15 Months Brooklyn Clare

Brooklyn,
  Our sweet easy going girl has gone SASSY and so wild. You are a ball of energy just like your brother. You went from taking your first steps right at your birthday to running, CLIMBING, and trying to jump. Seriously you climb up everything and have absolutely no fear. You often point your finger back at us (almost up your nose) and say "no no no." And then you laugh hysterically. You are often caught table dancing on the coffee table or jumping on the couch. You are really good at throwing and kicking balls which has daddy oh so excited...but you have the best dance moves ever. You can bounce to the beat really low, wave your hand over your hand snapping, and twirl your wrist. It's the cutest thing ever. You have some serious skills. You love being outside running around or splashing in the dirtiest water you can find. You also love pushing your babies in their strollers- you take this very seriously. Your lion is your favorite "baby" and you CANNOT sleep without it. We lost it one night only to find it in the trash!! EW

You are a mama's girl but probably fairly equal to daddy who you are constantly looking for. You love to snuggle and be held and you hate when I leave for work :( 

You are a great sleeper!! 11-12 hours at night and 1-2 naps a day. You never cry to sleep. You are content to read your book and hold your baby until you fall asleep. AMEN!! This is amazing. You can hang in there if we skip naps or change routines. 

You say: Mama, dada, baby, cookie, cracker, Jackson, cheese, no, up, "up" for "help", all done, bye bye, night night, choo choo, vroom, airplane noise, meow, kitty kitty, tickle tickle.. and more. I'm really impressed with your vocabulary for a 15 month old!!!

You are quite the ham!! Everyone loves you. Everyone makes over you when we are out. Possibly spoiled :) You are best friends with your brother which we are just so thankful for!! Where there is one there is the other. You two love to chase each other around, play peek-a-boo, and make really big messes. If Jackson is in time out you go and sit on his lap...The other day Jackson wanted to snuggle on the couch, so we were all snuggled under the blanket and you pop your head under there with us and say "BOO!" 

You have started throwing tantrums- big ones which scare your brother but we just move on and walk off and you get over it. 

I say this at every stage but this is one of my favorites! 

Happy 3rd birthday!!

Happy THIRD birthday!! For the past two months you have been saying "I two..almost three." And now you are THREE! You have the biggest personality- happy, energetic, excited, dramatic, passionate, strong willed, and hilarious! This all comes with emotional and moody. I often describe our days as a roller coaster ride with the highest of highs and lowest of lows. You are challenging little boy to say the least! We have started figuring out how to better with your passionate ways because the usual time out or ignoring behavior just doesn't work. However, these new strategies seem to be working even if that sensory bucket of rice lead to mommy sweeping... a lot. You are very creative and imaginative with your play. We often are looking for jaguars!! 

You love to wrestle on the bed with daddy and go flying everywhere! But you still want mama for the snuggles! Every night you say "Daddy get Brooklyn, mama get Jackson." 

Big one monkey is your all time favorite (he even goes to school!). But CARS, trains, planes are the next best thing! Look how handsome you are!!

You are getting a little rigid with what you eat but with a little help you are branching back out to new foods. Your favorite being anything sweet- cake, cookies, waffles, fruit, sandwiches. You do love green beans, peas, and corn...starting to like broccoli. And now you love rice! We frequent chick fila way too often but you love that too :)

Oh sleep. Sigh. You go to bed around 7:30 and will sleep anywhere from 6 am to rarely 7am and NO naps. None. We still make you go "rest" which really involves you changing your clothes and playing loudly in your room.  You often destroy something in that time frame as well. 

Your 3 year check up is Friday so we will get the height and weight checked. You have a crazy awesome vocabulary, constantly talking! You tell us the funniest things! You new favorite words are "anymore" "not" and "oh my gosh/goodness". "I not taking a nap ANYMORE. Hmp." "You not my best friend!" "OK mommy you are my best friend!!!" 

You just got done with swim lessons where you were getting much better being in the water and kicking! No actual swimming this year. You just moved up to the beginner preschool gymnastics class where you are amazing! You can do a back bend, rolls, lots of great jumping and swinging. 

You still really love your sister! You two love playing chase and getting into lots of trouble. Most of the time you are sweet but there have been times you have just shoved her down for no apparent reason.

