4 Months Old

Another month has gone by and you are growing up right before our eyes.

You have turned into the happiest little thing!  You are no longer the fussiest baby on earth HA.  You smile all the time and you love to giggle.  Sometimes you giggle so hard you let out the cutest high pitch sound.  I'm so happy you are happy!

Sleep, not consistent.  You are asleep by 7pm, sleep until around 5pm, nurse, back down until 7-8:30am for one week then the next week you're down at 7pm, back up at 7:30, nurse, sleep until 1-3:30am, nurse, awake around 5:30am, nurse, up for the day between 7-8:30am.  Overall, you are a good sleeper.

Naps, that's an entirely different story.  I think the reason you sleep until 8-8:30am is because you nap horribly.  You are a light sleeper like mommy.  If we are in the car, which we are out of the house by 9-10 am every morning, you sleep.  Once we arrive to our destination, you always wake up.  So you get about a 20-30 minute nap there.  You don't nurse to sleep when we are home, only nurse for nourishment, which means mommy puts you in the swing and pray for a nap.  I do that after about 2 hours you've been awake from your last cat nap.  Swing naps last about 30 minutes as well.  You probably nap a total of 2 hours every day.  Not great, but like I said, you are a happy baby.  It works for you!

Before falling asleep for your naps, you go "ahhh." So stinking cute! 

You still nurse every 1.5-2 hours while awake.  You are a quick nurser, about 5-10 minutes.  You like to get in and get out HA.

I weighed you at 13 pounds, but we will know your exact weight next week at your 4 month well check.  You are in a size 2 diaper, but mommy has you in size 1 to finish off the box.  I had some size 2's left over from Vivian that fit you so much better.  Not so tight around those chunky legs.  You are in 3-6 month clothing, but can still wear a few 0-3 months depending on the brand.  

You have the sweetest 'peach fuzz' on your head and I love running my chin and mouth over your sweet hair.  So soft!

Tummy time is getting better only if you are on a pillow.  Not so much the fan when flat on the ground. You can roll from your tummy to your back, but not from your back to tummy.  You can make it your side before rolling back to your back.  You'll get there soon enough.  You can spin half way around on your play mat.

You love your big sister.  You love watching her every move and she brings the biggest smile to your face.  You don't mind if she rolls on top of you, as long as it isn't too hard. She likes to feed you her pretend food.  You are always included.  She wants to hold you all the time and tells you she 'loves you' on her own.  Mommy and Daddy have to get her to repeat 'I love you' after us to hear her tell us HA.  

You have brought so much joy to our lives and I am so incredibly thankful that God chose us to be your parent and Vivian's big sister!  We love you sweet buttercup!!

"I CAN'T IMAGINE live before YOU came along...me there singing senseless, no MEANING to my song.  Call it MEANT TO BE or simply blessed fate, you fill my heart WITH LOVE...and for THAT I celebrate." -- Maianne Richmont

     

1 Week Old

Sweet Joanna Grace, what a great first week we've had.  You are such the little cuddler and so darn kissable!  You are my olive skin, brown hair, dark-eyed beauty. I can't help but stare at you all day long.

Your days have been nothing but nursing, sleeping and pooping.  Never seen a kid poop so much!  You also pass a lot of gas as well :)  As of your Drs appointment this past Thursday, you are back to your birth weight.  I pray you continue to gain and that mommy is providing enough for you.  

You give little smiles while you sleep

You eat about every 1.5-3 hrs and going about 4 hrs at night.  Our first night home was a little rough because you woke up constantly.  I don't think you cared for the flatness of your pack n' play.  The second night I set the bassinet up and you have enjoyed sleeping that way.  You have a harder time going back to sleep when you wake between 12-2 am.  It can take over an hour, but that's okay.  I rock and sing to you while we look at one another eye-to-eye.  When you do wake around 4-6 am, you nurse and I bring you in the bed with us to get some extra sleep.  You really like being in the bed close to mommy, but we aren't co-sleeping little lady.

     
Your Nana and Papaw came for a visit on Thursday.  They thought you were beautiful!

You went on your first outing to Target on Saturday with me, Vivian, Memom and Papa.  You slept the entire time.

    
Your not a fan of the car seat until mommy gives you her pinky finger for you to suck on.  I tried giving you a paci, but you spit that right out.  Just like sissy.

Car ride home from the hospital

You enjoy being outside like Vivian.  If you become too fussy we'll take you outside to calm down.  You like listening to the birds and wind blowing through the trees.  If you hear a sound you'll turn towards the direction it's coming from.  

Gosh, can you get any sweeter!  I'm looking forward to spending a lifetime with you sweet girl.  I know you are going to shine in this world just like Vivian will.  Mommy and Daddy are so incredibly blessed that God chose us to be your parents.  We have two of the most beautiful girls in the whole entire world!!!

