Liya's 5 month update.

 FYI forgive the photo quality. it was done by my phone.

 Dearest Liya, It's so hard to believe that you are nearly half a year already. It's going by so fast and I can honestly say I am loving and enjoying every minute being your mama. 

You are always so happy and chill. You've been a little grumpy lately due to your teeth coming through however you're still happy for the most part. 

You're growing more and more beautiful every day and watching you discover new things like your feet or how fun a noisy toy is makes my day.And you can bet I'm enjoying these last months of you not being mobile. ;)

I know God has amazing plans for you little darling.. More than you could ever dream! So don't stop dreaming and you'll go far, kid! 

I'll love you forever and I'll like you for always and as long as I'm living my baby you'll be. :)

Xoxo- Your Mama bear.

Liya's 5 Month update:

Liya Loves: 

- Being social. You eat up all the attention around you very happily. you even like to show off with some giggles and talky and you just melt their hearts and occasionally pass on the baby fever.

-Your bumbo seat.

-Being held. I can't help it. you're too cute not to pick up and kiss all over. I know people don't recommend "over holding" however, what is that anyways?   I'm finding out more and more that these days go by way to fast to think about whether or not I'm over holding my baby. I see it as I'm speaking her love language and by her snuggling mama she's speaking mine too!

-Bath time, all I can say is that you looove water.

-Slugging around. This is something that is quite new to you and you're so fast at it. I can't just leave you without you trying to slug somewhere lol.

-Baby food!! You're a fan.

-Being tickled

-getting your diaper changed. Still the funniest thing ever!

Eating: She nurses when she wakes up and then has some fruit for breakfast stage 1 and than she nurses more through out the day whenever she wants to and she gets veggies for dinner. She's also a fan of apple juice. Her favorite so far I would have to say is Apple sauce, carrots and green beans.

 

                                 

Liya doesn't like:

Sleeping.. Ever since the move she's been a sleep fighter. Guess this new apartment life is way too exciting. 

Not being able to crawl. She's been trying soo hard. Evie and I are her biggest fan, though!

When Mommy is too slow.. Story of my life. :/

 Clothing size:She's still wearing anything from 3-6 to 9 months and occasionally fitting into a 12 depending on the cut. and size 1 with shoes.

Diaper size: 3

Weight: She has a doc appointment next week but I'm gonna guess she's at least 15.lbs! The girl is giving me muscle!

 

Health: Fantastic. You're such a healthy baby.

Social:You and Evie both are my social butterflies. You love it when people give you attention. When they talk to you, you talk right back and smile. 

Crying:Due to cutting teeth you've been a bit more fussy than normal and I think you're still adjusting to the move which is throwing you both off a bit. I told Leon I'm not moving again until we buy. Other than that you only cry when you're uncomfortable, tired or hungry.

Sleep:You started sleeping in your big girl bed on Easter! You absolutely prefer it and Evie was so excited to have a roommate. You were almost sleeping through the night and only waking once to feed however, since this move happened you've been waking up 3-4 times... Mama is tiiiired.

 

New things you experienced these last two months:

 

-You experienced you're first Easter where mommy dressed you up in the cute bunny outfit.. Your welcome. :) 

 -You are now rolling both ways and recently you started doing plants, slugging around and crawl attempting.

-You are exploring so much more now and have recently discovered and learned to love your fingers, toes, and tongue.You are such a silly girl.

-You have always been a early laugher  however, you are laughing so much more now and I love it when you belly laugh and Sissy makes you laugh most of the time.

- Playing with toys is now a favorite activity of yours. You are also testing the boundaries with , Mryour sister's toys and you have found that her dolls, bear and all of her Minnie's and Mickey's are off limits however, you are allowed to play with your Sophie. 

-You experienced your first move. I'll have more on this later but you took it like a champ. However, I'm desiring your one feeding a night schedule back. This three time's a night thing has got to stop, K? :)

You're eating solids now!! Welcome to a new way of life, babe. The life where variety happens. You started Solids April 26th and you've loved ever since. No funny faces for you when you first tried that carrot goodness but instead you demanded more to finished that jar up. 

 

Liya's three month.

Dearest Liya, 

Three months ago you came into the world. Making our family complete and balanced. It doesn't feel like you're three months old already and yet, at the same time it feels like you've been apart of the family all along. You are such a great baby. You literally only have fits when you're tired. You're such my little cuddle bear.

Liya's One Month update:

Liya Loves:  You love to look at yourself in the mirror and love when people talk to you.  You always laugh, smile and coo away.  You hate tummy time but love lying on your back. However, you love laying on your tummy when you sleep and refuse to lay on your back. You love your play mat, and bright colored objects.  You love diaper changes and bath time! You also love to roll onto your side when you are playing around. You also love playing with your toys.

Eating: She nurses about every three hours so she's slowing down a bit. :) She loves to nurse

 

                                 

Liya doesn't like:

Liya doesn't like:Changing her clothes, Waiting to eat.Being put down when she's not ready.

 Clothing size:She's officially wearing all 3 to 6!

