23 Months Old

Davin,

It is so hard to believe - but this is our last monthly letter before you turn the big TWO!  It honestly doesn't seem possible - you still seem like my baby.  But the signs all point to you growing and changing by leaps and bounds!  Everytime we see family that hasn't seen you in a few weeks (or even a month or two) they can't believe how much you've changed.

You cut all four of your canine teeth a couple of weeks ago (around the beginning of May).  They gave you a fit but now you have quite the toothy smile.  You've been eating pretty well - still loving fruits, tolerating meats, and trying to avoid meats a good amount of the time.  You tolerate having your teeth brushed a little more now - but still not a huge fan.  I am worried you may be prone to cavities (like me) so we work very hard to keep them as clean as possible.

Some of your favorite activities these days are playing soccer/golf/baseball outside in the yard, riding your plasma car, trying to ride your tricycle, reading books, being tickled, being held, watching Monsters and Frozen, running around Brenna's school, climbing and playing on playgrounds, sitting on laps, making music, playing with your Thomas train set, working puzzles, coloring "pi-tures", painting with watercolors, helping sweep/load the dishwasher/clean/throw trash away, and jumping.  You still prefer to be outside whenever possible, but you aren't a fan of bugs and bees.  Luckily you are tough because it seems like you skin your knee several times a week.

You are starting to talk a lot more - a mix of words we can understand and words that are still a bit of babble.  You will say "uh huh" to almost any question we ask you.  We are working on your manners and you also like to say (or more often, repeat) prayers at bedtime, nap time, and meals.  You like to sing - a favorite song right now is "Let it Go" from the Frozen movie.

We spent the past weekend in Virginia and you had fun with Brady, Bren, and Jayla.  You skipped your nap on Sunday and did surprisingly well without it.  You have made up with it with extra sleep the past couple of days though.  You didn't love the pack n play at Nanie's house, but tolerated your little mini crib at Neena's a little better.  I can tell you're glad to be back home in your crib though.  You were pretty clingy to me when lots of people were around this weekend - but as soon as we were home you were right back to preferring Daddy over me.  So sad for me!

You do well at church now that you've moved up to Brenna's class.  You like having more things to do and play with.  You also enjoy the Y now - especially when they let you play ball in child watch.  You are over-the-moon thrilled when we can stay and play basketball in the gym sometimes.  You also really loved playing soccer on the sidelines during Brenna's games this spring.  The guy who organizes the Y sports was impressed with your skills - and said you could even play in the fall if you are still as interested in it as you are now.  Such a sporty little guy you are!

I can't believe the next letter I write to you will be when you are TWO.  These have been two of the best, most exhausting, most fun, most challenging, and most complete years of my life.  You and your sister make life so fun - it's going to get better and better from here!

I love you, big boy Spud!
Love, Mommy

22 Months Old

Dear Davin,

You continue to grow into a fun, adventurous, rambunctious little toddler.  Our friends comment a lot about how much older you are looking every time they see you.  It's fun to watch but it makes my mama heart so sad to see your baby traits slipping away.  Luckily for me you are still pretty cuddly before you sleep.  You are still a daddy's boy all the way - but anytime I've been gone you come running to me to pick you up.  And you love to walk (demanding "I walk") but when you see strangers or are in somewhere new, you ask "hold hand?"  Sweetest thing ever.  Oh, and speaking of growing up - last week you got moved to the preschool class at church.  You are much happier there!

You are becoming more physically active.  You love to jump - namely on the couch and in your crib.  You are running around the yard anytime we are outside.  You enjoy swinging, riding on your tractor, playing ball of any kind, playing in sand, playing with bubbles, using sidewalk chalk, and anything involving golf clubs and/or golf balls.

You are starting to develop a love of art - you enjoy painting, coloring with markers and crayons, and playing with stickers.  I am trying to teach you colors but I'm not sure any of them have clicked yet.  You still LOVE Monsters, Inc. and Monsters University and have recently developed a new love of the movie Frozen, too.  You are a big, big fan of the iPad, which makes us really have to limit your screen time.

You love, love, love your sister.  She drives you batty - bossing you around, playing too rough, and stealing your toys at times.  But you still ask for her first thing every morning and ask for her when she is at school.  She is now really into playing school - and of course you are her pupil every day!  I hope you guys will start arguing less and continue to become best friends.

You are eating well and aren't too picky.  You don't love a lot of meat still, but will eat vegetables and fruits and bread all the time.  You already have a sweet tooth - asking for donuts out of the blue some days.  You had a week of TERRIBLE diaper rash that I'm suspecting had to do with teeth.  It was absolutely awful and hurt you so bad.  Luckily you are over it.  I haven't seen your canine teeth break through yet, but they are oh-so close!  You hate brushing your teeth - I think it tickles you and you put up a terrible fight every time.  You have been healthy other than a little bit of allergy-related stuffiness.  You screamed your face off when we went to the ENT to check your hearing and tubes - so we aren't sure if your hearing is improving or not, but the tubes are still in and working.

You're a blast to be around.  It can be exhausting when you are being clingy or whiney - and also equally exhausting during your before-bedtime wild time....but I wouldn't trade it for anything.  You love to make us laugh and your smile lights up a room.

I love you, sweet Spud!
Love, Mommy

21 Months Old

Dear Davin,

You are becoming more and more of a little boy and less of a baby - although I admit we are hanging on to a few "baby" things longer than we did with your sister probably.  You are a great mix of boy and baby, which is such a blessing since you will probably be our baby forever.

You love to talk and learn new words every single day.  We are able to communicate with you more.  Some examples are:
I told you we were having pancakes for breakfast and you started asking for "chup" (syrup).
I went to get you out of your bed and you greeted me with "Hello".
We will tell you some random thing and you respond with "ohhh".
You are constantly looking for "Bremma", especially when you wake up.
You love to say your prayers and start asking "Dear? Dear?" before we even start.
You request "help me" and "hold me" many times a day.
You try to Skype with people a lot and I think your favorite person you've skyped with yet is Jayla -  You kept requesting "Jeeeela, Jeeeela".

You've been on a bit of an eating strike.  It's subsiding now but you really weren't eating too well for a couple of weeks.  I think you may have had a touch of a stomach bug but you seem much better now.  I think your favorite food is "peeeeeza" and you request it often.  You also ask for juice and much prefer it over milk (boo).  You love pancakes, string cheese, any fruit you can get your hands on (you eat apples!  entire apples!  without me even cutting them for you!), Ritz crackers, macaroni and cheese, broccoli in small amounts, cookies, and chips with salsa.  You love to dip things - you saw ketchup at the restaurant the other day and said "ketup" which we didn't even know you knew how to say!  When you're in an eating mood, you put away more food than I do at dinner.  I dread my grocery bill as you grow older!

Your favorite activity is hands down playing basketball.  You beg to play at the Y every time we go.  You also are good at kicking the ball while Brenna plays soccer.  Pretty much anything involving a ball is your favorite - and it's a bonus if it's outside.  You love to climb on the playground at Brenna's school and your swing set here.  You are warming up to the trampoline and you love to ride in your stroller for walks.  You actually ask to ride in a "buggy" when I tell you we are going to a store.  You are fairly good in public, although you will run all over a store if we let you walk.  You run the halls of Brenna's school when we pick her up and have plenty of smiles for the people there.  When asked a question that starts with "Why...?" you almost always answer "Cause."  When asked a question that starts with "Where..." you almost always answer "Church."  I laugh every.single.time!

You are a Daddy's boy through-and-through.  If he's not around, you love to cling to me - but you would pick him almost every time over me.  I try not to let this bother me, but sometimes it's kind of sad.  I went to Honduras on a mission trip for a week so you got lots and lots of time with Daddy (and Neena) that week.  I missed you like crazy and had fun Facetiming with you a few mornings that week.  I still love rocking you to sleep and giving you some extra cuddles when you're tired.  You like to have some screen time on the iPad or my iPhone when you're tired (actually you'd play it anytime I let you).  You also like to watch a few tv shows if given the opportunity - you request to watch "Fia" (Sofia the First).  I guess that is what having a big sister will do to a boy.  A March Madness game was on yesterday and you were glued to the TV!

