Like Mother, Like Daughter

We love these cute matching maxi's that my momma helped me make! She cut and sewed. We wore them. Hooray for team work!

Our summer has been flying by so fast that I can barely keep up! We've been road-trippin', lots of play dates, and to the pool and back nearly a thousand times. Each time I swear Savannah looks bigger and does things differently. I'm trying to savor each moment the best I can. The way she'll let me hold her as she falls asleep (which in the past few months she has only done like 5 times), the beaming smile she flashes my way as I walk into her room after she's woken up from a nap, and the way she'll let me smother her neck and face in kisses... and she just takes it. Poor baby girl doesn't know any better.

Aaron and I can just sit there and stare at her. She is getting so big, my heart is excited and sad all at the same time. I'm wondering if others must feel this about their growing little ones. I love this not-a-newborn-not-yet-a-toddler stage. Let's get real, I know that I'll love it all. But I assure you, life isn't always a walk in the park. It can get hard. Like, really hard. Whoever says, 'Ohhh, just wait until they get older and then you'll see how hard it is' must have forgotten what it's like to have an infant. We had one of those melt-down moments today. You know, when they're screaming with all of those vocal chords. And it's the cry that tells you they are in dyer pain. Completely heart-breaking to listen to. And it happened while we were at church during sacrament meeting. Where else, of course.

In other news, I am simply trying to make all of her wildest dreams come true with endless peek-a-boo games, baby pool visits, and unlimited toys to eat for a total of 25 seconds each.

My world is my daughter. She's changed my life and made it clear that love truly is unconditional. Her happiness is my happiness. And in all honesty, I now understand why my own mother must love me so much. Something about becoming a parent makes the whole "parent-child relationship thing" work. All of this reminds me to try and be the best person I can be, I don't ever want to forget that she is watching me. The thought of my purpose for her as her hero has softened my immature heart so many times. The way I am will greatly determine the woman she grows up to be.

(her eyes just sparkle in the light...they are so gorg!)

Truly, a daughter is a blessing and could quite possibly grow up to be your best friend. What a wonderful thought!

Yours truly, Me

Half of a Year.

Sweet cheeks is growing up sooooooo fast! Just too fast. We are already celebrating her reaching half a year--it's hard to believe. Each new month brings on additional quirks and tricks that she is exploring and developing. Savannah is becoming FULL of personality and has her daddy and I laughing and smiling all. the. time. We couldn't imagine adoring her anymore than we already do.

6 Month Stats:

weight: 17.3 lbs (60th%)

height: 26.4 inches (60th%)

head: 16 inches (3rd%)

1. You are an official sitter! You're getting better and better each day with suppressing the infant twitch-i-ness that would always cause you to topple right over onto the floor. I love how independent you are becoming.
2. It's not often that you'll stay sitting up now that you are crawling! Emotions in the home are on much happier grounds now that you can go and get whatever your adorable little heart wants! Crawling has been the best thing ever. It is so fun to watch you zip around the rooms to grab a toy or when you spot the shiny tile or marble floors. We can't get over it. We thought you were so funny when you crawled off the carpet and onto the chilly marble floors. You didn't like your knees to touch the cold floors and so you held the plank position the entire time. 
3. You have become the pull-up-to-stand, side-scaling, drawer-opening queen of the house all of while getting your slobbery raspberry-blowing on. Now.... if you can only learn to sit down after realizing you're freaked out from standing up so high. Oh boy.
4. You are very into yourself. Seriously. Mirrors, pictures and video clips (not of everyone... just you.) Quite often will I find you coo-ing and smiling while you're crawling on my bed, only to see that you have found your reflection in the bathroom mirrors 10+ feet away. Perhaps a slice of humility will be coming your way ;-)
5. You're getting awesome with holding your own bottle. You're pretty much a rock star.
6. Your personality has evolved so much this past month. You are so full of love already. You aren't shy to express your likes and dislikes. You have become quite feisty this month! If you like it-you want it. If you don't like it, you let everyone know about it. With all of your new skills and tricks I have to remind myself that you are still a tiny baby! 
7. We took a road trip to visit your Crossley family and you had such a ball. So much love and attention. They couldn't believe what a smiley baby you are. But I think you just get so bored at home that when we go out you're flirting with anyone and everyone interesting. You are very loved baby girl!
8. You've started eating little puffs and yogurt bites. You love them! You've also been inhaling oatmeal and your jars of fruits/veggies. You haven't shown a preference to any flavor quite yet. It all depends on if you're in the mood to focus on eating. 
9. Blasted ear infections! You had one at your 6 month visit and you still are rubbing your ear in an irritating fashion.
10. You're still rocking the sleeping schedule with 11 hours a night. You know how much momma appreciates a good night's sleep. And I love waking up to your songs and growls! You aren't falling asleep for your naps as easily but you eventually give in. Schedules have not been a breeze to establish but you have proved time and time again that it is the best thing (for all of us!) and totally worth it. Your typical schedule has evolved to this:

