Happy *5* Kate!

One more month and you'll be halfway through your first year of life.  Holy smokes.

I won't even say it {instert 'I can't believe Kate is this old already}.  Whoops, did I just say it?  Where oh where has the time gone?  I remember dreaming about my giantly long maternity leave.  February to August.  Now that it's close to August it really seems as if it can't be ending.  I am excited for reality -- and I really do love to teach -- but the four chubby cheeks on my kiddos are going to miss the 4,567 kisses they get each day.

Weight:  14.5 pounds -- 20th percentile.  Pretty boring here....you're perfectly plump, yet still tiny.

Diaper Size:  Size two.  Do you remember when I said I loved Pampers for their little yellow line that turns blue?  Well, Target must have read my thoughts...the last time I bought up and ups for Kate they were completely different!  Say goodbye to the blue and green polka dots and hello to white diapeys with yes, a yellow line!  Not only are they TEN dollars cheaper per box, but now they really do offer the same exact thing.  Okay, minus the cute baby scent.  Let's be honest -- that mixed with poo doesn't smell swell, anyway, right?

Clothes Size:  6 months.  It's that easy!  3 months is too small and 9 months looks like I'm being cheap and trying to skip a size.  I think 9 months are coming soon...but we have a whole lot of 6 month options so I'm hoping we can squeeze in lots of wearing action before they are packed away.  Still obsessed with Carter's.  Dreaming of leggings, sweaters, and cardigans to come in the near future...

Sleep:  8-8.  That's right.  12 hours.   And, when she wakes up around 7 or 8 in the am, she drinks 6 oz down and then heads back to sleep!  Oh, and still a 2 or 3 hour nap in the afternoon, too.  She's my little sleeper, miss Kate.  I can't even describe just how happy she wakes up in the morning.  Every inch of her chubby arms and legs flail, she grins from ear to ear, and she squeals like I am her most favorite person in the world...every single morning.

Favorite Activities/things:  'My name is baby Kate and I like to put things in my mouth.'  Enough said.

Eating:  Everything!  She's a big fan of banana + apple cereal mixed with all kinds of fruit.  She also loved peas, carrots, sweet potatoes, and pears.  She chows like crazy already!  Also, we're into using our millions of totes of frozen breastmilk and so far Kate's a fan of that, too.  She's also not picky with formula {thank goodness}.

Nicknames:  Baby Kate, sweetheart, dolly doll, sweet miss...they go on and on as usual.

Talking:  You found your voice!  A while back, we had a playdate with kiddos and teachers from our new school.   I set you next to a 7-month-old...and bam!  You started talking and talking and talking...and haven't really stopped.  You're so content and quiet...but when you want to be in on the action you are loud, little one.  I wonder where you get that from??

New adventures:  Grasping with both hands, laughing, rolling all over the place, sitting up with help, Jumperoo action, and much more!

 When there's Kate, there's usually Jack, too!

Dear Sweet Kate,

I absolutely adore when you wake up and stare at me with those adorable brown eyes every morning.  The way you scrunch your little nose when you cheese it up is just too cute.  You're snuggly and adventurous...and as always content.  You can tell you're working to figure out this world, just like your big bro.  Oh, you love him so!  Keep up the good work -- you're an eating, sleeping, and pooping champ and I can't wait to hear what you have to say someday.  Our life wouldn't be the same without you....and I really appreciate all the pink you've brought to our lives.

Love you sweet girl, to the moon and back.
Love,
Momma

Daddy's girl...

Just like old times...

..well sort of.  If you add burp rags, husbands, and careers that is.  Last weekend, a big chunk of our  high school group of girls got together to celebrate the addition of a new pink bundle of joy to the mix of it all.  Whitney and Tony welcomed their new little, Miss Brynlee, and that's always reason to celebrate.

It's not too often that we end up all in the same place at the same time.  As we juggled catching up, feedings, chatting, and presents....it all seemed so familiar.  It's funny...the faces seemed the same.  The stories lingered on.  And the friendships stood the test of time. 

