kaelyn: 4 months

Posted on October 30, 2014 by tara

(written October 30th)

Height: 25 inches (78%)
Weight: 12 pounds 4 ounces (20%)
Head circumference: 16 inches (41%)
Clothing size: Still mostly 0-3 month onesies, although jammies are getting small (and some 3-6 month ones fit with room to grow). A few of her newborn onesies still fit and we’re still in 0-3 month pants.
Eyecolor: Blue? Sometimes I’m not so sure, and I guess that means they might be changing.
Nursing: Usually every 2 to 2.5 hours, but I can stretch it to 3 or so if we’re out running errands, etc. Sometimes she’ll start getting verrrry fussy when she’s eating and 99% of the time it’s due to gas or a burp!
Favorite things: She is pretty much the happiest baby ever… she loves when we sing, tickle her, dance, and snuggle. She’s also a fan of warm baths, diaper changes, and being naked.
Dislikes: Gas pains, getting buckled into the car seat, and being on her tummy.
Sleep: I’m not even really sure what to write here, because the only consistent thing about her sleep pattern is that it’s inconsistent! Earlier in the month, she was doing great and only waking up once at night… but it was short-lived. She goes down for the night around 7:30 or 8 pm, sleeps until about 11 or 12, and then wakes up 2 or 3 times between then and 5 or 6 am, depending on the day. I’ve tried doing a “dream feed” before Michael and I go to bed, but it doesn’t really seem to make a difference in how often she wakes up. I love seeing her adorable little face any time, but getting up every couple hours is honestly a little hard on this mama. Somehow we get through it and keep going! By morning time, I usually have no idea how many times or when exactly I was awake the night before (probably because I keep falling asleep in the chair with her).

She usually will pass out in her seat in the morning and then again in the afternoon, if we’re at home. She’s taken two naps in the crib so far, but we’ve been out of the house so much lately that I haven’t been able to make it a regular thing. In the afternoon, when Kaya goes down for a nap, I snuggle with Kaelyn in the armchair and we try to get some rest. With cuddles, she’ll sleep for maybe 1-1.5 hours, which is awesome!
Nicknames: Baba, Peanut, and Fuzzy!
Milestones, etc.: -She’s an excellent grabber… just ask my hair! I can leave her on the bed for a moment and she’ll usually grab some of the [clean] laundry or anything else that’s close to her.
-She’s super aware of her hands and fingers, and they can often be found in her mouth. -Squealing! It’s her number one way to communicate, and when she’s happy, everyone knows it!
-Laughing at “situations” rather than just when being tickled. She thinks Kaya is HILARIOUS and started cracking up over her antics one day! If we’re silly enough, she’ll laugh at us, too.-Most friends and strangers still love to say she looks like her mommy… I’m not so sure, but it’s nice to get some credit for baking this little girl in my belly for 9 months! Haha.
-She has LEG ROLLS. Seriously! My little 5-pounder has grown so much! I love how babies chunk up at this age! 🙂-She’s starting to discover her toes… usually just during diaper changes when I’m holding up her legs, but I’m sure it won’t be long before she’s eating them on a regular basis.

Dear Kaelyn,

Your smile could brighten anyone’s day, and when we go anywhere, people make it a point to tell me how beautiful you are. I kiss your chunky little cheeks all day, every day, and I still can’t get enough of you.

You’re becoming your own little person now, and I just love watching you take in the world around you. I love hearing you laugh with your sister. There isn’t any other sound I’d rather have ringing through our home, and I hope you’ll keep laughing together for years to come.

Sweet girl, I love you SO much! I’m so grateful I get to be your mommy. Thanks for being my little cuddle buddy.

Love, Mommy

holidays are even better as a mom

Posted on October 29, 2014 by tara

When I was little, we’d walk for what seemed to be miles on Halloween night, eager to collect as much candy as we possibly could. We’d always make at least two trips, and sometimes even a third (very late, very cold) final outing with just my dad.

We exhausted ourselves all in the name of good fun. Every piece of candy was hard-earned and worth it.

Now, as a mom to one crazy toddler and a tiny baby, it’s safe to say that holidays feel even more exhausting… but they are so much more fun!

