A year and a half later…
Some highlights from the past six months! As you can see, Nina is an active toddler now - walking, talking, climbing, thinking, exploring. What happened to my baby?! Although I miss the early days every now and then, this current stage is just so much fun! We play and laugh together and I realize she’s becoming her own little person. It is truly incredible watching her develop new skills and slowly make sense of the world around her.
Twelve Months!
We did it! One. Whole. Year.
Nina is growing into such a loving, curious, and funny girl. She amazes us every day! Right now, she’s all about books, and pulling up and crawling wherever she can. I looked away for one second the other day and found her playing in the boys’ kennel!
It’s been so hot here this summer that we’ve spent most of our days indoors. Going to the grocery store qualifies as an outing. On a few pleasant evenings, she got to splash around in her palangana (a wash basin in the Philippines) or crawl in the grass. Rene and I are definitely looking forward to the days when we can go on bike rides again and take her to the swings. Most of all, we’re eager for our first family camping trip, hopefully this fall. Until then, we’ll happily watch her explore the corners of our home and savor every moment. Before. She. Starts. Walking.
Stay tuned!
Eleven months
Nina experienced a few firsts this week - flying in an airplane and swimming in a pool! We spent a few days in Seattle, WA where 80 degrees was the warmest temperature. Nina did great on the plane, smiling at total strangers and trying to grab their newspaper and jewelry. Coming back to over 100 degrees definitely warranted a dip in Lola’s pool. She happily splashed around and kicked her legs to swim.
We spent Father’s Day with René’s family where Nina was showered with love and attention from her cousins!
Things she recently started doing:
Smiling/grinning with every fiber of her being and making all sorts of funny sounds!
Sleeping on her stomach more regularly.
Eating a lot more solids! She especially enjoys grabbing yogurt with her fist and spreading it on the table.
Getting on all fours. She hasn’t quite figured out how to move forward yet. I’m ok with that!
Ten months
Nina continues to delight us and make us laugh! Highlights this month:
We’ve been taking her out on regular bike rides in the neighborhood while she enjoys the scenery in her cozy trailer with her buddy Hobbes. Isn’t she cute in her helmet?!
She experienced her first picnic in the park. She loves the swings!
Breakfast is still her favorite meal of the day. Seamus and Loki excitedly run to her high chair because they know she’s going to drop a few raspberries.
She’s slowly becoming more mobile, mostly scooting and figuring out her balance.
I celebrated my very first Mother’s Day!
Nine months
And just like that, Rene and I are living with a 9 month old. I feel like this past month went by quicker than the others!
Nina continues to enjoy exploring various foods and textures. She’s tried everything from sardines to cottage cheese. She has just started self-feeding by bringing her hand to her mouth. Corn tortillas seem to be a winner!
We’ve bonded a lot over breakfast, our favorite meal of the day. She loves breakfast so much she does a happy dance while eating. Definitely something she has picked up from me. I like to put on a record and dance which puts a big smile on her face.
April weather has been pretty good to us, with several sunny and low humidity days. I love hanging out on a blanket in the front lawn with her while Rene and I enjoy a cup of coffee. She plays or flips through a book.
Some cute things she does: smiling after sneezing; making “ohhhhh” sounds as if everything is surprising; puts her hand on her cheek for comfort before falling asleep.
Eight months
It was a challenge choosing photos for this post. Everything Nina does is camera worthy! I can’t tell you how many photographs we have of her eating. Breakfast is her favorite. It is mine too which is why I’ve really enjoyed introducing her to different fruits, oatmeal, yogurt, peanut butter as well as spices like cinnamon and cardamom. She devours it all!
As far as developments, Nina sits independently and really likes to stand, especially bare foot in the grass. We’re trying to spend as much time outside with her before the unbearable Texas heat takes over, listening to the birds in the morning and the evening. I cherish those quiet moments with her. Sitting on my lap, soaking in the world around her.
Rene and I love her more and more each day.
Seven months
The past few weeks seem to have just flown by! Highlights for this month:
Nina loves yogurt and banana. Especially when it’s all over her face.
She has mastered “sky-diver” pose.
Her furry brothers have accepted that she is here to stay. She enjoys grabbing their ears and fur, gently.
For the first time, Nina accompanied me to the grocery store. It might have been a bit too overstimulating for her… She had a rough time going down for a nap once we came home.
