Hannah: 2 Years Old

Hannah turned two on September 10, and this big ole girl is something else. She's the funniest, sassiest, sweetest and cutest person I've ever met. She loves to run over, lean in and rest her head on someone and say "awwwww." She comes up to me at least once an hour and pats me on the leg and says "Mommy kay?" to make sure I'm ok. She's very thoughtful and sweet. She loves giving kisses (luckily she puckers up now instead of opening her mouth wide!). She loves hugs, high fives, sitting "wit me!", exclaiming happily "got it!" whens she figures something out, and walking into a room and saying "Boo!!" while waiting for your scared reaction.

She is great at pushing boundaries and going as far as she can before running over and giving a quick side hug to appease whoever she's working on. She'll furrow her brows, tilt her head down and give the most serious face she can (she's Andrew's kid!!) before bursting into a big smile and laughing. She gets whiny when she's tired and super grumpy when she's hangry. A spoonful of peanut butter usually sets her right. (she is my child after all!).

Hannah spends many Sundays with  my mom, Grandma (Momma), and excitedly talks about Momma anytime she wants to go somewhere. When she plays with her toy phones it's always Momma that is on the other line. Apparently she doesn't take calls from anyone else. (I am Mommy, Grandma is Momma).

Once she sets her mind to something, it's all she can think about. If she's going to see Nana and we tell her, she repeatedly asks for Nana until she arrives. She must have a pretty good time at Nana and Papa Chip's house!

She likes to let us know she "want bye bye" if we've been home too long. She'll also tell us when she's ready for bed "I want nigh-nap!" Too easy to get this girl to sleep. (she is my child after all!). This kid is a jabberbox and can usually request what she wants. She may not have the specific word for it, but we know most of her code words. Of course there are plenty of times she says things that make no sense to us but she knows exactly what she's saying.

She's doing Mother's Day Out 5 days a week from 9-2 and loves it there. She asks for Nenny (Wendy, her teacher) all the time. We've started to think Nenny is any of her teachers because she talks about her even on days Wendy isn't there. But if you show her a picture she's colored she always says it was with Nenny. She loves going to the playground, cooking in the toy kitchen and playing with her friends.

She takes one nap per day, goes down about 7:30 and sleeps until about 7 am. We transitioned to her big girl bed about 2 months ago and she handled it like a champ!! The only downside is she climbs out of bed at 7 am and sits and knocks on her door and calls us. (she used to sleep until about 8, but she definitely gets up earlier now).

We haven't started any potty training although she tells us when she's doing business and is probably close to begin ready. Honestly, I'm not ready. It's just not time yet. For now she tolerates diaper changes.

She's obsessed with watching cartoons on our phones, which she lovingly calls Momo. (She started off watching Elmo on the phone so she thinks it's called Momo). She has a serious Peppa Pig obsession, followed closely by My Little Pony (which she calls Mew Mews).

We are teaching a Mommy and Me ballet class every week and while she doesn't do much in class, I catch her practicing her moves at home pretty often. As a proud mommy I have to say she's got a beautifully natural high relevè!! I hope she has the love and passion for dance like I did, but I want her to find her own calling in life. Fingers crossed its in the dance studio like me!!

Our work schedules are really crazy right now so she tends to spend more time at home with Andrew than me lately. Girl friend loves her daddy, but when I'm home it's usually after we haven't seen much of each other for a few days so Mommy takes top notch after a few doubles. Its so sweet and exhausting, after working 3 doubles in a row I just want to sleep, but Baby wants to cuddle. I try to remind myself that this time is so fleeting that I need to take every cuddle and hug she'll give.

Overall our girl is smart, funny and so loving. We wouldn't trade her or change anything about our big ole 2 year old!! We love you Baby!!!

Changes and Settling In

About a month ago our family made a set of pretty big changes. After 7 years with a company near and dear to me I made a career change to become a (once again) full time server at The Cheesecake Factory. We moved Hannah from our beloved Mother's Day Out program to a full time in-home daycare. Andrew, in his usual way, held steadfast and strong in his kitchen position of weekend doubles and late nights.

