Baylor Jace-6 months

My sweet, precious, tiny little man is 6 months old. Baylor Jace you are an absolute angel.  You melt this momma's heart and I can't even begin to express just how much joy you add to our family. You are just the happiest little guy ever...unless you are hungry or tired, you are constantly smiling. Your entire face just lights up when you smile and your little laugh can brighten anyone's day.

You are still an itty bitty little thing, barely 10 pounds. You eat every 3.5 hours and are taking about 5 ounces at each feeding. I am still pumping and giving bottles which is taking a toll on this mama...I am so tired of my pump. The whole feeding routine is just exhausting.  I don't think I will make it as long as I did with my others...I will take it month by month, but the pump is kicking my butt. I know deep down breast milk is best, but I also know I have to keep my sanity and still be available to my other little ones as well.

 I think you are totally ready for solids, but the doctor wants you to grow a little more and master sitting up before we introduce you to real foods.

We just recently transitioned you into your own room (bye bye bathroom) and into the crib. You spent about 5 months in the rock and play (swaddled) so you were ready for your bed. You sleep on your belly with a pacifier.  You are by no means sleeping through the night. You wake up pretty much every three hours to eat.  I am thankful that you are nursing well at night, so I don't have to pump and do bottles in the middle of the night.

You are in a size 2 diaper and can wear anything from newborn to 6 months. I have yet to put a pair of shoes on you, so I don't even know your foot size!  You are not sitting up yet, and that is a milestone I am hoping you achieve soon.  You love to sit in your bouncy, your sit-me-up lion and your swing. I don't wear you as much as I use to because my back can't handle it.  You do love to be on my hip though.  Honestly, I hold you a ton and we spend a lot of the day snuggling!  You are still just so tiny that I can easily cradle hold you and you are just content to be held.

You take two, sometimes three naps a day.  Usually from about 9:30-11:30 and then again from 2-4 and sometimes you will cat nap from about 6-6:30.  You do a bottle around 8:30 and are down for bed following that feeding.

You love your brother and sister and they can entertain the heck out of you.  Aubrey can get huge smiles from you and you even do some belly laughing when we tickle you.  I know without a doubt that you are adored by your siblings and they are genuinely head over heals for you.

You are such a laid back baby and so sweet. I can take you anywhere and you will just chill.  I love that you are so easy and content...makes things so much easier for this busy mama.

You are just our sunshine, Baylor Jace.  We are so in love with you and are so thankful for how far you have come.  I know it sounds strange, but I feel less stressed as a mama of three than I did with just two.  Something about Baylor makes me just relax and savor these crazy moments. Baylor, you have given our family such joy and peace...it's almost indescribable what you have done to our family...just enhanced our love and happiness so much.   We love you Bay Bay...you are such a blessing sent straight from above.

Weston Hayes- my angel boy

I remember that August day like it was yesterday.  Christian and Aubrey picked me up from Victory (I was teaching at the time) and we rode together to Angel Prints. It was such a huge day for us...finding out what our new baby's gender would be.  I was convinced I was having another girl...already excited for Aubrey to have a sister. As I lay on the table, just our little family in the room, the sonographer says, "hey there little buddy" and I immediately felt my stomach drop.  No way I was having a boy.  I just couldn't wrap my head around the thought of having a little boy.  I shamelessly admit that I wept...just cried because I had so badly wanted another girl.  I will admit that I ruined the entire celebration for Christian and Aubrey and I selfishly pouted for days. I don't know why I was so scared to have a boy...probably just the unknown, but I spent most of my pregnancy disappointed and upset.  However, the minute that baby boy was laid in my arms...all those worries, fears and disappointments instantly disappeared.  Replaced with a new, unimaginable love for that little guy...  my Weston Hayes was perfect in every way.  I see now that God knew exactly what our family needed. He knew we needed an easy going, smart, sensitive, lovable little boy to join our family.  I can't imagine having another girl...I just simply adore my boys.

Weston is the smartest  little guy you will ever meet. When you talk to him, you may as well be talking to a 10 year old.  His wisdom and vocabulary far exceeds his age. Weston is the most laid back, easy going little guy ever. He goes with the flow and flies under the radar for the most part. I have to make extra efforts to pull him aside and love on him because he is so good about just being content and sometimes he can get lost in the chaos of our family.  I love that Weston isn't crazy active or rough...he is the perfect mixture of boy but oh so sweet.  He has such a compassionate heart and he loves and adores his mama like crazy. He always tells me I'm beautiful and that he loves me the most.

Weston goes to bed easier than pie...I literally have always just laid him in his bed and he will not budge...just goes right to sleep.  It is such a breeze when it comes to naps and bedtime with him.

Weston started mother's day out this year and is doing great in his class.  It really helps a lot that he has Aubrey at the same school with him...gives him that security that he needs.  Weston loves movies and could watch TV all day if you would let him.  Nothing makes him happier than snuggling up and watching the IPad for hours.  He loves PJ Masks, Beat Bugs, Spiderman, Batman, Ninja Turtles and anything boyish.  Again, I love that he is all boy, but also the most tenderhearted and gentle little guy ever.

Weston Hayes...you are such a delight to me and no one can make me laugh like you do. My love for you is so deep that I can't even put into words how much you mean to me.   I know God Himself formed you into the most perfect combination of strength and sweetness. You have taught me more in your little life than anyone else. I've learned through you that God knows exactly what He is doing and the gifts God gives us are far greater than anything we can picture for ourselves. I said I didn't want a boy.  I said I didn't want a red head...my oh my was I mistaken.  You are everything and so much more than I could ever have wanted. You are exactly what I needed and exactly what I wanted..it just took holding you in my arms to know what perfection was.  Having a little boy is one of the greatest journeys I've gotten to experience and I am loving every single moment with my little guys.  You make me so proud Weston...I can't wait to see what you accomplish and the amazing things you will do.  Your potential is endless and I know you will surpass every expectation I could possibly dream up for you.

Happy 3rd birthday to my angel boy.

Gobble til you Wobble 2016

We had such a wonderful Thanksgiving this year. The kids had a feast at school and it was so fun getting to watch them interact with their teachers and friends. This is Weston's first year at school so it was extra special for me with him.  I also loved seeing him with his friends...he is the runt of the class for sure.  He maybe tiny but he is gonna do mighty things! Nana got to come to the feast as well and Bay Bay was sure glad to be cuddled.

This is Aubrey's best friend, Jackson, they are inseparable. 

Love my turkeys!

Things have settled down since the flood and both are parents are slowly getting back to normal. It was wonderful to be able to get together with both sides of the family and just visit, eat and play games. Both sides of my family absolutely love this game you play on the PlayStation or Apple TV, it is called Jackbox and each player can play on their phones and answer individually.  It is a hoot to play and one of our favorite things to do when we get together.

We are so blessed...I just love my family.

My most favorite turkey of all.  

Weston was not happy. Can't remember why but I'm sure it was because we had to leave good company. 

And just a few random cuteness from our days. Things are so busy but oh so fun.

Can't believe it's almost Christmas time!  Santa will be here before we know it.