Saturday, August 10, 2013

Kinsley: 2 Months

Kinlsey's second month with us was filled with even more gloriousness than the first...who would have thought it could get even better! She had so many great moments, of course, but for Mommy, this month was just magical! Of course all of the milestones Kinsley is meeting and just amazing to watch! During her second month she started smiling and interacting, letting her little personality just shine...which turly just melted Jeff and I's hearts! We are in LOVE! She has started to hold toys, rolling over on her side, and every which way in her crib, even sitting and standing with support like a champ! I discovered what I call the 8 Week Elation...I was just overwhelmed with happiness and excitement about how great everything was coming together beyond what I had already been experiencing! Here are the reasons behind this elation I experienced at 8 weeks...

  • Birth Announcements Created and Mailed- After searching and searching for the perfect announcement for our sweet, little sunshine's debut...I FOUND it! I absolutely fell in love with the front image and then had the designer, Sara at xSimply Modern Designx on Etsy, create a custom design for the back! It came out better than I could have imagined...I sent her the images, colors, and what I wanted it to say and VIOLA! Perfection! I am in absolute love with the outcome and was sooo excited to get them sent out to all of our loving family and friends! If you are in need of a super cute card or announcment...check out all of her incredible creations!
  • Cloth Diaper System- (It is really just cloth inserts and crazy cute diaper covers) Success! We started this at 6 weeks and I am in love with it! I love my little wash routine, even the way I have everything organized upstairs in her room for changing time...it's a dream routine! I love not dealing with the trash and waste of disposables! 
  • Breastfeeding- This had started going so easily and smoothly, and by her second month it was like clock work! I began finding how truly incredible and magical it is to be able to provide your little one with everything they need! What a blessing! (though I will say it is demanding and a lot of work...but I feel blessed to have the opportunity to experience it)
  • Sleeping- I am starting to get longer stents of sleep time...in her second month she would sleep what is technically "through the night" for 6-7 hours at a time...though not consistently quite yet...but boy was it nice when she would! Though she is pretty consistent with 4-5 hour sleep sessions which is nice! 
  • Transition from Bassinet to Crib- We started having Kinsley take her naps in the crib and she was doing so well, we decided to try her in her crib at night! I thought it would be easier to aid in building her routine over the next few months. Low and behold that super sweetie DID it! I am totally all about letting her experience things when she is ready, and not holding her back just because it is easier (or better) for us...she was ready, so we knew it was go time...plus I LOVE being in her nursery so it really makes those times with her so in credibly special! 
  • Video Monitor- Loving our video monitor (the only reason I could transition her to the crib so soon upstairs in her room) I love being able to see her when she is sleeping...Jeff and I were even able to go and have a couple afternoons by the pool thanks to our video monitor 
  • Kinsley's First Night on the Video Monitor
  • Pool Release- In her second month I was finally released to swim in the pool (I couldn't for 6 weeks because of the surgery)...all who know me, know that I am a Sun Goddess and spend my summers pool side, so I didn't totally feel like myself until I could swim and catch some rays...though I can't get near as much pool time as I would like because of our tiny tot...but she's worth the trade! ;) 
  • Nursery Decor- I have been adding little touches here and there to finalize the nursery over the past couple of months (decor and organization). I am in love with how it has turned out and love every minute spent in there...I will share updated pics soon!
  • Back into Action- I got my release to exercise...so I was excited to begin back on that track...Just being more active like getting out and going up and down the stairs a million times a day has been great...feels so good to be feeling more like normal and getting more active again! 
  • New Couches- We took the plunge and replaced our couches with some Rocker/ Recliner Couches...best investment yet since we spend so much time on them now!  



We have been so proud and excited about all of our little sweetness' accomplishments this month!



