Yeessh. You're going to be 1 next month. Someone please make it stop. Make time slow down. You are eating cheerios, puffs, and still on baby food. You are not about textures which is so odd to me. I've tried eggs, pancakes, mac and cheese, plain pasta, cereal bars, avocado, boiled soft carrots, peas, blueberries, strawberries you name it we've tried it. Puree' any of the listed above food and you'll eat it no problem. Should make for an interesting birthday cake smash.....
You'll eat a purple crayon but not mac and cheese what gives?
You sleep regressed earlier this month. Holy moly it was a rough week. Sleep regression, two teeth...tired tired momma.
You say Kendall Kendall Kendall nonstop these days. Safe to say your her favorite--for now at least-- Probably because you don't jump on her, pull her ears or annoy the mess out of her. Yet at least. ;) You love laying your head on her belly.
Why do I keep getting the reminder that you'll be one at the end of next month. Wasn't I just huge and pregnant with you, yesterday? Thank you sweet Lord for sleep. It's getting better. You had your first sleepover away from momma at Nana and Pap's. Much needed weekend of rest and recovery we were going on two weeks of little to no sleep and momma was going a tad bit crazy. You're clapping, waving, doing praying hands whenever we say the blessing. You're still not big on texture foods. We've tried Cheerios, puffs, teething crackers but you will devour greek yogurt and whatever blended food combination I make you comes your way! Our breastfeeding journey came to and end this month as you just get way to distracted and given momma some serious nip-lash. Mhmm it's a thing. I definitely miss our special time together but I think it was time for the chapter to close. We've got plenty of frozen milk to last us until your first birthday which was my original goal, I'm just grateful we made it that long. Breastfeeding is such a special bond and I truly enjoyed being able to breastfeed both you and your sister!
I love this picture. No one loves when daddy has to leave in the mornings. Thankfully a bottle and Sofia the First are there for comfort afterwards.
First Vaentine's Day. Momma will always be your Valentine sweet boy!
Your first Duke Carolina game. Which you stayed awake for, stinker!
Oh those many nights I had you snuggled beside me. Something magical about watch and listening to you sleep. Or creepy? Is that creepy?
You.Worship.Your.Sister. And it's adorable.
Sink bathing is the safest option for you. Your sister likes to help...or dump the entire cup of water on your head. She can't reach you here buddy. Also your sister forces you to play dress up. I'm sorry. We'll pay for therapy.
Precious boy, you are such a joy. We love you so much. You're a momma's boy for sure and are quick to nuzzle your head close to mine and snuggle up to me. Those are the absolute sweetest moments and I love every second!
Caroline's vocabulary has become quite expansive since starting school at the beginning of September. I wanted to make sure to jot a few things down that our heard throughout our home.
She is pronounces her C's as T's right now. She refers to herself as Taroline, say Tome on, Tome on. I have noticed lately her dropping this and pronouncing things correctly. Kills me.
In regards to football season:
--"DaDa watches football ALLLLL da time" truer words have never been spoken sister.
--"We Boys! We make the noise"
--"Touchdown football woo hoo"
In regards to her brother:
--"Uh Oh Parker spilled"--he spit up.
--"Oh Hey Sweetheart, Parker's so sweet. He's so little. Aw baby Parker" Every morning she loves on her brother like no other. This lasts for all of ten minutes.
--"Momma, make him stop crying"
--"Oh No he's moving" When he starts crawling.
Bath time conversations
-Rinsing the shampoo out of her, she told me "enough with the water mommy".
-"Mommy's turn, I wash her" As she proceeds to get her washcloth and scrubs my knees.
Christmas brought on a lot of fun conversations:
"THAT'S ONE CRAZY ELF"--in reference to her Elf on the Shelf, Elvin.
"Yep, baby Jesus went back to to the North Pole with Santa Claus".
Every time we pull in Aldi's parking "Alright, let's make the cookies for Santa Claus", she's still doing this a month later.
"Ohhhhh the lights, they are so beautiful". She hugged the Christmas tree. Every. Single. Morning. Momma's daughter she is, y'all.
Our outdoor lights were her favorite though. We had them set on a timer we'd go to the window every evening and say the magic words. She would start asking as soon as her little feet hit the ground each morning for the magic words and outside lights.
Dinner time--Says her, Lord we thank you prayer and proceeds to thank the Lord for everything on her plate. If she also catches us with our eyes closed during the blessing she shouts, "HEY WAKE UP"--she hasn't quite grasped the concept of reverence yet. ;)
Bedtime/naptime lately has become quite the challenge. She is the queen of stalling. We read three stories, pray, and sing three songs--often times more. Persuasive little stink. Her prayer is quite drawn out too as she prays for all of her people.
Her naps are so wonky these days, somedays she'll fall asleep as soon as she is laid down at one and will sleep until after four. Somedays she'll sing every song she knows, tell Mickey and Minnie stories, covers them up and tucks them in with their own paci's. She'll tell them "Momma loves you, Daddy loves you, Parker loves you, Taroline loves you, but Jesus love you the most. Night night sleep tight". Sometimes she will eventually fall asleep and on the days she doesn't fall asleep I leave her for "rest time" aka momma time to prepare for the evening ahead and regain some (very minimal) but some of my sanity.
#naptimeshennanagins.
