Eleanor | 7 Months

Eleanor turned 7 months.. last month!! This is the latest I've even been with an update. I did take the pictures when she turned 7 months.. so now it's just a matter of remembering everything!

7 month old Eleanor likes...

Huck and Herschel

mommy

big brother Jack

raspberries and being tickled

her binky

reading books! (new one)

being rocked 

 7 month Eleanor dislikes...

when mommy leaves the room

being overtired (basically any time after 6pm)

laying still for diaper changes

eating solids

sleeping in her crib

Health: No wellness checkup this month but on my scale she's right around 18lbs. She moved up to size 3 diapers and is still in all 9 month size clothes. As far as dairy is concerned she can still only tolerate baked in dairy through my breastmilk. After doing further food eliminations we also discovered that she has an intolerance/sensitivity to bananas. So I am no longer eating those obviously... Other than that, Ellie is happy and gaining weight although we still occasionally get reflux flare ups that disrupt her sleep and some allergy looking diapers.

Nursing: Our nursing relationship is still going strong at 7 months! She is very easily distracted during the day so I find the best times to feed her are right after naps when she's still a bit drowsy. She has begun to wake more to nurse at night, too. I feel as though she really is hungry for one or two of those feedings because she isn't much of a fan of solids and doesn't nurse well when Jack is around. She definitely is using night feedings to get her calories she missed out on during the day (which is very unfortunate for me!).

Solids: We've experimented a little more with solids this month (peas, rice cereal, carrots), but I honestly think Eleanor simply doesn't like purees. She pretty much refuses to eat them after the first spoonful... but if we give her really soft cooked carrots or peas in small pieces she'll pick them right up and eat them! She still eats very little when it comes to solids though.

Sleeping: I feel as though we regressed a little bit again in the sleep department this month. Instead of waking twice to eat she's now up 3-4 times a night again. Eleanor is consistently inconsistent when it comes to her sleep! She still sleeps about 6pm - 6am but will occasionally have a very early morning here or there (like 5-:30). It's pretty miserable for me to be honest!

She takes 2 naps a day. They could last anywhere from 30 minutes to about 1.5 hours. Usually her second nap is her better one. I'm hoping she does start taking a little bit better naps soon though so we can push her bedtime back to 7 eventually.

New this Month: Eleanor is crawling! I feel like the day after I wrote her 6 month post she basically started full out crawling and now she is a pro. She follows me all around the house on all fours surprisingly fast for her petite little frame! She also starting sticking her tongue out and just making the funniest faces this past month! She still loves to play with all her brothers toys more so than her own and especially loves to slobber all over his pretend food. This is the first month that she's shown interest in books. At bedtime, if she's not overtired already, I'll read her two books while in the rocking chair and she gets so excited --reaching for them and kicking her legs-- but then settles right down and snuggles as I read the story. It's seriously the sweetest and I love that she's starting to show interest in books! And although Eleanor doesn't need to be rocked to fall asleep at night I've been noticing that she definitely prefers to fall asleep that way. But despite not being the best sleeper she sure falls asleep pretty easily! Now just to get her to STAY asleep all night long.... HA!

Eleanor, I love watching you grow month to month! You are just the sweetest little girl I've ever met! I love how easily you laugh and offer up smiles and the fact that you simply adore your momma. I love your silly hairline and that perfect roll you have on your knees. I love everything about you, top to bottom! I am so blessed to be your momma, sweet girl.

Always Be My Baby

Tonight as I put Jack to bed I was overcome with so much emotion. I closed the last page of our bedtime story (Where Do Diggers Sleep at Night?) and looked over at him as his eyes fluttered open and shut, open and shut.... he was trying so hard to hang on, but sleep was creeping up on him quickly. As sleep finally took him, his binky fell out of his mouth and I thought my baby doesn't look so much like a baby these days.

This little boy, clutching his golden retriever stuffed animal and wearing his monkey pajamas, looked so big to me! My heart just ached... he is growing up so quickly and there is nothing I can do about it. Oh, but Lord, how I long to! How I long to shield him from this cruel world and every possible heartbreak within it. How I long to help him maintain his innocence that only a child can possess forever. How I long for him to always put his little hand in mine when we're silently walking side by side together. How I long for him to always call me "Momma."

