baby girl: 11 months

**I actually posted this last week, but I had taken my 10 month update and edited that one.  Unfortunately, Windows Live Writer doesn’t “Save As” like Word does, so the 11 month update was posted as the 10 month update – and my 10 month update is gone forever.  *tear*  So, in case you missed it last week, here’s what Kenna is up to at 11 months!**

Best. Month. Ever. Yes, I’ve been busy and just trying to keep my head above water, but MacKenna has been learning so many new things lately that I can’t help but take advantage of and love every second I get with her. But, it’s hard to believe that I only have one more of these updates after this!

(You can find previous month updates in the Baby Girl tab at the top of the page.)

Milestones + Accomplishments

We have teeth! 1.5 to be exact. One has definitely broken through the surface and the other one is really, really close. And she has handled it amazingly well! She’s drooly and a little fussy, but otherwise, she’s sleeping great and being the happy baby she is! Now, if only she would grow some hair…

MacKenna is officially crawling now also! She did the army crawl for a ridiculously long time, but all of a sudden, she started crawling. And now she is everywhere. She follows me (and Matt and the babysitter) around the house everywhere, and girl is FAST! She’ll put her little head down and just move as fast as she can. It’s so cute! She’s also pulling up, kneeling, and climbing on everything, but she doesn’t quite get the whole walking thing, which is fine by me right now.

Kenna also learned how to wave and point this month, which are by far my 2 favorite tricks. She pretty much understands everything that we say, but isn’t able to really say words yet. She says “dada” for everything, which, of course, Matt loves. She tries to say “cat” but doesn’t quite have it consistently yet. She does know who the cat is and will look and point when we ask her where the cat is. She also knows who mama and dada are, the fan, the light, and will point to anything that she wants. Such a smart little girl!

What We’re Working On

We’re trying to teach her new things every day. After the Rams win on Sunday, I’ve decided I want to teach her to do the “touchdown” sign. I think it will be hilarious! We’re also working on blowing kissing – she can get her hand to her mouth, but then she gets distracted and puts her hands in her mouth.

The partial weaning has been going well. I nurse her in the morning before work and, when I’m home, before bed time. If I’m not home in the evening when she goes to bed, Matt gives her a bottle of breastmilk and I pump on the way home. I haven’t dealt with and engorgement (never really had a problem in the first place) and my supply doesn’t seem to have decreased either.

As far as weaning goes, I don’t even have a clue where to start. She drinks out of a straw, but not very well. Most of the time, she spits everything out. I think my first move will be weaning her off formula to cow’s milk (I think – Matt + I don’t drink cow’s milk, but I think it will be fine for MacKenna) and then trying to get her to drink out of the cup instead of the bottle. I really know nothing about weaning, so any advice would be helpful!

Mama’s Miles

I’m still dealing with my inflamed serratus anterior muscles, although it’s gotten much, much better. No more stabbing or shooting pain, but a lot of soreness. Especially after days where I play a lot of volleyball with my girls. Luckily, running isn’t an issue, although I’m still not doing much for speedwork. I’m hoping to try some 400 repeats this week, but if I’m still hurting, I’ll continue to keep my runs easy.

I have 2 races scheduled for the fall: the Mo’Cowbell 5K on October 7 and the Run to the Lights 5K in Branson on November 9! I’m so excited about both of them, but I know it’s going to kill me not to be able to race them. Hopefully I’ll be feeling better by both of them!

Random Tidbits

• Doctor’s visits: None until her 1 year checkup at the end of October. Let’s keep it that way!
• Current weight: I weighed her about 2.5 weeks ago – 14 lbs 3 oz. I’m hoping she’ll reach 15 pounds by her 1 year checkup.
• Current clothing size: Mostly 6 month clothes, but she’s pushing it in her sleepers. Planning on busting out the 9 month clothes soon!
• Breastfeeding: Partially weaned. Not sure if I’ll keep doing that after the year mark. I will probably drop the morning one for sure (I need that extra 20 minutes!), but might continue the bedtime one until she decides enough is enough. We’ll see though…
• Loves: discovering new things, pointing to everything, eating!
• Dislikes: getting her diaper changed (she’s been dealing with some really bad diaper rash – I stripped the diapers and that seems to have helped) and of course, the car seat. She also hates being told “No”.

I can’t believe she’s going to be ONE in a month! I will be savoring these last few weeks of her infancy before she is officially a toddler. *sigh*