The weather is finally warming up and I'm looking forward to spending lots of time outside with you and Brenna.  Tuesday and Thursday mornings are special when it's just you and me - although we'll have a break from that routine this summer.  You are so fun and make me laugh lots each day.  You seem so grown up and so babyish, all wrapped up in a perfect little precious package.

I love you, Spud
Love, Mommy

19 Months Old

Dear Davin,

Another year is on us - and boy have you started it with a bang!  You have become one feisty, energetic little boy.  You are on the go ALL the time - and with that has come a little bit of a lag in your awesome sleeping.  But, you are FUN FUN FUN right now!

Since your last month day we have had lots of Christmas excitement!  We went to see lights at a zoo (I guess you'd call it that?  It was quite weird), went to Brenna's Christmas program at school, went to the local Christmas parade, celebrated Santa coming and gifts with just us four, and then a couple days with Neena and Pa Bill, another couple of days with Nanie, and then a day with Grandpa.  You got to see lots and lots of extended family on both sides - and you got to see Leah one day while we are in Bristol!!  You had tons of fun - although I have to say your favorite gift was a $5 basketball goal with suction cups and a basketball to go with it!  You can throw a ball surprisingly well.  You love love love to play catch!  You got lots of outdoor toys - which I know we'll put to good use as soon as it warms up again!  You still stand at the door and beg "ow shide" numerous times a day.  You also got lots of farm-related and train-related toys - both of your two loves these days.

Your other LOVE is still books.  You are precious when you back up and plop down in our laps to read a story.  Some of your favorites are: Tickle Monster, Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus, and anything with animals, trains, touch-and-feel, or Sesame Street characters.  You are perfectly content to read the same book 10+ times in a sitting.  You also still love to play kid games on the iPad or iPhone.  You really like the "Monster at the End of this Book" with Elmo and Grover.  I'm amazed at how well you can operate the iPad already.

You are still a pretty good eater but are still not loving much meat.  You will eat broccoli, cheese, pasta, meatloaf, green beans, crackers, and any "junk" without much coaxing.  You drink mostly milk and water with some juice mixed in.  You haven't had any ear infections per se - but you've had lots of fluid on your ears so Dr. Hata may recommend us to see an ENT specialist in a couple of weeks.  Speaking of which, you had your 18 month checkup last week and checked out great.  You are growing almost perfectly on a curve.  You were 22 pounds, 14.5 ounces; 32 1/2 inches tall, and your head was 48 cm.  She was impressed with how many words you can say (approximately 50-60) and all your milestones.  You got your 3rd and 4th bottom teeth the week before Christmas and cut your first bottom molar sometime during the week we were gone on our visiting.  You are working on your top and bottom molar on the left side now.

You still sleep 12ish hours a night - but just over the past 3-4 nights have been waking up and throwing huge fits.  I really hope it is just teeth or something and not a habit you are starting.  You also have been taking shorter naps - 1.5-2 hours rather than your usual 3+.  I am hoping those will stretch out again soon!  You still go to sleep relatively easy but still need to be rocked.  It is one of my most favorite times with you - you are just so cuddly.

You and Bren are forming a great friendship.  You get mad at her and throw things sometimes, but for the most part you enjoy being her sidekick.  She manipulates you to get what she wants, but she is also so sweet and affectionate to you.  I pray all the time that you guys will have a very close friendship.  We enjoy our 1-on-1 time while she is at preschool by running errands, going to the Y, dancing a lot, reading books, playing blocks and trucks, and lots and lots of basketball.  You are fairly easy going when we have to be out a lot.  I enjoy having you with me! :)

Your vocabulary is growing and it's so cute.  You love to shout "HI!" and "BYE!" and wave to people you know and complete strangers alike.  You like to yell for Daddy and Mommy when we leave the room.  You like giving "Ma" (Maggie) hugs.  You say "peeeease" and "cha choo" (thank you) like a good little gentleman.  You beg for "cooooookies" but will also say "broccee" (broccoli).  You can point to your eyes, nose, and mouth on command.  You know that lions say "rawr" and cows say "moo".  OH, and you can work a puzzle!  You worked a farm animal puzzle with 6 big block pieces (the kind that just fit in a groove, not fit together) the other day all on your own.  I was amazed!  You are turning into a full-fledged toddler, and while I do miss my baby - I am enjoying you growing up like crazy!

Love you Spud!
Love, Mommy

Happy Birthday Spud!

Dear Davin,

You are ONE!  This has been by far the fastest year of my life.  It still seems like you should be my little newborn tiny baby.  But, you are growing up so fast and you are so, so fun at this age!  I am not kidding when I say you change every single day.  You are becoming more feisty and independent, and you love to interact with us.  You are full of life, little guy.

My biggest news is that you can walk!!!  You have been getting better and better at standing for longer and taking a few steps.  When we got back from vacation you started doing longer strides - specifically on Monday, May 27, which is when I would say you actually took your first official steps (that weren't lunges toward me!).  Your main mode of transportation is still crawling, but I have a feeling that will change before your next "month day".  You are an excellent climber - you have mastered stairs, which makes me be much more on guard around here.  You can also climb onto the couch, onto Maggie, and in/on about anything you set your mind to!

You are still a champion eater.  Some of your favorite foods include yogurt, Ritz crackers, turkey and ham, shredded cheese, bread, any kind of fruit, green beans, and carrots.  You are doing better with a sippy cup.  You are still nursing 4 times a day but I have a feeling we'll be cutting that down soon.  You had your first real taste of cake at your birthday party and you devoured it!  It was so fun to watch.

Speaking of your party, it was a blast!  We had lots of family and friends here to celebrate you.  You got so, so much attention (and food!)  We did a Mr. Potato Head theme and it was lots of fun.   We also had a 10 day vacation to Myrtle Beach this month.  We spent half the time with the Bashams and half the time with Nanie, Mal, Josh, and Brady.  You got lots of love that week.  Tinley loved to talk to "the baby".  You weren't a huge fan of the sand at first, but by the second or third trip you were rubbing it all over you and trying to eat it.  You also loved the pool in your float.  You would just relax in it and reach over the side to splash a little.  It was perfect!  I liked how all the activity and sun tired you out.

You still have no teeth but your gums are quite swollen!  You slept like an angel at the beach for naps and at night, but you had a horrible week when we got home.  It happens like that every so often and then you figure things out again.  Naps (for the most part) are a little better on most days, though you have had to skip your morning nap a few times when we are out and about (or take a quick cat nap in the car!).  You aren't loving baths quite as much as you used to, but you still love splashing!  And you still love your pacis when you are upset or sleepy.

You aren't quite as clingy to me, which helps when I have to be away from you or get things done.  You are super inquisitive and you like to know how things work.  I think you'd ride on the vacuum cleaner if we'd let you.  You still wave all the time and give smooches and clap.  You still don't say a ton, but I think you're learning the signs for "more" and "all done" and say "hi" like a champ.  Everyone comments on how happy and wonderful you are.  I tell them you are either super happy or super grumpy - which is the truth!  Luckily your happy side is usually on display in public.  I enjoy being your mommy so much, and I'm trying not to think about how fast you are turning into a little boy.    I never knew how much I'd love having a son until you came along.

Happy Birthday Sweet Spud!
Love, Mommy

11 Months Old (2 Weeks Late)

 Dear Davin,

I'm late again.  Let's not dwell on that though!  It seems that I am doing a much worse job keeping up with your baby stats than I did with your sister, but I'm working on remembering specifics and trying to do better!  :)

The big milestone this month was FOOD!  You finally started tolerating it - and now you can't get enough!  You rarely eat regular baby food anymore, and your aversion to textures seems to be mostly gone, too!  You like macaroni and cheese, turkey deli meat, shredded cheese, bread of any kind, applesauce, yogurt, bananas, strawberries, mandarin oranges, Gerber crunchy sticks, tiny bites of chicken and hamburger, rice, mashed potatoes, and carrots.  (Oh, and teeny little bites of ice cream on occasion).  You haven't shown much of a love for peas or green beans.  You usually have yogurt and Puffs for breakfast, one or two snacks a day, and a combination of the above foods for lunch and dinner.  You still nurse 4 times a day, and I'm thinking the weaning process isn't going to be super easy.  You still like to gnaw on your sippy cup but don't get a ton out of it just yet.  You also haven't mastered a straw yet.  Oh, and still no teeth!  You still don't say a lot, but you babble and I can tell you'll have lots to say soon enough.

