::Macie:: One Year Old!

I'm a little late posting this but I am going to make a conscious effort to blog more often as an outlet and a little scrapbook for myself to look back on.

On March 1st, my smallest lady turned the big ONE! This last year has gone by so fast and it's getting better with every month that passes.

About a month or two ago, Ted and I decided to take a shot at getting some photos of the girls. We recently had professional photos taken and didn't really want to incur more costs for photos, plus the hubs typically does a great job. We got the girls all dolled up and headed downtown with baskets and balloons in tow. Being a mom of two, I know capturing shots of two toddlers smiling is virtually impossible so we set ourselves up for success and got some pretty great shots of them interacting with each other.


Here are some of my favorites:

We used this one for Macie's First Birthday Invitation:

Macie's birthday party was on March 5th at our house with a very loose theme of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, incorporating lots of pinks and golds. 

I made Macie a little tutu and onesie that peppered our entire house with gold glitter, (sorry hubs!). She looked simply adorable!!

We had a few close friends and a few grandparents come over to celebrate Macie. She wasn't too into the smash cake but, just like mama, was a big fan of the cake pops. (I'll post my secret to the perfect cake pops soon!)

Macie loved opening presents and is a big fan of a sandbox from her Papa. Overall the day was so great. I love when all of the littles from my friends and family can get together and play. Seeing everyone grow up together has truly been a blessing.

Happy Birthday sweet girl!

::Macie:: Eleven Months

Weight

No doctor visits this month (thankfully) so  I am not so sure!

Health

We've had a month of colds and teething in this house, I think Macie and Henley both have had runny, congested noses more days this month than they haven't. I'll be glad when this winter is over. 

Sleep

Due to the aforementioned colds and teething, we had a rough run on the sleep. Macie was waking multiple times before Ted and I even got to bed. Then waking during the night and not going back to sleep unless she was in our bed. Needless to say some nights all four of us were in bed together!!

Two weeks ago I decided out of sheer desperation it was time to have her cry it out. The colds and the teething had subsided a bit so I figured it was time to try it out. I fully anticipated her crying for at least an hour (she is my stubborn one after all). Friday night I was all ready and I nursed her, laid her down awake and walked out. She cried for a whopping 12 minutes!! I was ecstatic. The next night she was sleeping within 5. It's been awesome. She is going down at 6:45 waking once or twice and up for the day sometime between 6 and 7. 

 

Clothing

Fitting in some 18 months and some 9 months still fit but for the most part she is sitting comfy at the 12 month clothing mark. 

I love this bear jacket

Diet

Macie has given me a run for my money during these last eleven months, this month has been no exception. She's gone from not taking bottles of breastmilk, not even trying formula, not nursing to nursing and taking bottles. In the last week she has dropped the afternoon bottle/nursing session, we've tried both multiple times. This weekend she decided she only wanted to nurse at night. She's been drinking cold, organic milk out of a straw cup consistently for the first time ever. I'll be glad when she's fully transitioned purely so I know what the heck she is doing!

As far as food goes, she's happy with any fruit and any carb. When she has something she likes, she EATS! Mashed potatoes last week seemed to be her favorite so far.

Social

Here are some pictures from the month of Macie's social life lol

Playdate with Vivian

Grandma loving

Bath time is her fave!

Milestones

Macie is consistently taking steps. It's been so tough to get video since she is walking between Ted and I but I feel we are close!

Big Sister Love

Henley and Macie play in here all of the time, at least once a day. It's seriously the cutest!

Have a great week!

Mere :-)

::Macie:: Ten Months Old

Weight

Last visit at the doctor Macie weighed 20 lbs. She had gained a few ounces since her nine month visit. Healthy girl.


Health

We've had a little rough go these past few weeks, nothing major but it's felt like constant congestion, runny nose, and teething. She has four teeth on the top just waiting to break through (mama can't wait!!) Other than that, she's been pretty healthy and happy!