A Letter From Mommy: 2 Months
Dear Kinsley Elizabeth, 

Your second month of life was filled with sweetness! You started doing so many new things like looking at Mommy and Daddy and laughing and smiling with us all of the time! You seemed to think everything was silly. I always call you 'Silly Willy' and you give me the biggest smile! Mommy started reading to you every night in your bedroom before bed and teaching you to turn the pages. You already love to look at the pictures while I read! Daddy even read you your first book too! He picked "Brown Bear, Brown Bear" and "Rain, Rain, Go Away" he thought you would like those 2 best! I like it when Daddy helps me put you to bed, because our little family of 3 is just as sweet as can be! In your second month you started taking naps in your crib all of the way upstairs, what a BIG girl! The only way I was okay with that is because I have a special camera that I use to peek at you while you are sleeping! You are the funniest sleeper, and always find a way to get your little arms out of that swaddle! During the nighttime you have been a brave little one and at 8 weeks started sleeping all by yourself in your crib! You like to twist and turn all sorts of ways in your crib all of the time, most of the time we find you in a totally different position than we left you when you fell asleep! It was hard for Mommy and Daddy to let you go, but we knew you were ready...even though we wanted to keep you in our room forever. We make sure to make our bedtime a super special time by reading special books and singing special songs before swaddling you as snug as a bug in a rug, and then rocking you to sleep until your little eyes begin to flutter and you drift off to a land of dreams!

You will never believe how strong you have become with holding your head up...practicing holding your head up and looking around is your favorite thing. Daddy loves to call you his little Bobble head, and I love to watch your little head bobble back and forth. You love for people to hold you upright so you can look all around! You have been practicing sitting and standing with Mommy and Daddy's help, and you love to push off of things with your feet! You are a super active, little lady with amazingly strong legs. During your tummy time with Mommy you have started practicing holding toys and learning about them with your mouth. I can always count on you to be happy during tummy time, though you get frustrated by the end because you have worked yourself so hard, and I know you just wanna crawl! We have been noticing you are getting very drooly these days and love to chew on your paci, which is okay because that is just what babies do; we think you may be getting some teeth very soon! You have also found your hands and have loved beginning to suck on your tiny, little fingers!


In your second month you grew to 8 pounds 11 ounces and were 21 3/4 inches long. You and your big girl self, had the chance to celebrate Daddy's 30th birthday and his First Father's Day with him, which was very special to him because all he wanted was a baby just like you before he turned 30, so you were his most special gift of all! We had the chance to take you swimming in your new, snazzy swimsuit and you LOVED it. We had a special float for you and you just chilled out in it and relaxed. It seems like you really love the water because you enjoyed your time in our pool, and you absolutely love bath time! Mommy loves to give you baths in your Bloomin' Bath and Whale of a Tub (if I wanna give you a bubbly bath) and sing special songs to you like "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes" and "Hokey Pokey".  You started wearing your new, snazzy cloth diapers this month and you are so comfortable in them, not to mention you look cuter than cute, but every day you are growing like a little weed! You are have already grown out of all of your newborn jammies because your legs are just too long believe it or not! This month you have made lots of new friends! We went on a Mommy and Me date with Ms. Sara and Kendall on a stroll in the park it was very hot but we had a nice walk. Afterward we had a fun play date at our house with Kendall and you liked laying on the floor looking at her! You also met new friends like Emerson, Sophie, Brooklyn, Jaggar, and Dylan...they really like you a lot and love looking at you and rocking you in your Rock n Play! This month you also got to see your very first FIREWORK show on the 4th of July. I loved watching you look up at the sky to see all of the sparkly colors, and the PoP didn't even scare you! It was so special to me and Daddy to have you there with us to celebrate with us on one of our most favorite holidays! Mommy loves fireworks and I know you will too! As you can see at only 2 months old...you are one busy girl! In just our two little months with you, we have grown to love you more than words can say...I have to remind myself you belong to us because cannot believe you are ours forever!



