Just Checking In

My brother JJ really has the life. He has been lounging on the couch a lot lately. The other day I found him snuggled up behind my toys. He is so cute!

 Mom and Dad have been propping me up more and I really enjoy it. I can't wait until I am ready to sit up in my pink bumbo seat when my neck gets a little stronger. Mom said she will let me try it soon.

 Mom made me popsicles from her milk using a pacifier. I don't usually like pacifiers, but since there was frozen milk on it I really enjoyed it. 

I got a little cranky when all the milk was melted though. I wanted more! Mom and Dad thought I was pretty amazing for holding it by myself though. I am getting pretty good with my hands!

 I had a girls date at the house and got to meet Parker. She is just a few weeks younger than me and has such cute style! She was so sweet and shared the boppy lounger with me. I hope I get to see her again real soon!

 My older girlfriend Audrey came over to hang out with us little peanuts too. She enjoyed playing with my brothers and being her cute little self! She can already say some words! Such a smartie! I am lucky to have such darling friends!

Well, just wanted to check in. Toodles   :)

Asbury Tree Lighting

Gosh, today has been a really busy day! When I took my morning nap mom took a quick run to Target, or as she likes to say Tar-Jay. She got two more stocking holders so she could hang up my brothers JJ and Perry's stockings. 

 Then, grandma r. and great-grandma v. came over and we went to get a rug for the living room. After that I took my first trip to Ruby Tuesday where everyone enjoyed the salad bar. Everyones loves their croutons. I wonder what is so special about them. Anyway, when we got home Mom decided she wanted to use her 50% off coupon from Michael's craft store so we went to get a Christmas flag for the house. But, not before mom bundled me up in this winter contraption grandma r. got me. It was a little constricting, but mom took my hand out so I felt better.

 After Michael's they took me to the holiday bazzar and

tree lighting ceremony on the Asbury Park boardwalk.

 Mom made my Sophie giraffe fly around

the back of the car and made me laugh!

 She put me in my carrier and off we went. I missed being near the ocean! I enjoyed the cool breeze on my face. They bought a cute Asbury sign for the living room. Supporting local businesses for small business Saturday. Woowoo!

 After we got home I had a dirty outfit so dad cleaned me up and wrapped me in a warm blanket. We hung out by the fireplace chatting it up.

 JJ kept Dad company while I hung with mom.

 Mom said I could hang out in my birthday suit until bath time, but mom and dad's friends called to see if they could stop by. So, I threw on a quick outfit to meet them. I got to stay up a half an hour past my bed time to hang out with them. Tomorrow mom said we are just staying home to relax, wrap some christmas presents, and bake some yummy treats. I love lazy sundays! 

Tree Shopping

Today Mom and Dad took me to get my first real christmas tree for our house. It was unusually warm and a perfect day to go chop one down. Mom put on my hat and sweatshirt and we were off!

They took me to this tree farm a few miles from home that only the locals know about that was hidden away. Mom didn't lie, and the cute older man was there to greet me with candy canes in his basket. I told him next year I would be able to eat them!

 Holy moly, there were a lot of trees to choose from!

 I got to sit in Santa's sleigh. But, Santa and his reindeer were still at The North Pole getting ready for Christmas Dad said.

 Domenique and Al came with us to get a tree. Baby Jackson

please come out soon so I can meet you!

 We found a tree! It was a little sparse on one side,

 but nothing mom can't spruce up with garland. 

 Dad cut it down in less than a minute all by himself!

Domenique and Al found a tree too!

 Mom put all the Disney ornaments on the silver tree in the living room.

And a few extra Hello Kitty ornaments that didn't fit on my tree on this one.

Here is her nutcracker collection. She just loves them!

Finally, mom put plastic ornaments on the tree outside of the house. She even decorated the neighbor's tree to spread the Christmas cheer.

Dad put up the christmas lights outside. And we were done!

When 4:30 pm came around the lights popped on and I was in love!

 Then, we decorated the real tree together listening to christmas tunes. Dad put one of his favorite soccer ornaments right in the center of the tree so it could be seen. Can you spot it?

 Here it is all done! How pretty!

 Here are a few of the ornaments. A J for Jason. A hamburger and grill Mom got Dad a few years ago. A peice of wedding cake. And a few other neat ones.

 Mom finished up the tree after I went to bed. Dad lit a fire and Mom hung our stockings. She is going to run to Target tomorrow to get two more stocking holders for JJ and Perry's stockings.

Looking forward to the rest of my first holiday season!

Three Months Old!

November 23, 2012: Three months old (karate kick leg)

Dear Mae,

     Here were are again little mama. Yes, I do call you that. I think you might get confused in a few months wondering why I call you that when I am the mom. But, it just came naturally and kind of stuck. So, here is to another month my little mama! I feel so blessed to have met you and have you in my life each and every day. You are my special little girl that amazes me constantly. Your smile is so contagious! Whether it is a big grin or a little smirk. I love them all!

