Some photo love

I got a new photo app that I love! So I wanted to share some of my pics!

Love that they love each other!

Grabbing at toys all the time now! She loves bunny and Sophie!

She's so cute in swimwear :)

My "1st born" baby boy. Clara's "bubby"!

4 months!

My beautiful Clara,

This post is far past due as you are 4.5 months old now! You keep us very busy these days so I haven't had much blog time! So let's talk about what's new in the world of you!

Eating: Still mama's milk only! And it's doing its job--you weighed nearly 19 lbs (18 lbs 12.2 ozs to be exact!) at your 4 month appointment! You were taking 4-5 bottles of expressed milk when I was working but now that its summer it's strictly mama feeding you! 

Sleeping: So we mixed it up a little since last month. Now days we are trying to transition you to the crib. You've had a few rough nights (including the night that we had to take you on a drive at 9:30 because you would not calm down!) but it appears you are starting to get the hang of it! The doctor suggested that we start weaning you from the swaddle but we tried once and it was not fun. So we may need to go slow on that front. You still love your swing naps--and after a two week nap strike I think we may be back on track (knock on wood!) Let's hope sleep continues to improve. 

New Developments: You are so vocal these days! You make so many sounds and squeals. You also love to grab at things! You constantly grab at my hair--which hurts! But I am proud of your motor skills! You also got a new "Jenny Jump Up" and you like it a lot so far ! As you can see here:

You're not quite rolling but you're close! You are learning to sit however! But you still got a bit of a lean! 

Firsts and other Excitement: 

You went the pool for the first time ever! The water was chilly but you seemed to like it for the most part! You are an Aquarius--which is a water sign! 

You also have started sitting in a big girl high chair at restaurants! You love being able to sit up and look around :) 

 

You are such a joy overall. You are certainly strong willed and you are super curious about the world around you. We've had some days where mama feels like she'll go crazy cooped up in the house but as soon as we get out and about you are calm and love to look around! Especially now that you ride front facing in the stroller! 

I can't wait to see what this next month brings for us! I love you to the moon and back and I'd give you the moon and more!

Currently

Currently

Loving: The beautiful weather that we've been having recently. I love going on walks with Pete, Clara, and Rusty. Also, loving every day with my baby girl. She's getting so fun. Though it's getting harder to leave her for work--luckily less than 5 weeks left :)

Reading: Still trying to read Safe Haven. Though having a 3 month old seems to complicate reading. Plus, my summer semester grad school classes start soon so I will more than likely be reading boring stuff soon, bummer.

Watching: Well, my husband is watching Survivor (which he may have been watching last time I did one of these!) but it's still not my favorite show. I finished watching some of my guilty pleasure shows earlier (i.e. Teen Mom 2). 

Listening to: Right now the TV and the ocean wave white noise coming from the baby monitor. But as far as music I'm into recently I am still loving Justin Timberlake's "Mirrors". Clara loves it too! She loves watching my mouth as I sing--her big smiles light up my world! Also still loving just about every song on Taylor Swift's "Red" CD, that's my go-to on the ride to work!

Thinking About: Going to bed soon. Also daydreaming about summer and not working full time next year! I know I will still be busy between sub teaching, grad school and of course taking care of a baby, but it will be nice to not have to worry about childcare as much! I am so excited to watch Clara's continued growth too! 

This week at work has been pretty crazy. I am ready for the weekend and ready for a mental break!

A little photo montage of Miss Clara. I got an iPhone 5 and decided to check out some new photo editing apps! Having a little too much fun :)

3 months!

Clara Jane, you are officially 3 months old! According to the books I've read you are no longer considered a "newborn" and are now officially an "infant"--wow, crazy how time flies. I remember in those first few (hard) weeks how I kept thinking if we can make it to 3 months we'll be ok. And now here we are. I still can't believe you're really mine and I'm really a mother. It continues to be the most difficult but most rewarding job of my life. 

This month was full of big changes. Mommy went back to work for the last 8 weeks of school. It was sad, especially the first day and I was worried sick how you'd behave for your daddy, but it surprisingly has gone really well! I love that you get to be daddy's little lady and you seem happy to see me every day when I come home! Also, it is 8 hours a day that I get to use two hands and be around adults (well, lots of kids too, but adult co-workers!) so that is quite nice. 

Stats:
Haven't been to the doctor's office recently so not 100% sure. But I would say definitely 15 lbs. or more by now. I am getting strong arms these days! Love my chunky monkey though :) 

Starting to wear 6 month clothes! Crazy. The sleepers are a little big, but you're starting to burst out of all the 3 month clothes. Rolls are just every where--even on your wrists. You're pretty much the cutest thing ever.


