Emma is 4 Months..

We have been a busy little family this past month. Every weekend has been filled. We have been non-stop. Could be why we have had some ups and downs this month.

The "ups" are my favorite part though...of course. 

Daddy's smirk on the right.. You look like you are up to no good. 

Again... up to no good. Still loving bath time!

You have started babbling and "talking" like crazy, girlfriend. You have been testing the volume limit, too. You go from 0-10 in less than 3 seconds. Pretty sure the whole neighborhood can hear you. Moose gives you this look like "she used to be quiet.. what was that?" I'm loving it! You also LOVE petting Moose and I think he likes it too... well let's say he is getting used to it! 

You love playing with your zebra that Kimmie got you.

You found your feet. Cute little booger. You also have become a drooler. We go through at least 2-3 onesies and 2-3 burp cloths a day. Could be a sign of teething but I think it is more like you don't know what to do with all of your spit so... it goes on your shirt. It's fine, mom and dad got ya covered! Burp cloths to the rescue!

Look at that drool... 

You rolled over from your back to your belly. Your Paw Paw saw you do this. No one else has seen it, so if you could do that again, that would be great. I would like to get a video of it, if I can. So come on baby girl! And because you rolled over (so Paw Paw says..) we transitioned you from being completely swaddled in your crib at night to just partially, you now have your arms out. If we swaddled you completely it could be hazard if you were to roll over, so it was time. You seem to like it. You cry out but you go back to sleep after a little bit. Also, on top of rolling over (according to Paw Paw..) you also have been trying to sit up by yourself. The night of 10/13 we were watching TV after dinner and you sat straight up in your boppy and hung out like it was no big deal. You are so strong little one. Keep it up! #proudmama

This is your focused face..

With all of these amazing "ups".. there are always the "downs"... 

You got sick for the first time on 10/19. You were acting strange and fussy (which is not your norm) so we took your temperature in your ears. Right ear read 101.8; left ear read 100.4. Call the doctor. It was Sunday so we got the on-call nurse. She said that yes it was a fever (obviously) but a "good fever", one that you can fight off and shouldn't be afraid of. She said to just watch you and if we noticed anything strange to call back and/or go to the hospital. 

Sick baby face. Breaks my heart.

We took your temp the next day and to our delight it was normal at 97.4. But you still weren't your normal fun, smiley, talkative, lively self and to make matters worse (sorry for all the poop talk...) you went for 1.5 days without pooping, yet you were eating the same amount of food. Before you were quite the regular pooper (after every feeding), so that had to have been very uncomfortable for you, little miss. Also, you woke up in the middle of the night (1am.. 3am.. and 6am) screaming at the top of your lungs. Again, not your norm. I think you started getting over it on the 23rd. You started pooping again and you have been acting like yourself again, playing and cutting up with everyone. We think you might have had a little bug, which will happen from time to time.. but the main thing is.. you fought it off like a strong little baby that you are! Once again... #proudmama

Smiling again...

We saw Dr Moss today (10/24) for your 4 month appointment and you are officially a string bean, little miss. 13 lbs 13 oz (50th percentile) and 26 inches long (99th percentile). It makes sense seeing as your dad is 6'4'' and I'm 5'9''. You are growing like a weed! Dr Moss said you physically are perfect. That's what I like to hear!

Baby Zoolander doing her best Blue Steel

Like I said we have been non-stop, so I think its time we take it easy. Daddy is working this weekend, so walking around the neighborhood, getting some fresh air, watching lots of Disney movies, and perhaps a picnic in the backyard are in order. You know hanging out Mommy/Daughter style (and Moose will be there too!)

Love you Sweets! XOXO

Its Wedding Season [First Road Trip]

Its Wedding Season and, boy, do I love a good wedding. We hardly dress up fancy anymore because we work at very casual work places, so any excuse to dress up.. we are there! 

First up - The Huspen's Wedding! Lizzie looked absolutely gorgeous and Anthony looked so handsome. Lizzie would be considered my sister in law...law. She is Meredith's (my sister in law) sister. It was in Murfreesboro which was nice because it made for Murdock family affair. GiGi, Papa, Morgan, Meredith, Jeremy, Cody, Ashley.. the whole gang was there! It was an outdoor event in the backyard of her parents house. Being the end of September, the weather could have been miserably hot or cool (welcome to the South), but it was perfect! Great food, great weather, GREAT company! 

Emma, you looked adorably cute and Grammy was so happy you wore the tights and shoes she gave you. Always fashionable, of course!

Your handsome daddy. Love!

