Sylvie is ONE!!

On November 13th, our baby girl turned one! I still can't believe it. I spent the day sobbing (a few times). The tears really came when I was setting up for her party. I mean, could it really be the last one year party I ever set up for?! Even though I am sad and my heart may yearn for another baby in our house at some point, we are so excited to see our children grow, learn, and watch their personalities unfold. In the future, could a fourth come through adoption? Possibly, but right now we are enjoying our two boys and one girl. This year flew by and I would do anything to relive it again. I slept very little and stayed tired a lot of the time but I would do it all over again in a heartbeat. Our sweet Sylvie Reid has become such a tenderhearted little girl and she seems to be changing constantly. Here is all about her at 12 months and a look into her birthday party.

• She weighs right under 20 lbs. and is 29 inches long.
• Still wears size 4 diapers
• Size 9-12 and 12 months clothes. Size 2 and 3 shoes.
• Still nurses 3-4 times a day. I am continuing to pump 1x a day at work to keep her mainly on breast milk until the winter months are over. I also have 13 weeks of breast milk stored in the freezer. For now, she does not want to wean anytime soon and I am completely fine with that. Her daddy and I are going on a trip in July so she will need to be weaned by then (she will be 20 months old).
• Grossmotor wise she still crawls but can cruise and likes to let go and stand by herself. She is getting more brave each day. She also walks behind toys. 
• She is so verbal and talks a lot. She can say well over 20 words and we are hearing new ones almost every day. Her nursery worker told me today after church that she was calling her "Mamie" and her name is Jamie. She also says the phrases "There she is" and "Here ya go". She is a talker!
• She loves to give kisses and hugs
• She dances when she hears music
• She LOVES pictures and wants us to tell her every person in each one.
• She also loves books and art work and wants to know the name of every animal and thing.
• Points at everything
• Loves to empty drawers and baskets.
• Her eating really picked up this past month and she seems to be eating more. I started a few grains with her (pastas and corn).
• Loves her baby dolls and likes to snuggle them and give them love.
• She has decided that she is scared to ride in the car seat (still backwards) at night. If we turn the light on she is completely fine.
• On her birthday she had 5 teeth, she now has 7.
• The week before her birthday, she decided to start sleeping through the night. She normally sleeps 7:30-6:30. (mama feels like a new person!)
• She is going through a phase of not wanting anything on her head. This started this at about 10 months old but I keep telling her I will win that battle and she WILL wear bows :) Her hair is now long enough to clip a small bow in!!
• She gets absolutely giddy when she sees her brothers in the morning or if she has been away from them.
• Drinking raw, whole milk out of a sippy cup with meals
• Loves hand games (wheels on the bus is her favorite) and we have started having tea parties. She giggles when she takes a drink and says "mmhmm" when she takes a bite. She likes to share her tea cup and spoon.
• Still the happiest baby and has the cheesiest grin! 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

On her birthday, we had a party at her Mimi's house with family and friends. We served chili and soups and it was really a great party! The table turned out exactly how I envisioned: sweet, dainty, and girly.

Happy one year, Sylvie Reid. You are so loved, baby girl. I can't wait to see what all adventures your second year brings us.

Sylvie 11 months

One month until the big day, until our baby girl turns ONE. This year went by insanely fast. Like, I promise I just had her six weeks ago fast. This month has been so fun with our girl. She is growing into such a sweet and sassy toddler. Here is everything about her at eleven months:

