Heidi-Rae Update: 7 Months

Time goes by SO fast when you have an infant!!! Please, someone tell me how to make it slloooowwww down!

Her onesie says, "Bootiful."

Weight 

At her check up this month, Heidi-Rae weighted in at 18 pounds (75 percentile), 27 inches (50 percentile). We got 3 shots. They wanted to do 6! We decided to space them out. She got sick from her flu shot! Boo! 102.7* fever, cough, sniffles, aches. The whole 9 yards! Never again will I give her a flu shot!

Health

Aside from the sickness from the shot, we have a very healthy baby on our hands!

Sleep

Little Miss is still on about the same sleep schedule. Wakes up around 7am, takes a little nap from 10am-11am, another nap from 1:30pm-3:30pm, sometimes a tiny snooze from 6pm-6:30pm, and bed by 9pm. She wakes at 3am and 6am to eat.
Some days are off but this seems to be what she prefers.

Clothes

We are in 6 month and 6-9 month clothes! She is a doll!

Social

We have people at our house very often so Little Bit gets her share of social interaction. But she still prefers to be right next to Mama. She cries every time I leave the room. I must admit. .  . It's kinda nice to have a Mama's girl since the others are purely Daddy's!

Brotherly/Sisterly Love

For the most part, Jeremy and Capri adore Heidi! They have so much patience for her when she is upset, doing whatever it takes to help her out. Capri is a little rough sometimes, but we are working through that!

Diet

Breastmilk, baby!

Milestones 

Rolling is her means of transportation! It's so cute to watch her go from one end of the room to another! She also scooches backwards. She is sitting on her own, too. She is starting to mimic ours sounds: fake laughing and coughing! She loves to blow spit bubbles! She is also getting up on her knees and rocking! We are going to have a mover in no time!

Personality

Heidi is so ticklish! She love to be in her Jump-a-roo! She bounces and giggles all the time. She loves  to watch her brother and sister in their crazy play. She is a Mama's girl to the "T".

Post Pardum

Praise Jesus,  I have a few pairs of jeans to wear! But I have really slacked on doing my workouts I promised a few months ago! I could give you all the excuses in the world but the honest truth is I just need to make time for them.

Heidi-Rae 5 & 6 Month Update

So precious!

It's been a whirlwind of a few months! We went on a 2 week vacation to see family on the East Coast! Plus, taking the reins of 3 kids has got me busy, busy, busy! Without further a due . . .

Weight 

We are weighing in at a whooping 16 pounds! At 5 months Capri was 17 pounds. The thighs! The thighs! That picture doesn't do them justice! I'll have to get another one for next month!

Health

We had a little bout of stuffiness when w came home from vacation. Probably due to the clean air we were in then coming back into the smog! BLAH! Other then that, Heidi is in good health. I still keep dairy out of my diet. I ate some cheese on vacation, testing the waters, NO BUENO! I'll just keep it out until she's one! We are still on probiotics about once a day. On occasion, I forget and we are every other day for a week. Jeremy accidentally kicked her while walking over her! The picture above is her little injury! The first time she bled, aside from while in the hospital! SO sad!

Sleep

Again, I have to blame vacation! It disrupted the sleeping pattern! She's awake around 7am, naps from 10am-11am, 1:30pm-3pm, 6pm-6:30pm, and bed around 8pm. She also wakes up around 11pm and 5am to eat. This is not always consistent, it just seems to be what she wants at this point. I don't mind the middle of the night feedings. I love to get snuggles with her that I miss out on during the day with the other 2 monkeys running around.
We switched her from hr bassinet to the pack n play in our room. She loves to sleep with her blanket! We lost it on vacation, ordered another one, and sent it to my Aunt's house. Crazy, huh? The good thing was, she was ok going to sleep with one if the other kid's blankets, they were so sweet to share.
Side note: I'm selling the bassinet. The sad reality of no more babies is setting in. Adoption is still on the table. But since it's not for sure, I decided we can use the pack 'n play if we adopt a baby. It's easier to store! But selling the bassinet is a harsh reality.

Clothes

One of my favorite outfits from Capri!
Thank you Zia!

I have put the 3 month clothes away. We are into 3-6m and 6m. I was ok with this. I was ready for a change in her wardrobe! We have some pretty cute and fashionable things! Mostly due to hand-me-downs! Isn't is amazing how God provides?!

