We're making it!

I have survived one full week now at my internship. As with the start of most new jobs, it started off pretty slow. But, it's picking up and I'm finding myself right at home among some of society's frowned-upon and ignored members.

The kids have transitioned smoothly into their new routine. Last week, they enjoyed time with their grandparents and this week was their first official time week with Miss Beth. Jackson loves his new lunchbox and he is a great helper in packing it and getting it ready.

We're still settling into a routine during the evening, but we're finding ourselves so productive and efficient with our time. Our time together has been shorter than usual, but it's been enjoyable and sweet.

One thing is for sure-- everything has been coming together so perfectly and smoothly. I'm such a different person than I was even just last week in terms of being anxious, stressed, and tearful. I know I've been covered in prayer by so many wonderful, supportive people and it's obvious in my life and how everything has just come into place. It's been great to have received so many emails, facebook posts, and text messages letting me know I've been prayed for and checking to see how we're doing. I have the greatest friends. :)

And a HUGE thanks to my the hubby-- could go on and on, but people don't tend to enjoy a lot of mushiness. Basically, he's amazing and he complements be perfectly. {And he compliments me too. Especially lately! He's surprised after work almost everyday when he comes home and I actually look like a lady... aka- not in yoga pants, sweatshirt, and ponytail!}

I'll end with saying that my one of the biggest downers about leaving the kiddos in daycare is missing out on some of their firsts-- especially Belle because I was always home with Jackson at his age. Well, it only took a day and a half for that to happen. Belle threw up for the first time and it was with Miss Beth. Poor Miss Beth, but I'm not all that sad about not having to clean it up! Thankfully, my sister is still on Christmas break and watched Belle pottied today since she couldn't go back to daycare. Turns out, another "first" happened at my parents-- she in the tub... {the gross kind}. Can't say I'm bummed about missing that either! I guess there are some "firsts" worth missing!! :)

First Words

I haven’t done a milestone post on Belle for a long time! I keep meaning to, but I never get it from my mind to my computer. And now, she’s grown so much that it’s too overwhelming to break it down into a specifics, but it basically comes down to this: she’s progressing normally. {If that doesn’t shout, “second child neglect” I don’t know what does. Sorry Belle!}

Belle has turned into quite the little chatterbox. {I really don’t know where she gets it!} Not only does she just babble incessantly, but she has several words that she uses that have meaning.

• Daddy {da-DEEEE}
• Na-nee {that’s me!}
• Uh-oh {uh-ooooooh}
• All done
• Up
• Shoes {choos}
• Dee-Dee {Baby, which can refer to baby doll or her sock monkey}
• Papa
• Hi-ya
• Pop Pop Pop {when we play with bubbles}
• Thank You {Tank too}
• No {which can be either “no” or “nose”}
• Aggh {some sort of roaring sound that she uses for all animals}
• Cheese {whenever she sees me with my camera}
• Night, night {Ni-Ni}

Those words, she uses on her own. These next words are words that she can say when ask and she feels like cooperating.

• Mama {she can say Mama, but she just doesn’t call me Mama}
• Drink {dink}
• More {mo}
• Aunt Laura {Wa Wa}
• Aunt Ashley {A-she}

She can actually say any word she wants, in terms of ability. She’ll repeat things sometimes that are crystal clear and then she won’t ever say it again. She likes to talk when you are talking. So when I stop to let her talk, she’ll talk. And then when I talk again, she joins in. And it keeps going that way.
This is a clip of what it’s like when Belle wants to talk while you’re talking. "{We were playing Catchphrase}. This clip is 7 seconds… but this is what I hear, like all day.  Noisy girl!

Isn’t this girl such a cutie!?