• Weighs around 19-20 lbs.
• Wears a size 2 shoe (tiny feet)
• Wear size 9-12 month clothes
• She has been signing "more" and "all done" successfully for about 2 weeks
• She now says: night-night, Dada, mama, bye bye, bubba, hello, uh-oh,  cheese & thank you
• She starts waving and saying "night night" when she is ready to go to bed
• Everything is a phone! She puts toys and objects up to her ear and says "hello"
• When I get my phone or camera out she smiles and says "heeeese" (cheese)
• She is in the pointing phase and points at everything
• She is now crawling, pulling up, cruising, and letting go for a few seconds. No interest in walking just yet.
• As soon as we start leaving places she starts waving to everyone and saying "bye bye"
• She sleeps 7:30-5:00 usually. Some nights she wakes up earlier but never later ;) I'm sure as soon as I stop night nursing she will sleep later.
• Eats 3 meals a day. Her favorite foods are: all beans, bananas, blue berries, raspberries, and pears.
• She still nurses 5-6 times a day and takes 2 bottles while I am working.
• She has 4 teeth (3 on bottom and 1 on top) with at least 2 more coming in.
• I'm so thankful that she hasn't been sick one time since she contracted RSV at 3 weeks old. She has beat the odds of living with asthma and chronic respiratory issues so far.
• She has learned to scream when her brothers do something she doesn't like. She caught on to getting them in trouble a lot earlier than I was anticipating.
• Her brothers ADORE her and constantly kiss and love on her. They still call her pretty girl :)
• She is known for always smiling and being the best baby. She is always happy!

We love you, sissy. Thank you for making me a girl mama and for making this past year SO much fun. I can not wait to see how The Lord uses you for His good and to watch His plans for your life unfold. You make all of our lives so much more fun and full of sass. 

Sylvie 10 months

Double digits y'all. It took no time and our baby girl is already TEN months. Only two more months and my last baby will be one, and I am so so sad about it. I also have done nothing to plan for her first birthday party. I'm now only working three days a week and still have no time to get things done. Three children alone is hard work. I do not possibly see how women how work full time outside of the home do it when they have more than two children. Three is a whole new ballgame. Hopefully within the next couple of weeks I will find some extra time laying around somewhere to start making plans. Here is all about our little sweetie at 10 months old!

• She weighs around 20 lbs. We go this week for her 9 month check up (yes, a month late)
• She has moved up to size 2 shoes. She still has itty bitty feet but they are growing
• No eating veggies, fruit, and meat. Still not doing any grains.
• Still only has 2 teeth but the front, top teeth are SLOWLY making their way in. I would have bet she would have had them by now but they are taking their sweet time.
• Still waving at everyone while saying "hi!" and "bye bye". She also starting giving high fives this past week.
• Crawling quickly everywhere. She is now crawling more on her hands and knees than army crawling.
• Started pulling up last week.
• Mastered the step between rooms in my grandmother's house today. Anther reason why I am thankful we do not have steps in our home.
• Started pointing at things this past month. Her daddy likes to toss her up in the air and for the first time she would point up after he was done telling him to do it more. She has also started pointing at toys and people
• Has really started interacting and loving hand games. She will clap when we start singing patty cake.
• She is now a dancer! Music comes on and her little body starts moving :) 
• Still a hoover. My one and only child that literally puts everything in her mouth. It's a daunting task since she is so mobile. I'll actually be happy when she starts walking because then she won't be eye level with the floor anymore! ha!
• Still adores her baby sitter. She almost jumps out of my arms every morning into hers. That is such a blessing to this mama!
• The happiest, most content baby around. Often times I keep thinking I need to be doing something with her since she plays by herself so easily. I think her favorite thing to do is entertain herself. 
• She loves blocks, baby dolls, and all things she isn't supposed to be playing with like dirty shoes!
• Her brothers call her "pretty girl". I hope they always call her that!

Sylvie Reid, you are such a doll baby. Your contagious smile could make even the worst days better. We love you!

Pre-k Three {Round Two}

Yesterday was Shaw's first day of preschool for the year. Due to his birthday being one day past the state cut off we are doing the 3 year old class again. This year went so much smoother than last year for both of us. He walked in like he owned the place and I felt such at ease and no anxiety on how he would do. He was so excited to start a new year with his teacher and meet new friends. Last year we started a tradition of Josh and I both taking off that morning and taking him to breakfast. This year we had John, Ashley, and Sam come with us which was fun. Shaw and Sam are in the same class which should make for some interesting and funny stories for years to come :)

Last year on the left, this year on the right. OH MY! What a difference a year makes!

He was snack boy on the first day so we did an apple theme. My friend made us apple cake balls and we took sliced apples. He even took Mrs. Susan a plate of the cake balls! They were adorable!

"If teachers were apples I would pick you every time" (and look at that signature) :)

Walking in with daddy!

Sam and Shaw, sweet cousins!

Here's to another great year at Children's Corner in Mrs. Susan's class.