There's a reason for my absence...

Introducing the newest member of the Beautiful Family Affairs family...

Born at home on September 5, 2014 at 11:32 weighing a whopping 9 lbs 10 oz and measuring 22 inches long. 

I love little baby toes.

My little cowboy.

His belly just makes me smile!

I love this picture of my two little loves. It took a lot to get it, and if you look closely enough, you can see a little tear on Bug's cheek. The instant we put Little Guy in her lap, she broke down in tears and kept saying "No!" It was really kinda funny. The only way we got her to smile was to ask her to give him a kiss. She absolutely loves giving him kisses and blankets and "pats" on the head. If he's crying, she'll run to him and check on him. 

We're all still adjusting after 4 weeks of him being here. We're absolutely smitten with him and he is such a cuddle bug!

I hope to share my birth story soon, but this little guy is keeping us on our toes with sleep. I think he and his sister have it worked out where Mommy and Daddy get as little sleep as possible. Those little stinkers are already plotting against us! 

Without music, life would be a mistake. - Friedrich Nietzsche

I always knew that I would play music for my littles when they were in my belly. It worked out well when I was pregnant with Bug. I spent most of my day in a little office tucked away in the back of the counselor's suite at my school where I was alone most of the time. I hate silence. I like lots of noise and work better with lots of noise. So to help the day seem not so lonely, I listened to Pandora. I would go back and forth between different playlists: Disney, Mumford and Sons, Jack Johnson, and Tyrone Wells. Sometimes I would throw in some Backstreet Boys and N*Sync just to liven things up.

As I was listening to these songs, I was avidly listening to one that would become "Bug's song." Listening to Tyrone Wells one day in my little office, when his song "Beautiful World Beautiful Girl" came on. Immediately I knew this had to be her song. Something with the lyrics just made sense. So from that moment on, every night we would play this song for her and let her listen to it. 

It's amazing what music does for her now, and specifically, that song. She was less than a day old and we were still in the hospital and she was extremely fussy. The nurse was trying to do the hearing test and she just wasn't having it. Nothing would soothe her. So what did I have the hubs do? I told him to play the song and let her hear it. Within the first measure of the music, she calmed down. It was amazing what one simple song could do for her. It was as if she knew that everything was going to be okay because she knew that song and it was familiar to her. 

Still today, if she's extremely upset and won't calm down, I'll play that song for her and it'll soothe her like nothing else will. It's amazing.

Now, we've got another on the way and I knew that I wanted to do the same with him. I wanted him to have his own song to love and be comforted by. I always joke that he's gonna love the songs from Frozen the best. "Let it Go" will be his "go to" song. That wasn't going to happen. So I went to my go to guys: Tyrone, Jack, James...that whole crew. It's much more difficult to find a song for a boy than for a girl. Bug's song just came to us, I had to look for little guy's. But I finally stumbled upon the perfect song for him. Like with Bug's song, it just fit. It felt right.

I'm hoping this'll have the same effect on little guy as it did with Bug. It's also the song that I hope to play right after he is born. I hope that it'll help ease his transition into the world (does that sound as cheesy as I think it does, oh well).

If you are pregnant, or planning on getting pregnant, I highly recommend finding a song for your little one. If you already have a little one, did you have a specific song that you would play for them before they were born? 

An Update: Bug

I feel with all this talk about my pregnancy, my beautiful princess has fallen by the wayside. It's hard to believe that she's almost 15 months! Where has all the time gone? She's gotten so big overnight it seems! I really want to put a heavy book on her head and slow this whole growing up thing down. 