Sleep

We've had a few ok night lately but again with the teeth we have had some rough nights. From bedtime to about 10-11 she wakes up and wants to be held or wants to nurse. I think mostly it's due to the congestion. We used ibuprofen most of the time if she was really fussy to help her settle down.

Clothing

Macie has recently been wearing 12 months clothing but is still wearing most of her nine months too. The 12 month hand-me-downs from Henley are my favorites but due to this crazy heat Macie really hasn't been wearing them....it's summer weather here!!!

The matching Christmas clothing and PJ's were almost too much cuteness to bear!

Diet

Macie has been eating so many new foods---carbs seem to be her favorite. She loves pizza crust. We went out to a pizza restaurant last weekend and Macie nawed on it until she passed out. It was adorable.

Crying

A few crying fits because of the teeth but overall she just cries when she is being dramatic---its really the funniest thing. She folds in half or throws herself on the table if she's standing.


Baby Gear Love

All of our new presents have been a huge hit!!

Social

With Christmas and New Years we've had tons of visitors and tons of fun. Here are some pictures!

Milestones

We've had steps!! We've had up to five at a time. She gets so excited and ends up falling over. She's crawling all over the place and pulling up on everything. I cannot wait until she's mobile. She wants to do what Henley is doing so bad!

Big Sister Love

Mere :-)

::Macie:: Nine Months

Weight

We had Macie's nine month check up and she weighed 19 lbs 3.5 oz. She's a touch heavier than Henley was at this age but for the most part, their stats are pretty close. She's defintely feeling heavier these days!


Health

There definitely has been something floating around the daycare and our house. Both girls have had colds and runny noses for a while now. Macie's seemed to be clearing up but came day in the last day or so. I'm thinking some of this could be related to teething though too.


Sleep

We've gotten into a bad trend lately and I'm ready for some improvement. Macie has started waking up multiple times between when I put her down and around 11:00. I am grateful that these wakeups happen while I'm still awake but it makes for an exhausting night. Once we go to bed, she does seem to have a good night, waking once usually sometime between 3-5.


Clothing

We have recently started creeping into the 12M clothes this month. She is wearing mostly 9M still but I've been able to grab some t-shirts out of the 12M box I'm super excited for these clothes, they were some of my favorites from when Henley wore them. We had some fun with hats when going through the box, or I had fun I should probably say.

Diet

I have GREAT news----dairy is back in my life! After nine long months, I'm drinking milk with no issues and Macie is eating yogurt. It's almost too good to be true. Macie has been loving solid foods lately. She even had mashed potatoes and dressing on Thanksgiving. It's such a relief that she has been eating foods and having minimal belly issues. Thank God!

     

I'm still nursing and pumping during the day. In the last month or so, I've been having a dip in supply and haven't been able to pump enough for 2 bottles. I've been pumping in the morning and nursing at noon and in the afternoon. It seems to be working as long as my work schedule permits. I only have 2 bags of frozen milk so that is a little nerve wracking. On the up side though, we go the ok from the pediatrician to start adding 2-3 oz of whole milk into her diet which will help with the breastmilk shortfall I'm having.


Crying

The biggest crying issue we have right now is the bedtime battle. She cries and isn't interested in anyone else but me. She just wants to nurse, then have her paci for 3 minutes, then nurse again, and on and on.

She gets a little fussy here and there but in comparison to 2 month old Macie, 9 month Macie is a saint!


Baby Gear Love

We bought Macie a walker and she loves it. She mostly uses it outside and she zooms all around the garage and the driveway.

She's also been loving the Cozy Coupe. Her and Daddy have been taking walks on the weekends. She holds on to the steering wheel, cruising around.

Social

This month Macie had her first Friendsgiving and Thanksgiving. She also got to see Santa!

Had some fun at the park too---check out that hair!!

Milestones

Crawling!! After 9 months she is finally crawling. She's also pulling up on everything and standing. She's even gone 5-10 standing without holding on. She's done a few steps with the walker too. Now that she is mobile she is so much happier. Even the daycare described her as a whole new baby.

