And Then We Snapped | Weeks 20-21

 

 December 14 - 27, 2014

 

The past couple of weeks have been a flurry of holiday activities! We had an abbreviated two week stint from Buddy the Elf (apparently he had a hard time finding our new house). Lots of fun on the snow and ice. Jackson was fortunate enough to get some one-on-one time with Santa- they had a long conversation about reindeer and marbles. (Although he was a little suspicious that this Santa looked different than the one he met at the mall)... We crafted a new baby's first Christmas handprint ornament and hung it on our tree. Of course all this excitement ended with a visit from Santa. (Isabelle was most enthralled by the wrapping paper and ribbons scattered all over the floor). It is so fun to experience the joy and wonder that this time of year brings through the eyes of your children. I hope you all had a wonderful holiday!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next, be sure to check out all of the beauty that the talented Nadeen has in store for us!

5 Months

Height: 26.5 inches

Weight: 16 pounds

Oh, my little sweetie, you are not looking like your usual happy, smiley self in the picture above because you have your first ear infection. An ear infection so bad that the doctor described it as "horrific" (cue MAJOR mommy guilt). Jax, daddy, and I had all been passing around a pretty nasty cold for about a week. You didn't have any symptoms for a while and, just when I thought you had been spared, you got a runny nose and cough. A few days later, you developed a fever and would hardly sleep. We knew something was definitely wrong, so I brought you to the doctor. (I'm so glad I didn't wait any longer!) You're on antibiotics now- I sure hope that does the trick. I hate seeing you in pain!

Your sleep has been a little out of whack with your cold and ear infection. You've been waking in the middle of the night some and haven't been sleeping in as long. You're still sleeping in your little pack-and-play in our room, which I'm afraid might be part of the problem. My theory is that daddy's snoring wakes you up. Or, it could be because you hardly fit in the pack-and-play and no longer sleep with your arms swaddled...

On the bright side, your naps are starting to become a little longer and I have even been able to get you to nap in your crib. With the darkness and quiet of your room, and a little white noise, you've been known to nap up to two hours! This is by no means the norm, but at least we seem to be headed in the right direction.

Probably the biggest development over the past month has been the introduction of solid foods! We've started pretty slow and easy with rice cereal, apples, sweet potatoes, and peas. You even tried a little bit of mashed potatoes on Thanksgiving. You're definitely getting the hang of eating and don't seem to be very picky.

You've continued to refine your rolling skills and can get across the room pretty quickly! Another one of your favorite pasttimes is bouncing in your activity center. You are getting so strong!

Speaking of Thanksgiving, we were lucky enough to celebrate with both sides of the family. We went to your great-aunt Char's on Thanksgiving day and to Grammy Ginny's the Saturday after. I know I already posted a picture of this, but I have to include another one of you in the turkey crown. Jackson was so excited to pass this tradition on to you, but you didn't seem to be very amused... Sorry.

Once Thanksgiving was over, we started preparing for Christmas (okay I'll admit that we might have put up our tree before Thanksgiving this year). We made a handprint ornament to remember your very first Christmas (of course Jackson helped).

We also went to an old fashion holiday village and you got to go on your first carriage ride. (That's you in the car seat. Safety first.)

Last, but not least, you got to meet Santa!! Well, sort of. They distracted you while I sat you on his lap so you wouldn't be scared. I'm pretty sure you had no idea what was going on... or maybe you weren't scared since you had your big brother close by to protect you...

 

Happy 5 months, sweetheart!

Love, Mom

And Then We Snapped | Weeks 18-19

  

November 30 - December 13, 2014

 

So, it seems I can only handle about a bi-weekly post. I think I'm going to go with that for the remainder of this year and then try to step it up in the new year. (There's another one for the resolution list!) Anyway, the past couple of weeks included more practice and play in my mini in-home studio. I got a new gold bokeh backdrop that I had to break in before a client session. It also included a coffee date with my little munchkin (where I got in the frame), a pretty epic fort that Jax built for Izzy, and an impressive act of strength by my mighty 4 month old. Finally, I included a landscape photo of the winter wonderland we woke up to one morning last week. It was stunning!! Unfortunately, I only had about ten minutes to spare that morning, but I'm happy I was able to capture it... If it happens again, I have a whole shoot planned out with the kids! (Please tell me I'm not the only one that does that.)

 

 

Next, head over to the extremely talented, Jenny's blog to see what she was up to over her birthday week!