Ten Months

It’s that time again. Belle turned ten months yesterday. Before I know it, she’ll be turning one, starting kindergarten, and going to prom. Okay, maybe I’m getting a little ahead of myself, but this is all just going to fast {most of it anyway- the sick days, those seem to go soooooooo slooooooow, but you allow me to cuddle you, so I won’t complain.}

Dear Baby Girl,

You are such a sweetie—you’re a smiley, happy, energetic little thing. As always, you catch the attention of strangers every time we go out. When we do go out, it often has to be a quick trip through the store, as you are like Houdini squirming out of the seatbelt strap in the cart. Your personality is totally shining through in everything that you do! You’re so expressive and since you’re happy most of the time, you are just so fun to be around! You’re determined and you work to get your hands on whatever is catching your eye and the times when you’re having trouble figuring something out or can’t quite reach something—you definitely let us know. You’re a social little person and prefer to “play” only when someone is right there with you.

This spot in the kitchen has become “your” spot! You love any sort of box/drawer/bucket you can take things out of and put back in!

You had your first Thanksgiving, your first vacation/roadtrip too, this month. Probably you’re last roadtrip for quite awhile too. On your behalf, you were sick. But, you hardly slept. At all. And you just weren’t your happy little self so I took you to the doctor as soon as we got back, but as I expected, it was just a little bug. You got over it after another day or two and finally went back to your normal 11 hour night, and 3ish hours of naps during the day.

You’re still sporting around two teeth. We expected you to have a few more by now—you have been gnawing on things for weeks. But unfortunately, they are taking a while to break through. Even without many teeth, you still like to chomp your food as if you had teeth and it’s pretty cute to watch.

Gnawing on anything/everything. Right now it’s the strainer. But a few minutes from this pic, I found you chewing on the wooden drawer itself.

Speaking of food, you’re still adamant about feeding yourself. I have a cabinet full of unused baby food because you just won’t eat anything I try to feed you. You are eating all of the food we eat plus a four or five bottles a day. You love to find Jackson’s sippy cups and try to drink from them, so I have purchased ones for you. But you’re not very interested. You’re getting a different kind for Christmas, so hopefully you’ll give them a try!

You’re still wearing size 3 diapers and your clothes are anywhere from 6-12 month is size. You’re wearing a size 3 shoe and you look like such a big girl with them on!

You have become a more confident all-fours crawler. And you are fast. Especially when you hear Daddy coming in the door after work. No matter where you are in the house, you will make your way to him within seconds. You love it when Jackson plays crawling games with you—at home or even at the doctor’s office. You have been pulling yourself up for several weeks now and you’ve recently started cruising around the furniture. You can actually stand by yourself for a few seconds… until you realize you are standing by yourself and then you plop right down on the floor. When we try to get you to take a few steps, you often get heavy-bottom-syndrome as you would just rather sit down and then crawl to your destination.

As with most babies your age, you’ve begun experiencing separation anxiety this month. It hit practically overnight when just one day out of the blue you woke up screaming bloody murder, several times back to back. It took about three days to realize that it was simply your awareness that you were alone and that you weren’t dying. You really had me worried—boy can you scream! After a few {short} cry-it-out sessions, you were back to your normal sleeping/waking up routine. However, you often like to play the I’m-perfectly-happy-in-your-arms-but-I-will-scream-once-my-feet-touch-the-ground game, which goes along with the I-want-you-to-hold-me-but-I-cannot-hold-still-so-you-will-just-be-my-playground game. That is truly exhausting, but you’re slowly starting to chill out a little about me not holding you.

You mimic lots of our sounds. You can say Mama, Dada {also, hi dad}, and uh oh. You like to click your tongue and give kisses. Ohmigoodness, I just love me some of your kisses. There are a few different ones. First, there is the leaning of your forehead to my lips—you want me to kiss you. Second, you will make the muah sound while leaning in to kiss my cheek. And lastly, and this started just the other day and it is SO cute—you pucker up your little lips when I say, “can I have some kisses”. Sometimes you’re close and will lean in, but if you’re playing, you just look at me and give me a long-distance-kiss and then go back to your toys. Even just seeing this picture on my computer makes me want to lean in and give her a kiss!! I just can’t get enough.

{every time she does this, I think of the kid, Duck-Face, from Full House!}

You are just loved to  bits and pieces baby girl!!! Every single day is just so much fun with your smiles and giggles! Love Mommy and Daddy!

