Mommy Monday: Happy New Year

I may have mentioned before, but this time of year...man.  What a flood of feelings and memories!! I was in the final few weeks of both of my babies' births this time of year.  I am really having a hard time recognizing this little fella is going to be ONE!

My best 9 photos of instagram were all of you baby bubs; all you.

They are certainly brother and sister.  They are really starting to act it too!

We are throwing a Paw Patrol Pawty and I cannot wait! It is going to be lots of fun.  How cute?

New Years was so fun! Don't mind my messy kitchen; I was just making our dinner: Crab legs, venison tenderloin, lemon risotto & a spinach salad.  Both kids love venison! I was cutting theirs into tiny pieces.  Kids make you do silly things, to make them smile.  Wearing funny hats is one of them.

I found these hats from 2012.  Joe & I wore them before I ever got pregnant!  Brooke thought they were fun.

I didn't get a picture of baby boy, he was hungry then super tired. He crashes at 6:30 some times.  Brookie made it to 9.

Bath time is something else with a little man! He is crazy.  I love it.

If I could bottle up your little squeaks and your adorable giggles, I would.  You keep me on my toes Bradley boy, but you are full of so much love and laughter.

The days can be long, challenging and lonely sometimes.  But you both won't be this little and this needy for long.  I know that I'll look back at these moments, like I do when you and sister were newborns.  I won't ever forget the sleepless nights and long nursing sessions.  But how I miss your sweet newborn grunts and you sleeping in my arms.  I will long for just one more moment like this one day--I just know it.  Your crazy crawling.  Your constant into everything.  Your high pitched squeals of excitement and your whiney 'momma hold me' cries.  Even if I am trying to get Christmas packed away and dinner done.  Breathing in this season of motherhood each day, as soon enough you will be One!  

Bradley {7 months}

My dear, sweet, baby boy.  .  .

What can I say?? Your eyes have me, and Daddy and everyone else like--whoa.  I swear, everyone tells us how amazing your eyes are and I couldn't agree more!! Sister may have the baby blues, but boy, you have some dreamy eyes yourself!!

In typical mom fashion, I've misplaced my monthly stickers…so we haven't had any 5, 6, or 7 month sticker photos. OOPS.  I still love you more than anything Bradley, sorry!



Where do I begin?? You have never been very little, but you sure are growing like a crazy man!  You are busting out of 9 month onesies, and 12 month footed pjs are starting to become snug.  It's been so hot that you're usually in just a diaper and a bib.  We change bibs more than your diapers around here!



At your 6 month visit you were 20 lbs 6 oz {88%} and your length was 39 inches which is over 99%! You're a big boy I tell ya.  L-O-N-G legs and arms like Daddy.



You have ONE TOOTH!! Daddy noticed it when we went to visit him at work one day.  He was super proud that he saw it first.  It's a bit blurry, but there it is!! The first tooth.



You have the sweetest disposition and I know for sure are going to be such a kind and caring little boy. Both your Daddy and I have "seen" glimpses of what you're going to look like when you're a little older.  At not even a year old, we can see what you'll start to look like as a child and not as a baby.



You also have the biggest and happiest smile we ever did see!



Your chubby legs and cheeks are irresistible and I cannot tell you how many times I day I kiss them!  You love being held, rocked, played with, and just don't like being alone.  It makes for bedtime a little tricky, but I just don't mind rocking you to sleep…hopefully you'll go to sleep on your own again, but for now I don't mind one bit!! You sleep through most nights, but sometimes wake like this morning at 4am--you started whimpering, and once I got up you stopped and must've fallen back to sleep.


You love--

Food!  Watermelon in the mesh feeder is your jam right now.  Baby oatmeal makes you go "Yumm mum mum" along with all the foods…you didn't seem to love the cranberry too much, but I get that.  It's kind of a tart flavor!

Your sister.

Rocking back and forth trying so hard to crawl!

Your doorway jumper.

Walks.

Being outside in general.

Music.  You love to dance with us!

Everything goes in the mouth.  You love new toys; I have to keep rotating. You don't seem to have a favorite, so we just keep mixing them up throughout the day.

You are great in the car, as long as you're fed!!

I still play around with how much to feed you and when.  You'll guzzle 8 oz of formula but most likely spit up at least an ounce or more, so I've tried to do 4 or 6 and more frequently instead of every 4 hours.  Once these teeth of yours all come in,  I have no doubt you'll be housing more food than I can ever imagine! We hope less spit up comes with that as well.

You started sitting unassisted a few weeks ago, and you hold your own bottle.

 You love to move, move, move!!  You rock back and forth, but aren't crawling yet.

Silly little thing.  So close to the crawl!

What, ma? All the cool kids are crawling!!

Happy 7 months big bubs! 