Next year marks our 10 year anniversary since graduating high school {gasp...that's making me feel older just typing it}.

These families -- these smiling faces -- helped me figure out what it was I wanted as I grew up.  I discovered loving families, relationships, parenting advice, stability, and so much more from merely watching my friends and their parents.  It was immensely refreshing to see the same smiling faces -- years later -- still happy to see me succeed.  I still wonder where I may be if I didn't have these amazing role models at such an essential time in my life...

As we chatted, caught up, put away old baggage and opened new chapters, I couldn't help but to feel proud.  Proud that we're all still friends.  Proud that we've all made it.  We have careers, houses, husbands, each other, changed lives, created lives, achieved goals, and through everything we're still here for each other.  Proud of the littles we are all smitten over.   Just proud.

Here's to many more years of wonderful.  

Here's to all of the rest of our friends finding their forever.  

Here's to us staying friends.

Forever.

as we go on

we remember

all the times we

had together

and as our lives change

come whatever

we will still be

friends forever

Vitamin C / / Friends Forever

every little inch

Half bath revamp --- revealed!  I know, you're so excited you can't stand it.   Here are my thoughts on my little space.

My wimpy, sad little half bath now has a life of it's own.

Thanks to Pinterest, I found all. kinds. of. ideas.  Too many ideas!  Round one of the revamp included framing those mirrors....you know, the ones that look like a piece of glass was just glued to the wall like in a cheap apartment?!  Yes, those mirrors.  We went to Lowe's (both babies in tow) and picked out one of the thousand trim boards.  We ended up with solid wood, painted white boards that resembled a picture frame.  {by the way, lowes has these sweet car carts where the kiddos face forward and pretend drive...genius}  We left with some liquid nails, a caulk gun, and lots and lots of trim board.  While Eric used power tools -- I know, I'm impressed too -- I attempted to figure out how to work a caulk gun.  It's actually really easy!  The biggest lesson learned with this project is:  paint FIRST, attach SECOND.  That seems like a given, but I was so anxious to see the trim on the mirrors that we did just the opposite...which left us with a terrible view through the window of the back of the trim.  We ended up buying a tiny piece of trim and painted ALL of it black before attaching it...which finalized the look.  ABSOLUTELY love the look of them.  They look finished, that's for sure!

Next, operation wallpaper.  Okay...take my advice here people....don't do wallpaper.  Ever.  For any reason.  It is not perfect, it looks ridiculously homemade, and it's terrible.  Eric and I were so excited to adventure into wallpaper...  After spending all morning between feedings and trains we hung three pieces of wallpaper.  Minutes later -- edges peeling, glue drying white, terrible bubbles remained.  I took it down and threw it away as fast as I can, before I even took a picture.  Whew.  Adventures in wallpaper complete.  Never, ever again.

I decided I wanted to buy into the chevron fiasco and searched for the perfect yellow chevron fabric.  I found the perfect beige/yellow pattern at Hob Lob and didn't buy it because I wasn't sure if I was ready to commit to chevron.  I found a different fabric at Hancock Fabrics to match and that was it.  I picked out two half-off frames at Michaels {literally the best store for frames} and a few little trinkets for the floating shelves we installed.  I picked up a gallon of beigy-gray paint and was ready to go!  I painted that half bath in one and a half hours from start to finish (way, way less than it took to attempt three strips of wallpaper).  Then, Eric hung the floating shelves and by the next morning everything was in place!  I am an efficient decorator.  I collect everything and then bust out the room real quick.  I like instant gratification.

Here's my final, finished product!  I adore this little space.  Welcome to the new and improved...

I think I can say that every little inch of living space in my house is decorated.  Bittersweet!  I wonder when I'll find a reason to redecorate something?  My brand new empty classroom is calling my name...

It's time...

Right now it's nap time.  That means for the next two hours my house is silent AND clean.  Normally, I turn on the DVR and catch up on Kardashians or I'm Having Their Baby {slightly obsessed..} and pump.  However, today I am TV-less and listening to the tick-tock of my clocks without having to pump.  So peaceful!