Love You Forever, 
Mommy 
A Letter From Daddy: 2 Months 
Dear Kinsley,

            I cannot believe you already 2 months old. It has been so much fun! You are such an excellent baby and have been so good. You only cry when you are hungry or need a new diaper and of course those times you just want Daddy to hold you, but I don’t mind! I wouldn’t trade it for the world!
 You have already done so much for such a tiny 2 month old! I had my first Father’s Day with you and it started off so well but I got called into work and had to go because Mommy loves to spend lots of money on cute baby clothes and big head bows for you! We celebrated my birthday together and the entire family fights over time to hold you. You are just loved so much by so many little girl and we cannot get enough of you! You also attended your very first FIREWORKS SHOW! We took you to Fort Worth for the 4th of July and had so much fun watching the fireworks. You loved to look up at the bright sparkly lights and were so alert through it all! It was hard for me to know what was more fun, watching the firework show or watching you and Mommy with the excitement on your faces! By now, the puppies have figured you out but still love to come and check on you in the middle of the night. Bronx wakes up in the middle of the night, every night and walks over to your bassinet. He puts his chin on top of it and smells for you to make sure you are okay! Sometimes we call you “Bronx’s Baby”. I like to call you my little bobble head because you have been working so hard on holding your little head up! I also call you my little mountain climber because when I put you on my chest you try to inch your way up to my shoulders! You are quite the strong little lady! You have also been such a good little sleeper but wake up to my kisses almost every time! When I come home from work to check on you I cannot resist giving you a little kiss and Mommy gets upset with me because it wakes you up! That’s okay though, between you and I, it just gives me another opportunity to lay you on my chest and rock you back to sleep!
People have always told me that I would never understand the love and emotion that comes with being a parent until we had a child of our own. I never believed them because I never underestimated it and always thought that I could imagine how powerful it was create a beautiful life. However, when I hold you in my arms at 3am and see my reflection in your little sweet eyes, the only thing I can think about is that they were right.  You are the most incredible thing that has ever happened to Mommy and I and we love you so absolutely much!

Love Always,
Daddy

A Snugglin', Sleepin' Beauty in her Second Month....
 
  
Chillin' Out in the Boppy Chair!
Kinsley Loves Her Bathtime!




Lookin' Stylish at 2 Months...
 

 
Sportin' Her Cousins Sunglasses...
Smiles for miles....
  Our FIRST play date with Kendall! 
 Fun at the Park with Kendall and Ms. Sara

 Sleepy Girls! 
Mommy and Ms. Sara treated themselves to SNOW CONES!

Kinsley seems to think she is Wonder Woman! 
 

 
Kinsley's VERY FIRST Swim in the Summer Sun at 7 weeks old! 




 





Fourth of July Fabulousness....

 



Best Aunt and Uncle a GIRL could ask for...
Kaci and Mason...Parents of Kinsley's soon-to-be friend!!!

Uncle Chet is amazed by her little toes and how they wrap around his thumb! 
Check out those tiny toes! 
 Mommy and Daddy love their little Firecracker!



 Oh so Festive on the Fourth! 
 It was a long night! Sweet Kinsley made it through all of the fireworks, but soon after our little firework fizzled out and fell fast asleep in the summer breeze...Beyond beautiful night! 
 

 Daddy's 30th Birthday Present...Kinsley Elizabeth


 At about 7 weeks old Kinsley weighed the same as Mommy did at Birth! 9 pounds 5 ounces! 
 We love Reading Time with Daddy!
The first time Daddy ever read a book to a little person was to his baby girl! Lucky Kinsley!
Miss Kinsley is so interested in books already! 
Mommy and Daddy celebrated their 6 Year Wedding Anniversary....
Daddy made a special breakfast...
Then we went to dinner and Miss Kinsley got to spend time with Grandma Tessa and Grandpa Chet! 

Kinsley's Smiles for Miles...
Kinsley's first big grasp of a toy!  
Kinsley loves to stand strong and tall! 

Our first 2 months have been filled with sunshine and sweetness...thanks to this little love bug! 
 

Friday, August 9, 2013

Kinsley: 1 Month

On June 15th, our sweet Kinsley turned ONE month old! Goodness it seemed like time was flying! In he first month of life there was a whole lot of craziness! People were visiting non-stop, I was adjusting to life as a mommy and all FUN (and challenges) that come with it, balancing sleep and night feedings, Daddy went back to work after a week off, we packed up my classroom and I spent some time with my fabulous FIRST graders during their last few moments in the first grade...pure non-stop craziness! Nothing this new momma couldn't handle though! It was a whole lot all wrapped up in one little month but soooooo worth it once it was all said and done! 

