My little sunshine girl is doing great. Growing faster than ever and keeping me constantly on my toes.
can't get enough!!!
climbed up there on her own and then tried to stand up...
Winnie loves Burt's Bees chapstick, wearing my heels and bracelets, and has all of a sudden wanted to wear her headbands, which makes this mama so happy! She also has this new fascination with light switches and turning them off and on. She in even more of a climber than before, is that possible? She loves being outside, playing with our neighbor's soccer ball, coloring with chalk, swimming in the kiddie pool, and swinging in her swing. I'm thankful that she is a good mix of playing outside and getting dirty, and being girly by trying on all my jewelry and shoes.
always has her glasses on :)
Winnie doesn't understand that there is a baby in my belly. We started practicing "baby" with her this week. Trying to prepare her for when her brother arrives, I hold a baby doll and try to teach her what it will be like when boy Brown is here. She kisses the baby and gives it hugs but then picks it up by it's hair. It's hilarious and we're still working on it. When we do airplane and mama "flies" on Winnie's feet (one of our favorite things to do), I sometimes tell her boy Brown is flying too. I don't want her to be too jealous when her brother arrives. Either way, I know she is going to be the best big sister!! I'm excited for her.
hugging baby
We've officially stopped nursing. Winnie pretty much stopped herself, which made me happy. It was time. She is also starting to transition herself to one nap a day. I wish she wouldn't. That has been one of our bigger challenges these past few weeks. One major reason why I haven't blogged in a while. But, I am working with her and we are figuring it out. Every day is different, sometimes she'll sleep for 2 hours in the morning and that's it. Other days she'll miss her morning nap and sleep 1-3 hours in the afternoon. I prefer the afternoon schedule, it is better for all of us in the long haul, it's just getting the consistency of that schedule down is hard work. The struggle is figuring out play time for the entire morning... and when does she eat lunch? do we change up bottle time? when do I do my chores? when do I sit down and have my quiet time? I am not waking up at 5 in the morning to read.. All the questions that I'm trying to figure out. Experienced moms, what do you find most helpful?
stacking blocks
can't get enough of her smile!!
With all these changes going on with Winnie, I must say I have been extremely impressed with her cheerful attitude. Though we have had a few hard moments with a tantrum and some sin coming out. We are enjoying this time with her so much and learning a ton!
Age: 15 months old (in 7 days) Weight & height: 22 lbs Favorite book: Hello New York & Goodnight Moon Favorite toy: Blocks, her tunnel, baby doll & stroller, books/flash cards, and anything that makes noise: drum, xylophone or piano.
Favorite animal: Doggie and Monkey. She is pretty good at making monkey sounds. Personality: Independent, extremely observant & smart, and very silly. She is always making us laugh. Loves: Playing outside. Lately I've been staying in because it's so hot, but when she gets the chance to go out it's tough bringing her back in. Running around the entire downstairs, we took away all the gates and she's loving her new found freedom. Bath time. She has so much fun splashing and kicking her feet making everything outside of the tub extremely wet. She also started rolling onto her back and putting her ears in the water while making loud noises. It is hilarious because she cracks up the entire time she does it. We love it. :) Words: "mama", "dada", "Bumpa", "nana" (banana), "hi" and different sounds for Pop pop, Monkey, and Doggie. She talks a ton!! Such a girl ;) Foods: She is a pretty good eater. She loves spicy foods (especially jalapeño chicken sausage), spaghetti, blueberries, raspberries, grapes, kiwi... pretty much any fruit, and cheese.
watching the Panthers with Dada
We emptied out one side of the yellow dresser for her. She hides toys inside and has tried to shut herself in, unsuccessfully, which resulted in her getting frustrated. It was pretty funny. I'm glad she doesn't fit. ;)
drums with Dada
i love her playful heart!
Bump update coming soon.. until then happy Wednesday!!
We both really wanted a boy, but would have been just as excited if it were a girl. Taylor said he thought it was a boy because of some differences in this pregnancy from my first. To name a couple: not as nauseous with smells and eating/craving more meat and not as many sweats.
