Surgery for Sara...

Due to the back to back ear infections, Jared and I decided to have tubes put in Sara's ears.  We had heard the surgery is not that complicated and has great benefits, including improved hearing, less discomfort, and less antibiotics (all making the procedure worth it).  So far, everything said has proven to be true.  The procedure was done in one morning.  We checked in at 645 am (so early!) and were home by 10 am.  The hardest part was being in the operating room with her when they administered the anesthesia.  I am not sure I'll do that ever again... Sara was such a trooper though.  She was cooperative the entire time, and by the time we left, was smiling at the doctor.  She has been sleeping much better at night, and so far hasn't been sick (although it has only been 3 days!).  Lets hope for the best!!

Sara is 9 months old!!

Wow...I can't believe my baby is turning into her own person right in front of me!  Sara is still a very smiley baby.  She is always ready to give smiles to strangers and hugs to her mom and dad.  She is crawling all over the place (this started around 8 months), pulling herself up on every piece of furniture she can, and dancing to music.  She has many toys that "talk" and play music.  These are her favorite toys, and she gets a smile and little bounce every time the music comes on.  Her favorite word (even though I am constantly pushing for "mama") is "dada".  She says it all of the time, and is starting to even get it right occasionally when referring to Jared.  Recently, her two bottom teeth have pushed through.

While she loves daycare and all of her teachers and babies there, she has had a hard time staying healthy with all of the other babies and germs floating around.  She has a constant running nose ("daycare nose") and congestion.  This causes ear infections, which have pretty much been back to back since September.  We are planning to get tubes in January.   However, even while she doesn't feel good, she is smiling and behaving in such a sweet manner (during the day!).

Snow Day!

This is the first time it has snowed where Sara hasn't been sick (or too sick) and we felt comfortable taking her outside.  That said, it was a very cold day, so we didn't stay out for too long.  We bundled her up (much to her discomfort) and took her outside to introduce her to snow.  I don't really think she appreciated it!  Here's the picture to prove that we tried =)

Christmas and New Years Eve 2013!

I had almost 2 weeks off for the Christmas/Winter break, but it went by so fast that I can't believe it's over already! 

• The break started off with a much needed date night with our college friends from Conshy, Ali and Diana, and my friend Colleen who flew in from Indianapolis.  We went to a fancy dinner and then out to the bars in Conshy, just like the days before the baby!  We had a blast and of course paid for it the next day when the baby woke up early....

(Diana eluded all pictures this evening!)

• Jared and I took Sara downtown on Christmas Eve and spent the afternoon taking in all of the Philly Christmas sights.  Our major event was watching the light show at the Comcast Building.  It was such a good show that it even kept Sara's attention.  She enjoyed smiling at all of the people and clapping along with the rest of the crowd.

• On Christmas day, Santa came to visit and left Sara a singing/rocking lady bug.  She has enjoyed playing, dancing and singing with it ever since. Then, for a change, my parents and Grandmother came to visit us in Conshy.  We went to church and had dinner at our house.

• The following day, we went back to my parents house to get together with the rest of the family.  Sara enjoyed "chasing" Allison around the house (although Allison was much too fast) and stealing Olivia's pacifier (not for herself, just because she didn't think Olivia needed it).  We all had a great time at home, and it was fun to see the kids start to interact.

• My break ended with an awesome New Years Eve!  We participated in an "Around the World" progressive dinner with our friends from Philly.  We started in "Spain" and had appetizers at Diana's.  Then, we went to "Italy" at our condo for dinner, and ended up in "France" at Ali's for dessert.  It was our first time with a non-related baby-sitter, and we had such a good time out with our friends.  A wonderful way to end 2013 and begin 2014....

See why my break went sooo fast!?!