Social

I have to say we aren't out and about as often as I was with Capri and definitely not as much as with Jeremy. We are more home bodies as the kids multiply! We have playdates here and there. I really want to do Musical Munchkins with Heidi (and Capri for that matter) but the timing doesn't work out and I don't have someone to watch the other 2 while I'm in class with the one. Does that make sense? Anyway. . . it's ok. We do LOTS of music at home. Heidi does get to hang out with her Kailyn often! Mostly at our nail appointments! I love to think about the close bond they could have when they are older!

Brotherly/Sisterly Love

These 3 continue to melt my heart! I almost get choked up watching them intact together!

Diet

Not much has changed here. We are still on Breast milk. We will probably introduce food, more experimental then filling, around 10 months. Breast milk is fully sufficient for her nutrition up to a year. I feel like waiting that long would hinder a "try everything" approach.

Milestones

Heidi-Rae is rolling over, playing with toys, giggling, laughing, tracking with her eyes, knows all of our voices (me, Daddy, Jeremy & Capri). AND she had her first airplane ride! She did phenomenal!

Personality

Heidi has such a sweet personality. She is a "go with the flow" type of girl. She loves to be entertained by her siblings. She doesn't like to be in a room alone. The second we all leave a room (not intentionally) she cries. She loves to be in the baby carrier right next to Mommy or Daddy.

Post-Pardum 

Oh I really don't like this part! Why did I put this in here?! It's SO much harder to bounce back with #4! My body just doesn't want to get back there without ALOT of work. I was doing great with my workout videos I mentioned in the last update (4 months), I was feeling more toned and better about myself. BUT then my knee started acting up again! I had knee surgery in 2011 to remove a plika growth. I think it's back! Whomp, whom! So, working out, bending down with the kids, driving stick shift all hurt it! My next venture is Yoga! I think that will help me tone and be low impact on my knee! I'll let you know next month!

A few more shots of my sweet girl!

Slip-N-Slide

We rented a tractor to move the dirt for the last time, little did we know Bobby's dad intended to build a 100' Slip-N-Slide before the final steps were done to the back yard! It was SO MUCH FUN!! Especially considering it was 106* that day! Whew!

It started with everybody going on their own but it was too rocky. We were getting scratched up. Bobby (my brilliant, amazing husband) called the guy we got our CARPET from and asked if he was throwing any away! He had an entire dumpster FULL! Bobby got enough to cover the length of the SNS. That was much better!

The kids didn't have enough meat on their bones to get all the way to the bottom, so the Daddies and Grandpa (that guys is SO agile for being a grandpa, it's amazing) ran full speed with the kids holding on and flew ALL the way down!

Bottom Middle:
Another solution to get the kids to the bottom:
The kids would go, grownups right behind to give them speed she they got 1/2 way down.

The babies played too!
To beat the heat they were in diapers and sucking on ice filled wash cloths!

This was definitely a day to remember, kids and adults! 

Thanks, Grandpa! 

Heidi in Flip Flops

Our church is called Sandals Church. The babies through preschool is called Flip Flops! See what they did there? Cute, huh?

I. DID. IT! I left her in the nursery! It took until she was 3.5 months old. Ya know, "they" say, "It gets easier the more kids you have. It's only rough with the first."
"They" LIE! It was HARD! We are now about a month in and it's getting easier!

Heidi-Rae Update: 4 Months

Weight 

I'm not exactly sure how much she weighs! We don't have a scale. Last month she was 12 pounds. I'm guessing she is 14 this month. She has some cute little rolls on her thighs and a double chin!

Health

A clean bill! She loves to snuggle! It's good for the soul, must be why she is so healthy! I still have kept dairy out of my diet and she has 1oz of mint water with 1/2 tsp of probiotic powder each night around dinner time. It seems to keep her less gassy and more comfortable!

Sleep

This girl is such a great baby! She just goes with the flow. She sleeps in the car when need be, she eats when she wants or needs to, she loves to be held and play on the floors all the same. Her general schedule (although she changes it up based on our day) is wake up at 5am for milk, back to sleep until 8:30am. Nap 10:30am - 11:30am, 1:30pm - 3:30pm, and 6:30-7pm. She usually goes bed about 9pm.
She is a thumb sucker! The LEFT, haha! She also is attached to her blanket! Which we fostered! But we love!

Clothes

We are still rocking the 3 month clothes. We have moved to size 1 shoes.

