New Year's Resolutions

For 2009, Erin has resolved to:

1) Sleep in her own big girl crib in her own room
2) Avoid going to any more doctor's appointments besides those already scheduled or needed for well baby checks
3) Get rid of her torticollis
4) Learn how to crawl
5) For that matter, just plain be one darn happy, healthy baby

On that note, Erin has already achieved resolution number 1 by sleeping in her crib on New Year's Eve and every night since! (Goodbye, reflux!)

We had a harder time adjusting to the change than she did. Kurt checked on her twice the first night, and I went up three times (to make sure she was breathing - since the monitor seemed way too quiet).

We hope you resolve to have a happy, healthy 2009 also.

Love,

Kurt, Christine, Erin, and Shadow Schneider

Update 1/16/09: Erin is doing well with her resolutions. Both the craniofascial doctor and the neurosurgeon said that she is fine and that there is nothing they can do for her. She doesn't need their services. :-)

Erin's Latest Word

Since Erin was just a few weeks old, I have been trying to teach her to say Mama by telling her that I am her Mommy and even spelling the word. I started doing this every morning as a way of talking to her, so she would get used to my voice. However, it became a joke between Kurt and me. He said it was because I wanted her to say "Mama" first. While that is somewhat true, all the research indicates that "Dah" is much easier to pronounce. So, it came as no surprise that she started to murmur "Dah" and "Blah" first.

Now, I realize that these are probably sounds with no associated meaning. I've also been told that when she's older I'll wish she wouldn't say "Mom" so much. However, that didn't negate my gleeful expectation of hearing my daughter utter "Mah" for the first time.

So, it may come as a surprise when I tell you that the day after she first said "Dah", I was not as excited as I'd hoped the first time I heard my daughter cry out "MM" or "Mah". Why? It seems that every time Erin says "Dah" she's in a happy mood, but whenever she makes an "M" sound she tends to be upset, hungry, or overtired. Somehow, Kurt's mom telling me it's because Erin already knows to call out for her mommy when she wants to be comforted doesn't make me feel better. I'd just really like to hear a "Mah" when Erin is smiling.

Erin's New Words

On December 26th, Erin started talking. Her new words are Dada Blah Blah Blah. It's not really all that purposeful yet, but it sure is funny. Kurt jokes that maybe she'll end up being a politician, lawyer, or college professor.

Christmas

On Friday, December 19th, Erin was cleared by Dr. Grier to return to day care and to go to Dallas to see her cousins.

So, we drove up to Garland the next day, and had a nice early Christmas celebration. I think she had a good time seeing all of her cousins, and finally got to meet her Uncle Todd. However, Erin was a bit overwhelmed by all of the activity. She became fussy during the opening of gifts, and proceeded to fall asleep midway through her cousins' excitement.

However, Erin had a chance to redeem herself during Christmas festivities the following week.

That Monday, her GG came to visit for a week from New Mexico, along with her two dogs, Spencer and Zoe. Erin had a great time laughing at Spencer, a 120 lb. "small brown dog"! She also got to take her GG to see the lights downtown at the Zilker Park Trail of Lights. Unfortunately, Erin fell asleep right after the entrance archway and didn't wake up until the trails end! At least she got to see the archway and the giant tree. :-) I'd also like to think she enjoyed seeing the animated reindeer I made Kurt buy for our front yard, but really, those were more for me.

Christmas was rather low key, with me working Christmas Eve, and later enjoying a wonderful roast, followed by church services with Erin, Kurt, Kurt's mom, my parents, Heidi, and Lauren. On Christmas Day, Erin showed much more interest in her gifts - trying to put the bows, tissue paper, and packages in her mouth. It was so cute! We spent the day enjoying each others company, eating, and watching "It's a Wonderful Life." It really is a wonderful life, and the best present was being able to share it with Erin. :-)

We hope all of you have a wonderful Christmas season.

Love,

Christine