Blakely's Newborns

Be still my heart. Blakely has made us a family of four for three months now. And even though I am three months behind on posting these I am kinda glad I waited. It has been so fun going back through and seeing how much she has truly changed in just a few short weeks.  There are about 500 more of these to go through, but I picked a few of my absolute favorites to share. Thank you sweet girl for choosing us as your family! 

As always THANK YOU to our dear friend Kristin at Kristin Dustman Photography! 

2 Months of BAE

I won't even say how fast this month has gone. Because woah, when did I go from pregnant to a mom of two? That kinda just happened. Blakely has been the absolute best this month. She just had her big two month check-up and even our doctor couldn't get over how much she had grown. Blake has hit some of my favorite milestones like smiling and reacting to our eye contact. She has even started "talking back" as we interact with her. 

                 

2 Month Stats:

Weight: 11 lbs 9 oz.

Height: 22 inches

She went from the 15% to the 50% in just 4 weeks! I know that might not seem like that big of a deal, but when you spent 12 months in physical therapy and monthly visits to a neurologist because your first child fell off the chart at 3 months, this is HUGE. Like literally huge! Hearing our doctor rave over how healthy she was made me tear up as I left the office. Okay... ok so maybe I am still a little postpartum hormonal, but whatevs.

Likes

Skin to skin

Bathtime

Light-up seahorse 

Paci

Lots of milk 

Cuddling

Watching activity around her

Dislikes

Being alone other than to sleep

Being in one place too long

                                      

I can already tell Blakely is going to have quite the personality as she matures. She already has so  many traits that remind me of myself. She loves interacting with others and is constantly alert and aware of what's happening around her. I can't wait to watch this little social butterfly bloom! 

We love you baby bae!

Easter and Spring Break 2017

                  

Let's be real for a minute. Spring break, single, in your early twenties is a whole different ball game when you are on spring break, married with two kids, in your late twenties. There are still lots of belly laughs, tears, and throw up, but it's a different kinda fun. Brady is in this super great phase where he is experiencing new things all the time. It is so fun to watch him live and learn. Each year the beach becomes easier and easier for him. Last year I remember a lot of crying due to sand in the eyes or mouth... or butt! This year he and Addy plopped right down and played for a solid 3 hours. It was HEAVEN. 

Miss. Girlfriend did great to! She is still in her sleepy phase and was super chill the entire time. She would wake up to nurse and then go right back to sleep under the umbrella. Naps are no better taken that on the beach. Charleston isn't really home anymore now that we have been in Charlotte for almost SIX years. But I think it makes it that much more enjoyable when I go back. I see new things and recreate some of my favorite moments with my own babies.

The rest of our spring break was spent at the pool of the super cute plantation b&b we stayed at, compliments of my awesome sister. There were lots of fruity drinks and Mexican food.  Saturday we headed home just in time to throw the kids easter baskets together. Ugh. I see all of these super cute Pinterest baskets and all I can think of is "more junk to fill our house with." So this year we went extremely minimalistic and did bubbles and eggs. I also threw in a few easter themed books and stuffed animals we had lying around the house. 

This kid thought it was Christmas morning. It made me realize it wasn't so much about the "stuff" he was getting, but rather the anticipation of something new to find. That being said... HECK YES... I will be reusing Easter, Valentine's Day, and 4th of July treats from here on out. Ain't no shame on this mama's conscience.

After an amazing church service we headed to a church picnic. Later we had our Easter dinner at Brian's parents. It was such a fun week and boy was I thrown to the wolves the next day when Brian returned to work after SIX weeks home. We are making due though and two weeks into the domesticated mom world we have found our footing. We can't wait to plan our next adventure with some big trips coming up this summer! 

1 Month of Blakely Elise

Blakely Elise when did you get so big? I swear I am only going to ask her and Brady this question everyday for the rest of their lives. BUT seriously, when did her due date come and go so darn quickly!?

I always mourn those last few weeks of pregnancy after they are gone. Yes, I hate the discomfort and the exhaustion and the peeing 230, 583 at night, BUT there isn't anything quite like the anticipation of meeting your sweet baby except, well, actually meeting her. 

This month has flown by and that means we only have two weeks left with Brian at home. It has been some of the best weeks getting to spend so much family time together. Having him home has allowed me to bond with Blakely so well. I can already tell this girl and I are going to way too much alike. She looks like me. Even at a month she is so alert and relaxed, but she HAS to have someone in her line of sight at all times (social butterfly just like mama.) I guess that means if I get frustrated with her as she becomes older I have no one to blame but myself.

                                

ONE MONTH STATS

Weight: 8 lb 6 oz        

Length: 21 inches

Likes

Bath time

Watching Brady run amok 

Her pink seahorse that sings

Paci

Car Rides

Dislikes

Being alone

Being swaddled 

Any type of movement from one spot to another

New Milestones

Blakely is so alert these days. She loves people watching and responds to Mama and Daddy's voice. She is also very patient with Brady even when he tries to pick her up or squish her! Our favorite milestone this month is her precious smile. She has only given us a few big ones, but we can wait to hear her laugh as she smiles more often. Mama and Daddy are also so excited that she is sleeping 6-8 hour stretches on the reg now. Way to go girlfriend! 

And if you are only here for the pictures...

                                              

       

2 Weeks of Baby Sister

4 Days Old

1 Week

2 Weeks

Having a baby is so much like one of those grab bags from the toy store. You are so excited to get one, but you just never know what you are going to get once it's purchased! Once you have had an "easy" baby like we did with Brady I think it's only natural to compare and even be a little fearful of what a new addition is going to bring into the mix. 

We are most definitely blessed with Blake! She has nursed like a pro from day one and is such a content, happy snuggler. If the last two weeks are any indication of her babyhood I think I may just be convinced to have a bazillion more babies... HA! Not really. (Mama likes her wine and sleep.) 

We are slowly getting to know this little girl and have discovered her many likes and dislikes the last few weeks.

Likes:

MILK and LOTS of it

Snuggling on anyone's shoulder

Watching the ceiling fan

She loves having her hands by her face

Bath Time (or at least the 2 she has had)

Dislikes:

Moving positions

Diaper Changes

We won't be weighed again until 1 month, but we are pretty sure she is back up to her birth weight if not above it. She is still wearing newborn clothes and diapers, but I feel pretty confident we will be moving up in sizes in the next week or two! 

Brady has done EXCELLENT with her coming home. This picture was scary and sweet all at the same time. I had put the kids in my bed to watch a show so I could brush my teeth and maybe get some make-up on my face. I came out of my bathroom a few minutes later and Brady had literally moved Blakely from her lounger to this position. OH MY GOSH! was all I could think. "Hey buddy whatcha doing?" He responded by saying "Holding baby sister because Mama left." MOM OF THE YEAR right here. It took a few minutes but he finally gave her back once he could trust me again I guess. 

We are loving are family time of FOUR and have even been on two day trips out of town so far. This up coming week will be Blakely's first time at the beach and we can hardly wait. There is nothing like a newborn in a bathing suit, right?!