I've always said, I don't mind change, but I really hate the transitional period from one step to the next. That in between phase that is awkward and stressful and unknown. The point of deciding it was time to leave, but not being sure how or when to. Of knowing Hannah needed full time care, but searching for the perfect place to watch over my baby. The gray area between black and white -- it's a stressful place to be.

Now that we're a month out we are starting to come out of the gray, transitional period and we are starting to set a new normal. We're hitting a new routine and figuring out who comes and goes and when it happens. It's not necessarily easy, and we haven't hit that sweet spot yet, but it's working.

Hannah's still adjusting to a whole new routine - new schedule, new food, new caregivers, new friends, new toys, new everything. Most days she gets a great report from school. She really is the sweetest little thing and goes with the flow pretty well. She doesn't care for the traditional toddler food they serve and most days she's HANGRY when we pick her up, but they're learning her preferences and doing their best to accommodate the one kid that prefers fruits and vegetables over everything else. I think she lived off of bananas for the first two weeks, but it's getting better, moving out of the gray zone of learning a new child's tastes. She's learning to sleep on a cot, play with kids in age groups outside of her own, how to go with the flow. It's been a little hard on everyone, but we're growing.

I'm really enjoying my new work situation, but it's different. I'm no longer working from home and spending long hours with my sweet baby girl, and that's hard. But I love my Cheesecake family and being able to move around and interact with people, it really makes the days go by so much faster. We're still figuring out how many shifts I need to work to hit that sweet spot of enough money to pay bills and enough time at home with my family.

Probably the best part of these changes is Wednesdays. Andrew and I have set Wednesdays as our permanent off day, something we never had together before. We get Hannah up, give her lots of kisses and send her to school. Then we have the entire day together with little to no agenda. One week we did chores. One week we slept in until almost 1:00. Last week we helped my youngest sister find a new car. Wednesdays are our day together to recharge as a couple, and it's been wonderful. With such carefully coordinated schedules we had very little time together before The Change. Now we have a full day, and a few evenings as well. It's been so good for us to have time together again.

Some days things are hard, some days things are smooth. Sometimes I wonder if I'm crazy for going back to serving at the age of 30, but then I step back and see the benefits of it and realize who the heck cares if I'm a server or a lawyer, what matters is my family and my own happiness. And right now all of those things are coming together. Ch-ch-ch-changes!

Balance

Finding balance in life is often one of the hardest things to do. This can relate to need vs wants, work vs play, cake vs vegetables, etc. etc. The days pass so quickly that it really takes effort and a lot of hard work to find a semblance of balance, and to be honest, that is something we are struggling with lately.

I work two jobs and Andrew works all the time. Our schedules are carefully crafted to make sure someone is home with Hannah while still allowing us to basically work around the clock. I'm sad to say that with our current set up, Andrew and I see each other about 2 nights a week, with one of those being his kickball nights, so it's cut short. It's unfortunate that during this fun phase of life, we seldom get to have fun as a whole family. It's one of those tricky balancing acts, working enough to pay the bills versus making sure we are able to spend quality time as a family. This is our hardest balance and most painful concession to make sure we are able to stay above water. It's not easy.

Lately I've had trouble maintaining motivation to continue moving forward in my weight loss journey. It's mostly a battle of will power and self control. Something that seems should be easy can be so difficult. I admittedly have poor self control -- it's how I became over weight in the first place. I finally hit my pre-pregnancy weight about a month ago, but have self-sabotaged and regained a couple of pounds. I know I can do it, I'm down almost 20 pounds to prove it, but I'm too good at reasoning to myself, "it's the first date night we've had in weeks, have dessert." "You only see Mumford and Sons in concert every few years, eat the queso at dinner and drink beer at the show." "I'm down 17 pounds, I deserve this cookie!" Balancing the want to celebrate with the ability to continue being successful. It's hard.