She also got 2 teeth this month!!


Big Sister Love

Macie is starting to laugh at Henley and Henley loves it. I can already see the love they have for each other.

Thanks for reading----Mere :-)

::Macie:: Eight Months

Weight

No doctor's visit this month so no idea what she's weighing, I'm pretty excited to find out her latest stats next month!

Health

We've had a great month! My little girls is happy and healthy. Love it!

Sleep

Macie has stopped sleeping through the night but she is still sleeping pretty good overall. Lately she's been waking up around 11pm and 5am, sometimes around 2am as well. After I nurse her at 5am she is usually up for the day between 6-6:30. Luckily she goes right back down after nursing. Sometimes she can't find her paci and just cries until we give it to her, I guess that's the only downfall to her choosing a paci over her fingers.

Clothing

We are still rocking 9 month clothes over here. She has worn a few 12M outfits but those were pretty big. We had to get some more use out of Henley's Halloween hand-me-downs. I had so much fun this month dressing the girls in matching Halloween outfits. We even had their school pictures taken with coordinating outfits.

Diet

We are successfully eating food!! Turns out it wasn't the food making her belly upset, she was constipated. We were so scared to try different foods that we ended up giving her tons of bananas and she was a mess. We've started giving pears and prunes regularly and it's been great. She's had all kinds of foods and even had a waffle and a pumpkin pancake this weekend! I'm loving that she is eating food. 

On the downside, my milk supply has totally tanked!! It's slowing getting up a little bit but on average she is drinking 10oz a day and I am pumping 7oz. I'm having to pump at night and in the morning sometimes, I am also takes fenugreek, adding brewer's yeast to my shakes, eating oatmeal, and drinking tons of water. I also only have about 6 bags of frozen milk so the pressure is on. I'm feeling a little more optimistic about it. Two weeks ago I was very stressed and thinking the worst. Just keep swimming!!

Crying

Once we figured out the constipation issue, the crying has been minimal. Macie knows what she wants and is pretty vocal if we don't oblige. She is going to be my feisty pants!

Baby Gear Love

Lately we've been using the stroller quite a bit. The City Select is seriously an awesome stoller.

Macie has also loved standing on this toy. She's not quite pulling up yet but she loves when we prop her up on this toy.

Social

We had a great month full of birthday parties, pumpkin patches, Halloween parade, friends and trick or treating!

Milestones

Starting to pull up and eating foods are the highlights for this month!

Big Sister Love!

School pictures!

I'm so excited that November is finally here! Thanksgiving and then December which is one of my favorites---Christmas and Henley's birthday. I am also so excited for Macie's first Christmas!!!

Mere :-)

::Macie:: Seven Months

Weight

We went to Macie's 6 month appointment this month and she weighed 15 lbs and was 25 inches long She's almost doubled her birth weight. She is in the 48th percentile for weight and 43rd for height.

Health

Macie had a cold this month that seemed to last forever. Big Sister Henley had one too. She has some serious green boogers and had her first fever. Macie seems to get sick a lot less than Henley did, I wonder if it's because she has had Henley at home since birth (toddlers are germy little things!). She started feeling better about a week ago.

Snotty little thing

Sleep

After last month of terrible sleep, I cut back on food to see if that was the culprit. Since then she's been sleeping great, waking only once to eat some nights and sleeping through the night other nights. I'm not used to having a good sleeper, Macie even puts herself to sleep for naps as well----I just lay her down awake and she passes out pretty quickly. I love it!

Clothing

We've started putting Macie in 9 month clothing this month. We don't have a ton of clothing from Henley in this size, I'm thinking most things are probably with her 12 month clothing since a lot of companies make 6-12M instead of 9.

Diet

This month we cut out all solid food since her stomach didn't seem to handle it. We've just gone back to strictly breastmilk and her stomach issues seem better. I'm planning to try some baby led weaning next month and see if that is an easier way to ease into solids. I'm thinking letting her control the amount she ingest versus me spooning purees might work better.