Yet, at the same time, I long for him to grow up. I want him to experience the richness that this life can offer. I want him to achieve things he never thought he'd be able to and feel pride and joy. I want him to love. I want him to overcome fears and hardships with dignity and grace. I even want him to fail a little bit from time to time so he remains humble and can see that he can rise up from the ashes of defeat. I want him to live a full life, but in order to do that he has to grow up.

And isn't this the constant pull as a mother? We want them to always be our baby's but also we want to see them grow up to become the beautiful people we know they were created to be. They are pieces of our soul living outside of us who we want nothing more than to harness back in but know we need to let them grow --to nurture and instill as much goodness, faith, kindness, gentleness, and love into as we can --but, ultimately, let them go.

I never want to let him go.

So tonight my prayers for this beautiful, little boy were accompanied by tears. I prayed for his future and for the man he will one day become, but I also prayed a prayer of gratitude and thanksgiving that this little being is my son. That I get to wake up every morning to hear the pitter-patter of his still chubby little feet running down the hall... That I get chocolate cookie mouth kisses... That I get squeals of delight and tickle fights... That I get to play trucks and choo-choo till my back is sore from bending over... That I get to see things as new and exciting through his eyes... That I get to read bedtime stories and give goodnight hugs...

Thank you, Lord, for allowing me to be this little boys Momma. Help me to be a good one.

Eleanor | 6 Months

I cannot believe my little Eleanor Joy is 6 months old! How did half a year already fly by?? She is still the happiest baby I've ever met. Super sweet and always ready to give anyone the most perfect smile who looks her way.

Eleanor Joy likes...

taking all the diapers and other supplies out of the diaper caddy...everyday...multiple times a day...

her brother's toys

mommy

Huck and Herschel

the exersaucer

lotion messages

"chasing" Jack

her binky

the ergo

Eleanor Joy dislikes...

when mommy leaves the room

eating solids

sleeping in her crib

Health: Ellie weighed 17lbs and measured in at 26 3/4 in. at her 6 month wellness check up! She's gained 5lbs in the two months since I've cut dairy from my diet. She still can only tolerate baked in dairy through my breastmilk while cheese, butter, and all other forms of dairy are still a fail. She is doing so much better though! She is still in size 2 diapers (although I think we're almost ready to move up a size), but is now in all 9 month clothing.

Nursing: I have no idea how often Eleanor nurses during the day. I quit trying to keep track. She is very squirmy and easily distracted while eating so I feel like we do a lot of quick nursing sessions many times a day. At night she has gone back to only nursing 2 times.

Solids: Eleanor tried solids for the first time this month! Her first food was sweet potato, and since then we've tried banana, avocado, applesauce and pears. She hates it all and usually refuses to open her mouth after the first taste! What a difference from her brother who seemed to never stop eating once he got that first taste of solids!

Sleeping: I don't even want to talk about it... I seriously think I breed the world's worst sleepers. When Ellie hit 6 months we were on a good sleep schedule. She was napping well and doing okay-ish at night. She just moves sooooo dang much in her sleep and is almost crawling, so I decided it was no longer safe for her to nap in my bed and starting putting her in her crib for all naps and the beginning of her nighttime sleep. OH.MY.WORD. We have some serious sleep issues now. Girlfriend does not like her crib...

She is still doing 2 naps (sometimes 3) a day but will only sleep for 30-40 minutes at a time in her crib. On a bad day, she gets 1 hour total of naps. On a good day (meaning Steven's home and I can hold her after she wakes up to finish napping...) she gets 1.5 - 2 hours tops. It's bad, ya'll. And I know she can self sooth because I've seen her do it while spying on her like a crazy person through the monitor! 

At night, I put her in her crib and sometimes she'll give me a 6 hour stretch before waking to nurse. At that point I move her to my bed, nurse her, and she usually will wake one more time to nurse before morning. Lately, though, she is fighting being put in her crib for nighttime sleep, too. I'll rock her, put her in crib, she wakes up anywhere from just a few minutes to 40 minutes later and I have to start rocking her all over again. But if I just put her in my bed for the night right away she sleeps like a rock (a squirmy rock) for a good 6 hours before she nurses. 