Right now, allergies seem to be plaguing her like nothing else has. Last Friday she woke up gasping for breath. I never thought I'd be thankful for the bout of RSV she had back in December, but had she not had it, we would have spent Friday in the ER. You see, what happened was, both the hubs and I woke up to a funny sound over the monitor. I couldn't really place it, I knew it was her breathing but it sounded strange. Do you know how a child sounds after they've pitched a fit and are gasping for breath? That's what she sounded like, only she hadn't been crying. The hubs goes in and checks on her and the next thing I hear is "get dressed, she can't breathe." Mom mode kicked in. I grabbed my girl and rushed to the living room where her breathing treatment was. Asthma attack. It sounded like an asthma attack. Now, she's never had asthma before, so I have no idea where it came from. But I knew what needed to be done. I immediately get the nebulizer going and held her as I let the breathing treatment work it's magic. After that she calmed down and her breathing returned to normal. I called her pediatrician and got in first thing that morning. Her lungs were clear and everything checked out "normal," all we can figure out was a possible allergy attack. The pollen count was high the day before and she spent a TON of time outside. Since then, she's been really stuffy and snotty, but no more breathing scares. 

See why I'm thankful for the RSV? Without the RSV, we wouldn't have had the nebulizer and things might not have turned out as well as they did.

But enough of the dramatics. I have adorable pictures of my girl to share with you!

On a random pretty day, we were able to get out and go for a nature walk. This little girl discovered dirt and loved playing in it!

She was so excited to be able to get out and walk and explore on her own!

Sink baths have become our new favorite thing to do! Playing in the water as it comes out of the faucet seems to bring her so much joy! I love being able to do this with her, plus it's easy on this preggo mommy's back.

With the weather getting warmer (hello Summer, where did Spring go?) we've been spending our mornings outside soaking up as much sun as we can! Bug's new favorite thing is to grab our hands and pull us to the door to signify going outside. Or she'll go get her socks and shoes and bring them to us. This little girl LOVES being outside.

Is there anything cuter than a bubble butt and baby leg rolls? I mean, seriously?! Such a happy girl, once again, it's because we're playing outside.

7 Months!

weight: 19 lbs 4 oz       

height: 26 3/4 in still

eating: every 3-4 hours and 3 meals with baby food a day  

floor time: this Bug loves to sit, stand, and roll around on the floor! she's so close to crawling too!

happiness: Bug caught her first cold, so she's been pretty miserable. it's been a cuddle kind of month!

loves: her mommy, teething toys, car rides, peek-a-boo, Jake and the Neverland Pirates, music, her piano, standing, playing in her crib, and eating

sleep: we're down to two naps a day and still sleeping through the night!

first word: MAMA!

She looks so big in this picture! I think she is most likely still somewhere around the 90% for height and weight. The hubs and I joke that it won't be long before she's taller than me! I'm going to be in big trouble. We've been eating solids for the past month, and Bug is loving them! Her favorite would have to be bananas, but she also likes meat. Really, she'll eat about anything we try to give her!

She loves playing peek-a-boo and playing in her crib! It's adorable. I love going in there and finding her smiling and playing. She's trying to pull up on everything and just loves to stand at her piano and bang on it. Best consignment find yet! 

The weather this month has been so strange! It's been in the 60s in August...In Georgia! We're not complaining though. And we've gotten a ton of rain. So we haven't been able to spend as much time outside as I would have liked to this past month. But Bug did get to sit in grass for the first time. She immediately grabbed a handful and put it in her mouth. That's where everything goes nowadays.

She now has both of her bottom teeth and she teethed like a champion! I was so proud of her! She's still in 6 month and 6-9 month clothing.

Dear Bug, 

I know I say this every month, but you are such a joy to have! Your daddy and I love watching your personality develop! Since you've been sick this month, you've been letting us cuddle more than you typically would and I've been soaking it up! I realize that soon you're going to be too big to cuddle, and that just breaks my heart! I would love for time to slow down. We love you so much, Bug. You are truly our pride and joy and we are truly blessed to have you in our lives!

Gitchee gitchee goo!

Mommy and Daddy

6 Month Photo Shoot

I captured Bug's half birthday while we were in Texas.

This one is by far my favorite. I just love that little poochy lip!

And now for a quick comparison:

She's getting so big so fast! Can time please slow down! She's definitely developing her own little personality. I just love how it comes through in her pictures.

