Mollie Lynn 2.5 years old

Mollie Lynn you are 2.5 years old!

What have you been up to these days?

Mollie Lynn, my sweet beloved daughter. I cannot believe you are already 2.5 years old. Some days I wish and pray that I could just slow time, so that I can savor and relish these fleeting days, and other days I find myself living for nap time and bedtime, wishing that the terrible twos would pass! You are now my middle child and a big sister to Mason! I am so proud of you and love seeing how much you adore your little brother. Mollie Lynn, God is preparing you to do BIG things for Him! You are sugar and spice. You are passionate and yet so tender hearted. You are independent but love to cuddle and need your Daddy. You throw some fierce tantrums and fits, yet give some of the biggest and best hugs I've ever received. You are loud and sometimes even obnoxious at home and the quietest, sweetest little girl at church. You hit your older brother and get sent to time out multiple times a day, yet willingly give up your spoon, ipad, toy or book to him just because you know it makes him happy. You constantly pick your little brothers nose, despite being told to stop a million times a day, yet are the first one to pick up each and every puzzle piece and toy when I ask. My beloved Mollie, we are so thankful for you and love you to pieces!

You are potty trained as of 2 years and 4 months. You were showing all the signs that you were ready to potty train, except you always fought me about actually sitting on the toilet. Your friend Autumn was potty trained a couple of days before you and I knew that if Autumn could do it, you could too! So I bucked down and got to work. You woke up in the morning and I told you that we weren't going to wear diapers today, only your big girl undies. Oh my, you were not a happy camper. Gabby called to say hi and immediately you got on the phone distraught and upset and said, "Gabby, you have any diapers for me??" It was so funny. You had one accident in the morning and honestly since that time, going on the potty absolutely clicked for you. I reminded you to sit on the potty throughout the day, and over the course of the next week you had a couple of accidents, but otherwise you had done wonderful! You still wear a diaper at night, and haven't conquered pooping in the toilet, but I know it will come with time.

Your favorite foods are milk, lemonade, cheese, yogurt (especially cocoanut Greek yogurt at Gabby's house), and nuts. You love sweets and treats.

You love watching home videos and looking at pictures on my phone. Your favorite video is on Gabbys I-pad and it is of Sophie making a "hhhmmm" sound over and over again.

You talk all the time, and in full sentences at home and with people you are around often, but are very shy and reserved at church and with new faces.

You love to pick out your own clothes and have recently become very opinionated about what you want to wear. You are obsessed with wearing pants that have pockets in them. You love to walk with your hands in your pockets and are even more thrilled when you get a couple of coins to stash away in them. You love to pick out your pajamas for bedtime. I usually don't buy clothes with characters and such on them, however I am totally fine with them being on your pajamas so right now your are lovigpng your purple princess pj shirt.

The past couple of weeks, you also starting to change your clothes probably 3-5 times a day. Thankfully you dress yourself, but you will insist in changing your clothes if they get dirty or wet, so I also feel like my laundry has increased!

You are also very particular about your hair. Right now, all you want is for a simple clip to be in your hair to hold back your bangs. And most of the time you end up pulling it out, resulting in your hair in your eyes. I have dreams of all these adorable little girl hairstyles, and most of the time you want nothing to do with it. I won't give up though! You have beautiful curly, light brown hair.

Your favorite movie is toy story, and your favorite tv shows are Mickey Mouse and Little Einsteins.

You are starting to ride the strider bike and are getting much more confident with your balance.

You had quiet the little routine at bedtime. After we pray together as a family, we tuck you into bed and say goodnight. As we are leaving you go through your little 'list' of rules that you somehow thought of yourself. Here's how our conversation goes almost every night:

Mollie: Don't get out of my bed? Me: No, sis stay in your bed.

Mollie: No screaming? Me: yeah, no screaming.

Mollie: No crying? Me: yup, don't cry.

Mollie: Don't throw fits? Me: yes, let's not throw fits.

