Growin' Like a Weed: Taylor - 4 Months

Height: 23.5" (25%)

Weight: 13.5 lbs (25%)

Likes: Sitting up!  Yes, she can do so independently! It is only for brief seconds but she's constantly engaging her core and pulling herself to a seated posture! Taylor also tried banana and watermelon (itty bitty pieces) and LOVED them!  Taylor likes to have her face tickled with Mommy or Sister's hair while we "nibble" on her belly.  And she loves being close to Mom in my arms or in the Moby Wrap.

Dislikes: Still bed time most nights.  It's getting better but I haven't found a good awake time for her at this last stretch of the day.  She also dislikes being put down for the first 30 seconds.  Haha then she's fine.  Taylor doesn't seem to care for being in a car seat, exersaucer, or stroller for more than 20 minutes, she starts to get cranky.  

Sleeping: 40 minute to 1.5 hour naps, 4-5 times a day and then 5-9 hour stretches at night (it varies) and only waking once at night to nurse.  She always wakes up happy, it's amazing and precious!  If she doesn't wake up happy from a nap, I know she's still tired.  Her nap time routine is short and sweet, and I love love love how well she goes down to rest.  

Eating: Roughly every 3 hours.  Still not taking a bottle, but like I said, we haven't really tried, but we need to! I have a TON of milk stored!  She's gaining a lot of weight and squishy so I'd say all is well!  She tried banana and watermelon, but I don't plan to start her on solids.  She's sooooo squishyyyyyy!  She only nurses for 5ish minutes each session and only from one side most times. No clue how she's so chubby!  She's not good at nursing when Sister is being a distraction so I try to keep Brooke out of the room. 

Playing: Surprisingly doesn't hate tummy time but still hasn't rolled over.  She's trying more back to tummy than tummy to back.  She'll play with anything but only for a short amount of time.  She really likes being outside, which is great because we're outside a lot and doesn't seem to mind sand, grass or water!  She's easy going and full of smiles! Chick loves to "talk" and "sing".  I guess she hears big sister and I gabbing all day and is trying to keep up!

Big Sister: Brooke is FINALLY getting that Taylor is her little sister! haha I know that sounds silly but she plays with her, talks to her, and includes her in conversations (i.e. We can all go to the park together Mommy!  Me and Mommy and Daddy and Tayur!)  Or if someone holds her she adamantly states "you cannot take her home, she's our baby!"  haha  She's still not always kind or gentle but she's getting better.  The occasional, but intentional kick, squeeze, push, and mean face sneaky their way in daily.  Brooke is a smart little one and can really test my patience some days.   Things like "Mommy I don't want to listen to you, and  "I don't understand... (with an Cheshire cat grin) are among my "favorite" expressions.  Gotta love em! 

Growin' Like a Weed: Taylor - 3 Months

Height: 23" (%)

Weight: 12 lbs (%)

Likes: Taylor really likes chatting with Mommy! She lights up when we spend time together talking and singing together, it's precious!  Taylor seems to like pretty much everything (except when she gets over tired).  Oh, she doesn't like bottles, but we haven't tried too hard.  I have a quarter of our deep freezer in the garage FILLED with milk, chick best drink up so Momma can go out for longer than 3 hours.  She also really likes batting and grabbing toys with rings and links and gnawing on her hands.  

Dislikes: She's getting better with bed time but still not a huge fan some days. When she's overtired and hungry it's a terrible combination.  Taylor doesn't like loud noises aka big sis distracting her when she's trying to nurse. Other than that, she barely cries or fusses! It's a blessing! Oh yes, and if she is cranky... we've learned to simply lay her down on her activity mat and give the gal some alone time.  haha Brooke was the same way! 

Sleeping: No swaddling anymore!!! She's easy peasy!  We don't have an elaborate nap/bed routine like we do for Brooke, and it's great! Once again, if she's over tired, it's a fight, but if she's just a little sleepy, she's down and out in a matter of minutes! She likes to lay on her side with her face smushed in your arm or a blanket.  She also loves sleeping on, or with Mommy in bed! Yeah yeah yeah, I know it's a no no, but if she wakes at 4 or 5 am and won't go back to sleep in her crib, she's my bed buddy, and it's the best feeling in the world!!! Naps... haha some days 3 some days 5. She loves being inconsistent! She goes to bed at different times (always before 8) and wakes up anytime between 6:30 and 8 each day. 

Eating: Roughly every 3 hours.  Still not taking a bottle, but like I said, we haven't really tried, but we need to! I have a TON of milk stored!  She's gaining a lot of weight and squishy so I'd say all is well!  She wakes 1 to 2 times at night to nurse and drifts right back off to sleep (most of the time).  