I've started weaning off breastfeeding these last few weeks.  It's so hard!  There are so many good reasons to do it...and so many good reasons to not do it.   I've been in a battle with myself over stopping and I've finally pulled the plug -- literally.  So here's the scoop...

Goods...
Kate is phenominal.  I mean, outstanding!  She's happy, she sleeps well (8-8 last night!!), and smiles all the time.  She rarely cries.  Therefore, my milk must be doing something good for her.  {enter the guilty feeling}  Breastmilk is free, it burns 500+ calories a day, and I get tons of it.  Like, an entire deep freeze we have is filled with it.  I pump 6 times a day (on top of feeding her) and get 16 oz in my morning pump alone!  I know, that's crazy.  Breastmilk stays fresh forever, so I just fill a bottle, toss it in the diaper bag and we're off.  No powder/water mess or anything.  So, it's easy, cheap, and good for all of us.   Oh, and we gave Kate a few formula bottles just to see how she handled them and she was the same baby.

Bads...
I have to pump 6 times a day.  If I need to run errands, I can only be gone for a few hours.  I must wear clothes that are easily removed at all times.  My boobs are huge.  Not joking.  I have pumped on the floor, in random bathrooms, in my bedroom, living room, basements, pretty much anywhere I am.  There are 1,657 parts to wash each time I pump.  I'm starting a new 5th grade position next year and do not have 'set' planning times, so pumping is a ridiculous option when I'm back to work at the end of summer.  Having a toddler AND pumping is not fun.  Jack even knows how to use my pump!  I've been working out at the Y every morning and in order to run, I pump before and right after I get home!  Annoying.

I decided I was ready to stop breastfeeding/pumping so that I can get back to normal before school starts and can enjoy my last few weeks of summer without the annoying wah-oh-wah-oh noise in the background.  It's not that easy, though.  The first day I "tried" to stop, I ended up continuing and explaining to Eric that I will pump forever {the guilty feeling is overwhelming, you know}.  Two days later I decided I was really ready to stop -- that was yesterday.  My boobs are engorged, leaking, and are crazy-out-of-control.  But, I'm ready to be done.  I have a freezer filled with enough milk to literally feed Kate through her 1st birthday, if not longer.  She loves formula.  My regular bras are calling my name.  Today, I feel okay with my decision to stop.  I am only pumping twice {once in the am and once before bed} just to relieve some pressure.  I am hoping to pull the plug on my pump and pack that baby away by the end of the week.

I am excited for:  regular bras, waking up without giant boobs, working out without the worry, hanging with friends and not having to excuse myself from all of the fun, and kissing goodbye to all of my pump parts. And, all of my freedom and extra time.  Yesterday, instead of pumping I made Kate some adorable new bows.

This is hard.  I'm making the right decision.  I mean, Kate will be FIVE MONTHS in a week or so...that's A LOT OF PUMPING!  It's just milk, right?!  I think I can, I think I can... =)

UPDATE!  It's been nearly a week of weaning myself off this whole breastfeeding thing.  I can honestly say I am completely comfortable with my decision!  I am still pumping 1-2 times a day...and just a few ounces at a time.  It took four days of misery before I finally was able to find some relief from all of the pressure, heat, pain, and engorgement --- which is NOT easy while being at home with both kids.  I cried twice...and I never cry.  This stuff is not easy!  We've figured out the perfect mixture of breastmilk and formula and Kate is just the same amazing baby as before.  I'm learning how to handle my frozen/thawed breastmilk and am adjusting well to all of my newly found time and freedom!  I'm hoping to say goodbye to my pump and hello to growing kiddos.

I love being a mom.  Like, really love being a mom.

Nursery!

Of course baby Kate's nursery has been decorated pretty much since we found out she was a girl {oh so much pink!}.

