Daily dose of B

Okay so I had a whoooole blog post about our breastfeeding journey and then somehow it got deleted. Guess the world didn't want to hear about all that business :) Another day!!

I reallllly want to get back to blogging. I really miss writing down our memories and going back to look at them. Does anyone even read this anymore? haha. I'm going to try to get better at taking pictures and telling our story, but this blog needs a facelift! I am no longer teaching, have a baby, and have moved….so yeah, it needs a little changing'!

Today I just wanted to add some pictures from the other day that just made my heart so happy. Seriously every day moments AKA the dreaded Wal Mart are now so much fun. She loves sitting in the cart and it was too funny watching her squeal of happiness. So long car seat!!

And she just got a little swing play set at my parent's and was swinging away without a care in the world. Wind in the hair don't care!

Life with her is just the bomb dot com.

For those of you who DO read this…anything you want to hear? Birth story? Breatfeeding journey? Motherhood? What we've been up to? How to travel (a lot) with a baby?

Here's to hoping for more writing going down!!

Brooklyn // 7 months

Time.stop.it.now.

7 months?!

I mean that is PRACTICALLY a year old. At least closer to a year than newborn. HOLD ME!!

What a fun, crazy, month it has been!

Weight:  16 lbs 13 oz

Length: Tall enough to not need a pillow under her bouncer ;)

Hair: Her brown locks are getting thicker!

Eyes: The prettiest blue eyes I ever did see. 

Clothes: 6-9 month, an occasional 9 month, and a few 6 month that still work. 

Diapers: Size 3

Nicknames: B, Brook-trout, Baby B, pretty girl, baby girl, monkey girl (she seriously acts like one - lol), smiley-girl, …..not very exciting nickname, sorry Brooklyn!

Sleeping: Can I just laugh at this one? My 9+ hour sleep is long gone. Where oh where has she gone?

Likes: piper, jumperoo, excersaucer, eating everything, standing up, ribbons, Sophie the Giraffe, music, jumping, crawling to get what she wants, eating eating and more eating, playing with Piper, being outside, anything we have, iPhone, when people talk or sing to her, going on walks, books, baths, and a million other things I probably forget that I will add on to later ;)

Dislikes: when mom leaves the room (she freaks), doing anything for a long period of time, when she is tired or hungry…the obvious, when Piper doesn't share..haha!, laying down, getting those boogies out, strangers. Overall, she really is a very happy baby!!

Eating: She eats BM every 3ish hours, but can go longer. I try to keep it around there though! She eats solids right now a couple of times a day and we are being super casual and relaxed about it. Just giving her things here and there and letting her explore food. She LOVES food. All good, any food…LOVES it. It's so so fun.

Milestones: said MAMA (holla!), says babababa, and has said dada once or twice, CRAWLING (oh my word…busy to a whole new level, standing up, looking in and under things, more food choices, throws things for Piper, "gets" things more

Events: Another big month for B! Let's see in April we….went back home for a funeral, traveled to North Dakota, celebrated 7 month mark, and I'm sure I'll add to this once my brain comes back to me :)

Sweet girl,

What another fun month with you baby girl! You are so darn fun I can hardly stand it. You are also getting VERY busy and wearing your momma out ;) Your personality just keeps getting more apparent and I love it. You are definitely going to be a little firecracker, lol. You LOVE life and just are content doing just about anything…as long as momma doesn't leave the room. Then…all bets are out the window! It's so nice to finally be able to be outdoors more because you sure love it out there. Lots of grilling time to come in your future. Your daddy loves his little grilling buddy! So much fun to be had and I cannot imagine a day before you were born. You are truly the light of my life and make each day a special one. Thank you for allowing me to be your momma, it is the best job I've ever had. 

Love you always and forever and ever,
Momma

A new normal

Everytime I come into this space I type and type and type.

Then delete delete delete.

I seriously can't get the words out. The feelings are stuck inside. Or maybe it's because I usually only have one hand free and I am super slow with only one hand :)

The past few months of our lives have been…a little crazy, to say the least.

We moved, traveled to FL, lived hours apart, and now are finally "settled".  Yet there are still boxes upon boxes scattered throughout our little blue cottage waiting for someone to see what treasures…or junk, reside in them.