Playing: Hmm this month I'd say she's all about her little rings/links and standing/sitting.  She's super strong and really enjoys when music is on.  It's adorable to hear her "talk". I'm terrible with doing tummy time, because I don't want to clean up spit up, but she doesn't seem to mind it that much.  She still has yet to roll over independently. She loves watching big sis and seeing what all she's doing!  

Big Sister: Brooke HATES it when Taylor cries.  Like the look on her face is sheer stress (much like me) hahahaha I wish I could give her ear plugs so she wouldn't have to hear Taylor's ear piercing screams (though they're few and far between).  Brooke loves jumping in Taylor's crib when she wakes up for her nap and also got to take her first bath with Little Sister.  She did REALLY well and it seems like she had a great time taking care of her.  Taylor isn't "her baby".  She doesn't have a possessive maternal instinct right now at all.  Brooke is doing really good at playing by herself when I need to put Taylor down for a nap but still gets fussy and clingy every so often.  The biggest blessing is having her potty trained and independent.  Man. Sanity saver indeed.  Super proud of her! 

Growin' Like a Weed: Taylor - 2 Months

Height:22.25" (24%)

Weight: 11 lbs (22%)

Likes: Little Miss really likes being on her back playing on her activity mat.  There's a stuffed elephant with two rings on it that she bats at.  Chick will lay there and kick/wiggle for a long time without fussing!  So far she likes to NOT have a schedule! haha She nurses at different times each day, wakes up at different times, naps at different times... UGH! For this control freak of a momma, it's been "fun" letting go and seeing what works best for our little ladies! 

Dislikes: Still bedtime.  She still fusses and randomly nurses every 30 minutes or so until she finally conks out. It's really the ONLY time of the day or night she fusses but Taylor is REALLY loud!  I guess it's just frustrating because we want to know how we can make that time sweet and calm and peaceful, and we can't!  I say her prayers over her at night and she's in my arms wailing! haha Taylor also dislikes loud noises.  Yes, mainly BROOKE! haha Brooke is SUPER loud and does this annoying little high pitched voice and it drives me, Charles and Taylor crazy! haha it's sad but Taylor cries every other time Brooke gets close to her :( Hopefully big sis will learn how to be gentle soon! 

Sleeping: Well!  She doesn't fight her swaddle much any more, since we're using our one and only Miracle Swaddle blanket.  You can tell she doesn't want to be swaddled, but she sleeps so well, so we're stayin' with it.  Anywhere from 45 minutes to 1.5 hours awake time during the day then same amount of her nap.  She takes anywhere from 3-5 naps a day and sleeps 12 hours at night.  She is so inconsistent on when she wakes up it's not even funny. It's frustrating! haha but once again, she's sleeping WORLDS better than Brooke did, so I'm not complaining!  

Eating: No more huge spit up episodes! Yay God!  Just your average excess every now and then.  Taylor seems to be nursing really well and gaining A LOT of weight!  She has recently started nursing every 3 hours during the day and that's REALLY great! She still won't take a bottle, but I haven't had Charles try, and I'm not really trying either.  I am pumping more now.  It's fun to see the little bags start filling up in the deep freezer! Also another trait like Brooke... if she's not hungry, she doesn't want to eat! Not comfort nursers here! 

Playing: Taylor loves looking at us and smiling! It's so cute to see her try to laugh.  She's also starting to coo and talk! Her favorite places are the changing table, activity mat, rainforest bouncy seat and your arms or legs with her looking at you.  She's becoming more alive and filled with a precious personality every day and I LOVE IT! 

Big Sister: Hmmm this month is all about noise and personal space.  Brooke is LOUD and Taylor doesn't like it and Brooke is ALL UP IN HER BUSINESS and Taylor doesn't like it! I hope Taylor gets used to it or I hope Brooke chills out.  It breaks my heart to keep telling Brooke to calm down or step back.  I don't want her to NOT be a child, just not be an annoying one to her sister! haha Brooke is REALLY good at playing by herself when I'm putting Taylor down for a nap.  Chick plops down on Big Teddy and starts "reading" books.  When I get back she'll have a stack of 10 books that she's read and a lot of times she's even gone potty by herself.  She's independent and I love it!  The draw back of her being at home with me is starting to show. I'm not sure if it's her age or if it is being at home more, but she does not like to play with other kids.  We really need to enroll her in preschool and snap her out of that.  

Growin' Like a Weed: Taylor - 1 Month

Height: 21" (23.5%)

Weight: 8lbs 9oz (38.7%)

Likes: Just like big sister at this age, Taylor really likes being held and moving. You can't lay this chick down at all, okay maybe 5 minutes on her back without her spitting up or fussing.  Oh, and try to leave the room when she's awake... not gonna happen! Taylor seems to like the car seat, and baths a lot better than Brooke at this age too. 