Diaper size:2!

Weight: 13.10. She's in the 80th percentile for weight and 90th percentile for height! :)  

Health: Fantastic. You're such a healthy baby.

Mama’s Favorites:Your Binkies, your swing and rocker, they are such lifesavers when I don't feel like taking you up stairs for nap.We don't really use the boppy Pillow that much. I used it on your sister all the time however you find it uncomfortable so we just use it to prop you up and that works great!

Social:You and Evie both are my social butterflies. You love it when people give you attention. When they talk to you, you talk right back and smile. 

Crying:You don't really fuss at all.. Normally only before you go to bed at night because you want to fight sleep. But other than that you don't normally cry unless your tired or hungry or need to be changed. you hate being uncomfortable.

Sleep:You sleep in your bassinet and  we'll probably move you to your crib after we move. You're a great sleeper. You only wake up twice at night and you take two little morning naps, one three hour after noon nap, and one tiny evening nap that I try to plan around dinner. Sometimes it works and sometimes no.

 

New things you experienced this month: You met your Pop Pop and Great Grandmother today for the first time. 

You laughed! I will never forget it. I was giving you a bath and you just all of a sudden looked up and started laughing.. There must have been an Angel making you giggle. :)

You rolled over. You're Gandma saw it first! 

You are now showing some interest in toys and you love watching Evelynne play with hers. Especially her balls.

A coffee & date Target with my Little Darlings.

Evelynne has had some big changes come her way in the last few months and she's about to experience another change as we move into a new place for the first time. 

I'm so proud of how much she embraced this change and not only accepts her role as a big sister but loves it. Every morning when she comes downstairs and Liya isn't down there she asks me to go get her. Liya's super blessed to have a big sister like her.

However, I felt it was time to take her out and lavish on her a bit. I think when a second kid comes into the picture it is super important to make sure you stay in tune with your oldest child. Talk to them, ask them how they're doing and make sure they know how much you love them and how proud of them you are.

Since I can't have a deep conversation with Evelynne yet (considering she's two) about her new role and how she's dealing with it I try my hardest to keep in tune with her body language because especially when it comes to kids actions speak louder than words. 

She was having more meld downs  than usual, and threw very strong fits when she didn't get her way. 

I really think the cold weather has something to do with it however, I think her needing one on one time with Mama bear was something she needed also. We both did. 

So last week I took her on a Starbucks/coffee date.

 

 It was wonderful spending time with my babies. Sitting there at Starbucks sipping my hot latte with Evelynne while she gulped her Vanilla milk brought me to thinking just how special these coffee dates really are. 

Today We're sitting here as she tells me a majority of things in toddler language and is just being silly.

In about three years we'll be talking about her first day of school. 

In about 12 years we'll be going out to buy her pre-teen clothes and even make up 

15 years from now we'll be talking about boys 

and maybe 20 years from now sitting in a coffee shop we'll be talking about the one she'll be marrying. 

Gah.. I'm getting emotional just thinking about it!! 

What I'm really saying is I want to treasure each and every date with my daughter. Because every one will be different as she continues to get older, smarter and more adventurous and even more hilarious. 

We also did some Spring shopping while we were out... I just can't resist target sometimes with their cute hats and clearance racks! 30$ Dollar sweater for 12$? Don't mind if I do!

Liya Evangeline's Two Month

Dearest Liya, 

Are you really two Months already? I feel like this precious time of you being small is just flying by and it has been. You're growing so fast. I feel like your looks change every week. Though I must say you still look like your daddy in my opinion however, I am starting so see myself in there as well.

You are such a smiley baby. I can't get over it and I don't even have to try to make you smile. All I have to do is say "Hi" to you and your all smiles and you love it when I sing to you..My dream of being a famous singer came true! I must say I do have the cutest fans.

Evelynne's nap time and night time has been our bonding time. I love spending time with you and just observing you. I love exchanging smiles with you. I'm so excited to watch you grow baby girl. I know you're going to move mountains! You are so perfect little Darling. I love every inch of you. You are fearfully and wonderfully made.

Liya's One Month update:

Nicknames: Liya Bear & Liylee (from Evelynne)  Also,  Liya beans given to her by Gandma and Pumpkin from her Auntie Ash.

Liya Loves:

-Laying on her tummy for sleeping but so far she is not a fan of tummy time. 

 -Being held.

 -Bethel Worship.

-Being sung too.

-Big sister.

-Her binky.

-Car rides

 - Very oddly she loves it when I change her diaper.... She always smiles and feels relieved. haha!

-Nursing

-Bath

Eating:

Since day one Liya has been a terrific eater and nurser. We make a pretty good team.

 

                                 

Liya doesn't like:

Changing her clothes

 Waiting to eat.

Clothing size:

She is now all 3 months and even some 3-6.. She's so tall.

Diaper size:

She's still in ones but when she's out of  one's I may switch up to two.

