Baby's First Thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving was a little different for us this year. Our plans fell through the week before so we decided to stay home this year and have Thanksgiving together as a family. It was a success but it was a very non-traditional Thanksgiving.

Neither of us are huge turkey fans so we ended up getting some ribeyes. Might as well spend money on something we will enjoy, right? Other than the steaks, we had a lot of traditional dishes. The pumpkin pie was nothing like we are used to haha. Somewhere in the process the oven wasn't turned down so it came out a little crisp, I'm blaming Brandon ;)! Oh and neither of us showered, so the babes were the only ones that looked cute. And they kept their dresses on for a whole 10 minutes to get a couple pictures haha. 

Have I mentioned how hard it is to get pictures of those little loverbugs?? Here are a couple, I tried to fade the colors a bit because they were a little hard on the eye, and some of them are cropped quite a bit because Miss Whit wasn't cooperating with her outfit. 

Hailey wore the same dress Whit wore for her first Thanksgiving!

Whitney Anne {2 1/2 years}

Miss Whit...oh how we love her. She sure keeps us busy. I'm not sure if all first children are like this but it seems like I am always having to entertain her. Toys don't seem to keep her busy, books don't keep her busy, I am the one that has to keep her busy. Unless of course I am busy, then she will keep herself busy with things she isn't supposed to get into. We are seriously counting down the days until Hailey can run around with her so they can keep each other entertained.

Recently she has really been into crafty things and play-doh. She loves to paint, but that always ends up in Mama getting so very mad at her. So we do lots of coloring, play-doh and cooking with Mama. She also loves to get dressed up, anything that twirls and she's happy. If she puts a dress on and it doesn't twirl the way she wants it to she will want another one. The girl knows what she wants, that's for sure.

I think her favorite saying these days is, "come on Mom". Or "come on" to anyone that she wants to play with. It's so darn cute, but it can turn south fast if you are busy and you can't come right away.

As wild and sassy as she is, she truly does have a very sweet and sensitive side. The other day Hailey had an accident and I was really upset about it and Whitney came over to me, put her arms around me and kissed me on my cheek to make me feel better. It was sooooo sweet.

The weather was sooo nice the other day, so we went to the park and played in the leaves, She had the time of her life.

Hailey Sue {7 months}

Seven months! Our little sweets is getting such a personality. She is the sweetest most happiest baby. We are so lucky to have her in our lives. The perfect compliment to her sassy sister.

This month has been pretty eventful for Hailey. She started scooting everywhere, so nothing is safe. She loves all the things she can't have, like cords, sissy's food and little pieces of everything that Whitney leaves around. She rarely gets mad when I take the things she can't have away, thankfully. Even at 7 months, Whitney would have thrown a fit.  

We also finally put her in her crib. The transition has actually went pretty well. However, the transition out of swaddling hasn't gone as well. For now, I swaddle her up to sleep and then when she's asleep I unswaddle her just enough that it will break free soon but still tight enough that the transition from my arms to the crib goes well haha. 

She still gives the BEST smiles around. If you are ever frustrated or having a bad day just hang out with Hailey for a little bit, that smile can turn any frown upside down.

Whitney always helps me take her monthly picture. This time Whitney wanted to copy her. After we were done, Whitney took her clothes off and sat on the box, clapped like Hailey and then put her hand in her mouth and smile haha.

Oh, how we love them!

Smiling at big sis.

Hailey Sue...

She has 3 teeth

She gets up on all fours and can almost crawl

She loves her big sister more than anything

She is still waking up multiple times a night

She can clap for us when we say "yay"

She can wave bye bye

She likes to sleep on her tummy

Whitney Anne {2 1/2 years}

Miss Thang is 2 1/2 years old and boy does she act it. That little girls is just the light of my life. I could go on and on about Whitney stories. Every day is truly a new adventure with her.

The other day I caught her riding Hailey like a horse. I rarely leave those two alone because I've seen what Whit can do to her. I was literally 10 feet away doing the dishes and I took my eyes off them for seconds. I look over the bar and Hailey is on her belly and Whit is in top of her!!!

And a week before that I caught Whitney swinging the swing (Hailey in it) back and forth so hard it was smashing from one side to the other. Poor Hailey was holding on for her life.