We were doing so well before I made the switch to her crib... *sigh*

New This Month: Eleanor is ALMOST crawling. She scoots / army crawls where she wants to go and is pretty good at it! She will get up on all fours and rock back and forth, too. So, so close! She loves bouncing in her exersaucer and just being around the family... including the animals. When she sees Steven she just stares as if she's in awe (like in the picture above) and gives him the sweetest smile. She definitely still prefers her momma but is fascinated by her daddy and big brother, Jack. She is happy to play all day.. who needs naps anyways?!?! When she first tried solids she wasn't too impressed, but now she just downright refuses them. She does love to sit in her highchair and be apart of the dinner table discussions along with everyone else. Also this month I've noticed that she seems to no longer mind being put in her carseat! Very rarely will she cry when being put it. Now she just contently enjoys the ride or takes a quick snooze. But, hands down, the best thing about this month was her saying her very first word...."MAMA"!!!!!

Eleanor you are the sweetest, little girl and I am so glad that you are mine! My world has become a better place with you in it. I'm so glad I get to be your MAMA! Happy half birthday, baby girl!

Eleanor | 5 Months

*RANT* Why is it that I take Eleanor's monthly photos on the 4th of every month without fail but I cannot, CANNOT, get my act together to write these updates in a timely manner?!? She is growing and changing so much month to month and I'm going to forget it all!!! I want a Peter Pan baby that just stays little forever... *END RANT*

Eleanor is 5 months old and simply a superstar. She is the sweetest, most happy and content baby. She truly is such a joy to me and Steven (and even Jack Jack)!

 Eleanor Joy likes...

getting her diaper changed

any and all toys

the exersaucer

Huckleberry & Herschel

lotion messages

the ergo

her binky

mommy

 Eleanor Joy dislikes...

anyone holding her but mommy or daddy

her car seat

Health: After Eleanor was diagnosed with reflux at her 4 month wellness checkup, my naturopath suspected a possible dairy intolerance and I immediately cut out diary from my diet. I saw a noticeable difference within just 72 hours. Her spitting up completely stopped and although she still burped often I could tell that the gas was no longer causing her discomfort. Her stool went from a runny green to the more normal yellow infant color (TMI? Oops) and she started having bowel movements once a day instead of 1 or 2 times a week! What a difference! At her 5 month weight check she was 15lbs on the dot. That's almost a 3lb weight gain.. that made for one happy, happy momma!! It feels so good to see some chub on my little girl. Since then I've been slowly putting dairy back into my diet. So far baked in dairy has been a pass but cheese and butter were fails.

Ellie is still mostly in size 3-6 month clothes but has already moved up to 9 month sleepers. Still in size 2 diapers.

Nursing: At her 4 month wellness checkup we also decided that more frequent, smaller feedings might be better for Eleanor and her spit up issues since I have an overactive supply. So I've been nursing her about every 2-2.5 hours versus every 3 hours. I basically just read her cues though and nurse on demand whenever that might be.

At night she has gone from 2 nursing sessions to 3 and it is a definite buzz kill...

Sleeping: Eleanor has finally settled into a great nap schedule making it much easier for me to manage my time juggling her and Jack! She takes a morning catnap (30-45 minutes) about 2 hours after she wakes up and then a long afternoon nap (anywhere from 2-3 hours). Sometimes she might even take a second catnap (30 minutes) in the evening before bedtime if one of her earlier naps was cut short.

For nighttime she is sleeping from 6pm-6am but with 3 night wakings to nurse!!! So she's definitely regressed from last month! Super bummed.. could be the 4 month sleep regression? Teething? Separation anxiety? Learning a new skill? Who knows but I am not a fan!

Also, Ellie is still a tummy sleeper but OH.EM.GEE. this girl moves soooooo much in her sleep. Constantly rolling over and changing from right side up, to sideways, then right side up again..

We co-sleep because I am mentally insane.