This month, I’ve spent hours dreaming up costumes, sewing, and wiggling little arms and legs into them about a hundred times before their completion. The excitement I felt about trick or treating with my munchkins could have rivaled a child’s anxious anticipation of Santa’s visit on Christmas Eve.

As a kid, tiring myself out was worth all the candy I could get… and it’s more than worth it now, too, and not because I get candy (although it’s a good thing Kaya can’t count how many pieces she started out with…), but because I love seeing their joy and excitement.

Last night was our church Trunk or Treat, and we all came home completely exhausted. Kaya had a bucket full of candy, and I had a heart full of gratitude for being able to share these days with my sweet little family.

Holidays are even better as a mom.

my littlest love

Posted on October 23, 2014 by tara

I’ve loved her from the moment I knew she was growing inside of me.

I knew I’d do anything to keep her healthy and safe. She made my heart so full, right from the start.

And yet, there’s nothing like the fierce, uncompromising love I’ve felt growing in my heart for her since that moment we first met face-to-face.

It’s completely true what they say- you will love your second baby with the same intensity and devotion as your first. It’s incredible how two completely different little people can capture my heart so fully. So equally.

There are so many little things I completely adore about her.

I never want to forget how much she loves to hold on to me, and be held. She grips my finger with her whole little hand while she nurses.

She’s got the softest, fuzziest hair of any baby I’ve ever touched. I love to brush my lips up against it when I carry her in my arms. It’s starting to grow into a puffy little mohawk and I almost wish it’d just stay that way forever.

We spend our afternoons snuggling, just the two of us, while Big Sister naps. Sometimes, we just hang out, laughing and staring at each other.I hope it’s always so easy to make her smile. Her first laugh was one of the sweetest sounds I’ve ever heard.She seems especially snuggly and warm first thing in the morning. After I come home from my run, she’s so excited to hear my voice again that she flails her arms and legs (we call it her “happy dance”)!Sometimes, she takes breaks between gulping down milk to look up at me, smile, and chat. I love our early-morning conversations.I just can’t get enough of her sweet little cheeks, so I usually sneak in one last kiss before I climb into bed at night. I’m going to miss her sleeping in our room for that reason alone!

This tiny girl filled a void in my heart that I didn’t even know was there.

pumpkin picking in the arctic

Posted on October 22, 2014 by tara

On Saturday morning, we headed out for our annual visit to the pumpkin patch. We had arranged to go with friends and were really looking forward to having a great time!

Admittedly, we were completely unprepared for the weather. Earlier that same morning, I had gone running in shorts and a t-shirt! The pumpkin patch is in a neighboring county, so naturally, we didn’t expect to encounter high winds and a huge drop in temperature. Kaya really could have used a hat, mittens, and a warmer coat. Mom fail.

She did get to enjoy seeing all the farm animals before it got too cold, though! And she tried to milk a wooden cow… … and Michael slingshot a pumpkin across a pond!
We did take a short hayride to the field to pick out a pumpkin. (cold weather had Michael making some funny faces)Our cold little girl gave me one big smile right before we left, so at least I have one good photo to remember our trip this year!
Kaelyn didn’t make it into any pictures, because luckily, she was wrapped up (warmly) in the Ergo carrier and slept nearly the entire time!

five on friday! (10/17)

Posted on October 17, 2014 by tara

I’m finally sitting down and writing this at 9:30 pm on a Friday…better late than never! (And yes, we’re old married folk by now who are actually home nearly every Friday night, snuggling babies to sleep, doing dishes, and finishing up laundry… already in our pajamas. My how things have changed in just a few short years. But I’ll tell you what… I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else!)

ONE. For weeks now, I’ve been brainstorming family-themed Halloween costumes, and I think I’ve changed my mind more times than a mom might change her newborn baby’s diaper (okay, not really, because we all know that’s about every five minutes)… but I’ve finally made a decision and started working on the costumes! I’ve had to measure the girls to be sure everything is the right size, so Kaya caught on pretty quickly and had a whole lot of fun “measuring” her baby doll, too.