It hasn't been easy. I would be lying if I said it had been an easy transition. We are still working on it, but we are slowly getting there. Slowly but surely.

It's just starting to be a "new normal".

I have leaned on others from far away more than ever. I have prayed more than ever before. I have trusted God more than ever before.

So in reality, it probably was the best thing to happen to my….soul. I know I can't do it alone. There is just no way to do it alone and be a good..anything. So I have had to rely on God soley for the first time in my life. It's been a blessing in disguise. I have my hands up and pray He takes the wheel on this one.

He has given me friends I never thought I'd have, brought a passion to my heart that I can't stop sharing and loving, and He has whispered to trust Him every step of the way.

I am so thankful to be about to stay home with B. Gosh it just makes my heart so freaking full I can't even tell ya. It's tiring and some days really hard to not want to just fall asleep while she is playing, but I seriously wouldn't have it any other way. So thankful for that.

I am learning that I can take a dog to the groomer without killing any of us, even if it means I am panting more than she is by the time we all get to the door.

I am learning that I have to open my heart to meeting new people, whether I am scared of it or not.

So as hard as it all is…it has helped me in all of the areas that were weak before.

I know everything happens for a reason and I am seeing that unfold daily and His faithfulness never goes unnoticed.

Hopefully Minnesota decides not to have 50 ft of snow next winter. That would be great MN, thanks :)

Over and out!

Brooklyn // 6 months

Okay so I got all crazy and decided to start another private blog and it just…isn't working out too well. I can't get motivated, or maybe it's because I don't have any spare hands to type. Probably the latter :) I can't complain about that one though!

Well…once again, here I am. AMAZED that another month has gone by and our sweet girl is 6 months (what the what) old!

This month as been HUGE for little B. She has changed so much and is constantly changing. She is turning into a little firecracker. Love it!

Weight:  15 lbs 13 oz

Length: 26.5 inches (2 ft. 2 in.)

Hair: She's rocking hair still, but it is all business in the front, party in the back style

Eyes: Blue. LOVE her eyes. 

Clothes: Officially rocking 6-9 month clothing. She still fits in a lot of 6 as well.

Diapers: Size 3

Nicknames: B, Brook-trout, Brooky (not sure who called her that), Brookster, Sweet girl, Baby B

Sleeping: My baby went from sleeping through the night to….well, not. We have been crazy people moving all over the place the past two months so I think that isn't helping her cause because she wants to be with mom and dad. Lord help us!

Likes: smiling, bouncing, tags, baths, mornings, eating everything and anything, squash & sweet potatoes…food in general, plastic eggs, sitting up, being read/sang/talked to, looking at herself in the mirror, being outside, Piper, people watching, hitting things again her high chair, blowing air and spit, water bottles, pretty much everything!

Dislikes: sleeping ;), being tired, being away from mommy (hello separation anxiety), some strangers, being alone at all, not being able to eat Piper's toys, getting into her sleep sack

Eating: A week before Brooklyn turned 6 months old we tried her first baby food, sweet potatoes. SHE LOVED IT! I mean that girl can eat! So so fun to give her real food. She is messy and loves every second of it. She still eats breast milk every 3 hours in addition to the baby food. I usually feed her baby food 1-2 times a day. I don't stress too much about it as I know my milk is her main nutrition. She does love it though so it makes me excited to give it to her.

Milestones: sitting up, babbling, waving, pretend high fives, doing thing on command (bouncing) , started solids, sat in her high chair for the first time, sat in her stroller without the car seat for the first time, stayed at grandma and grandpa's for a week while mommy and daddy were away

Events: Well this month was HUGE for you sweet girl. We were living with grandma and grandma the past two months while daddy changed jobs. It was a whole lot of fun, but we are glad to have our guy back! You also moved to Minnesota. Yeah, sorry about the snow and cold! You stayed with grandma & grandpa for a week while mom and dad were away. You went to the lake with them, watched grandpa fish, went on walks, and met all of their awesome neighbors. So much more fun to come!