We have take two vacations in the last six months- Atlanta to visit your cousins and Destin. Atlanta was very rough on the sleeping department but you loved playing with Lexie and seeing all the fish. We had the best time in Destin and you surprisingly slept! Improvements :)

You are potty trained with some accidents at night but we don't use pull ups anymore!

Jackson we love you more than you will ever know! We can't wait to see what next year brings!

11 months Brooklyn Clare!!

11 Months!

I mean this is the best we got...LOL

Brooklyn,

      I can't believe in one month you will be ONE?! I'm crying already! This month you (like your brother at this age) decided to HATE sleep. It was like having a newborn again...for 4 weeks. I think it was a combination of teething, trying to walk, and one of those developmental leaps. It seems to be getting better (fingers crossed). You still take two naps a day around 1-2 hours each. 

        You are wild and sassier than ever! We can't keep up with your constant unrolling of toilet paper, pulling things from the wall, going through the trash, and destroying anything and everything (destructa is what I have started calling you). You climbed half way up the stairs the other day and threw the big one when I removed you from the stairs. You have starting throwing fits... yikes. You love pushing your baby stroller around, however, immediately throw the lion or baby from it any chance you get. You still love to be held by mama! And are showing no signs of weaning BUT time is up girl friend! Mama needs to spend more than three hours away from you and the pump. I would also like to work out more and take a vacation :) So we have just begun the weaning process down from SEVEN to five times a day (seriously jealous of those who only nurse their babies four times a day it's pretty amazing). I give you two cups of breastmilk to fill in the two we dropped. You seem fine with it right now.  You are a fantastic eater! You love meat, TOMATOES (hooray!) and cheese. Your least favorite thing (and I saw least very loosely) is fruit but you will eat it. 

Milestones:

• Saying "mama, dada, uh oh, ow" 
• Pincher grasp, pointing, using spoon if I put the food on first
• Imitating kisses, mouth movements

Health: Healthy! 

 

Yep this is happening.. Jackson part 2??

10 months!

Brooklyn "Sassy" Clare, 
     You are such a sassy little thing now!! You let us know exactly what you want and won't tolerate any less. You cry if you can't seem me and follow me everywhere I go. Mommy's girl!!! You have been giving daddy quite the hard time when I'm gone- not eating and crying a lot :( Hopefully this is a stage! 
       You still take two naps- one in the morning and one in the afternoon between 1-2 hours each. At night you go down around 6:30-7 and wake up 1x a night still. No new teeth but I think you are working on two more. You go down fairly easily most of the time nursing to sleep but I'm told for others you go down without much crying- except daddy. Now when you wake up and see me you say "mama"... not quite sure we are counting this as first word but I'm impressed!
      You are such a little sweet snuggly thing and love to dive bomb into stuff animals or pillows head first and cuddle with them. Open mouth slobbery kisses are always given :) We often put you in our bed in the morning for a few minutes before getting up- you just love talking to us and cuddling with all the pillows. I love rubbing your little fuzzy head!! I mean where is your hair?! 

       Milestones:

• Standing with one hand all the time, brief periods of no hands!
• Walking with our hands
• Imitating sounds, imitating actions, elephant noise
• Such a smarty- understands cause and effect, looks for objects out of sight, plays peek-a-boo
• First trip to Destin! You were amazing and slept great!
• Love: Anything you can feed yourself- LOVES soy burgers or chicken
• Hate: babyfood, breakfast food
• CLIMBING why?!?!? You will climb up Jackson's chair and then pull to stand AHH 

I can't wait to see what next month brings!! Maybe walking?

9 Months Brooklyn Clare!

Brooklyn Clare,

          9 months?! This month has been so much fun! Now that you are crawling everywhere you are WILD. Your morning routine involves, sprint crawling to the cat bowls to take a bath in the water, fling the food everywhere, pull Stella's tail, and then find all the cords in the house and rip them out of the wall. I mean what is happening??! When I remove you from XYZ your legs and arms are still flying. It's hilarious and yet frightening at the same time. 5 days after your 9 month birthday you really figured out how to pull to stand on everything and you are THRILLED. You also have decided you can stand without holding on to things occasionally, slow down girl! You are definitely more cautious or a perfectionist- where you brother would just go for it, you take the time to figure it all out before doing it perfectly the first time. 

