Blakely Gray - 7 Months Old

My little Blaker babe. She is so much fun! Seven months old and just a chunky bundle of love. She is the sweetest love nugget and I can't get enough. She has two bottom teeth and continues to be in pain due to more teeth on their way. So sad to see her so uncomfortable about it. I tried the amber teething necklace and I did like it! But our pediatrician was very against us putting her to bed (nap time or night time) with it on and it's such a pain to take that thing off and on 5 times a day. LOL So we haven't been using it. I do feel like the teething tabs help and just want to offer her some comfort.

She's SOOO close to crawling. Figured out how to push back onto her knees but can't figure out how to go forward. She kind of moves in a circle on her knees and rocks back and forth. It's adorable but OMG I'm not ready for my bitty baby to be crawling! Time, please slow down!

She is a smiley, happy little baby who thinks Ryder is just hilarious. She is always laughing at him and watching him play. He's very entertaining. ;) When we're in the car, she just stares at him. Gazing into his eyes. LOL (Her carseat faces back and his forward, so they can look at each other.) I love watching them together and can't wait to see them play (and fight, too). She is sleeping through the night with no problems and loves being in her bed for nap time. She has a hard time sleeping on the go because she's way too interested in everything else going on to fall asleep!

She loves Lincoln and hits him on the back and pokes him in the face pets him gently. ;) She does NOT like it when he wags his tail in her face though. Ha! She loves his fluffy tail (when it's not in her face) and thinks it's a toy. And you guessed it, he just sits there and lets her eat his tail!!! (Dog tails are clean, right?!?) Sometimes they lay next to each other on the floor and it looks like they're cuddling. It's so freaking cute. Lincoln never did this with Ryder. (Probably because I was SO overprotective and got mad if he went anywhere near the baby - HA!)

She is so chubby and delicious. Her chunky thighs make me SO HAPPY and those cheeks. UGH. The best. She makes puckered duck lips when she's focused (just like Ryder did/does) and it melts me. She is great at nursing and never complains if we switch it up (giving her a bottle and/or formula).

She kind of prefers me and gets sad if I leave the room when she wants me to hold her. (Which isn't too often, she's great at hanging out on the floor and playing with her toys. Seriously the best baby EVER!) Actually, BOTH babies prefer me right now and I kind of dig it. LOL Ryder went through a MAJORRRR daddy obsessed phase for the longest time. He'd see us and run right past me to go jump into daddy's arms. Kinda broke my heart. He'd cry if I was carrying him instead of daddy. Again, breaking mommy's heart! But of course now he prefers me (because he's jealous of me holding Blake) and will say "mommy put Blakely on ground and play with tools!" Little stinker! ;) It makes it very difficult for me when he demands being carried or held while I'm feeding Blake, carrying Blake, getting carseats, strollers, etc with him screaming for me. So it's exhausting and wonderful all at the same time. I realize that soon enough he won't want to be carried. And he won't hold my hand. We'll go somewhere new and instead of holding back and standing RIGHT next to me, he'll run ahead without fear or hesitation, never looking back to make sure I'm there. And so I'm going to soak it all up while I can!!

Blakers loves her binkys, rattle toys and her flamingo. I seriously can't get enough of her and wish she'd stay this perfect sweet little baby forever. At the same time, watching her grow and learn and change is wonderful. I sometimes just sit and stare at both my babies and can't believe they're mine. That I made them. And I'm so grateful to God for each and every day I get to be their mommy.

I made the mistake of taking these pictures before nap time. She wasn't into her glamour shots and I couldn't get a good smile out of her! ;-) I would have tortured her (and my hubby) and tried to re take these pics but we've been so crazy over here! SO busy with family in town, kids schedules, trips and now being kicked out of our house for three weeks while all of our windows are replaced (due to severe hail damage). NOT FUN!!!

            

Blakely Gray - 2 months

This little cutie has stolen all of our hearts over here. Lincoln is very protective. He likes to be very near her and barks at any little noise! Annoying LOL but cute. He always sits right next to her when she's in her swing and it prevents the swing from swinging ha! Such a good guard dog ;) If she ever cries and I'm not right by her, he comes over to me all concerned like "are you gonna go get her, mom?!". Ryder is also concerned about her when she's upset. Always trying to rock her in her rocker chair and giving her the binki.

Somehow she keeps getting cuter and those cheeks keep getting chubbier. I just love it! She's starting to smile back at us and it just makes my heart so happy! She's still a great little eater and sleeper. Giving me at least 6 hours at night. Now if only I could also be sleeping during those hours!! She does great in her bassinet next to our bed and loves being hummed to. Her hair is getting longer and I can tuck it behind her little ears now which is SO cute! :) Her lashes are getting longer and her eyes are still changing. Sometimes they look gray and other times dark blue or green. She's already grown out of some of her 3 month old pj's, reminding me that she's growing too fast! She's pretty chill and loves to cuddle - which I am really enjoying. Whenever I put her in any type of carrier on my chest, she's so calm and cozy and falls right to sleep. I love it!