New this Month: This month Eleanor starting sitting up all on her own like a champ. I love to see her sitting there, toes pointed, reaching for her toys! She is just content to sit all day and watch Jack Jack play or Huckleberry and Herschel walk by. When she gets excited she squeals at the top of her lungs which never fails in getting Jack to laugh and then they both have the cutest little laughing fit. She enjoys jumping in her exersaucer and grabbing anything and everything and sticking it right in her mouth. We got out the highchair this month for her to sit in while we eat at the table.. she definitely likes being apart of the family dining experience and slaps at all our food and mimics us chewing. I know she's ready for solids but I'm not ready and am procrastinating :(. She also had her first stroller ride in the actual stroller seat vs her carseat. Wasn't too sure how she felt about that one! Bath time has gotten so much better though as she no longer freaks out the whole time but actually plays and has even cracked a few smiles for me here and there while in the tub ;). She definitely is a momma's girl and is not happy when I walk out of her sight. If she's on her belly she will do a complete 360 to find out where I've gone to! 

Saved the best picture for last...

Eleanor, we love every minute spent with you! You are happy, curious, and so quick to smile. You bring so much light into our lives and we simply adore you! Love you to the moon and back, Eleanor Joy!

Eleanor | 4 Months Old

Eleanor turned 4 months old last week... this has definitely been the biggest month for Eleanor developmentally. Girl wants to be on the move!

 Weight: 12lbs 9oz

Height: 25in

 Eleanor Joy likes...

mommy

toys 

(especially her brown+pint crinkle blankie)

diaper changes
her binky

naps in the ergo

watching Jack play
and her mommy
did I mention her mommy?

Eleanor Joy dislikes...

when mommy leaves

loud noises

being put down

anyone but mommy ;)

Health: Eleanor is now completely in size 3-6 month clothes and she moved up into size 2 diapers. Unfortunately, my gut feeling was confirmed at her 4 month wellness checkup and it looks like my little love has reflux. I knew Eleanor spit up what seems to be mass quantities of milk after every feeding and the burping issue that I mentioned before has only seemed to get worse. That fact and along with some other suspect systems (arching her back, interrupted sleep due to gas, screaming before and after spitting up, etc.) had me worried but I was praying it was simply me being paranoid. Ellie is such a sweet, happy baby most of the time it's hard for me to imagine anything was wrong. But when the doctor put her on that scale my heart just sunk. Eleanor isn't gaining weight at the rate she should be. I knew it...but now that it's been confirmed by her doctor we're taking some necessary steps in hopes that the reflux will subside. I immediately eliminated dairy from my diet and started Eleanor on a infant probiotic. I'm also just carrying her a lot more so that she can remain upright longer after a feeding in hopes of not losing her entire meal by spitting up. Praying that progress is made with these adjustments by her next weight check appointment in 2 weeks.

Nursing: No change here during the day.. Eleanor still nurses about every 3 hours. Nights, however, are a different story. Ellie and I flew to NY for my brother Justin's wedding and during our stay she started waking an extra time at night...about 5 hours after falling asleep instead of the 7-8 hour stretch she usually did. She falls right back to sleep after her first feeding and then wakes to eat again 3-4 hours later. Could be that the trip messed up her sleep schedule a bit, could be teething or the 4 month sleep regression, or maybe even another symptom of reflux! Who knows! I'm just thankful she goes right back to sleep with no fuss after feeding each time.

Sleeping:  I definitely don't think Eleanor is getting enough sleep during the day so she's been making up for it at night by falling asleep even earlier! She's out by 6 or 6:30 every night now! That's pretty darn early... Most nights she's waking up around 11 to nurse and then again around 3. She is up for the day by 6:30 usually. I can't complain --12 hours with only 2 night wakings is bliss compared to her brother who at one point was waking 8 times a night to nurse!! I still am not sure how I survived that one.

And despite my efforts, Eleanor is officially a tummy sleeper. She actually has been for a while now but I would gently roll her back onto her side or back. Now that has become pointless because as soon as I walk away she rolls back onto her tummy. She also still loves to sleep covered in a million blankets. I let her fall asleep that way and then I go in and remove all the blankets for the night. She is so cute when she sleeps it's hard for me to get anything done.