Eight Months

Ohmigoodness... when did my little girl get so big?! She's mobile and quick. She is has a happy, energetic personality, and she's got her first tooth!!

My happy baby! The bottom right picture is a silly face to put in the collage,
but that's what she's up to these days, so I had to include it! Click on the picture
to make it larger to check out those baby blue eyes. Adorable! 

Dear Belle,

Your smile is the highlight of each day. People *always* comment about you being such a happy baby and it is so true. A big smile awaits anyone who glance your way-- even if just for a quick moment. You've even been known to stop people in their tracks as they walk through the grocery store. I have a feeling you are going to give your father a bit of grief when you grow up to be such a pretty girl. How about you just stay a daddy's girl forever?!?

This month you've gotten a tooth, started pulling up, and started crawling on all fours a little bit. Oh, and you've got your first "trick"!! You can wave. And it is SO cute. It's a whole arm wave and it makes your whole body wiggle. And you make the happiest face when you do it-- see the middle picture above. You were in the middle of a two arm wave.

Sleeping has been a bit off this month. After your shots and then spending a week traveling about the state, your schedule got messed up-- and you didn't sleep through the night for two weeks. Up multiple times a night. Hear me out... that is not cool. I ended up having to let you cry it out one night. It didn't last long and you were back in your routine the next day. Until just the other day. You can stand up in your bed now. So, instead of falling asleep, you stand up and cry. Just because you can stand up, doesn't mean you need to at every moment. K?

You are still much more interested in eating real {baby} food than having a bottle. And you're much more interested in eating finger foods than being spoon fed. A little particular, maybe!? You will drink about 18-20 ounces a day and will have two bowls of baby food and cereal. You have started to eat some finger foods like cheerios and green beans. You also love to crawl around and find any crumb on the floor. Your favorite is paper. {I even used some paper to get you to cooperate in your little photo shoot}. You are wearing mostly 6-9 months clothing, though you are still wearing a few 6 month pieces. You're pretty short for you age {okay, a lot short} so some of the smaller stuff still fits.

Watching you and Jackson play is my absolute favorite thing. You absolutely adore him. And he is so fond of you. Sometimes Daddy and I just sit in the front room watching you two do your thing. Jackson will put his face really close to yours and you will giggle-- He has a special face that he only uses on that occasion! Jackson will crawl and you will chase after him. The only problem is that you think that all babies/toddlers are yours to crawl after and climb. You just love to play with people. Oh, and I don't have a picture, but I swear that your BFF is the little girl in the mirror. You are so funny to watch when you see yourself. It can keep you entertained for nearly an hour at times!!

You are just a great little girl. We wouldn't know what to do with ourselves with you, sweet Belle!! Love, Mommy and Daddy!

You've outgrown some of your toys and have started to utilize them in different ways-- like crawling through and playing underneath your exersaucer.

Jackson was the first person to "catch" you standing up all by yourself! He is such a proud big brother... and look at you, you're so big!

You've started to get your own free cookie from Walmart to share enjoy. You really like the paper better, but I won't let you eat it.

This is your favorite spot. You love that extension cord. I can put you anywhere in the house and you always find your way back here.

And seriously, you love for your feet to be up. They are always up.

even when you are SLEEPING!!! Both legs up in the air. How do you do it???

We love you princess!

Red, White, and Blue Cuteness

My little cuties are dressed to celebrate the 4th of July!

I loooooove celebrating the 4th of July. It's my second favorite holiday (Christmas is number one). We celebrated this year on two different weekends. FUN! The weekend before the 4th, we went to my uncle's house and enjoy the all of the festivities his town puts together.

Grammy and Belle 

(also pictured: Uncle Joel's belly) 

When we walked over to the festival, we went to check out the firetruck and then the Chief asked if he'd like to sit in it and drive! 

Then, Jackson and Laura climbed on numerous inflatables.

 (does Laura look dramatic or what?!)

