Thursday, April 12, 2012

11 Months

It's almost here! Planning is underway for Brayla's 1st birthday and I still can't really believe it. Looking forward to the fun that awaits us when we have a 3 year old and a 1 year old! Here's what you've been up to in the last month:

-You are still a sleeping champ. We dropped your nighttime bottle a few weeks ago, and even without it, you get rocked by Daddy for a few minutes at night and then are off to dreamland for nearly 12 hours. You are getting better at napping too. You're just such a happy girl all the time, though, that if we didn't force you to take naps, you'd never know you needed one.

-You are still wearing a size 3 diaper. We have a leftover stack of size 4s in the closet that I might try out soon, but you're still pretty comfortable in a size 3.

-I'd guess you weigh between 17-18 pounds. I feel like you have had a growth spurt recently, but I realize it more in length than in weight. You're still pretty lean and petite.

-You have officially outgrown all 3-6 month clothes. Now we are trying to get use out of the few warm-weather 6-9 month outfits we have before warm weather arrives and we can break out your new clothes.

-You take 3 6-ounce bottles a day. Since we dropped your nighttime feeding, you seem to drink your other bottles easier. You've also started to actually show signs of hunger, usually getting fussy at about 4:45 every day and shrieking with anticipation when you see your bottle.

-You eat 3 meals a day. You are liking yogurt for breakfast now more than you did in the past. You are also getting better at eating all of your meals. It used to be a battle to get you to eat, but now (unless you're teething) you eat just about anything we give you. You don't eat a lot, but at least we don't have to try to force-feed you anymore. !

-Your hair is still getting longer. It's definitely darker than your sister's and looks as though it might have some curl. We're just hoping for some defined, pretty curls and not the wavy frizz that your mom and sister have :)

-You have 6 teeth, getting two in the last month. You have your front four top teeth and you bottom two teeth. It looks like you'll end up with a little gap between your front teeth, but at least we don't have to worry about the vampire look.
-You are so so so so close to walking. You took your first two steps by yourself last Friday (April 6) and took three steps for me yesterday. Your steps are still more of a fall than a walk, but you're getting there. I just think you're so content with your current methods that you're not in a real hurry to change it up.

-This month you've started to say "momma" and it seems like you actually know what it means. You've also said "dadda" and Grandma W. thinks she heard you say "mamaw" and something like "dog."

-You still do not love your carseat. You've also started to be pretty feisty when I try to get you dressed. As soon as a shirt is over your head, you're ripping it right back off. Apparently you have your limits when it comes to your patience and overall calm demeanor.

-Things you love: clapping, playing patty cake, playing peek a boo, "talking" with Brynlee, bouncing up and down, trying to eat Turner's dog food, carrying around your burp rag, trying to steal snacks, playing with the fridge toys, climbing, opening the entertainment center and eating the DVDs :)


We can't wait to celebrate next month in God's gift of this precious girl to us. Happy 11 months, Brayla!

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

A Weekend to Remember

Shortly after graduating from college, Brandon and I ventured to the north suburbs of Chicago to start our careers in our first post-college jobs. We settled in Gurnee, found a church we loved, and soon after formed friendships with many people at that church. We only stayed in Gurnee for two years, and have been gone for five years, but still value those friendship dearly.

Brandon and I decided a while ago that we wanted to venture north and visit with our friends that have never even had the chance to meet our girls. So, we scheduled some personal days off from work, booked a hotel, and off we went.

We had a fantastic weekend! Aside from a hotel nightmare that included us switching hotels in the middle of the night with two sleeping little girls, we really enjoyed ourselves. We ate plenty of good food, did lots of shopping at outlet malls, and reconnected with our friends. Looking forward already to the next reunion!

Dinner at Rainforest Cafe was a big hit

Checking out the fish with her friend

A lot of money went down here this night

The fondue tradition has been successfully passed on to the next generation

She means business!