New this Month: So much! Eleanor did great on her first plane ride. Hardly made a peep and when she did she simply smiled and cooed at everyone who looked her way. I even had a gentleman tell me that she had given him baby fever ;)! She met lots of friends and family while traveling and was seriously just the best little traveling companion ever. Developmentally, Eleanor has been rolling both ways like it's her job! She enjoys playing on her belly and reaching for toys. She can even get her knees up under her like she's trying to crawl away (stop it! just stop it already!) Anything she grabs immediately goes into her slobbery, teething mouth. She also discovered her feet and toes this month, which is always cute! Also, girlfriend can talk! I always thought Jack was such a chatterbox at this age, but I think she's got him beat. She is always cooing up a storm to anyone who will listen. And those legs! Always kicking them making me believe she might just stand straight up and run away! She is a wiggle worm for sure. Also, I don't know if separation anxiety can be a thing this young... but Ellie definitely has it. When I leave the room she puts on the cutest sad face and just starts bawling. It's pretty much adorable...

Even with the reflux issues, Eleanor is such a happy, content baby. I feel so blessed to have her as my daughter. She is so easy to make smile and laugh. Every time she wakes up she smiles and looks at me as if I've been gone for years and she's just so ecstatic I'm back now! I love this sweet girl so much!

Happy 4 months, Eleanor Joy!

You are adored by each of us so very much!

Eleanor | 3 Months Old

Eleanor turned 3 months old on July 4th. My sweet girl is growing up and changing so quickly that I've started taking notes on my phone so I can remember all the new developments and when they happened!

 3 month old Ellie likes...

naps in the Ergo

any and all baby toys

her binky

being wrapped up to her head in blankets

cooing and talking up a storm

her mommy

3 month old Ellie dislikes...

bath time

loud noises

not being able to see mommy

Health: No wellness checkup this month so we just did measurements at home. I weighed her right on July 4th and she was about 12lbs and 24in on the dot. Still in size 1 diapers and almost completely wearing 3-6 month clothes.

Nursing: Eleanor still nurses about every 3 hours during the day and only waking once to eat at night. I do think she has started teething this month, resulting in some fussiness and tugging while nursing. But she is still a great eater and likes to stick to her 3 hour nursing schedule!

Sleeping: Eleanor has actually slept straight through the night a couple times this month! WooHoo! Most nights though she is asleep by 6:30-7, waking once to eat, and then starting her day at 6:30 or 7. I can't complain about that! 12 hours at night is a dream come true to me!! I feel as though her gas issues have gotten a little better and she is stirring less at night because she needs to burp. Now if she stirs I can usually get away with just putting her binky back in and she'll settle herself.

For naps...I've been trying to ensure Ellie gets 3 naps a day. Less than that and this girl can't hang till her 6:30 bedtime! Naps are still a challenge though because she startles so easily and Jack tends to have one volume: LOUD! The easiest way for me to help her get a good nap is by wearing her in the Ergo. She absolutely loves it and in asleep almost instantly and will usually nap 1 1/2 to 2 hours in it every morning. Her second nap happens around noon (or whenever Jack goes down for his nap), and then her last nap is hit or miss in the evenings.

New this Month: A lot of new developments this month for little miss Ellie! She was able to meet Nana and Papa Carroll for the first time in June when they came to visit for a couple weeks. She definitely enjoyed all the extra snuggling and time spent in people's arms. This girl doesn't ever want to be put down if it can be avoided ;)! The day she turned 9 weeks old she rolled from her belly to back. She doesn't do it often but can now officially roll from belly to back and back to belly! Her hand eye coordination is really improving and she is expertly reaching and grasping for her toys. If her hands aren't busy playing with a toy, she's using them to explore mommy's face or trying her darnedest to fit both fists completely in her mouth. Also, this month she discovered the joys of the mirror. Put her in front of that thing and she'll smile and coo nonstop. Probably my favorite development this month though was hearing those first giggles! Ellie is ticklish right under that adorable little chin and also on her tummy. I can't help but blow raspberry after raspberry to hear this girl's sweet giggle!

Happy 3 month, Eleanor Joy! 

You are such a happy, smiley little girl. 

We are so lucky to call you ours.

Eleanor | 2 Months Old

A little more punctual this month with little Eleanor's update, but hopefully I'll do even better next month. This little girl is growing so quickly it's hard to remember everything! She has the sweetest, most content disposition and brings so much joy to me, Steven, and even Jack!