Brandon and I always say, we know why the youngest is the toughest ;)! I really don't think she intentionally tries to hurt Hailey, she just wants to play with her. Although, I did catch her pulling her hair one time haha.

She's starting to talk like a normal human being. Some things she says are clear as day! It's making it so much easier to communicate with her. She amazes us every day with all the things she is starting to say and how clear it's becoming. Our favorite is when she copies what we say, voice inflections and all.

Whitney Anne, it's been the best, most challenging 2 1/2 years of my life and I wouldn't change it for the world.

Pumpkin Patch Princess...I wish that dress came in my size ;)

Hailey Sue {6 months}

How is this little girl already six months?! Where did the time go?! Whitney's first six months seemed like it lasted years...YEARS! Hailey is just the light of our lives. Her sweet smile can turn anyone's mood around.

I sit, rocking Hailey to sleep and look down at her and I am amazed at how she has doubled in size. It seriously seems like it was just yesterday I was looking down at her newborn sweetness. I wish there was a way to make it slow down.

This sweet soul is full of laughter, happiness and love. Just about anything can make her laugh, sometimes I will just look at her with surprised eyes and she'll give me a belly laugh. She's generally very happy but she's the happiest when she's with her mama.  However, her big sister holds the key to her heart. Every morning the second those two lay eyes on each other the biggest most sweetness grins are shared. She loves Whitney so much, even though her big sister role is a little questionable at times.

Thank goodness this little one humors me when I dress her up in big bows to take pictures :)! Her big sis never let me do that.

Hailey...
She loves the Ergo
She hates the stroller
She loves food
She'll only fall asleep nursing (or in the car)
She is still sleeping in our room
She wakes up multiple times a night
She has two teeth
She's rolling EVERYWHERE
She's working hard on crawling
She's almost sitting all by herself

This is the first month that I've really noticed a difference in her size. She's way too big for that box but she likes to play with the garland so she's pretty good at letting me take pictures. It'll be interesting to see what next month is like.

Sisters {whit & hails}

One of my biggest hopes for these two girls is that they will be best friends. Everyday I watch these two interact and it amazes me the love they have for each other already. Sisters!! I never would have thought I would have two girls. Both Brandon and I come from a long line of boys so we both just expected to have boys. I'm so unbelievably happy to have two little girls.

When we found out Hailey was a girl I definitely had some reservations. I worried about what was to come with having two girls...sisters. I worried about the fighting over clothes, the emotions and drama later on in life. But the truth is, a sister is the best gift in the world. They have each other for a lifetime. They may fight and argue over silly things but they will always be there for each other no matter what. I look at the love they already share for each other and I can't help but smile. God is so great. It's the best gift He could ever give a little girl.

As big sister, Whitney is more of the Mama of the two of them (for now) . Whitney takes such good care of her sissy (& her little seahorse baby). She looks out for Hailey, and watches over her. She keeps an ear out for her cries. It's so special to me to see Whitney so invested in Hailey. It's the beginning of a great relationship. They may not always get along but I know if anyone ever gets in Hailey's way, Whit will be right there by her side, like a sister should be.

Hailey on the other hand, looks at Whitney with admiration. She gets that look in her eye, like someday she wants to be just like Whitney. As a little sister, I know the look. She watches Whitney in all that she does. She watches her at the park and smiles when she swings or slides down the slide. If Whitney makes any sort of peep while Hailey is eating or trying to go to sleep, she instantly sits up and has to see what Whit is up to. She'll usually give a big smile and lay back down (until the next noise). Soon enough they will be playing together, sharing all their toys and clothes, and will most like be confidants, keeping secrets from their Mommy and Daddy.

These two have a special bond, and I pray it stays that way, through good and bad.

I wish I could get better pictures of these two together, Miss Whit doesn't ever cooperate.

Whitney Anne {29 months}

My little loverbug! I still can't believe she's almost 2 1/2 years old. Right when I think we are getting to a great place with her, things change. And it's not that it's a bad thing, it's just tough sometimes. Although, all things are tough when they are making you a better person. I truly believe Whitney makes us better people. She has taught me to be more patient, more understanding and more loving.

