9 Months In// 9 Months Out {Life with Laurel}

And just like that

Laurel has graced us with her presence for as many months outside my body as she did inside.

Growing up Clark // 12 month {ONE YEAR} edit

This is a week overdue but it's been busy over here celebrating (and there may be still some denial) about this first 365 days with our Clarkie. This past year has gone by so incredibly fast; he has grown and changed and has become his own person apart from the tiny being that began forming within my own body. To say I am overcome by emotions is an understatement. To say I am blessed is an understatement.

Growing up Clark // ten month edit

Just look at this man-child!!! If I'm not kissing on him, I'm ever-so-gently pinching his cheeks or petting his hair. I'm in awe of his very being every day and feel so blessed that he is mine. Only two more months until he is one year old. Just staahpp already.

Home is

Where ever I am with you

Growing up Clark // nine month edit

I had my first shell-shock experience of fumbling for Clark’s age when asked recently. 9 months is so old and it happened entirely too fast. 

Growing up Clark // eight month edit

I feel like Clark has made a huge leap from seven to eight months; he's so active, will not (can not) sit still, is crawling all over creation, and is starting to pull himself up on all the things. It takes my all to supervise the kid. He literally keeps me on my toes! Affiliate links used. A small commission may be received if you purchase an item through my links with no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my blog!

Growing up Clark // seven month edit

And here we are, another month older.

Growing up Clark // six month edit

Half a year has never gone by so fast!

Growing up Clark // five month edit

Here we are another month older!

Growing up Clark // four month edit

Weight | 16.14 78th%

Length | 25.25 58th%

We hit that dreaded sleep regression. For two weeks there was extra night waking nursing sessions which left me useless and exhausted. I'm chalking it up to a growth spurt/milestone achievement as he is also thisclose to rolling over from back to tummy.

Clark’s hair is growing in! Long gone is the receding hairline, old man comb over. His hair may be getting lighter too. If his eyebrows are any indication of coloring we may have another sandy hued kid ala Kinsey.

Bring on the bibs the drooling has reached a new level. Since Clark refuses to take a paci he’s also slime-ing his hands so they always feel cold and clammy lol.

The cooing, babbling and smiles are constant. It makes my heart want to burst and my cheeks hurt from smiling. These are the best moments.

Kinsey has totally surpassed the Best Sister Award, the girl is a little mommy. She will talk to Clark to calm is crying, hold him in her arms, everything. They have such a sweet bond. Brielana is less gentle but her heart is in the right place as she coos and talks to him throughout the day. Either way he gives his sisters thee biggest smiles and all is right in the world.

   

   

First day of Kindergarten // Back to School 2016

I just got all the feels making a new "Elementary school" label for this post. Sigh. 

Well, it's happened. That First Day of Kindergarten has come and gone. Kinsey has been in school exactly 8 days (weird, right?! She started on a Wednesday and was sick last Monday, but more on that later.) My little girl is not so little anymore.

Interview printable here.

To prepare for this monumental occasion I had the first week's worth of school clothes picked out and lunches packed the night before. To say I went crazy and labeled everything is not an understatement. These Label Daddy labels are awesome! They come in all different sizes (these are the large) are customizable and can be laminated for extra protection. You can get yourself some labels and save 20% off using this code: USFAMILY20 at checkout. Good prep is thee only way, amen?!

water bottle // Label Daddy labels

Kinsey is attending the elementary school that I, Brian, my brother and my mom went to so the fact that the family tradition lives on completely tickles me. Being back on the campus brings back so many fond memories and I'm just so excited Kinsey will get to experience them for herself!

cardigan // booties 

For the most part she loves school (we are all still adjusting to those early morning wake-up calls.) She talks about making three new friends (though she only remembers two of their names haha), we all like her teacher and she absolutely loves the playground and recess. What I wasn't thrilled about was all the germs and those got us after only three days. THREE days. We may have set some sort of record with that. But I know everyone appreciated us keeping her home and not spreading them around.