I want to record her sweet voice and keep it in my heart forever. She's got a hint of a southern draw, is very expressive--no clue where she gets that from--, and definitely has picked up A LOT from watching mommy and daddy. Everyday is more fun and we love listening to you, your stories, and all the songs you love to sing!
Another fun month with our brother bear! You're crawling at the speed of light. All to keep up with your sister. You two do constant laps around the kitchen/dining room and it is funny to watch. Your sister comes crawling through the kitchen followed by you a short 10 seconds later. You're pulling up on every.single.thing. The shower door, the cabinet doors, the ottoman, our legs. This often leads to you face planting into that which you are trying so desperately to pull up on. Sweet boy. YOU ARE FINALLY GIVING MOMMA FULL NIGHT SLEEPS. Yes, this is all caps worthy. We still have a rough night every here and there but it is no longer every single night. Those few months were full of tears, guilt, and giving in for sanity reasons but you are 100000000% worth it all. We had a consultation this month about the possibility of a helmet. You have a semi flat spot on your head but are right on the border of "normal". We've pretty much decided against it as long as your head shape hasn't drastically changed by the time we go back in a few weeks. It will not hinder your brain development and would be 100% cosmetic. We honestly don't hardly notice it! Fourth ear infection this month. We live at the pediatrician's office. Precious boy you are loved by everyone you meet and have stolen our hearts with your baby blues and sweet smile. You nuzzle your head into my shoulder/neck and make me melt into a puddle. We love you! Can't believe you'll be one in just a few short months.
Weight: 16lbs 14oz
Height: 28.5 inches long
2 bottom teeth about to pop through. Drool monster right now! Crawling, pulling up, dying to run and chase your sister. For now you just scurry behind her, sometimes she will let you catch up. #cantstop #wontstop.
Still doing a combination of breastmilk and formula. Nursing you is becoming quite the olympic event. You. Get. So. Distracted.
Fun had this month: Great Wolf Lodge with the Walters crew! You weren't the water's biggest fan but slowly warmed up to it by the end of our stay. Great Wolf was so much fun, thanks for the Christmas gift Nana and Pap!
Visits from Nana and Pap and Granna and Pop!
You are one sweet sweet snuggler.
FaceTime dates with Aubbie! <3
First snow, January 8th, 2017.
Helmet scan January 2017.
Parker Michael you complete our family in so many ways! You fill our days with joy and lots of snuggles! We love you!
8 months old. 8 MONTHS OLD. How is this possible Parker Michael? You've grown so much this month. You're pulling to stand, we've moved your mattress down now, you're crawling and trying to follow your sister wherever she goes. You celebrated your first Christmas this month, really enjoyed all the lights (like your momma does) and got a little more rotten. You're finally growing out of your cranky phase. Woo sweet boy those were a rough couple of months. I think it was a combination of three back to back ear infections, antibiotics, and being out of our routine. Even on the bad days your still brought us PLENTY of joy. You're belly laughing and daddy seems to get the very best laughs. We are so grateful you are ours and we love you so very much!
You met your cousin Jesse for the first time! He's playing football for the Vols so we've spent many a Saturday cheering them on!
8 Month Stats:
--17.5lbs
--2 ear infections this month.
--On our last box of size 2 diapers.
--9 months 9-12 months clothes.
--Crawling. Everywhere. I've caught you mid crawl off your changing pad.
--No teefies yet, not surprising your sister didn't get any until she was 13 months.
--Still doing purree baby foods. We should probably step our game up. Momma may be in denial.
Her mommy babysat your mommy, your mommy babysat her, and now she's babysitting you and your sister. You'll learn early what a great support system you two have. Leena is so special to us!
Bless you sweet child. Your sister thinks you're her personal dress up doll.
7 months old! Another month with our sweet boy has flown right by us. All in one month you celebrated your first Halloween and your first Thanksgiving. You were by far the cutest little pumpkin and mommy is already coordinating matching Halloween costumes for you and your sister in the future. Speaking of your sister, you couldn't be more obsessed with her and are eager to start following her around. You whip your head in whatever direction she's zooming past you in. She's giving you a little bit more of her time and "affection". She does not like it when you cry, or spit up. She tells you it's ok brother don't be sad. Then when you spit up she comes running saying "oh no, brother spilled, he spilled". It's pretty precious. You battled through 2 ear infections this month and a pretty nasty upper respiratory infection. You. Were. Pitiful. You fell asleep sitting up in my lap while steam showering. Still not sleeping all that great. I make a couple of visits to your room before putting you in bed with me. Before I became a mommy bed sharing was NEVER going to happen. Clearly, the need for sleep and sanity is laughing at my pre-mommy self.
-15lbs
-Still alternating between breastmilk/formula bottles. Nursing in the morning and at night.
-In 6-9 month clothes size 2 diapers
-Loving all the foods. Bananas, pears, carrots, peas, sweet potatoes, squash, oatmeal, peaches.
-Sitting with support. You like to tip to the side still.
-Scooting all around. You have no problems getting where you need to go!
You make momma tired, real tired sweet thing but I wouldn't trade you for the world. It's such an honor being your mommy. I'm totally obsessed with you. Love your open mouth kisses, the sweet middle of the night snuggles, and your face grabs. You just love knowing momma is right there. I'll always be there sweet baby!
Snuggles with Daddy watching the Cowboys play!
Sick. So sick.
102 fever.
Best sugars ever!
Playing with cousin Aubbie!
Sorry brother bear...Sister got ahold of your head.