Daily Routine:

6-7 wakeup

Bottle in bed with Daddy

Mesh feeder or

Fruit puree

Between 9-10 you fall asleep for about a half an hour.

another bottle

[Between 11-1 I will run any errands or appts]

veggie/fruit or cereal

It's my goal in life to get you and your sister to nap together, so around 1 is a good time to give you a bottle and you both sleep for about an hour (2 if I'm lucky!)

another bottle after nap 

From 3-5 we try to get outside or do something fun

--Play--

Dinner (usually veggies or mixed) 5-6

mesh feeder

Sometimes you seem still hungry so I give you more baby oatmeal

Bath time and then bed between 7-8

You will wake up sometimes, but for the most part you sleep! Thank you for that.  Thank you for teaching me patience and to continue to just do my best.  Perfection doesn't exist and being your mommy is making me grow in ways I never knew I could.  We love you so much Bradley bean!

4 Months {Bradley Joseph}

You guys…is this normal, to start feeling like maybe you want "Just one more" baby around 4 months of your current baby?! OY!  It's not like it's been easy, or perfect, or even like I know what I am doing 90% of the time.  I get frustrated, I tear up, I spend all day in my clothes from the night before…I drink caffeine like it's my J-O-B and yet…..at four months, I am like, where is my baby?! How can he be starting to roll over, and know what is going on around him, and start baby food? Maybe, just maybe we will have one more.  Oh my gosh…

Anyway back to the man of the hour.

Bradley Joseph.

You are SO much fun baby boy!! I swear the only thing that I don't like, is that you throw up some of your formula…all…day…long.  I have timed your meds 12 hour apart and give you the first dose before your first bottle [2 ml] and [2 ml] at night before your last bottle.  But you probably puke up about 1-2 tablespoons after every bottle, which by the way you're taking 8 oz every 3-4 hours.

You're sleeping through [most] nights.  Thursday night you got up around 3:30 and wanted to party/drink a bottle.  It was cool though, I don't mind.

You also had a pretty cranky day Memorial Day. I was hoping to socialize and talk to adults [no offense kids] but that just didn't happen. I spent most of the day feeding you inside or walking with the Boba so you would calm down.   I am not mad, but I felt awful I didn't know (and still don't) what was wrong!?  Could be too many people wanted to hold you. Maybe it was the scorching hot temps. Or even a tooth is starting? Who knows. You've been totally normal since being home...

You handled your shots quite well Mr!! We still delayed some, so you're not up to par yet, but I don't like overwhelming your little body with all those vaccines right away.  You're doing great and Dr. gave us the green light to start solids!  Hopefully it will help you not spit up so much; she said you eating 8 oz every 3 hours is a lot for your belly, but we will see.  You love to eat, so do I kid, so do I!

For kicks, this was little Miss Brooke at her 4 month checkup!!

I think the best quote of today or even so far, is your sister saying, "Fart brother, fart!!" As you tooted along this evening with one of your poos.  Only my kids could make that look adorable to me! I guess that is what being a mommy is all about.

So we started out 4 months with more outside time.

Your eyebrows kill me.  I think they are so darn adorable and I just giggle every time you raise one (or both) of them.

My sister, your Aunt Brianna informed me this weekend that she thinks you have my eyebrows. haha

So what are you up to little guy?  LOTS. I tell ya, lots.

You're a movin and a groovin all day long.

No lie. I was trying to get as similar shot to your 3 month photos because it was Daddy's favorite.

Oh ya, these are getting harder to take! You love to move!

You are a drooling machine.  I keep checkin for the teefers, but haven't seen anything yet. Maybe, just maybe a little something working its way on the bottom left.  But for now? Drool. Drool. and more drool.

I mean, come on. That smile?!

I literally had just put this onesie on you for your photos, and within 4 minutes, drool.

You love your friends --aka your forest mobile from Grandma.

Dose chunky monkey legs---oh I love em!

I try to keep the 'gloves' or socks off you as much as possible because you love to explore with your hands!! You're always grabbing at things, my necklace, your toys, anything!! But when you get sleepy, you rub rub rub your eyes and if I don't have the gloves on, you scratch and that is not good Mr!

You apparently crave and thrive on routine.  Every morning you get up between 5-7:30.  I obviously prefer the latter, but I do whatever you please.  You cry a bit but within a minute or two you start laughing and talking.  And usually your sister is talking to, and I am not gonna lie, sometimes I lay in bed and listen to you two "talk".  You still get your first dose of zantac first thing.  

What's new:

-You can roll over, therefore

-No more swaddle!  You face planted one time and after that we were DONE.

-You scootch backwards on your butt, so you are mobile.  Legit, I can't leave you on the bed any more!  You went all the way from your room to your sister's room on your back, by pushing with your feet.  Crazy!!  You also go right off the rug in the living room.