First...as I searched around for nursery ideas, I quickly realized I did NOT want chocolate brown furniture.  I thought "oh how neutral this furniture will be" when we bought it for Jack...but chocolate brown in a little baby girl nursery wasn't easy to decorate around.  So...instead of replacing our used for a year furniture, I bought a gallon of awesome paint and painted.  Big belly in the way and all, I brushed on four {yes, four} coats of this almost white paint to girlify our furniture!  I'd call it a success.  (even though you can still see Jack's teeth marks through the paint.  I think that adds character, right??)

Then, I decided a deeper pink and gray with white accents would be my color scheme!  {and to think, when Jack was a babes I didn't have Pinterest.  What did I do without it?!}  I picked out my very favorite bedding at Pottery Barn Kids, who happen to have matching paint swatches that coordinate perfect with their linens.  So, three walls transformed into elephant gray with one pink accent wall.

As with Jack, I am not a fan of cliche kid decor --- animals, butterflies, or flowers everywhere...no thank you.  So I decided random casual prints to accent was my thing.  I found curtains that were TO DIE FOR on Etsy.  However, I wasn't willing to part with $200 for them...so I ordered the fabric online and hand-sewed them myself!  I revamped the mobile bought from a used kids store (that I got for $9) into a custom matching mobile.  I covered canvases with fabric and did a whole lot of spray painting.  Overall, I think my vision of a crafty, grown-up version of a baby girl nursery came through perfect. 

On one side of the hallway I have a navy and red vintage car room and on the other a pink and gray nursery.  My dream!

I wasn't sharing her name, so for a while the big, white frame was empty!

 

I absolutely loved this sign.

 

Kate's closet...oh too many clothes!

terrific twos...

Jack's officially in the 2-and-a-half stage and so far so good!

At 2 1/2 you...

Never.  Stop.  Talking.  Like, never.  From the moment you wake up and proclaim, "Mom, I sleep good last night...I watch Tiger Show" in the morning to "Mom, whatcha doing?" chats when it's quiet....you never stop talking.  I love hearing you attempt to explain your thoughts.  I love watching you put your Spiderman in time out, telling him "time out two minutes for hitting me like this!"  I laugh at you when you get frustrated and try to explain why you're mad but I can't really understand your grumpy talk!  You've gone from a few words to full sentences and I have to admit it's pretty adorable.  You truly entertain me each day!

Are SO ready and SO not ready for potty training.  I know, is that even possible?  You can tell me you need to go potty, have learned to pull your own pants down, can climb on the potty all by yourself...however you haven't quite figured out the feeling of peeing!  After 10 accidents in two days we decided to go back to diapers {which you DO NOT prefer} and tucked your spiderman/cars/trains underwear away.  We try every day...and I promise the first time you actually go in the potty we'll attempt your fav comfy underwear again.  Soon, little man, soon!

Know almost all of your letters.  Sometimes I wonder where in the world you figured most of them out {*cough* thank you, iPad}.  We practice completely out of order and you nail almost every letter almost every time.  LOVE!  When we play at Jordan Creek's play center...you squeal, "Mom, I see an "A", do you see it?!" in the store letters along the way.  I love that you're already interested in reading!  Maybe it was the Your Baby Can Read DVDs we watched when you were a baby?!

Adore your baby sister.  When you hear her cry, you tell and say, "Mom, baby Kate's wakin' up!  Go get her, Mom!"  You coo at her, pile her up with 100 toys right in her face, and are sad when she is sad.  You are the best big brother!  Oh, and you love your baby doll just as much.  I think she goes "nuh night time" about 10 times a day.  You tuck her in, turn on your glow worm, close your curtains, and even tell her "sweep good see you in da morning!"  So cute.

Are still snuggly.  You flash your big brown eyes and a sly little grin and say "nuggle mommy" {yes, that's the only time you say mommy anymore is when you're tired and snuggly}.  I would snuggle with you for hours!