You greet me every morning with a big smile that just warms my heart. No longer do you cry loud in the morning when you wake up. You rustle around to let me know the princess has awoken and I come in and get you. You give me the biggest smile that makes waking up a wee bit tired sometimes soo worth it!

After we say hello and a morning nosh you go back in your crib to do some stretches. Then, I take off your jammies to enjoy your soft crib blanket while I warm up a wash cloth and pick out your outfit for the day.

After getting dressed and listening to some tunes on your ihome we have to do tummy time. I hate making you upset, but the more and more we do it the better you get. It is amazing to see how you went from only being able to hold your head up for 10 seconds to a few minutes now. You like to stare at the lights on your kick piano, listen to your snail, and play with your go to favorite- mr. owl. Why are all of your stuffed animals mr. and mrs.? I am not sure.

Sometimes we try tummy time in your play mat too.

You love looking at the small beads in your tambourine. Whether it is being shook below you or above. Glad I took it out of your closet early!

Mr. Moose always provides you with a good time as you enjoy his crinkly sounding feet.

You have progressed so much this month in the hands department. Your discovering your hands and what they can do and boy is it amazing to watch! You love grabbing your green rattle ball and brining it to your mouth. You try to eat it, sticking your tongue through the holes. And boy oh boy do you have a long tongue. But, that will be our little secret, ok?

You have finally taken to your Sophie giraffe that everyone says babies will love. Well, you try to grab it, sometimes successfully, and chew on her head.

This month you have enjoying laying in your bouncer your friend Noelle lent you. It is easy to grab things hanging off the bar that dad and I attach. Your friend Vivi came to visit this month and she liked your bouncer too!

You are talking a lot more now and I just love to hear what you have to say!

Grandma R. and great-grandma V. came over to watch you one night while dad and I went out to dinner. Even though I trusted them I was so nervous to leave you, but grandma bathed you and put you to bed like a pro!

You have been loving your stuffed animal that grandma r. bought you that makes lots of silly noises. It gives me a bit of a headache listening to it, but if it makes you happy, who cares!

Great-grandma V. came over one afternoon and rocked you to sleep for me.

Then, she fell asleep next to you. How cute!

Talking about sleeping, you take your first nap of the day (usually 3 hours) in your swing. The second nap I have to bounce you for a few minutes with the white noise to put you down. You only sleep this nap for about 20 minutes. It would be nice if you fell asleep on your own, but we will work on that in months to come.

When your not napping and eating you are always up for a good time. Your the happiest little girl and always have a smile for mom and dad.

You have certainly been sucking on your hands the past two weeks. While I think you might have just discovered your fingers dad thinks you might be teething. You are not cranky at all, but I have been giving you different teethers to just enjoy. Whether your teething or not, at least your practicing those fine motor skills while trying to grab them and put them in your mouth.

We have discovered you love to sit up against daddy's chest some times. And he does love to hold you cutie girl!

Bath time is still hugely popular. We have a routine where we give you a bath around 7:30 and you love to chew on your washcloth while I sing lots of silly songs to you. We got you your first pink rubber ducky, but it just doesn't seem to want to sit up in the water. I guess that is what you get for a dollar at Walmart.

You have been enjoying an early christmas gift from grandma r. that we put in your crib. While I hoped it would put you to sleep if I put you in your crib drowsy it has not been the case. But, you have been enjoying the tunes and watching all of the animals swim around.

You are turning into such a little lady right before my eyes. 

You go with the flow and handled your two month shots, superstorm Sandy, a snowstorm, and a hour and a half Thanksgiving drive to Pennsylvania like a pro! This has been such a busy month and I just want to spend each and every minutes with you during the next 5 weeks before I have to return to work. Thinking about the w word makes me sad. Real sad! But hey, I need to work to keep fisher price still in business and buy you more cute stuff. Love you to the moon and back!

Love, 

Mom

Three Month Stats

- Weight: 9 lbs 14 oz. (At late 2 month appointment on November  8, 2012)

- Height:  22.5 in. (At late 2 month doctor's appointment on November 8, 2012)

- Diaper Size: Size 1

- Clothing Size: 3 months & about to start 6 month jammies for the length

- Favorite toys/activities: Kicking your piano in your crib, grabbing thing hanging in your play mat, sitting in your bouncer borrowed from Noelle grabbing your favorite green ball, chewing and licking your green ball, staring at the small balls in the tambourine, walks in your carrier, watching your silly doll grandma r. got you, eating your washcloth during bath time, and taking naps in your swing

Three Month Milestones
- First house decoration: Mini-felt pumpkin (Grandma R. bought it for your first place when she was at Updyke's in Point Pleasant)
- First hurricane: October 29, 2012 (Hurricane Sandy)

- First time you rolled over: November 4, 2012 (In crib when Dad put you on your belly for tummy time)

- First snow storm: November 7, 2012