Crying

Macie is pretty mellow with crying, such a different story from the beginning. She definitely knows what she wants and responds with tears if we don't oblige in a timely manner. She also is showing us she has a little bit of a temper. Apparently some of the babies in the day care try to take her paci and she screams a high pitch scream and kicks her feet. (maybe she's a Reynolds' after all)


Baby Gear Love

The only thing I seem to be really getting use out of is the Tula. This carrier is amazing. I'm so tempted to get the toddler version for Henley, she loves being held, I just don't know if I would get my moneys worth.

Lifesaver while she was sick

Social

This month we went on our first vacation to South Seas Resort. It was more like a staycation since its so close. It was great. The girls were so good. It was great to hang out and relax without anything else to distract

We also did a photoshoot with Brandy Rose Photography that was a fall theme. They came out great!! Love them so much.

Milestones

Macie is sitting up great and even starting to try to pull up. She hasn't been able to pull on anything on her own but uses our hands to pull up often. She's not crawling at all and I don't think she will. She hates being on her belly and doesn't tolerate it, unless she is sleeping.

Big Sister Love

Henley has been so great as usual. She is so hilarious. She started dance this month---seriously the cutest! Here are some pictures from the month.

::Macie:: Six Months

Weight

No exact measurements for Macie but she's definitely growing. We go to the doctor for her six month check up in two weeks. 

Health

Healthy baby for the most part. She had a little cold and we had to do the humidifier, steam, and vicks but thankfully it only lasted a few days.

Sleep

Sleep has been okay, not great but not terrible. She's started waking 30-60 minutes after she goes to sleep which has really put a damper on my working out. She has been still going down between 7 and 7:30 and waking sometime before 10 then again around 3, typically awake for the day by 6.

(on a positive note, Henley is finally sleeping through the night most nights!)

Clothing

Macie is still wearing 6 month clothing, finally took all of the 3 months out of the drawers and passed them onto a new mama that could use some. I think our days in the small Charlie Banana diapers are numbered. She is still wearing them at night with two liners but they feel pretty snug.

Diet

Breastfeeding has been going really well. I upped Macie's bottles to 5 ounces and my body has finally caught up and I'm pumping enough for the two bottles each day. 

We have also started solids. Macie loves banana. We also gave her some oatmeal and she liked it ok. We gave her apples one day last week and she had major tummy issues that night. I assume it wasn't a coincidence so we have been sticking with bananas. Planning to try sweet potatoes next week after our little vacation.

Crying

Macie is starting to cry when we walk away or leave the room. I hate this stage, makes me feel so bad. Luckily she isn't yet crying when I leave daycare so it's just when we are in the living room and go to the kitchen.

She really doesn't cry much, especially compared to when she was a newborn but I will say that she is sassy! She knows what she wants and is pretty impatient!

Baby Gear Love

Macie is finally playing with toys, I love it. She's really loving the stackable toys and anything that crinkles. She finally outgrew her sit-me-up so we've passed that along.

I also am loving our City Select stroller. I've been out shopping with both girls a few times and it's perfect. Henley will sit and Macie loves looking around. Best thing ever!

Social

Mamas first trip alone shopping with both girls and Henley got to enjoy a little playtime.

We enjoyed lots of pool time with the family

And we matched our bestie Vivian

Milestones

We are rolling consistently and best of all, Macie is sitting up like a pro! This has been such a blessing. She now will stay on the floor and just hang out, looking around and playing.

 

Big Sister Love

Here are some pictures of some sisterly love from the month.

This month has been so fun! I'm SO excited to see what this next month brings!

Mere :-)

::Macie:: Five Months

Weight

We went to the doctor for Macie's 4 month check up last week and she weighed 15 lbs and was 25" long. (Big sister was 29 lbs and 35" tall). She is measuring almost exactly the same as Henley was at this age.

Health

Besides an occasional runny nose, Macie has been very healthy. I count my blessings every day!