We are excited about this next chapter God has for us in giving us a boy. I know Taylor is over-the-moon excited because he gets to teach him things like drums, sports, how to build Lego's, and all the other boyish stuff. I am personally very excited about T-ball in the future. I think Winnie will l.o.v.e. having a little brother to play cars with, crash towers, and beat up. ;)
Winnie checking out her little brother's picture.
Giving him kisses <3
We decided to do 2 different reveals for our families. We told the Brown's using cupcakes and my family by blowing up a balloon.
Facetiming everyone
How far along: 20 weeks... officially half way there! Gender: BOY!!! How big is baby: Measuring 12 ounces and 2 days ahead. Heartbeat 135. Weight gain: 12 lbs Maternity clothes: Maternity pants/shorts and still trying to fit into normal shirts, as long as I have a tank top on to cover the bottom of my belly. ha! Stretch marks: None Sleep: It's gotten better for me and for Winnie. Praise God!! Best moment this week: Finding out we are having a SON! Seeing him and hearing his heartbeat. It's all so wonderful. :) Miss anything: Feeling pretty content this week. Not missing too much. Movement: He was moving around a ton during our ultrasound, which was adorable and so cool to watch, but he moves most at 9:00 at night. Cravings: || Mostly craving meats and fresh fruit || For example: hot dogs. The other night all that sounded good was a hot dog and banana split. It was 11:30 so I didn't indulge. But for family dinner Gisele asked what sounded good to me, so she made hot dogs and caesar salad per my request. :-D I crave the most food from 9pm until I fall asleep. I am so hungry at night. Queasy or sick: The smell of beer has always been gross to me, but it has especially been gross this week. Labor signs: None Symptoms: Leg and hip pain - mostly my right leg because baby is on my lower right side. Looking forward to: Enjoying family time with Taylor and Winnie this weekend <3 <3
This past week Taylor and I traveled separate ways, one to Denver for work, the other to Delaware for fun. Winnie and I missed him and wished he were with us. I'm so thankful for such a hard working husband who joyfully trains hard to be in a better position at work. Thank you, hun, for all you do. It doesn't go unnoticed. <3
Delaware was loud, a little bit of crazy, and lots of fun, as usual.
Winnie had her first plane ride and did great. She was all over me and partially all over the guy next to us, who was very understanding and nice. I can't complain a single bit. The only thing I would've done differently is changed her diaper just before we boarded because once we landed at BWI she peed and it went all over her, me, and the seat. Don't worry, I changed her and cleaned the seat... but forgot about it being all over me because it dried. Ha! Our airport/plane adventure didn't end there, but I'll get back to that.
Grandma & Bumpa with their granddaughters
riding with Joey on the back deck :)
We went to the beach, which was fun and crazy all wrapped in one. Remember in my post a while back when we visited Charleston and I said Winnie was afraid of dry sand... not anymore. She was all over the place- fearless, running all over peoples towels and towards the water. So I was up with her playing and dipping her into the water every 5 minutes and chasing her around. Regardless, it was still nice being on the beach with my family, soaking in the sun.
SO MUCH CUTENESS!!!!!!
Winnie spent some time swimming and playing with Bumpa. She adores him. Every time he would come home she would run to the gate and get really excited and wait for him to come pick her up. She also started saying Bumpa while we were there!! I love hearing her talk. :)
My sister and I got some time hanging out together, drinking coffee and shopping, kid free. It was wonderful! Winnie and Gianna got a lot of time playing together, and did really well, with the exception of some jealously on Winnie's side when mom was changing or holding Gianna. Obviously something we need to work on before January. We also got a quick visit with Johnny, Trish, and Reagan. Short but sweet!!
One of Winnie's favorite spots: on Aunt Chrissy's lap :) Notice Cami beside them. Haha.
I got to visit with my friend Kristen and her daughter Stella at the park. Winnie and Stella are way too adorable!!
Smelling the fake flowers Kristen brought for the girls to play with.
Mom and I went to Funland at Rehobeth beach so Winnie could ride on rides, but I was too nervous to let her on some of them alone, so we stuck to the Merry-Go-Round. Winnie wasn't a huge fan of the horse going up and down once it started and had a death grip around my neck the whole time. I loved that. Her second time on it with mom they sat in the seat and Winnie had a ball.
