Charlie Dawn: 1 Month

Little Miss Charlie. How are you one month old already? Time is going by so quickly, I barely have time to gather my thoughts. 

STATS:
Length - approx 20 inches
Weight - I'm guessing around 8-9 lbs. We will have an accurate measurement at her 6 week check next Thursday.

SLEEP: Charlie sleeps well through the night, or as well as a month old baby will sleep. We have had a couple 4 hour stretches, mostly 3 hours, which I will take. For the first 2 weeks, she slept in the bassinet next to our bed or in the bed with me, but I wasn't getting much sleep these days. Charlie tends to make a lot of noises while she sleeps. So at 2 weeks, we moved her to her own room (around the same time we did with Palmer) and things have been going smoothly.

There is no sleeping pattern or schedule during the day. There are days she seems to be awake much more than other days. She does like to be awake in the late evening, usually from 9-11 or so. I'm hoping to see a little bit more of a pattern in the coming weeks so we can start to make some sort of schedule.

SKILLS AND DEVELOPMENT: There isn't too much to add to this list right now as being only a month old, there isn't really a long list of milestones to be hitting. Charlie is getting noticeably stronger every day. Around 3 weeks, she was starting to hold her head up and now, she does really well.

FAVORITES: Charlie is still quite young to have any real favorites, but I know she loves moving. Whether I am carrying her in the baby carrier close to me, driving in the car, or just being held while I'm walking around, there is something about the movement that must soothe her. I remember Palmer being the same way. 

BIG SISTER: Palmer is so in love with Charlie. I can hear it in her voice when she says "Charwee," I can see it in the way she cuddles and kisses her. It really is the sweetest thing. Palmer loves to help me do as much as she can; she will pick out Charlie's outfits, and will offer to sing Charlie songs when she's upset. In the car, she gives me updates on Charlie, "Mommy, her eyes are closed." or  "Mommy, she's crying, I will sing to make her feel better." There was never any doubt in my mind that Palmer would be a great big sister, but watching it just melts my heart.

MY THOUGHTS: Charlie is behaving much like her big sister did when she was this age, which makes me very optimistic for another good baby. There are days when things are chaotic obviously, and we don't get out of our PJ's until it's time for a bath, but we are doing good.

I'm struggling with two things right now. One, the fact that Mitch is only around on the weekends. Single parenting is tough, so props to all you out there. I know it's really hard on him too, not being able to spend as much time with the girls as he wants to. Two, I find myself desperately wishing these two girls would sleep at the same time. Palmer gets up early, Charlie sleeps in (most days). Charlie naps, Palmer doesn't. Palmer goes to bed at 8:30-9, Charlie is awake from 9-11pm. I like routine and structure, so finding a sleeping pattern for Charlie will be good for us. I know it will happen eventually, so I'm not stressing over it.

Time can pretty much slow down though, because I know this will be the last time all these milestones happen. This will be the last time we will have a snuggly little baby like this, so I am in no rush for them to end.

Happy (belated) one month, sweet Charlie. 

22 Months: Palmer's Life

I know I say this every. single. time. but, I truly cannot believe that in 2 months, Palmer will be 2. Time is going by just as quickly as ever and it truly is the most amazing thing to watch her grow. 

So much has happened since this last monthly update post.

Palmer really is a loving little girl. She doesn't hesitate to give out a big hug or kisses, which completely melt my heart every time. Her sweet little personality shines though in everything she does and I truly hope that she carries this with her always. 

Palmer's words have exploded. She will now make sentences and tell you (almost always) exactly what she wants. "Mo juice peese" or "no soot (soup)" and this list can go on and on and on. She will even say things that I didn't even know she knew. We were reading a book one day and she lifted up the flap and said "hot dog." WHAT? I didn't even know she knew that. 

She can play the matching games like nobody's business. She can match the cards up like a boss. Or she will find all the look and find items in her book in the blink of an eye.  Little smarty pants can put her puzzles together in all of 12 seconds. Seriously, how does she know all this stuff?

I could really go on and on with all the amazing things Palmer is doing and saying. I cannot even put into words how blown away I am with Palmer and all the things she can do. This little girl has taught me so much in such a short amount of time. She has given us so much love that words can't even describe. I cannot wait to watch her grow even more and surprise us daily with all the new things she can do. 

We love you, sweet Palmer. 

XOXO

Where Did Our Baby Go?

We have reached that number where we start to wonder, do we say she is 18 months? 1.5 years old? Almost 2?

//dress//topknot headband//

I am truthfully amazed at how fast this time has gone by. 18 months, in the blink of an eye. Our little baby is an independent little toddler. Palmer has become the sweetest little girl. She loves to give hugs and kisses and will wave to your for 5 minutes before its time to leave.

And let me tell you, this girl has sass! The way she says "no" with such attitude; we may be in for trouble!

Palmer has been successful in using the potty several times. There was even a day she used it 3 times! I am in no rush to get her trained, but she is showing interest so we are just going along with it.

Palmer is always talking and using her words to (try to) let us know what she's thinking. For the most part we have it figured out, but there are definitely times where frustrations rev high for both Palmer and Mitch and I when she just cannot communicate what it is she wants. Cue tantrums. Tantrums or not, our house is only quiet during naps and bedtime.

Palmer can put together her little wooden puzzles and match the shapes for her blocks in the box. She plays pretend with her new little tea set, and has to feed everyone around her imaginary food. Palmer knows a number of animal sounds and can easily point out different animals and objects in our books. She can easily point our mama, daddy, Leaf, and both set of grandparents as well as various other little friends.

