Abram: 3 months

That's right, I'm kinda a month behind...seeing that my lil man is now actually 4 months old makes me  realize just how busy and behind I am on posting his milestones.  

Abram: 3 Months

Big boy has been doing some BIG things...

sitting in his bumbo for first time

rolled over from back to tummy first time

reaches for faces and pulls hair

laughs out loud

These two are rarely seen away from each other.  She adores him and he has taken quite a liking to her lately too.  Its so fun to see him recognize her face and giggle.

Abram got to take his first BIG boy vacation recently!  We took a very long, road trip to VA for a cousin's graduation.  All kiddos did amazing, despite my fears.  Abram is a very laid back, sweet natured little dude.  Not much trips him up.  Look at that sweet smile :)

Wearing 0-3 month clothes.  Last weight check 10 lb 5oz

Size 1 diapers

Still sleeping well.  Mostly sleeps til 5 am, eats then back to sleep you go.  

Eating (breastfeeding only) every 2-3 hours during day.

I feel so blessed to have you little man in my life.  

You are a treat.  

I can't wait to see what the next few months (and years) will be like!

We love you...

End of another milestone...

UPDATE: I have worked on this post SEVERAL times.  This new blogger throws me for a loop sometimes.  I kept putting it in draft so that I would fix it before posting.  Now realizing I will never, ever figure it out.  So-- here is my wonky post of pics.  Enjoy

Ayla has had alot of awesome events recently.  She wrapped up the end of her second year of dance with three very busy, but very precious dance recitals.  I feel very blessed to be a part of the dance studio in our town.  I am not sure how much longer I will be able to continue teaching and coaching dance.  But, I feel like God has blessed me with talents and love to share with young girls.  I love that my daughters both share the love of dance as I do.

Abram snoozing at program

Ayla also finished up her first year of school.  She has grown so much physically, mentally, & spiritually. She was blessed to be a part of Ms. Jami's last class at WC Preschool.  Ms. Jami really helped nurture Ayla's growing spirituality- from which is was reminded (from someone other than Mommy &  Daddy) daily to pray in all situations and to love everyone.  She started preschool not really having a drive to learn much at home and not knowing her alphabet to recognizing most all of her letters upper and lower and now loves to burn through our preschool books at home.  We have our curriculum to continue with phonics and journaling- with hopes to be reading some words before her next school year.  We are so proud of her!!

We went to the park to celebrate summer with friends!!

Ay & Ms JaMI

what we've been up to!

Summer has kept us busy with visiting friends, birthday parties, and lots of firsts.

Ayla has lost her first and second tooth, both girls caught their first fish, we started swim lessons & dance practice, and tried to sneak in alot of snuggles in between.

Leah is growing like a weed and working on her journal (when we remember).  Abram is laughing out loud, smiling alllll the time, and all around a really great baby.  

We feel so blessed to parent our children.  Though most nights I am exhausted and sometimes stressed, I really wouldn't change a thing.  I love my little family :)  I regret not keeping up with our craziness.  No way do I want to forget a second of this summer... I promise to be better!

Photo wrap up!

Ayla's High Tea 5th birthday

I thought alot about the girl's birthday's while I was pregnant with Abram.  I knew that I would be planning, purchasing, and throwing parties while having a newborn & nursing.  Five seems like such a big age that I decided we should do something special.  

 A tea party for a few special friends.

It was perfect.  Well, except for the fact that I forgot to charge my camera and it was completely dead.  Luckily, one of my best friends daughter was attending (who is also a pro photog).  Big thanks go to Brittany for snapping tons of sweet pics for me.  She is a blessing!

Ayla invited 3 of her closest friends Meredith, Sophia, & Lanie.  Plus, Leah and her friend Ava (Sophia's sister) took part.  The tea party was a hit.  I still hear about it from all her friends and from Ayla.  We served lots of sweets and sampled 2 kinds of "tea" pink tea (pink lemo) and purple tea (sugar free kool aid).  We made sunday hats and each girl had jewelry, lip gloss and a parasol at their seat.

We started the party helping them and discussing proper tea etiquette.  Then we left them alone to sip their tea and talk girl talk :)  Ayla said her favorite part was pouring the tea herself.  My grandmother provided the china and tea pots.  

I love these girls and all the fun times we had.  I hope they truly are friends forever.

(apologize for tiny pics- since my camera was dead these are pulled from my snapfish account from Britt)

Five years ago my water broke unexpectedly 4 weeks early.  After a quick birth our first daughter was brought into this world.  Tiny, but healthy.  Ayla Joy.  She lives up to her name, because she is a total Joy.  She is by far the sweetest, most polite, and most generous little girl I know.  I feel incredibly blessed to be called her mother. 

Happy Birthday to our firstborn. 

Abram: 2 Months

How has 2 months gone by so quickly?

We took your first road trip.  Spring break 2012 to St Louis Zoo & the Magic House.  You traveled well and it was great to get away.

You are wearing size 0-3/3 month clothes, size 1 diapers (almost out).

Eating every 2-3 hrs during the day and 5-8 hrs at night.  You have slept all through the night a couple times and it was wonderful. Mama would be super happy if this continued- ha

You went through a growth spurt recently (you tanked up) wore this mama out- I resorted to eating alot of cookies and being grumpy.  Sorry! 

Your alert times are growing longer.  You swat at your toys.  Track sounds.  Rolled from belly to back at 7 wks.  Giggle.  Smile alot.  You mimic sounds and seem to want to "talk" alot.

Your personality is pretty laid back.  It is pretty clear when you are upset bc you have a super fiery cry! 

We love you to pieces lil man and couldn't be more happy!

The little stuff...

I feel like I have neglected to post on the "little stuff' lately.  I will post on the milestones and the big events, but haven't posted the in between.  Honestly, the in between is just as important as the major moments. 

Gus HAD to get shaved.  Poor wooly mammoth got all knotted underneith.  Here is a crack me up before and after.   He is starting to grow out now all cute and fuzzy.  I promise to never let it get that bad again.  I love his long hair!

Ayla is finishing up dance for the season and had her recital pictures taken.  Love this time of year.  So cute.  I snapped this before heading out the door.

Leah seemed to grow up overnight once she hit 3.  Seriously!! She is so smart and mature for her age it baffles Jeff and I.  She has a very funny personality that is contagious.  She is also just an inch shorter than her big sister.  Sheesh.

We have been indoors which means a few things.  The girls fight more, like all.the.time. More.  I bake alot, like ALOT.  Obviously, means I am not losing this darn baby weight. 

But when we do get outside we've had alot of fun.  Like bubble chasing :)

That sweet girl also wrote her alphabet all on her own.  This is a big deal for her.  She's never been super into working on things at home, until recently.  She has began burning through pre-k workbooks when she gets the spark.  I really enjoy seeing her work through things.  She's definitely a math girl.

Since putting this post together a week ago, I started focusing on dieting.  Or, let's just call it, being more careful of what I eat.  With Abram nursing so frequently during the day I can't quite stop eating! Or drinking.  Or thinking of eating and drinking!  Wish me luck.  I broke the seal on my Zumba for Wii.