 2 month old Ellie likes...

the ergo wrap

lamaze peacock

her binky

cuddling

lots and lots of blankets

silly faces and noises

her mom and big brother

2 month old Ellie dislikes...

tummy time

bath time

loud noises

gas

Health: At her last appointment Eleanor weighed 11lbs 1oz and was 23 1/2in long. She is super long and grew an inch and a half this past month! She is still in size 1 diapers and 0-3 month clothes although sleepers or anything with feet are starting to become too short for her.

Nursing: Not much of a difference this month with her feeding schedule. She is a great nurser and usually eats every 3 hours during the day with only 1 night waking to feed. The problem with her eating is the gas. It can be hours after she eats, and even though I've burped her numerous times, she still squirms in discomfort due to the need to burp. Sometimes at night I can tell she is so uncomfortable that I pick her up and burp her even though she's not awake or fussing.. just a lot of squirming and grunts. We aren't sure if it's her lip tie, something in my diet, or just her still immature digestive system. Hoping she grows out of it quickly and the lip tie doesn't need to be snipped.

Sleeping: Still a great sleeper! Most nights Ellie is asleep between 7-8 and sleeps a 6 or 7 hour stretch, waking at about 2am to nurse. After that we go back to bed until Jack wakes us up around 6:30 or 7. If she has more than that 1 night waking it's because of gas and I burp her but don't nurse her again. She was starting her nights sleeping in her rock and play and then I'd move her into bed with me to sleep after her nightly feeding, but now I usually just let her spend the entire night in my bed. I love co-sleeping with my babies!

Naps are pretty much a disaster. Not because I think she's necessarily a bad napper, but because she really needs it to be quiet to enter into that deep sleep. Jack storming around the house startles her awake time and time again...even if I put her in a separate room from us. A lot of days I put her in the ergo wrap when Jack and I go outside to play and she sleeps a good hour or two in there. Usually takes at least 2 other short 45 minute or so catnaps during the day.  

New this Month: Eleanor has so many cute expressions! She is such a happy girl and smiles and coos at everyone.. especially her mommy and big brother! She follows Jack with her eyes all day simply mesmerized by everything he does. She is not a fan of tummy time but is very good at it. She not only pushes up onto her elbows but can completely straighten our her arms while pushing up..but she doesn't tolerate it for long. This girl loves lots and lots of cuddles and never wants to be put down if we can help it. She also loves to be wrapped up head to toe in blankets. I pull her soft, muslin blankets all the way up to her cheeks and her eyes instantly start closing and she drifts off. It's not uncommon for me to catch her snoozing with her hand gripping her blanket up to her face. It's seriously the sweetest thing! Not only has she been gripping objects with those hands, but she also has discovered that they are loads of fun to stick in her mouth and so the slobbery fist sucking has begun ;)

Happy 2 months sweet, beautiful girl! 

You bring us all so much joy!

Eleanor | One Month Old

So I'm almost a whole month late on writing Eleanor's one month post, but at least I remembered to take the pictures! Now let's see if I can remember all the details from her first month...

Weight: 9lbs 12oz

(exactly 2lbs smaller than her brother at one month)

Height: 22in

(but 1 whole inch taller!)

Eleanor likes...

her mom ;)

being held

lamaze peacock

sleeping

diaper changes

lotion massages

car rides

binky

Eleanor dislikes...

bath time

tummy time

daddy holding her

(sorry Steven!)

the baby swing

Health: Little Ellie is healthy and strong! I can't believe she's gained a whole 2lbs since birth! She was in newborn clothes and diapers until 3 weeks. Then we had to move up to size 0-3 months clothes and size 1 diapers.

Nursing: I thank the Lord that Ellie and I haven't had any of the nursing issues I had with Jack. No clogged ducts, no mastitis, and no need to use a nipple shield! Just some crazy engorgement the first couple weeks. Eleanor does have a moderate lip tie, but since she is gaining weight fine her pediatrician doesn't think it will need to be clipped. It does, however, cause her to swallow a good bit of air while she is nursing resulting in a ton of burping on her end. I feel so bad for her and work really hard to help her get out all that air! 

