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!