Sleep

Sleep is starting to change a little bit. Macie is fully transitioned into the crib and is sleeping great in there. We tried the pack n play once but she was doing so great in the crib we decided to just go with that. She is still sleeping swaddled but I think that is going to have to end or change since she is starting to roll. 

A typical night for Macie is bedtime at 7 and she is out within minutes. A few times this past week she woke at 11 but that's new and hopefully not typical. She's also had a few nights of waking around 2. She always wakes for the day somewhere between 6 and 7. 

Her naps are becoming more erratic and she's not really falling asleep while we are out and about. She's too interested in everything that is going on. On a good day she sleep 1-2 hours in the morning and then a few short 30-45 minute naps in the afternoon. 

Clothing

Macie is still wearing 6 month clothing and finally growing out of the remaining 3 months clothing. I think 9 month jammies are in the near future for us.

She's also rocking some of my favorite outfits from when Henley was little. This dress is one of my absolute favorites!!

She's in medium swaddlebee diapers. I love the small Charlie Bananas but she is starting to leak out of these even with two liners so I think we will need to jump to mediums soon.

Diet

Still enjoying mama's milk only (although I did let her suck on a banana the other day, she loved it). I am still dairy free and spoke to the doctor about it. He suggested trying yogurt and seeing how she does. I'm nervous to try but SO ready for dairy! I do eat cheese but she has definitely been sensitive to milk and yogurt.

Crying

She's starting to fuss a little more when we walk away from her and typically wants someone near. Daycare has commented about this often.

During the middle of the night or after naps when she wakes she doesn't cry, just lays in her bed and chats. It's seriously the cutest thing!

Baby Gear Love

She's still using the Fisher Price Sit Me Up daily but it's getting a little hard to get her chunky thighs out of it. We also use the Kick n Play mat every day.

Mom what are you doing? (watching me workout)

Macie is loving the Sofia teether and O-Ball toys  too.

Social

July has been a great month. We started off the month with a July 4th BBQ with friends and Macie and her little friend Vivian hung out.

Aunt Tara and Gigi also came to visit this month.

We also went to the Children's Museum on a rainy weekend (it was packed! We weren't the only ones with that idea).

We also started using the big girl seat in the stroller!

Milestones

Macie finally rolled over from belly to back. She was so nonchalant about it. She still hasn't gone from back to belly yet.

First time painting too!

Big Sister Love

Here are some pictures of some sisterly love from the month.

Already pulling big sister's hair!

It's been a great month! 

Mere :-)

::Macie:: Four Months Old

Weight

I have no idea. She goes to the doctor at the end of this month but I haven't weighed her lately. She is getting harder to carry in the car seat though so I know she's gained some.

Health

Healthy!! She's so healthy and I seriously couldn't ask for more. 

Sleep

For the most part Macie is waking twice during the night but a few times a week she will only wake once. She's down around 7 and sleeps until about 2-3, nurses and goes back down until 5-6. During the day she is napping after around 1.5-2 hours of awake time. We've noticed the minute she hits the 1.5-2 mark, she starts fussing and is ready to sleep. Goes down easy and wakes up happy. (seriously I don't think this is the same baby from 2 months ago).

Clothing

Macie is wearing mostly 6 months clothing although some random 6 month stuff is still a tad big. 

She's wearing small Charlie Banana diapers and medium Swaddlebees. Her skin is more sensitive than Henley's was so we try not to use the Swaddlebees too often since they are made of natural fibers that don't wick moisture away.

Diet

Macie is still just eating mama's milk. She's nursing great although not near as mellow as Henley when nursing. She's sometimes fighting at the breast when she's finished versus just popping off into a milk coma.

Crying

She literally just cries when she's hungry or tired. I couldn't ask for more. Sometimes she does cry in the car but if we put on Jammy Jams she is usually easy to calm down.

Baby Gear Love

Still loving the Fisher Price Sit me up chair. We use it every day and she just hangs out. I put her on the counter when cleaning the kitchen or cooking and she sits on the dining room table with us every night eating dinner!

