Ho Ho Ho...

The best gift of all this Christmas is our baby girl Maya.

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Merry Christmas. We hope that you all had a wonderful Christmas filled with family, fun, and lots of memories to cherish forever. The collaboration of pictures above is from the many Christmas gatherings we attend over the season. This year we had four, but missed one due to the ridiculous weather. Maya and I were fortunate that the streets were plowed enough so we could get across town on Christmas Eve to get to Grandma McDougall's house.

I had to put the naked pic in...that was the only picture I got on Christmas Eve. I ended up snapping a few right before church. She is growing so much it is hard to imagine that she is 6 months old. Where did the time go? I hear all the time that kids grow fast, but that is definitely an understatement. You don't really know how fast they grow until you experience it yourself. I will try to keep her momas girl as long as I can! But in all reality, my baby will soon no longer be a baby! Hopefully, when she grows up she will still like to cuddle with mama!

My first attept at family photos...

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While TJ was in ND for Imaya's baptism, I decided to take some family photos. This is my first attempt, so no laughing please! Slowly, but surely I hope to be able to take wonderful, striking photos. Once and awhile I get a good one. However, I seem to be better taking non-posed, in the moment photos. One thing I have learned is that lighting is very important. However, it is very difficult to master lighting. Therefore, the pictures aren't as sharp as I want. Practice, practice, practice. Maybe when Maya is a Senior I will be good enough to take her senior pics...although, I hope it doesn't take 18 year for me to master this camera...lol!

Maya's Baptism

A thank you goes out to each and everyone of who who were able to take part in this special day. It was truely special, because daddy was able to be there too. We are truely grateful for our wonderful friends an family and cannot thank you enough for all the love and support you provide us everyday.

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God bless ALL of you!

tj, maranda, and maya

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inviation details:

please join us to celebrate

love and new life

as we baptize

Imaya Ruby Armstrong

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sunday, december 13th, 2009

at the 7:45 am mass

nativity catholic church

1825 1th street south

fargo, nd 58103

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reception and brunch to follow

9:00 am -1:00 pm

days inn1507 19th avenue north

fargo, nd 58102

"Imaya made it all the way across the room"

I picked Imaya up from daycare today and they reported that Imaya went from one end of the living room to the other. I thought, for sure she rolled across. Nope, apparently she grabbed the carpet and pulled herself. Wow, I guess she got her daddy's strength because this girl has absolutely no upper body strength.

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Imaya has transitioned well from at home with mommy to daycare. She has been at daycare now for about a month already. I think I miss it more than she does. She certainly loves to watch all the kids play. She is eating and sleeping well. As long as I bring extra clothes for her spit up, she is o.k. We do have quite the spitter on our hands. Now, I am not talking just a little spit up here and there. I am talking about getting the entire front side of her shirt and most times the pants too. Every morning before I leave work, I am cleaning spit off of myself as well. Didn't you know that the new fashion trend was spit up on clothes? It's hip.

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(I had to include the recent pictures I took of her little legs. I suppose they have to be a bit on the larger side to hold all those muscles...lol)

We love you Coley...

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We attended cousin Coley's shower November 7th. It was held at Tara's house in Fargo. Lots of family and friends were in attendance. I made baby bootie cups that we filled with chex mix made by great grandma mac and a diaper cake. It was my first attempt at a diaper cake. It wasn't the most proportionate...but Nicole loved it so...mission accomplished. We played many games, ate lots of good food, had many laughs. and made some great memories that will last forever. We are so excited cousin Nicole and Frank are having a baby girl. I hope and pray that they become as close as Nicole and I have. We love you Nicole...you are so very special to us and we are so glad that you are in our lives.

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In the bottom left hand corner, Imaya is pictured in a blue sailor-type sweater. Great grandma Mac actually made that for me when I was a little girl. It was saved for me and worn again by my precious little girl. I can't tell you how much these keepsakes mean to me. I will definitely be keeping stuff her as well...

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...and yes, the party was crashed by the men. Apparently, they were hungry!