Are a story teller.  When your neighbor buddy said he got a new backpack, you said "I have a new pack pack, too".  No, no you don't.  When I hurt my foot you said yours hurt, too.  You just love to be in on all the action...so much that you make it up even if you're not!  Silly dude.

Jack's new/old backpack :)

Would color for hours.  I found this giant Melissa and Doug {fav kid stuff brand, ever!} coloring book and you ask for it several times a day.  We're working on "color in da lines".  Sometimes you get frustrated if the color is too light and you can't tell if it's showing up.  You love trucks of all kinds...tractors, firetrucks, cars, and more. All boy!

I am absolutely loving these stages of you, little man.  Therefore, I am renaming the "terrible" two's into "terrific" two's.  I am loving spending our summer days discovering, learning, and hearing more from you.  You are and will always be my favorite little man.

Happy 4 Months Baby Kate!

Weight:  14.5 pounds(ish).  She's getting chubby but is still a wee little one.  She recently was only at the 18% for height and weight.  Her head, however, was in the 90s.  She's got brains, my little one.

Diaper Size:  Size 2.  Blow-outs occur every. single. day.   We're using up our last box of Pampers Swaddlers and are headed straight into up and ups {and I'm hoping the blow outs subside?!}.  Kate is a one-poop-a-day kind of gal.  She makes this terribly recognizable face and squeezes nearly every muscle in her body to get one big, giant, yellow poo.  Even if I catch it right away it gets on her clothes, up her back, you get my drift. :)  She's my pooper trooper.  Her smile right after is priceless, however.

Clothes Size:  6 months and some 9 months.  Growing fast!  She has so many clothes its ridiculous...however....I still think she needs more?!  Please tell me this will stop?  Still ridiculously obsessed with Carters. I throw in a little Ralph Lauren or Old Navy if I'm feeling like it's a fancy kind of day.  However, Kate even prefers her comfy Carters fabric over the scratchy denim.

Sleep:  Kate is a tremendous sleeper!  We put her down around 8, usually before.  She sleeps until 5 or 6...goes right back to bed after a bottle...and sleeps until 8-9 and sometimes 10.  That's a lot of sleep at night!  Then, she takes a big afternoon nap with her bro.  Love my little sleepers!

Favorite Activities/things:  toys, bouncy chairs {finally!}, being outside, napping, snuggling with momma.

Eating:  Adventures in baby food round two begins!  It is funny -- I was a baby food cooking/smashing/blending/freezing queen with Jack, however, I completely forget what and when I fed him.  Recently, I've attempted baby cereal mixed with breastmilk and Kate was a huge fan.  {Okay, by huge I mean she actually let me put it in her mouth...come on, people...babysteps!}  Every day I feed her a little cereal, and we've tried peas, bananas.  She's only four months I know, but she's ready, happy, and excited to eat.  So far, no weird food allergies, spit-ups, or poos either (although food + breastmilk poo stinks WAY worse than just breastmilk poo!}

Nicknames:  baby Kate, sweetie pie, doll, dolly, sweet girl.  So many names!

Talking:  When she does talk -- she's a loud little one.  Right now she is ALL. SMILES. ALL. THE. TIME.  If you look at her, she smiles.  If you talk to her, she smiles.  She's so different than her big bro was!

New adventures:  Rolling!  Kate rolls from front to back to front like crazy now!  When we put her down for bed, we almost always find her laying so peacefully on her tummy...or even sometimes snuggled up on her side like her momma does.  She LOVES reaching for toys and putting everything in her wee little mouth.  She's determined to get things in her mouth and has quite the grip and even a little growl to get things where she wants them.

I might jinx myself here but I am convinced Kate might just be the easiest baby around.  She rarely cries and if she does, we know exactly what she needs.  She chills.  She's smiley and oh-so-content.  I have no idea how we lucked out with two wonderful littles...but I'm going to relish in their wonderfulness {making up words here, too, people!}.  Jack is amazing and Kate is content.  Life is so good.  So, so good.  I still can't believe we're 25% of the way through Kate's first year.  I just love her.

Wordless Wednesday