January 13, 2010

Marley at 8 Months Old

Our sweet girl is eight months old today. It's so crazy to think that she is that old already! When she was put into our arms she seemed so small. She was six months old at the time, but seemed more like a 4 month old. She has made so many milestones and so much progress that she is more and more like an eight month old everyday. She amazes us! The bonding is going superb! Marley does not like it when we leave the room and loves to be in our arms all the time. She will go to others, although we still are refraining from passing her around, but looks to us for reassurance and will reach for us. She has started holding back her smiles and laughs for us, which is a really good thing.
At 8 Months Marley:
  • CAN SIT UP!
  • Says Mama and uses it to call me
  • Shakes her head no and knows it's meaning (she shakes no when she doesn't like something...lol)
  • Is starting to prefer baby food, my food of course
  • Is now starting to wear 6-9 month old clothing (she was in 0-3 months just 6 weeks ago!)
  • Is reaching for us
  • Gives kisses
I am so proud of her growth. She was a little one. At 2 months old, she weighed just 6 pounds. According to the Ethiopian growth charts, she wasn't that little, but still small. She's catching up, very quickly. At 8 months, she now weighs almost 15.2 lbs. While she's not as large as most American 8 month olds, she's doing very very well. I have to reassure myself. While I know she's doing great, I am a little frustrated when strangers approach me and ask her age, only to then reply with a "wow, she's so small," as to sound concerned. I know, I'm probably overreacting. In fact, I know I am. I have to get it out. I've been thinking about it for a few days and have come to realize the reason it bothers me so much is because when a stranger approaches me to ask about my sweet girl, whom I think is perfect just the way she is, and comments on how small she is, it makes me feel that in their eyes she's not the right size for them. Seriously...how do you respond to something like that? Please, any advice would be greatly appreciated. This is totally not for our friends and family, it's one thing to say, "Oh, she's so cute and tiny," and another to say, "Oh my! She's so small" in a concerned way. Okay off of my soap box.
Miles got his cast on yesterday. They ended up doing a full arm cast. He was very excited to get a glow in the dark cast. He is running around and jumping off things as if his arm were never broken. It's making me crazy. I know the cast is there to protect him, but geez! What a boy!

8 comments:

Missy said...

Awww, it is great to hear she is doing so well!!! Can't wait for our girls' reunion!!!

Unknown said...

People will think what they want. You know that she's growing and developing just fine. No reason to worry about other people's perceptions.

I know I know, easier said than done ;)

Alida said...

Oh, I'm so happy to hear about little Marley and what a little doll she is!!!! I'm also happy for Miles for doing better and acting his old self again ... :)... driving you crazy ... :) ... don't worry about what people say, but next time someone says "oh my, she's sooo little" just tell them "well, good and perfect things come in small packages ;) ... !"

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Kim and Kyle said...

I've found people are making those comments just from PICTURES of our little guy . . . can't imagine what it'll be like when they see him in-person. I suppose it's a "cross that bridge" type of moment. I try to remember that sometimes people open their mouths before they think A LOT of the time!! Same thing happens when people find out you're adopting from another country. Jeez, the comments people think are okay to say!!

Lindsey said...

I told me friend here that Cal's size in this area has been a BIG hit! African american women love a fat baby! But in Springfield, alot of white folks would comment on it not being healthy and such. I think the best way to respond is with a big smile and a "She's just the size God intended her to be! We think she's perfect!" As she gets older, that will boost her esteem as well, if she stays smaller.

Erin Sager said...

so so precious those darling kiddos....The star headband I made from a brotch I had and yes have made those leggings there awesome....So love reading your updates....

Anonymous said...

It's Audrey.....I agree with Lindsey totally!! I mean, it's true!! She is perfect, and just the way God wanted her to be right now!!
And thanks for helping me figure out how to actually comment on your blog!! Maybe someday I'll get one, or maybe not!! But I've really enjoyed catching up since I last saw you in December!!