Taylor Joy - One Month

Oh, Taylor Joy! How can you be one month old already? It's breaking my heart watching you grow so quickly during these first few weeks. Here is a little bit about what you've been up to this month: 

 You spend most of every day and night sleeping. You are such a good girl. Your favorite thing is to be cozied up in blankets and resting in your Fisher Price rocker or to be cuddling warm in someone's arms or in Mommy's carrier. You are a super easy baby so far. You are quick to appease with nursing or a pacifier. 

Right now you are still eating every 2 - 3 hours. You eat pretty quickly and are then ready to go back to sleep. Although, in the last week you have started to have a nice, long wake time with your beautiful dark eyes wide open and alert after each feeding. The only thing that makes you fussy is your gassiness which happens if you don't get all of your burps out after a feeding. Or having to take a bath. You hate being naked and would much rather be cuddled in a warm towel after the bath is over.

 You are a tiny, little peanut weighing in at 7.4 at your 2 week check up (just a few ounces above your birth weight) and you've been slowly gaining ever since. I can tell you are getting bigger because your footed jammies are starting to get tight and your cheeks are filling out, too. 

 You got some crazy baby acne right at two and a half weeks and (mom confession) I had to glam up your one month pics just a bit. Guilty photo editor right here. Your baby acne was worse than I ever remember your big brother or sister's being. It came on out of no where and it is still hanging around. It gets worse when you're hot or when you're eating, but when you're peacefully resting it doesn't look bad at all. Poor, girl. You are still just the cutest little thing ever, though. 

 Your big brother is obsessed with you. He asks to hold you or burp you every second of the day. It seems he always has at least a hand touching you at all times. So far you are pretty oblivious, although I am sure in no time he will become a fast favorite. Emmerson also likes to peek in on you every now and again although she's not as anxious to hold you... yet. 

My heart is so full having you here with us. It's hard to imagine our days without you. I spend so much of my time just staring at you, giving you kisses, or talking to you in my high pitched momma voice.  I even love our late night feedings. There is something so peaceful about listening to you nurse. I have loved this month where you and I are so connected to one another. You are such a blessing to all of us, Baby Girl. 

We love you, Taylor Joy!

Emmerson one month

Donovan one month

Catching Up

Hi there! The weeks of summer are flying by now and I'm finding very little time to spend blogging about them. Here's a little update on the last week. 

Last Saturday, Dustin and I celebrated our 6 year anniversary. There was no time for a fancy date and this was definitely not the year for a get-away so instead we celebrated in our own special way. 

 

A family trip to the beach... and greasy Mexican food. That's how we roll around here. Nice and classy. 

 We even ate it in the car overlooking the waves. 

 Yum!

 My sweet boys hung out while Emmerson slept in the car. 

 To make the occasion extra fattening special we stopped off at my favorite frozen yogurt shop on the way home. Note to self: do not ever give Donovan his own fro-yo to eat on the ride home. Mom fail! 

On Sunday we had a visit from Uncle Jonathan, cousin Clare, and cousin Laurel. Donovan and Clare are so funny together. She's the boss and he's happy to do every single thing she demands of him. Including holding his hand and twirling as she sings Princess Sofia songs. I just love these two!

 I think I take a picture of Emme every day while she's resting, usually in her crib because she's so darn adorable! She's just beginning to smile and is so aware of her surroundings now. I can't believe how big she's getting. She barely fits in anything newborn sized and is now wearing all of her 3 months clothes! How did that happen soooo fast?! 

Enjoy this little Emmerson fashion show. 

(Girls are SO much fun! Have I mentioned that on here before?) 

Dustin worked most of the days this week with Jr. Golf which meant I was on my own. I figured this was finally the week that I had to brave some adventures with two kids in tow. First stop, Trader Joes... HUGE mistake! It was SO crowded and good Lord their carts are tiny. I never noticed until I had to completely stuff Emmerson into the middle of the cart and put Donovan in the usual top spot. Every food item then had to be placed on either side of Donovan in the little seat because there was no room to spare where Emmerson was sitting. Poor Donovan kept saying, "Mommy, I'm squished... Mommy the milk is cold... Mommy I want to get out of this!" Needless to say I will have to come up with plan B for next time. 