With the introduction of solids into her diet, let’s just say diaper changes have evolved… 😷
Life is more chaotic with Nina but it’s definitely more fun!
Six months
I’ve been trying to set some time aside to make this post for weeks! Turns out a six month old can be quite a handful! January came and went honestly, and I feel like Nina has grown so much in such a short time.
She weighed 15 lbs 4.8oz at her latest check-up and healthy as can be!
She finally rolled over from belly to back! She had been working on it but then a fever derailed her progress.
Currently, she’s learning to sit (still needs a bit of help though as you can see in that first photo… ) which means she’s finally able to use her high chair, something I’ve been looking forward to.
We’ve introduced her to some solid foods like banana, strawberries, sweet potato and carrot. Letting her play, explore and make all the mess she wants!
She loves touching faces she’s familiar with, and especially slobbering all over mine. I like to say she’s giving me kisses.
Rene and I can’t get enough of her - and her cheeks! If only time would just slow down a bit… The key is to mix up your routine and focus on creating special moments with loved ones. On a beautiful day, we finally took her to the bird sanctuary near our house where we enjoyed some much needed time outside.
Christmas Season 2022
Nina spent her first Christmas Eve surrounded by delicious homemade food, champagne, rockin’ tunes, and best of all, wonderful company. Oh and lots of presents too. My aunt Nita and uncle Danny flew in from Thailand to spend the holidays with us. This was my very first Christmas with them too and so there was much to celebrate! We enjoyed a smooth gin from Edinburgh. But not too much because the following day was Nina’s baptism at Holy Rosary Church.
It was a beautiful day, sunny and cool with clear blue skies. Nina wore the white cotton gown and bonnet gifted by Nita and Danny, her godparents. It was a lovely ceremony although Nina would disagree. The whole thing was quite overwhelming for her. You can tell in the photo of her sleeping in the car on our way home with her fists closed tight. To this day, I can still smell the balsam oil with which the priest blessed her.
As always, our neighborhood rang in the new year with an impressive fireworks display. And Nina slept through it all. Here’s hoping she continues to be a good sleeper!
Five months
Nina continues to thrive and is slowly developing her little personality. She’s such a happy baby!
Except when she’s trying to roll over. She’s still trying to figure that out and it is really frustrating her! She’s getting really close though!
She put her hands together the other day and is now able to hold her toys with both hands. She really enjoys having time to herself on her play mat. I can tell she is taking in her environment. She’s also noticing Seamus and Loki more.
I really enjoy the little moments with her. When I change her, she makes the funniest sounds. Her personality really comes out! The past few days, she’s been grabbing her feet!
The Christmas tree mesmerizes Nina. I love telling her about the ornaments and where they came from. I let her touch them and she does it so gently.
Oh and I’m obsessed with taking screen shots of her different sleeping positions. She’s just the cutest.
I’m really trying to savour every moment with her. Going back to work hasn’t been easy but coming home to her and being greeted with a smile is something I just cannot put into words.
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!
Four months
Nina is no longer a newborn. She’s a happy milk-loving, thumb-sucking, babbling baby who falls asleep independently! It’s been pure joy watching her discover the world around her.
She loves spending time on her play mat and has gotten quite good at grabbing her toys!
Now that she has more of an attention span, we’ve been reading and looking at books. While sitting on our lap, she’ll hold the open book in her hands which is just so cute.
I take her outside everyday, weather permitting. We look at the plants and flowers and enjoy the warmth of the sun. Hopefully lots of camping trips are in her future!
Diaper changes are much more enjoyable now and a time for bonding. She usually blows bubbles and tells me stories.
Bath time is definitely a favorite! She’s about to grow out of the bathroom sink…
I’m savoring every moment because my maternity leave ends in about one week. I’m extremely grateful for Rene’s parents who’ve been staying with us for the past few weeks. They’ve helped me transition into a new routine as I prepare to return to work. It won’t be easy being away from Nina but knowing she has such loving caregivers gives me peace of mind. She needs a happy, well-balanced mother, and that’s what I intend to be.
