From 1 to 2: Adjusting to Harper

Let me begin by describing what it was like for me when Presley was born.

She was my first and I was so in love with her. However, I don't think I enjoyed her as much as I should have. I was so caught up with doing things by the books. My life was constantly timing feedings, trying to keep a schedule, and following all the baby book rules. You want to know where it got me??? No where. Instead, I was just a nervous first time Mom trying to keep up.

This time around it has been wonderful. I just enjoy Harper so much! Don't get me wrong, I love them both equally. Yes, there is enough room in your heart to love both in case you were wondering. It's incredibly wonderful and scary how much love your heart can hold.

With Harper,  I can barley remember when I fed her last, and I definitely can't remember which side to start on. I don't care about her taking a bottle from time to time or if she gets the exact amount of recommended tummy time. I'm relaxed and just enjoying all of her sweet squishy goodness.

With Presley, I think I was also adjusting to loosing all my "me" time. It was hard going from a care free married couple to all of a sudden having this massive responsibility. I was so done by the end of the night that I just wanted Presley in her bed. Now at the end of the night, I keep Harper sleeping on my chest.  I also keep her in my bed after she wakes up for her first night time feeding, GASP! I love that cuddle time we get together. This time I know how fast it goes.

Seriously, this newborn stuff has been easy! It's the combination of the two girls together that makes things a little more complicated, but I'm beginning to get the hang of it. Everyday I feel more and more blessed when I look at my little family. 

Rock On!

This little tiny platform called a "Rock On" has been my saving grace as of late. Harper is too young to go to the childcare at my gym (and I wouldn't want her there that young either), so my instructor said I could bring her to class. Of course, Harper does not enjoy her car seat when the car isn't moving, so I didn't think I would be able to attend. Then my friend, Truly, introduced me to this amazing little hands free baby rocker. Harper loves it and so does Mama! Here is a quick video I made showing you how it works. This really is so great. I just wish I'd thought of it first. 

By the way, you can buy it on sale right now from One Step Ahead.

Friday phone dump {on Saturday...again}

I have so many precious matching outfits for my girls. Every time I attempt a picture of them together, this is usually what I get. Maybe one day...

My sis in law sent me this pic of my nephew, Landon. Look at that precious plumbers booty!

Crashed out over Daddy's shoulder.

Modeling her swimwear from Aunt Melissa.

FINALLY!!! A somewhat decent picture of my two ladies.

This picture makes me laugh so hard every time I see it. Presley was playing in a teepee that used to be Brandon's when he was little. She kept sticking her head out of the back window and fussing at us about something (I can't remember what it was now. We get fussed at a lot by her). I'm not even going to say what this looks like.

Every time Presley kisses now, she holds your face in her hands. It is so sweet!!! She did, however, attempt to stick her tongue in my mouth in this picture??? I was a little taken a back if you can't tell by my face.

Presley making Harper smile with her silly faces.

Hehe, this face makes me laugh. All clean after bath time.

Presley and I made the most delicious baked oatmeal off of Pinterest. OMG! so delish! Sadly, it was very high in calories. In fact, it tasted more like a dessert than a breakfast.

Presley is always asking to hold Harper. It's always a little scary backing up to take a picture, but she is getting better and better at being gentle.

Well folks, there you have it! Another week come and gone. I guess we will see what next week has in store.

Harper: 2 Months

Holy Moly! How has 2 months passed already?? What an incredible blessing my sweet Harper girl has been. We love you to the moon and back, little one.