At night after Ryder goes to bed I just lay with her on the couch and stare at her. Watching her breathe and make cute little faces in her sleep. Just the sweetest! Sometimes I'm so overwhelmed with love for her I worry I'm gonna squeeze her too tight and hurt her! LOL At her 2 month appointment she weighted in at 11 pounds, 3 ounces and was almost 23 inches long! She loves her binki (just like Ryder did - does!) and brings our family so much joy!

We love you baby girl!!!

                                               

Fears of Having Two

Becoming a new mom changes everything. You have no idea what you’re in for. It just happens. When I had Ryder I was amazed at how much I loved him... Instantly! It’s a love that I cannot explain. But I also had no idea that I would ever struggle as much as I did with anxiety after Ryder was born. It was pretty bad for about 5 months. There are so many pressures to being a new mom. So many fears. I was so worried every decision I made wasn’t going to be PERFECT. I had a lot to learn as a new mom! We were trying to figure out what our family of four meant and that was a struggle for all of us. Trying to find a balance with our new baby was difficult.

And now I’m having a daughter at the end of July. So, I will have a toddler AND a newborn to love and care for and worry about! I want this to be a good experience for Ryder, so I’ve been reading up on how to make this a smooth transition (well, as smooth as possible!).

I read on a parenting site that it’s a good idea to let your oldest (toddler) come visit in the hospital. Let him visit, get hugs, chat, etc., before even seeing or holding the baby. The author suggested that you put the newborn in the nursery at hospital right before your toddler comes to visit. This way, the focus is on the toddler. Once you chat and get some time alone with the toddler, then the dad and the toddler go together to the nursery to get the new baby. Let the toddler see the baby and help push the baby’s bassinet to the room. If the toddler walks into a room where the mom or dad is already holding the infant, it makes the toddler feel overwhelmed and concerned like, “why is that baby in my mommy’s arms?! She’s mine!” It makes sense that it could be scary and confusing for a toddler. LOL

We are planning to do this. We’ll let Ryder sit on the bed with me and he can hold the baby before he even sees Tim and me snuggled up with our new baby girl. The author said this gives the toddler an idea of how to be helpful, ownership in their new sibling and a sense of, “I’m ok. I’m not replaced.” I’m sure there is no way around having some feelings about not being the center of the universe. I know it won’t always be smooth and perfect. We’ll have to take one day at a time. And I would SO love any advice you have about how to help create a close bond between your babies from the beginning?

I’m sad I won’t get as much alone time with Ryder and I’m also sad I won’t get anywhere NEAR as much alone time with our baby girl as I did with Ryder. Duh. The thought of not being able to just lay on the couch in pj’s snuggling her all day (like I was able to do with Ryder for the first month or so) sometimes breaks my heart. I’m hoping I can learn to balance how to squeeze in a LOT of snuggles with both my babies.

I am wondering how I am going to feel the second time around. I do feel better about the fact that I’ll have more confidence. I think I’ll worry a little less. You have to, right?! I am concerned about being able to balance Ryder and a newborn. I know it will take a while for him to adjust. He doesn’t get what’s going on and BAM his world will be rocked. I want him to always feel loved and cared for. I still want to have the energy and time to play with him. And I’ve gotta say, I’m so worried that I won’t!

Nursing the baby is one area where I’m just wondering how I’ll have time to do that and take care of Ryder. Newborns eat around the clock and I really want to breast feed again. It was a great experience with Ryder (once I got the hang of it!) and I’m so glad I was able to nurse him. I don’t know how I’m going to be able to feed almost 24-7 while also taking care of a demanding toddler? Anyone out there have any tips?! I don’t know why, but this is my biggest fear!

 This kid is such a goofball and gets so upset the second the fun is over. He loves rough housing and being thrown across the room onto the bed or couch. He's getting harder and harder for me to carry these days... Let alone wrestle with! How am I going to explain to my barely 2-year-old that Mommy can't play rough after my c-section?!

Baby girl is coming, and SOON! I’m hoping to make the transition (for everyone!) as smooth as possible. I’d love your advice on what worked for your growing families! As nervous as I am about the changes ahead... We can't wait to meet this little girl!! 4 more weeks! Eek! :)

            

Baby Shower

This past weekend my mom and best friend, Kristin, threw me a baby shower. We decided to do a co-ed shower this time around. I was worried the weather was going to ruin our shower out on the patio (the rain in CO has been insane!) but we lucked out. It was the most beautiful day!

Friends and family stopped by and brought us gifts to celebrate our baby girl coming in July. It’s always fun to have an excuse to see all your loved ones. And I also love when my friends get to meet each other and connect!

It’s safe to say that this baby girl of ours is already so loved! We had a blast seeing friends and are overly grateful for everyone taking time out of their weekend to come celebrate with us! Thank you again to all our friends!

My bestie - K.Lo

Pretty sure Ryder thought this party was for him LOL! He had a blasty collecting swords straws.

31 week bump :)

Kiki and Ryder

This kid was not about to pose for pics with us. But his cute loafers made up for it ;) So cute!

So thankful for this hubby of mine. I know I've said it 1,000 times, but we really can't wait to meet our baby girl!