Addy is 9 months

She is crawling, standing & walking with her fisher price walker toy. Grabbing sissy's hair and trying to tackle her & eating anything we put in front of her! She rarely cries but when she does it's usually bc Avah has taken away her toy.. 

She loves being outside and swinging at the park. Her laughter when Avah is doing something funny is soooo cute and makes my heart smile. I hope they are best friends! 

She weighs 14 lbs 12 oz.. Very petite! 

Bottle Update

It actually wasn't too bad. My MIL came a few mornings in a row so I'd leave with Avah for a few hours then my mom came for 5 days. Each day Addy improved and now she is taking at least 5-6 bottles each 5 oz. I nurse if she wakes up at night and sometimes once a day.. What a relief! I was also able to get a lot of time to myself when my mom was here which was wayyy over do. (Pedi/mani, beach morning, shopping & dinner out) David and I even got a date night ( first one in 9 months) wow!! Sometimes I don't know how we do it.. In our normal fashion we ate some delicious pasta at the OC.. I took down at least a 3 glasses of Pinot then we headed to Barnes and Noble. Every date night always ends with coffee & dessert at the book store. ;) 

Here are some recent pics..

What's new!

Haven't updated for a while about our big girl so here it is..

Books- Llama Llama & Berenstein Bears (whom she calls Polar Bear Books) 

Food- breakfast.. Grits, eggs, frozen yogurt Lunch.. Place: Chick fil a.. Or Chx nuggets, chicken salad.. Loves hummus.. Any fruit.. Mash up pouches Dinner.. Anything David makes, pasta, grilled chicken, chips & salsa 

Snacks- loves some apples with pb! 

Things she loves to do- play doctor, paint, babies, be chased outside, read books, build with Legos, visit the library, trains & of course anything water related or physical! 

Cute things she says..

Sometimes when you ask her a question she'll say "ummm, maybe over there" "let me think about it" " I'm busy" for example today David asked " do you know where my work is" she replied " ummm I'm thinking, it's around here somewhere" lol she sounds so grown up all of a sudden!

She's in love with doc mcstuffins this month. 

She makes Addy laugh alllll the time & they've really started playing together in the last month or so-

Very protective over her too. Esp if a stranger talks to Addy. 

We haven't had any potty accidents in a realllly long time, yay!!!! Even at night!  (But my rugs are still ruined) ;) 

Her stuffed animals go everywhere with her! 

Fav song is Beachin It ( country) will ask for "more tan lines mama!" When the song goes off on the radio 

She just got one of her first molars on the bottom right.. Very painful! Her second denist appt went very well! Awesome! 

Some nights she stays in her bed other nights she's at our door around 4/5 am wants some milk and to snuggle. Then goes back to sleep. 

K that's about it for now.. All over the place but had to jot these down while I could remember! 

Not again

The great bottle battle.. So basically when Addy was 4 weeks I tried to offer pumped bottles- she always refused. I chose to exclusively breastfeed because I do love everything about it.. Only that I can't go far but internally I kept thinking this might be my last baby so I'm going 100% exclusive and I just quit trying the bottle... I'll get my "me" time in a year.  Well the older Addy gets we can't help but notice how tiny she is compared to others. So we made another appointment and wouldn't ya know she isn't even on the charts anymore- like a neg percentile ( if that exists) I know this issue isn't unheard of but this is one example of how completely stressful motherhood can be that no one tells you about. It took all my emotional power to

Not break down right there when she says your not giving her enough calories she has to supplement. All bc I knew what was ahead- lots of crying! And to be honest I've been okay with exclusively bfing and wouldn't trade it for the world! I guess I'm just not ready for it to be over, this sucks! 

So I'm out having one on one with Avah- which I'm super excited about! While hoping Addy is at home getting use to a bottle with formula :/ ugh!! 

Mommy & Avah morning

Addy gets her one on one time with mama every tues and thurs while Avah is in preschool. So I'm really trying to make time in each week for just me and my big girl. Each night after addy goes to sleep we at least get 30 mins but that's usually spent brushing teeth and reading books. On Friday I had my MIL come over so we could just have some fun! First we went to the beach then the park and lastly for ice cream & coffee! Avah is growing up so fast and each day I swear she gets smarter! On the way home we passed by a rental my mom and aunts stayed in months ago & says " I want to go to Mimi's!" I explained that was just a rental- so on the way to school I pointed down 210 that goes to 40 and said remember we took that road really really far to Ohio, that's where Mimi is.. And wouldn't you know today in the car she points down 210 as we drive by and says " go to

Ohio" I'm beginning to think she has a very picturistic memory. 