Mollie: No say poopy butt? Me: (trying not to laugh uncontrollably and wondering where in the world she learned this from!) yes Mollie we never say those words.

Mollie: where are we going tomorrow?

And so this same conversation happens each night, never at naps. You spent the night at my parents one night and Gabby just about lost it :) You are always curious about the plan for the next day, need your favorite purple blanket to be spread across your pillow and a baby doll bundled just right, snuggled next to you.

You are slightly obsessed with your Gabby. When she is around, no one else can do anything for you or hold you. We are so thankful for all your Grandparents!

You want to be a princess when you grow up and your favorite color is pink.

You know all of your colors and most of your shapes. You can count to 15, and recognizes about half of the alphabet. You love to learn, color, do stickers and create crafts!

Your favorite songs are, "Wheels on the bus", "ABC's", and "Old McDonald".

You love to play games and do activities where you sort and organize different things and objects.

Just like your mama, you love back rubs and tickly.

Mollie Lynn, you keep us on our toes and make us fall in love with you more and more each day! You are growing up so fast and I am so proud to be called you mommy.

 

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Mason 5 months old

Mason Alan you are 5 months old!

What have you been up to this month?

I can't believe another month has flown by and you are almost half a year old! Mason, you are pure joy and we cherish each and every day with you!

You are such a content little guy and in no hurry to go anywhere. This month, you finally rolled over for the first time from your tummy to your back! You still enjoy being on your tummy, but eventually you will roll over to your back.

You found your feet and love to play with them!

You love to swing at the park!

You give the best smiles and giggles. You coo, blow raspberries and love to "talk" to someone.

You absolutely adore Matthew. The feelings are mutual because he thinks you are a pretty cool little guy too. Matthew loves to "talk" to you in his best baby voice, show you silly things, rock you and hold you. Although he will kiss you a little too hard sometimes, he is very sweet and gentle towards you. If I go out of the room, he always tells me, "Mom, I'll babysit Mason!" You are one blessed little baby to have such an awesome big brother!

I have to keep a little closer eye on your Sissy when she plays with you. She absolutely loves you, and you love to smile and giggle at her, but she doesn't know her limits or boundaries sometimes. Much to yours and my objection, Mollie loves to pic your nose. It's weird I know, but she is obsessed with your boogers. She loves to be right up in your face, rolls you over onto your tummy, pats your belly too hard, and thinks its funny to take your boo boo and suck on it herself. She kinda treats you like you're her baby doll. She also loves to sing to you, show you toys and hold you. One day, you are going to be thankful for a big sister who protects you, and dotes all over you!

This past month you started solids! This is one of my favorite milestones, because I love watching you experience new textures and flavors. However, you look way too grown up sitting in a high chair. Your first food was avocado. Matthew and Mollie helped to feed you your first bites. You weren't too sure about it the first time you ate, but now you absolutely love solids. So far you eat avocado, banana, peas, green beans, blueberries, sweet potato and brown rice. I make all of your baby food homemade.

You still sleep swaddled and in the basinett in our room. You sleep from about 7:30pm-6:30am. Occasionally you will wake up and need your paci, but otherwise you sleep through the night. You take a morning, afternoon (at the same time as your brother and sister = win!), and a short evening nap.

You love to stand and look around.

Unlike your brother and sister as babies, you absolutely LOVE to cuddle. You are perfectly content snuggled in someone's arms or on someone's chest.

Also unlike Matthew and Mollie you such on your fingers ALL.THE.TIME. You will spit your binkie out in exchange for your fingers.

Mason Alan, I know I say this each month, but you are the happiest, easiest and most joyous baby I could imagine. Your face lights up when you smile. You wake up happy and smiling and go to bed the same way. We are so thankful for you! What a little blessing you are to our family!

 

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Matthew 3.5 years old

Matthew Jay 3.5 years old

Matthew Jay, words cannot begin to explain the joy that your bring to our house. You love people fiercely, are a social butterfly, and love meeting new friends. You are emotional and sensitive, and I know that God is going to use these qualities to do great things for Him (although some days I have to remind myself of this over and over and over again!). Matthew, your Daddy and I are so proud of the little boy that you are becoming and feel so blessed to call you our Son!