Sweet girl,

Thank you for making all of our dreams come true. You are a perfect combination of sweet and sassy. Especially sassy these days ;) You squeal if I leave you and want to constantly be by my side. You get so excited when you see us and it is the best! You have started to love your Piper and she is starting to get used to you. She will give you her toys and you will give them back. She has also licked your face a time or two. You make us SO happy and are SO fun to watch grow. Each day gets better and better…even if you don't let us sleep. We love you so!

Brooklyn - Four Months

Brooklyn - Four Months
It can't be….

Weight: 12 lbs 12 ounces
Height: Not sure on this one. We go back next week!
Nicknames: Baby B, Sweet girl, sassy pants, B, Baby Girl, stinky (still-haha)
Eating: She usually eats every 2.5-3 hours and is at least eating 6 ounces when we de-thaw milk in a bottle. Otherwise I have no idea how much she eats. haha. Praise the LORD we are finally weaning off of the shield. THANK YOU. It has been a little transition for both of us, but we are getting there. Moral of the story: Sista likes her FOOD. She is definitely her father's child.
Sleeping: Still stinks at naps, but she does sleep all night. I am forever and ever thankful for that. Please baby don't change that. I may or may not cry! She usually sleeps anywhere from 8:30-10 to 6 ish. Sometimes she gets all fired up and wakes up at 5:30. I can definitely tell an early bedtime is better for her because if not she is annnnngry at night. Like whoa. So I've been trying to stick with bedtime around 8:30 or 9 if possible. She still only naps on me, which isn't ideal but I do love her cuddles. Hopefully she learns to love her crib in the very near future. 

Diapers: Just switched her to size 2. 
Clothing: She wears 3-6 month clothing and has fit into a few 6 month shirts. After having a really frustrating appointment about her weight, I'm so thankful to see physically that she is growing. Grow baby grow….but not too fast :)
Social: This one gets so much more fun every month. She has changed SO much in this department. She is rolling over, giggling, talking up a storm, grabbing things and putting them into her mouth, getting really strong in her upper body, eating everything she sees, and gosh so much! She loves when anyone reads, talks, or sings to her. Loves it. It's so funny when I play country music and sing to her, she smiles from ear to ear. She also loves looking at herself in the mirror, she sure thinks she is pretty cute. I have to agree. She has just recently discovered her feet…and eating them. Mmm mmm, tasty. She always wants them up by her face though. They are her new bff. She has just started sitting in the bumbo, which she is still pretty wobbly in. I put the tray on it but don't really like how she leans all over so I don't let her stay in it long. Same with the exersaucer. She does love it for the time she is in it thought. Lastly, she likes being outdoors and will stop crying the second I go out there with her. If only it was nice enough to go on more walks! Thankful for the few days lately we were able to. I'm sure there is a million things I could say  but I'll stop :) She is just too flipping fun.

Dr. Apts: We just recently went to the doctor because she has been spitting up an abnormal amount and had a low grade fever. Come to find out she may be allergic to dairy and/or other things so we are trying to get that figured out because it is affecting her weight. I was a mess after finding all of that out but am going to try eliminating all things dairy and see how that works. Everything else seems to look good, which I am thankful for. Let's fatten you up child!

Likes: She likes eating (duh) sucking her hands, eating her feet, her play mat, being read/talked/sang to, Sophie, anything that makes noise or music, grandpa's motorboat noises, holding on to things, grabbing for her toys, kicking her little feet, sitting up (assisted), TV (somehow she always finds it), taking her binky out, baths, and I will stop there.
Dislikes: Being overtired or hungry, her car seat right after she eats, being in something for too long
Mama: I seriously just fall in love with that child every second of every day. Well, most seconds. :) She is just everything I hoped for and more. She is my little sidekick and I'm so thankful for her. I say it all the time, but it's seriously true. I cannot believe that I get to be her mom. Her mom needs to start working out though. That is a fact. I feel like I can but gosh I am TERRIFIED of losing my milk supply. Terrified. Maybe I'll be able to figure it all out. 

Daddy: Daddy is a professional cuddler and loves his little girl. She is pretty fond of him, too. Thankfully for us he is not a worry wart like me and always calms me down when I get all fired up over something. 
Milestones: Baptism - 1.25.15,  First trip to the lake and Roaring River, rolling over, giggling, lifting herself up on her arms more than usual, grabbing toys, eating her toes (does that count - ha), control of head for the most part

What we're looking forward to: Every day, the doctor saying she has gained weight, continuing to feed her with no shield, Valentine's Day, spending time with grandparents, watching her grow.