8:00- milk. play

10:00- nap

11:30- milk. play

1:30- nap

3:00- milk. play

5:30- nap

6:30- milk. play

8:20- milk

8:30- bed.

Oh, I just love this stage! You act like you are excited about life- and it's so fun to be around you! Thank you for being such a good girl, Hunnybuns. I'm so grateful to be your momma. Nearly every time I leave your room after putting you down for a nap, I'll have a mild 'freak out' moment. It's quite humbling to realize that you have utterly stolen my heart. I would feel broken if I ever lost you. You are such a joy in our home! I hope you are always happy, baby girl. Happy doesn't even begin to describe how your daddy and I feel about you. Love you forever and ever.

Yours truly, Me

Cooking & Crafting

I've been keeping up with my exercising. I really don't like it. I actually kind of hate it. As in, I find some of my first thoughts of the day be something like, "Dang it... It's a new day which means I have to fit in another workout." But I want to be strong. And healthy. And energized for the active Hunnybuns. And after growing a baby in my once-tight abdomen, a sweaty workout is what I need to put in.

And that means Jillian and I have been having some rockin' one-on-one time together. I think I have her entire Shred DVD memorized. Except for level 3. Woo! I still get winded with level 2. I have an amazing group of momma's on My Fitness Pals that have been incredibly supportive and encouraging. We all had our little baby within a month of each other. One of ladies suggested to me a website full of figure-friendly recipes. Skinnytaste.com

Y'all, I've started cooking. I used to love it. But with my pregnancy and subsequent nausea issues, it just kinda died away and fast food became so much more appealing. Here's a few dishes we've had over the past week. These are tried and true! You'll love it!

Zesty Lime Shrimp and Avocado Salad

Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Vietnamese Shaking Beef (Bo Luc Lac) w/ lime dipping sauce

 Overnight oatmeal smoothies! My favorite is the Pineapple Coconut Oatmeal Smoothie. I ended up not using the vanilla and chia seeds (I didn't feel like heading to the grocery store!) but also added spinach. Crazy tasty! But I'm definitely going to start adding the chia seeds for it's great health benefits and thickening agent. I really don't like runny smoothies. Pina Colada's anyone?

Oh yeah, and I've been getting my craft on with my apothecary jars. I haven't been feeling like making anything... and having a zero $ budget will put a damper on my Pinterest finds. But after Easter, I switched up these jars and put together a cute Spring and 4th of July version. My spring set was full of bright colored candies. For the July 4th jars I used great northern beans, red kidney beans and black beans (they look blue!) and flowers (I didn't take an updated pic!)
I love it I love it!

 

Sweet, teething Savannah calls the shots when it comes to church and nap time. I got some great tips from my Instagram friends to help with balancing my activeness in church and a grumpy tired infant. 

Guess which toe I sprang. Now it's all sorts of puffy blue and red. It pairs well with my cute fresh pedi, don't you think?