What have you been up to lately?

You wear size 3-4T. If you had it your way, you would have someone dress you, put your shoes and socks on, and zip your coat for you most days! You aren't all that picky about what you wear, although you adore your Buzz, Ninja Turtle and Batman shirts as of late.

You love ninja turtles and tell us that you want to be one for Halloween. I think this is funny, because you've never watched them before! Daddy loved ninja turtles when he was a little boy too, and Grandma saved all of his old toys, so Daddy is very excited to give them to you when you are a little older. Gabby bought you a ninja turtle t-shirt with all the turtles on it. You think the weapons in their hands are a baseball bat and a jump rope. Keep that innocence bud!!

I hate to admit it, but you love going to McDonalds. I think you are going throug a growth spurt, because you can eat 2 whole cheeseburgers in one sitting!

You love to make silly faces and making sly eyes with your Gabby.

This Spring you mastered riding your scooter and strider bike. In July we went on vacation and you rode a bike with training wheels on it and put together how to pedal and steer at the same time. One day in early August Grandpa and Gabby were watching you and we came home to you riding a two wheeled bike! Grandpa got you a yellow bee bike, gave you a push and off you went! You hasn't stopped riding since! You absolutely LOVE to ride your bike. You and Grandpa are riding buddies and love to head on a trail for a nice long bike ride. Needless to say, your Mommy and Daddy are pretty proud that our 3.5 year old is riding a big boy bike!

You thrive on individual, quality time with Mommy or Daddy. I love going on a bike ride, walk or quick date with just you. We are learning with 3 little kids how important this time is!

You have turned into quite the Daddy's boy lately. You love to surprise him and wake him up in the morning, wrestle, play hide and seek and other fun games. You love for Daddy to pretend sleep and then you do all these silly things to wake him up. You've been shooting lots of hoops with Daddy. When both of you make your shot, Daddy picks you up, twirls around and sings "we did it, we did it!" You also think it's the coolest thing when you and Daddy go potty at the same time (TMI, I know, sorry!) You're taking after Daddy more and more. I love it!

We pray together as a family each night. Both you and sissy take turns saying what you are thankful for. Here's how a recent prayer went: Matthew: Dear God, thank you for Grandpa and Gabby (Matthew looks up and opens his eyes). I love grandpa more. Mollie: No, I love Gabby more. You two went back and forth, until we finally settled on the fact that we love both of them.

Over the summer we have been working on writing your name, as well as your letters and numbers. I love to see you working hard, concentrating and finding such satisfaction. I'm amazed at how quickly you can pick up on different skills and your memory is very sharp. You are one smart kid, who doesn't always love to sit still and focus but you love to learn!

You absolutely love to be outside. You would spend all day outside if we let you. You love going to the park, swinging, riding bikes, playing baseball, doing chalk, swimming, and exploring.

You have gained SO much confidence swimming. You have mastered swimming independently with a life jacket on. You like to jump into the pool to us, and sometimes are okay with going underwater but other times prefer not to. We have had so much fun this summer spending time at the pool!

You are my little social butterfly. You cherish your friends and always look forward to your time with them, You love meeting and making new friends. You absolutely love going to church and being in your class. You are always asking me what the plan is for the day, eager to know what we are going to do or what adventure we have planned for the day. You like to be out and about and on the go.

You are the best big brother. You adore your Sissy. You two play like best friends and fight like crazy sometimes! I love seeing your tender heart towards Mason. You love to talk to him in your sweet, silly voice, Mason loves to watch you. Sometimes you kiss him too hard, but I am so excited to see your relationship with him grow and grow. Matthew, you have been given such a gift in the fact that you love people and have such a sweet, tender heart. I pray daily that God will continue to bless and grow the special relationships that you have with your siblings!