          While you are still such a good easy baby you are a little sassy thing and are very vocal about your needs. Sassy girl. You give your brother lip a lot which is necessary because he is oh so rough with you all the time. He really loves to touch your head, give tight hugs and push you into the tunnel- all of which you hate. You two do really love playing together and have a very fun game of chase happening everyday. I love watching you two together. 

          You took your first set of swim lesson last month and you LOVED it! You can kick, splash, put your head in, and float (with a little help). You are a water bug just like your mama :)

            This month was rough on the teething front, you how have 4 teeth, which cause you to HATE sleep and love to nurse all night long for 5 days. But now I am working really hard on making you wait 3 hours to nurse, moving to 5-6 days a day (please!!!). You are eating baby food 3x's a day, teething biscuits, puffs, we just started adding a snack which is cut up banana. Another new favorite for you is drinking water from your straw cup and then spitting it all out, over and over, and over. Recently you have been going to bed at 6:30/6:45 and getting up a little after 5!!!!!! You still take two naps, although I think you need the third you do not. 

Milestones:

• Crawling all over
• Pulling to stand
• Babbling with intonation- it sounds like you are telling stories!
• Sounds- m,n,d,b,h,y, w and some vowels
• Loves: bananas, green vegetables, puffs, teething biscuits, chicken, rice, peas
• Hates: she'll eat pretty much anything if you continue 
• Using your index finger to push things, turning pages in books, shaking head "no" (sassy)

Health: Nothing new!

Jackson

And perfection! Just look at her!!

AND WILD :)

8 Months Brooklyn Clare!

Brooklyn Clare, 

Can you get any cuter?!! I swear every month you get cuter and cuter! All of your pictures portray how you are ALL the time HAPPY.  You are just such a joy to be around, you stop traffic at stores because everyone has to look at you. Although you are super laid back and happy, you don't hand out those smiles for free! Stranger danger! 

This month you started hold your arms up to be held and you always let us know when that is :) You are really good at playing by yourself or with your brother but you have a limit. You prefer to have me in your line vision at all times and will cry hysterically if I leave the room. You love all of Jackson's toys and this little play house. Your lion is your favorite thing! You wake up kicking and playing with the lion every morning. Right before your 8 month birthday you started crawling!! It just took an iPhone and daddy watching and you did it. The first two weeks you were somewhat slow but not anymore! 

You had your first (ok really second) road trip Atlanta where you saw your cousins, went to the Aquarium and Stone Mountain. As usual you were a trooper through it all! At little fussy in the car but we quickly found out it was because you were getting way too hot (I have no rear air). 

You still nurse 7 times a day and are up 1x a night sometimes 2 sometimes none. You take 2-3 naps a day for about an hour or two. You have grown to tolerate baby food and you seem to love green vegetables and some meat. You hate the fruit. Complete opposite of your brother. 

We have truly enjoyed every minute and can't believe your first birthday is just around the corner (mommy will be crying).

7 Months~ Brooklyn Clare!!

Brooklyn,

     Could you get any cuter?! I just want to eat you up! Similar to your brother we can't go anywhere without someone making over you! Unlike your brother everyone loves to comment on how calm and good you are (sorry wild man you are our high maintenance kiddo but we love you :) ). This month was tougher because you were getting your first two teeth (one before your turned 7 months and one right after). But really a few fussy days and bad nights here and there and you were done. Whew!

     You love your mama but daddy is the apple of your eye! You light up when you see him!! And he melts to your smile (I just can't stand how sweet you two are) Smart girl :) You also really like your Mimi who watches you on Tuesdays. You will instantly calm and smile when she is around! BUT your all time favorite is your brother who can do no wrong and makes you giggle. He was literally sitting on you and you thought it was hilarious. Occasionally you give him lip but for the most part you are two peas in a pod. 

      This month started the whole if mommy puts me down I cry until she picks me back up...which is stressful at times because we all hate when you cry mostly because it's so rare. Usually after a few seconds you get distracted and will play. 

Milestones:

• completely in the crib (maybe I forgot to mention this last month)
• Waving! 
• Blowing kisses. Hello adorable! You love to imitate our mouth movements and sounds. 
• You are sitting!! Occasionally you decide to bail out (same exact thing your brother did) but you will sit and play forever sitting up.
• First time riding in the grocery cart. Not impressed. Riding in the Ergo carrier on mommy is way more fun. 
• SOOO close to crawling. You will move both legs and one arm and then sit up (which by the way is advanced). Recently you figured out the second arm but then you drag your head on the floor. 
• Babbling very clearly up a storm- mama, dada, baba, all kinds of sounds (music to my ears!!!) 