 We also ventured to Staples to get some teacher supplies and had better success. This time Emme got the top spot in her carrier and Donovan walked around and "helped" me shop. He was great and I was feeling so proud of myself for taking both kiddos out on a successful trip until I got home and realized that I didn't have one of the bags of items I just bought. And back to Staples we went. :) 

 It wasn't all chaos though. We're starting to develop new routines around here and on most days things go pretty smoothly. My biggest challenge so far has been providing enough attention to Donovan so that he doesn't start to throw little tantrums. I can tell the moments when I feel like I'm losing my patience with him is usually when I just need to take a deep breath, sit on the floor with him and play. He's usually just begging for my attention. His Grammie gave us an awesome art box with all sorts of activities in it which has been a perfect way for me to spend time with him during our long days without Daddy.

And little Miss is still pretty content to sleep the day away although she much prefers sleeping in your arms or on your chest. She's not a huge fan of her swing lately and it can be a bit challenging when I'm trying to get things done. She also had a few days this week where she got SO fussy around dinner time and the only thing that calmed her down was feeding her. She acted like she was starving! But two nights in a row after all of these little feedings in a row, she completely threw up... EVERYWHERE! Torrential spit up! So we finally gave in and introduced her to the pacifier to ease her evening fussiness and so far it seems to have done the trick. 

So now we're all caught up! Enjoying each and every moment of this summer with my loves!

one month

It's hard to believe our sweet little Emmerson Grace has been with us for one whole month already. 

Sometimes I feel like it was just yesterday that we were racing off to the hospital to meet her for the first time and other days it feels like she's been a part of the family forever. 

I am sooo smitten with this little sweet pea of ours. She has the most easy going and mellow disposition. As you've probably noticed in all of my recent posts, she spends most of her days sleeping peacefully. She nearly slept through her one month pictures too. But luckily I had a few tricks up my sleeve. Actually, I'm not sure if I can take any credit for keeping her awake. It was her big brother that made it his job to do that. In fact, he's a pretty bossy assistant. He demanded that she say "cheeeeese" and he even tried to show her how to pose for the camera. He became so much of a distraction that we decided to take round two of Emmerson's pictures after Donovan went down for his nap. But I couldn't resist sharing this "behind the scenes" picture of my little helper... in his jammies, diaper, and holding his doggie of course. 

Now back to sister...

 As I was saying, her first month was full of peaceful naps and cuddling with whoever was available to hold her. She's also content to sleep in her swing, vibrating chair, carseat, or even in her crib! She's a wonderful napper. Although she's still not sleeping too well during the night. She's up to eat every 2-3 hours and spends a good 20 - 30 mins after each feeding grunting and groaning with gas pains. Even so, it never evolves into crying. She eventually makes herself comfortable and falls asleep until the next feeding comes. I'm still pinching myself and can't believe that she's such an easy baby! 

 She's growing like a weed. At her 2 week appointment she had gained nearly a pound since birth. She was 7 pounds and 13 ounces. And we haven't had any more doctor's appointments since, but when we weighed her on our own scale this morning, it said she was 9 pounds 4 ounces. I would definitely think she's within the ballpark of 9 pounds now. Her newborn diapers scarcely fit around her waist and a lot of her newborn onesies will no longer reach long enough to snap. I'm so sad to see them go already! Thankfully this little gal has so many things to wear. It seems she's in a new outfit each and every day of the week. 

 She's just beginning to smirk and smile when she's awake. I've caught her a few times and it always makes my heart so full! I love this stage when each and every thing she does is new and so very special.

 A quick shot of her tiny toes. Her skin is so soft and I think I kiss her feet a hundred times a day!