Social

Like I said above, HR just goes with the flow. She loves to be held by anyone. There has only been one time she was crying when my mom was putting her to sleep and she wanted me. Which, I have to admit, felt pretty good as a Mama!
We took a trip to the beach, SeaWorld (Thank you SW for letting Firefighter and their families in free!), and we visit Daddy's station often! This particular day, he had a rough call involving a baby. He was so happy to snuggle with Heidi all evening.

Brotherly/Sisterly Love

Capri is getting better with being gentle! I'm able to leave Heidi playing on the floor an Capri will lay next to her, gently playing. There are still times she is too rough, I'm sure that won't fade! It is so difficult to get a picture of all 3 them, let alone ALL smiling.

Diet

100% Breastmilk!

Milestones 

Heidi is grabbing toys, giggling, she has found her toes, AND we checked her in to the nursery at church! BIG things happened this month! It's exciting to watch her start to realize there is a big world out there!

Personality

Words to describe our sweet girl: Easy-going, social, smiley, quiet, Mama's girl. She is such a great baby! She adds so much to our family! Can't imagine life without her!

Postpartum

I have been successful with my 10 minutes workout videos! The kids love it. They even remind me to do it! We usually do them after nap. Sometimes, depending how the kids are, we do 2 or 3! It's fun. I don't see any difference yet but i know it will come.  

Confessions of a mom of 3!

I was challenged in church last week no to give the appearance that we have everything together. . . because we don't! We, like everybody, need the grace of God to get us through this life! I really thought about this all week. My close friends know when have bad days, Bobby knows. Where could I improve? I realize I don't post many negative thoughts on FB. I don't think it should be a place for dirty laundry, to vent or rant about someone or something. And frankly, when I am having a rough day, I have no time to post it on FB! BUT I do not want the image that we don't struggle because that does an injustice to God. We NEED him daily to make it through!

So, I came up with a list of things that, although are somewhat humorous, are a struggle as a mom of 3!

At this point, my kids are 4, 2, and 4 months. . . And it's SO difficult to get a picture of ALL 3!

1. I shower about twice a week if I'm lucky. Usually I go between 3 and 4 days before I can't take it and I put a movie on for the kids to watch while I take a quick splash and dash. I EVEN did a quick shave of my shins and calves this time! The baby is in her bed with the mobile on. This is the ONLY safe place when I am not watching! We have a little 2 year old Mama that likes to "help." But she doesn't know her strength! The mobile goes for about 3 minutes. I have about 5 after that before she gets too antsy. So, my showers are about 8 minutes from getting in to getting out and my hair brushed. Then there are the glorious days my hubby is home and I get to indulge in a "non-timed" HOT shower! He is really amazing!

2. While we are on the bathing subject. . . This picture is at 11am when the kids are about to go outside to play. BUT I hadn't been able to get them a bath in 5 days! 5,5,5. That is just gross! We had been on the go too much! And they were in a pool 2 of those days, that counts, right??!! This is also the first time Heidi-Rae bathed with them! It was an interesting learning lesson for all of us!

3. Laundry basket: Sat in my bedroom for 6 days! We kept going through it for under ware! By the time I got to it, I had "fluffed" it 3 times and there were 3 other loads to be folded.

4. Suitcase: We went on a little family trip (Surprise Family Trip) and the suitcase sat on the floor of my bedroom for 2 weeks after! I finally had a friend come over to play with the kid while I put it away, along with 5 loads of laundry (see #3!)

5. When was the last time I mopped the floors? This thought went through my mind during my 2:30am nursing session. . . I mopped that day during nap time. It was so dirty! Bobby keeps telling me to hire a cleaning service to come once a month. I think it may be my pride getting in the way of letting that happen. It's MY job to cook, clean, and take care of my husband and the kids. Plus, that's just another expense to add to the monthly bills. The more we add, the more Bobby needs to work. If I can just get to everything, it would be ok!

6. In order to cut back on laundry (see #3 & 4) we are in bathing suits or under ware (not me!) or a diaper (again not me!) every day! This has helped so much! It makes sharing pictures on here or FB hard! I have a thing about putting pictures of my kids in chonies online.

Even though these things make me feel like I am behind or failing at my job, I wouldn't trade it for the world! This is by FAR the best job I have. I enjoy all the little joys I get, the snuggles and serving my family to the best of my ability! Right now, my ability isn't keeping up with the laundry and floors, it's about soaking up the time my kids are young and enjoying the gifts God has given me! I know there will be a day I miss the little pitter patter in my hallway!