I expect all this food is going to help your weight gain increase again, but we'll see.  My rough estimate with our home scale is 19-19.5 pounds.  You can still wear 6-9 month clothes (and even a few 3-6 months), but almost all your shorts and tshirts are 12-18, so you wear them with plenty of room to grow.  You still wear size 3 disposable diapers and we've given cloth another go and may start using those at home most of the time.  Your hair has really grown and gotten thicker, and it's still blonde!  And everyone comments on your gorgeous blue eyes no matter where we go.

You are a crawling machine, and your balance is improving so much.  You've taken 1-2 steps a couple of times to lunge toward me (or something else), and have even done maybe 3-4 a time or two.  But mostly you just get too excited and fall forward.  You can stand for up to 15 seconds I would say before you just go back down to your knees or try to walk.  You can push your walking toy all over the place, and you're also still a champ at climbing stairs.  You are a climber for sure, you climbed up on the couch by yourself the other day!  At first you weren't a huge fan of crawling around in the grass now that the weather is nicer, but you're getting used to it now.  You still sometimes do a half crawl/half walk, which is pretty cute.

You are obsessed with being near a running vacuum cleaner, dust buster, dishwasher, dryer, and anything that makes noise.  You still love to push any toy that has wheels all over the place.  You even make a "vroom" sound with your cars!  You want to get near an Ipad or phone if you see one lit up, and you like to get up close to the TV when it is on.  When we Skype with Nanie or Neena/Pa Bill, you immediately speed-crawl to the Ipad and start grunting and shouting as loudly as you can.  It's hilarious.  You also still love bath time and are a mess to handle in the tub!

Some of your best tricks are waving and saying "hi" and "bye", clapping (especially if someone says "yay"), giving smooches (sometimes complete with a mmmmwah! sound), and shaking your booty on command.  You are still super attached to Mommy, but will go to most anyone if I'm still around.  You've cried on occasion at Child Watch at the Y and at the church nursery.

Your sleep is so all over the place.  You've been doing consistently good at night, sleeping all night from about 8:45 until at least 7:00 in the morning.  You've had some better naps with me, where you'll stay asleep for anywhere from 15 minutes - 2 hours (very rare).  You still like 2 naps a day if we're home, and will sleep in the car if we are out in the morning at your normal time.  If Daddy puts you down for a nap, you'll usually sleep much better and stay asleep at least an hour - and usually much longer.  I can't figure out why, but he puts you down most of the time on his days off.  You've still been in our room (which is mind-boggling to me since we moved your sister at 3 months old!), but as soon as we get back from the beach we are kicking you out!  I don't think it'll be too big of a deal, but we'll see.  Your nursery is too cute not to get some use!

Everyone comments on how happy, sweet, and smiley you are.  Although you really are most of the time, you are a pretty high maintenance boy when Mommy is around.  You like constant attention most of the time, but luckily have a few times each day where you will entertain yourself.  I know we'll have lots of fun this summer as we enjoy the weather and fun outdoor activities.  Your next post will be for your ONE YEAR BIRTHDAY.  I cannot even begin to comprehend how that is possible - this year has flown by.  I still think of you as my newborn.  I love you to pieces and I'm so glad I get to be your mommy!

I love you sweet Spud!
Love, Mommy

*not digging the photo shoot*

10 Months Old (a week late)

Dear Davin,

I've been writing this post in my head for over a week, but it's been a rough one, so I'm just now getting it typed up.  You don't leave much time for journaling, since you like constant attention during your waking hours - and don't have a lot of leftover sleeping hours for me to play around with.  But man, you're adorable!

We went for your well-check a couple of weeks ago and you weighed in at 18 pounds, 3 ounces and were 28 inches tall.  You're weight gain has really slowed down, but the doctor attributed it to all the crawling you do and wasn't bothered by it at all.  You've upped your intake of baby food to 4 containers (3.5 ounces each) plus a yogurt each day.  We are still trying to get you to handle texture and table food, but you're not having much of it.  You will at least tolerate Puffs and the occasional yogurt melt, but that's about it.  You gag and/or turn your head to most everything else you're offered.  We're going to keep trying and working on it daily though.  You took your first (very watered down) juice in a sippy cup and actually did pretty well.  You still just play with it mostly, but you do get some liquid out sometimes.  You still nurse 4 times a day for not very long at all.  We'll start working on weaning within the next few months, and I'm not optimistic it's going to be a smooth transition, but we'll see.  Oh, and still no teeth!

Your sleeping has hit another low.  You go for a little stretch sleeping well and then it gets all messed up.  We just can't figure it out.  We have still been swaddling you and letting you sleep in our room (so your sister will stay asleep during your outbursts!).  You had a few nights where you were awake ALL night long.  You were doing okay with letting me lay you down for naps, but even that is pretty terrible right now.  You will sleep for hours if we hold you, but you just don't do well laying on your own.  I don't have any words of wisdom here - we're just trying to survive, little man.

We were away from home for a week this month.  We spent Friday-Monday morning around Easter at Neena and Pa Bill's house.  Uncle Brandan and Rachel were there and you got lots and lots of attention!  You enjoyed your first Easter at Pine Mountain Church with Daddy's family.  You and I spent all of Sunday School in some utility closet room and then you spent all of the service in a Sunday School room with Daddy - sleeping the whole time!  You were awake for time at Maw-Maw and Paw-Paws getting lots of love from your aunts, uncles, and cousins!  And might I add that you looked so handsome in your very first bowtie.

Then you, Brenna, and I went to Nanie's until the next Friday.  You slept TERRIBLY there at night, which was stressful for me.  But other than that we had a good time hanging out with Nanie, Mal, Josh, Brady, and Grandma.  You also tagged along while we visited my friend Christy and her family.  You are a pretty go-with-the-flow baby as long as you're not hungry.  And as long as you're getting attention, you're pretty happy.

It was nice to get home and see Daddy again.  You are super, super attached to me, so it's nice when he's here to share some of your attention.  We've spent some time outside since it's getting warmer - and I look forward to you getting to play outside more with your big sis.  You've been a good sport tagging along to your sister's soccer games this month - and you'll be playing too before we know it!

You like to crawl with one (and sometimes two!) foot on the ground, which cracks me up.  You still love to wave, but don't always do it on cue.  You love to bang on your high chair and laugh about it.  You are a little ham!  You have recently been saying "mamamama" toward me, with the occasional "dadada" too.  You also say "hi" when you wave sometimes.  You make tons and tons of sounds and babbles, though.  While we were at Nanie's, you were constantly saying "nananananana" and we couldn't figure out if you were saying "no" or "Nanie", but you haven't said it since we got home, so maybe you were saying Nanie after all.  I'm sure she wouldn't mind!  I've tried to teach you a few signs also, but you haven't caught on to any just yet.

You love to play with anything with wheels - already ALL boy!  You also like your xylophone and balls.  You love climbing the stairs, which keeps me on my toes!  You are obsessed with standing at open doors and looking out.  You just like to be in the action at all times.  You're going to be a handful, little guy, but I can see lots and lots of adventure in our future together!

I love you Spud!
Love, Mommy

8 Months Old

Dear Davin,

Another month has come and gone, and I'm going to be honest when I say this may have been our toughest month yet.  You've battled an ear infection, some terrible diaper rash, teeth that are trying their hardest to pop through, a cold, and a really, really rough sleeping spell.

You are pretty much either really happy or really sad.  If you're rested and fed, you are just the sweetest thing with a smile that would melt any heart.  You are a total mama's boy and love to be near me all the time.  You will crawl over to me and pull up many, many times a day.  You love to play with Maggie and Brenna.  Brenna and I got you absolutely cackling one day by just simply ripping some paper.  The three of us have lots of fun!  But, when you're sleepy or hungry (or, unfortunately, at other random times) you are a really unhappy little guy.  You fuss until you're being held and cry more than you used. I'm hoping it's a phase and you'll be back to the happy-go-lucky baby you used to be.

As I mentioned, you've been sick a lot this month.  You got an ear infection 2 weeks ago that really made it hard for you to rest.  The antibiotics worked quickly though.  You've also fought a cold and touch of a stomach bug.  And these pesky teeth are giving you a fit.  They are almost through, thank goodness!  I'll be glad when the warmer weather gets here to stay so that all these germs will go away!