I have decided the best way to wrap up each of Kinsley's experiences with us as she learns and grows is to write a letter to her and share it with all of you. That way you can be up to date on the latest and greatest experiences Miss Kinsley encounters! Her amazing Daddy has agreed to write his own take as well to capture all of his emotions and experiences along the way! I am so excited to share a sneak peek into our special world with you!
 
A Letter From Mommy: 1 Month 
Dear Kinsley Elizabeth, 

On May 15, 2013 at 10:55 pm, when you finally came into the world we were so excited to meet you! You were a tiny 7 pound 7 ounce little lady who was 20 inches long and welcomed into the world with so much love from so many people! I will never forget the smile on your daddy's face when he first saw you, it was truly love at first sight! Before you were even born you had stolen his heart, but once you were here...you had it forever! The first time I held you close to me right after you were born was the most incredible thing I have ever experienced! It was like you knew you were right where you needed to be, and you trusted that I would take care of you! As soon as they placed you on my chest, a strong sense of peace overcame you, it was like we had known each other forever, I couldn't believe you were that tiny thing moovin' and groovin' inside of my tummy for so long. When you were in my tummy you would press your little bootie on top of my ribs, and once you were born I was amazed to hold your tiny bootie in my hands. It was amazing to me that it was the exact same size as it was in my tummy! You were truly an answered prayer to so many and have been such a blessing to our family! Friends, family, hospital workers, strangers, EVERYONE who saw you and met you could not believe how beautiful you were and were so taken back by your beauty! They could not stop talking about how gorgeous you were from the very first day you were born, and with each day you continue to become more and more beautiful! I don't think there is one person who hasn't said that you are the prettiest newborn baby they had ever seen. All of your Grandmas and Grandpas were so excited to snap pictures of you and send them to everyone they knew because they were so very proud that you were finally here! Your Uncles and Aunt Katie rushed to meet you and wanted nothing more than to hold you in their arms and just stare at your sweet, little face! Daddy was the biggest baby helper of them all, he changed all of your diapers in the hospital and helped Mommy in every way that he could! Daddy changed his very FIRST diaper ever when you were born! You truly have the most incredible Daddy in the world and you don't even know it yet, though I am sure you are starting to realize it as much time as he spends staring at you, holding you, and taking care of you! 

Our first month with you was truly indescribable. We found out that you are truly the most perfect baby in the world! I always told people that if I were to go to the baby store to pick out the perfect baby...you would be the one I would pick, so we are filled with so much happiness that God blessed us with such a perfectly healthy newborn baby girl! In your first month you were eating and sleeping like a champ...Mommy usually only had to feed you every 3 hours and you were one HAPPY baby! You were even able to drink from a bottle with no problem! From the first day that you were born you were trying to push up with your feet and put your little bootie in the air! You tried so hard to practice your head control and look around, but you were still very wobbly! We loved when you would do the Superman during tummy time (lifting your head and feet at the same time). From the beginning you were an unbelievably strong baby...and everyone was always impressed with your strength and your alertness! On the first day you were born you were able to hold on to Uncle Josh's finger with your hand, and loved to hold on to anyone's finger you could find after that! Uncle Josh made sure someone captured a picture of that special moment! You learned to use your strong legs to kick out of your swaddles by 2 weeks, but we figured out some tricks to help you like them better and stay in them! Near the end of your first month you started to look at Mommy and Daddy, and you would notice if Mommy left the room and you were lonely, even for a second! 