Eleanor came out of the womb a pretty schedule little lady. I nurse on demand but quickly noticed she was nursing every 2-3 hours during the day, but that I needed to wake her at night to nurse to meet the 3 hour time frame. After just one week though, after we saw that she weighed 8lbs 1oz (gaining back her birth weight and some!), they said I no longer needed to wake her at night to nurse every 3 hours. She now only nurses once at night and about every 3 hours during the day.

Sleeping: She is an amazing sleeper (crossing my fingers it stays this way)! After I got the okay to let her sleep as long as she wants at night, she quickly worked her way up to a 6 hour stretch. So she usually goes down between 7-8 and sleeps 6 hours, wakes to nurse, and then goes back to sleep for another 4 hours or so. We don't have any sort of nap schedule. She naps whenever her crazy loud brother lets her nap during the day and instantly passes out any time we go for a car ride. It isn't uncommon for her to take a 3 hour nap or longer some days and the rest mostly 45 minute or so catnaps here or there.

Steven and I are pretty amazed at how different Jack and Eleanor are from one another, and every day I think how amazing it is that they are such individuals created so uniquely. Eleanor is a very content and happy baby. She nurses and sleeps great. It is pretty rare that you hear a cry or even fussing from her unless she needs to be burped. Such a blessing after dealing with Jack's witching hour when he was an infant! She has easily put herself on a nice feeding schedule and doesn't comfort nurse every 45 minutes like her brother did... what a relief! She is quick to smile and coo and simply always a joy to be around.

Happy one month, Eleanor Joy! We love you so very much, sweet girl!

Eleanor Joy

Welcome, Eleanor Joy!

Born April 4, 2016

7lbs 12oz

20 1/4in

Much to our surprise, our dark haired beauty arrived 4 days after her due date, throwing her momma off quite a bit! With Jack being 2 weeks early, I guess I expected something similar with Eleanor, and everyday I was pregnant after 38 weeks was mentally, emotionally, and physically challenging! I had severe morning sickness with this pregnancy until about 16 weeks.. throwing up all.day.long. And then late into my second trimester the whole family came down with an ugly stomach virus. And when my third trimester came around, I experienced such terrible restless leg syndrome that it wasn't uncommon for me to average 2-4 hours of sleep a night. It was a rough pregnancy to say the least! And although I started having contraction at 38 weeks, this little lady decided she was comfy as could be right where she was.

On Sunday night around 8:30 I started having mild contractions. This wasn't surprising since my contractions had been coming and going for the last two weeks. Sometimes they would last for hours --keeping me up all night -- only to completely disappear by morning. I always knew they weren't the real deal because they were never very painful and always irregular. But on this night, after about 2 hours, I noticed that they were coming closer together (about every 6 to 10 minutes.. but still irregular). Something in me just knew this really was it and I called my midwives. Unfortunately, the midwife on call was a fill in covering for another midwife who was on maternity leave... I had only meant this lady once and I know she wasn't up to speed on the details of my last delivery and how quickly Jack came for a first pregnancy. She asked me to wait a bit longer and call her back when the contractions were coming at a more regular interval...

I was actually pretty surprised she didn't tell me to go ahead and come in because I knew this baby was coming.. With my next contractions I got on my knees and prayed that God would let me know when the last possible minute I could leave for the birth center was so that I wouldn't have this baby in the car. Two hours later I called the midwife and informed her that as soon as my mother in law got to my house to watch Jack I would be heading to the birth center.

As Steven and I drove to Bellevue I thanked God that this little girl decided to come in the middle of the night so that traffic wasn't too intense! We have a bit of a commute to the birth center but were able to get there in just under an hour. I knew when I got into the car that I was already in transition. My contractions were coming every 3 minutes like clockwork and it took everything within me to relax through them. I started to feel a little bit panicky because everything seemed to be happening very quickly.

(Side Note: With both of my pregnancies I decided not to wake Steven while I labored at home because I figured his sleep was more important than helplessly watching me breathe through contractions. So when I woke him up at 2:30a and told him we had to go to the birth center NOW he totally thought I was kidding.. little did he know he'd be a daddy all over again in just 2 hours!)