Here is what Harper has been up to during Month 2:

• Finally starting to share her voice with us. Her coo's are so sweet, but she has been stingy with them up until this past week. She is still a major grunter though.
• Still absolutely loves bath time and the water in general. Just the sound of running water will calm her. She also had her first experience in Mimi and Daddy Bob's pool this month.
• She adores getting her nightly massage. That's when I get the most coo's out of her.
• Gives us tons of huge grins. She is the smiliest baby!
• is in size 1 diapers, but probably not for too much longer.
• wearing 0-3 and some 3-6 months. We are officially beyond newborn.
• Still spitting up a ton, but her liquid Zantac has helped her so much! She is so much more relaxed and happy.
• Can hold things in her grasp. This includes hair which Presley is not so happy about.
• Loves sucking on her fist or mine or whoever's is the closest available.
• Rolls from her tummy to her back.
• Harper has experienced her first car ride to Houston and did so fabulous!
• Sleeps close to 7 hours most nights then goes back to sleep after her 6:30 feeding until around 9:30-10am.
• still nursing every 2 1/2 to 3 hours during the day.
• Loves her snuggle bunny swing now that it rocks from side to side instead of front to back. She also loves sitting up in the bumbo.
• Has some strong legs. She is always pushing off my tummy with them to "stand" herself up.
• blows tiny little spit bubbles (Presley made so many spit bubbles her whole front half would be wet).
• Is balding old man style; thin on the top, thick round the sides and back. There isn't a bow big enough to help homegirl's hair do! 
• Loves her big sister so much. All Harper has to do is look at Presley, and she is all smiles.

Unfortunately, Harper had to get 3 shots on her 2 month birthday. Poor thing! She cried for just a bit ,and then went right to sleep. I thought everything was fine until she woke up screaming uncontrollably from her afternoon nap. After a dose of tylenol, She was back to her normal happy self.

Here are her 2 month stats:

Height: 22.5 inches/ 50th percentile

Weight:11.6 lbs./ 50th percentile

(I can never remember the head measurement. Sorry, H!)

From 1 to 2: The Adjustment for Presley

I keep meaning to write about how life has been adjusting from 1 to 2, but I very rarely get a chance to sit down these days. So here goes...

First, I will start with Presley. Oh my sweet little Presley, how her world has been rocked. Adjusting has been hard on her which has made it very hard on me. There are times when I have felt so guilty for having Harper. 

She has gone through many phases in the two months that Harper has been here. At first, she wanted to be all over the baby. She would physically shake, she wanted to get her hands on Harper so bad. Sometimes she would be so sweet, but a lot of the time she would hit, scratch, squeeze, pinch, bite etc. At one point, I thought there was a possibility that Presley might actually kill her (thankfully were beyond that). Because I was feeling like a bad horrible Mom for ruining her little toddler life, I would let her get away with a lot and she took full advantage. Consistency is key.

Then after a while, Presley decided she didn't want anything to do with. She became glued to Daddy. She wanted him to take her to bed, give her baths, make her dinner, and I was to do none of it. 

One day while Presley was in the bathtub we had a little conversation that went like this:

Presley:"Mommy, your my Mommy".

Me:"Yes, I'm your Mommy".

Presley: "and your  baby Harper's Mommy, too".

Me: "Yes, I am".

Presley: "Who's Harper's Daddy?"

I immediately called Brandon on the phone and our convo went like this:

Me: "Presley doesn't know your Harper's Daddy, and that's why she still likes you!!!"

Brandon: "Shhh! Don't ever tell her the truth"!

Eventually, she forgave me and welcomed me back into her world. 

The next phase she went through was acting out. Nothing was directly related to Harper, but it was always the root of the problem. She would have horrible fits, stopped napping, fought us at bedtime and the list goes on. Brandon and I were in over our heads!

Thankfully, things have improved a lot recently. Presley loves Harper, and is sweet to her for the most part. Occasionally, she has to squeeze a pinch or a scratch in. She loves to rock her and cover her up with blankets. We have had to have a few talks about not stuffing the blankets in Harper's mouth and feeding her waffles, but I guess that's just par for the course. Right???

We are still navigating life with two little ones. As hard as it has been, I wouldn't change any of it. I love our little family of four, even if I do loose my mind from time to time.