The transition period has gone more smoothly than I had anticipated, praise hands. We are looking forward to a fantastic year: "Soaring high with Falcon pride!"

Linking up with Liz, Meghan and Stephanie.

   

   

16 month update

How old: 16 months

Weight: 20 pounds (up 13 pounds)

Length: 31.5 inches (up 12 inches) Girlfriend grew 4 inches in 3 months! Putting her in the 84th percentile

Diaper size: Size 3

Baby clothes: 12-18 months and a few 18-24 months items

Shoes: size 3 or 18-24 months

Sleep: It's a wonderful thing!

Eating: "Nacks" as she calls snacks are her favorite things :)

Likes: Everything! This girl is easy going and sweet as honey. She likes carrying around Nancy Drew books and stops to read every few feet. Still putting everything into her mouth- our Pediatrician suggested a lead screening just in case. Splashing in the bathtub. Petting (smacking) Stella "Tella". Loves to brush her teeth.
Dislikes: Having things taken away from her and being told no. Not being able to do everything Kinsey does also ticks her off.
Milestones: She is starting to use a fork when eating, it's the cutest thing. And she's cut another tooth taking the total up to 13(!!!)

Words: Mom, mommy(!!!) but sounds more like "mommeeee", hehe, daddy, dada, doggy, kitty, meow, Kinsey (ken-zie), baby (babeeee) eye (and will poke you too!). Appies (apple) and nana (banana), nack (snack), bye (bah) and papa. Our Pediatrician also was impressed with her vocabulary because at this age, saying 3 words is good but she advised me not to compare Kinsey and her when I told her I was concerned that Brielana was behind.  I love the girls doctor, she didn't say it in a mean way, just matter of fact and it is true. 
Receptive Language: Brielana will point to her teeth when I tell her its time to brush and pulls on her hair when I ask if she wants to brush her hair. We were out and about during her nap time and when I took her out of her car seat she was clearly still sleepy. I asked if she wanted to lie down in the stroller and she nodded her head yes. And actually slept in her seat. It completely bowled me over! She never sleeps in her stroller anymore and to have expressed herself like that was amazing! Brian thinks I'm full of it when I told him of that exchange but I stick by my story.

And come visit us tomorrow for another edition of Teaching Together Blog Hop!

Linking up with Jess.

   
   

15 Month Update

How old: 15 months

Weight: 19 pounds (up 12 pounds)

Length: 30 inches (up 11 inches) 

Diaper size: Size 3

Baby clothes: 12-18 months and some 9 months and 24 months thrown in (random, I know)

Shoes: size 3 or 18-24 months (though there is still room to grow)

Sleep: It has settled back down, thank goodness!  I am actually getting quality sleep again.

Eating: Only nurses at night.  New favorite foods this month- shredded coconut, freeze dried pineapple, and crock pot chili. She just enjoys eating in general! 
Likes: Still climbs on ALL THE THINGS and thank goodness she's tough because she tumbles off all the things too.  She gives the best wet kisses and her hugs are full body squeezes.  She insists on walking to Kinsey's room every morning and gets so excited when she sees her lying in bed.  Drinking water out of water bottles.  Animals and being outside.  She smiles and waves to everyone and makes friends at the grocery store. She still puts everything into her mouth, so help us!
Dislikes: Being told "no".  Not being able to get her hands on food fast enough.   
Milestones: She is starting to use a fork when eating, it's the cutest thing. And she's cut another tooth taking the total up to 13(!!!)

Words: Mom, mommy(!!!) but sounds more like mommeeee, hehe, daddy, dada, doggy, kitty, meow, Kinsey (ken-zie), baby (babeeee) eye (and will poke you too!).  Adding to the list is appies (apple) and nana (banana), not surprised they are food-related ;) Bye (bah) and papa.
Receptive Language: Brielana will point our body parts (nose, eyes, head) and will pull on her hair when asked "where is your hair?"  Gets her shoes and tries putting on her pants, sometimes tries 
wearing them like a hat! 

yup, this went into her mouth too! ;)

Linking up with Jess.