Dislikes: Not being held, big sister squeezing her face with crazy tight hugs and always having her head rubbed violently (I can't even count how many times a day I tell Brooke that her head and face is off limits!). Oh yes, and bedtime.  Taylor won't go to sleep at a set "bedtime".  She'll fuss, nurse, fuss, scream, sleep, set her down, wake up, scream, want to nurse, all in the matter of an hour.  And nursing at night... yeah, she totally forgets how to eat.  Like can't suck to save her life.  It's annoying. 

Sleeping: Naps a lot better than big sister did!  She likes to be around us and moving when she's sleeping so our fisher price soothing motions old school glider seems to work well.  And this little princess must be on a soft, warm blanket... NOT swaddled.  Ohhh she hates being swaddled and will grunt and wiggle until she gets her arms free.  Mittens, I mean socks, are a must.  I'm glad she's not swaddled, but not being swaddled has it's own list of annoyances.  Her crazy mitten hands can bat her paci clear across her swing!  At night, the longest stretch has been from 8-1 (5 hours) and that doesn't happen much. 

Eating: She's gaining weight like a champ!  Though she spits up a ton :(  Brooke didn't spit up... at all.  I swear I go through 5 burp cloths a day with Taylor.  I don't feel like I have an over supply, but I guess I do?  I can't lay her on her back after she nurses, or else she'll spew so trying to do anything (change a diaper, play, etc.) is almost impossible.  Then when I can put her down, it's time for nap time so she barely plays by herself.  I hope her little stomach outgrows this phase quickly.   The doctor is pretty positive it's not reflux. 

Playing: Eh.  She likes her activity mat, when I can put her down on it, but it's inevitable she's going to spit up on it. She's really good at batting at the toys, though not intentional movements, I know.  She coos and has fun looking at herself in the mirror.  Big sister is so sweet and really likes to help her "play".  I hope she becomes more playful soon!

Big Sister: Let me just say it's definitely been harder adjusting from 1 to 2 kids than having 1 kid.  I know that sounds crazy, but I really can't believe how easy the newborn phase was now looking back on it.  Juggling 2 kids from 7am - 5:30pm is no joke.  Props to all moms out there.  especially the ones that get out of their pajamas and actually do the things you pin on pinterest.  I am super productive somedays, others... Lord help me! Brooke really loves Taylor and talks about her all the time.  The cutest things are when she gets excited about doing things together and thinks that Taylor will be a big girl like her... tomorrow! haha Bless her little heart!  She gets jealous, a lot, and it shows with temper tantrums and acting out, and saying funny thinks like "I cannot want to do _____, Mommy!"  Oh yes, and the ever lovely "drop Taylor, Mommy"... i.e. please set Taylor down and come play with me.  Gotta love that girl! I'm SOOOOOOO impressed Brooke's sleeping and potty training didn't revert at all.  She's actually napping better and is fully potty trained (except for naps and bedtime). She wouldn't poop for the longest time in the potty but we mastered that together! 

Pregnancy - 26 Weeks... Eek, First Update!

haha SO yes.  I'll agree...  2nd time around is a lot less "fun".  No, I haven't had a horrible pregnancy, very easy, just like with Brooke.  Chasing a toddler (23 month old) and trying to do anything fun and extra in regards to a new babe is close to impossible!  Plus, I haven't really had anything EARTH SHAKING to share on this ol' blog.  I'm doing my best to keep up with weekly pictures because I think it's fun to compare.  Also, it's hard to find unique questions for the 2nd go round, so I made up some of my own! Enjoy!

How far along? 26 Weeks & 5 days (I know, I hate I'm not doing it on the "exact" start of a new week this time around)

Total weight gain/loss: ehhh, errr, I'm trying not to think about that! I did do ZUMBA 3 times a week when I was pregnant with Brooke, I'm lucky to get a short work out in 2-3 times a week now. I like these. 

Maternity clothes?  Some.  I'm all about not spending much money, I some of my clothes are maternity hand-me-downs, but most are just stretchy clothes.

Stretch marks? Nope, bless you sweet child, bless you! 

Sleep: HA.  Ever since Brooke was born, I STINK AT SLEEPING!  

Best moment this week: MY 23 MONTH OLD IS BASICALLY POTTY TRAINED!!! Yep, dry days in REAL undies with a diaper worn at nap and night time.  I'm pretty happy, if you can't tell :) 

Miss Anything? The freedom to go out whenever I want and have a quick and successful shopping trip.  For real, I love Brooke but it was a heck of a lot easier to get in and out of a lot of stores in a short amount of time before she joined me as my partner in crime :) 

Movement: Yes, she's a wiggler! 