      

 I have to agree with the 3-year old at the Splashpad park today... "I love her fluffy cheeks!"

Yours truly, Me

5 months.

Man oh man! Time is going by so fast and we have seen Savannah transform so much this month. She doesn't seem like a helpless little infant anymore because of how much excitement she contributes to our family. Every few days we catch ourselves saying something like "Wow, she is like another little human hanging out and playing with us!" Her sweet personality is shining through. It never gets old... having our cute baby girl and her luscious, fat cheeks within an arms distance. Cheeks of which I smoother in kisses no less than 1,000 times each day.
 Speaking of those cheeks...

1. You have TWO teeth!!! The second tooth just poked through today! Your first tooth erupted on the day you turned 5 months. There we were, wondering what happened to our happy little child. Almost the entire 4th month was rough for you. fussing. drooling. reflux. refusing to nap. catching daddy's cold. excessive need to be chewing. ETC. Poor girl! I wanted to start checking your gums to see if I could feel your tooth coming in and sure enough I felt the razor sharp edges. Eeeek! I screamed for your daddy to come see! I think I freaked you out, actually. I was so happy to finally understand why you've been so crazy. On the other hand, my womb wanted to cry out "STOOOP growing!" I'm going to miss that gummy smile but your daddy keeps telling me we'll love the mini tooth. Buckle up Hunnybuns. We're teeth people. We'll always be all up in your teethy business ;-)
2. You are the best little jumper in your Rainforest Jumperoo! You've learned how to play with all of the attached toys. Sometimes you'll lean your head back onto the headrest while starring up towards the ceiling while jumping high up and down! It's the funniest thing to watch!
3. You are starting to recognize familiar faces. We love that you will return every smile from us. But you definitely don't like unfamiliar faces. It's been so funny to watch you start to cry and look anxiously at me to assure you about a crazy stranger. Don't you worry, that's okay. You're just learning all about stranger danger at an early age.
4. You discovered your voice a few months ago but something clicked in your head that screaming and growling is just so fun and so you do it all. the. time! And yes, you cannot get enough of the growling. I would've guessed that hearing you growl would be adorable and cute. Nope. It sounds incredibly freaky and possessed. And whose your favorite friend to growl with? The man who taught you. You'll be letting loose of high-pitched scream all day long with me but once daddy walks in the door, you'll furrow your cute eyebrows and start growling with daddy. But only after you have released the most excited hyperventilated breaths, of course.
5. You are so entirely fascinated with drinks and straws. Once you've spotted my hospital water jug with it's long, plastic straw it is all games to get you to forget that it once was.
6. It's still fairly difficult to get you focused on drinking. You're incredibly distractible and the smallest noise will have you whip your head around to see what's going on. As long as you're hungry, you'll drink 4oz without needing it re-heated. Embarrassingly enough, I'm excited about the improvement. A few weeks ago, we had a couple day stand-off over the milk's temperature. You won, my Princess. You'll give me a schedule as long as I continue giving you warm milk. 
7. You're working so hard on scooting. You can push yourself backwards a little bit, and so sometimes you'll inch further and further away from the toy you really want. It's so cute to see your perplexing face!
8. We tried solids this last month and you did quite well. We started on oatmeal with bananas, sweet peas, avocados, steamed carrots, and pears with granola. These days, you aren't too interested in the baby food but rather the foods you can hold onto and feed yourself (see Baby Led Weaning.)
9. Last month, we ditched the pacifier and swaddle and you've been a rock star about it! You love to chomp on the hard edges of your pacifier as a teething toy.
10. We decided to tough it out and get you back onto a consistent schedule. Eat. Play. Sleep. You've been having such an awful time with teething and the endless fussiness that I knew a routine would be better for both of us. Unfortunately, we had given in and allowed you to become used to being rocked, shushed, white-noised, and sung to sleep for all of your naps. I was dreading the cry-it-outs that we went through months ago. But anything could be better than the current feeling of having no idea how to help or anticipate what you need. We started the routine 2 weeks ago and during the first nap of the day, you cried for 1.5 hours S.T.R.A.I.G.H.T. It was awful and painful for the both of us. At the start of the 2nd nap, you cried for 15 minutes. And every nap after that you fussed for 3-4 minutes. Over the next two days, you would would fuss for 0-2 minutes. Hallelujah! We figured out the key to you being able to go down easily for a nap was to always wake you up from the previous nap. I've let you sleep in longer on your own terms and it's always bad news for the rest of the day. Lesson learned? Don't ease up on an already established schedule. 