Wordless Wednesday: Bumbo Love

Smiles for Presley

Harper loves her big sister so much! She is always grinning at her. It makes me so excited to think about what kind of relationship they will have in the future.

Did anyone catch Presley saying, "I'm going to fall on baby Harper, Mommy"?!? It's a daily battle to keep Harper unharmed. Oy vey!

Happy 30th Birthday, Brandon!

The hubs finally hit the wonderful dirty thirty! Yes, I am the older woman in this relationship. Technically, his birthday was on July 9th so this post is super late. Sorry, babe!

Unfortunately, Brandon's 30th landed on a Monday, yuck! However, my Mom was here so we got to go out to celebrate, just the two of us. I Made reservations for us at the Capitol Grille and the food was ah-mazing. If you have one by you, you must get the lobster macaroni!!!

Presley was super excited about "throwing Daddy a birthday party", so we had another celebration the next day. While on pinterest, I came across the recipe for Dr. Pepper cake. Brandon is addicted to Dr. Pepper (I am so not joking, y'all), so I thought this would be the perfect cake. P did a great job helping...and making a major mess.

And this face is a direct result of tasting unsweetend cocoa powder when Mommy specifically warned her not to. It must have been pretty bad because P wouldn't taste anything else the rest of the time. She even refused to lick the spoon!

The finished product!

and now for the best part: lighting the candles, blowing them out, and EATING the cake!

Seriously, people, my daughter does where pants from time to time. I promise. By the way, her clothing choices were completely hers. Just sayin'.

We ended the night with a little present opening. Brandon got very mature gifts this year since he was turning 30; storage for his tools and an organizing rack for the garage.

Presley revealing Daddy's present

My Mom (the one that's been behind the camera), the birthday boy, and Harper

Happy happy birthday, Brandon! We love you soooooo much! You are the greatest, bestest, most wonderful husband and father anyone could ask for.

Saturday Phone Dump

Oops! I'm a day late, but that's pretty much how it is these days.

We road tripped it to Houston this past week, so the rest of my family could meet Harper. Presley and Harper were amazing on the car ride. I will have a much more in depth blog about our week in Houston, but here is a little sneak peek.

Harper crashed out on my cousin, Katie.

  

My sister in law, Brooke, was able to stop in and say hello. 

 My sister making Harper smile.

My cousin, Kallie, with Presley. They look like they could be sisters.

Presley and Harper had on the cutest matching outfits, but Presley refused to pose for me.  At least you can see them in the pic above and below.

Jackson holding Miss H

Between Jackson and Presley, we had to get out of the house. We went to Katy Mills Mall and played on all the fun things there.

Presley in the hurricane simulator

Crashed in Mimi's stroller! This is the 4th time she has ever fallen asleep in a stroller EVER!

Harper tagged along in the Beco. I carry her in this all the time, and she usually can't keep her eyes open in it. I just happened to look down and found these big blue eyes peeking up at me.

We made it back from Houston safe and sound. The girls were great once again, but I got a speeding ticket. My first one in over 8 years, boo! Anyway, we have been spending as much time as possible outside in the mornings before it gets too hot. Both of my ladies love riding in the double stroller up to the park.

Harper is usually crashed out by the time we get there. 

  

Presley making her Monster face. 

and for some random pics...

Harper's first time in the bumbo.

 She smiles so much!!! I love it. Too bad Presley has decided she wants nothing to do with the camera anymore:(.

Just a glimpse into my life. This is the result of trying to do too much too fast with too many things in my arms. 

My parents brought us back wine and champagne from their trip to the wine country in California. I thoroughly enjoyed my souvenir!

A Reason to Drink

Not that anyone needs one...

Cork painting!

This is another fun activity that we do around the house when it's too hot to play outside. All you need is a cork, paint, and paper. I found that champagne corks work better for little grasps, but wine corks work great too! Cheers!

And when you get tired of the corks, there's always your feet.