We arrived at the birth center around 3:40 and basically after this it is really just a blur. Everything happened so fast!

Since I was Strep B+ they had to administer an antibiotic. I sat down trying to relax during the contractions (which were now coming what seemed to be one right after the other) while they tried to find a good vein for the antibiotic. I feel like this took a really long time, but then again my concept of time at this point was probably pretty warped. All I know is Eleanor arrived 50 minutes after I got to the birth center and less than 5 of those minutes were spent pushing. So I'm pretty sure I sat there for at least a half hour as they tried to give me the antibiotic (2 failed attempts.. now I do remember that clearly). Once the antibiotic was administered I quickly got into the tub. The midwife kept talking about how when I got comfortable in there they would leave and let me relax and have some space to labor... As soon as she was done uttering that sentence I informed them that my water just broke. They come over and checked the water to confirm (after first asking me if I was sure...) that my water did indeed break.

The contractions really were coming one right after the other at this point. I kept trying to relax in between them, but there really was no "in between." Almost immediately after my water broke I told them that I needed to push. Again, I'm not sure they believed me at first, but after checking they confirmed that I was fully dilated and could push. I was already feeling a little panicked since the car ride that this was happening all too quickly, but now I was honestly afraid. I asked if she was sure I could push but I really didn't have a choice, Eleanor was coming whether I pushed or not. All of the pushing this time around seemed to be involuntary as though I had no control over my body! Pains were coming so quickly I didn't have time to breathe and I just remember starting to cry. I also vaguely remember saying I can't do this and Steven reaching over and putting his hands on my back and telling me I was doing great. Minutes later the midwife said she could feel Eleanor's head.. and then all of a sudden she was here...

4:33am

I remember thinking she had the biggest eyes and so much DARK hair! Perfect. Absolutely perfect.

I didn't want to let her go but I finally decided Steven could hold her while I showered off real quick. I was shocked that everything had happened so quickly and praised God that He lead me to leave for the birth center when He did...50 minutes later and this little girl would have been born in the car!

After 2 hours of monitoring, the midwives sent us home (which I know many people think is crazy, but I love it). I was so happy to finally have my baby girl in my arms and be able to go home and rest in my own bed. I kept thinking she is so petite and perfect and DARK! What a surprise after having her very blonde brother...

Unfortunately, when I think back to Eleanor's birth the dominate emotion I remember most is fear. I feel as though the midwives didn't listen to me this time around.. not believing me when I told them I needed to come in the first time...or that my water broke...or that I needed to push! And all of this made me question my body and instincts as well. Also, just the speed of the labor was frighting for me (and knowing I was already in transition while en route to the birth center!). From start to finish, my labor was only 8 hours and less than 5 minutes were spent pushing! Actually, Eleanor came so quickly that she had some bruising on her head from the pressure. But she is a beautiful, healthy little girl and I had no complications with the delivery and am beyond thankful for that.

Welcome to the world, Eleanor! Your father, brother and I absolutely adore you!

All photos by ADN Designs.

I'm Back... Sort Of

I’m back after more than a year’s hiatus! And, wow, has it been a crazy year!! I wouldn’t even know where to begin to fill people in on the in’s and out’s of this past year, so I’m not even going to try. So much has changed from home projects, major Jack Jack milestones, and the addition of a new family member. And it’s because of that last change that I’ve decided to resurrect this blog.

See, I need this space because I need to remember. I need to remember all the moments with these precious littles the Lord has entrusted to me. I want to remember the happy first baby coos and the disgusting blowouts that defy gravity. I want to remember the easy times of contently rocking my babies to sleep and the hard times where I feel like I’ve failed them as a mother, yet am grateful for the lessons learned and the grace they show me day in and day out.

The truth is, this season of life is hard. Like really freaking hard. But I know it’s so fleeting. I just don’t want to forget…

I have no idea how often I’ll write or what I’ll write about. It may just be month to month updates of my new baby girl like I did for her older brother. I don’t think I’ll be able to carve out a lot of time for this space, but I’d like to try.

So I’m back! Kind of? Maybe? I guess we’ll see… There are just so many moments – good and bad – that I never want to forget with this little tribe of mine.