Heart Week Recap

The kids and I flew to the Bahamas on Valentine's Day, so we made sure to celebrate "Love Day" the week of so we didn't miss a beat! But like with all things, kids have impeccable timing and this little bit came down with a nasty ear infection right before we were due to celebrate and head out. So it made for a few rough days before we left. I hate when they're sick. It breaks my heart. 

He managed to weasel a new bean bag out of the deal though, so I don't think he was too sad about it. His poor eye was swollen shut because of his infection. 

And he also protested nap time and requested to nap in the guest bed. But a short 20 minutes in he was quickly trying to venture out of the bed and play ...

So he was whisked back to his bed in no time flat. And Lainey thought it was super funny. 

Saturday morning we woke up to surprises!

And Bennett opened his Valentine's from all of his school friends.

The choc-wate was his favorite.

And the balloons, obviously.

And B had one more surprise, a little Valentine gift from mommy and daddy.

Mr. Potato Head!!!!! (aka) HUMPTY DUMPTY!

He loves him ...

And hasn't stopped playing with him since he opened it.

Valentine's Day is a such a silly and fun holiday, but who doesn't love another reason to show our loved ones how much we care?! I know I do! Love you guys too! 

Black, White + Love All Over

Guys, my apologies. Things have been a little sketchy around here with me up and deciding to take my children on an international flight, alone, on a whim. Mixed with crazy weather and super busy schedules and it's left me little time to update you on what's happening.

However, I'm taking today and tomorrow to get my life back in order (and catch up on the DVR) (and finally get around to seasoning my cast iron skillets I got for my birthday) and the blog made the list of items that need to be updated.  So, I promise to overload you with update posts that have occurred in my absence.

For today however, here was a little post I had drafted that I anticipated sharing on Valentine's Day and clearly forgot to hit the publish button :)

My littles. True love forever and ever and ever.

 Happy belated Valentine's Day my loves!

Lainey Lou ~ A Quarter Through

And just like that ... a quarter of your first year of life is complete. Good grief I think I goes by even faster the second time around!  Here's your stats as of 2.1.16 at 3 months old baby girl!

That giggle. I heart it.

 She wasn't crying. She's got a little cold thanks to big bros germy-ness :)

 I feel like shes waving in this pic and she's like "oh, hey ... I'm 3 months old"

 And because it seems to be her favorite ... a photo bomb before we move on.

We love you pretty little!

Now, onto other info and more scenes from the past month...

How Big Are You?

• At your 2 month check up you were long and lean just like your big brother! Your next check up is 3.8.16 so we'll be sure to include those numbers in your 4 month stats. Here were your 2 month #'s:
• W: 9 pounds 14 ounces - 20%
• H: 23.75 inches - 92% 
• Head: 15.5 inches - 89%
• As a reference, we can definitely tell you're getting bigger! You're gaining more weight and I think you're getting longer too. 

What's Your Temperament?

• You're doing much better at the hold me all the time game. Don't get me wrong, you'd probably still prefer to be held 24/7 if we would, but you're doing better at exploring on your own and finding some contentedness in your seats and swings. You're still the cuddliest squishy every though and so adorable! 
• You're continuing to find your voice + learning to smile - our favorite! 
• You've started to give us glimpses of your giggle, but no full blown giggle/laughter just yet. I think that will probably happen this month and I'm so excited!
• Your colic is MUUUCH better! Can we all do a happy dance?! WAHOO!
  

What Are You Eating?

• This month was a big transition for us! Not only did we wean from exclusively breastfeeding, but we also worked with you to stretch your feedings and you did great!
• This month you ate mostly eating a breastmilk + formula mix diet (probably 80/20). You take bottles all day and you're breastfeeding at night. 
• Because we've stretched your feedings close to every four hours, you're eating more like 5-6 ounces at a time! And you're doing great lady!

What Are you Sporting?

• You're still in #1 diapers and the blowouts are for the most part under control! Whew!
• We've been playing dress up non-stop this month to get the most out of all the clothes we were gifted! You're in 0-3 months and 3 month attire and you're just the cutest. Bottom line.
• Plus we've been wearing more bows and shoes. Fun fun!
  

How Are You Sleeping?

• We've turned the sleeping corner (sort of) gotta love that 3 month mark for that reason alone!
• Like I said last month, we re-introduced the velcro swaddle-me sleepers and did away with the loose blankets and you've excelled!
• If you wake up, you only wake up once in the night (around 3 am) are nursed and head straight back to sleep. It really all depends on what time we give you your last bottle. But you're ready to hit the hay around 8:30 -- so usually that's what we do.
  
• Daddy puts Bennett to bed around 8 and during that time you and mommy play a little, get in your PJ's, drink a bottle and get swaddled up and tucked into the bassinet in our room. Mommy and Daddy hang on the couch for a few hours, feed you one last nighttime bottle and then we join to for beddy bye around 11. You sleep next to me, so if you wake I'm right there. You generally get up around 6:30-7 and daddy often gets up with you and gives you a morning bottle. You stay up and play for an hour or two and then head back down to take about an hour long nap in your own crib. 
• We're going to continue to work this month on transitioning you solely to your own crib and out of our room assuming your sleep patterns remain the same. You're getting so big!! 

Lainey Likes + Dislikes:

• Dislikes:
• Gas pains :( 
• At your doctor's appointment last month we learned that you've got a mild case of torticollis - basically you favor a side and will only put your head in one direction - so we've had to really focus and spend time stretching you out and working to get you where you need to be so your neck is up to snuff!  That being said, you HATE physical therapy. But you're doing great with it little mama! 
• Likes:
• You're starting to really enjoy your devices (swing, rock and play, bouncy seat, etc)
• Bottles!
• You like your Soothies pacifiers, but only when you're sleepy
• You like white noise (the same mountain river sound as your big brother).
• You like your Baby K'tan + Baby Bjourn carriers. 
• Laying on your back + being held upright (head over the shoulder)
• Bath time
• Your big brother! You two have started to really interact and it makes my heart melt.
  
  

Fun Moments, Favorite Notes, Lainey Quirks + Milestones:

• You're starting to genuinely smile and we LOVE it
• You had a sleepover/play date with your boyfriend Charlie. 
  
  You both had a good time until we mentioned the possibility of an arranged marriage...kidding!
  
  
• You enjoyed (read as slept through) your first snow day! ~ 11.20.2016
  
• You had your first babysitter that wasn't a family member (1.31.16), Kristi, while mommy and daddy went out with some friends to watch the UK game and then made a night of it.

And that's a little round up of your second month! Love ya monkey.

Saturday Nights

A couple of Saturdays ago we had big plans ... get dinner and spend our Christmas monies at Toys 'r' Us. BIG plans I tell you. While we waited on daddy we ate a cookie bar (what Bennett calls a granola bar) and chatted in the kitchen. 

Nothing superb or fancy, just life and my sweet boy. And moments that I adore. Just listening to his sweet little voice and talking with him about whatever he deems important. This conversation in particular involved worms and being stinky. And that's adorable.

Little Lainey Lou was hanging out too of course. The doc is a little concerned about her neck muscles and has us doing some PT and exercises - so here we are in the bumbo just getting all buff :)

 Or trying to! Ha!

Saturday nights sure do look different around here these days. But we wouldn't trade them for the world.

We had some warm weather this weekend and took full advantage of the vitamin D. So great in fact, we soaked up the rays and left our phones inside and just spent the weekend with family and friends. Feeling refreshed and ready to take on the week!  Sending good vibes for  the week ahead.