It's A...

GIRL!!!

We are beyond excited!  I honestly thought we were having a boy since my symptoms have been completely different than with Vivian. 

I was wrong!

Definitely going to save us on some $$$ since she's due in May and Vivian was born in June.  All of Vivian's clothes will be in season with baby girl.  The clothes will be slightly stained...oh well. Sorry kiddo.

Here's to an EXCITING New Year!!

15 Months Old

Sweet angel, I CANNOT believe you are already 15 months old!  Seriously, where did the time go?

You're still a petite little thing.  You still weigh around 18.4 lbs...same as your 12 month check up.  Even 12 month clothes are big on you.  You rocked a pair of Baby Gap leggings that are for 3-6 months old and they fit you perfectly.  You have tiny feet.  Wearing a size 3, but your toes are barely hanging over.  You really need a 3.5, sadly half sizes aren't made for you.  Even though you haven't gained weight, your hair is growing!  We can even put it in a front ponytail :)  Your hair is getting longer in the back, especially on the right side.

You have 8 teeth currently.  Your back bottom are trying to make their appearance.  Your gums are super swollen and one part of a  tooth on your left side has poked out.  Very tiny part of the tooth.

You still don't care for cow's milk, but will have it in your old fashioned oatmeal and smoothies.  You spit it out if you drink it by itself.  You also don't care for apple juice.  You did surprisingly drink 3 organic juice boxes, but now will only take sips then push it away.  You LOVE water!!!

 

You LOVE being outside more than anything.  You will stay outside for hours.  I love watching you explore and pointing things out to me.  

  

Balls and bubbles are your favorite.  Every time you see either, you will point and say, "bah." They make you so happy.

You are a strong little booger.  You try and carry things that are bigger than you.  Sometimes you manage to carry it, other times you look at me like, "Mom, are you going to help me or what?"

You love animals.  You hug and give Bro Bro kisses when he will let you.  We go to the aquarium often because you love seeing all the fish.  Santa Claus may get you a year membership so we can go anytime we feel like it!  Every time you see a dog on tv or out on our walk, you point and say "dah."  You watched parts of '101 Dalmatians' the other day and LOVED it!  I think that will probably be one of your favorite movies when you are a little older.

  

You love copying mommy.  Whether its brushing teeth, picking up pine cones in the yard (we now have a pine cone free yard because every time you spot one, you want me to pick it up), putting pine straw in the trash can to add to the beds or throwing trash away (you've been known to get into the trash and grab something to throw away). Maybe you really like to clean?  That's fantastic is so!

You like order.  If we give you a crayon with the pointy side up, the next one has to be in the same direction.  If not, you will turn it the right way before holding it in your hand.   You do this with q-tips as well.  If one side doesn't have the cotton swab, you will turn it to the correct side.  So smart!

You are about to go on your first vacation that's not going to your grandparents.  We are leaving Wednesday for Asheville for daddies conference.  I'm slightly nervous about the car ride and sharing a hotel room with you.  Mommy and daddy will be sitting outside the room while you are sleeping until we go to bed.  Crossing fingers you'll do well

You are a silly little girl.  You'll spin around in circles for no reason and sing.  Put articles of clothing around your neck.  Squat down and smack your hands on the ground and make the cutest facial expressions and sounds.  I can't help but giggle.

  

You love to hold hands when we are out.  Its the sweetest thing when you reach for my hand to walk. You melt my heart!

You love giving hugs.  I will sit down on the ground with my arms open wide, you will run to me and give the biggest hug you can possibly give.  Be still my heart!!!

You still nap on me, but I am completely fine with the cuddles.  These moments won't last forever.

I thank the good Lord every single day for blessing us with you.  You are so amazing and I just love watching you every second of the day. You are so incredibly loved my sweet angel!  Thank you for being you!

Life Lately

We've been busy here at the Kinard homestead.  Last night Vivian decided to wake up at 10 pm, crying hysterically, and did not go back to sleep until almost midnight.  I changed her, fed her, rocked her to sleep multiple times, but as soon as I put her in her crib, she would cry.  I finally had to let her cry it out!  She cried for about 10 minutes before falling asleep.  Luckily she slept until 7 am!  

During the day,  Vivian has been on the go, go, go!  I can barely keep up with this child.  Thankfully she doesn't know how to walk yet.  She does; however, love walking with her V-Tech walker.  I just wish we had more room for her. Mommy lets her burn energy in other ways!

We made it to the beach for the first time this year.  She was not a fan!  Cried when she touched the sand and water.  Hopefully she we will come to love the beach!

I got a new vehicle.  I said goodbye to my Infiniti G37 and said hello to an Acura MDX.  Mama needed a bigger ride!

We've been playing outside a lot.

Shopping.

Went to her first baseball game.

Eating.

Bathtub fun.

And lots of snuggles!