As Hannah gets older (more sassy), bigger (able to climb on more things), and smarter (able to climb on more things and sassy), we are hitting a more complicated stage of discipline. She's not quite ready for time out, and laughs at whatever you say to her if trying to make her stop doing something. She thinks it's fun and highly giggle worthy to run across the couch while almost falling off. I can't keep her off of it, she doesn't care/understand/listen when I tell her why it's a horrible idea. She's bound to injure herself, I don't know what to do and she keeps on doing it. Balancing my frustration with concern, her fun with her safety, all of it with my sanity. It's challenging.

At the end of the day, we do the best we can. We balance what we can and some days the needs have to come before the wants. The need to work an extra shift vs the want to relax. The need to not buy the morning coffee vs the want to indulge. The need to put down the dessert vs the 'hello, we love cookies!' It's all a work in progress and I'm thankful that I have a wonderful husband and family to help me balance this crazy juggling act we call life! (but if you see me with a cookie, don't say anything, just give me the side eye).

Healthy Eating - 2.5 Months In

On January 1, 2016, I decided to make some dietary changes to improve the quality of my life for both short and long term results. I didn't look at it as a New Year's resolution or a diet to follow until I lost XX about of pounds. I went in looking at it from the perspective of health and an example for my daughter. After a couple of days in Andrew realized I was being serious this time and not just looking to cut calories for a week only to fall back to old habits yet again. He decided to join this journey and lifestyle change and let me tell you, having a partner and someone with similar goals makes it SO much easier and more enjoyable. It also helps since he makes almost all of our home-cooked meals :) While Andrew and I have similar big picture goals, our methods and reasons are slightly different so I won't speak for him in this piece.

We are now 60+ days into the "New Year, New Me" campaign and things are going great. We've stuck to long enough to become mostly habit. I was juicing (making fresh juices at home) twice a day, but produce is quite costly so we've dialed that back. I try to have one juice a day but lately it's been more of every other day. We both use My Fitness Pal and log our calorie intake, which is the main tool that has helped us be successful. I've also stopped drinking sodas, which was huge for me. I was a 2-3 diet cokes a day kind of girl, now I only have soda when I'm drinking my bourbon and coke, and that isn't very often. Maybe once every week or two. I could do better at drinking more water, but I'm still a work in progress.

Because I was smart and married a wonderful cook, we've been able to eat healthy meals when we are home together (which sadly isn't often enough). We've replaced pasta with spinach, bread with smaller portions of rice, and tried to work in healthy choices in all of our meals. Because we most always have fresh produce for our juices, we also have fruit around for healthy snacks.

I'm proud to say that Hannah is a big fan of most healthy foods, and even prefers fresh produce over processed foods that most toddlers love. Her favorite foods right now are steamed broccoli, pears, tangerines, blueberries, green beans. She won't even touch macaroni and cheese (say what?!). Not to say she eats perfectly or doesn't like cookies and crackers, but she truly does love fruits and veggies. Go Baby!!

With all of these lifestyle changes we have both seen big success in our weight loss goals. I'm down 15 pounds, but still have plenty to go to get to a more ideal healthy weight. Andrew has lost even more (I'm not certain of the exact number). What is it with guys having an easier time?! But he has worked hard for it, so I'm proud of us both! Stay tuned to see how far we can take this journey!

Blue Ridge Splendor

This cabin, Blue Ridge Splendor, has been the site of many exciting events and firsts for Andrew and myself. We came here for our first vacation as a couple, this is where Andrew proposed to me, and now we've enjoyed our first vacation as a family of 3. To say this cabin holds special memories would be an understatement. My kind and gracious in-laws have let us use the family cabin to get away from the day to day grind, replenish our minds and hearts, and for that we are so grateful.

Our weekend away has been lovely, semi-relaxing, a touch stressful, but overall great. Hannah has been cutting teeth all weekend and has been pretty miserable unless being held or entertained. She is usually content with some alone time to play on her mat with toys while we cook dinner or relax, but not this weekend. She also hasn't been napping well, which we assume is a combination of teething and being in an unfamiliar environment. Thankfully she's slept great at night, but we figure since it's dark it seems more like home, whereas during the day when the room is still fairly well lit she can tell she isn't in her normal place.

