Sylvie One Month

I've taken a hiatus from the blogging world for good reason, three good reasons actually. Three babies that require all of my attention and time. Whew, they keep me busy. We welcomed our baby girl on November 13th. More on her birth and everything that led up to it to come (hopefully!). Just like I said with both of the boys, time flies by, especially with the third. I'll be honest, the first month has pretty much been a blur. Between her not being the best sleeper to now spending more days in the hospital due to RSV, I feel like my days and nights are starting to all be one. Her first three weeks at home were great! She was sleeping decent, some nights 5-6 hours at a time and then the sickness hit. For going on three weeks now, the poor baby has been coughing, wheezing, and in respiratory distress much of the time. Last week, we spent 3 nights in the hospital and now we are back here trying to get her breathing under control. Even though I feel like she has been sick much of the time she has been here, she has been a super sweet and enjoyable baby. We are soaking in this time with her because we know we will never get it back! Here are a few things about her first month:

• I weighed her a few days after she turned a month and she was 8 lb. 12. oz. So she gained about 1.5 lbs. Yesterday at the hospital she was 8 lb. 8 oz. Differences in the scales plus her working so hard to breathe this past week probably make the difference.
• I stuck my foot in my mouth when I said we weren't going to offer her a paci. Well, we have. About 5 different kinds actually and she refuses all of them. The only paci she wants is me. I am okay with that but I will be returning to work in a few weeks and hoping this changes. 
• She nurses every 2 hours usually. Sometimes every hour and sometimes every 3 hours. She likes to eat and likes to be with her momma.
• We have tried giving her a bottle a few times. She hates it and wants nothing to do with it. Hoping we can get her to take one sometime soon.
• She has started following us around the room and tracking objects. 
• She has smiled a few times purposefully and made a few talking/cooing noises
• Enjoys are swing and vibrating seat
• Her hair is still a light brown but she has new hair coming in that is VERY blonde. I can't wait to see what color it will end up being.
• She isn't a huge fan of being swaddled. This is a first for me as her brothers loved it!
• She sleeps best right next to momma.
• Still in a newborn outfits but 0-3 month things fit her.
• Loves to be rocked and sang to. This is how I normally get her to fall asleep for naps and I love it.
• She stays awake for probably about 30 minutes at a time, sometimes an hour and sometimes less. This past week she has been very sleepy but we think it is from working so hard to breathe.
• She loves to be talked to 
• Tolerates her brothers! haha, but they think the world of her. 
• Holds her head up well and enjoys tummy time

Sister, we are so thankful you have made our family complete. Now to get you completely well and enjoy your sweetness to it's fullest. We love you, baby girl!

Shaw is 3

Shaw turned 3 last Saturday, August 2nd. I really can't believe he is 3, it seems unreal. He had a great party at the local splash pad with lots of family and friends. We did it early in the morning and had donuts instead of a cake. That was a big hit! He requested cars and trucks so I added that theme in and we brought toy ones for the kids to play with in the water! We all had such a great time, and the weather was perfect!!

I am beyond thankful that we had another healthy year. He went to the dr. one time for being sick and had a fever maybe 2 other times this whole year. He is still on the little side but is starting to be the same height and weight as some of his friends. I think he is around 36'' and 30 lbs. He has become quite a singer and music enthusiast! He request certain songs, can sing a song after only hearing it two times, and stays on key better than me. The boy has such a tender heart but can be as hard headed as they come. We had to learn each other and what worked for discipline over this past year, somethings worked and others didn't! He slept with us for a few months but he is now sleeping in his bed again. Don't be fooled, he still finds his way to our bed at some point most nights. We are now down to having our paci only at bedtime! I know, at 3, and it has been a challenge. Hoping to be completely rid of it within the next month! He is still in the stage of asking "why?" and "how?" with everything. He loves to learn and wants to know exactly how things work! I am so excited to see how he does in preschool. I think he has matured emotionally over the last few months and he will love being around friends and learning new things two days a week. This has been such a fun time in our lives with this little guy. I can only imagine the bright future ahead of him. I pray he seeks his passions and God's will throughout his life, including the preschool years!

Beach Vacation 2014

We took our annual beach trip to Seagrove Beach the first week of June. Of course, we were a tiny bit reluctant to take two toddlers to the beach BUT let me just say, they had a blast!! They both loved the beach and would play in the sand for hours. Shaw loved the pool quite a bit more than his brother but I see that changing over the next couple of years. We had so much fun and we are so thankful we went!

This dude became a fish in the pool!

We announced to the world that we were getting a sister. We can't wait to meet our sweet Sylvie Reid.

We ate at a few new restaurants and found a couple of new favorites! Seafood and eating is one of my favorite things about the beach! I think I was meant to live on the coast.

We drove into Destin one day and visited the bay!

I am ready to go back!!