You're sleeping in a pack-n-play in our room until you can stop screaming at night.  We don't want to risk you waking up your sis when you have your (almost) nightly episode of crying/screaming around 1 AM.  We started swaddling you again to see if that helps, and it has a little bit.  I usually nurse you anytime from 2:00 or after if you wake up, and you do go back down pretty easily after that.  You typically sleep from 9 PM - 8 or 9 AM.  You've been napping pretty well from about 10:30-12:30 and 2:30-4:30.  You like to be rocked to sleep, which probably isn't the smartest parenting move, but it works for us and it doesn't usually take too long.  I love, love, love seeing you asleep in my arms.  You're such a cuddler!

We started baby food a couple weeks ago, and you weren't a fan at all until a couple of days ago.  You prefer the store brands over my homemade, which isn't very nice!  You used to gag and turn your head and refuse to eat, but just recently you've started opening up and eating a whole container of food at lunch and dinner!  You've tried sweet potatoes, bananas, peas, green beans, carrots, apples, pears, and avocado.  Your favorites so far seem to be pears and green beans.  I gave you your first Puff tonight, and you weren't a fan at all.  You still nurse at approximately 9 AM, 1 PM, 4 PM, 7 PM, and 9 PM, along with a frequent night feeding.  You wear mostly 9 month clothes, with a few 6 month sleepers still.  You still wear size 3 diapers.  Oh, and you finally have a good amount of hair - although it's come in right down the middle, which makes it look like a marine haircut!

You love bathtime and kick like a madman in your tub.  You love to crawl over to your air purifier, which is shaped like a frog.  You are a huge fan of your pacis when you're tired.  You like to "dance" when you hear music and I'm holding your hands.  You like to look out our front door and you are obsessed with trying to crawl into the bathroom - yuck!  You adore your sister and you crack up at her all the time.  The feeling is quite mutual - which I'm so happy about!

You are changing into quite the little mover and shaker - and it's so fun watching you learn new things and explore the things around you!  You make my heart smile.

I love you Spud!
Love, Mommy

6 Months Old

Dear Davin,

Half a year! You are half a year old! That is beyond crazy to me. You are a precious, precious baby. Your smile melts my heart many times a day. It seems to take up your entire face and makes your eyes sparkle, too. You always get compliments on your sweet disposition and friendly personality. I really, really hope that's something that lasts.

Pretty much the only time you're not happy is when/if you wake up in the middle of the night. For about 2 weeks around Thanksgiving you we're waking up at least once to eat, and there were a few nights that were torture for me. I thought maybe you were ready for rice cereal, so we tried it for two nights. It was a disaster. It hurt your belly and you cried so much. So no more food for a little while. You seem satisfied now just nursing 5 times a day. We can't contain you in your Bumbo seat (we won't take about the faceplant...), so you sit in the high chair during our meals.

You take two good naps, about 10 or 10:30 until 11:30 or 12:00. Then another in the afternoon for a couple of hours, usually starting about 1:30. You sometimes doze again in the evening before falling asleep about 9:00 and doing a last feeding about 10:00. I'd like to mve up official bedtime soon, but we'll wait until after the holiday travels. You'll also have to transition to a crib instead of your Rock 'n Play. You still need your paci put back in a few times and you're still half-swaddled, so these transitions may not be great for any of us.

My guess is that you weigh about 17 pounds, but we'll find out for sure in a few days. You wear mostly 3-6 or 6 month shirts, 6 or 9 month pants and pjs, and size 3 disposables. You have super chubby thighs and cheeks, long legs, and feet that are always clammy. You love sucking on one finger, usually on your left hand. You only care for a paci when you're trying to fall asleep. Oh, and you're finally growing some hair! It still looks blond, but we'll see.

You got really good at sitting up the last week of November. You're really close to crawling, but haven't mastered it yet. You can scoot and roll to geT what you want - which is anything that makes noise. You love to mess with things that crinkle, rattles, book pages, wrapping paper, you name it! You love this little light up read aloud book about farm friends. You like to play in your jumperoo and pull the toys that hang from it. I can tell that's really helping your legs strengthen, too.

You take naps in your carseat when needed, and sometimes in your Boba carrier, too. You are pretty easy-going even when our schedule is crazy. You hate nursing while we're anywhere but home, but otherwise you just go with the flow.

We spent a few days with Neena and Pa Bill for Thanksgiving and then headed to Nanie's for a few days as well. You got lots of attention of course. Then they all came to North Carolina on December 1 when we moved to our new house in Newton. We are so excited about having more room for you and your sister to play. I'm so excited to set up your nursery, too. We'll be traveling again next week for your first Christmas. You're the best gift of the year, for sure!

Love you like crazy, little Spud!
Love, Mommy

5 Months Old

Dear Davin,

You are five months old. It seems this month went by so fast! You are still a happy, smiley baby most of the time. People are automatically drawn to you, and everyone comments on how "chill" you are. I have to agree. You are just a big bundle of sweetness.

You are still growing bunches. Daddy and I tried to weigh you a couple days ago and came up with about 15 pounds, 4 ounces. You are mostly in 3-6 months clothes with a few 3m and 6m mixed in. You're long with chubby thighs and chubby cheeks. You love to put your feet up by your face....and in your mouth! You still wear size 2 disposables.....and I wonder if we'll ever go back to cloth diapers. You also must have big feet, because your size 2 shoes are almost too tight.

You nurse five times a day for about 15 minutes. You've had a couple short bouts of not wanting to eat well, but they don't usually last long. I think you had a growth spurt about a week ago because you were waking up in the middle of the night a LOT and eating. It was very uncharacteristic of you.  You typically sleep from about 10 PM - 8 or 9 AM, so you can see why middle of the night wake-ups were rough. On good, normal days you nap for 1.5 - 2 hours in the morning and another 2-3 hours in the afternoon. I'm especially thankful for the times when your nap coincides with your sister's. It's about time to transition out of your Rock n Play into a cradle or crib. You are also still swaddled, so I dread that transition as well.

You rolled over (belly to back) the morning of your four month well check - October 19. You rolled from back to belly a couple days later, and you've been rolling ever sense. When I put you on your playmat you almost always roll right to your belly, sometimes getting frustrated in the process. You can scoot your way around the mat to reach things to mess with. It's funny to see the way you entertain yourself. You've gotten your knees up under you a couple times, so I suspect you may be crawling by Christmas! You are also able to sit for very short periods of time, you usually topple forward, but sometimes you go backward or sideways. I've noticed a huge improvement in this are just this past week though, so you're close to being a full-fledged sitter!

You love to pull hair, play with your pull-toys and jumperoo, babble and "talk" to us, cackle at your sister's antics, give me big open-mouth kisses, sleep with your hands near your face for naps, suck your paci when you're sleepy, sit in your Bumbo and mess with anything within reach, and have your diaper changed. You tolerate bath time and despise having lotion put on. Your carseat usually makes you sleepy, and you just love attention from anyone.

We took a trip to Nana and Pa Bill's and spent a day in Christiansburg. We threw Daddy a surprise birthday party there and you got to meet a lot of our friends from back in VA. The next day we had you dedicated at Pine Mountain church. Nanie, Mal, Grandma Abel, and Brady came to celebrate with us. It was great to have our close family all together to celebrate YOU. I pray often that you'll grow to be strong in your faith in the Lord and do mighty things for Him. Your Daddy and I want great things for your life.

You are a blessing and the cutest little (almost) bald baby I've ever seen. Your smile is infectious and your laugh warms my heart. I adore spending my days with you and your sister, though I may want to pull my hair out every now and then. Some days aren't easy, but I wouldn't trade this time for all the sleep in the world, and I know these baby moments are passing too quickly!

Love you, sweet Spud!
Love, Mommy












playing with your feet












happy boy












not so happy boy












Say what??????

2 Months Old

Dear Davin, 

Well, sweet boy, you turned 2 months old ten days ago.  I've been composing this letter in my head for longer than that, but life got in the way of me actually getting it down.  First I got really sick and then we were on vacation for a week.  But, here it is now, for us both to remember your second sweet month of life.