-Started solids

--Rice cereal, apples, pear & banana.  I know there is so much debate, but we did this with Brooke and she is the best little eater I know, so I decided BLW is not for us and we are just starting to have fun and explore with foods.  You take about 5-6 small spoonfuls of cereal/fruit and LOVE it.  As soon as you spit it out or act done, I don't push it.  No need!   [It has seemed to help with your reflux a bit]

-You go to sleep in your own crib at night…no rocking, no swing, just you and the crib (and the sound machine!)

Loves:

Your sister.  You just think she is the funniest thing in the world.

Books

Toys

Outside

Stroller 

Teething toys--it's been so hot I think you love when I keep them in the fridge 

Being tickled, sang to, danced with

Routine

Dislikes:

Falling asleep, you crank out a little bit before you just fall asleep sometimes.

Being alone, you still love being with mama, a lot.

A bunch of random people holding you

Hot temps

Being off schedule 

You are wearing 9 month clothing for the most part, some 6 month still fit, but sleepers or anything that is one piece has to be 9 month to fit your length.  I am happy it's starting to get warmer because I feel like a bib and a diaper are gonna be your main outfit this summer! It helps me keep down on the laundry haha

"Daily Routine" at 4 months:

The times change from day to day, but it sorta looks like this…

7:00 wakeup, meds, bottle

play

9:00-11:00 nap

11:00 bottle

play/run errands etc

12:00 have some cereal and fruit

1:00-3 nap

3:00 bottle

play

5-6 you usually take a little cat nap

meds/ 6:00 bottle

bath/play

7:30 bed

10/11 bottle

Maybe a 3:00 feeding, maybe you sleep til morning. 

That's where we are at.  You've been taking 2 longer naps one in the morning and one when Brooke does, which is great--if I can keep Brooke away from you long enough in the morning you'll sleep, but usually she wakes you up and you get your best sleep when she does as well.  I enjoy that time to workout, shower, or catch up on a blog.  Much needed!

I'm not sure how much longer you will be fitting in your swing, as I have to buckle you in to keep you safe and your legs are really long!  I can't believe you're so big already, but I am so grateful you are healthy and well, and completely thriving.  We have a lot of fun adventures coming your way this summer and I know you will have a ball on our vacation. I can't wait to see what you think of a pool. You are so sweet little love, and I am so proud to be your momma. I still sit and stare in complete shock, that I am a momma to both a little girl and a little boy. I don't always know what I am doing, but I sure do try my best and most of all, love you with my whole heart.  

Kiddos [Lately]

Crazy how I can go from zero to busy in such a quick time!! I am so happy to report that everyone here in the house is healthy and well--my allergies are a bit annoying--itchy eyes--but other than that, all is well!!  It's been really great these last few days and I want to make sure I capture some moments up on the blog!

This one.  Oh, he is just too much!

But these two?? Be still, my heart.  Brooke is really starting to become more and more interested in "brudder" and you can find them smiling, laughing, "talking", holding hands, rubbing feet…you name it, she's such a good big sister!

I tried him in the high chair--I cannot believe he is big enough.  We go tomorrow for his 4 month checkup!! Oh, my, goodness.

Mama D stopped by briefly before we headed out to dinner.  {and she loves them so much she'll be back Thursday so I can have some MOMMY TIME!! ahhh!! So excited and thankful!}

Unless he's hungry, tired, or needs a change, you will see lots of this.

Saturday we met my friend and her kids at a park.  They had so much fun, those little monkeys!

She taught Brooke how fun it was to run through dandelions and kick them!

Such a big girl…

My little baby boy!

She was trying to get him to hold one of his toys.

Sunday was a gorgeous day, and after an early sushi dinner we came home to enjoy the sun.   Joe and Brooke had a ball with the water gun!

He's not totally ready for the doorway jumper, but he loved sitting in it and looking around.  His little arms fall to the side though, so I had to be right here to help.

And tonight, Bradley fell asleep in his swing and Miss Brooke and I had some girl time.  We played and read stories…she loves her book Grandma made her.

And me? I'm doing really well.  I feel like I was sort of in a funk, and ya know what, I get that way every end of Winter--Spring.  I know so much has changed, for the better, and the changing of those seasons, to me, is the most dramatic! It's like we never go gradually from cool weather to slowly warming up, it's all of a sudden, BAM 30-80 degrees and I'm all like whoa.  Also, we now have two little kids; not just like small but baby small!! It's crazy and I have to stop and remind myself, pretty much every day, that I just need to enjoy it.  Breathe it in.  Let what is, be, and love my life where it's at.  Granted, I still need a break and totally appreciate my solo Target run the other night and again, I am sooooo looking forward to my "ME DAY" Thursday.  