Every nap time and at night we go through the same routine before Daddy or I can leave the room. You check to make sure your fan is on, sound machine is on and set to the right sound, your water cup is filled and on your nightstand, your stuffed hippo chair is at the foot of your bed and completely covered by your smoothed out blanket. You tend to see things in a pretty black and white perspective and like things to be just so. Daddy and I laugh because we walk into your Sissys room to find her sleeping in a bed haphazardly covered with baby dolls, books and multiple blankets scattered around.

Your favorite color is blue.

You love to read books.

You LOVE garbage trucks and watching YouTube videos of them. Thursdays are quite the exciting day around our house because it is garbage day and we get to see multiple trucks pass by!

Your favorite TV shows are Mickey Mouse, Little Einsteins and DocMcstuffins.

You love to sing songs. Some of your favorites right now are Deep and Wide, I'm in the Lords Army, Happy and you know it, and the ABCs.

You love to dance and think of the silliest dance moves possible, which right now includes putting your head between your legs and shaking your booty!

Matthew Jay, I can't believe how much you have grown up over the past 6 months! You are such a special and important part of our family. You bring such joy to our home we love you to pieces Bro Bro!

 

 

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Mason 4 months

Mason Alan you are 4 months old!

What have you been up to this past month??

Can somebody please just slow time down, because it feels as if the days and months are just flying by! You are growing up before my eyes. It's hard to believe how quickly you change from the newborn stage to the happy, lively baby stage. You are such a blessing to our family Mason Alan!

Mason, you are such an easy, happy baby! You love to snuggle and fall asleep on someone's chest, but you are just as content to be swaddled and layed down. You are happy laying on the floor, in the bouncy seat, on your activity mat, in your Johnny jumper or nestled up in our arms. You love to be talked to, kissed and loved on, even by two toddlers who don't understand the concept of personal space, who like to pick your nose and kiss you just a little too hard. You take good naps and sleep through the night, in the car seat, on the couch, in your bassinet or any other random place you might end up sleeping. You love to nurse, but take a bottle like a champ.

Weight: 15 pounds 1 ounce (39th percentile)

Height: 24.5 inches (18th percentile)

Head circumference: 17 inches (91st percentile)

You are wearing size 6-9 month clothes. You are still in size 1 diapers, but could really use size 2. I'm determined to get through my supply of size 1 diapers if possible.

You nurse about every 3-4 hours. You take 3-4 naps a day. You sleep at night from 7:30-6:30. You sleep swaddled in a sleep sack. You still sleep in the bassinet in our room. I keep saying it, but soon I will move you to your crib in Matthew's room.

Just like your bro bro and sissy were at this age, you are a bald little dude!

You love your Banna, and she thinks you are a pretty special little guy. Because you are so easy and love to just be held, you usually spend one morning a week with her while Mommy, Matthew and Mollie run errands or do something special.

You found your hands! They are ALWAYS in your mouth.

You are starting to bat at, reach for, and play with toys.

You sat in your high chair at the table with us for the first time. You'll be starting solids soon!

You also played in your jumperoo for the first time. You got tired after about 10 minutes but loved looking around and playing with your brother and sister.

You are laughing! We still have to do a bit of work to hear them, but it's pretty much the most adorable thing ever.

You love to coo and smile!

You don't really like being in the swing, but love riding in the stroller.

You love your boo boo and bath time is always a hit!

Mason Alan God knew exactly what our family needed when He created you! Never forget that you are perfectly made by Him and loved beyond measure! We love you to pieces!

 

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Mason 3 months

Mason Alan you are 3 months old!

It's hard to remember what life was like without you in it! Our family of five feels cozy (I should add crazy and chaotic at times, thanks to our busy 2 and 3 year old!), but it feels just right with you in the mix of it all!

What have you been up to this past month?

You still wear size 1 diapers, but not for much longer. I should move you to size 2, but I just got a delivery of size 1 diapers, and my thrifty ways are determined to use them all!

You wear some 3 month clothes, but for the most part have moved up to 6 months, especially in shirts and sleepers.

You are my little chunk! I don't know how much you weigh, but you are my chunkiest baby!