Hunnybun's typical routine:

7:00: milk. play

8:30: nap

10:00: milk. play

12:00: nap

1:00: milk. play

2:30: nap

4:00: milk. play

6:00 nap

7:00: milk. play

8:30: milk. bedtime

Yours truly, Me

A little bit of This, A little bit of That

It has been a busy month around here! 

Loverbuns finished his first year of dental school. He's been working entirely too hard but thankfully it was showcased in his stellar grades. I have my husband back! Hats off to all you single momma's.

The wrath of our angel child's first tooth finally revealed itself on her 5 month birthday. 

And because I literally took 936 pictures, I'm thinking this post calls for a photo dump. Shall we? Here's a little piece of where we've been and what we've been up to. Enjoy!

Grandad and Grammie came to visit our little baby girl. Lots of snuggles and giggles, ping pong tournaments, and the touring of Dallas

Loverbuns getting his smarty pants on.

Galveston

Smiley lady! 

I know, I know... there are million pics of her. I just can't help it!

Grumpy lady

 Rockin and rollin

Summer splash

Competing in tennis and volleyball at Texas's dental olympic games in San Antonio (with high school buddy, Justin B.) 

Enjoying Memorial Day weekend at Nannie's lake house with the family.

A couple visits to our roots in Vidor, Tx

Yours truly, Me

Mother's Day.

I realized something a couple days ago. One year ago from today, we saw the unfamiliar plus+ sign on a pregnancy test. And I can't think of a better time to celebrate this Mother's Day weekend, in remembering one of the most blessed feelings that my heart has ever experienced. The day I truly felt the Lord bless me with my very own miracle. With His timing. In His own way.

I know that this weekend can be a sad time for those who feel a painful prick in their heart.
My heart is heavy today for the women who dream of becoming a mother and having a home full of tiny feet running around only to realize their dream won't play out the way they had hoped for. I think of you often. A new humility and sensitivity has entered my spirit when it comes to this subject. The struggle of loss and infertility is one that brings you to your knees while feeling utterly helpless. It provokes a faith and determination, through the pain and heartache, to try to make a dream become a beautiful reality. Which is why I am so comforted with the knowledge that the Lord offers His atonement to everyone. It is calming to my heart. Every part of my soul feels that the Lord is making the parenthood they will surely experience, whether it is in this life or in the next, become even that much sweeter by introducing them to the heartache early. Each of the anxiety and desperate pleas on their behalf instills a more beautiful and pure appreciation for the specialness that children bring into their lives. 

I was just thinking about the heartache I know I will feel in parenting Savannah as she grows up. Sometimes when I want to complain, I make my mind go to the painful hearts of those hurting. The love of a mother is a love that I have never experienced before. You love so much you ache. It awakens a new perspective. It is such a window into how our Heavenly Father loves us.

Unconditional.

Unimaginable.

Elizabeth Stone said, "Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body."

Happy Mother's Day to all our Momma's

A gracious thank you to my two momma's and hubs for the beautiful gifts in celebrating my first Mother's Day. I'm so lucky to now have grandma moon and grammie crossley to spoil and love my baby girl. It's a beautiful cycle.

This comic couldn't be more fitting when I think of my own supermom and the amazing love and perseverance she maintained while raising me. You rock.

Yours truly, Me