Dear Alexandra...3 months old

Dear Alexandra,

Month three of you being the sweetest baby ever.  Your Daddy and I cannot get over how sweet, precious, and innocent you are.  You are a baby that goes with the flow and always with a smile.  Even right now, you are wedged up on the couch right next to me helping me write this post.  I literally have one arm around you and am typing away.  You're just always happy to be surrounded by your family.  If I had one word to describe you right now it would be content.

Milestones/stats/firsts:
- Saying you're a good sleeper is an understatement.  You are an amazing sleeper!!!!  We put you down for the night around 9/9:30 p.m. I get you up around 4:30 a.m. to eat when I wake up for work. You nurse and then I just lay you back down and you fall back to sleep until 10 a.m.  No holding, rocking, or patting is needed.  I just lay  you down in your bassinet and you fall right back to sleep.  You couldn't make things any easier on mommy or daddy.
-You've started talking...talking as in cooing.  It's so adorable...these real high pitched coos and ahhs.
- You're a very easy baby to read. You have two distinct cries...a hungry cry and a tired cry.  The tired cry is more of a whine.  When you start whining, we know you're tired. We put you in a position that you like and within minutes you're out.
-Fun outings this month:  bike expo, a trip to Madison, a trip to Appleton, and bowling
- You celebrated your first Easter! I think you spent most of the day snoozing, but we had a nice dinner at Uncle Darwin's.

Things You Like Right Now: 
- Sucking your thumb! Yes, that's right.  Literally, the week mommy went back to work is the week you came up with this.  I find it kind of sweet and innocent, although I can't help but wonder how long this will continue.  You're obviously feeling the need to soothe yourself and adjust to mommy being gone at work. If you're napping and you wake up, you can quickly put yourself back to sleep by simply putting your hand up by your mouth.

-Hanging out in your Bumbo.  You love sitting upright and watching Ari play next to you.
-You've started taking showers with mommy.  You're the perfect size for it right now.  I just cradle you and you literally look up at mommy with this content smile on your face.  We rinse your head under the shower and you love the warm water beating down on your skin.  When I move you out of the water, you start whining.
- You still like tummy time! Your neck is getting real strong.
- You LOVE to practice sitting.  You get very proud of yourself.

Things You Don't Like Right Now:
- Being taken out of the bath/shower.  We know you have a good set of lungs behind that sweet smile because you wail when it's time to get dressed.
- You don't really like to be held chest to chest.  You prefer to be facing outwards to you can watch everyone and take it all in.  The only time you like chest to chest is if you're on the verge of falling asleep.  You seem to also prefer Daddy's chest for that.
- Being startled...but who does right? If you're falling asleep and Buckwheat barks or Ari yells, you will jump and cry for about ten seconds.  Then off you fade to sleep.

Your Dad:
Lucky Daddy! He has been home with you on his paternity leave.  Daddy does a wonderful job taking care of you and your brother.  The spring weather has been come and go...a bit chilly and lots of rain.  Daddy always manages to find a way...a window...to get you guys outside. You play in the yard, go for walks, and even do tummy time outside.  Thanks to Daddy you always get your fair share of fresh air.  Daddy gives you two bottles while mommy is at work.  One around 10 a.m. and another one at about 2:00 p.m.

Your Brother:
Ari's favorite thing to say right now is "Elle too."  No matter what he is doing or where he is going he always wants you to be a part of it.  He loves to put his hats & his helmet on you.  He's always bringing you a toy to look at.  My favorite is when he kneels down by you and gets right in your face and says "hiiiiii" in a high pitched tone.  He makes sure to give you a mockie every night before he goes to bed. I find it truly heartwarming how much he cares about you.

Your Mom:
Well, it happened.  I am officially back at work. Having daddy at home with you has been a blessing, yet I still am finding it very difficult to leave you each morning.  I always take one last peek at you before walking out the door.  The days are tough.  I'm up at 4:30 a.m. to nurse you, pump, pack my pump parts, make a lunch, and get ready for the day.  I try to be out of the house by 6:15 each morning.  I pump twice while at work and am usually home to you by about 4:00.  Then when I get home its playtime with both you and Ari, dinner, clean up, bath time, and the bedtime routine.  I actually wish the days were longer though so I would get more time with you.  I always feel a bit of relief from you when I get home too.  It's like you're saying..."I can't believe you left me with these boys all day long."

We're so blessed to have YOU as our daughter.  We love you so much baby girl.