 

 New things you experienced this month:

So, last week your big sister tried to pick you up out of your swing and replace you with her doll..Thankfully I was there to save you before her mission was complete and after I let her put her doll in your bassinet you guys were friends again. :)

You napped for a whole hour! And even better you chose to do this while Evelynne was napping.. Well hello Mama time. :) 

You had your first Valentines day. It was so much fun! Though you didn't care. I loved dressing you and your sister in matching hearts.

 

The Beauty of Second-time Motherhood.

 

Our life is crazier. 

There's more laundry...lots more.

More dishes.

Less space. 

More exhausting.

More messes.

More coffee.

Less sleep.

And not enough time.

Our three has become four and we're complete.

I must say that I find having two girls incredible fulfilling and rewarding. There is a sense of purpose like no other.

I have found my time to be so much more special. Having kids has helped me say no more and yes to the things that really matter and are important. 

Motherhood inspires me to dig deeper, and to fight harder not just for the things I want but things that I believe in and want to do.

It has inspired me to dream bigger.

Second-time Motherhood in my experience is completely different then the first time Motherhood. I'm more tired, more busy, and getting out of the house has been super difficult and seems impossible some days with making sure they both have diapers, enough wipes, entertainment for Evelynne, snacks, juice, both bags that are stocked plus making sure they're both clean, changed and fed before we leave. However, once we're out and about it gets much easier (sometimes!) And I feel like every time we're getting much better at it.

I'm so much more confident! I much more empowered now to get more of what I want out of life. I no longer doubt myself or questioning if I'm doing things right. I'm so much more relaxed, free and happy despite the juggle and exhaustion that comes with Motherhood. 

I do feel like I have to fight a little harder to still be "Heather"  with all these roles as a wife and mom. During nap I do try to make time for me. Whether it's blogging, crafting or just sitting there in meditation with Jesus. To help me remember who I am and that I'm way more than just a wife and mama. However I love and enjoy these roles more than ever. I feel like they just get better and better with each kid.

I feel like Motherhood just gets better and better with each kid. I really do. Especially because nothing seriously warms the heart more when you see your two little ones loving on each other and savoring that moment as long as you can. I love their bond and their love for each other. I love how Evelynne is the big sister and that she is already crazy in love with Liya and is gentle and protective over her.. As if she knows her duties as an older sister. I love how Liya watches Evelynne. I love how she smiles at Evelynne while she's playing and looks at her intensely while Evelynne's in the room. I love it when Liya looks up to Evelynne when she's talking to her and holding her and I love that the first thing Evelynne asks when she wakes up is "Baby Liylee?" Oh be still my soul.

However,  I believe the hardest adjustment for me after having Liya was how much I miss spending time with My Evelynne all day. It's sometimes hard for me to accept that my time with Evelynne would now involve someone else. And that's okay. But there are definite moments where I miss the amount of time I was able to spend with her where I was  less distracted and trying to juggle everything. I really feel like Leon being off so much in the last month was a gift from God! Because of that it has made it so much easier for Leon and I to have one on one time with Evelynne which has helped all of us so much. I really believe one on one time with each of our girls in so important. Something new that Evelynne and I do is when we go grocery shopping I let her pick out a craft to paint and then we go home and paint it while Liya's napping. And when Leon goes out he always takes Evelynne with him.
 
 Evelynne loves playing "Mom" now. Everywhere we go she likes to take her baby with her. I plan on making her a baby carrier so she can have everything Moms need.

My postpartum body does look a lot different.. At least to me it does but that's okay. To me it was such a small price to pay for these beauties that call me mom. I've never been a bikini person anyways. However, ever since having Liya I've hated wearing jeans and can't make it through a full day of wearing them. I either change into leggins or yoga pants. Thankfully I can still look stylish in leggings and a cute dress perhaps? I just hope jeans and I aren't breaking up forever! Because I do still love the look of skinny jeans.

Our Monthly fun day. (A new family tradition)

I'm a mama who loves family traditions. It's something I wanted my own family to have and dreamed of having. Due to Leon's non family oriented cop life where we only get to see him twice a week it has made it very difficult to start them and traditions just aren't as fun unless the whole family is involved. 

Thankfully his life as a cop will be closing to a end shortly (Can I get a amen?) We have a burning family passion  to be in  ministry full time  and we will do what it takes to live a life fully after His heart and live our life together serving others. I'll have more on that in the future. 

Because of this Leon is taking a majority of vacation early as possible. It's been so nice having him home. Evelynne has loved it and I love it. So with this time off we've decided to get some tradition in here.

We're calling it "Our Monthly fun day tradition" where we will take the girls out once a month and do something super fun!! They won't know what's coming or what we're doing until last minute. Leon and I are a huge fan of surprises. 

This was our first month. We started out by going to Target and letting Evelynne pick out a stuffed animal for her and one for Liya bear. She was a big fan of a brown pup and thought Liya should have the pink one. 

Afterwards we took our hungry family to Chick-fil-a and headed home! We were going to take her to build a bear however, reality hit when the thought came of us going to build a bear with a nb who loves to eat every thirty minutes to an hour (not kidding!) So we're gonna save that for when they're older. 

A great start to new traditions! Do you have any fun family traditions?