 

Palmer continues to be a great little sleeper. We never really had any issues in the department, other than those times of teething. She will typically go down between 8-9:30 and sleep though the night until about 8 unless we have to wake her to go to the day home.  She has one long afternoon nap, which is great for mom and dad - it gives us a moment of quiet and time to tidy up before the little tornado is at it again.

Palmer is wearing mostly size 24 months/2T clothing and we just bumped up to size 4 diapers. Her shoes are now a size 5 or 6 and she is quickly outgrowing these too!

Our little nugget will eat pretty much everything we put in front of her with the exception of potatoes of any kind (except french fries) and peaches. Odd, I know, but I've always said, if that's the worst of it, I'm definitely OK with that. She will eat nearly all the same meals we do which is so fantastic. Much less work!

I can't believe in a short 6 months, our sweet little Palmer will be 2!

//dress//

Palmer, our sweet, funny, spunky little girl; you light up our lives. You make us laugh (and occasionally cry). You make our days so much brighter. Your Daddy and I couldn't have asked for a more perfect little girl to add to our family. We love you so much!

15 Month Update: Palmer's Life

I'm trying to figure out exactly where the past 15 months have gone. When did my baby turn into such an independent little girl?

Everyday, I see Palmer's little brain just soaking up the world around her. Every day she gets smarter and smarter. Everyday, she amazes me more. Although she doesn't talk much yet, she understand a lot of things we say and is able to communicate with her actions, signs, and what little noises she does make. A full on little person!

Since Palmer turned one (and my last post dedicated to her growing), we've seen more huge changes in her. She's went from a wobbly walker to a full on running twister who can turn the entire house upside down in 3.7 seconds flat! We have to make sure we have the baby gates up or she is up the stairs is seconds, all the way to the top, giggling at her accomplishment! I think pretty soon we are going to have to keep a key hidden outside because this little girl can reach the locks on the doors and is quickly learning how to turn them! Today, my mom told me Palmer even escaped out the front door when she went to put something in her truck. She turned around and there was little Palmer standing on the front step!
Note to us: Keep deadbolt locked at all times!

Palmer sleeping patterns have returned to (mostly) normal with the exception of the odd night. I thought after coming back from Mexico, her sleep would be off as we didn't have much of a routine down there, but she settled back in to normal life very quickly.  Naps are usually a couple hours in the afternoon, followed by bed around 8pm. Bed time is great now too in that she often times isn't sleeping when we put her down, but lays down nicely, cuddles up Mr. Elephant, and falls asleep on her own within a few minutes, although there are times when I just hold her and rock her because its the only time she will sit still long enough for me to get good cuddles in.

Now that Spring is finally here (hopefully to stay), we have been getting outside more. Palmer loves being outside. She loves the park and she especially loves playing in the backyard with Leaf (I think Leaf is a little indifferent to this sometimes. I don't think he likes it when she plays with his toys)

Palmer, our sweet little 15 month old girl. You amaze us every day. Your beautiful personality shines through more and more every day, and we are so excited to see watch the little person you are becoming unfold a little more each day.

We love you sweet girl! xxoo

11 Months: Palmer's Life

I know I saw this every month, but seriously, I cannot believe our sweet little Palmer has been in our life for 11 months already!

In just one short month, Palmer will be one year old, and I know this month is going to just fly by. It will go as quickly as the previous 11 have come and gone. With Christmas just around the corner, then New Years, Palmer's 1st birthday will be here before we know it!

It is seriously getting near impossible to get a good picture of her sitting still!!!

Whats going on this month?

1. Palmer is finished wearing her Starband helmet!!

2. Palmer is still cruising all over the place and we are patiently waiting for her first steps by herself.

3. Palmer has started to say "mama" and I love it!! (she still says "dada' much more though).

4. Palmer knows how to clap her hands and give hugs and kisses.

5. Palmer understands what "NO" means, but sometimes doesn't listen.

6. Palmer LOVES the tickle monster and tickle parties! And I can't get enough of her little laugh!

7. Palmer has started reading stories to herself. Often, I will see her holding a book, babbling away to herself. Its the cutest thing!

I can tell her little mind is just absorbing everything around her. She is so curious and is non-stop moving. In a matter of 10 seconds, shes gone from the activity table, to lying on Leaf's bed, to throwing all her books off the shelf, and back to walking along the couch. We think she's busy now....I'm sure we will be in for a big surprise once she starts walking on her own!

10 Months: Palmer's Life

10 months.

Seriously, where has the time gone??

The past 18 months have whipped by like I can't believe. From pregnancy until Palmer's 10 month mark - all so unbelievably fast!


What's going on this month, you ask? What's not going on this month??

1. Palmer is cruising everywhere! You think she is in one place and you blink and it's "Where in the world has she gotten away to now?"

2. Palmer just started walking alone with her walker.

3. Tooth #6 appeared.

4. Palmer's first words. Dada.
Her other favourite word, baba.

5. Standing alone. Yes, it's only for a few seconds at a time, but she's doing it.

6. We had our first real sickness. Sunday morning, Palmer woke up in a spaghetti-puke explosion! Poor little girl couldn't keep anything but Pedialyte down all day.

7.  Playing copy-cat. You stick your tongue out, she will too. You wave, she'll do that too.  You make fart noises, yup, Palmer will make them.

Oranges continue to be her favourite food.
She still (usually) loves having a bath.
Palmer will often sit still for a story or two.

It's hard to believe that in only 2 short months, we will be celebrating Palmer's first birthday!

Let the party planning begin???