Anna Claire l 6 months

I think I am in complete shock that my baby girl is halfway to one! 6 months seems like a milestone. This has easily been the best 6 months of my life. Life with you, Anna Claire, is so much fun! 

Weight 
Anna Claire is 15 pounds and 28 inches! She's filling out her 6 month clothes and in size 2 diapers. 

Sleep

Anna Claire is napping about 3 times a day around 9am, 12:30, and 5:00 sometimes squeezing in an extra cat nap in the afternoon. She sleeps 7:30 pm- 7 am but has gone through a little regression this month. She was only waking up once in the middle of the night to eat but that has increased to 2-3 times some nights. I'm just riding it out and not too worried about it right now because I feel rested and you are happy. She has always fallen asleep super easy once you get her in her Merlin and turn the white noise on. Usually just a few minutes of rocking and she's out! She's still in the pack and play beside our bed just because it makes the middle of the night feedings so much easier on me. Once she starts sleeping through the night better we will transition to the crib! 

Eat

We are still breastfeeding with her taking a bottle while I'm at work. She nurses every three hours still with a longer stretch at night. This has been an exciting month because we introduced solids! We tried rice cereal once a day when she was about 5 and a half months and this week she has tried banana and pears. I'm making all of her food right now and it it bringing so much joy! So far she has liked everything she's tried. Next up on the list is squash. 

Clothes

Six month clothes are fitting perfect with most nine month items still being a tad big. I've already started shopping for Christmas pajamas. I don't think I'll be able to wait until December to start using them! She was set 0-6 months with summer attire but didn't have much Fall/Winter gear so this has been the month we've had to do the most shopping to get ready for the cooler temps. It's expensive to build a whole new wardrobe for the season but it's so much fun! 

Likes

Anna Claire loves trying foods, smiling at people who talk to her, bath time, blowing bubbles and being held. 

Dislikes

She does not like long car rides, getting dressed, when you take the wet wash cloth away after bath time and definitely does not like the nasal saline drops.

Milestones

This month she rolled from back to tummy for the first time! She's only done it twice but I know she can do it. She can sit up on her on for a few seconds. We visited the pumpkin patch this month, attended a best friends rehearsal dinner although she sat the wedding out and traveled to meet another friends baby! It's been such a fun month watching Anna Claire grow!

Pumpkin Patch and all things Fall

One Fall tradition that is a billion times more fun with children is visiting the pumpkin patch so I knew this year with Anna Claire that was a must! We went to the Barefoot Landing Pumpkin Patch last weekend with some friends and had the best time. There was a hayride, bouncy house, petting zoo, pumpkins and wine stand for the adults. Anna Claire was was most interested in trying to eat the pumpkins which of course made for the cutest pictures! We picked out an extra large one that would be perfect to carve and put little bit in for the most priceless photos. I would not say she loved being put in a pumpkin but she tolerated it for a little bit so we could all ohh and ahh and snap a hundred photos. Y'all... this mom life is my favorite. Every season is so much more fun with a  baby!! My heart is so full! Prepare for picture overload because how could I not share this preciousness...

The next weekend we set up a trunk for trunk or treat at church on Friday night. Saturday we attended Oktoberfest in Calabash with the same friends and then I headed home to whip up some apple sangria and visit with Justin's aunt and cousin. Sunday was spent preparing for a busy week ahead. 

Anna Claire l 5 Months

Anna Claire is 5 months old today! Not a lot has changed since last month as far as her eating, sleeping, and that kind of thing so instead of repeating everything from her 4 month post I'll just recap some of the things that are new for our little bug! 

-This month she figured out she could put her feet in her mouth and it might be the cutest thing I've ever seen.

-Anna Claire wants to grab, hold and put anything and everything in her mouth. If she locks eyes on an object she is going to let you know she wants it. I think she is starting to teeth because she drools constantly and loves to chew pretty much anything. She has lots of teething toys and she loves them all. 

- She is also starting to lunge and try to grab our food so I am SO excited to start solids next month! Right now she is still exclusively breastfed but I can't wait to see her start trying some other foods!! I am ordering her highchair this week.