This past weekend, was your first road trip to Memphis. Up until now the longest car ride has been to Murfreesboro, which is a short hour away, so 3 hours to Memphis.. here goes nothing! Emma... another proud Mama moment... you did great! You slept majority of the time and when you woke, we played with your giraffe, duck, birdie, and zebra. You loved it! 

We drove up Saturday morning during your nap time. We arrived at Grandma Hammer's house around 11ish and you were ready to eat! You played for a little bit and visited with family but then it was time for the adults to eat. Back in the car seat. We went to Memphis Pizza Cafe.. all 10 of us! It was delicious! 

You LOVE Bink.. and so do I!

It was time to get ready for the wedding once we got back from lunch, so you played with your daddy and PawPaw while Grammy and I got dolled up. We dressed you up in this adorable baby blue dress with bloomers and your fancy shoes (entire outfit was from Grammy!). You were wedding ready... 

The Dotson's Wedding was peacock themed and so so cute! I loved all the bold colors and glitz of it all. Hollye (my cousin) looked so pretty! Her dress was exactly what I pictured, fit her perfectly! You were great for the wedding ceremony but didn't want any part of the reception. The reception was at Germantown Country Club, which was really nice and big, but you were done for the day. 

The only picture I got all night #momfail. BUT I'll take it. How cute is this?

It was a longgg day for a 15 week old. Overstimulated and ready to go "home". We got back around 9 (still pretty late). You were exhausted! You fell asleep in your pack n play and were out for the night. Your dad and I thought for sure you would wake up and to our (and everyone else) surprise, you slept through the night. AND woke up late, 7:20a! Someone was tired! 

Sunday was here and we originally planned on going to the Memphis Zoo, but there was a 50%-60% of rain and we didn't want to risk it so we just hung out with the family instead. Cue picture taking! 

4 generations

Very special moment. Great Grandma, Grammy, Mama, and You!

Cheetah baby!

You got your morning nap, we went to lunch.. all 10 of us (again!) and we were on the road (again!).You slept THE WHOLE WAY home! So sleepy! 

Me and your daddy are so proud of you. You have been to TWO weddings, traveled to Memphis, and you aren't even 4 months yet! You are truly a little sweetheart and a very entertaining one... Ha!

We love you, little Miss. You have completed our little family!

Emma is 3 Months..

Girlfriend, you are growing up way too fast! BUT I'm loving every minute of watching you figure out this brand new world that you are in. 

Moose loves hanging out with you

3 months has been an adventure and super fun. It's the month of September and that means... Football season AND Fall season. 2 of your mama's favorite things! Your dad and I are huge UT fans! So every Saturday means... we are wearing Orange and White. GBO! They have had a tough couple of years but I think Butch, their coach, is bringing us back! 2016 will be our year. Just ask your Uncle Brent... he is confident that is the year!

I'm happy to say that you are officially past the gassy stage. Thank goodness. It broke my heart to see you hurting like that, but believe me babe, it could have been a lot worse. Some babies get acid reflux, diaper rash, etc. We are very thankful you didn't have any of those things. 

I just want to kiss that little Buddha belly

Emma, you slept in your crib for the first time on September 19th! You had been sleeping in the co-sleeper in our room but your dad and I decided it was time to transition you upstairs. You haven't woken up at night since around 5 weeks so it was time. AND surprisingly to us, you slept through the night in your crib (knock on wood this continues). You love the fan on, being swaddled, your projection of little fish on the ceiling (kind of like a night light) and your "cradle" song playing. I rock you before putting you to bed every night which means more snuggles for me.. I'll take it!

So now that I'm back at work, we are starting to get the hang of things. For a while, I was nursing you in the morning after you woke around 6:30a but I couldn't gauge if you were getting enough and I felt really rushed so we started feeding you from the bottle. You get to sleep a little bit longer too! You take around 5-6 oz each feeding (every 3-4 hours). You are hungry little birdie. I, now, pump in the morning before you wake and then at work 3 times a day (at least I try). Your GiGi comes on Mondays and Tuesdays to watch you at our house and then you go over to Grammy and PawPaw's house Wednesday through Fridays. You seem to really like it and I know your grandparents love seeing you so much!

We have been practicing more tummy time and you are liking it more and more. You are so strong little girl! Before you know it you will be rolling over, sitting up, crawling, walking... 

Ahhh...Time slow down!