You are a great baby.  Seriously, you are so calm and go-with-the-flow (unless you are hungry, gassy, or have a dirty diaper.)  It makes life with a toddler much easier since you don't seem to mind being stuck on her schedule!  You smile a lot and have started all out laughing lately and it melts my heart every time.  I have never seen a bigger smile than yours - it takes up your whole face!  You love it when I talk to you and giggle and gasp.  Your big sister and Daddy are really good at getting you to smile and laugh, too.

You are still growing like crazy!  My best guess is that you were about 12 pounds when you turned 2 months old.  Your newborn clothes officially don't fit and you're mostly in size 3 month (with a few 0-3 and 3-6 thrown in there).  You outgrew your NB cloth diapers and I'm hoping to start you on the smalls and one-size ones this week.  You wear size 1 in disposable diapers.  You nurse usually 6 times a day for about 17-20 minutes each time. You have a spell each night where you just want to lay on the couch and kick like crazy.  You're a strong little thing!   You do well at night - usually going down for good about 11:00 and sleeping until at least 4:00, and more often until 6:00ish.  You wake up with a little grunting most early mornings, but you usually just want your paci and go back to sleep.  When you get up to eat before 6, you usually go back to sleep for a few hours.  On the occasions that you've slept until 7:00 or 8:00 you are up for the morning.  Your naps are still a little unpredictable, but you almost always sleep for part of your sister's naptime in the afternoon, which I greatly appreciate.  We do enjoy you having longer wake periods so we can interact with you more.  We got you a Rock 'N Play sleeper, which greatly helped your sleeping.  You like hanging out in it while we are eating dinner, too.

You enjoy laying on your playmat and are starting to notice your toys more.  You can sit in your Bumbo for very short periods of time, but you aren't a huge fan yet.  You like to pull hair and you like your hands near your face.  You do well in the car and fall asleep in your carseat a lot.  You like getting cozy and falling asleep when I wear you in my wrap, which helps when we're out and about in the mornings.  I definitely think you are going to be a cuddler - you love to be held and to hold onto my hand when you're laying down.  I love it!

You, Daddy, and I spent 5 days this month in Nashville, TN.  Daddy had to do a training for work so you and I tagged along while Brenna stayed with Nana/Pa Bill and Nanie for the week.  We got lots of cuddle time and you were patient with me as I lugged you to the workout room every morning.  We ate at lots of restaurants, met my friend Alana for lunch one day, walked around downtown Nashville, went to the Opryland Hotel, went to the Grand Ole Opry for a Rascall Flatts concert and again for a tour of it, and did some shopping.  Although we missed your sister, it was nice getting some one-on-one time with you!  We've also been to the beach, but I'll tell you all about that later since it technically happened during your third month! Grandpa Halsey and Sharon also came to meet you this month.

You are a joy to be around and I adore spending my days with you.  I hope you are always as happy and content as your are now.  I feel like your infancy is flying by and I'm trying to savor the moments with you as a tiny baby, because I know you won't be tiny for long.  I pray that when you grow up you'll be proud of the Mom that I have been to you, and that you never doubt my love for you!

I love you, Spud man!

Love, Mommy

1 Month Old

Dear Davin,

You're one month old!  I have no idea how a whole month has passed, but it has.  We're loving having you in our family.  Admittedly it's not easy going from one kid to two, but we're starting to get in a rhythm and you fit in great.  When I found out that you were a boy, I was unsure what to think about having a son since I was so used to having your sister.  But I'm adoring having you around and learning all about baby boys.  I secretly (or not so secretly now) hope you're a bit of a mama's boy since your big sis is such a daddy's girl.

You followed in your sister's footsteps in taking awhile to get back up to your birthweight.  You were gaining - but just slowly.  Last Thursday you weighed in at 9 pounds, which was the first time you were above your birth weight of 8 pounds, 10 ounces.  Today you weighed 9 pounds, 9 ounces, so I think it's safe to say that you're gaining like crazy now - and starting to look pretty chubby!  You love to eat - usually every 2-3 hours during the day and every 4 hours at night.  We typically put you down for the night about 11 and you wake up between 3 and 4 to eat a little then go back to sleep until 7.  You love to nap for most of the morning, a nap usually during Brenna's naptime, and during the evening hours too.  You're a pretty sleepy little guy and I'm thankful that you do pretty well at night.  I'm hopeful that we'll continue to stretch your sleep out at night! You were having some trouble sleeping flat on your back last week, but now you seem to be doing better at it again.  You always sleep in your cradle at night, but you sometimes take naps propped up in your Boppy beside me.  Daddy and I both love to hear your cute little sleepy noises!

You've met lots of your family members and friends.  Nanie, Nana, and Pa Bill came to see you in the hospital.  Uncle Brandan and Rachel came to see you at our house a few days later.  A few of Mommy's friends brought us dinner and met you, and the Caskey family came when you were about a week old to visit.  When you were 2 weeks old we went to Bristol to do your newborn pictures.  That weekend you got to meet Aunt Mal, Uncle Josh, Brady, Grandma Abel, Sissy, Pat, Glenn, Donna Ann, and Jayla.  Then this past weekend we went to Nana's for the weekend where you got to meet MawMaw, PawPaw, Beckie, Jeff, Lauren, Spencer, Brooke, and lots more people at Pine Mt. Church.  We took a little side trip to the NRV so that you could meet Jude, who is 10 days older than you, and Leah, who is 10 days younger than you.  It was fun to be pregnant with 2 of my best friends!  We also met up with the Bashams that night, and it was so good for them to meet you, too!  You'll see a lot more of them next month on our beach trip.  I hope you love your car seat - so far you do okay in it as long as you aren't hungry.  When you're hungry you sure let us know it QUICKLY!  Luckily you settle down after you eat most of the time.

You hiccup all the time, and you're also a big sneezer.  You've had a bit of a stuffy nose, but it seems to come and go a lot.  You're wearing newborn and 3 month clothes and mostly newborn diapers.  You're a gassy little guy and you do not like having a dirty diaper.  You love to have your hands up near your face and you like to lay on your tummy.  Even the nurse practitioner is impressed with your excellent neck control.  You'd much rather be held upright than laid back.  You recently learned to pull on my hair and necklaces - ouch!  You've fallen asleep holding my hand a few times and that just melts my heart!  People are torn on who you look like - some say you look like Brenna, some say that you have my mouth, and several people think you resemble your Uncle Brandan.  Only time will tell I guess!

I can't help but wonder what your voice will sound like and what your favorite things will be.  I absolutely adore holding and cuddling you - and I know this stage will be over in the blink of an eye.  I'm trying to savor this newborn stage as much as I possibly can.  I'm so thrilled to be your mommy and I feel lucky that I get to spend every day watching you grow.

I love you like crazy, little Spud!
Love, Mommy

2 Years Old!

Dear Brenna,

It's been a month since you turned two, and quite honestly I've been procrastinating on writing your 24 month post. I think I might be in a little bit of denial that you are growing up so, so fast. But I do want to document some of the things that you've been doing, learning, and enjoying since your 23rd month post in February. It's been really, really warm almost every day, so you and I have enjoyed a lot of time playing outside! You absolutely love being outdoors, and I can always tell you are in a better mood when we figure out a way to get some energy out! We've also had a few playdates at some new friends' house, at the mall, and at a local park where you got to feed some ducks. I know we'll frequent that park a lot this spring and summer!

We've also finally found a church we like, so I look forward to helping you make some new friends that you can see consistently there, too. You still don't quite know how to play "with" other kids, but you are getting better at it as you get a little older. You pretty much still do your own thing, though. You've started playing with your baby dolls more, which I hope will help when your new brother comes along. I still dread the jealousy that I know will show up, at least a little bit.

You've been sleeping really well and taking good naps for the most part. Sometimes I even have to wake you in the mornings by 9:30 so you don't ruin your whole day's rhythm. We started letting you have a blanket in your crib, and it's so cute the way you curl up on your side with your arm around your bear and your blanket around you. You still want at least 2 pacis with you in your crib, and I'm well aware that the time for getting that habit broken is quickly approaching. Oh, I dread it!

