Rosie's First Birthday

So, whats been going on around here since my unplanned internet hiatus? Rosie turned one. I try not to think too hard about it because it makes my brain hurt. We had a picnic party in the park with balloons, bubbles, muffins and friends. The big kids love the train passing through the station and Rosie stomped around the park like she owned it. I love that sweet little baby girl so much. I'm so happy I get to be her mommy.

♥

Sink Bath

10 things i love about sink baths:
1. easy access. i'm trying to give my kid a bath not good work out. no hunching and reaching FTW.
2. baby face.
3. watching that baby booty slip and slide on the slick sink bottom (say that three times fast).
4. baby booty.
5. watching rosie try to grab everything off the counter tops without me noticing. such an adorable fail.
6. the spray nozzle. girl gets dirty, yall.
7. baby wrinkled fingers.
8. the ease of cleaning a small space in case someone -ahem- soils the tub.
9. baby giggles.
10. the afternoon light that comes through the window and makes a simple bath look darn good.

♥

nursing round two

Last night I nursed Rosie for the last time. While I will miss the closeness that accompanies nursing and I am happy with the decision.


When Lilly stopped nursing it was abrupt and unplanned. (she got teeth and was a biter. While we took a break to -ahem- let me heal, she decided she preferred the bottle and that was that) I was very emotional about it and cried a few times. I had feelings of guilt on top of the sadness and was just an all around mess.

This time I made the decision to stop. We needed a bit more flexibility in our schedule (and Rosie needed to learn to sleep through the night- that's a whole different post) We've been working on the switch since the beginning of the month and we took our time. I savored every drop of the end. I closed my eyes, listening to hear breath and nurse. I felt her chest rise and fall against mine. I watched her little eyes close and her little fingers twiddle her lovie. It was perfect.

She is a champ with her bottle and loves the freedom it gives her. I can hardly keep her still long enough to finish. She likes to drink a little on her back then scoot over to sit on my lap and have some there. Then turn sideways and recline in my arms, then sit back up and repeat.

I'll admit I was tempted to feel guilt again but I think it came from outside pressure. There are many moms who choose to nurse for the first year and beyond and while that is great it wasn't for us. This post from Danielle was super encouraging to me and helped me beat off that annoying feeling of mompetition and the accompanied guilt and/or shame I felt from trying to compare myself to other moms.

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaanyway- moral of the story is that we are all happy and excited about our new found freedom. Time to go on some adventures!

♥

ps- I am OBSESSED with those jammies. I found them at the Habitat for Humanity thrift store. They give me hearts in my eyes.

Sisters

Rosie had her first ride on a swing this week. She grinned cautiously as a pushed her slowly. Then Lilly wanted a turn. I was a little nervous that she wouldn't be gentle enough but apparently I was the one using an inappropriate pushing speed. Rosie's grin quickly turned into a huge smile and eventually belly laughs. They already have such a special bond. It melts my heart.

ps- leg rolls.

♥

embrace the camera

Amy and I were talking yesterday about an upcoming event. We were discussing when would be the best time for said event and we came to the conclusion that this year is flying by way to fast. January is already half over. Then it February will tumble past, March will fly by, April and May will zip past and then it will be June. JUNE! Rosie will be one in June. (cue the tears)

I took these pictures during a very rare minute of down time. She is so big already. And her little personality is killer. She is the happiest, chit chattiest, busiest Rosie I've ever known. I'm trying to savor the time while watching it slip through my fingers. So bittersweet.

♥

baby food

Happy Monday! Here are some funny baby food faces for your viewing pleasure.
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Rosie's 4th month

Stats: weight 12 lbs 13oz (25%), height 24 1/4 inches (50%), head circ 16 1/4 inches (75%) so basically she is a match stick.

Mommy's thoughts: Remember when Rosie slept through the night? That didn't last. I hope think she is teething. She is drooling like crazy and generally more fussy then usual. Lilly hates the drool. She is constantly loosing it over the drool. MOMMY!! ROSIE IS GOING TO SPIT UP ON MY DRESS! Lilly, it's not spit up it's just drool and it won't hurt you. Lillian sprouted her first tooth around this time so I'm hoping that is whats up with my little angel. Because she has been less then angelic this month.

Rosie loves: Her daddy. She had been going through a mom only phase but that seems to be on it's way out. The second daddy walks in the door she is all wiggly and smiley. She really tries to get his attention and is over the moon when she gets it. I love watching my girls love their daddy and watching him love them back is even better. It is a healing balm to my daddy issue wounds.