TWO. This little cutie took her first-ever nap in the crib this week! It’s only happened once (mostly because we’ve been busy out of the house and I haven’t tried again), but I’m so excited she’s starting to fall into some sort of nap schedule. Good naps = happy babies!THREE. I was curious to see if I could create my own pumpkin muffin recipe, and this week, I decided to go for it. They turned out soft, with just the right amount of spices and chocolate chips! Hopefully I’ll be sharing the recipe soon, but I first need to make it again to be sure they’re consistently delicious!FOUR. Everyone says how photogenic my babies are, and I definitely won’t disagree… but here’s a little reality for you- sometimes they’re less than thrilled to have their pictures taken! (but how adorable is that little baby yawn?)Most of the time, though, I think I have a little baby model on my hands. FIVE. After a stormy week, the weather was absolutely perfect today. Kaya is old enough now to take short walks without the stroller, and I love seeing her explore every tiny thing she finds. Today, she just had to bring her Halloween bucket with her (with Kitty inside, of course). I’m soaking up these days because I know it won’t be long before we’ll be barricaded in by snow and ice. Sidenote: when did my first baby get so very tall?!Happy weekend!!!

Linking up with Natasha, April, Christina, and Darci today!

if you really knew me…

Posted on October 14, 2014 by tara

If you really knew me, you’d know that…

… I’m completely obsessed with chocolate-chip cookies and I have my favorite recipe for them memorized.

… I was born a Jersey girl, but I love country music, horses, trucks, and all that other countrified stuff. Michael thinks I wish I was country and he just might be right.

… Laundry is my least favorite chore, and I usually have a big mountain of clean clothes waiting to be folded (which I could totally be doing right now, but am obviously avoiding… at least the clothes are clean, right?)!

… I keep tons of baking supplies in my pantry at all times. If you came over and wanted to make something, I probably already have the staples to bake it right then and there.

… My heart beats with a love for my two little girls like nothing I’ve ever known. They are my everything, but when I was younger, being a mom wasn’t even part of my “life plan”.

… Michael and I actually met for the first time on his birthday. I said hello and he completely ignored me!

… I call my dad-in-law my “twin” (not that we look alike) because we have all the same favorite foods and love to have daddy-daughter cuddles when we visit.

… I love to run and currently go about 20 miles per week, but I’ve never entered a race! I think I’m just a little intimidated because I know I’m not very fast.

… I’m a great baker and a pretty decent cook… but for some reason, it took me a really long time to learn to make pancakes without burning them on the outside or having them still be raw on the inside. Whoops. (notice how many of these facts are about sweets…)

… I’m a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and as far as the gospel goes, I know it, I live it, and I love it! 🙂

What’s something I don’t know about you?

october 2014 goals

Posted on October 13, 2014 by tara

Hey, remember me? I’m the girl who used to actually DO the goals she set each month. I guess it’s just been hard to find the time and energy with a new little baby in our family. But hey, I’ll take baby cuddles over accomplishing my goals on time any day. At least I’m trying!

(I also started writing this two weeks ago and just never finished. Oops.)

September Goal Review:

1. Do one step toward finishing the quilt per week.

2. Decide on the gallery wall layout before the 15th of the month, and have pictures printed by the 30th.

~~3. Do ab-healing exercises at least three times per week.~~ I’ve been pretty consistent with this and I am definitely seeing the gap in my abs closing up! Yay for some progress! 🙂

4. Complete the September photo-a-day challenge. This did not happen at all because I just forgot to do it every day!

~~5. Take Kaya’s two-year photos.~~ DONE! They’re here if you didn’t see them earlier! 🙂

~~6. Have a birthday party for Kaya and make her an awesome cake!~~ I was happy with how her birthday went, and if you missed that, it’s here.

1. Take family pictures.

2. Keep working on my abs (at least 3 times per week). Seeing results is really motivating (as is realizing that this problem isn’t going to fix itself).

3. Make Halloween costumes.

And let’s be honest here… that’s probably all I’ll be able to get finished. Wish me luck!

friday favorites (10/10)

Posted on October 10, 2014 by tara

Happy Friday! As usual, here are some of the best moments from our crazy little family this week! 🙂

This sweet girl will always make my favorites list. Of course! How could she not, with that gummy smile and her bright eyes? All of a sudden, her cheeks seem a lot chubbier and her tummy pokes out (which makes it even more tempting to tickle her)!It’s been cooling off and feeling a little more like fall, and cuddling up with my baby and taking a nap has happened a couple times this week. I’ll snuggle this sweet face to sleep any day.