Your eating is still unpredictable, but you definitely have inherited my love of junk food. You don't get much of it, or very often, but you like to have small bites of ice cream and you LOVE jellybeans as an occasional treat. Daddy is a big sucker when you ask for them! I have a feeling that I'll have to use this as a little "training treat" when we start potty training soon. You stilladore fruit, and you've developed a love of "big bread", which just means you want a whole piece of bread to eat. You like Chic-Fil-A nuggets with ketchup and mac-n-cheese. You're not too crazy about veggies at the moment, but we keep trying them to hope you'll like them again.

You birthday party was on March 3 and it was a blast. I did lots and lots of work on the Dr. Seuss themed stuff, and we set it up at a fellowship hall near Nana and Pa Bill's to be close to lots of family and friends. We ate lots of good food and you enjoyed playing with your friends and cousins. You got a ridiculous amount of gifts and were just showered with love!

You've gotten to go to several doctor appointments with me, and you know it's your brother when you hear the heartbeat on the doppler. Last night Daddy asked you what your brother said and you said, "I'm a Hokie!!" We laughed and laughed about this. You are always sayingsomething funny to catch us off guard. Some of the other noteworthy things you've done/said in the past weeks are:

*"mys" - You say this instead of mine. You'll pick something up and ask me, "Is this mys?"

*"Turn around!" - You say this when you want someone to look at you when you're talking to them.

*"That's enough." - This is one you obviously picked up from me! When someone is talking or doing something else you are tired of, you tell us "that's enough".

*"Be careful, Mommy!" - You made me and Nanie laugh so hard when you said this when I was driving one day. I guess that rear-facing car seat gives you a good view and you thought I pulled out of the parking lot a little fast.

*"I like it", "It's not good", "It's not licious (delicious)" - You certainly have your opinions about everything these days - especially food!

*"How bouuuuuuuuuuut......." - When you want something other than what we are offering you, you'll try to get us to change our minds. For instance, I tried to get you to eat carrots, and your reply was "How bouuuuuut fruit snacks?" HA!

*"That's my favorite thang." - We were walking through Hobby Lobby when you pointing out some craft supplies and said this. I didn't even know you knew those words!

*"Ready mommy/daddy?" - You like for us to watch you run, jump, etc. You'll ask us over and over if we're ready before you do something.

*"Snake dirty gross." - We have a stuffed caterpillar that came with an Eric Carle book that you are NOT a fan of.

*"...too" - You've learned to add the word "too" at the end of sentences. If I say something like "I'm hungry", you'll reply "I'm hungry, too". It's fun to see you learning to really form correct sentences.

*One day out of the blue you just asked me, "What's Sissy doing?". It was hilarious and so we called her to ask her! It made her day!

*You love to go to Nana's and Nanie's houses. When we pull in to Nanie's, you start naming all your toys. And you love to go on the swingset there. Nana and PA Bill took us to see the new baby calves a few weeks ago and you liked watching them out the window, but got a little scared when the cows got to close to the car. Whenever you see a lawn mower or tractor, you immediately start talking about Pa Bill!

*You love your ABC puzzle. You can identify almost every letter, and know a word that starts with at least half of them. We are amazed by how fast your learn things - and you never forget anything! You are learning to spell your name, and you know the words to lots of songs, which we sing all the time!

*You definitely like to test boundaries, and "NO!" is a favorite word. We're trying to use patience and teach you respect at the same time. Just in the last few days though, you've been saying "yes" at times. WOOHOO! You've also started saying "I'm sorry" on your own which is a big step! I know this is all just part of this stage of you learning about the world around you.

*You love balloons, picking flowers, umbrellas, your rain boots, your Hokie chair, jumping onto and off things (eek!), playing with stickers, coloring, playing with "meeno" (PlayDoh), and watching the PBS app on the Ipad.

You are a beautiful, energetic, smart little girl who brightens up our days! Although staying at home with you (especially while tired and pregnant) is hard at times, it is still so rewarding and I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Love you like crazy, Sprout!

Love, Mommy

23 Months Old!

Dear Brenna,

It's hard to believe this is the last monthly letter I'll write to you before you turn TWO! It's ridiculously hard for me to believe that your birthday is almost here again, but time just seems to keep speeding up! We are absolutely adoring this stage with you. You are learning and growing by leaps and bounds each day - Daddy and I are always talking about how we wish we could just freeze time with you in this stage. Here's some of the things that are making us laugh and smile lately...

*You love to hold your own cup or bottle of water. You constantly demand that "Brenna do" when you don't want help doing something. You're actually really good at holding cups.

*I took you to gymnastics class a few weeks ago, and now you are always asking to do flips. One day Daddy and I were sitting on the couch and we look down and you are doing a front flip on your own. We almost died! No broken necks, okay kiddo?

*You ADORE singing. We are amazed at how well you can keep a tune. Just in the past couple of days you've picked up "Rock-a-bye Baby". When you can't remember some of the words you just substitute the lyrics from "Twinkle, Twinkle" into the tune. You still love "Jesus Loves Me" and the ABC s song.

*You like to boss Daddy around. One day you were sitting at the picnic table outside with him, and when he got up to leave you said, "Daddy, sit". Last night at dinner he walked away after giving you your yogurt and you said, "Sit in the chair!"

*We visited all of your grandparents a few weekends ago and they loved it! Nanie was leaving to take Grandma Abel home, and you went over to Grandma and said out of the blue, "Love you, be careful." It was adorable and melted my heart because you said it all on your own.

*Not only do you still obsess over pacifiers, but now you specify between your big and little pacis. You always want to have "big" and "little" in your crib with you. I dread breaking you from taking a paci when you sleep.

*You say "scuse me" when someone or something is in your way. It's very common to hear you say, "Scuse me, Magnie" several times a day.

*You still love to go outside and push your lawn mower and swing. Since the weather is unseasonably warm, we've taken lots of walks in your stroller, too. We had Maggie outside with us one time and she started barking. You just asked her, very matter-of-factly, "Magnie, whatcha barkin' for?" I couldn't stop laughing.

*When we pulled in to Nanie's house on our visit, you immediately got excited and said, "Nanie's house! Blocks! Color!" You also say, "Pa Bill has one" whenever you see a tractor.

*Before our visit to Nana and Pa Bill's, I asked you what you were going to say to them. You replied, "No, Pa Bill, no pull pants" because he likes to tease you and pull on your pants.

*You love to play blocks with us. You always ask us to play with you, although you like to play a lot of your other toys on your own. It kills Daddy when he works on a really big, impressive tower and you knock it right down!

*When you want a snack you walk over to the cabinets and say, "Whatcha want, Brenna?" Ha!

*You are really scared of the vacuum cleaner lately. "No bacuum" is a commonly heard phrase at our house. You also don't like to stand to close to a running car, and you hated the "noise" when the smoke detector went off while I was cooking last week.

*You have gotten attached to your babydolls and stuffed animals. You like to rock them, put them in your play carseat and stroller, cuddle with them, sleep with them, pretend feed them, and take them in the car with you. It's super cute. This week your favorite has been a little stuffed monkey. If we ask you what any of their names are, you always say _____ Halsey (Monkey Halsey, Baby Halsey, Bear Halsey, etc.). You also like to "jam" on your Mickey Mouse guitar - and dance along, too!

*You are obsessed with wearing hats. You find them around the house and wear them all the time. Yesterday before church you were wearing a cute pink jumper with tights. You found a purple baseball cap and Mommy's sunglasses to complete your outfit. We just couldn't stop laughing!

As you can see, you are a hoot! There have been a few challenges this month, like you becoming a little big of a picky eater on some days and going through a few spells of really short naps. But, the good definitely outweighs the rough times! We had fun at the zoo one day, and we also visited the local science center here in Hickory. It's so fun that you are old enough to explore with us and really interact with what you see.

I love you like crazy!!

Love, Mommy

22 Months Old!

Dear Brenna,

Here we are, in 2012! This is going to be a big year for you. You'll be potty trained, give up your paci, become a big sister, and maybe even move out of your crib. I know you'll change so much in other ways too, because I've already seen so many changes in you just over the past few weeks. You're really growing up - which is exciting and heart-breaking all at the same time!

