Nine Months

More like nine and a half months, but oh well.  Better late then never.  Piper had a well-check with her new pediatrician a couple of days ago. We decided to choose Dr. Shannon Brigman, who has a small practice in town with one other doctor.  I had actually met her nine months ago when she examined Piper before being released from the hospital.  I hope she's a good fit for our family, but only time will tell.  Piper weighed 18 lbs, 6 oz and measured 27.5 inches long, which put her in the 53rd percentile when comparing weight to height.  Dr. Brigman said she is the poster child for ideal body proportions...not too chunky, but not too skinny either. She gave me the green light to drop one of Piper's milk feedings, specifically when I inquired about her post-afternoon nap/pre-dinner feeding.  We are 'day three' into her new feeding schedule, and so far she doesn't seem affected by the loss of meal #4.  However, we've replaced milk for cheerios in a snack cup. As I mentioned in a previous post, there's a lot to report regarding Piper's development.  While we were in California her second top tooth began to poke through, and as predicted, she began to crawl.  Although, in the beginning it wasn't your traditional crawl on all fours. She would drag one leg while pushing off with the other foot. It looked pretty funny.  But since we've been back home, her crawling has ironed itself out, and she is on to more advanced things like pulling herself up and occasionally letting-go.  She even started walking behind her push toys. She has also began making sounds similar to mamamama and nananana. I kinda thought she would pick up words a lot faster then McKinley did, considering she listens to her talk all day.  But Dr. Brigman said it's just the opposite.  Apparently because she is the second child and hears her sister talking non-stop, she feels like she doesn't have to.  Eating solid foods is going really well.  She's practically a garbage disposal because anything we put on her tray she quickly gobbles up. We've expanded her solids to include dinner, and she is trying new table food daily.  We also recently introduced yogurt, and she loves it. Next up is eggs.  Let's see.....what else? We are slowly transitioning out of her swaddle, and now her arms are free.  Even though her legs are still wrapped, she is a little houdini, and one afternoon I found her standing up in her crib hanging on to the side rail.  Time to lower the mattress!   The photo shoot proved to be challenging, for as soon as I placed her where I wanted her to be, she would crawl towards me. Hence, we have a lot of close ups.  She is definitely making her personality known and has a flair for the dramatic.  When she gets upset, she'll throw her head back (see below).  Well, there's probably more I could share, but I'll wrap it up and save it for another day.  Boo bear, we love you so much and can't believe you're already nine months old!

Pre-photo shoot set up.

One of my faves!

Drama queen!  Check out the major gap between her top front teeth.

Purple Rain

Momma and her girls after church.

Quick Update

Since we've been back in Oregon, we've been taking advantage of the final days of summer, packing anything and everything into our schedules before things really get crazy with the start of Momma's cross country season and Dadda's new work shift.  Which means I'm a little behind with Piper's nine-month post.  But there's a lot to report regarding Little Miss Piper cub, so stay tuned.

 Piper is modeling a one-of-a-kind Raggedy Ann & Andy hat from Gramma and Grampa C.

 Just chillin' after church before nap time.

McKinley demonstrates the proper use of the Boppy pillow while nursing Sheepy.

It never rains in Southern California

We recently returned from San Diego where Benji's entire family and my brother and his family reside. It turned out to be a relaxing week of hanging at the house, swimming at Nana & Boppy's pool, visiting Ahmma & Dumpa's new mountain cabin, and a walk to the water tank.  We ended our trip with Auntie Shawna's baby shower and a pit barbecue.  The only downer was the heat.  It was exceptionally hot, specifically in the 90's, the majority of our stay. 

McKinley and her cousins help to fill the water fountain. Everyone must touch the water hose.

Checking out Ahmma & Dumpa's chicken coop.

Uncle Benji scoops up the friendly chicken so that McKinley's cousins could pet it.

A favorite pastime: Starfall with Ahmma (or anyone with a computer, for that matter.)

Lounging at Nana & Boppy's black-bottum pool.

Dadda is perfecting his skills for Rio 2016.

Nana and Piper catch some rays while watching the kiddos in the pool.

Family pool shot: Dumpa, McKinley, Dadda, Auntie Cassie, Lizzie, Abby & Uncle Eddie.

Taking a walk around Lake Cuyamaca to work up an appetite for lunch at Ahmma and Dumpa's new lake home.

The Howards.

McKinley and Lizzie held hands a lot during this trip.  It made my heart melt!

Major photo op. on the bench.

Look!  It's mini-Cassie, mini-Benji & mini-Alan!

Family water tank shot: Dumpa, Ahmma, Abby, Lizzie, Auntie Cassie w/ Baby Benjamin, McKinley, Dadda & Piper cub.

I can't remember what McKinley is doing here....I just thought she looked super cute in her mini-dress and flip-flops.

McKinley paints with water colors for the first time.

Auntie Shawna poses with the sea turtle hoop art Momma made for her baby shower.

The Campoamor cousins pose in matching outfits.  (Thanks Gramma C.!)

A little behind-the-scenes action.  It looks like Leyton and Piper have had enough.

Somehow they pull it together for a couple more shots. Check out McKinley's cute pink Keens (Thanks REI used gear sale!)

Gramma and her girls.

Uncle Ryan, Auntie Shannon, Leyton & BC2 (Baby Campoamor 2.0 due Sep. 13)

One last picture before saying goodbye to my bro and his family. Hope to see you after Christmas!

Our trip wouldn't be complete without attempting a Howard grandkid shot.  It was pretty amazing how calm and cooperative they were.  From L to R: McKinley, Abby, Benjamin, Lizzie, Piper, Micah & Luke.

Family reunion at Santee Lakes

Our first full day in California we met at Santee Lakes to cool off.  We also received quite the surprise when Gramma C. arrived with Auntie Shannon and cousin Leyton. McKinley and her cousins had a blast playing in the water.  Even Piper got in on the action. Afterwards, we made our first lunch run to In and Out, and boy was it good!


McKinley loves to get wet!

 Pure joy!

  Cousin Abby poses with Piper.

 

 Auntie Shawna and Uncle Eddie hold the newest grandchild in the Howard clan: Baby Benjamin aka. Benjer.

 Family Reunion (from left to right):

Luke, Micah, Natalie, Lizzy, Abby, Leyton, McKinley & Dadda in the first row.

Benjamin, Cassie, Ahmma, Piper, Shawna & Shannon in the next row.

Eddie & Momma in the back row.