31 Weeks

Hey baby cakes,

So I know this seems weird but I swear you literally grow overnight! I mean it! This morning when I woke you up you were a little bit taller, a little bit heavier and a little more mature!

We have had a week full of ups and downs but like I said, life is like a roller coaster sweetheart! We said goodbye to your Papaw! It was a quick but very nice visit.

Oh how I love that lip! You were sad to see him go!

We got to meet sweet baby Sasha Kinsall on Friday! She is so precious and tiny! It's hard to remember you that little but I know you were!

Then we went to have some dinner with Candace, Lee, Harrison & Nicole! You slept most of the time and then woke up as "super serious baby", I was hoping you were going to be more hungry than you were so we could try tortillas again!

What a special morning we had on Saturday, not that we don't love your daddy being around but he had to go to work and it was just us! We played and snuggled and had breakfast in our PJs. I caught myself several times just taking in the moment. Your noises and reactions, they are hilarious!  Then we got a call to join Brooke, Averie & Nicole for some "coffee". You had a ball playing with Brooke and Averie! That was followed by a trip to Target for some new fall outfits! It's getting cooler outside!

We were supposed to go to the Corams and watch some football but you hadn't taken a nap all day at that point and I wanted you to get some rest for your play date with Aunt Cole that night! You were having none of that, you were in a great mood but you were not going to nap. So you helped me make a ton of baby food, played, talked and cooed right until the time Cole got there. Melt down! I could tell you were exhausted. I also felt like you knew we were going out for the night and that did not make you happy! It was so hard for me to leave when you were so upset which probably made you more upset. I think that (and your daddy gets to say "I told you so") I was projecting my stress on to you. I was stressed that you hadn't taken a nap, I was running a little behind with making the food and getting everything ready for the night, not to mention getting ready to go out, so I was flustered. (Hindsight is 20/20-we can talk more about that later) I was so hoping that you'd be in a good mood for the first time that Nicole was going to babysit you too and it backfired on us/me. I'm sorry baby. I'll try to be better about that. I acknowledge that I get flustered (somewhat) easily. I run late (a lot) and I have a tendency to be a bit of a perfectionist. I will try my hardest to let all of that go, manage my time better and just let you be how you want to be! That will be better for all of us! You are so intuitive and I need to be more mindful of that. Even as a newborn I could tell you were sensitive to the environment around you! Nicole did an amazing job with you and we love her bunches!

Sunday was perfection! You got some good one on one time with daddy in the morning and then the three of us went to see the new kangaroo exhibit at the zoo! It was incredible! You get to see these fascinating creatures so close! We even got to pet one and they are so soft, almost like a bunny! I was expecting them to have coarser hair. 

You also rode your favorite carousel animal the gazelle. (Well we don't really know if that's your favorite but it's the one we always seem to end up with!)

You have now tried two new food items, butternut squash and barley! You love them both but I think the squash may be giving you some diaper rash. It seems to flare up after you have eaten pears, apples and now the squash. Trial and error I suppose. You're cutting a tooth too! It's on the bottom right side of your mouth! I think that can explain some of your sleeping issues too!

Oh how I love you so my child! 

Forever and ever,

Mommy

7 Months

Happy 7th Month in this World

Dearest Reme Lynn,

I love your goofy personality

I love that you can sit up

I love watching you play with your blocks & bowls

I love that you love chasing the dog

I love that you're eating solid foods

I love that you pooped in the tub

I love how much you enjoyed the beach

I love it when you make the "f" sound (you'll say football any day now)

I love the way you fly on a plane

I love your pouty lip

I loved taking you to your first play

I love our bedtime routine

I love the way the Prayer Bear makes you smile

I love that you love the meerkat

I love that your starting to enjoy reading

I love that you're sleeping in your room

I love watching sleep on the monitor

I love how much your hair has grown

I love the way you look in headbands

I love waking you up in the morning 

I love seeing you react to different things, smells, toys and tastes

I love your laugh

I love the way you make me laugh

I.LOVE.YOU

30 Weeks

Dear Reme,

You are such a little rock star! I mean it! You have accomplished a lot this week and I am most impressed! You shot your first commercial. It's for an attorney in Detroit! You did fantastic. Now admittedly you didn't have to do much but you didn't throw a fit, you didn't fuss, you went straight to the actress with no issues whatsoever! I immediately contacted my agent in hopes to get you some more work! You really are a natural! I would never force you into something that you didn't like but it sure would mean a whole bunch to me if you enjoyed acting and being in the limelight! At least a little!

