Braelyn ~ 5 months

My sweet little lady is getting so big! and so much fun! You are the happiest little thing ever...always smiling and laughing and cooing - it's a rarity to hear a cry come from your sweet little mouth! I really can't believe how laid back you are, and am loving every moment of it :)

We had to go to the Dr this week because you have a horrible little rash on your face that isn't going away, so they weighed you while you were there...weighing in at whopping 18lbs 3oz :) As far as the rash, we're trying a new cream and if it doesn't work, we're off to see the dermatologist! Other than that poor little rash, you are a healthy little sweetheart.

You are in size 9 month clothing...even wearing some 12 months and size 4 diapers. I can't believe the amount of clothes (and money) we have gone through during all these growth spurts! Sleep is still going great and really haven't had any changes so far (KNOCK ON WOOD!). You're off to bed around 8ish and then up about 7am to eat and back to sleep til around 9:00. You are even throw in a couple 45 minute naps in during the day and sometimes up to 2-3 hours! You love your sleep, that's for sure.

(and you love your toes!)

Still nursing every 4 hours...and are a champ at taking the bottle - finally, which I didn't think would ever happen. I haven't started you on baby cereal yet, but plan to do that soon. Anytime you see someone eating or drinking, you go crazy trying to reach for it. Still no teeth, but you are drooling and chewing on everything...24/7! You are sitting so good (with help of course) and have such awesome head control.

 We've had a busy month, as usual...

We've had play dates...

 (Playing with Alivia)

 

(and the crazy boys!)

Played in our jumparoo...

Went on lots of shopping trips with mommy...

(and I'm getting so big i'm almost outgrowing my pumpkin seat!)

Got family pictures taken...which didn't go as well as planned (well, actually Nolan was a little terror...that's what didn't go as planned!!)  Can't wait to see the rest of them...here's a sweet little sneak peak...

Met Santa for the first time and went on a field trip with bubs daycare to the Festival of Trees...

 In her sweet little dress Grandma got her and her fun bow from Ninny

And took even my first big girl bath...

 

Life is good and we have no complaints...just LivingtheGoodLife :)





Braelyn ~ 4 months

Is it really the end of October...and are you really 4 months old?! How can this keep happening??? Time just keeps flying by faster and faster every day, I don't even know how to handle it! In two months you will be sitting on Santa's lap and before I know it, you will be turning one!

Picture are getting harder to take because you move so much - today you were too focused on getting your cute socks ;)

You are happier and happier each and every day...which I don't know if that is even possible! I love, love, love watching all of your huge smiles and hearing those adorable little belly giggles and squeals, you immediately put a smile on my face and everyone else's around you.

Watching Bubble Guppies with Nolan

I'm amazed by how much you have grown in the past month - just looking at pictures from your 3 months 'photo shoot' and you are quite the tubba! At your doctors apt you weighed 17lbs 1 oz (92 %ile) and were 27 inches long (off the charts!) Your head was 99%ile too ... (but we kinda figured you would have a big noggin after your brother ;)

You are in a size 3 diaper and mainly 9 month clothing...although a 'few' 6 months fit. You are about to break me because of all of the shopping I 'have' to do for you since you keep growing out of your clothes so fast. Of course, I do enjoy shopping for you though :)

You are still nursing about every 3 hours, but are being a good girl and sleeping through the night...usually about 8p-6a, then up to eat and back to sleep until around 9-10ish. The bottle situation is getting better too - you actually took a bottle from me the other day, so i'd say that's an accomplishment!

Your brother still adores you and you love him too. Sometimes you get a little nervous when he goes zooming by you and yelling at the top of his lungs, but you are always smiling at him. You love to lay on the floor next to him and reach for him...and he always says that you are tickling him.

 He loves you so much, he ever shares his Mickey Mouse chair with you!

 

You are becoming more and more active and are so strong...and you just rolled over for the first time yesterday!!! (from your back to your belly). Once you get rolling from belly to back, I have a feeling you will be all over the place. You sit up so good in your little bumbo chair and can stand for a long time too with someone holding you up.

I'm wondering if you are working on a tooth or something with the way you have been drooling!

 

 We are enjoying every second with you, but sure wish life would slow down a bit...love you sweet girl :)

Braelyn ~ 3 Months

Happy 3 months, my sweet little lady! How have 3 months gone by already?! I absolutely love all of my time that I get to spend with you, but it just seems to go so fast. You are so much fun now...smiling, giggling, blabbing, blowing bubbles and trying to mimic the noises I make. I think your going to be a little genius like Nolan ;)

Your latest exciting thing that you have been doing lately is that you are now grasping at things and bringing them towards your mouth! And when I lay you on your back, you roll wayyyyy over on your sides and just hang out there. I'm just waiting for the day for you to roll all the way!!

You are growing like a weed...just like your brother did when he was your age. Not sure on your weight (i'm guessing 15 1/2ish lbs) but you are wearing 6 months clothes now and your PJ's are even getting snug on you! You are still in size 2 diapers and I have finally gotten your feedings to every 3 hours, so that makes life much easier.

You have been a fabulous sleeper lately! Sleeping like 10-12 hrs a night! And naps during the day are going pretty well also...you get a little fussy when you get tired and usually all we have to do is lay you in your crib and you go right to sleep (or if daddy is home, you love to snuggle in with him while he rocks you to sleep). We have a good little daily routine going on, and that makes mama happy!