Food cravings: No, I haven't really had any this time around either. 

Anything making you queasy or sick: Not at all. 

Have you started to show yet: Yes, a lot higher than I was with Brooke, which makes me look like a blob.

Gender: Another sweet lil lady, Taylor Grace!

Labor Signs:  None. 

Belly Button in or out? Still in!  It's getting flatter though. 

Wedding rings on or off?  Still on, but getting tighter. 

Happy or Moody most of the time: This all depends on Brooke's temperament... I know, terrible.  haha If she's easy going and doesn't fuss, I'm good.  If she's fussy all day... I just want to be a lonely grump after she goes to bed. 

Looking forward to: Getting the girls rooms decorated and situated. Praying the transition from a crib to a twin bed is easy for Brooke! 

You Make Beautiful Things: Here We Grow Again

Sounds Like Life To Me: Miscarriage #2

Yep.  January 24th I had a positive pregnancy test.  Ever since Brooke was born we hadn't "prevented" getting pregnant, but nothing was happening. Yes, I nursed her until she was 13 months old but everything seemed to be working correctly.  haha anyways, long story short, I had a positive pregnancy test, found out according to my calculations I was 5-6 weeks along and we were not really excited.

With my first pregnancy, blighted ovum/miscarriage it has really jaded me and taken most of the joy out of seeing a positive pregnancy test.  I ALWAYS consider it false.  Well, the whole time I was pregnant with Brooke, I checked to see if I was bleeding each time I went to the bathroom.  It wasn't until she was in my arms that I believed I actually was with child.

So a few days went on and Monday, February 3rd rolled around and I started spotting.  I went to the Dr. they did a pregnancy test, congratulated me because it was positive and sent me home with a big packet of information.  Little did I know I would be back in the doctors office EVERYDAY that week with one thing or another.  I started BLEEDING Tuesday, and it continued and is still with me.  I was an exhausted human pin cushion who was being poked and prodded and I still didn't feel sad like last time.  I'm not sure what it was.  Oh yes, and I  had a strep like virus that required antibiotics and a reoccurring fever over 101.  It was a tough week.

I guess the word I keep thinking is "frustrated." I was frustrated with God because everyone else is having more kids, and I want more kids, though I can barely handle the one I have some days, frustrated that my body tricked me AGAIN that it was pregnant and it really wasn't.  Frustrated at the time I spent going back and forth to the doctor.  Frustrated that I slept poorly and was always cold.  Frustrated that I had to tote my child with me to doctors visits.  Frustrated that I wasn't going to be able to "spend time" with my husband until the pregnancy left my body.  Frustrated that I was now going to have my paperwork say "3 pregnancies and 1 birth".  Frustrated that I was sick and having a miscarriage and that my daughter wouldn't let me rest and life wouldn't stand still and laundry wouldn't clean itself and dinner wasn't always good or even ready on time.  It was just a terrible, horrible, no good very bad week!

All that to say,  I was frustrated but it was all silly, worthless things to be frustrated at and I got over it all very quickly.  I wish I could say it was because the Holy Spirit got a hold of me and reminded me that God is in control and that everything was going to be okay.  Yes, that was part of it.  The other part was looking down, holding, laughing at, and looking in the mirror at my mini-me, Brooke.  Yep, I remember, I had a miscarriage once, then I had a flawless pregnancy and labor and now a child.  Life goes on.  Also, the statistics of the amount of women who have miscarriages is still shocking to me.  So I deem it as "normal" now for me.  So I can get over it and get on with life easier.

One song that I heard that really spoke to me after an appointment was this, Worn, by Tenth Avenue North.
Tenth Avenue North - Worn (Official Music Video) from tenth-avenue-north on GodTube.

Charles asked me one time, "Kim, when do you feel God.  I responded quickly because I knew the answer so tenderly... "when I hold Brooke."  We normally lay Brooke down at night and let her fuss until she falls asleep.  But some days, some nights, I just hold her.  She's all worked up but suddenly melts into my arms and chest and is silent, and still.  She is peaceful in my arms and she knows she can rest in my protection.  One night last week I did just that.  Selfishly, I needed to feel God.  I needed His warmth around me, I needed his peace and simplicity to cover all of my frustration and sadness and heal me.  So I entered Brooke's room as she was fussing herself to sleep, picked her up and sunk deep into God's love.  The image I have is God holding me, just has I held my child.  He is my peace, my comfort and my place I go to when life's just too much.  He reminds me to be still.

So that's the update on our life right now.  We pray with open arms and hearts.  I write posts like this for me.  I need them.  They help me with closure and healing.  We are surrendering our wills and laying down our desires and seeking God's will to be done in our lives.