 Emmerson had her first bottle at about 2 weeks old. (I had to begin pumping for relief when I got mastitis.) She took the bottle like a champ and has probably had 3 or 4 since then. Although I hadn't planned on bottle feeding so quickly, it is really nice to have the flexibility to leave a bottle for her if I go out running errands, or if someone watches her while I take Donovan to the pool. 

Nothing sweeter than a tiny baby mid-yawn. 

Our adorable Emmerson Grace, 

I can't believe we ever wondered if we'd be able to love another baby as much as we love your brother. From the second the nurses placed you on my chest, my heart overflowed with an indescribable love for you. I tear up every time I think about that moment I first held you. I have been relishing each and every minute with you this past month. Even during our nightly feedings, I find so much joy in just staring at you and listening to your little squeaks as you eat. 

You are the perfect addition to our family. Your brother is very interested in everything you do. He likes to just sit and stare at you. Tonight after giving you several kisses he even tried licking your face! (Sometimes we have to limit the amount of loving he gives you.) He's always the first one to inform us when you're crying or if he thinks I need to "give you a bottle." We all notice how you already move your head quickly from side to side when you listen to Donovan talk. You seem to track him faster than anyone else. I can't wait to see your relationship evolve as you get older. 

Your Daddy is completely crazy about you too!!! I couldn't help but smile as I cooked dinner tonight and watched him holding you outside in the backyard. His face lights up whenever you're in his arms. You are definitely Daddy's little girl and I'm so glad! He's so easy going with you and knows just how to comfort you when you're upset or how to change your diaper in the blink of an eye at 3 in the morning. Seeing you together makes me so, so happy. 

Everything about this first month has been wonderful Emme. Thanks for bringing us so much joy! We love you more than we ever imagined we could. 

xo,

Mommy

And for your viewing pleasure: Donovan AND Emmerson both at one month old. 

Donovan one month

One Month

I had no idea that one month could fly by so quickly. It's crazy! Our little boy is already one month old!!! Every day I think of things that I want to blog about so that I don't forget every little detail about these amazing moments... but the days come and go and I rarely find the chance to sit down and reflect on the simple pleasures of being a new mommy. Not that every moment has been blissful, because trust me, I've shed some tears of exhaustion. But thankfully with the help of friends and loved ones the first month has been pretty incredible.

We have settled into routines already. My favorite times of the day are probably first thing in the morning and getting Donovan ready for bed time. Bed time consists of a bath, a dimly lit room, putting on lotion, getting into jammies, and snuggling our sweet babe to the sounds of my favorite lullaby cd. I love cuddling with him and listening to his little breaths get more deep and relaxed as he settles into sleep.

And in the morning I wake up to the little man cooing to himself until I poke my head over the bassinet and he'll look at me with so much expression...usually surprised, like he can't believe there is someone in the room with him. It's the cutest!

I still feel like a feeding machine, but even that has become routine and enjoyable. In the day time I love that it is a quiet time for me to either stare at my little guy or catch up on some tv. :) In the night, I have used my feeding time as my quiet prayer time. The time I use to use for my daily devotionals has since disappeared, so this has become my welcomed replacement.

It's not easy to get things done around the house. So I am exceedingly grateful for the help I get from family who happily comes to hold Donovan while I can get laundry cleaned and folded, dishes washed, and dinner prepped. I don't know what I would do without them.

Donovan is growing so quickly. He is such a good eater and at his 2 week appointment had already gained over a pound. He was 8lbs. 14oz. and 22 inches. I'm sure he's grown a lot since then too.

Dustin is the most incredible father. He loves holding Donovan, changing him, and he is by far the master of swaddling. His swaddling skills are magical! I have loved watching my boys together. There is nothing sweeter.

So that is one month in a nut shell. Just some scattered thoughts from my scattered brain. I am so excited to have this time off of work to enjoy our sweet son and watch him grow. Now on to month two!