Addy 6 mos (really late) & Avah starts school!

Addy at 6 mos weighs 12 lbs13 oz... She's a teeny tiny babe! This was at her check-up a month ago. Between then and now she's started crawling, eating yogurts dips,avacado along with lots of baby food. I haven't found anything she hasn't liked this far. She loves playing with Avah's phone that has the strong and you pull it. She also loves listening to the guitar. 

We spent most if August in Ohio deep in the country. We had a great time, Avah fell in love with the cats and enjoyed riding on the gator. We took daily walks down the dirt road and she's just throw the hay in the air- reminded me what child hood use to look like. I played a lot outside with just nature around me.. My mom didn't take me to play dates or "play places" I'd play in the dirt, rain water, fields etc. Avah was def in her element with tons of room for roaming! We ended our last night with a cook out and fire. 

Now we are back to preschool, she's going 2 days a week 9-12pm. I joined a local gym where they have child care. Will be nice to get in a workout class a couple times a week too! 

 

So big yet still so small

{Always forever my baby you'll be}

Painting toes, asking for pony tails & braids.. Please slow down! 

And above all else for the first time in a longgggg time she sleeps by herself!

We read some books, I tuck her in and that's it! It hasn't always been this easy and esp with bringing addy home we tried locking her in.. letting her cry. The timing was all wrong! One night I just decided I was TIRED & I didn't want to lay down with her and wait until she fell asleep to shower..clean-up etc. so I brought out one of her fav books-pointed out that if she slept in her bed and went to bed alllll by herself there would be a prize in the morning. She whined a bit..I laid her down and that was it. She doesn't even try to get up and I only left a pink painted penny the first night. We keep saying "is this real life??" Haha- it could not be this easy! It must have just been the right time for her, previously she there was too much change Im thinking...

I look forward to our special mommy and Avah time each night. I know she loves it and craves the attention so it's good for her! 

I think I can.. I think I can..

11 days. 11 days & my mom, aunt and great- aunt will come to visit to then drive the girls & myself back to Ohio! Yay! We'll be living the farm life until Avah starts preschool.. In a few short weeks. We are going on month 4 of David working 9-10 (that's the early side) & I'm tired! We have done just about everything this summer and I'm needing some help lol One can only entertain little ones day after day for so long. Once we return the restaurants will be slowing down and we will see him more! :) 

It's amazing how much you miss your mom once you become one. I'd just enjoy and appreciate her being able to say "come over for dinner tonight" or "let's go shopping" (extra hands while running errands is always appreciated) OR not having to think about cooking solo is always nice too!  I miss her so much, especially when it's been a longgg day. This week was a little bit of a doosey, addy has a cold & isn't sleeping.. Avah was recovering from running a temp all weekend so that lives me with no patience and exhausted! I know if she lived close she'd come to my rescue!

Avahs last day at Hullabaloo camp was today. Now I've started thinking what's on the agenda for next week??!! Hmmm...

Funny things she says

Avah: mama your song? ( wagon wheel was playing)

Me: yes I like this song

Avah: mama you dance?

Me: I'm driving Avah. I'll try my best.. Start nodding my head, she nods her head.. Cute!

 

Just some pics

Finally got around to painting the ugly orange table, perfect fit in the playroom 

Watch out when Avah has the sprinkler, I was soaked.

Sunday Funday= yard work, beach, inlet 790 for dinner & music then ice cream!! 

But first we took a selfie. 

Camp this week has tired this one out! Please notice.. Bring girl pants and woke up dry :) 

Love watching them sleep, ahhhh. Quiet.

We have been busy!

One thing I can't live without is a "to do" list.. This summer it was long but I can't believe it's already half way over!

Thus far we have...

Gone to the aquarium {ft fisher}

Gone to myrtle beach {outlets & aquarium}

Children's Musuem

POP many times (met a mom who had 2 babies the exact same ages as addy and Avah--weird we were in the hospital the same time!)

Hullabaloo 1,000 times over

Surf City Farmers Market

Turtle Hospital

Florida

Serenity Point

Movie & music in the Park

A week at the beach with Mimi and Papa

I think that's it.. what's left to do...