Rosie likes: Her hands. She really enjoys grabbing at stuff like my hair (which is different from when Lilly was a baby because my hair wasn't long enough for her chubby fingers to get), Lilly's clothes (see above paragraph) etc. She also enjoys chewing on them and using them to grab at my face when she is nursing (which I kinda love).

Rosie dislikes: Being alone. She loves being the center of attention and does not like any time when that is not the case. If she can't be the center of attention then she does this almost cute whiney cry until someone picks her up. Mommy dislikes the whiney cry.

♥

Three Months Old

Little Miss. Rosie is 3 months old now and such a hoot. It is amazing how different she and Lilly are. I thought that all my kids would be basically the same as babies but BOY was I wrong. Here are some fun facts about Rosie's 3rd month of life:

• Mommy was: so glad that Rosie is sleeping through the night. For the most part anyway. She nurses between 7 and 8pm and then wakes up to nurse again around 5am. Even though she goes back to sleep I try to stay up and get my day going because I am generally better at life when I get up before my kids.
• Rosie loves: everyone. She is such a social little girl. She loves to talk and smile and blow bubbles. Lilly was a happy baby but Rosie makes it seem like she was a grouch! I'm totally not comparing them though (yes I am). She already have a special bond with her big sissy that melts my heart. Lilly loves when Rosie smiles at her. Sometimes it makes her laugh which makes Rosie laugh which makes Lilly laugh more and it is pretty much the best thing that has ever happened in the history of things.
• Rosie likes: her mobile. It is one of those with a projector and it belonged to Lillian when she was a baby. Lilly liked it and would drift off to sleep while it played a soft tune but Rosie seems to think it's a disco ball. As soon as it turns on she starts to smile and sing garbley baby songs. To Rosie mobile = instant baby party.
• Rosie dislikes: the car. This is new. Before she would fall asleep almost immediately in the car and now she just cries. To make her stop I must twist my arm like a circus performer and hold the pacifier in her mouth all while tapping it with my finger until she falls asleep. And God forbid I stop the car because then she wakes up and we have to start the process all over again. It is ridiculous. And I pretty sure I would lose my arm if I happened to be in a car accident while in that position.

PS-aren't those pictures hysterical!? I seriously can't take it.

♥

Two months old.

I'm a little behind on this post. Rosie's two month mark was a week ago. I am behind on most things these days though so whatever. Rosie was a champ at her check up. The doctor went on and on about how advanced she is and such. I feel like doctors always say that so that you like coming to their office but I enjoy hearing it all the same. In my opinion she is the smartest and cutest there ever was. (She at least ties with her big sissy.) Here are some fun facts about Rosie's second month of life:

• Mommy was- so happy the baby acne is gone. I forgot how bad it was until I looked at last months picture. Yikes. Mommy is also starting to feel herself again. I have more energy and feel like I can see a future of getting my life back together. One day. There is a light at the end of the tunnel! I see it!
• Rosie loves- Smiling! She is such a smiley girl. She smiles at anyone who will chat with her, which is another one of her favorite things. Lilly loves talking to her too and gets so excited when Rosie smiles at her. She says, "Mommy! Rosie loves me." So true.
• Rosie likes- Sleeping. She is a good sleeper. I keep thinking she should have more awake time during the day. Then she starts to get cranky and I am all "What is going on?!" then she yawns and I'm all "Ohhh!" 
• Rosie dislikes- loud noises. Girl is jumpy! For example:   Rosie was asleep on my lap  one night when we were watching the Olympics. One of the athletes totally biffed their sport and I made a "pfffttt" noise because I am totally sympathetic and Rosie just about jumped through the roof. 

I can't wait to see what happens this month.

♥

Beach Day

On Saturday we took Rosie to the beach for the first time. It was a perfect day- sunny but not to hot and breezy. Lilly played in the waves with her daddy and her auntie and uncle who are visiting from out of state. Rosie and I hung out in the shade- she snoozed and I snacked. I love living so close to the coast. Knowing that my girlies will grow up playing in the sea makes me so happy. There is nothing quite like the smell of the ocean and the feel of sand between your toes. 

♥

Baby Shower Sneak Peek

Here are a few snap shots from my baby shower. Amy took all of these with her phone. Girl has mad phone photography skills. I had such a fun time. 

♥