I realize this picture keeps occurring on the blog! I need to get more pictures of the 3 of them!
That's a hard task! But I'm up for the challenge! 

I'm sure there will be more to add to this! What have you done to make your SAHM job a little easier? What have you done that you couldn't believe (see #2!)? I'd love to hear from other moms! Comment below!

Capri: 2 Year Update

Oh My! I can't believe she's 2!!!! 

Weight 

21.5 pounds! I can't remember her height! I'd measure her now but she's sleeping. . . The only time a mama can blog!

Health

We are blessed to have pretty healthy kids! Aside from the occasional cold, which is pretty rare, we don't battle with sickness too often. Thank you, Jesus!

Sleep

This girl loves to sleep! If the house is quiet she will sleep until 8:30am! The house is rarely quiet! So she generally wakes up around 7am. We have finally kicked her morning nap! It took until 23 months! Crazy girl! Afternoon nap is 1:30-3:30 or 4pm. Bedtime at 8pm. She LOVES her blanket! 12x12 piece of baby crack! Won't sleep without it! She only has it when she sleeps though.
We had a day a few weeks ago, where we couldn't find it. She had taken it out of her bed to play and didn't know where she put it. This is the exact reason, we make sure it stays on her bed. But I didn't realize it this time. We looked all over! I even crawled around the house, at her level, with a flashlight! I know, kinda ridiculous! Downfall to having a security blanket! She was still awake at 10:30pm, crying and asking me for it! I FINALLY found it behind a basket in her room! Before she fell asleep, I watched her, on the monitor, telling her baby doll the story of Mommy finding it! I should note that Jeremy was this attached at her age as well, he is not anymore. He likes to have it but if he looses it, he can still fall asleep. We have not be able to find it for days and he is fine! Capri is still an avid right thumb sucker! She only sucks it at nap and night time with her blanket. If it's one of those times in the car she will suck it too. Pretty much when she has her blanket.

Clothes

We are in between 18 months and 2T. Transitioning from size 5 to size 6 shoes. She loves her dresses! And muddy boots.

Social

This girl can work a room! She loves to be the center of attention! She plays into it. She performs anytime she gets the chance!

Brotherly/Sisterly Love

Capri and Jeremy are the best of buddies! They play all day long with minimal fighting! Capri is a little mommy to Heidi. Sometime she is too rough and we have to remind her. . .ok, most of the time. She just wants to help. She constantly asks to hold her, runs to get a pacifier when she cries, checks on her first thing in the morning when she comes in our room. It's pure joy to watch the bond!

Diet

Capri eats just about everything we give her. She loves to eat. Her favorites include: Peanut butter and jelly, edamame, Gold Fish, blueberries, bananas, and squeeze fruit packs.

Milestones 

She has POTTY TRAINED HERSELF! I can't believe it! She had been asking while I was on bed rest but it was too stressful for us to entertain it. As soon as Heidi-Rae came home she was bound and determined! It was a little trying when I was feeding the baby and Capri had to go! But we made it work and we rarely have accidents! EVEN though naps and night. It's crazy! We planned to have 2 in diapers at least until the end of summer!

We have moved Capri to her BIG girl bed. She does really well staying in it. I love to hear her little pitter patter in the mooring coming into bed with us! It's much nicer now that she is potty trained, she can get up when she needs to go.
Then one night we didn't have the monitor on. I went in to kiss her goodnight before I went to bed. . .

She was sleeping on toys!! She literally fell asleep playing!
I have no idea how long she was awake! 

She also got her nails done for the first time recently! Bobby dropped me off while he took the kid to the park. When they came back my nail lady, Ann, insisted on doing Capri's. Capri was more then happy to allow her to! Pink with white dots!

We have a little swimmer on our hands I am confident that IF she feel in the pool she would hold her breath and get herself to the edge! It's such a relief! She is also talking in full on sentences! It seems like the past 4 months have been a huge vocabulary explosion!!

Personality

She's a little mama! 

OH this little girl has a strong willed ,spunky, spitfire, compassionate, mommy-sense, get dirty wearing her princess dress personality! Both our parents say she is just like each of us! How funny! We must have both been similar!

That smile melts my heart! 

It's time for me to start writing down her saying like I do with J! My favorite right now is, "Mama, I love you so much."