- She used to rock church services sleeping through most of it but this month she is much more active and too distracted to sleep which results in lots of adorable squeals that seem to echo in church SO .. after two or three Sundays of having to leave the service we decided to try church nursery and she rocked it! I just knew I would be paged back to come get her but she was an angel! 

- Anna Claire has so many nicknames- most frequently being called boom shock. I have no idea where this came from but it has just stuck between me and her daddy. We love our little boom shock! 

-She loves her exersaucer, playing on her tummy time back (especially in the mornings) even though she gets very little tummy time because she will just instantly roll right over! She LOVES being held and bounced and loves holding our fingers. 

- This month she visited my college town and powered through her first hurricane! 

Anna Claire l 4 Months

Y'all.. it has been c.r.a.z.y around here. So crazy that I have actually had this post typed up for two weeks and just never pressed publish. Two weeks..... so now I actually have a 4 1/2 month old. But better late than never right?! Also, I've had several people reach out and ask- we were under mandatory evacuation orders for hurricane Florence so we did evacuate and we are safe and sound in my home town. There is no telling when we will make it back home but atleast we are all safe! 

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I can't believe I have a four month old! This is about the time that I found out I was expecting last summer. So much has changed in a year! This may have been my favorite month. Anna Claire is developing her own personality and growing and changing everyday. It is so much fun to watch! There is nothing I love more than being her mommy! 

Weight 

Weighing in at 13 pounds 12 ounces and 25 inches long! She is in 3-6 month clothes and about to transition from size one to size two diapers.

Sleep

She is still an excellent sleeper. She sleeps 7:30-6:40 and is up once in the middle of the night to nurse. She is napping about four times a day anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour and a half each time. She's still in the pack 'n play by our bed- our choice! I love having her there and it makes nighttime nursing so much easier. She naps in the crib like a champ at her nana's house while we are at work!

Eating 

Not much has changed in this area. Anna Claire still eats every three hours except at night when she will go longer. She is taking two bottles while I'm at work and adjusted to that well. I'm pumping while I'm away from her which I do not love but think is so worth it. 

Milestones 

This month Anna Claire rolled over for the first time (tummy to back), has started reaching and grabbing for objects and puts EVERYTHING in her mouth. She is drooling up a storm which could be a sign teething will be starting soon. She attended her first birthday party, traveled to my hometown again and attended her first baby shower! 

Likes/Dislikes 

Anna Claire loves being talked to and smiled at, walking around and looking in mirrors, watching golf with her daddy and putting things in her mouth. She likes sitting in her jumper even though she isn't actually jumping yet. She also loves to try to spin her suction cup wonder wheel toy! 

She does not like being tired. 

It has been such a fun month with our baby girl! 

Anna Claire l 3 Months

It is astounding to me that I am typing up a 3 month update for Anna Claire. Where has the time gone?! This has been the sweetest time of my life being able to stay home with her. I will truly cherish these past few months forever! The countdown is on.. 11 days until I'm back at work. I just can't even talk about it so moving on to the fun stuff... 

Weight 

I'm not sure because we haven't been to the doctor in a month and don't go back until your 4 month checkup. If I had to make a guess I would say a solid 13 pounds and maybe close to 14. She fits well in her 3-6 month clothes. I doubt she will stay in them all the way to 6 months! 

Sleep

She is a pretty good sleeper. We're still following Moms On Call which has worked. She naps several times throughout the day and sleeps 7:45-7:15 most days. She normally wakes up twice to nurse around 1 am and 5 am but you are so quick and go back down so easy I haven't even tried to get you to stretch it out longer. 

Eating 

She nurses every three hours during the day and every 4 or maybe one 5 hour stretch during the night. Our biggest change in this area will come when school starts back and you start taking more bottles. I'm d.r.e.a.d.i.n.g the pumping.

Milestones 

This month Anna Claire has really started holding her head up more and looking around the room. She has the biggest eyes that you can tell are just taking it all in. She's observant just like her mama! The smiles have not slowed down at all. She is the happiest baby! She has also found her hands and you can find them in her mouth 80 percent of the time. This month you celebrated your first fourth of July, took a 5 minute dip in the pool and attended your first of many girls weekends! 