And Then We Snapped | Weeks 16-17

November 16 - 29

And just like that winter is upon us! Over the past two weeks the temps dropped rapidly and we got our first measurable snow. Jax couldn't wait to try out the little hill in our backyard. At least someone in our house was excited about the snow! We also celebrated Izzy's 4 month birthday and Thanksgiving. (Jackson was more than happy to pass off the turkey headband tradition to his sister...)

Next, head over to the uberly talented Melissa's page and see what gorgeousness she has in store for us!

4 Months

Height: 25.5 inches (86%ile)

Weight: 15 pounds (70%ile)

My little Izzy, now you are a spunky and sweet 4 month old! I say spunky because you have found your voice and just love to shriek and coo and giggle. Yes, I said giggle!! You have the most amazing little laugh and I work day in and day out to hear it. You continue to amaze us with your strength. One day after you turned 3 months old, you figured out how to roll from your tummy to your back. I had put you on a blanket in your room for a little tummy time and then proceeded to straighten up a little. When I looked back at you, you were on your back. At first I didn't believe that you had actually rolled over- I figured I just forgot to put you on your tummy. I put you back on your tummy and you immediately rolled over again! (You showed me!)

Since I'm a little late in posting this, I feel like I have to add that exactly one month later (one day after you turned 4 months) you rolled from your back to your tummy! Unfortunately, I missed this momentous occasion as well. I knew you were really close and had been watching you like a hawk the day before, determined to see it. The next morning, about 10 minutes after I had left the house for a photo session, I got a text from daddy that you did it! I was so bummed to have missed it, but luckily he got the second one on video, too. You've already practiced putting these moves together in order to roll yourself off your playmat. It's still a lot of work for you, though, so you can't get very far, very fast yet. I'm trying to enjoy these last few months (or weeks at the rate you're going) with only one mobile child because I will surely never be able to sit once you're both on the move.

Other observations about you at 4 months:

You have the most beautiful, big blue eyes I have ever seen! Daddy isn't convinced that they're going to stay blue, but I think they are.

Your hair is starting to get a little bit lighter- it's more of a medium brown now than black. It's also pretty wavy when dry (as you can see from the tuft sticking up in the picture above) and curly when wet.

You are totally obsessed with your feet at the moment. You're constantly holding on to them and attempting to put them in your mouth.

You continue to rock your nighttime sleep- we typically get a stretch from about 9pm-7:30am. Although, I have to admit, you still sleep swaddled in a pack and play in mommy and daddy's room. I know we should probably transition you to your room, but I hate to mess with anything when it's going so well. Naps, on the other hand, we really need to work on. As in getting you to take them. I think part of the reason you sleep so well at night is because you hardly nap AT ALL. You take 20-30 minute cat naps here and there (typically in the car). I got spoiled because the first couple months of your life you could sleep through anything. You usually napped in your swing right in the midst of the chaos that is daily life in our house. Now, all that noise and sunlight keeps you awake, but you totally fight naps upstairs in the dark and quiet of your room. (I think you're afraid you'll miss out on something- just like someone else I know). Your doctor said that daytime sleep should start to get more organized around 6 months, so at least we have something to work towards...

Finally, you celebrated your first pretty major holiday- HALLOWEEN! We love Halloween at our house (in fact mommy and daddy were known to throw a pretty epic Halloween party back in the day). I am pretty sure it is your brother's second favorite holiday (coming in just behind Christmas). We went to a party in downtown Victoria and one at the Arboretum. Jackson dressed up as a fireman and you were his trusty dalmatian side-kick. You two made a pretty adorable pair!

It was pretty cold Halloween night, but we made it a record of 6 blocks (or so) trick-or-treating. Jackson was a trooper! (I think the fact that candy was involved increased his pain threshold). You started the evening bright eyed and bushy tailed...

...but conked out after about two blocks.

Next up, the holidays!!

Happy 4 months, sweetheart!

Love, Mom

And Then We Snapped | Weeks 14-15

  November 2 - 15, 2014

Okay, so I might be kind of cheating this week (and by week I mean 2 weeks). I am really terrible at this "shooting every day" thing. I love the idea of it and know that it would help me grow, but this mama is still getting used to juggling the needs of two little kiddos. Some Most days taking just one picture is too much to ask, so I let it slide (along with other important things like taking a shower). You will see that this week's edition includes photos from one single day when we ventured to the Guthrie to scope it out for one of my sessions. I hope that's okay!

Next, be sure to check out Nadeen's breathtaking work!