We drove up to north Georgia on Friday and will return Monday afternoon, so it hasn't been a long trip. We've enjoyed perfect weather all weekend. We took our time Friday and were blessed with a sleepy baby. We stopped for lunch at Chili's, let Hannah sit in a high chair for the first time (she did awesome and loved it!!), then continued on. The initial drive up the mountain didn't go all that smoothly, but we made it and settled in.

Saturday I enjoyed a mid-morning nap while Hannah slept (the one good nap she's taken all weekend), we went into town for a quick trip (desperately needed oragel and Tylenol!), then back home to relax. Hannah did quite a bit of crying and nap skipping, until we put her down a bit early so we could regain our sanity. We cooked dinner, played some pool, sat in the hot tub and ate a few too many cookies! (I realize by the looks of her pictures you'd never know she was fussy, but trust me, it happened. we just know how to make her smile!).

Sunday was another perfect weather day so after Han's first nap (too short, but enough to get her through the morning) we took some family photos before heading out to explore a bit. I invested in a tripod after Christmas and it has been such a wonderful addition. We got some beautiful pictures, although it took about 20 takes to get a handful of good ones. Once into downtown Blue Ridge we had lunch at a little cafe, then did a little souvenier shopping. We made it back up the mountain smoothly and settled in for another fussy evening. After only a 25 minute cat nap all afternoon she finally went down and has allowed us some quiet time! Andrew is cooking his signature salmon while I upload pictures and write this post, then we'll settle in for another few games of pool before calling it a night.

We'll head out tomorrow morning sometime and hopefully be lucky enough to have a quiet/sleepy baby. I'm not counting on getting lucky twice, but I can hope! There's a good chance we'll run into traffic from the race in Talladega, so fingers crossed we don't have a fussy baby and terrible traffic!!

Although it would have been nice to not have a teething baby fussing all weekend, we still were blessed enough to be able to enjoy this beautiful trip. We have loving family that allowed us the use of their beautiful house, hard earned money to be able to take the time off to enjoy the trip, and most importantly, a wonderful family in the three of us. Despite painful gums, crocodile tears and a few "I need to tag out" situations, this weekend has been successful and much needed. (I told Andrew we need to come back in September for my 30th birthday and leave baby at home with family for a truly relaxing getaway!!) ;)

As with all vacations, I hate to leave, but I look forward to home. Our cozy house, felines that will be happy to get head scratches, the relief Hannah will have of being back in familiar surroundings, and the all around pretty great life we've built for ourselves will be a welcome sight. Vacations are awesome, but the important part is that we'll still be happy to return home. Although a few less hours worked and more time together would be nice!

Hannah: 4 Months

15 pounds 9 ounces

23.5 inches long

42 centimeter head circumference

My dear chubby cheeks,

Sweet Hannah, you are 4 months old! I can't believe you have completed 1/3 of a year! You had a doctors appointment today and you are a healthy girl! You are in the 75th percentile for weight and 25th percentile for height, and these are for your actual age, not adjusted age! We were worried the doctor would say something about your flat head but she said it was nothing to worry about, totally common and should round out now that you can hold your head up and spend more time upright. Yay! We are being referred to a physical therapist to work on your neck stiffness and get you loosened up a little. This will help since you will be more willing to turn your head to both sides equally instead of always turning to the right. Your motor development seems to fall more in line with your adjusted age of 3 months rather than your actual age of 4 months. But no worries, you have until about 2 years old to catch up and be considered totally normal and healthy. We have full confidence you are doing just fine.