     Health: Cardiology reports you are 18.2 pounds and 27 inches! The medicine seems to be helping however it's not gone and in the worst spot ossible. Usually the medication is only given for 6 months and we are on month five. We are going to try it for three more months and reassess. 

Eating: 100% exclusively breastfed! This is important to note because it's a lot of work as a working mother to keep up pumping and your supply. My pump has made lots of trips to(work obviously) parties, car rides, and any events that I'm going to be gone longer than three hours for 7 months. No trips or over night anything without my pump or Brooklyn. It's important to know that I 100% love nursing Brooklyn and if I stayed at home I think it would be 10000 times easier. But I don't so they awful pumping continues. We recently started baby food which you hate BUT if you are starving you seem to enjoy it more.. hahah so we continue. I can't even begin to think of a favorite food because really breastmilk would be it. 

       Our sweet princess who makes everyday better!! We love you so much!! We can't wait to see what next month brings!!

And Jackson:

Daily Life/6 month old AND 2 1/2 year old

They play so nicely!!

As we all know Jackson and I love our schedules!! When Miss Brooklyn came along we kept Jackson's schedule the same (as much as we could) and just let Brooklyn go with the flow. She's really happy that way. She loves to eat when she wants, sleep when she wants. Cool as a cucumber that one :) And for the most part that REALLY works for us BUT that doesn't work if you want her to sleep in the crib and not nurse her to sleep (who makes these rules?! hashtag I most def. don't follow that at night shhhhh). So I finally decided to put her on a schedule.

5/6ish Everyone is awake (yay they wake each other up) Brooklyn would really sleep until 6:30 or 7 but her big brother doesn't want her to miss out on anything

6:00 AM: Breakfast for Jackson, Pretending to feed Brooklyn baby food… she hates that stuff

6-8:40 AM: We run around like crazy people packing, lunches, and getting ready. The house is turned upside down. There is usually a bribe to potty or let mommy shower without running Brooklyn over with the dump truck (news flash she thinks this is funny- WTH) which some how results in watching Mickey, Little Einstein's or now Jake.  Depending on the night time schedule Brooklyn will nurse during this time.

8:00 AM: Brooklyn is getting fussy.

8:40 AM: We are in the car this is nap #1 for Brooklyn. At this point my patience is thin from convincing Jackson to put his shoes on (and NOT throw them off), keep him from running around the car, and get him in the actual car, however, all is well with some music!

9:00 AM: Jackson is dropped off.

Jackson wanted me to take a picture of "rocket" 

9:15 AM: Brooklyn is usually up and ready to nurse… where she tries to take a nap because she wants to nap WITH mommy duh. No cookies my friend.

9:15-11 AM: I try to pick up or clean something and play with Brooklyn.

11 AM: I leave for work except for Tuesdays I work mornings and no Fridays.

11:30/12:30: Brooklyn takes her second nap (in the crib)

12:45: Jackson comes home and takes a nap.

1:30 PM: Brooklyn is up.. oh wait she probably only really took a 50 minute nap unless mommy was home and it's usually longer. She eats again.

3/4 PM: Brooklyn goes back down for another short nap (in the crib). Jackson wakes up and eats a snack. He's usually really cranky so a 30 minute show is usually put on.

5:00 PM: Brooklyn is up/ eats again

6:15 PM: We get home from work and start that rush of making dinner in which Brooklyn decides she's  really tired and would love to eat even though she just ate a bottle- bottles don't count apparently.

7:00 PM: … more like 7:30 we do our night time routine which is playing in Brooklyn's room for a little while, baths, bed. And then Brooklyn decides she needs to eat just one more time…

8:00 PM: Brooklyn is in bed.

9:00 PM: Hopefully Jackson has fallen asleep by now but lately he's been getting scared of something (I think it's the dark) and I have to put him back down.

9-10 PM: If I'm still awake Jamie and I finally watch some TV and catch up on our days.

