Double Digits

Ok...I admit it... the newborn stage is just not my favorite. In fact, it just might be my least favorite stage so far. Don't get me wrong.  I luuuuuuv my girlies to pieces, I luuuuv babies, and I'm a preschool teacher.  But my OCD really makes me go nuts-o when it is mixed with mega hormones and sleep deprivation.  There's just something different when it's your own child who is totally dependent on you for everything yet can communicate very little.  And my perfectionistic expectations must fly out the window as our (plural tense because Gabe is just like me in this) self-made predictable, scheduled routine gets thwarted by a non-predictable, non-scheduled newborn.  It just makes for two stressed out parents.

But seriously, with all that said...the sleep deprivation, mommy brain, hormone surges and plummets, and Hurricane Isaac and a simultaneous lice infestation (yes....a lice infestation) mixed in just for fun, I have just one question:

HOW in THE WORLD is my baby double digits already???  She's 10 weeks!! 

I always said I wanted to hurry the first twelve weeks by then try drastic measures to slow life down considerably so I can live in the moment and not feel that she grew out of "baby" too fast.  And I've reached that point.

I now know Brielle.  And she has turned into a predictable, happy, laid back little sweetie pie who has great sleeping habits and thus two renewed, refreshed parents and sister. My hormones are returning to normal, I'm getting sleep, and I'm back at work and our family a regular routine. Ahhh...life is good.  It's crazy and busy...but it's NORMAL.  Normalcy is what I craved when Kendall was born and again with Brielle.  I just like predictability and normalcy. It's not easy, but it's normal.

I don't think I'll get my wish of her being a baby for a while.  As easy going as her personality seems to be, she is in an all out hurry to "catch up" to her big sis.  Brielle watches Kendall's ev-e-ry move.  I can see her little gears moving as she's taking mental notes.  She's already putting weight on her legs when held in the standing position and is working on her shoulder control since she has total control of her head.  She is just so stinkin alert to everything! Watch out, Kendall! Your life will drastically change when your little sis can follow you!!

Here's Brielle on her 10 week birthday. She's wearing a Feltman dress that was mine as a baby.  Truly vintage :)

And a little lagniappe and apology to Brielle (as I stand on my soapbox):

I never in a million years thought that the general public, strangers and friends alike, would have trouble pronouncing her name.  Seriously??  We've lost count of people that have asked us either, "What's her name again??" or "What is it,  "Breele"?? I mean, everyone knows how to pronounce "Brianna". Or do they?

So in case any of my bloggies were wondering the same thing, it's pronounced "bree-elle". It's like Gabrielle just minus the "Ga".

And to my sweet Brielle, Mommy is so sorry that I unknowingly picked a (beautiful) name that would give you trouble in the future. And eighteen years from now if my name choice for you is still number one on your "Worst Things My Mamma Ever Did To Me" list then I'll wipe my brow with a big whew of relief and self-proclaim myself Super Mom of the Decade!

I love you, Briellie Bop!

Happy Two Months, Brielle!

At her check up this week, Brielle weighed in at 11 lb 9 oz and stretches out to 22.5 inches.  That's 75th percentile on both, and in our family that qualifies as a shrimp.  (Her older sister has never measured in under 95th. ever) But I lovingly refer to her as Spunky, cuz oh does this girl have spunk!

The sleep deprived side of me is thinking, oh my, it's only been eight weeks??  But of course the Mommy side of me is in total disbelief that she's already two whole months old. 

Here's a few things about Brielle at the age of two months:

She LOVES watching Kendall.  She watches every single thing she does and I swear she's making notes.  I do believe Brielle has already realized that there are things her big sis can do that she can't.

She's strong and is already putting weight on her legs when we hold her up in our lap.  She just might even walk into the church nursery tomorrow.

She loves her morning naps, but bedtime not so much.  She's a great sleeper...once she gets to sleep.  Some nights she can put up a fight.  But then when she finally gives out, she's out for the night. And for that Mommy and Daddy are eternally grateful. 

My favorite nickname for her is Briellie Bop. It came from Doodlebops, Kendall's favorite show.

Happy two months Brielle! 

Second Child Catch Up

I'm finding it to be true about the second born: they just don't get as many pictures taken as the first. I'm trying not to fall victim to this horrible injustice as a mother but it's just so tough.

So here's to the second born, a little catch up...

Sisters

I think the love is mutual.

Howdy, Birthday Cowgirl!

Kendall chose a Jessie (from Toy Story) cowgirl birthday party this year. And Mommy chose the park again as the perfect place to rope in all her friends for a throw down good time.

We dodged the weather and got her party off without a hitch before the rain came through.  We'd rather get wet from rain than sweat any day.

I tamed down the decorations and festivities this year.  I have a newborn, people. 

I did make Kendall a cowgirl skirt, though.

The littlest cowgirl of the group, though, spent the morning with a friend who will be keeping her when I go back to work.  Brielle is just too little to brave this crazy rodeo of a party.

And the cake?  Walmart.

Here's Kendall with two of her best buds, Meredyth and Timberlynn.

Time for the presents.

Seth and Meredyth were great cowhands.

Nana and Grandpa managed to get her the only Jessie present of the party.

 

 

Kendall wanted to show off her Jasmine doll for Seth.

But he was much more interested in the Woody figurine cake topper.

As evidenced here as Woody throws a stampede on poor Jasmine's head.  That's ok.  This girly princess cowgirl could stand a little roughin it up out on the range.  (And I'm referring to Kendall and not so much the doll.)

Happy 4th Birthday, Kendall!

I just can't believe my firstborn is now FOUR.  It really hurts my feelings. She's growing up way too fast.  To try to capture her at this young age I interviewed her.

What's your favorite...

color - pink and purple

toy - Jasmine doll, Barbie car

food - Mexican, tomatoes and strawberries

day of the week - Saturday because I can watch Doodlebops

video - Doodlebops (duh) and Barbie

fruit - strawberries

lunch - ham and cheese sandwich

game - Princess Memory

snack - Chees-its

animal - giraffe

book - Fancy Nancy

friends - Timberlynn, Meredyth, Isaac, Marlee, Carley, Seth

cereal - Honey Nut (??)

thing to do outside - play with my pink ball

drink - lemonade

holiday - Valentines Day so I can get a basket and give my friends Valentines

song - If You're Happy and You Know It

Bible story - David and Goliath

thing to so at school - homeliving

What do you want to be when you grow up? a teenager and work in an office

What makes you special?  From God

Where do you like to go? Target

What does the Bible say?  Love others and be kind.

What does Mommy say alot?  Time to go wash your hands.

What does Daddy say alot? Time to go get a bath.

What do you like to do with Mommy? Play games.

What do you like to do with Daddy? Play outside.



HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KENDALL!