I heard your first laugh today and it was the sweetest noise I've ever heard. You were on the changing table just kicking away having a grand ole time, and I said in a rapid, high pitched voice, "I love workouts!!" You did a little giggle for me so I repeated myself and I got a small chuckle, then you clammed up and wouldn't do it again. I think we have many more laughs in our future because you are so smiley and sweet. You truly are a happy natured baby. Dr. Irons said you are right on track with your social development. You give smiles to most anyone who smiles at you or makes a funny face. Sometimes you'll do a big smile, then it'll turn into a full on pout with your bottom lip turned out so perfectly. You will hold the pout for a minute then go into a big cry. Once you get worked up it takes some time to calm you back down, but that's mainly just when you are too tired.

You eat 5 ounces of formula about every 3 hours during the day. You'll sleep from 10 or 10:30 to about 6 or 6:30 in the morning. Some nights you stretch it a bit longer, but that's about your average. After you have a 4 ounce bottle you go back to sleep for about 2 hours. You're up around 9 most mornings. You are definitely more of a cat napper during the day but they are becoming more predictable. Naps are a work in progress.

You've started batting at toys recently but you're still very jerky. It sometimes looks like an accident since your movements are so awkward, but I can see the determination on your face. You stick your tongue out (like me and your great gran'dad) and focus really intently on whatever you are trying to hit. We've got a prescription for extra tummy time to help build up your neck muscles and arm/core tone so we should be seeing more swinging arms soon.

You celebrated your first Christmas and you were so good. You slept through some stuff, sat semi-quietly through others, we even got to eat without you unhappily interrupting (like you decided on Thanksgiving that you were starving right after I made my plate and sat down). You got all sorts of cool stuff, but I'm most excited about the zoo membership Grandma got us. I forsee a lot of nice days checking out the animals! You love the swing Santa brought and it has made naps a little more manageable. You also welcomed your first New Year! Dad had to work late so you were in bed well before he got home. But we got lots of extra kisses when you woke up.

You gained good control over your head this month so we can finally sit you in our laps and trust you to hold your head up. When you're being carried around we have to be careful because too much motion can make you a little bobbly, but for the most part you've got it. You are also a professional bubble maker. The doctor said you don't seem to be teething yet (despite some signs that we thought might point toward teething) so I guess you just love drooling and spitting every where! Your hair on top is really starting to fill in and we are very excited about that!

You outgrew 3 month clothes, so we are now in 6 month. You also outgrew the changing pad that was on top of the pack n play, so we now use the actual changing table in your room. You LOVE the mobile that hangs over it. This purple butterfly mobile probably makes you happier than anything else in life. It definitely makes you smile the most. You barely fit in the Bumbo because your little thighs are so chunky. We put together the Jumperoo Aunt Teresa got for you and you seem to love it. We've only tested it for a few minutes twice but I think it'll be a fan favorite before long.

You had your first one-on-one time with Nana and Papa Chip while Daddy and I celebrated his birthday. We went to dinner and saw a movie so you got a few hours to do some bonding with them. We both attended our first Babywearing International meeting at the Hoover Library. We checked out a Pikkolo buckle carrier that is pretty comfy. I can't tell if you like it or not though. The first time we used it you fell asleep and napped for 45 minutes (which is long for our 30 min cat napper!) but the next 2 times you cried when we got you in. I may not have had you sitting properly or something. You were pretty upset so I didn't try to problem solve for long. I hope we can get it worked out so you have a comfy position. It would be a big help for both of us!

We've completely given up on weekly pictures with the bear. I take a million pictures of you every day so it's not like we aren't documenting you growing up! But we will reserve the bear comparison pics for your monthly updates now. You were a great sport for our little photo session with my new camera lens, and with such an adorable subject it was hard to stop snapping away! (photos below)

Hannah, we loved seeing you light up this month. Every morning when you wake up you lay in your cradle and talk to yourself. You coo and gurgle (yea, that's new) and kick around. When we pick you up and say good morning you give the biggest smiles. It's probably my favorite moment of the day, every day. It's so refreshing to see so much happiness and purity every morning. We love you big girl, and can't wait to see more smiles and hear that laugh develop!!

love,
Mommy