10 PM: Bed for the grown ups.

2 or 4 AM: Brooklyn is up ready to nurse

5:00 AM: She is back up ready to nurse and wake her brother which grants her a pass to the big bed where she immediately falls asleep. Seriously there is a button in your bed that makes babies sleep… It's this miracle button that is AMAZING until you telling a judging parent/non-parent and then you start feeling guilty (or like me and not so much). BOO those judgers let us sleep! JK  Not for toddlers it makes them wrestle and jump around so don't even try it.

5:00 AM: Is now when Jackson decides to turn his light on and call "MOMMY COME BACK!!!!!" Repeat Repeat Repeat. The kid is persistent not to be confused with stubborn ;)

Brooklyn nurses 7 times a day so I don't know if there all in there.

Tuesday afternoons we usually go for a run, play date or run an errand in the afternoon. Friday mornings we always go do something fun (Zoo, gymnastics, park, play dates) even if that means Target :) We have had a ton of doctor appointments lately so that has filled some mornings and Fridays.

WHEW I'm tired just reading it! haha it's actually been a lot of fun and getting so much easier! I'm actually really enjoying my lack of sleep these days!!

6 months Brooklyn Clare

Brooklyn Bear, Princess, Princess Pea, Buggy,

    You are an incredible blessing in all of our lives! You put a smile on everyone's face and truly make our days so much brighter. You are the easiest baby ever!! You hardly cry, you are quick to smile, a giggle machine with your brother, and just so laid back! Not a day goes by that we don't count our blessings with you! Jackson is constantly looking for his Brooklyn Bear and gets sad when "booklyn take a nap." You ADORE him! As our babysitter put it, "the two of them are just better together." Agreed!! Even when he rough houses with you (which gives us all panic attacks) you just laugh and smile at him! Occasionally when you have had enough you let him have it (whew I don't want you too laid back!). This month you have not wanted to be put down and love your snuggles- I contribute this to being sick and teething. Naturally right after your baptism Jackson got a really bad cold,  I got really sick and then you of course got it! Other than that you are one healthy lady.

Milestones:

• Rolling machine! All over the house! It's to the point I'm confused on how you got there.
• Bouncing in the jumperoo! Def not as crazy as your brother was but you will bounce around for a bit.
• You can now push up on your arms straight and then you kick your feet really fast as if you are going to take off but you need to get that belly off the floor before you can crawl- this has been happening for a couple months now.
• Babbling! Literally on your 6 month birthday you babbled "mama" yay! Lots of cooing and noise making!
• 2 days past your 6 month birthday you decided to sit up on your own to play with a toy!! 
• No real waving but rolling your wrists
• First taste of food!! You do not like baby food. We are about 4 days in and so far you aren't having it. So we continue trying new foods!
• You are really into grabbing everything! I swear you might just crawl to get something soon!

      Nothing new on the health front! You are officially in your crib and were sleeping from 8-4 am until you got sick. Your naps are all over the place.. still working on that one. Still exclusively breastfed and refuse to take a bottle from mommy!  

       Brooklyn we love watching you discover and meet new milestones everyday! We can't wait to see what next month brings!

Side by side of Jackson and Brooklyn!

2 1/2 Years~ Jackson

Jackson you are 2 and 1/2! This one really snuck up on me! It wasn't until I got the reminder for your well visit that it dawned on me. You are 36 inches (61%) and 32 pounds (75%) a very healthy little boy, except all the colds you've been getting. Naturally you got sick right before your well visit but anyways...

You are still a sweet, sensitive, dramatic, stubborn, cuddly little boy! You are wild and crazy, destruction is your middle name. I clean up all the toys and then you take all the toys and immediately throw them around the room…like a tornado. You love bouncing, jumping, running, any active play is your favorite. You still love gymnastics and cry to go all the time, "nystics mommy! " of course once we get there you hate to listen or wait in line but you could be really good if you would just listen...

You are pretty much obsessed with Poppi but really who ever isn't around you want. Poppi does no wrong in your book! Except that time he ate your chips.. You did not like that! We have to call Mimi everyday and you always want to visit her on Fridays. You love to snuggle with Mimi, you also think Mimi can get you out of trouble and play Mickey from wherever she is. They were recently out of town and you told me "go see Poppi!!" and I replied "he's on vacation." Your response, "Ok how 'bout Mimi?" Recently you got to see the Holmes side at Disney which was so much fun! You were a very tired but warmed up with some truck books. And the Sullivan clan was down for Brooklyn's baptism which you just loved all the extra attention. 