Whitney is becoming such a little girl. She's so interested in all things that make little girls, little girls. She loves dresses, jewelry, MomMom's (that's what she calls me) make-up and playing dress up. I don't remember ever being like that, I was definitely more of a Tomboy. She LOVES to shop, when we go to Target I usually let her get out of the cart and walk around the toy aisle, as well as the clothes aisle. Her face lights up and she gets so excited to touch everything and play with it, and then she'll throw it in the cart. Thankfully she doesn't care when I put it back. One day she put five of the same dress in the cart.

She also loves the park (the parrr). We usually go everyday, sometimes twice a day. She also LOVES helicopters and airplanes. She has an ear and and eye for them. She will most often spot or hear one before I do.

using her mouth to help her climb

She's starting to entertain herself for small periods of time. Which is an absolute blessing because Hailey is getting to the point where she gets really distracted while eating or sleeping when there are other things going on.

she will not look at the camera

As sassy as that little girl can be, she also has a really sweet side that I try and focus on. Brandon and I recently upgraded our phones. The other morning he left for work, and she noticed his old phone on the table. Her eyes got huge and she said "Uhh Dada" in a frantic. So she grabbed his phone and we ran out before he left and she gave it to him, and kissed him on the cheek. It was her intent to take care of him, like she was his mother. It was so darn cute.

he loves me, he loves me not

She is such a little mama sometimes. The other night Brandon was sleeping on the couch and Whit went back to her room got her little seahorse night light and her blanket and came out and tucked him in. So precious. She does the same to her sister...but it's usually toys in her face.

Hailey Sue {5 months}

Miss Hailey is 5 months! These two girls of ours are so different and they make us so happy in different ways. More on Whitters later :).

Hailey is my happy place. She has the ability to take all my frustrations away. One flash of that heart melting smile and I am swoon. I pick that little girl up in the morning and she gives me such a huge smile with her tongue out, I get a little whiff of her smell and I'm instantly love drunk. I am so thankful for this little girl she has really blessed us with light and joy. 

Everyone loves babies, and everyone at the grocery store always goes crazy for little babies. Every time I take her, she gives strangers the biggest smile and it melts their hearts too. A couple of times (it's happened to both Brandon and I more than once) she will smile at someone and they instantly yell to their co-worker or significant other "hey, so and so you gotta come over here, she is so precious". She's a little ham for sure. Whitney on the other hand, she would get attention but not the same way. That little girl could give a scowl like none other haha. I still get a kick out of people's reactions when they would say hi to her when she was a baby. Complete opposites but they are both so amazing.  

Hailey finally rolled from back to belly. I think she just realized that it's what I wanted her to do, because I'm pretty sure she would have hung out on her back for the first year of her life. She is still very interested in our food, sometimes it makes it hard to eat anything with her on my lap.

We got the okay at her 4 month appt to start giving her solids. I hesitated at first because I didn't start with Whit until 6 months. We have started to give her quite a few different foods now though. I started with squash...not a big fan. But most everything else I have given her she LOVES, and I'm pretty sure she would eat all day if I didn't stop her.

Oh goodness I love her!

Whitney Anne {28 months}

For the past two years Whitney has kept me on my toes every.single.day. I'm always trying to anticipate her next move. She's so smart and innovative, I always have to keep an eye out for her so I don't find her scaling the kitchen cabinets (thankfully hasn't happened yet). I don't know if she is just getting to an easier age or if it's her sissy or what, but she is getting easier every day. I hate to say this but she was a struggle for a long time. She is just so strong willed and determined and it makes it hard sometimes to get her to listen to me. Those days when I feel like all I do is yell are very few and far between (thank the heavens).

The new change is making the days go by faster, so I've kind of shifted my mindset. I used to live for the weekends when dada is home, but anymore I just enjoy where we are because I know it wont last long. I look at Hailey and remember back to the days when Whitney was that age. It makes me sad to think how fast it went and that I will never get those times back. As much of a struggle as they were, I'd give anything to have those moments with her all over again.

Whitney has recently turned into a little girly girl, and I LOVE it. She loves dresses, shoes, jewelry, everything girly. She has a little bit of her mama's weirdness in her. She will go to her closet and pick out a dress to wear, if she doesn't like it she will try a different one on. Sometimes she goes through about 5 before she picks the right one. We understand each other when it comes to trying clothes on :).

