Ivy Jean – 9 Month Update

August 18, 2017

9 months. Holy moly. You are a marvel, Ivy Jean. Some days I feel like my heart could burst over you. It seems 3 months have sped by since I last wrote an update on you. You have changed so much, so quickly. I have absolutely loved these last couple of months with you. You are FUN. Your dad and I look at each other almost daily and say, “What did we do before her?” You make us laugh, you make us think, you humble us, you teach us, you make us lay ourselves down. Basically all the good stuff in life. We are so thankful you are ours and we are yours. I’m including the 9 months photos I took of you as well as some other snaps we’ve taken since your last update.

I’m not sure why, but the 3 month marks seem big to this mama who wanted for you for so long. My thoughts are jumbled and messy today as I sit to write this. There are so many things I want you to know that I fear I will do a poor job remembering, communicating, or teaching you about God, myself and your daddy, and the world. It’s scary out there and yet so beautiful. I’m so flawed and yet I love you so much. People are broken and also have a great capacity for good. I hope you see and know both.

All day on the 16th I felt sappy over the grace of God to give me the title of mother. After walking through infertility, and your preemie birth and subsequent complications, the beginning was harder than I anticipated. Part of the early days are now foggy almost. Even looking back at your 6 month update, I remember that feedings still look close to an hour. I’m so grateful for the documentation of your life in black and white because I see the strides and can give glory to God. You are so HEALTHY. You are thriving. There is no more fog, only joy.

Your Baptism (7 Months)

8 Months

We love seeing you learn and discover the world. At nine months you are 16 pounds 12 ounces. A whopping 42% percentile adjusted for her preemie status. You are 26.5 inches tall, 36% percentile. I have no doubt that you will grow into that height, and I will teach you to appreciate it like I’ve come to appreciate mine. You have 2.5 teeth now. Two on the bottom and a third starting to peek through on the top. You started to sit up right around 8 months, and over the last month have totally solidified that skill.

You’ve just started to figure out crawling. It’s pretty hysterical because you turn all around in a circle, back up, and then make small amounts of forward progress in an army crawl like motion. I think once you get the legs in coordination, there will be no stopping you. You are a mover. It’s a wonder your dad and I do not have crazy muscles by now from wrangling you or that you haven’t fallen off the changing pad. Lord help us. Once you start walking, I think we will be in a constant state of pursuit. You are much more independent now, and it’s simultaneously liberating and heartbreaking for this mama.

You take bottles like a normal baby now. A moment of silence, please. There were days I never thought I’d type that. You also love “solids” though we haven’t moved much past purees. I’m pretty sure you have a texture issue, something I blame your dad for. I try to give you cut up pieces of fruit, steamed veggies, beans, oatmeal etc. and for the most part you are not having it. I trust it will come in time. You love peanut butter (you are my daughter!) and yogurt. Puffs and Cheerios are also favorites, and I think your high chair might be one of your favorite places.

We love you, Ivy Jean Arnold. A fact I hope you always know to your very core.

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62 Comments

  • Reply Kris August 19, 2017 at 1:05 pm

    Your daughter looks so adorable! LOVE the photos, you all are so cute!!

    Have an awesome day!

    xx Kris

    https://dreamingofpink.wordpress.com

  • Reply TOUCH OF GS August 19, 2017 at 7:15 am

    Ohmygoddd she is so cute! Her eyes are gorgeous! x

    TOUCHOFGS

  • Reply Sindiso Moagi August 19, 2017 at 6:47 am

    Happy 9th Month birthday to the little one. Ivy is growing up well
    http://www.sindisosdiary.com/2017/08/the-dress-that-has-won-my-heart.html

  • Reply Marchelyn Revacca August 19, 2017 at 2:23 am

    So cute baby! I love the color of her eyes 😉

    https://marchhappythoughts.blogspot.com/?m=1

  • Reply Laura Boswell August 18, 2017 at 9:55 pm

    How did 9 months already fly by?! She is just such a gift Amy!

  • Reply Gentry August 18, 2017 at 9:19 pm

    What a precious gift she is! I feel like you captured motherhood so perfectly in your words. Happy 9 months to Ivy!

  • Reply MEL INSPIRED August 18, 2017 at 8:36 pm

    Omg those eyes! She is absolutely adorable. You have a heartbreaker on your hands for sure!

    xx, mel
    http://melinspired.com/amazon-beauty-must-haves-under-20/

  • Reply Anya Dryagina August 18, 2017 at 8:02 pm

    Love this post and great photos!
    Have a nice weekend!
    http://www.recklessdiary.ru

  • Reply Amy Johnson August 18, 2017 at 5:16 pm

    She is so precious! It’s so funny, because until I had my new granddaughter, I would pass by the baby posts or the Mommy & Me posts of bloggers, because I just wasn’t interested in them. Now I savor every single one.

  • Reply Cindy Elena August 18, 2017 at 3:48 pm

    Oh my god Amy she is sooo beautiful! I can’t believe it’s been 9 months!

    xo | Cindy Elena
    http://www.boringclothes.com

  • Reply Shea Sayers August 18, 2017 at 3:19 pm

    Amy Ann she is precious! And I totally see you in her too. 9 months is such a fun age–their little personalities are starting to come out, and it sounds like Ivy Jean and Violet have a lot in common (my girl loves to move too, watch out world!). I’m glad that eating has been going better for you all, what a relief!

  • Reply The Fashion Folks August 18, 2017 at 2:47 pm

    Crazy how old she already is! She’s so so cute. Gorgeous monthly photos you take too, adorable! Xx

    http://www.thefashionfolks.com

  • Reply Rosa Larissa Klara K. August 18, 2017 at 2:30 pm

    Wow, I cannot believe its been nice months already! She is growing so fast… like my girl too 😀
    Thank you a lot for your last comment on my blog 🙂
    Sending much love!
    Xx
    Rosa Larissa Klara

    conscious lifestyle of mine

  • Reply Tina Huynh August 18, 2017 at 2:10 pm

    Your baby girl is adorable! She also has such a cute name too!~ 🙂

    xo Tina
    IG: @tinasweetheart
    http://www.tinasweetheart.com

  • Reply Michelle Orsi August 18, 2017 at 11:55 am

    Oh my gosh, she is getting so big! Those eyes give me heart eyes every time!

    http://www.michellespaige.com

  • Reply Joti Singh August 18, 2017 at 11:53 am

    She is so beautiful! Those eyes are amazing!

    http://www.stylebymemory.com

  • Reply Mary-Katherine Minnis August 18, 2017 at 11:52 am

    Aww Amy Ann these photos are precious and your commentary brought tears to my eyes! You are such a beautiful mother and your appreciation for the gift of Ivy Jean is so inspiring. It’s been so wonderful to see how God has worked in your life and how he has blessed you beyond measure!

    xo MK
    http://www.goldhattedlover.com

  • Reply Emily August 18, 2017 at 10:41 am

    She is the cutest baby! Love the family pic, stunning.
    Isn’t That Charming.

  • Reply Jacquard Flower August 18, 2017 at 10:31 am

    How quickly time has passed!! Ivy Jean is such a cutie and you are such a beautiful family!

    Gemma x
    http://www.jacquardflower.uk

  • Reply Jodie Filogomo August 18, 2017 at 9:51 am

    Ohhhhhhhhhh….this is the sweetest ever, Amy!
    I love that you called for a moment of silence. And the food issues…will hopefully get better. Heck, it took me over 30 years to like pizza!!!
    XOXO
    Jodie
    http://www.jtouchofstyle.com

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