Joe and I have had some great quality time too; we haven't gone out or anything, but just lots of good talks about our future and even had time to watch movies!  I'll shamelessly admit we totally watched 50 Shades and I may or may not be actually reading 50 Shades Darker.  We also just watched MockingJay and that ending had me at whaaaaaa. No fair.

Anyway, back to me...I'm turning a corner and really working on my spirituality, my understanding of all that is, and trying to find peace, calming and balance in my world.  Again, with a very active 2 year old and a 4 month old, that's pretty funny of me to even type, I'm literally laughing at myself, I know, but in all realness, I feel like I have begun a little journey…I've taken a left at a fork in a road, and I'm excited to see where it leads me.  More on that later, but for now, a sneak peak of some new purchases!

I hope you are all doing well….love and light to all!!

3 Months {Bradley Joseph}

Really?

You're (over) 3 months…and I am just a little in shock about this.  You are the sweetest little boy I have ever laid eyes on, and I can tell you're going to have a heart of gold.

Loves:
Swaddled
Our bed {you will fall asleep instantly, then I move you to your crib}
Brookie
Daddy--just hearing his voice you start turning your head all over
Being held up high and talked to in goofy voices
Swing
Jungle floor activity mat.  You'll talk to your little friends for a LONG time!
Bouncer seat--in the kitchen
Dancing.  Your Daddy, Brooke and I had a 70's dance party Saturday night and it was a lot of fun.
Baths
Pacifier



Dislikes:
Being in the car without your binky. I can't always reach it and it's usually when we are on the expressway and I can't just pull over.  I hate hearing you cry! :(
The swing (you love it sometimes and HATE it others, so weird!)
Tummy time.  You'll be cool like 5-10 minutes but not much.



Nicknames:
I call you Mr. Bubs.  {I've heard Daddy call you it too, but lately he calls you:}
Bradley Bean (he kind of sings it and you smiiiiiiile
Brudder.  Every morning you will hear Brooke say, "Good mooooooorning brudder!"  Either she will come tell you if you weren't awake, or she'll yell it in her room if you make noise first.



Milestones:

Full blown belly laughs.
Starting to stick out tongue and talking so much more.
Wanting to sit up more, you're about half way to being on your own I would say.



You are just so in love with your sister; if I could only get her to see how much you stare and watch her.  You are such a love bug; I can't help but squeeze, hold and love on you every moment that I get.  I know for a fact how fast this time will fly, so I definitely find myself just relaxing with you and sister--being in the moment.  You love to listen to us read books, sing songs and just be goofballs.  You also watch the TV! I don't know if it's the colors or what, but you'll watch it if Brookie is watching one of her shows.



Sleep:

Fall asleep swaddled in the swing (not moving) or our bed between 9:30/10pm.  If I'm lucky, you'll sleep through, or most likely get up around 3:30/4:30.  Lately it's been a lot more, but I think it was the lack of meds…so 12:30, 2:30, 4:30 6:30

You woke up 6:30 on Sunday morning wide awake.  Chirping like a bird.  I'm talking, you had no desire to go back to sleep.  So, I brought you downstairs and you talked in your swing, so I could sleep an extra hour.

You've been all over the place, which is fine.  You slept through two nights and Daddy and I were like, OH MY!! I almost got a little sad because you're the baby and I wasn't ready to not hold you and feed you in the middle of the night.  So, you heard me say that and decided to keep waking up!!  I think you slept through two more times, but that is about it.  I try to give you a dream feed, but sometimes that wouldn't be until 12/1 and I am not up that late, so you'll just wake me if you're hungry.  You love your food and when you are old enough, I am SURE you will be like your sister in that regard.  Ok, I hope.  She was/is such a good little eater, but I attribute that to your Daddy and I.  We just love good food, so that is pretty much all you'll know.  You'll hate college food one day, trust me!



Thoughts:
We are getting ready for when you can sit in the doorway swing and the exersaucer.  I put you in it for a second and you were SO excited for all the friends/toys on it, but you're still too tiny and I am in NO hurry.  I wanted to see how much little-ness I had left!

I don't wish time away, I LOVE YOU LITTLE--but I hope that once you can sit up on your own and eat solids, it will be thicker and help your little belly digest, and not come back up!!  We are trying you on a new medicine and still haven't decided if we are going to have you go through the upper GI next week…we believe you are healthy and well, but peace of mind may be worth it.



I love you so much baby boy; just like I do with Brooke, I have visions of what kind of boy and man you will be.  I see such a little brute in you; a big strong guy who will have such a loving heart.  I should be sleeping too right now, but I can't help but love the sound of your little breath over your pacifier.  All swaddled, snuggled and cozied up.  If I could keep you and Brooke this age, I would.  So sweet. So innocent.  You're at the perfect age where you make me crazy changing 20 diapers a day, but my heart so full, it feel as though it may burst.  I just don't think I could kiss either of you enough; but I sure try every day.



We love you so much Bradley Joseph!