Another new development is that you have found the TV! You can now see at longer distances and color, so I can see why the TV would be very fascinating to you. This is a good and bad thing. TV can be your friend and worst enemy. I would rather you read more than watch TV but for now...Our routine is to watch Mickey Mouse and Jake & the NeverLand Pirates in the morning while you take your bottle. You also love HGTV, especially watching it with PawPaw... (cue picture below..) 

You got to hang out with Tristan! He might already be your same size and is 7 weeks younger than you. This is good thing.. you have your very own bodyguard! He takes after his daddy (your Uncle Jeremy) and PaPa. Y'all are too cute together. Can't wait to see how y'all interact when you get a little older! 

You have developed quite the personality, little one. You are so funny and make some great faces. You laugh all the time! It is the sweetest little laugh too. You have your daddy's smile, which is absolutely adorable! 

Prepare yourself for picture overload. Alli, Audrey and Tanner's mama, took your 3 month pictures. Who's the cutest baby in the world? You are! You are adorable! 

Here are some of our favorites

Hey ginger baby!

Your daddy and I love you so much. God truly blessed us!

XOXO

Emma is 2 Months...

2 months... how is that possible? 2 months had its ups and downs. More ups than downs.. and so many "growing up" changes!!  

Change #1 You set up your own daily schedule. For this OCD mother, I loved this! Wake at 6, Nurse, Nap, Wake at 10-11, Nurse, Play, Nap, Wake at 2-3, Nurse, Play... Repeat. We noticed around 5-6 weeks you wanted to play more during the day! Cue the play mat. Your favorite thing along with rattling toys, mirrors, Mom and Dad's funny faces and noises. 

Change #2 YOU SLEPT THROUGH THE NIGHT! Proud mama right here! BUT there were always hiccups... you would sometimes get very gassy at night. I quickly realized that I could not eat beans, corn, spicy food, tomatoes because you were breastfeeding. Your digestive system was still developing so there were many nights of crying and screaming. Your dad and I would work your legs like a bicycle and give your belly a massage. Those were the best methods to get you to poop/burp/fart. Once you did, we celebrated with a "yay", gave you lots of love, and then you were asleep. Exhausted... and so were we! 

Love snuggles

Change #3 You started smiling at 5 weeks. Not just because you farted or pooped (yes, you were always happy when these things happened) but because you thought something was funny and you smiled/laughed about it. It was the most adorable thing me and your daddy had ever seen. 

Change #4 You found your thumb. Second cutest thing we have ever seen!

Being August, it was hot outside so we would take walks at night after dinner. Change #5 You loved walking in the baby bjorn. 

Our routine became eating dinner, walk around the block (Moose's favorite time), bath (your favorite time), nurse, sleep (mom and dad's favorite time). You went to bed around midnight so you would usually take a little cat nap and then nurse again. We swaddled you at night, you would fight it at first, but would fall fast asleep after walking around and sucking on your paci. 

My very own troll doll :) (5 weeks)

7 weeks

On August 11th, your cousin, Tristan, was born. Y'all are 7 weeks apart! 

At the hospital in Murfreesboro meeting Baby T for the first time

The weekend of August 16th I went to my best friend's Dani baby shower In Ohio. Yes, she is preggers and is having a baby girl named Audrey! Yall are going to be best of friends. This was the first time I was away from you. Your daddy had you by himself... he did an incredible job. He kept me updated throughout the day Saturday and then I was back on Sunday. It was so good to see you again. I had missed you so much. The night away I think made my transition going back to work a little easier. 

Daddy's first selfie. So proud.

I went back at 8 weeks, 8/19. This was a very sad day for me. I was getting used to being with you everyday and think you were too. It was definitely a bittersweet moment. I love my work but I obviously love you, but we have to do what we have to do. It was the longest day of my life, I was thinking about you the whole time. I knew you were in good hands though, your GiGi was there hanging out with you. She sent pictures throughout the day. 5:30 came and it was time to go home and see you. I came home, loved on Moose, gave your daddy a kiss, and took you in my arms. Best and sweetest reunion ever! 

With all these new developments in your life, your daddy and I knew that you were growing up and you were no longer a "baby". Its crazy how fast time flies. You had your 2 months doctor's appointment and you checked out great. You did so good with all your shots and had grown like a weed. 23 inches long (you might be tall..) 10 lbs 13 oz. The doctor noticed a little bit of torticollis in your neck. This just meant that we needed to stretch your neck and get it stronger. You favored your right side. So we stretched it out after every diaper change. 

You are getting bigger and stronger each and every day, bug. We are loving every minute and.. I think we are finally getting used to this whole parenthood thing! We love you so much. XOXO