You love being outside...and stroller rides! Still not a lover of the bottle - but you do an okay job when mama is at work or you are at daycare. You started going to Miss Patty's on Mondays and so far, she says you are a good little girl, like your brother. And speaking of Nolan, I know you love your big brother...but I swear, the minute he walks in the door, you get a little tense and nervous...I don't blame you though, that kid is a wild man!

(see - he is crazy!)

 

Mama is back to work and I miss you like crazy when i'm gone! But it makes me want to snuggle you that much more when I get home. It's hard for me to believe that next month you will be big enough to start eating baby food...or ride in the stroller without your carseat! Too Big, Too Fast. Slow down baby girl...You bring so much joy to your mommy and I need it all to just slow down!

Nolan Patrick...2 years

I can't believe my little man is 2 years old already! Seems like just yesterday you were my big chunky baby that wouldn't leave my side. Now you are Mr. Independent and aren't as much of a mama's boy as you used to be:( You have really taken to your daddy since mommy is busy with Braelyn a lot now - You have changed so much over the past few months, it's just crazy.

Here is what's going on with you these days...
At your 2 year apt you weighed 34.4lbs (97%) and were 37 3/4 inches (99%) tall!
You are wearing 3T clothing. You always want your shoes and shirt off and are running around in just your shorts and diaper the majority of the summer...little hillbilly! As for shoes, your in a wearing a 7 or 8, bigfoot! You still hate for your feet to be touched and it's a fight to get anywhere near your toenails to cut them!

You are in size 6 diapers. I don't see any potty training in the near future, but you are interested in the big boy potty and tell me when you poop...you even sit on it every now and then but nothing yet. You are definitely not a good eater for me...you are way too busy and wild to sit at the table, however, Miss Patty says that you eat like a pig at her house, so I try not to stress about it too much. Your absolute favorite food is "moot snacks" (fruit snacks). You are ALWAYS asking for these!

 

You're still obsessed with anything sports related...and you have become quite the Cardinals fan, which makes me happy! You love anything truck and tractor related and you love playing in the water, but would much rather be in your kiddy pool than in our big pool. I'm hoping this changes next summer.

You absolutely love your little sister. You are always talking to her and kissing her and making sure she is okay, and don't seem to even be jealous of her - which really surprised me. And she just adores you and smiles at you when she sees you!

Your vocabulary continues to amaze me! It's crazy that I can have full adult conversations with my 2 year old - and your imagination cracks me up! You always have 'stories' to tell me and are making stuff up all the time! Definitely entertaining!

You're sleeping in a full size bed now and we have NO PACI'S!! woo who!

I love you to pieces, but sometimes, child, you can wear me thin. These 2 year old tantrums are at their WORST right now. I'm hoping they get better with time, however, I've heard 3's are even worse. We have spanked your butt a handful of times and put you in timeout, but nothing seems to phase you. You are SO strong-willed and hard headed...kinda like your mama I guess :/

When you aren't having a fit - you are such a little sweetheart! You love to snuggle and give kisses and are just full of spunk, smiles and giggles.

The past two years have just flown by and I love you more and more everyday, you make life so fun (and busy!) and I wouldn't have it any other way. Love you little monkey!

Braelyn Paige - 2 months

You are just changing so much lately, makes me sad to think my little tiny baby that just slept and ate is getting so big. You are much more alert now and love to smile and coo and try to talk and squeal. We spend hours during the day just making silly faces and smiling at each other. You fill my heart with joy, I just don't know how I ever lived without you!

Sleeping is even better - usually you are asleep by 9:30, then don't get up to eat again til 2:30, then 5:30ish, and were up around 7:30. You have been sleeping in your pack n play in our room...and i'm planning to try to transition you to your room soon...baby steps ;) I love how laid back you are...you only cry if your hungry, overly tired, or need a diaper change...and we have been having more and more blowouts every day!

Still eating every 2 hours during the day, and we have finally gotten you to start taking a bottle...although you would much rather nurse! Thankfully because this mama was stressing about going back to work. Definitely not a pro, but we're getting there! We are getting more into a routine, which always makes me happy!

Wearing size 1 diapers still...and are starting to get a little snug, and into 3 month clothing. You are also getting better with the carseat, and are my little shopping buddy! Still not a fan of the swing or the paci, but hopefully that should come with time...your brother didn't like his until he was 3 months.

I love you, sweet pea!

Braelyn Paige - 1 month

The last month has FLOWN by! You have been such a blessing to our little family and we all absolutely love you to pieces...even your big brother!

From the moment we brought you home, you have been such a good baby! You smile all the time (real smiles - not the fake gas ones) and love to be held!

You are such a good little eater, and are still eating every 2 hours during the day...little piglet! At your 1 month appointment you were 12.6 lbs!! 4 lbs more than your birth weight :) I have a feeling your going to be a hoss like your brother. Oh well - an athlete and scholarships in our future, hopefully ;)

We have been trying to introduce the bottle and pacifier to you, and you are less than thrilled!

Sleeping is getting better - however, you have spent the last month sleeping in your bouncy seat. I know...mom of the year award, but it's where you sleep the best at. You are definitely a little poop machine, I feel like all I do is feed you and change your diaper. Not a fan of the carseat or swing yet...hopefully those will come with time.

We have had a busy month with everyone wanting to come and spend time with you, but it's starting to slow down too and life is a getting to be a little more normal. Lot's of cookouts, playdates and parties and you are quite the social butterfly ;) You got your first pedicure this month too.

You are in size 1 diapers and are starting to get into your 3 month clothing. Didn't get much use out of the newborn clothes :(

I just love you to pieces and can't believe how big you are getting, already!
Happy 1 month sweetpea!