Love,

Mommy

And a few more pics of you from this month...

Dear Alexandra...2 months old

Dear Alexandra,

Each day you continue to amaze us and live up to your sweetest baby ever quote that Mommy made.  You're growing so fast and sometimes it's hard for us to grasp that we really do have a daughter.  We went from thinking we weren't going to have any children to having you and your brother.  Daddy and I look at each other every day and say how blessed we are.

Milestones/stats/firsts:
- You continue to be a phenomenal sleeper.  We swaddle you around 9:00 p.m. I nurse you, and then lay you down in your bassinet.  You sleep the ENTIRE night and wake up around 7:00 a.m.  No lie! You consistently sleep about 9-10 hours straight each night.  When you wake up you are as hungry as ever.  After you eat, you stay awake for about an hour and this tends to be your happiest time of the day. 

You do this cute, lil stretch every morning

- 2 month stats: 14 lbs 2 ounces and 24 1/2 inches long 

At the doctor's office

You are such a chunk

- You went on your first hike, winter hike at that, for Nonee's birthday.  It was about 28 degrees and you slept the entire time snuggled on Mommy's chest in the Baby Bjorn.  We hiked to Johnny G's farm. When we got back, I felt bad because you were as warm as could be everywhere but your feet.  Your lil footsies were ice cold.  

Things You Like Right Now:
- Smiling! You are full of smiles after you eat in the morning.  I can almost guarantee that you will smile at me at this time every day.  You sneak in a few more smiles throughout the day, but you are definitely a morning person.  

- You're still a big fan of sleep.  In addition to sleeping through the night, you take a handful of 2-3 hour naps throughout the day.  Your brother takes a long nap in the afternoon and you love it because while he is napping mommy snuggles you the entire time.  After a few minutes of snuggles you doze off on mommy's chest and sleep the entire time he is sleeping. At night, you seem so relieved when we swaddle you.  It's like you're saying "Finally, they're letting me go to bed." 

- You actually don't mind tummy time.  Sometimes when you are fussy, we will put you on your tummy to comfort you.  It's soothing to you and even puts you to sleep sometimes.  You like to taste your hands during this time.  

- You've enjoyed your bath-time with Mommy because you get Mommy all to yourself.  Sometimes Mommy actually takes a bath with you and other times we use the infant tub.  You love when Mommy takes a washcloth and uses it to put the water over you.  You are very content and kick your lil legs.  I just love looking into your eyes during this time.  I can feel how much you trust me already.  

Things You Don't Like Right Now:
- The occasional times your brother will be too rough when trying to interact with you.  He likes to try and touch your eyes, which you definitely don't like and he's even accidentally scratched you when touching your face.  He likes to bring you toys to play with and when he puts them next to you, sometimes the toy bumps your head.  All these things tend to happen when you're sleeping and you are sure to wake up upset.  The best is when Ari wants you to dribble his basketball.  He puts it next to you while you're sleeping and takes your hand and pats the ball.  I find myself saying "Poor Elle," quite often.  
- Being cold after a bath.  You absolutely wail when we take you out of the tub and get your clothes on.  
- Eye drops 4 times a day is annoying to you. 

Your Dad:
Your Dad is finishing up his time at work.  He's counting down the days until he gets to officially start his leave and be at home with you.  Since you've been sleeping so well, there hasn't been anymore middle of the night changes for Daddy to do.  Daddy gets you ready for bed each night by changing your diaper, putting on your pajamas, and swaddling you.  Then he brings you to me for our final nursing session before bed.  After you nurse, he holds you upright and snuggles with you before bringing you to your bassinet.  It's so special to see the two of you end your days together.  

 Daddy said "This is why I rush home from work." 

Your Brother:
I'm sure someday you will read this (most likely your adolescent years) and be shocked.  Your brother is so sweet to you.  He loves you so much and wants to include you in everything we do. Every morning when I get him out of his crib he asks to go see you.  Most of the time you're still sleeping and when he realizes that he will put his finger up to his lips and say "Shhhh!" He brings you toys and lays them down by your side. He takes your hand and tries showing you how to make the toys spin on your toy bar.  He floods you with kisses and asks to hold you every day.  

Your first time at Apollo Cafe

Your Mom:
Sweet baby girl, I just can't get over how special you are.  The thought of leaving you next week to go back to work breaks my heart.  The fact that I know you will be with your Daddy really puts my mind at ease, but doesn't make my heart feel any better.  I'm so lucky and blessed to have you. I'm still pinching myself. 

