Chloe is 11 Months This Week

Chloe will be 11 months this week. So many things are happening and changes taking place. Chloe likes to clap for herself, she's saying 'mommy' and 'daddy', a form of 'lydia', 'dog', and her favorite is 'uh-oh' which we hear about 100 times a day. She plays peek-a-boo, does so-big, loves to play ball, and can stand by herself if leaning back against something. Now she spins in circles while she's sitting. She's beginning to really reach out for things, so we think the crawling position will be next. Chloe still seems to lack arm strength, so this may take a little time. We signed her up for the Holmes County Help Me Grow program that will help Chloe with her gross motor skills and monitor her development. It's a free program to us and we're very thankful to have it available.

Chloe still has no desire to feed herself and is raking with her hands instead of finger pinching. She doesn't hold her own bottle, but has recently begun to hold a sippy cup. She loves to eat macaroni and cheese, green beans, pears and Popsicles. Baby food is almost a thing of the past even though she only has 2 teeth.

We have continued to battle illnesses this month, with a round of strep, colds, and ear/sinus infections. Chloe's sleeping most of the night when she's feeling well (hurray!). We've moved our bed off the frame and put her mattress next to ours. When she wakes at night I can just reach out and touch her. That seems to be enough reassurance for her to go back to sleep again. We really haven't made any progress with a babysitter. Her attachment to our family is great, but she cries when alone in room and hangs on tight when we're in a crowd or around someone outside our family. She's very happy when she feels safe and secure with us nearby.

We were thrilled that all Chloe's blood work came back great. Even the immunizations we were told she was given seem to be accurate. That will save her a lot pokes! Please continue to pray for Chloe's health. She seems to catch everything these days for all those new American germs. She is scheduled to go to an Ear, Nose, and Throat doctor in July for her repeated ear and sinus infections. It looks like tubes might be in our future.

Bob, Patsy, Nick and Alexandria Brown from Pittsburg came for a fun visit on Sunday. It was great catch up with some folks who traveled with us. Chloe and Alexandria were in cribs next to each other in Qian Jiang and its uncanny how much they sound alike.

We took Chloe to see Greg's grandparents for the first time this week. It was treat for them to get to meet her.