Eating:
Still mama's milk only! Still an excellent eater. You're taking bottles almost every day now that mama's back at work--and you're taking them like a champ! That was my biggest fear is that you'd refuse them and be cranky all day. However, you're like your daddy and like to eat so at a certain point you take it however you can get it. 

Sleeping:
Again, don't want to jinx it but still going good! We have our nights where you wake up grunting and need to be soothed (by a pacifier or the swing) but for the most part you like your sleep! You've been going to bed a little earlier (between 8:30-9) and usually wake up anywhere from 5 (not my favorite wake-up time) to 7. You started breaking free from your swaddle so we looked up the "escape-proof swaddle" and use that now--so far so good! I know eventually you will outgrow swaddling, but your startle reflex is still so strong and you constantly wake yourself up without it, so until you're clearly too big for it we will keep doing it! 

When you're at home with daddy he swaddles you for a good mid-day nap...he says you go down for almost 3 hours sometimes! Mama still needs to work on her skills with getting you to nap. But I think you're slowly but surely setting a schedule for yourself. All in due time.

Things I love about you:
Oh, still just about everything. Since I've gone back to work I feel like I appreciate our time together so much more. As much as I love and miss you being away is nice because I have a chance to miss you and get to come home to your smile. Also, you've started to giggle! It's pretty much the cutest thing ever, and I love the sound. Your smiles and giggles make me absolutely melt. Anytime I am feeling exhausted or overwhelmed all you have to do is flash a gummy grin and I am putty in your hand!
Things you love:
You're still really loving your Fisher Price Kick N Play Gym--in fact you are now batting at the hanging toys with two hands! You also seem to like it when we make funny faces at you. Recently you've starting smiling so big when I sing to you! Today we were singing Justin Timberlake's new song "Mirrors" and you were just smilin' away. 

You're getting a little more into your "toys". I got you an aden + anais Issie Security Blanket
or "lovie" that you enjoy sucking on. We've also introduced you to Sophie the Giraffe, which you seem to like ok. Daddy has you hold your "OBall" rattle every now and then too.

I love reading you books. I know you may not get everything but you seem engaged when I'm telling you a story. You look at me and like the tone and inflection that I use. Recently I purchased the Kevin Henkes book Circle Dogs It's a book about dachshunds so of course I love it! I hope you love doxies as much as your mama!

Development:
You have started to pull your head up during tummy time without the Boppy. You are starting to babble more and more and we're still working on the whole rolling over thing. You seem to take everything in at all times. No longer do you like being held up on the shoulder--you like to be on our laps, full engaged with the environment around you. Your head control is great and you can bear weight on your chubby little legs when we stand you in our laps. Also, if I have you propped up against my legs you grab on to my fingers and try to do a little "baby crunch" which I think is your attempt to use those stomach muscles to pull yourself up. I know that's a ways off but you're getting SO strong and so alert.

Every month that goes by I fall more in love with you. I love watching your personality come out. I would say that you are a happy baby. You're like your daddy, if your belly is full and you are clean and dry you are good to go! I can't wait to spend another month together--I am also excited for our summer adventures. I bought you a swimsuit and sun bonnet today--so we are all set! Love you to the moon and back. Keep getting big and strong and I'm going to do my best to slow down and enjoy you :)

Loves of my life

Had to post a cute pic of my beautiful baby and beautiful puppy. They just make my heart overflow with love. After all the tragedy that has taken place this week I know how truly blessed I am. Love my babies so much :)

Currently

Loving: My sweet Clara Jane, my husband, and my puppy dog. Also the beautiful weather we've been having recently.

Reading: Some stuff for school (well kind of, but not really, ha!) and still trying to read Safe Haven and now browsing some of the Doula readings as well.

Watching: Husband has Survivor on, but I'm not into it. Rather be finishing Dance Moms (don't judge!)

Listening to: I currently love "Mirrors" by Justin Timberlake and "Highway Don't Care" by Tim McGraw and Taylor Swift

Thinking about: Sleep. Hoping baby girl and I both get a good night's rest. Also, hoping to have a good finish to the week and that the next 6 weeks go by fast! Ready for summer break and spending days at the pool with sweet Clara.

Looking forward to: Pool Season! Also, my best friend's wedding shower this weekend. And the weekend in general :)

Making me happy: My beautiful family. Life. Life truly is precious and after all the tragedies we read about on a daily basis I am happy to be alive and well and attempting to make the most of every day God has blessed me with.

Clara's Photo book

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