You still look up to your daddy and can't wait for him to get home every night. Daddy is really fun in the backyard, chasing, and wrestling on the bed. Mommy is still the healer of all wounds and hurt feelings. But Brooklyn is the one you really want! You just love your new baby sister. It's like she has always been here. You look for "Booklyn bear" in the morning and love playing with her. A few times you have run over her with the dump truck and stabbed her with your rocket BUT most of the times you just cuddle and kiss her. 

We have now entered the "cars" phase. Cars movie, cars (toy cars), books, etc. Lighting McQueen is the man!! You still love Mickey but it's CARS all the way now. You also really love Little Einsteins with Rocket.  Still a fan of "big one monkey" and while they are all identical apparently there is a difference.  For the most part we are playing cars or rocket but you are really into Brooklyn's toys. You made up a game called "birthday party" in which we get out all of her tea and picnic stuff and sing EVERYONE happy birthday. Like everyone. Mickey and his friends, friends at school, Mimi and Poppi, the list goes on.  You really love the park and the backyard of course.

We haven't taken many trips since Brooklyn has been born except the big Disney! Which was a fantastic time! You were so sleepy (with no naps) but hung in there to see and ride everything. Your favorite part was the parade with all the characters and of course Mickey! It was so much fun watching you! I know each year will get even better. 

You are still a fantastic eater and although you still love birthday cake, cupcakes, or anything sweet, you also love your milk, fruit, and chicken (baked or grilled). I am very proud to say you eat whatever we eat unless it's super spicy. You also really love green beans, corn, peas, sweet potatoes..but we are still working on other vegetables. Oh and pizza or anything like pizza of course (lasagna, spaghetti, calzones). 

The sleep department is what it is. You go to sleep around 7:30 and get up between 5-6:30 and take one nap (usually) for 2-3 hours. 

You are almost potty trained! Peeing is no problem although we have to prompt you but the pooping is a whole other story but we are getting there.

Now you have reached the "terrible" twos. Woah. This has by far been our most challenging months with behavior. It's a roller coaster ride of great and terrible. There have been far too many time outs. Very very frustrating! Everything is a battle and I'm not quite sure you ever listen. Some days I really want you to hurry up and be three but then I think of all the great parts of you being two and I immediately regret that thought. Even if we've had a tough day with you, Daddy and I still talk about how great and truly special you are. 

You just passed your allergy test and we will be doing the food challenges shortly whooohoo!!

You can say and mostly identify all ABC's, you sing songs all by yourself, you speak in full sentences and thoughts, ask questions, and make comments. Your speech has really taken off. You are inconsistent with /r/'s but you lisp is gone :) You have the age-appropriate (for now) phonological process "gliding" so you often say "wook at me I'm "fwying" (Look at me I'm flying). You can count to 15. 

Needless to say a TON has happened in 6 months!! We can't wait to see what the next six months bring!

Love,
Mommy and Daddy

23/24 Weeks- Brooklyn Clare

23/24 Weeks

Weight:  16 pounds (75%), 26 inches (90%)

Sleep: Ugh. Brooklyn takes 4-5 cat naps a day about 45-50 minutes each then bed time I start at 7:30..and she usually goes to sleep by 8:30/9 nursing to sleep. She is up 1-2x's a night. Mama can't wait to sleep train ;) I am currently working on getting her to sleep in her crib at night. It's hard because I also don't want her waking up Jackson! I tried letting her self soothe a bit and it totally woke up Jackson, "MOMMY BOOKLYN CRYING!!!!!!" and the rest of the day was full of cranky babies. But I did by night lights for the hallways and stairs so I don't kill myself in the middle of the night..progress :) I also take it that I'm REALLY tired and getting frustrated as a sign that it may be time to sleep train. More progress??

Eating: Exclusively breastfed. YAY. She just decreased from 10 feeds to 8 a day. Holy moly batman that's a lot!! I'm looking forward to solids and maybe decreasing a feed or two?? I don't mind breastfeeding it's the pumping!! Yuck. I was loosing about 4 oz a week (from pumping at work) but when I calculated it, my stash could survive for 8 more months. Whew. However, back to my theory of calories = milk pumped (I ate chick fila one day and pumped an entire extra bottle) I've been breaking even. Chick fila everyday?! 