You really love to talk, and I catch you saying the funniest things lately. Some of the ones I remember most are:
"I love you sooo much" when holding your bear like I hold you.
"Who/What's that?" anytime you see a picture or see/hear an unfamiliar sight or sound.
"Daddy be riiight back" when Daddy is at work or outside with Maggie.
"Mommy gorgeous" as we walked down the aisle at Target. Hilariously embarrassing. You call Brady, Morgan, Whit, and Finn gorgeous, too, when we look at our Christmas cards on the fridge.
"Shew, had fun at Target" when we got in the car after a short shopping trip. I still can't believe you said this, but it sounded so clear and I can't think of what else it could have been, unless it was "Shew, it's cold at Target."
"Mommy potty!" when pointing to the bathroom at Target. Yep, Mommy is definitely pregnant!

You also LOVE to sing. You learned all the words to "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" over our Christmas trip. It's the cutest thing. You also know almost all of your ABCs - just the other day I was singing them, and after I said "LMNOP" you just sang the rest. You amaze us at how quickly you pick things up! You're also doing better with counting, instead of stopping at four every time.

You love to be outside swinging, pushing your lawnmower, or sitting in your lounge chair. Unfortunately it's been colder and we've been sick, so it hasn't happened as often as you'd like. Here's hoping for a mild winter. I get excited thinking about when we have our own house and you get to play all the time! I really hope we have a big yard and you have some little neighbors to play with!

You are currently on your second double ear infection in the past month. The last round of antibiotics gave you a yeast infection, so you've been on lots of medicine since before Christmas. Now we're all 3 fighting a cold/sinus infection/bad cough. Luckily you seem to not be too bothered by any of this! Your naps are shorter but that's about the only difference I've seen. Still sleeping great at night - thank you!!! Oh, and you weighed 24 lbs, 1 oz when they weighed you 3.5 wks ago (25 lbs, 1 oz this week with clothes on) - so you're growing great! You're still in mostly 18 or 18-24 month clothes and size 6 shoes.

You did great while we traveled for a week over Christmas. We spent 2 days at Nana's, then 3 days at Nanie's, then we went to visit Grandpa Halsey and stayed another day and a half at Nana's. You had a blast with your cousins and other family. You got lots of new toys and clothes! I think your favorites are your baby and stroller, your tricycle, and your kitchen/grocery set. Oh, and you love my new iPad. You've figured out how to go into iTunes and find your Elmo videos. You are like your daddy - you love technology!

I have so many memories from this month, but I want to share 2 from this week. One day I was working on dinner and you were in the floor playing quietly. I got suspicious so I looked to see what you were doing. You had one sock off and had it in your hand. You were holding the chicken from your grocery set - and you were pretending to wash the chicken in Maggie's water bowl. It was hilarious (and kinda gross)!! Then today I decided it was warm enough to go outside to swing for a little while. I told you we were going and your sweet face just lit up. We got our shoes on and headed out. You started running and grinning and swinging your arms. You were just so excited about a simple thing and it made my mama heart smile! Nevermind that you were "all done" swinging about 3 minutes later! This next year us going to be SO much fun!

I love you more every day!
Love, Mommy

21 Months Old

Dear Brenna,

Since I wrote your 20 month post a couple weeks late, not a lot has changed this your last letter. But I really want to tell you some things about your sweet personality and how we spend our days together now.

You are a jabberbox! You repeat nearly everything we say all the time. I'm constantly amazed at the things you say and what you remember. You love to pretend to read your stories. Yesterday I was wrapping some gifts and told you to go read your story to Maggie. You went over to her, sat down on top of her back, and started "reading" your Jolly Barnyard book - "Farmer Brown, horse, cow, all done"! HA! You know the names of some of your favorite books - Yes Day, ABC Book by Dr. Seuss, and call some of your other favorites "George" (Curious George), "Pooh" (lots of Winnie the Pooh books), "Fip Fop" (The Foot Book by Dr. Seuss), and "Elmo Mommy" (a Valentine's Day book with Elmo). Sometimes you want me to read to you and other times you want to read. I hope you continue to love reading!

You will say "Brenna Halsey" when we ask you what your name is. You sometimes call your reflection in a mirror "Bren" or Brenee" because those are two nicknames that I use for you a lot. You still call Maggie "Magnie" which I love!! You love to list members of your family and look at pictures of them, too. You especially like to see pictures of Brady - and give them kisses! You're a sweet cousin.

You are quite the little comedian and like to tell us when think you're funny by saying, "Brenna funny". Unfortunately sometimes you still say this when you are being naughty - such as kicking us while we change your diaper. We're working on that daily. You love to put on hats (which is so weird, because you used to HATE them) and prance around the house with them over your eyes. You chase Maggie around while wearing these hats, which is pretty funny. I definitely need to get that on video soon.

You are still obsessed with music. You love to hear "songing" and usually demand "more songing" when a song goes off. You try to sing your ABCs and you can carry the tune of "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" really well. I hope you got your daddy's musical talent. Speaking of talent, I hope you got his artistic talent, too. You really love to color and are doing so great with naming your colors. Right now we spend a lot of time each day coloring in your Sesame Street coloring book. "You also sneak crayons away sometimes and have colored in many of your books. I can't figure out how Nanie and Nana have so many undamaged books from when your Daddy and I were young when you've already ruined so many! Oh well, I suppose!

Yesterday you brought your blanket over to the couch where I was and said, "Cuddle." It melted my heart. We laid on the couch together and read a few books. Times like that remind me how lucky I am that I'm the one that gets to cuddle with you every day. I'm trying to remember to be thankful for this time, even when it's not the easiest thing in the world. I know I will miss these times more than I can even imagine. I look forward to time with you this month as we decorate for Christmas, since you love "Chismus tees" so much. We also have some shopping to finish up, so I'm thankful that you are pretty cooperative when we're out and about. You narrate everything we see in the stores - sometimes really loudly. I catch people sneaking a peek at you all the time and commenting on how cute you are. I agree, 100%!

I'm thankful that you are a happy, healthy, intelligent, creative little girl. I'm amazed at how fast you are growing and learning. I look forward to Christmas this year because you know more about what is going on and will have so much fun! Daddy and I are so lucky to have you!

I love you, cutie Sprout!

Love, Mommy

20 Months Old!

Dear Brenna,

I'm FINALLY sitting down to write your 20 month post. I'm 2 weeks late. It's been a chaotic last few weeks, and although I've meant to sit down and do this almost every day, it just hasn't happened. There are 2 main reasons for the delay. Reason #1 - We moved to North Carolina! We packed up our house on Daddy's 30th birthday, October 28, while you stayed in Bristol with Nanie. We all loaded up and headed south on Monday, October 31. We unloaded the truck that day and have been trying to get settled in ever since. You seem to be adjusting well, which I'm so thankful for. Reason #2 - You're going to be a big sister! Your baby brother or sister is making Mommy SICK, SICK, SICK! It's terrible timing because I have so much I need to do here at the house we're living in, but I just have no energy. You've been pretty good about playing on your own, cuddling up to read stories on the couch with me, and being pretty tolerant of me when I'm barely in commission during the days. I'm thankful we are here with Daddy now, and he helps out with you and plays with you a lot! Hopefully I'll be feeling better soon and we can explore our new city together!

You still seem to be growing well and have been pretty healthy. You've had a bit of a cold for the past week or two, but it doesn't seem to bother you too much. You had a few days with a fever when you just wanted to rest and cuddle (perfect for me!), but otherwise you are your same happy self! You went through a period of short naps, but you've been doing much better this week - with 4 days of 4+ hour naps. Just this weekend you cut your bottom two canine teeth, so you've been drooling like crazy! Luckily none of this has required a doctor's appointment or any medicine other than a little Advil and some saline spray! I'm hoping for an ear-infection free winter!!

We celebrated your second Halloween on our first day in our new town. We met some of the neighbors and you got some treats while dressed in your Chinese girl outfit. We were walking between 2 houses and Daddy had a mini Twix bar in his hand. He looked down and you were chowing down on it through the wrapper, saying, "MMMM, choc-it!" It was hilarious. You don't have chocolate often at all, but you are definitely a fan! You still eat really well. Your favorite veggie is probably broccoli. You love ALL fruit. You like fruit snacks and crackers for snacks. You eat pretty much anything we give you for dinner. I'll even admit you've had a few helpings of pizza since that was the only mommy could think about eating for a little while during the early part of this pregnancy. Here's to more broccoli and less pizza!