This ride inspired this tweet: 

Just rode the never ending spinning teacup ride at a carnival. I think I will go vomit now. Oh well, Jackson had fun. #motherhood

Me and the little guy after I'd had a chance to recuperate from the previous ride.

Belle's first "roller coaster" ride with Grammy, Aunt Laura, and Jackson.

Waiting for fireworks with Aunt Ashley

... and with Papa

Belle watched the fireworks with Uncle Joel

Jackson didn't really care for the fireworks (despite loving them at other times). He eventually crawled behind Derek and watched them over Daddy's shoulders.

Life father, like son

Then on the actual 4th of July, we went up to my parents house because my aunt and uncle, along with my grandma were in town! Dad grilled steak and it was deeeee-licoius. 

Belle and Grandma

Me, my sisters, and my cousin Katelyn

Belle and Grandpa Forrest

 (This pic may be a little off centered, but Jackson took it... Not bad!)

Aunt Sharon, Grandma, and Belle. CUTE!

More Belle cuteness

Me, Dad, and Laura- love this pic!

(I don't understand how people could ever think we look alike...)

We went to hang out with some friends after dinner with my parents. Jackson and his buddy James had a ton of fun throwing the little snap firecracker thingies! And I would only let them have one at at time so they were occupied for quite awhile!

It was wonderful to get to celebrate with so many of our family members and friends!

We are so fortunate to live in a free country and in the midst of our super fun celebrations, we of course remembered and were thankful for those serving and who've served in the past to keep this great country safe and free.

Four Months

Dearest Belle.

You are four months old today! And you just get more and more fun and cute every day. I know other people think so too because every time we go out, people stop just to soak up some of your sweetness! You know when you're the center of attention and you're pretty good at putting on a show.

(click on the picture to see it larger-- so worth it!) 

Ever since you were teeny-tiny, you've been eager to hold your head up and so now you're already sitting up with assistance! You've got a super-tight grasp so you've started playing with toys too! By playing, I mean, putting your mouth all over them.

You had your first taste of baby cereal the other day. It was a few days before your official four month birthday, but you were displaying all of the developmental milestones, so I did it anyway. This mama of yours is grasping at straws to get you to get over waking up to eat twice every night.

We put up your crib earlier this week. As much as I love you sweet child, I am so glad you aren't sleeping in our room anymore. Plus, it makes it so much more fun to come get you in the mornings and after napw! This is the face that awaits me every time! Even if you are crying, as soon as I walk in, you flash this huge smile-- and you legs go straight up in the air. It's so funny!

Clearly, we are so in love with you precious girl! But there are just a couple things we need to chat about. First, let's talk sleeping. You are getting up two times every single night. While you look all cute and happy in the morning, I do not. And it's starting to show. Grandma Linda called your dad to ask if you and Jackson could spend the night tonight because she thought I look like I needed a break, a chance to sleep through the night. So my lack of beauty rest is starting to show. Other than needing to eat, you're a great sleeper and take good naps. So, it's just the eating thing. Let's work on it. (If it helps motivate you, your brother was sleeping almost 12 hours a night by now...)

Next. All of a sudden, you have started to have poopy diaper explosions, like, everyday. Not cool. It's not just that I have to deal with the mess, but it contributes to the amount of laundry and it takes so much work to get out of your cute clothes. Lastly, you've started to spit up sometimes after a bottle, too. It's yucky.

I don't have any height or weight stats this month. I forgot to make your four month appointment until just this week, so we can't get in until next month. When we took you into the doctor a couple weeks ago, you weighed in at 12.5 pounds, so my guess is 13 pounds-ish? You're still pretty petite, wearing a lot of 0-3 month clothes and the 3-6 month clothes you do wear are pretty big.

I have to include one more picture. I looooooove your eyes. It's not just the blue color (like Daddy's) but it's the shape and the eyelashes, too. And the way you just look around to observe the world and the special looks you save for me and daddy. I could stare at them forever.

You're beautiful, baby girl. Your daddy and I love you very, very much!