Lainey ~ Months 11 and 12

Guys it's been a week and a half around here. A really long, tiring, troubling, week. I've got a lot to recap and I'm working on exactly how to share all of the details. From friends that are hurting, to a weekend of scans and results, that in the end were good for the most part, but still slightly unsettling, to an election that whew has the nation all over the place. It has been a week (and it's only Tuesday) ayyiiiyyiiii. But once again, the light that brings it all together and let's me know God is good and it will all be okay ... our little Lainey gal. So I'm gonna take a breath from all of the heaviness that has been the last several days, and gather my collective thoughts; as I work to find an eloquent way to share all of our details without bringing you too far into the weeds.  While I take a short mental break, hug my littles tight, hug their daddy even tighter, and say thank you to the Big Man upstairs for all he has given us.

And in doing so, I want to share some scripture that brought me peace this morning while I was doing my daily devotions:

Psalm 100: 1-5 {The Message} "On your feet now - applaud God! Bring a gift of laughter, sing yourselves into his presence.  Know this: God is God, and God, God. He made us; we didn't make him. We're his people, his well-tended sheep. Enter with the password: "Thank you!" Make yourselves at home, talking praise. Thank him. Worship him. For God is sheer beauty, all-generous in love, loyal always and ever." 

And with that, today I'm going to focus on our light ... Lainey.

And just like that, our baby girl turned ONE. All the craziness of life aside ... It's been a big two months around here as we're in the home stretch of her first birthday. Her one year well visit is next week, her big party is next weekend; and so much has changed in such a short time and our little baby moon isn't so little anymore. She's becoming a full on grill as Bennett says (aka girl). And it's crazy to see how very much has changed.

To take a look back here's our story to Lainey:

• We announced to everyone we were pregnant
• We explained "baby moon" + our decision to not find out the sex
• We shared emotional thoughts on our growing family
• We started gathering all of the final touches
• We blogged about our cravings and the amazingness that is my cousin MaKenzie
• And we wrapped up our last month before you officially arriaved
• You joined the clan Lainey Lou ~ A Birth Story
• Lainey Lou ~ A Birth Story
• Lainey Lou ~ Month 1
• Lainey Lou ~ Month 2
• Lainey Lou ~ Month 3
• Lainey Lou ~ Month 4
• Lainey Lou ~ Month 5
• Lainey Lou ~ Months 6 and 7
• Lainey Lou ~ Month 8
• Lainey Lou ~ Months 9 and 10

And just like that, you are officially a toddler Lainey Lou (11.1.16)! You are a spunky little miss and we are slowly leaving behind the "baby" phase. You are most crawling - EVERYWHERE and taking 4-5 steps at a time. But you try your dangdest to keep up with your big brother and crawling you've learned is a way faster route.

You want what you want, and will scream until you get it. But, once you have it you're back to smiling.

You're into EVERYTHING and the squirmiest of all. You absolutely must be right in the middle of all the action. Watch and see baby you are not. As long as you are included, you are the happiest little. And your smile is SO bright.

You're clapping, waving, kissing, "talking" and making noises to communicate.

And look at them chompers! You have four teeth (two on bottom, top middle and top right and you're working on SEVERAL more) ... teething is fun (side eye).

Here's what else is happening in your world lady ...

How Big Are You?
Your one year check up is 11.15.16 and your stats are:

Weight: TBD
Height: TBD
Head: TBD

What's Your Temperament?
You are the happiest nugget. You want to be talked to and paid attention to, and fed. As long as those requirements are met you are 100% satisfied. You still, have yet to meet a stranger and smile at just about everyone. You will let just about anyone hold you too. You love being the center of attention and make sure to include yourself in conversations :)

What Are You Eating?
You're eating 2 bottles a day (a morning and nighttime bottle) and 3 meals a day plus snacks. You LOVE to eat. Love love it. You've only met a few foods you don't like (and one worth mentioning: avocado ~ how are you our child?!)

Food schedule is currently:

• You eat a 6oz bottle when you wake up in the morning (we've started cutting it back)
• breakfast - usually a scrambled egg or banana/peanut butter
• lunch - whatever we've got (Chick-fil-A, fruit, cheese, peas, etc)
• a midday bottle or snack (soft snack bar, puffs, whatever Bennett chooses, etc)
• whatever mama made for dinner - you're such a great eater!
• and then you have a nighttime bottle before bed and sometimes only eat a couple of ounces before snoozing off to dreamland
  

What Are you Sporting?

You'r rocking #4 Pamper's cruisers. And baby dry diapers at nighttime.

You're in 12 and 12-18 month items, and mostly 18 month sleepers . You still rarely wear shoes, but have started sporting some baby mocs.

How Are You Sleeping?

Sleep is something we've had some regression with. For the most part, you're a great sleeper and beyond ready for bed at night. Our only frustration with you is you are an EARLY riser. Occasionally you'll let us snooze until 7 am, but for the most part you're up before 6 o'clock. Happy as can be and eager to start the day! And for the last couple of months you've been waking up at least once a night and have to be soothed to go back to bed.

You're wearing a sleep slack at night and you are a belly sleeper through and through. We lay you down on your back in hopes you'll stay that way but within minutes you roll over and you're knocked on your belly. Your routine goes a little something like this (it can vary plus or minus an hour depending on the day ... but this is pretty close):

• 6:00am wake up - so happy and smiley - 8 oz bottle
• 8:00am - nap in crib 1 hours
• 9:30am - breakfast (yogurt, scrambled egg, banana, etc)
• 11:00am - nap in crib or car 30 min-1.5 hours (varies)
• 12:00pm - lunch (banana and peanut butter, small cut up berries/veggies, etc)
• 2:00-3:00pm - nap in crib or car 30 min-1.5 hours (varies) ~ Bennett dropped his nap so it's just you napping now
• 4:00pm - snack
• 5:30-6pm - dinner 
• 7:30pm - bath time, pj's, sleep sack
• 8:00pm - bedtime - 8 oz bottle - sleep in your crib
  

Lainey Likes + Dislikes:

Dislikes:

• When the food is all gone :(
• Not being part of the action
• When Bennett has something and you don't
• Avocados (it's just about the only food you don't love) 

Likes:

• Crawling and getting where you want to go! You're a brand new kid now that you can meander around!
• Food! Oh my does this girl like her food. 
• Bath time/the pool
• Being talked to and played with
• Your big brother, you think he is so funny
• Maggie, you've started taking a big interest in the dog
• Your daddy, you're in love with him

Fun Moments, Favorite Notes, Lainey Quirks + Milestones:

• Crawling + pulling up, you're a mover and shaker!
• You've got 4 teeth!
• You're waving and clapping. 
• Dancing! YOU LOVE music
• You're saying all kinds of things (Dada, Mama, Bubba, Maggie, Doggy, Luh You, More, Cheese<when your picture is taken>)
• We celebrated your real birthday as a family (party to come)
• You trick or treated for the first time
• You've taken about 7 steps at once (and we've got it on video) - but you're not really into walking because you can get everywhere faster by crawling

And that's a little update of the end of your first year Lainey Gal! Being your mommy is the greatest! Love ya monkey.