Katherine hosted our play date this week, and she turned it into a Halloween cookie-decorating party for the kids! We had so much fun and actually made way less of a mess than I expected we would with little hands in frosting and sprinkles!
I did the frosting, and then Kaya put all the candies and marshmallows on by herself! I have to say, I’m impressed. I was also amazed that she didn’t eat any of the decorations while we were doing it!
Speaking of eating, I made fajitas for the first time ever this week and they were so easy and amazing! Here’s the recipe if you want to try it (and believe me, you do).It wouldn’t be a true Friday Favorites post without my dog doing something goofy… so here’s all 31 pounds of him, squished into a Build-a-Bear toy bed. There is nothing he won’t try to snuggle with!

Happy weekend!

conference weekend

Posted on October 8, 2014 by tara

General Conference happens twice a year, and I have to say, those are some of my very favorite weekends! Who wouldn’t want to sleep in, indulge in some home-cooked breakfast, cuddle up on the couch with your family, and have uplifting gospel messages broadcasted right into your living room?

This cute girl was pretty excited for her first conference. Actually, she’s just happy (almost) all the time. But she definitely enjoyed all the extra snuggles.

We kicked off Sunday morning with some homemade chocolate-chip pumpkin pancakes! I might be a little obsessed… I had already made a bunch of them before anyone else in the house was awake. Kaya came out of her room and immediately got excited (she also tried to call them “cupcakes”…)!

Here’s one of my many favorite quotes from this conference:

By the end of the weekend, we were all pretty tired, and might have passed out during the last session…I just love the extra time we get to spend together as a family, and I definitely came away feeling inspired to make a few changes and improvements. I’m grateful that we can learn, grow, become better, and feel the Savior’s love!

a kitty birthday (kaya’s 2nd birthday party!)

Posted on October 6, 2014 by tara

Kaya’s actual birthday was on a Friday, but we waited until Saturday to have her real celebration. As it turns out, Friday mornings are pretty crazy at our house! She did get to eat (almost) as many chocolate donut holes as she wanted, and I sang happy birthday to her at breakfast time (Daddy was already at work). Her friend Mia came over for a couple hours that night, and they had the best time two crazy, fun toddler girls can have together (just picture them jumping on Kaya’s bed, dancing, and sharing pizza)! 🙂

Since her real birthday was so low-key, I definitely wanted to make sure the day of her party started off with some true excitement. I hung a bunch of balloons from the ceiling for her to see as soon as she woke up and walked into the hallway. She was a little timid at first, but she spent a good part of the day running through them and yelling “baoons!”Her next surprise was in the living room. Her big gift from us was her very own slide (yes, we are those crazy parents with a slide in their apartment… but hey, it actually folds up if we ever wanted to put it away). She pretends that everything and anything is a slide (and we even used a folding table as one, once), so having a real one definitely won’t go to waste!

She was so surprised!

One happy girl.

Her actual party was very simple. I wanted to do something I thought she’d love, so I chose to base it off of her very favorite little buddy- Kitty, of course!I actually love how the cake turned out! It looked just like her stuffed animal! Honestly, though… Kaya didn’t even notice it was Kitty. I’m still glad I put the effort into though, because it’s still something meaningful to her, and I know one day we’ll look back on this and it’ll be a sweet memory.I made a felt applique shirt for her, and she actually did notice that and liked it!She loved her cake this year! Who can resist dark chocolate? (answer: no one. duh.)She opened her presents all on her own! As usual, she was spoiled with some really awesome gifts.Her favorite thing might’ve actually been the fruit snacks Uncle Kevin and Aunt Tori sent all the way from Utah. Grandpa couldn’t feed them to her fast enough! 🙂We’re so grateful for all our friends and family who were here to celebrate our sweet girl with us! (And yeah, photography fail- the birthday girl ended up hiding behind Mike’s head in this picture…)!
Happy 2nd birthday, Kaya Bird! We love you so very much!