Mud Day

Jumpin Jax 

Hullabaloo Camp

Little Singers class (Wilmington)

SF or hampstead story time

2 possibles.. Visit a farm or Marbles Museum in Raliegh (trying to muster up the courage to travel alone with 2)

SO in between all that we do a lot of park, pool & beach dates! OR just playing at home but after a couple days of that we are all ready to go! :) 

It's been quite a busy summer. Wouldn't have it any other way. Super thankful Addy can role with anything and loves the baby carrier. 

We just received Avahs letter from Scott's Hill Christian Academy. Excited for her to go back and have more of a routine also. She loves it there so much so I have her wait listed for 3 days instead of 2. 

Addy is really growing and beginning to eat even more baby food. Really shocking to me bc Avah was never really fond of it. 

Addy at 4 mos & summer time fun!

Addy-- rolling over and scooting on her back. Eating carrots and sweet pots. Weighing 11.7lbs. Smiley. Easy-going. Sleeps best in the car or the swing. Laughs and laughs at Avah. In love with Sophie the giraffe. Chewing on toys and toes. :)

Avah-- Dressing herself. Putting shoes on. Counting to 12. Singing all the time every song in the book. Using potty esp. when were out and about. Flower girl. Telling me where to go while we're driving. Has challenges (I guess we call this terrible twos) Still loves books. Loves to watch Barney, Dora, MMC. Talks about feelings a lot..ex. While brushing her teeth she says all done.. I say no A little longer..she replies "so dr not sad" or I say Avah turn off the water we have used enough " make daddy happy" lol bc one time I told her lets not use all the water bc daddy would be sad if he got that high water bill. She continues to say things like this all day. Oh and she keeps requesting a second hair cut. 

And daddy is still super busy with the start up of his first restaurant. We miss him sooo much!! Hate to wish time away but I'll be glad when summer is over! In the mean time we have fun going there for lunch or for music on the weekends!

Life with two {things to remember}

ThDon't get me wrong I seriously thank God everyday that we have 2 healthy girls but there are some (many) things lately that I just laugh about because it's absolutely crazy.. From Avah pooing on the carpeted rug to attempting to jump in the toilet life with 2 is very overwhelming at times so I thought I'd jot down something's I don't want to forgot .. Esp when we think about #3...

First thing I have Papa do when they get in from a 9 hr drive from Ohio-- Please install door security.. Avah escapes daily.. Always when I'm nursing..picture me running out the door Addy latched on.. Awesome!

This is where I eat dinner nightly.. Standing while soothing a sometimes cranky 4 mo old in the bouncer..& yes that's sprite.. no time over here for juicing 7 diff veggies. 

This entertained my 2 yr old while I cooked her meal.. Playing with swifer wipes! All those expensive toys-- don't have anything on cleaning supplies!

This would be #10 of toys I've picked up today.. 

Addy is 3 months!

I love to giggle at sissy

I love looking at faces

I love to lay under my play gym and hit the rattles above

I love bath time

I love to go to sleep by 7. Eat twice in the night and wake up around 7. 

I love to have one arm out of my swaddle

I've found my hands!

  

Exciting purchase! Ready to run with these two :)

Being a mama x2 for Mother's Day tomorrow makes the day even better! So happy I have my 2 babies healthy and so so very loving! Can't imagine life without their snuggles and giggles. Life is good!

Need to get better at this..

I've barely posted about Addy and she's almost 3 months!

At 2 mo check up she was 9 lbs 12oz.. Sleeping like a champ and has really good neck control.. Although she's not a fan of tummy time! She coos and smiles and loves to smile at Avah. 

Her favorite thing to do is lay on her back under her little gym.. She kicks her feet to play music & of course she loves to be held! 

She did fantastic on her plane ride. We just returned (me Avah and addy) from 2 weeks in Ohio. It went surprisingly well- no toddler break downs and addy slept both flights :) I'm discovering that Avah actually does better with one adult.. When more people are here to "help" I think she takes advantage of the situation.. She's smart. She uses the potty but I haven't enforced panties everyday. (Lazy,yes) I'd rather have fun and not worry about potty training haha!

Easter was a lot of fun.. Spent with all the Fam in Ohio! Missed Daddy but he's super busy opening his first restaurant!