 Mommy's 6 week check up

We love you so much Elle.  

Love, 

Your Mommy 

Letters to Ari...18 to 19 months

Dearest Aristaeus,

I was looking back at my last letter to you and it's funny how I ended it.  I was telling you how excited we were to watch you become a big brother.  Little did I know, I would go into labor that very night and you became a big brother the next day.  And wow, what a great big brother you are!

Milestones/Special Events:
-You became a big brother on January 28th.  Beforehand we were really worried about how you would adjust and I am happy to say...the transition has went wonderfully for you.  You have been very sweet to Elle since the day she was born.  You like to give her kisses on her head and cover her up with a blanket. You like to help mommy with diaper changes by sitting next to your sister and handing me wipes.  I find it funny that you point to her bouncer or the ottoman when you want me to put her down, so we can play together.  When you wake up in the morning, you ask for each member of your family.  I think it's so sweet that you want to check in with her right when you wake up.  
-We had a very special Valentine's Day..the first holiday as a family of four.  We celebrated with take out dinner from our favorite Chinese restaurant.  
- Don and Mary's wedding was a pretty fun event for you.  You ran around and played with Ty for hours. The two of you had so much fun chasing one another. You also gave out lots of hugs to the sweet little girls in attendance.  

- You finished your stay in the Starfish Room at Milestones.  You started staying home with mommy.  When you return to daycare in the fall you will no longer be a Starfish. You will be in the 2 year old room.

You with your friends at daycare

-We went on our first hike this new year for Nonee's birthday.  We hiked to Johnny G's farm.  You hadn't been in your backpack since last fall and you sure remembered it.  We brought it up into the kitchen and you pointed at it saying "yeah, yeah, yeah" and tried climbing in.  You enjoyed the hike so much, you even fell asleep on the way back.  
- We went to the parade downtown for St. Patrick's Day.  Your favorite part was seeing all the trucks.  

St. Patrick's Day parade

-You finished your third session of swim class.  We were so proud of you.  On your last day, you scaled the pool effortlessly and even went underwater three times to retrieve a ring off the bottom of the pool floor.  

Swim class with Instructor Jim

-TALKING! You are learning more and more words and enjoying being able to communicate with us using your words. My favorites right now are "Oh, no!" and "Let's go".  When you say "Let's go" you even use your head and bob it into the direction you want us to come.  You tell us to "sit" when you want us to play with you.  You also like to constantly tell Buckwheat to "stay".  You put your hand out and actually yell it at him.  Other popular words right now: truck, out, outside, treat, bus, milk, kiwi, orange, yogurt, activity, open, blanket, turtle, firetruck, box, flower, fish, basketball, soccer ball, chair, Legos, socks, shoes, boots, money, shovel, and family members names.  And of course if there is anything you want to do, that you don't know how to say yet, you point at and say "yeah, yeah, yeah". You lay in bed each night and daydream about your family.  You say each persons name over and over and over.  Lucky for Elle, she has just recently made the rotation.  

Things You Like Right Now:
- Trucks & buses! The three o'clock hour at our house is especially excited for you as we usually see about 10 buses pass.  You hear them and run to the window yelling BUS! Trucks are also very exciting to you and you are sure to point them out when we go for car rides.  
-Yogurt.  You request a yogurt after every meal...every single meal.  
- Helping.  You like to help Mommy & Daddy take care of Elle and help around the house.  Favorites include helping with diaper changes, bottle feedings. vacuuming, sweeping, dusting, and laundry.  If you hear Mommy say the word laundry, you run into your room and grab your laundry basket.  The other day I just said to Daddy that I was going downstairs.  The word downstairs was a trigger for you and you assumed the only reason I could be going downstairs would be to do laundry.  Sure enough, you went to retrieve your laundry basket for me. 

Helping with a diaper change

Helping Nonee make muffins

- Sensory table & art activities! You've been busy at home with mommy painting, coloring, tracing and playing with play doh, snow, money, coffee beans, flour, ice cubes, shaving cream, etc.  We usually do these activities on a specific table, so you point to the table all the time throughout the day and say "activity".   

- You enjoy the outdoors.  Even though it has been especially cold you ask to go outside all the time.  You love watching daddy shovel and mommy rake.  Of course you help us the best you can.  You also love going on walks and pointing at all the things you know.  