We flew to Houston, TX for Uncle Mykell & Aunt Shanan's wedding this past weekend! Again...impressive! You slept the entire way! Not one peep. It's funny the looks you get when walking on the plane with a baby. Immediately folks start to roll their eyes and tension comes over there face. I loved that you proved them wrong by being such an angel! You were on the way home too! Although you played more on that flight and got to look out the window!

 First Boarding Pass

 

 We finally got to meet your cousin Gavin! He is exactly 3 months and 1 day younger than you! He is such a sweet baby! You guys got to do some playing together and you got to visit with NawNaw & Granddad!

Then it was wedding time! It was very hot outside so you'd let me know when it was time for an AC break about every 20 minutes or so! For it being a big crowd of "strangers" you did a great job! We got to see you Great Aunt Deen Deen and let me tell you kid, she is one of your biggest fans! She absolutely adores you! I can't wait for you to spend some more time with everyone at Christmas! I'll be better about taking pictures too! We were so wrapped up in the moment that my camera didn't make it out much, neither did the phone but it was a wedding we'll always remember! We are blessed with such an amazingly unique, loving and creative family! The are a ton of fun!

The next day the we ventured to Surfside Beach, TX and you played in the surf & sand for about an hour before we had to head towards the airport. It wasn't the most well thought out plan on our part. The sand, sunscreen and sweat weren't the greatest combo to endure before getting on a plane but we managed! I was totally regretting it at the time but looking back now, I'm glad we did. You love the sand and it was all more time to spend with our family! 

Your daddy has had to pick you up from daycare this week and yesterday he showed up and found this! We love Una Baptist Daycare! They take such good care of you! 

 

Today we got a surprise visit from your Great Grandfather (Pawpaw)! He just happened to be in town for business! He picked a great day because you were in a terrific mood, sat at the dinner table in your highchair, ate all of your dinner, talked up a storm and went to sleep happily! 

Oh speaking of...and I almost hate to say anything in fear of jinxing it but YOU SLEPT THROUGH THE NIGHT!!! If you do tonight it will be three, count em', three nights in a row!! Halleluiah!

You such a sweet buttercup baby girl and I love you to pieces,

Mommy

 

29 Weeks

Oh my sweet,

I feel like it has been forever since I've written you a letter! There is so much to tell you about! First of all, the virus you had was Rosella. It is just once of those nasty viruses that causes a high fever with a quick on set followed by a rash! You broke out in a rash on Friday but really it wasn't that bad at all. It was the high fever that was the worst of it! Your daddy stayed home with you on Wednesday afternoon, all day on Thursday & Friday night! It was the longest stretch time that you guys have ever spent together as just the two of you. I was really sad that I couldn't be with you but in a way glad that you guys got that time to bond. I came home on Thursday to find the two of you playing with the dog and you were just giggling away! You like to play hide and seek with Stella! Your face just lights up and you think it's hilarious!

Daddy Cam

We had lots of adventures this weekend! We went to the Italian Lights Fair, the Tennessee State Fair and Shakespeare in the park and we finished your six month photo shoot! See Them Here

You were so good the whole weekend! You had a blast! At the Italian Lights Fair, we listened to our good friend JJ's swing band The Gin Mill Six! You sat on the table and patted your legs almost to the beat! We walked around and did some shopping and everyone kept commenting on what a cute baby you are! Everyone just loves those cheeks!!

You were exhausted from the morning and your photo shoot and slept the first hour we were at the State Fair. Finally just as the sun was going down, you were waking up! You LOVED it! I mean you were just in awe! All of the lights, sounds and smells. We walked around with our friends, the Kellys & the Grays while the kids rode ride after ride. Then we went to explore some of the farm animals and a goat decided to try to eat your stroller! The look on your face was priceless. I think you may have thought it was a dog because you thought it was pretty funny! You tried some of your daddy's grape snow cone and we rode the carousel. It was much faster than the one at the zoo but you didn't seem to mind at all! I remember going last year when you were still in my belly and watching all of the kids run around with so much excitement and I couldn't wait to be able to bring you there. It's going to be an annual tradition for sure! It's so much fun!

 

It's really hard to put into words. Each day, each night, each morning, every adventure & every trip just amazes me. You amaze me. It's amazing (and I can't really think of any other word to use to describe it) how you are just a little sponge taking it all in, how it seems like I can see the synapses firing in your brain as  your learning new things, how you move your body, your hands, your feet, how the sound of your voice and giggle can fill a room with light and joy, how (and I swear this is true) you seem to grow a little bit taller and a little bit bigger every morning I get you out of bed. All of it. It's simply amazing! 

