest thing I've ever heard
• Smiles - Kennedy will smile at just about everyone
• Spitting up - may be getting better but she still wears a bib every day
• Rolling over - BOTH ways!  Well, almost.  Kennedy's arm gets stuck as she rolls from back to front.  She has rolled over multiple times from front to back but it's still unpredictable when she's going to do it!
• Sleeping - 11-12 hours/night.  Best. Baby. Ever.  
• Napping - not so great since the start of Montessori.  I'm trying to be patient and let her adjust but 2.5 hours doesn't cut it when she's used to 5!  
• Babysitters - Kennedy does great and we do have our favorite!
• Tummy Time - Kennedy loves it!  She can also push her chest off the ground a little.
• Sitting Up - sooo close but not quite there on her own.
• Solids - not yet but thinking about rice cereal.
• Baths - Loves it!  Moved into the full baby tub and not the sling.
• Thumb - has almost replaced the pacifier.  So cute.
• Hair - She lost all of it except a little mullet in the back.  It has finally started to grow back just this week.  
• Chubby Cheeks - could they be any cuter?!

Valerie sends me pictures of Kennedy at school!

First Class Photo - Hilarious 

Christmas 2012

LOVING Santa!

While it was great to go back to work and attempt to reestablish some normalcy to my lifestyle (yes, the shopping, breakfasts/lunches out, and Starbucks runs did have to come to end) I thoroughly enjoyed my 3 weeks off in December and would be lying if I didn't bring back some of the shopping and eating fun while I was off!  On our way to Akron for Christmas, we made a stop in Cincinnati for the night and stayed with Nick's parents.  We then headed to my parents' house for the week of Christmas and enjoyed what Nick and I refer to as the most relaxing time of the year.  There's something about Christmas that makes it okay to do absolutely nothing, especially at my parents' house.  My mom and dad are the world's BEST hosts.   My mom set up a nursery for Kennedy and had all of our "favorites" waiting when we arrived.  Jen, John and Parker also came up for Christmas so we had the entire crew home.  I'm still amazed how doing so little can go by so fast.  We had somewhat of an adventure making our way back to Arkansas.  The snow allowed us to make an overnight stay in Columbus with Jen, John and Parker as well as an additional stay in St Louis where Kennedy experienced her first night in a hotel.  She did great!  I know we are biased, but Nick and I continue to say God has blessed us with the world's best baby!

Free Babysitters!

Christmas Eve Family Picture

Looked better on Pinterest - need more photography lessons