6 Months: 1/2 Year!

weight: 18 lbs 2.5 oz       

height: 26 3/4 in 

eating: every 3-4 hours; we've started solids, so far we've tried peaches, apples, bananas, and avocados.  

tummy time: laying down is out of the question, now that she can sit up that's all she wants to do!

happiness: she is a happy girl for the most part; she's getting pretty clingy though too, she loves her mommy and wants to be attached at the hip 24-7

loves: her mommy, teething toys, car rides, peek-a-boo, Jake and the Neverland Pirates, and music

sleep: we're down to two naps a day and still sleeping through the night!

She's in the 90 percentile for both height and weight. Such a big girl! I believe she got that from her daddy, because this mama is not tall at all. Last month at this time I was wondering if we wanted to start solids. This month we've tasted avocados, peaches, apples, and bananas. Her favorite is definitely avocados. I've got a guacamole fan on my hands!

She was such a happy girl at the doctor's office! Even when she got her shot. This is the first time she hasn't gone all red in the face and started screaming the instant the shot goes in. She got a little fussy, but perked right back up. I was shocked!

Bug has found a new favorite nap spot, her daddy's chair. She just loves sitting in it, and got so comfy she fell asleep. Of course, she wouldn't sleep in her crib that day, so the chair had to suffice. It brought tears to my eyes though, she just looked so big and grown up laying there.

We made the big trip (14+ hours) to Texas this past month to meet Daddy's grandparents, aunt, and uncle. We met up with our nieces there too. She felt so special being able to sit and hang out with the big girls.

She's still in 3-6 month, 6 month, and 6-9 month clothes. Cloth diapers are the same and we're still a size 3 in disposable. 

Dear Bug,

Your daddy and I love you so much! This past month you've learned to sit up on your own, you've started scooting around, and you've stepped up that personality. You got to meet your great-grandpa and great-grandma from Texas and you officially stole their hearts. Everyone was just enamored with you. But I can't blame them, you are pretty cute and adorable. As your daddy says, "you're made of awesome." And I completely agree with him.

Gitchee gitchee goo!

Mommy and Daddy

5 Months!

weight: 17 lbs 6.5 oz       

height: 25 1/2 in 

eating: every 3-4 hours; exclusively breastfed

tummy time: tummy time is pretty much non-existent now that she's a rolling machine! 

happiness: she's still a pretty content and happy baby, but lately she's going through a little spurt, I'm hoping we can blame it on teething

loves: cuddles, Lamaze toys, exersaucer, her feet in her mouth, chewing on her fingers, sucking her  thumb, and rolling all over the place

sleep: this past week has been a little rough with sleeping, once we get her to sleep she's sleeping in little bits and pieces, the problem is getting her to sleep

She's gained another pound in the past month! Clearly, she still likes eating. I love how chunky she looks in this picture! I'm debating on whether or not to start her on solids this month. Her doctor said we can start anywhere between 4 and 6 months. I guess, we'll just keep playing around. 

I love a sleeping baby! 

She's officially rolling over! It's fun to watch her and she always seems so proud of herself whenever she rolls over. She loves to roll over from her back to her tummy, but she hates rolling the other way around. She'll get to her tummy and hang out there for a little while happy as can be. Then she starts fussing and wants me to roll her over. 

She's still mostly in 3-6 month clothes, with a few 6-9 month clothes thrown in. It just depends on the brand. She has pajamas that are 6-9 month but they fit like a 0-3 month. It was funny when I tried to get it on her one night. We're keeping the same size in cloth diapers, but we've gone to a size 3 in disposable diapers whenever we use them.

We used the kiddie pool for the first time this month! She didn't know what to think of it, but I think she had fun. We're going to try the big pool this month! I can't wait to get my Bug in the water!

We also went on our first road trip to Orlando this month. This girl was a rock star in the car! I was so impressed. 

She's officially found her thumb and her toes. Something is constantly in her mouth. It's pretty cute. 

Dear Bug, 

Every day is a new adventure with you! You are discovering new things all the time. You've started answering to your name and recognizing who we are! I love watching you find new things. The first time you rolled over you were so shocked! It was precious! And you love eating your toes. Bug, you're such a joy and I love spending each and every day with you! 

Gitchee gitchee goo!