You love counting, trying to say your ABCs, singing "Happy to you", which is your version of the happy birthday song, giving hugs, coloring (multiple times every day!), playing outside with your lawn mower and golf club set, reading your books, playing peek-a-boo, harassing Maggie, and playing "spish-spash" in the tub. I definitely notice a difference in your demeanor if you don't get to go outside on a given day. You've also played at the play place in the Hickory mall two times and you ADORE it. There is a slide you can climb up and go down on your own, and the way you look at us and grin when you do it is so cute. I have a feeling we'll be going there a lot during the colder winter months.

Some cute things you've started saying lately are:

*Good mornin!

*Brenna sorry. (Or Mommy/Daddy sorry if you think we should apologize for something).

*Mommy/Daddy hold her. (when you want to be held)

*Hi Daddy! Hi Mommy!

*Daddy home!

*Brenna want it! or I want some!

*Riding Maggie. (Apparently you think Maggie is a horse!)

You talk in sentences almost all the time these days and it blows my mind!! I think you got your parents' love of talking.

You've had a bit of a hitting/kicking spell lately. I'm not sure if it's because you're bored when Mommy is sick during the day, but it's a trying little phase. We're trying to discipline you in a way that shows you lots of love, but also lots of structure. We're still working on it and hoping it's a really short phase. You've started saying, "no hitting" when I get you from time-out, so maybe it's clicking!

All-in-all it's been the month with the biggest change in your life so far. I'm optimistic that we'll start getting more settled in our new town and can find new adventures to have together. I love you to pieces, Brenna, and so does your Daddy!

I love you, BIG SISTER Sprout!

Love, Mommy

19 Months Old

Dear Brenna,

Another month has come and gone! These will be the last monthly pictures that we take at our current house. It's a little sad to be saying goodbye to the house where we started our family, but it's exciting, too! We'll be moving in 2 weeks, so this next month will probably be a crazy one!

You are growing like a weed! I can't believe how tall you are. At your doctor's appointment 2 weeks ago you were 33 inches tall and weighed 23 pouncs, 12 ounces. You still wear mostly 12-18 month clothes, but you have to wear 18 month pants for the length. I'll be glad when you fit in the adjustable waist pants!

You have been eating pretty well. You got your third and fourth molars (on the top this time), so I guess you can chew better than before! Some of your favorite foods are berries, applesauce, yogurt, "deeyas" (quesadilla), "memeal" (oatmeal), eggs, cheese, cookies, crackers, pickles, "madoes" (tomatoes), cucumbers, bananas, and pasta.

I really want to tell you about some of the super cute things you've been doing. This month, we've really enjoyed it when you've.....
...eaten all of your oatmeal except the last bite and then said, "Mommy do" so you can get the very last bite!
...insisted on giving hugs and kisses and fist bumps to everyone in the room. You always say, "Mommy kiss" or "Daddy fist bump" so nobody is left out!
...started climbing in our empty bathroom cabinets. You like to announce "bye bye" or "door" before you climb in and close the doors. This apparentely never gets old to you.
...carried your new Cabbage Patch doll around wrapped in blankets, towels, "Daddy's shirt", or whatever you can find. You sometimes call her "baby" and sometimes by her name, Ashley. You like to try to give her a paci or a drink of your milk, too.
...looked at picture books that we have and told us who everyone is. Just 2 days ago you started recognized Tinley - You call her "Tin eeeee". You also call most boys you see on TV or out in public London or Liam.
...learned that part of our routine before naptime or bedtime is to turn on your air purifier. You'll go hit the button and then say, "Night, night". You also go over to it and turn it off and say, "Off!" when I get you out of your crib.
...started calling Papa Bill "Pa Bill". You did this on your own, and it's so cute. He loves it, too, of course!
...stood in an empty clothes basket and signed "more". Daddy put you in a basket one day and pulled you around. Now you want to do it ALL.THE.TIME!
...started talking in more sentences. A good example is the other day during breakfast you heard a boy talking on the TV. You said, "Boy! Go see him?" to me. It's amazing how verbal you are!
...said "Amen" whenever someone was talking about Jesus.
...tried counting. You have gotten to 7 before, but you seem to want to just repeat "three four" over and over again. You are also obsessed with the ABCs. You want to watch YouTube videos of the Sesame Street characters saying the ABCs anytime the computer is close by.
...told us that you loved us. "Love shu Mommy" are the most precious words I've ever heard, I promise. You also have gotten really good at putting people's words with sentences. For example, you say, "Thank shu Mommy" many times a day. You also can identify "Daddy's tar" (car) and you say "London's" everytime you see a sippy cup like his!
...you love to hear songs. You used to always say, "Singing" when you heard someone singing. Now you say, "Songing" instead. CUTE!

There is no denying that you are a full-fledged toddler. You spend most all your time being happy and exploring the world around you. I know you're going to love our new house and all the room you'll have both inside and outside to explore! I love you more than anything!

Love you, Sprout!
Love, Mommy

18 Months Old!

Dear Brenna,

You are 1 1/2 years old!! You sure did celebrate this milestone with lots and lots of development over the past month. People always comment on how much you are growing and changing, and even I've seen it this month, although we spend all our days together. You look so much bigger to me, and your hair is growing and getting longer in the back. I'll be happy when you have enough for a ponytail and we can do away with the semi-mullet look. I've heard several people say your hair and eyes remind them of me, so maybe you'll look a bit like me after all.

You still wear your 12-18 month clothes and size medium cloth diapers (size 3 regular diapers). I haven't scheduled your 18 month appointment, because we were supposed to be moved by now. I'm going to do that today! My guess is that you are about 24 pounds, but we'll see! I forgot to tell you last month, but you used the potty one time when we first got it about a month ago. It surprised me, and you haven't done it again. I think maybe we'll start some potty-training as soon as we move.

Speaking of moving - WE SOLD OUR HOUSE! FINALLY! We are finalizing all the details, and should be closing on this house and our new house in NC in mid-October. Daddy and I are so relieved and excited to get to all be together again in our new house. I think you'll like having the extra room - and especially the big backyard!

You would think that would be the biggest news of the month, but it's not! You are a cousin!!!!! Aunt Mal had your sweet cousin, Brady Lee, on August 22. He wasn't due until September 24, but he came early because he was a little bit sick in Mal's belly. Unfortunately he came on our second day at the beach, so we didn't get to see him until he was 7 days old. It was hard to wait, but he was worth it. He's sooo little and cute. You love to give him lots of kisses, but you do NOT like your mommy holding him. Uh oh - jealousy already! I hope you two will grow to be great buddies! I'm having so much fun being an aunt to him.

I mentioned the beach. We took our annual trip to Murrells Inlet, SC with the Bashams. You and London had fun at the beach playing in the sand, and at the pool in your floats. We had lots of outings for dinner and shopping, and you were a really good girl. We took you to a children's museum that you enjoyed, too. We borrowed a DVD player for the car, and that helped SO much during the ride down and back. I'm glad you are such a good little traveler. We did have to come back from the beach one day early because of Hurricane Irene. It was a bummer, but we wanted to make sure we were all safe.

You talk all the time and know more words than I can count. You are making 2-3 word sentences on a regular basis, and are starting to phrase things as questions sometimes, too. You love to point out cars (tars, especially Mommy's tar), choochoos, animals, bees (anything that flies!), boys (already??), babies, shoes, and flowers. You love books that have "peekaboo flaps", and you love Mickey Mouse and Elmo. You like to give high fives and fist bumps. You can count to four, although lately you've started getting them out of order. You love to say "ABCs" and hear the ABC song. You've been pretty cuddly for the past few days, and you'll just curl up beside me on the couch and lay your head on me. I adore it! You also got your first 2 molars on the bottom, and I think they hurt you a little bit. You're pretty tough though, and I'm thankful they don't hurt you too much.

You love to eat, but are sometimes pickier than others. You like to eat off our plates at restaurants, and you love tomatoes! You had your first popsicle with Nanie this weekend, which you though was just something special. You love to run around and show off for your grandparents! They miss you something terrible when we leave!

Here's to 6 more fun months until your next birthday. You're growing like crazy, and I'm thankful I am with you to experience it all by your side.

I love you, Sprout!

Love, Mommy