A random update

Here are some random pictures from the month of October. Yeah, I know November is almost over. I am just a little late in updating the blog...
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Here are some random thoughts as well:
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I have tried many times to sit Imaya up and see what happens next. All she does is slump or slide over to the side. So, guess we aren't ready to sit up yet. She does do well in her Bumbo seat though.
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Imaya is rolling over now without a little push from me. On November 1st, she rolled over three times from her back to her stomach while I was trying to change her diaper. I have seen her roll over before, but not this many times in a row. I guess I will have to watch the little peanut at little bit closer than I am used to. NO more lying on the couch!

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She still loves the ABC's. Anytime someone wants a picture of her I just sing the ABC's. It is a given that you will get big smiles from her. In addition to a smile, she usually brings her hand up to her mouth to chomp on. She loves chewing on those fingers. Sometimes she gets them too far down that she gags herself. Silly girl.

Some Bunny says, "Happy Halloween!"

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Our little precious Imaya was a bunny for Halloween. I found this cute bunny outfit from a lady that makes these cute little costumes. The looped yarn was just too darn cute...I just couldn't resist. I had to talk Daddy into it because he wanted his little girl to be a ladybug. I guess I better find the cutest ladybug outfit for next year.

The morning, Imaya and I spent the day at home preparing for the big evening. Early evening we headed over to see cousin Jack. He was so cute in his monkey outfit. We then headed for the mall for a night of trick or treating. What a great day! The only thing that could have made the day better would have been to share it with daddy...

A good bill of health reported by Dr. Blehm

Imaya had her first doctors appointment with her new doctor, Dr. Blehm. Dr. Blehm was recommended by Grandma Becky. I have to say that he is a great doctor and we will not be leaving him anytime soon. He reported that Imaya is healthy as can be. Nothing to worry about. Prior to the appointment, Grandma Becky was worried about her little granddaugther. She was concerned that Imaya wasn't gaining enough weight, spitting up too much, and excreting too much urine. We asked Dr. Blehm all of the above questions and he wasn't worried a bit.

Imaya is 24.37 inches long, which falls into the 64th percentile.

Imaya is 13.11 pounds, which falls under the 60th percentile.

What I found interesting is that her head circumference is 15.5 inches. Interestingly, it is in the 13th percentile. I guess she got that gene from me, as I am still wearing children's hat. Though small, I got a lot of brains in there packed like sardines...lol.

Imaya also received 2 shots and another vaccination orally. Did she cry...nope, she screamed after the shots were administered. She was pretty much fussy the rest of the day. I could barely touch her legs when changing her it hurt her so bad. Poor thing. We went over to Nana's afterwords so she could snuggle with Nana to feel better.

Is it normal?

Is it normal that I took pictures of Imaya being changed by her daddy?

I got an email this week that listed the top 30 questions that a mother asks about her child. These are top questions I have had over the last few months...

Is it normal that my baby has hiccups frequently?
Is it normal that my baby sneezes frequently?
Is it normal that my baby has stinky feet?
Is it normal that my baby spits up a lot after every feeding?
Is it normal that my baby scowls frequently?
Is it normal if my baby doesn't gain a lot of weight one month?
Is it normal that my baby's hands and feet are almost always cold?
Is it normal that my baby will not sleep on her back?
Is it normal that my baby has to be held for a nap?
Is it normal that people think my baby is a boy?

So...is it normal?

16 weeks...wow.

Imaya is 16 weeks old today. She is getting so big and changing so much:

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o The last three weeks she started drooling and chewing on her fingers and tries to eat anything she can get a hold of. I have a feeling that we will see some teeth soon.

o She definatly knows who her mommy is because she will follow me all around the room, look up to find me when she hears my voice, and moves her arms and hand when I am about to pick her up.

o She will swat and try to grab onto an object that you hold infront of her.

o She definately likes to bed held during her day naps. Only a few times have I been able to put her down in her crib for a long nap (> 15 minutes).

o Imaya sleeps an average of 10 to 12 hours at night, however, she does go to bed very late. This last week she has been falling asleep about 10:00 to 11:00 pm. I would like to contribute this to a before bed ritual that I recently started, but unfortunately I don't think it has anything to do with it.

o We are now up to 5oz
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Boy how life changes. Our little peanut is growing up so fast. Where does the time go. Before I know it she will be eating foods, talking, and walking around. I am not sure I am ready for her to grow up and not want to cuddle with mommy anymore =(