Three months
Sleepless nights and never-ending diaper changes seem far behind now. The past few weeks, I’ve obsessed over sleep and naps with the hope that Nina will become a good sleeper (like her mama)! Browsing Facebook groups, texting other moms in my support group, reading way too many blogs… We actually just completed a full week of sleep training. I’m happy to say that Nina is now sleeping in her own room and is learning to fall asleep independently. She’s even slept through the night a few times without waking up to feed! I do miss having her in our room but the smiles I am greeted with in the morning melt my heart! She has changed so much in such a short amount of time. Rene and I are savoring every moment because they really do grow up so fast.
Two months
Once again, a long overdue post! We’ve been quite busy this past month with friends and family visits. Everybody wants a cuddle from Nina! We’ve enjoyed walks to the park thanks to more pleasant weather, daily tummy time on the play mat and I can finally say she enjoys bath time. I thought I had perhaps traumatized her the first time… Overall, Nina is adapting well to her new environment outside the womb and is slowly learning to sleep longer stretches which Rene and I both greatly appreciate!
One month
Hello! I’ve been meaning to post these black and white photographs for several weeks but Nina rules our home for now. Typing this with her milk drunk on my lap!
Rene and I cannot believe she’s 5 weeks old. She has changed so much already. We are in awe of her and enjoying (almost) every minute with our Nina.
Week 38
It’s hard to believe that Topo Chica is almost full term! After this morning’s prenatal check-up, she could show up by next week. Good timing on my part; tomorrow is my last day of work! I can tell my body is eager to rest and ready to prepare for labor. I’ll keep you all posted! Enjoy this photo of Loki keeping me company while I enjoy a breakfast taco.
Week 37
Topo Chica continues to put on the finishing touches to her development. I can tell that her dexterity and coordination are already improving in the womb just by the jabs and pokes I’ve been feeling on the regular. I’m experiencing a bit more fatigue and some new aches and pains here and there but nothing my support system (as pictured above) can’t ease! Giving my boys all the love and attention in the world because their young doggie lives (a phrase coined by my father) are about to change!
Week 36
For the past few weeks, I’ve been spending one of my days off visiting with my mom/soon-to-be grandma! She usually spoils me with a tasty home cooked lunch and her grand dogs Seamus and Loki with treats and carrots. We’ve definitely fallen into a routine! Relax after eating - I typically fall asleep in her recliner while she cuddles with the boys - followed by something sweet for dessert (I had halo halo again), pool time and then a walk in the neighborhood. Today, she gave me a pedicure (I can’t comfortably reach my toes anymore), and as always, I came home with some amazing food, namely pansit, a Filipino noodle dish and lumpia, ground beef spring rolls. Hmmm? I feel like this is turning into a food blog…
Countdown mode is on. My prenatal check-ups are on a weekly basis now. Topo Chica is extremely active these days. Sometimes it feels like she’s doing somersaults. Things are getting snug! As you can see, my bump is too big for Loki to rest on at this point but he remains my loyal companion!
Week 35
“So have you had any particular cravings during your pregnancy?” This has been the most asked question I’ve gotten and I seem to disappoint people when I tell them, “No, not really.” I can tell they’re hoping for something weird like pickles and ice cream or steak and jam.
Looking back, I’ve definitely enjoyed satisfying my sweet tooth but that’s nothing new, as Rene would point out. Some of the foods that have made my taste buds sing louder than usual though have been chocolate croissants at Magnol, mung bean cakes, ice cream and as discovered the other day, halo-halo, a Filipino dessert made of shaved ice, shredded coconut and jellies, ube jam, jackfruit, plantains and topped with heavy cream. I can’t recall what made me think of it or crave it but I immediately texted my mom and the following day she went to the Asian store to buy all the ingredients. It was the perfect treat to bring us together on a hot summer day! My taste buds rejoiced!
As I mentioned in week 34, I booked a tintype (also known as wet plate collodion) session with Laura. This method dates back to 1851. A thin 4x5 sheet of metal is hand coated with sensitized silver, taken and the image is developed while still wet with chemistry. What I love is the final result. Each photograph is unique and stamped with artifacts from the process, as you can see in the digital scan above.
Week 34
Monday’s ultrasound was brief but so mesmerizing! I was able to see my daughter’s limbs, feet, hands, and face thanks to today’s technology. She definitely looks like a fully formed human being now and apparently has her father’s full lips!
On my day off, I treated myself to a tintype session with Laura (who also photographed my wedding) to capture my joy and excitement, and ever-expanding bump! Thank you mom for documenting the behind-the-scenes! I’ll post the scans of the tintypes in my next post.