Tonight was Mommy/Daughter night and we sat on the floor and played with blocks and bowls. I'd set the blocks up and you'd look at them, cock your head and knock them all down. This was big fun! We did it over and over. Then you would pick a block up and study it carefully, each side, each angle and then give a good toss! As you were eating dinner you'd grab the spoon and feed yourself, take the spoon out of your mouth, examine it closely and hand it back to me. You splashed in the tub and one by one took your toys out of the water, gave them a good look and slammed them in the water making a big splash. This seemed so puzzling to you. You'd do it over and over as to try to figure out how the water was hitting your face from the action you were doing. Amazing.

Helping Mommy Wash Green Beans

We've, well I have really, hit several road blocks in the baby food making department. See all of those green beans? Well I tried to steam them and some how scorched the water and they all tasted burned! Down the drain it went. Made some peaches, they were way to watery. Down the drain. Carrots tasted metallic for some reason. Down the drain. I used some Mrs. Dash all spice in some different green beans and it was way too garlicky. Down the drain! Our frozen peas had salt in them!?! What?!? Bye bye! Aww! I broke down and bought some bag of food for our trip we have coming up but your daddy was very encouraging and I'm not going to give up! I have since then been very successful with a couple recipes! It's just trial and error I suppose.

Speaking of success, you've gone from waking every two hours to every four! We're going in the right direction! I'm hoping that once you're feeling 100% and have thoroughly gotten used to sleeping in your room we'll be good to go! Come on baby! We've got this!

You are so beautiful to me! Thank you for all of the light you bring to my life! 

I love you bunches and bunches,

Mommy

28 Weeks

Reme Lynn,

Well it was bound to happen, you caught a dreaded virus. Well at least that's what the doctor thinks for now. It started with a runny nose on Saturday followed by a little fever on Monday that escalated to104 temperature on Tuesday night! Yikes! That was super scary for us! Luckily we were able to reduce it to102 in about an hour or so with Tylenol & a luke warm bath. You were in a really great mood the whole time which was the only thing that kept me from completely loosing it! Your daddy took you to the doctor today and then stayed home with you. You did not like the doctor visit at all! Apparently you had a complete meltdown almost the entire time. I'm sorry you're not feeling well baby girl and that I wasn't able to be there with you! It had to be very confusing for you! I hope it runs it course quickly.

At the doctor

Finally home and getting some fresh air with the doggie!

A quick nap for a tired sweet girl!

The crazy thing was that you were completely fine at your six month check up on Thursday! You now weigh 16 pounds and 12.8 ounces, you are 25 inches long and you still have a tiny head but it's growing proportionate to your body and on the right "curve" so no worries! You got another FOUR shots including the flu vaccination. I spoke to Dr. Ros about feeding you solid foods and what to do next. Everything seems perfect! (except the virus)

We celebrated your daddy's 40th birthday on Friday! We surprised him at work with cookies and got a tour of the warehouse where he makes all of the guitars! He sort of makes them, he makes them better that's for sure! It was neat and you really seemed to enjoy it! It was a "museum" type environment so you took it all in as usual! Then you stayed with our good friend April, she's one of my "Dixie Swim Club" friends while your daddy & I went out to a wonderful dinner! You did very good with April but did not sleep well that night!

Titans Tickets! Happy Birthday Daddy!

That reminds me...the sleeping thing! Argh! You really had us spoiled there for a while, sleeping through the night and all. Now that we've transitioned you to your room it has been ALL OVER THE PLACE! One night you wake up a couple of times, the next night less, then you slept great for a couple of nights, then one really terrible night (Friday) where you woke up practically every two hours, we just never know what to expect. I'm exhausted! I hope we get this figured out soon. I've tried to let you "cry it out" but I fold in about 4 minutes. I can't stand to hear you cry. It just breaks my heart, PLUS you haven't been feeling and I've wanted extra cuddles anyway!

We had a nice and relaxing Labor Day weekend! We did mostly domestic stuff, cleaned, grocery shopped, cooked, did laundry, you know...fun stuff! We also had "part one" of your 6 month photo shoot! Can't wait to do more and see them!

Best & cutest grocery shopping helper ever!

We did have a lovely morning at the zoo with Mollie, Jaime & Ed!

Praying for a quick recovery my sweet angel! I love you so very much!!

Mommy