Dear Sweet Brooklyn,
4 months…really?! Gosh little miss, how I love you so. Every little inch of you. I examine your little ears, your tiny nose, your growing brown hair that likes to stick up in the back, and every other part of you while you are laying in my arms and I love it all. Every part of you is completely perfect. I hope you always remember that. You are perfect the way you are. Never let anyone tell you any different. I'm so proud of you this month and all you've been learning and discovering. Life is just way more fun with you in it. Thank you for eating with the shield, momma is extra happy about that! Your personality continues to shine and I know you are going to the a sweet, fun, sassy, and adventurous little lady. I just love watching you grow baby girl. Love it more than anything in this world. Thank you for this gift of being your mom. I will never take it for granted. Happy 4 months! Can't wait to see what each day brings :)
Love,  Your Momma

In my big tan chair

(I hope you just thought of Kenny C when you read that)

This rocking chair has gotten as much use as I could have ever imagined. 

I remember the day we were in Nebraska Furniture Mart with my mom and dad and Jeff searching for the "perfect" rocking chair for Brooklyn. I actually think my little brother was there too. Come to think of it, pretty sure it was his 21st birthday.

Anyway, I remember bee-lining (is that how you spell that? Who knows?) it straight to the baby/kid furniture. I was so excited about the dang chair. We were in and out of chairs rocking back and forth trying to imagine which one would be best in the wee hours of the night rocking and rocking, feeding, and rocking. I told Jeff the rocking chair pick was his, we needed daddy to be comfy ;) 

Pretty sure the first chair we sat in we both didn't want to get out of. Oh my lanta it was comfy. No other chair compared to that big ball of fluff. 

Sadly, we left without it. Thank goodness we couldn't get the chair out of our head and months later we ordered it online. 

Now I'm sitting in said chair rocking Brooklyn and keep thinking how even though she literally won't sleep anywhere else but right here on me, it's my favorite part of the day. I get nothing done and I always feel guilty about that, but I just love staring at her.

Her growing thick eye lashes, her hair growing over her little ear, her hand on my chest, and she is burrowed in tight. I think I've memorized it all. Trying to remember each little figure, as I know it will only be little for so long.

Maybe I should start typing more while she's sleeping. I haven't used this blogging app in forever. Maybe that'll change, maybe not. But for now I want to capture it all. Remembering these quiet moments together in her room. The room we (okay maybe more Jeff and my parents) worked so hard on to make perfect for her. The one room that relaxes me more than anything else. 

I love you Baby B, thank you for making all of my dreams come true. 

Brooklyn - 3 Months

Brooklyn - Three Months



Three months…3.5 months…whatever you want to call it :) I did type this closer to three though…I'm just now posting it. Whoopsie!
Nicknames: Sweet girl, baby girl, brook-trout (lol, from my dad and niece), Baby B
Eating: She is still eating around every 3 hours. Almost on the dot really. I'm not sure how much she drinks because I breastfeed her, but she was eating 6 ounces while we were away for Jeff's Christmas party. Whoa girl! I heard this may be too much but she screams after 4 so I'm not really sure on all of that business. She LOVES her food though. That is a FACT. Always has been. Don't mess with a girl and her food.
Sleeping: Sleep during the day is AWESOME….ONLY when she is sleeping on someone. Otherwise, no sleep. It's the weirdest thing. So therefore momma gets  nothing done but she gets snuggles for days so I'll take it. I can't complain about that. 
She does sleep all night though and I still am SO THANKFUL for that. I did hear at 4 months that will probably all change. Nooooo. She usually sleeps anywhere between (9-11) to (7-8). Our schedule is called follow Brooklyn's lead. This probably isn't the recommended schedule but it works for us. She is on a eat play sleep "schedule" though and therefore I usually always know what she wants and when she wants it. Girl is getting some sass in her these days trying to tell us what she wants. Too funny!