Clothes: 9 months

Visitors:  She had lots of visitors for her Baptism last week! 

Crying:  Really only if she's hungry or being put in her crib! She has started the if I can't see mama cry. She is seriously one ridiculously happy baby. LOVE IT!

Milestones:  
Sitting up by herself for brief periods 10-30 seconds!! Blowing more raspberries and making more sounds. 

Medical: The hemangioma is still there nothing new to report. Cardiology loves Brooklyn because she is a chunky monkey and breastfed- apparently that's rare for cardiac babies! We see ENT this week.

Postpartum: 1 pound left but since I'm nursing I would say I've lost all my weight… maybe a month sooner than a did with Jackson so not much difference. I've started really trying to workout more- Pure Barre at 5:20 am ekkks!! I swear I don't know what sleep is anymore. Seriously tired. Do you know how impossible it is to nap with two children? Their naps have not overlapped in weeks. I'm constantly moving. Did I mention we are potty training Jackson? I need a vacation! A sleep vacation. With cocktails lots of cocktails but no pumping. I can dream can't I?!

5 months Brooklyn Clare

Brooklyn bear! 

      It's been five months how can this be?!  I want to freeze time! I know my days of lots of snuggles and cuddles will soon be gone. Sigh. You are still the sweetest little thing who loves to smile! You are so patient, calm, and our little observer. Your deep little chuckles come out only if someone is being really silly, especially your brother.  This month has been a lot more playing and moving! Now you love your daddy but you are a mama's girl- daddy always says you're attached to my hip (which I love!). It's only a matter of time before daddy is the fun one. 

This month:

Rolling both directions

Sleeping in your crib for naps and pack n play at night- still getting up 2xs a night

Blowing lots of raspberries 

Tripod sitting

Still exclusively breastfed

Took your first flight! Which you were amazing at

Standing in the jumperoo but no jumping yet

You have finally decreased to 8 feeds a day whoohoo but you still get up 2xs a night to nurse which has delayed the crib at night. Going up and down stairs multiple times a night sounds exhausting. You are most def teething and have bit me several times! Ow! 

Next month we start baby food! I'm pretty excited but knowing how much you love nursing I'm doubtful you will love baby food as much. Hopefully get you in the crib at night.. I guess. Only because daddy is complaining ;) You are such a joy and full our days with smiles! We can't wait to see what next month brings!

4 months Brooklyn Clare

Brooklyn,
      Time is flying way too fast!! We can't believe we have had you for FOUR months!! Where did the time go? 
       You are such a joy to be around. Our little angel baby! You are so sweet and very cuddly. You still prefer to be held but you will hang out in the swing, bouncy seat, or the baby jungle.  We have had a turning point with the car and as long as you are fed you will fall right to sleep (thank god!). And then you end up napping in the carseat for much longer.
       Sleep. Hmm. You are a cat napper anywhere between 20 minutes to an hour. Which isn't too bad because you are just so happy! Night time you nurse to sleep around 7:30 and then are up at 12:30 and 4 sometimes you will skip the 12:30 time. We have room for improvement!! 
      You found your voice and love to use it around 5:30 am. Read mommy is tired!! But it's pretty cute.  You are a rolling machine- rolling back to belly more than belly to back (the opposite of your brother). You are reaching and grabbing for toys now too.
       This month you celebrated your first christmas and New Years! Basically you slept through both :) although when daddy was dressed in his tux you found your first crush! Apparently daddy is very handsome all dressed up ;). Mommy also went back to work which has been a big transition for everyone but it's getting better.  
        Your big brother just adores you! Maybe a little too much but you tolerate his constant head rubbing, getting in your face, and trying to help you roll over. You do not like him hitting you (on accident) with toys, you makes the most awful cries when he does that.  Although you tolerate it, I think you would maybe enjoy some space sometimes.  BUT on the other hand he had your cracking up the other day being silly.
        You are still eating 7-9 times a day- exclusively breast milk and mostly nursing. Hopefully next month you will drop a feed or two... My little piggy! You are healthy and happy! The hemangioma has lightened a bit but hasn't changed in size. You are still on medication for it for at least six more months. 
       We can't wait to see what next month brings!! Hopefully time will slow down some.