Social

This month we have been out and about quite a bit. It seems like we are going to SkyZone with big sister every weekend. Macie hangs out and just takes it all in and Henley LOVES jumping. She seriously just jumps for a solid 30 minutes. 

Macie's been in the pool a ton and loves hanging out watching big sister.

We went on walks with the family too

Milestones

Macie is overall just becoming much more vocal and alert. She isn't quite rolling over yet but that could mainly be because we never really put her down. Between only spening 2 hours a night with her and the chaos of Fitz and Henley in the living room I'm not totally comfortable leaving her down there for long. 

Postpartum

I'm really feeling great. I'm at my pre-pregnancy with Henley weight. I haven't been as disciplined as I initially was but I still am working out most days and eating clean most meals. 

I've started losing my hair this week. I lost SO MUCH hair with Henley that I got bald spots. I am praying this doesn't happen again!

Big Sister Love

Henley is the best. Here are so pics to prove it!

I love how it gets better every single day!!

Mere :-)

::Macie:: Three Months Old

We are three months old!!

Weight

We went to the doctor mid-May for Macie's two month check up and got an official weight. She is 12 lbs 1 oz and is 22.5" long. She looks so much longer than Henley but their stats at the two month mark are almost the exact same.

Health

OMG I hesitate to write this but we are good!! Diaper rash - cleared. Colic - gone. We have had a solid three weeks of happy Macie. When we went to the doctor she was just starting to be great with her health. We are really unsure if it's the Zantac working or if she just grew out of it. Our doctor advised to stay on the Zantac at least another month and see what happens. She should start outweighing the dose soon so we will see if her demeanor changes with that. 

Sleep

She's been about the same with sleep, which is great. She grunts a few times a night and I feed her and she's back out like a light. Typically she is up between 2-3 and up around 6 then back down until 7. This past weekend she slept 11 hours straight twice! I couldn't believe it. I am thinking she had to be growing because the next day at daycare she slept over three hours in one nap. 

During the day she need to go down after about 1.5-2 hours of awake time. It's almost on the dot she will start being fussy and then pass out, sometimes for 30 minutes and sometimes longer.

Clothing

Macie is wearing 6M onesies and sleepers but still fittting into her 3M pants and tops. We are in between sizes in diapers which is causing some leaks but I think we are almost into the next size totally. 

Most of the diapers we have from Henley are cotton which do not wick the moisture away from their skin (read: diaper rash). I've been trying to stay away from them so the selection at the moment is slim.

Diet

Macie is continuing to nurse great. We are staying on the block feeding to ensure my oversupply issue is corrected. She started daycare last week and was fighting the bottle some. She took the bottle great for my mom so I was surprised she was fighting it so much.

Crying

Crying has improved so much I feel like I have zero complaints. I've learned her schedules and what her cries typically mean. I'm thrilled she is feeling better. I pray it sticks!

Baby Gear Love

We got a new seat for Macie called the Fisher Price Sit Me Up. I love this chair. It's like a new and improved Bumbo. It's fabric and can support her really well. She's got great head control and I think this chair is helping to develop that. 

Social

May was a great month filled with an awesome Macie's First Trip to the Beach 

 

and Mother's Day! We went to breakfast and dinner with the girls and it was smooth sailing!

We also went to a friends house for a Memorial Day picnic.

Milestones

Macie is starting to "talk" to us. She has great head control and is starting to take interest in toys and books. 

Postpartum

I'm feeling better than I have in a long time. The 21 Day Fix has been great and I'm actually finishing up round two this week. Here are my results from round one:

  

I love the program and Shakeology so much I've become a Beachbody coach!

Big Sister Love

Henley is seriously the best big sister I've ever seen. Last week driving into work I turned around and she was holding her hand! I've also caught her reading to Macie a few times too. I love these girls so much I feel my heart could explode any minute!

Thanks for all of the thoughts and prayers for Macie's health-----they work!!!

(minimal pictures this post but I'll do better next month)

Mere :-)