Likes/Dislikes 

Anna Claire loves being talked to, bath time and laying on her back on her tummy time mat looking at all of the dangling objects. 

She does not like outfit changes after bath time or being tired. 

Likes/Dislikes 

Anna Claire loves being talked to, bath time and laying on her back on her tummy time mat looking at all of the dangling objects. 

She does not like outfit changes after bath time or being tired. 

I love you so much Anna Claire! My prayer for you this month is that you will always know how much you are loved by your Heavenly Father and by me. I pray you would grow into a confident little girl that never doubts her self worth. I pray you know you are the light of my world. Amen

Jesus said, Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these. -Matthew 19:14

Anna Claire l 2 Months

Today Anna Claire turns two months old! In some ways it feels like just yesterday we brought her home from the hospital and in other ways it seems like she has been a part of our lives forever. It has been such a fun month watching her change and start to develop her personality! 

Weight 

Anna Claire is 12.7 lbs and 23 inches which puts her in the 85th percentile. She still fits in her 0-3 month outfits but I can tell they are getting snug and a few of them I am already putting away. We will be moving up to the next size very soon! 

Sleep

She is a great sleeper and has really always been. On a typical day (especially if we are at home and can stay in our routine) she naps 4 times a day for one-two hours. At night she sleeps from about 9pm-7am waking up one to two times for a feeding but always goes right back to sleep after she eats which is so nice. We are following Moms on Call and it's working pretty well for us both. This week I am supposed to change her bedtime to 7:30 instead of 9 but we haven't really transitioned to that yet. 

Eating 

I am still exclusively breastfeeding and it's going great! She nurses every three hours during the day and every 4 or maybe one 5 hour stretch during the night. She has always been a pretty quick eater so it doesn't take up too much time. I think I really got lucky with her! There is no telling what I will get with baby #2 haha. 

..this has been the month of smiles! 

Milestones 

This month Anna Claire made her second road trip to my hometown and attended her first family reunion where she was the star of the show.  She celebrated her first Fathers Day and  started staying awake for more time during the day. She flashes the biggest smile when you talk to her. It is absolutely adorable! This month Anna Claire really started to enjoy bath time. Her eyes get SO big every time you pour water on her... she however does not like to dry off or change into her pajamas. 

Likes/Dislikes 

Anna Claire loves swinging, taking naps, being worn in the solly wrap, being talked to, her pacifier and bath time.  

She does not like diaper and outfit changes or missing a nap time. 

I love you so much Anna Claire! My prayer for you this month is that you will know how much you are loved and supported as you continue to grow and change. I pray that you will have the confidence to try new things and will know that you have a Heavenly Father and two parents that love you more than you could ever imagine and are here to support you as you grow. Amen

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. -Isaiah 41:10

Weekending- Fathers Day

A day late but that's okay! I can't miss recapping our first Fathers day weekend as a family of 3! We had the best weekend split between guys time for Justin and girls time for me and family time the rest  of the weekend. On Thursday one of my life long best friends and her mom (my "second" mom) came to town for a girls weekend. We took it easy on Thursday and spent Friday walking, catching up, grabbing some seafood and attending happy hour. They got lots of baby cuddles which is everybodies favorite these days. On Saturday mom offered to watch Anna Claire so I could lay out on the beach for two hours which was so nice! We have these girls weekends occasionally and they are always so good for the soul. Justin was busy that whole time working, grilling out with his friends and golfing which worked out perfectly. 

On Saturday night I said my goodbyes and headed home to start Fathers Day celebrations. We went to dinner with Justin's parents at a new restaurant called Oyster Rock. On Sunday I made Justin breakfast and Anna Claire and Henson gave him his first Fathers Day gift. It has always been a special holiday but it is just that much more special (and fun) now that Justin is a daddy! We went to church for the first time since Anna Claire was born. She was an angel and slept the entire service. We stopped by a new brewery on our way home to play some Uno and have a drink then headed home to watch golf the rest of the day. We ended the weekend with a walk around the neighborhood and an early bedtime. It was perfect! 

Happy Fathers Day Justin! We love you!