Ice cream was a must!
Mom and I also got some much needed alone time together relaxing and getting pedicures. Thats our thing. And I'm so glad we do it every time we're together!!
Back to my airport story... Once it was time to head back to the airport to come home, my mom and dad drove me to the airport which took forever. There was a head-on collision on the Bay Bridge which backed up traffic for over 3 hours, causing me to miss my 1:50 flight. Thankfully I was able to get my flight switched to 8pm. We finally got across the bridge and eventually arrived at the airport. It was 3:00. Sadly mom and dad missed the wedding ceremony they were supposed to go to at 3, but made it to the reception!
Winnie and I had 5 hours to wait in the airport then an 1.5 hour flight home. I prayed it would go well for her, especially since she missed her morning nap and only got about 30 minutes of sleep in the car. Here goes nothing... God was kind!! Winnie did AMAZING! She ran around the terminal like she owned the place and made all the noise in the world, and I let her. We were there for 5 hours remind you, and maybe 4 people were around us, so I didn't care if she was being loud one bit. Time to board I changed that diaper ;) and we stepped outside to get onto our itty bitty plane. Winnie did great, only cried maybe 3 different times for only a few seconds. Given the circumstances, she was an angel-child. Once we landed she fell asleep, typical. Then we got the stroller and bags and took the long walk to finally see Taylor!! We were thrilled to be home and with him again.
Our trip was a blast and we made lots of memories. Thanks mom and dad for having us! :)
I am officially 18 weeks pregnant. It is flying on by. When I think of the time line of when this baby is due and all the events happening in-between, I know it'll be here in a blink of an eye.
How far along: 18 weeks Gender: We'll find out in 2 short weeks! Weight gain: 9 lbs Maternity clothes: Oh yes. I'm not even trying to fit into regular jeans... I choose comfort. Other than maternity jeans and shorts, I live in maxi skirts. Stretch marks: None Sleep: I've had a couple great nights sleep.. thankful for whatever I get! Best moment this week: Playing with Winnie when Taylor gets home. We have so much fun together. :) Worst moment this week: Pinching a nerve in my back... it pretty much sucks. Miss anything: HOT COFFEE in the morning!! Movement: Once or twice I've I felt something, but nothing strong enough to tell for sure. Cravings: Chicken wings and the idea of sitting with a cup of hot coffee alone relaxing and reading a book. haha. Queasy or sick: Headaches/neck pain and random moments of nausea like when bacon was cooking the other night... sad sad sad. Looking forward to: Feeling this little sweetie kick and finding out what we're having!!
Winnie loves to turn off the lights!
We are spending these days focused a lot on Winnie and making play time and outings extra special. We'll do things like go to the pool, beach & Funland [in DE when Winnie and I go], Lazy 5 Ranch, play outside coloring and tossing a ball around, maybe throw in some bubbles and a Greek festival. Not including all the fun holiday shenanigans we have planned. I'm so excited!!
Reading through every single book she owns :)
Watching Daddy hard at work <3
i love how she's sitting here.
We are still trying to get Winnie to sleep through the night. I am praying it'll start being consistent, like every night from here on out. I am tired y'all. We feed her enough food, we give her a good amount of milk before bed, we have a solid routine... she just wakes up. I know one day she'll sleep through the night and all will be fine, but with another baby on the way, I'm hoping her body will learn soon.
Winnie laying in her tunnel Gigi got her. She loves rolling around inside.
Miri and Gigi taking a walk with Winnie. Look how big she looks here... crazy!
Winnie and I are off to Delaware to visit my family next week while hubby is out of town with work stuff. We are going to miss him like crazy, but I am looking forward to seeing my family!! We will have so many fun adventures, starting with her first time flying. I am so excited for Winnie's first time in an airplane. I feel pretty prepared and yet bracing myself for a total meltdown. Here's to hoping things go extremely smooth for all. :)
We found these cute new shoes for Winnie just in time for our trip...