We went on our first family vacation with you to Seabrook. You spent the week being snuggled by Banna, while Mommy, Daddy, Grandpa and Gabby chased around your brother and sister. We had such a memorable week!

Nursing is going great. You nurse about every 3 hours during the day.

Our biggest victory of the month is that you are now officially sleeping through the night! Your last feeding is about 8 or 8:30, we swaddle you, lay you down, and you sleep until about 6:30!

You are still sleeping in the bassinet in our room. Why change a good thing when you are sleeping so well? To be honest, moving you out of our room means moving you into Mollie or Matthew's room and I'm just not ready to deal with that yet.

You played in your jumperoo for the first time. You lasted for about 5 minutes before your neck got tired!

You like being outside.

You like to watch TV with your brother and sissy. You are fascinated with the lights and sounds.

You love laying on your activity mat. You look at all the toys, colors and lights but you don't reach for them yet.

You found your fists and LOVE to suck on them.

You are a paci baby.

You love for someone to sing to you.

Tummy time is starting to become more productive. You will last for about 10 minutes, look all around, and then contently lay your head down. My chill little man!

You have such a relaxed and content personality.

I almost have to get you upset so that you will use your legs and stand. You are perfectly happy being held and cuddled.

You smile all.the.time! Such a happy baby! No giggles yet, but you are close.

You love your brother and sissy. You are constantly smiling at them. Bless your little heart, you put up with so much from them as well. You get lots of pokes, over zealous cuddles, and toys shoved in your face. Mollie loves to pick your nose. I can't believe how many times a day I say "Mollie please don't pick your brothers nose."

You love to be talked to. You hold eye contact, coo and smile back at anyone who sits and talks to you. It's pretty much my favorite thing to do.

You prefer the bouncy seat more then your swing.

We love you so much baby boy. Mason Alan, you make our days sweeter and our hearts fuller!

 

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Mason 2 months

Mason Alan you are 2 months old!

What have you been up to this past month?

You are a growin' boy, and are starting to become quite the handsome little chunk!

Weight: 11 pounds 14 ounces (36th percentile)

Height: 22.5 inches (24th percentile)

Head circumference: 15.9 inches (86th percentile)

You wear size 1 diapers and 3 month clothes. I always get a little sentimental when I have to put the newborn clothes away.

We are absolutely smitten with your laid back personality and the sweet little noises you make.

You’ve even started to smile at us when we talk to you. It melts my heart each and every time.

Things are much different with three, but we’re all adjusting quite well. It takes a lot more effort to leave the house, and much more time and planning ahead on my part, but we always make it happen. Thankfully you sleep great in your car seat and make being out and about easy.

You celebrated your first Fourth of July. You slept through all the fireworks. You also met your Uncle Adam, Aunt Willow and cousin Sophie for the first time.

You love to be carried in the Ergo. I love the extra snuggles. You fall asleep every time you are in it.

You are such a content little baby. It's just what we needed with a busy brother and sister. We are always on the go, toting you around from place to place!

Nursing continues to go well. You are exclusively breastfed. You still nurse every 3 hours during the day. You still wake up once a night. I nurse you at 10pm, you wake up between 3-4:30 to nurse, and then go right back to sleep until about 7am.

You sleep in a bassinet in our room. I love having you close by!

Your awake time during the day is starting to stretch out and become a little longer. You will have about an hour of awake time in the morning as well as in the evening before bedtime. Other then that, you are awake for about 15 minutes at a time during the afternoon, which is when you are the sleepiest.

Your head control is getting better and you continue to get stronger each day. You enjoy a little tummy time, but most of the time you just lay your head down and go to sleep.

No more morning stuffiness! One day you woke up with no stuffy nose and it has been clear since.

You have blueish grey eyes.

You had your first shower and loved it. Lots of times it just seems easier to take you into the shower with me instead of giving you a bath.

You are such a happy, easy, quiet baby. I couldn't ask for a sweeter little guy.

We love you so much Mason Alan!

 

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