-FaceTiming with Auntie.  When I have my phone out, you say "Annie, Annie" and insist I call her.  Once you see her, you then are always sure to ask about her dog Miracle too.  You call Miracle "MeMe".  You think its so funny to watch Miracle. 
- You point to things and say who they belong to.  This includes things around the house and food.  You crack me up when you point to the garbage bag waiting by the door and say "Daddy" because you know he takes it out.  When I'm making us lunch you point to your plate and say "Ari" and my plate and say "Mommy".  
- Reading.  We seem to read every book in your library throughout the day.  You amaze me with your books.  Every time we read a story, you remember how to say more and more of the words and identify the animals/objects that you see.  You also like to act out some of the words or show us where the object is in our house.  For example, when we read J is for Jump, you of course need to show us how to jump.  When you see the sand dollar, you insist on going to get your sand dollar from vacation from the kitchen.  When you come to the gold frame, you point to the gold frame hanging in our living room.  Seeing you make these associations has been so much fun!

Reading all by yourself 

Reading with Auntie before bed

-Basketball and soccer are your favorite sports right now.  You learned to dribble a basketball, which is so cute.  You bend down and pat the ball while it sits on the ground before you shoot.  You are improving your soccer skills, using just your feet more and more.  You love yelling "Goooooaaaaaallllll" with your hands up in the air and running around the room.  Too bad this includes even the times you don't actually make a goal..ha.  

- You like to sing songs.  You like ring around the rosie.  You will come up to me, grab my hands and say "ring" while moving your hands back and forth when you want to sing. Other favorites include: The Wheels on the Bus and The Alphabet Song.  Your favorite alphabet song version is India Arie with Elmo.  You say "Elmo" after if finishes and then "more, more".  
- Legos, legos, and more legos! Five minutes after we clean up your legos, you bring over your bin saying "open, open".  

Things You Don't Like Right Now:
-Waiting in the car.  If Daddy gets out to run into a store or get gas, you say "Mommy...", wait for my response, and then say "Out".  Once you realize you're not getting out, you cry. 
- When you are tired, you seem to act out when you're not getting all the attention all the time.  If Mommy is busy nursing, you do the things you know you're not supposed to...on purpose.  This includes: jumping on the couch, turning the tv on and off, playing with daddy's receiver, taking an iPad or phone, standing on toys, etc.  You even have a sly look on your face when you do these things, testing me to see what you can get away with.  
- You need your snuggle time when you wake up from a nap.  If you don't have about 10-15 minutes of one on one snuggles, you can melt down easily.  
- Messes...if something falls on the ground you say "Oh no! Oh no!" until we either clean it up or convince you that we will clean it up later.  This is getting better, but you're pretty particular.  Yesterday, there was a dog hair on the couch and you yelled "Oh no!" Also, when we go for walks, you get upset when you see some garbage on the ground. 
- Being patient when waiting to leave the house.  You get into a lot of mischief while Mommy and Daddy are getting ourselves and Elle ready.  

18 month shots

Your Dad:
- You love playing basketball and soccer with your dad in the living room.  You actually like watching basketball too.  Daddy took you to the NCAA open practice this past week at the Bradley Center. You were very observant and interested in what the players were doing. It's like you were sitting there in absolute awe.  

- You have an "after dinner routine" with Daddy.  As soon as you're done eating, Daddy takes off your clothes and dipaer and you run into the bathroom to sit and use your potty chair.  You pee and run back into the kitchen so proud yelling "PEE! PEE!"  You get a high five from mommy, Elle, and Buckwheat and then run back into the bathroom.  After peeing, you take a shower with Daddy and Daddy gets you ready for bed.  

 Hiking with Daddy

Last swim class

DJ-ing with Daddy

Your Mom:
I've thoroughly enjoyed my time home with you Ari.  I love doing our activities together and having you by my side all day.  When I'm away from you for even an hour...I miss you.  One of my favorite times of the day is sitting in the kitchen having lunch with you.  We listen to music and chat.  I'm embracing every moment of our time together... I find myself taking a lot of pictures and videos because I don't want to forget one single memory of you.  

Grocery shopping with Mommy

 Target 

Your sister:
Right now your sister does a lot of sleeping, which you don't seem to mind because we have more time to play with you.  She loves the sweet kisses from you and hanging out on the couch.  The occasional bonk on the head from one of your flying toys is making her one tough little lady.  The two of you already have a very special bond.  Sibling love is special. 

We are so proud of you Ari.  Watching you learn and grow brings so much joy to our hearts.  

Love, 
Your Mommy

 A boy and his dog...18 months old