Diapers: Size 1 diapers - pamper swaddlers. About to switch her to 2 in the near future.
Clothing: She has been wearing 0-3 and 3 month up until now. She has outgrown 0-3 almost has outgrown 3M. On to the 3-6 month we go!
Social: Gosh this one just keeps getting more and more fun! She is really starting to show her sass and personality these days. She lets us know with a high pitched squeal if she doesn't want to sit somewhere for too long or just isn't happy in general. She would much rather be held and sitting up rather than laying down chilling like her newborn self used to. She loves to explore and I just cannot get enough of all that she is taking it. She particularly likes when people talk to her and talks back like she knows what the heck you are saying. I cannot believe some day they will be real words! She is getting so much stronger and can hold her head up, ROLLED OVER (that I caught while snap chatting a friend), and getting better at grabbing toys. When she locks eyes she is focused!

Likes: She likes talking, smiling, laughing (SO fun), cooing, motor boating, spit bubbles, kicking her feet 110mph, grabbing toys on her play mat, looking at herself in the mirror, being read to and sang to, Sophie the giraffe, LOVES baths, her vitamins, sitting up (assisted), looking all around (especially trying to find the TV).
Dislikes: Being overtired or hungry, being in one spot for too long, laying sideways or laying down in general, naps, loud sudden noises. 

What we're looking forward to: Every single day we get to spend with our sweet girl! Her baptism and many more exciting things coming up!

Dear Sweet Brooklyn,
Oh Brooklyn, so many words…so little time. I think I say the same thing every month, but they are always so true. I can't help but love you more and more each day. You are developing quite the personality little lady! Your smiles melt my heart and your laughs are the best thing I've ever heard. You think a lot of things are pretty hilarious! You are starting to get a mind of your own and tell us a lllll about it. Too funny! I can tell you will give us a run for our money and I.can't.wait. Each day is better with you in it and I will continually to thank God for you all of the days of my life. You are the best blessing and I can't even imagine what life was like before you. YOU are the light of our life. The pep in our step. Thank you for being my greatest little love. I pray you always know just how much you mean to us and never forget it! Happy 3 months baby girl!
Love,  Your Momma

Christmas 2014

Brooklyn's First Christmas is now in the books!

I've always loved Christmas, but having her took it to a whole other level of awesomeness. It was so special to share such a wonderful holiday with my baby girl.

We actually got to spend two weeks at home with my mom and dad while Jeff was away for work. Those were two very, very special weeks that I will hold near and dear to my heart. Seeing them with Brooklyn melts me. They love her maaaaybe more than me. (They totally do.)

Of course I started this post right after Christmas and here I am in January "attempting" to finish it. We shall see if I succeed.

How I'm writing looks a little like this:

-Non-washed hair and same clothes from yesterday
-Dog on my legs
-Rocking Brooklyn
-Typing with my only free hand 

Girl  doesn't nap on anything but me so this is about as productive as I get! I can't complain about all of the snuggles though. Even though I don't get a "nap" break, they are actually my favorite part of the day. Sleeping babies = heavenly.

Oh yeah, I was posting about Christmas….

On Christmas Eve we went to Jeff's mom's house and enjoyed a little Christmas time with his brother and kiddos. We also went to a little prayer service as a family which was so neat to do and really captured the true meaning of Christmas.

It ended up taking an hour longer than planned & B was 45 min. past her feeding time. Insert terrified mom here. As we were praying she started wiggling all over and I just knew she would start screaming during the very silent & peaceful prayer. Praise God she kept her cool and made it back just in time to feed hungry girl.

We always spent Christmas Eve with Jeff's family and Christmas day with mine so after the prayer, food, and presents….we headed to my hometown and got ready for Santa.

Jeff brought down Brooklyn's toys and it made me giddy to think of when she will actually be waking up to them with excitement and awe. Obviously she had no clue what was going on, but it was too fun for us!

She also woke up to a very special present from Grandpa Santa. Santa is real folks ;)

I couldn't believe he got that one past me. So excited for her to use her chair and always think back to her first Christmas. My favorite gifts of all!

The rest was spent at my grandma and grandpa's and my cousin's for our big family Christmas. I also stillllll lost the cookie contest and there were only three people. #notcreative

I've said it a million times but this Christmas was so special and I know it will only get better.



Cheers to that and a new year!!