This is pretty bad but Whit has really been into donuts lately. If I take her to the grocery store I usually get her one. The other day she had sugar frosting all over her hands and she was licking it off, turned to Hailey and shoved her fingers in Hailey's mouth before I could stop her. Hailey's eyes lit up haha.

We have been trying to transition her into a big girl bed...the struggle is real. I think a lot of it is our fault because we give in and put her in her crib. But the other night she was supposed to be in bed and Brandon caught her hitting her ball off her tee haha.

She sure is a bundle of fun. She can be a sassy pants but boy does she have a sweet side (and I cherish it).

She dressed herself haha.

She skipped her nap, then this happened at 5 p.m.

First camping trip with Uncle and Dada

She hates getting her picture taken and when we finally get her to smile she never looks at the camera!

Hailey Sue {4 months}

Four months! She's going to be walking before we know it. This past month has been a little crazy, we have done a lot of traveling for weddings back home. Hailey is such a "go with the flow" kind of baby. It makes it really nice for traveling. She still isn't the biggest fan of her carseat but she is getting better every time.

This last month in her development has been such a fun one, and it's only going to get better. The only bummer is she stopped sleeping through the night. It's been a little rough because sometimes she just wants to stay up even if it's at 1 a.m. She's still sweet as ever though.

One of my favorite things she started to do is chat ALL THE TIME. Sometimes she will latch on, then latch off and look at me and chat a little, then do it all over a few times until she decides if she is actually hungry or not. She chats in the stroller, in the ergo and even in her sleep haha.

She started to giggle
She weighs almost 16 pounds
She smiles at everyone (even strangers)
She found her feet
She is a chatter box
She is still only rolling from tummy to back with no intent of rolling from back to tummy haha
She has started to drool all the time

Whitney Anne {27 months}

Miss Thang has been growing up too fast lately. She is basically potty trained. I'm still nervous to go out in public without a diaper, but at home she has it down. Hopefully someday soon I will get the courage up. I just moved her big girl bed into her room, so we are starting that transition as well. It makes me so sad to think she was once Hailey's age and I thought it would be an eternity until we were at these stages. But, they are here and I just need to embrace them and enjoy the new transitions.

She is such a little performer, we go to this park about once or twice a week and it has a stage that she climbs up on and sings and dances. Sometimes there is a puddle or two left from the sprinklers and she splashes through it. Sometimes she even puts her hands in it and runs the water through her hair...it's pretty sick but there is no reasoning with her.

When we get on her case about something she really wanted to do but we don't want her to do it, she started hitting her head and going "oh". It's so cute.

Every night before bed she has to give the baby kisses. If we forget she starts kissing the air frantically and saying "baby, baby".

This little girl has never been a fan of the nursery at church. Since the move we have found a church that we like pretty well. In the nursery, once Whit realized I was gone apparently she freaked out and started saying bye, bye and was kissing the door.

We went to see KaKa and Mimi this last month and Whitney had a blast. She was a pill for most of the trip but it was so fun to see them all together. She loves them so much, I just wish we lived closer.

She loves to play dress up

"Hold baby"

Can you see the excitement...she loves her cousins

Tired our after a long day with cousins. I know the buckle is low, she pushes it down.

She was getting another molar...poor thing

She loves painting, I only let her do it outside.

I let her Dada dress her to go to the pool, she looks like a little boy

Love sleeping pictures...they are just so precious when they sleep

Another nap in the car

Kissing her baby

The stage, she just got done running through the puddle (barefoot) and was about to break out in "Let it go"

Hailey Sue {3 months}

This little girl has been the easiest baby for us. She gives me baby fever because she is sooo sweet. If only you could guarantee you'd have another just like her. She is three months already, and I can't believe it. The time has literally flown by. She is starting to be so much fun. I love to tickle her and laugh and smile with her because she gets so excited and squeals so cutely (not sure that's a word).

Whitney always has to lay under the play mat with sissy

Watching big sis play at the park

The heat has been a little rough

First Fourth of July, not a great picture but oh well

Watching big sis play in her pool

She likes to hold a swaddle blanket when she's sleeping

She has started to suck on her hand
She is smiling like crazy
She can roll from tummy to back
She loves her big sister
She went to church for the first time and slept the whole time
She sleeps from 9-5 usually
She still wears 6 month clothes
She can almost laugh
She holds her hands together at her chest while she relaxes to go to sleep