You were one busy bee your first month! Family and friends didn't stop coming to visit you and hold you for 2 whole weeks! You were one popular little person! Mommy and Daddy got spoiled with so many tasty dinners that our sweet friends and family would bring us when they came to see you! Grandpa Chet made sure he came to visit you every single day after work just so he could hold you and watch you grow! He wanted to make sure you knew him and how much he loves you! You even met your cousin Korbin this month...oh what fun you two had together! Our puppies Bronx and Berkley, who are about 1 year old, were so excited to meet you! They were very kind to you and never try to hurt you, but Berkley does like to eat your pacifiers so we have to keep those away from her, and Bronx always likes to check and make sure you are okay! He thinks you are his baby...so sometimes we call you Bronx's baby. Shhh...don't tell him you are actually OUR baby, we will just keep that our little secret. You also had the chance to meet ALL of my first graders who just loved you more than you know! You were a part of our first grade class from the beginning of the year even though you were in my tummy! They were so excited to see you and meet you, and thought you were the cutest baby ever! We even took you to church for the first time which was very special to your Great Papa Kiss! We went to his church when you were just 10 days old and he loved introducing you to all of your friends! He would say "This is my great granddaughter Kinsley Elizabeth, she is just 10 days old!" Great Papa Kiss was so very proud of you and your beauty! 

You met a lot of people in your first month, but you also did a lot of things too! When you were one week old you were a super star and had your very first photo shoot! Your pictures came our more perfectly than I could have pictured and you truly showed everyone what a sweet, little ray of sunshine you truly were! You went on your first ride in the stroller through my school and then in Southlake Town Center with Mommy and Daddy! You practiced sitting in your Boppy chair propped up, and loved swinging in your Mamaroo!! You only cried when you were hungry or needed something from Mommy or Daddy! You made a silly goose sound sometimes that would make us laugh! We also smiled and laughed when you would play with your tongue and stick it in and out...I would call you my little lizard, but my favorite were your tiny baby coughs and sneezes...the CUTEST ever! I wanted to bottle them up so I could listen to them forever! Your baby stretches were also my most favorite...every time I would pick you up from sleeping, you would give the biggest stretch and arch wayyyy back and make the most serious stretch face. It made me smile every time! We soaked up every sweet minute with you in your first month with us, and couldn't wait to see what else you had in store for us! Our love for you was immediate, but with each coming day continued to grow and grow! 

Love You Forever, 
Mommy
A Letter From Daddy: 1 Month 
Dear Kinsley,

            I will never forget the feelings I had on 5-15-2013. From the moment they took you from Mommy’s tummy you cried and cried for a whole 30 seconds. The moment you heard my voice, you began to settle down, bringing tears of joy to my eyes.  I cannot tell you how that made me feel, it was absolutely incredible. You have brought such joy into the lives of so many people and you don’t even know it yet. You are without a doubt the most precious gift God has ever given us.
From the very beginning the entire hospital staff just knew you were the cutest baby they had seen and now, one month later nothing has changed! I remember everyone was impressed with your strength and thought you had the cutest little “pouty face” they had ever seen before. I will always remember the first two nights in the hospital with you and Mommy. We never slept because we were just so amazed with you. I would get up in the middle of the night just to pick you up and put you on my chest. Holding you there gave you comfort, a security of some sort that was just so natural. It was an incredible first few days filled with so much love and emotion. For two straight weeks we were so incredibly busy because everyone wanted to meet you. The first thing everyone noticed was your beautiful full head of hair and how alert you were as newborn baby! By the end of your first month we had taken your newborn photos and the photographer was amazed at how sweet and adorable you were. You were like a little baby model! You did so good and pics of you were all over her website! It has been an amazing first month with you in our lives and every day gets better and better!

Love Always,
Daddy
First Month FUN! 

1st Time to Meet my Cousin Korbin
 
1st Church Visit with Great Papa Kiss

 Korbin and Kinsley 
Hanging out at Mommy's School 
 
Wild Little Monkey  
Little Love Bug


 Sleepin' and Snugglin'
How I Sleep without that SWADDLE!

 I love me awesome UNCLE CHET....he loves me sooooo much...
 

....and so does my sweet Aunt Katie (they bought me these outfits)


 
 Playin' on my play mat! 

Mommy and Daddy's first DATE NIGHT since little one was born! 


  
Mommy could finally fit back into her rings!!!!! 


I hung out with my cousin Korbin while they were away and Grandma Debby snapped this picture and sent it to Mommy and Daddy! 
 
 Out on the town at 1 MONTH old!
 
I am a 1 MONTH old! 


Sweet Pictures from Daddy's Father's Day Gift....

 And one last, BIG yawn because it is just too cute!