Mommy and Daddy

Wonder Week?

My normally easy-sleeping girl, has taken over a whole new personality these past few days. She's napping right on schedule and goes down rather easily. But come bedtime, something changes. We go through our normal routine: we play, bath, nurse, and then it's time for her to lay down. Typically she falls asleep while nursing and then I just put her down in her crib. Normally she falls asleep and stays asleep the whole night through. 

Then Saturday night...something changed.

Saturday, we spent the day with her great-grandparents (my grandparents) and we didn't get back home  until late and she refused to sleep until after 10. 

Sunday, we got up and went to church and had a relatively normal day, but she still wouldn't sleep until after 10. And to top it off, she will no longer sleep in her crib, which she has been doing wonderfully since she turned 2 months new.
Monday, a normal day. She naps perfectly. Mommy and baby just hanging out all day. Daddy comes home and we play hard all day long. Still, it's after 10 when she falls asleep. Again, in our bed.
Tuesday, evening comes and I make sure to wear her out and we spend lots of time doing tummy time. I nurse her and she falls asleep. For 30 minutes. Then she's up with no obvious hint of slowing down at all. So we cuddle and watch Doctor Who until almost midnight. The only change is she fell asleep in her crib.

Then each night she wakes up multiple times. She wakes up to officially eat around 5am. This is not normal for my girl.

Even now as I type this, she's sitting in my lap. Note, her bed time is between 7:30 and 8pm. She's s sitting here blowing raspberries, just as happy as she can be. Silly girl.

Now, I'm not really complaining. I'm looking at this time as extra cuddle time with my Bug. Time that I wouldn't otherwise get.

But I am wondering if anyone else has gone through something like this. I'm assuming it's just a growth spurt. She's learning a lot of new things nowadays, and I feel like she just can't shut her brain off. But, then again, I don't know.

Anyway, I'm going to cuddle with my girl and enjoy a Doctor Who marathon. I know I will look back on this time with fondness, and wish that she were little again.

Trying to wear her out last night before bed. She looks like she's up to something.

Then and Now

I found these boots for our maternity shoot and just fell in love with them! I love red boots! In fact, I own a pair myself, so I just had to get these for my little Bug.

The other day I was playing around and found that she fits into them now! This made for an impromptu photo shoot with Mommy and Baby.

I love that we're matching :) It's hard to believe that I bought her those little boots when I was around 37/38 weeks pregnant. Now, at 4 months, she's wearing them! She's officially getting too big. Can time please slow down? I'm trying to do more impromptu photo shoots with my girl to capture all the stages in her life. Tomorrow, I'll have to do a photo dump of all the pictures. She's been a good sport...for the most part. But I guess that's what you get for having a shutter-bug for a mommy.

Favorite Things: 3 Month Edition

This favorite thing 3 month edition is extremely similar to the 2 month edition. Items one, three, four, and five are all the same. We just loved them in the 3rd month as much as we did in the second! Two things did change though. If you wanna read more about the other items you can check them out here.

2. Angelcare Movement & Sound Monitor - This monitor has been my peace of mind now that Bug is sleeping in her own room. The steady beeping sound notifying me that she is still okay has been amazing. It's taken me a little while to get used to, but I love it. I do remember the first time the alarm sounded though, that terrified me. But we've figured out how to work it out, and I know how to position her to where she can't manage to scoot off of it while she sleeps.

6. Vulli Sophie the Giraffe Teether - I have seen great things about Sophie and so at the first chance I got, the hubs and I ran to Babies R Us to find one. There were many different choices. We decided to go with the one that has "handles" for our girl. The first reason is that it seems easier to grip for her, the second is that she can't easily choke herself by sticking Sophie's long neck down her throat. I love this little toy and it goes everywhere with us. Bug can easily grab it and it goes directly into her mouth. She still hasn't gotten the hang of chomping down on it, but it's cute to see her with it. 

Happy Mother's Day

I think this picture says it all.

It's days like today...

...that I realize just how blessed I am.

Thank you, LORD for this amazing little girl and the amazing family you have blessed me with.