My baby.

I love everything about babies, but especially their little feet and toes. Most people would agree that baby toes are pretty much irresistible.

This week has been hard for me. I've been doing a lot of thinking about life in general, our future and the inevitable 30 milestone I crash into on Thursday.

I always said I was going to be done having kids by the time I am 30. Well, that gives me two days to get pregnant and have baby. So yah folks, likely not a #3 for the Kelley Family...but I won't say never...yet anyways.

I went to our storage unit on Sunday to take all of our baby items we still have on hand and brought them to the house to sort and clean them. I don't know what came over me late last week, but something has urged me to just sell everything. I have to admit, that selling your baby stuff has to be one of the hardest things that a mom ever has to do. It's like saying, I'm ok never being pregnant again, it's ok if I never feel those tiny kicks again, it's ok that I'll never have another baby again. Man, this real life adult decisions are not easy to make. In all, we are just living our lives day by day and don't know what the future will bring. I feel like by holding on to all the baby stuff makes me (and only me---Doug's said he was done before we left the hospital with Miles) more pressed to decide or not to have third child.  Honestly I don't think you should ever be so pressed to make a HUGE life decision like this. I react better under less stress. So yeah maybe one day there will be baby #3, but just not anytime soon if we ever do decide to grow our family.

For now it's Doug, Amanda, Harrison, Miles, Violet Puppy, Sammy & Sully kitty, and fish named Dinosaur. I think this pretty much makes us a family of 8 already.


 

Miles @ 10 Months

Not ready. He will be one in just two months. Yep---pretty much I close my eyes and open them an there goes another milestone.

I absolutely love being his Mommy. I feel so completely blessed to have him---all the drolly, gummy smiles, the belly laughs. He brings so much happiness into our lives. If my mood is feeling out of sorts all I have to do is look at him and the world around suddenly disappears into a  that blissful moment. God gave me the best gift in life...to be a mother.

I'm late in posting this month...but I think it's more of an avoidance of that "growing up," thing he is doing.

Likes:

• To try to pull himself up on absolutely everything
• Make us giggle, his giggles echo back
• Drawers, cupboards, empty plastic water bottles
• When you sneak up on him or he sneak up on other people
• Phases, "I'm going to get you," "Ouch," "Boo"
• Playing with the puppies (and I'm sure they enjoy it too)
• Bath time
• Playing (stealing) Harrison's toys
• Food...Any and all kinds

Dislikes:

• When you leave the room (pretty sure he thinks we are running away)
• Getting dressed
• Being told, "NO." He'll burst into tears when you tell him
• Bibs (shrieks and tries to take it off unless you come armed with food)
• Diaper changes

Biggest achievement of the month:

• Crawling (kind of). He's got his own system down pulling his right leg inwards and using his arms and but too scoot around. Craziest mode of transportation I've seen, but it seems to be working for him. He's a little behind in the pulling himself up and crawling. I am totally ok with this. He can take him time doing everything, this Momma is in no hurry.

Biggest challenge of the month:

• More of a challenge for us than him---but getting both yard and housework done....he's into EVERYTHING. Nothing's safe anymore :)

Sleep: Fabulous. He sleeps for 10-12 hours at night. He usually says goodnight before 8 every evening. The last several days it's been more like 7/7:30. I suppose a growth spurt is on it's way.

He's also a good napper. He usually goes down from about 9 am to 11 am and then again 1:30/2:00 for 1 to 2 hours.

Personality/Temperament: Happy baby plain and simple.

He is most happy: getting attention
He is least happy: not getting attention

Baby Talk/Communication: Still working on noises. I am hearing more "ba, ba" sounds and shrieking---some happy, some not so much.

We just started sign language over the weekend. We are working the sign for "more" and "all done." So far no imitation---more of a "what the heck are you doing stare."

Eating: Have you seem him lately? Definitely not going without that is for sure. Still no teeth (I said maybe the earliest they would pop is 10 months). Yeah for hopes of having naturally straight teeth." Experts say, "the longer it takes for teeth to come in the straighter they USUALLY are. Despite having no chompers we have moved past 3rd foods into toddler meals. What can't be chewed can be gummified.

Sizing him up: Oh goodness. I am thinking at least 25 lbs by his first birthday. He's like a bottomless pit. There is no way you could ever tell her was a preemie. He's quickly growing out of 6-12 month wear into 12-18 months. He seems to fall into the same category of short and round like his brother. Makes shopping for two piece outfits challenging. Thank goodness he has some hand me downs---just hope they fit.

Teeth: None.

Motor skills: Working hard on crawling and pulling himself up. Does a fabulous job picking up toys, and throwing them around.

Out & About: We get out as much as we can. He is a much better shopper than his older brother was at this age. A little attention, a few puffs and he's a happy guy. He still gets the attention from women. Something about that baby chub is irresistible.

Firsts of the month: Imitating opening and closing his eyes...it's probably the cutest thing ever. I need to get video of it.

Favorite baby gear: It's not here yet---but we are finally getting a gate for the top of the stairs. It's some $150.00 but totally worth the relief of knowing your child isn't going to plunge down 19 stairs. Why is it so expensive? Our home was built in 1885, with the original stair case still in place it's nearly impossible to find a gate that will fit securely in place. We should have bought this gate 3 years ago.

 

Bee Report: Weeks 12-16

16 weeks is here!

size of baby: 12, weeks: plum, 13 weeks: peach, 14 weeks: lemon, 15 weeks: orange , 16 weeks: avocado. Hello second trimester! Baby is about 4.5 inches long and weighs about 3.5 oz. In the next few weeks Bee will double is size! This weeks bonus---baby Bee is starting to hear his/her first sounds thanks to tiny bones forming in the ears. Bee is also sprouting hair on his/her head eye brows and eye lashes.

cravings: Nothing crazy yet...I keep waiting, but I got nothing for you. The only thing is that Coke only tastes good in the morning. Yes, you can still have  a couple of Coke's a day, perfectly safe for mom and baby says every doctor/specialist I've seen.

what I love: The excitement of breaking the news to people who don't know we are expecting yet. And worth mentioning again...anytime you mention baby, Harrison smiles ear to ear.

what I am looking forward to the most: I would be lying if I didn't share the first thought that came to my mind when answering this question...I am looking forwarding to not being so scared. I am looking forward to a sense of calmness that I sure hope it finds me soon. I thought after the procedure last Friday I would find relief, but if anything I am more scared. I am scared of becoming connected to something we want and love so much and to have that taken away, I can not imagine. And it's totally obvious and clear we are already connected and are in love with Bee; so then why I am so scared? I have been avoided doing any shopping... (and that's not me). We are looking for a bassinet for the bedroom, found one I loved at a second hand store, I made 2 half hour trips to look at it again and decided not to buy it. I went back yesterday to purchase it and it had been sold. We also need a new baby monitor among a some other things, but I find it difficult to push myself to look. I am afraid I will by 37 weeks along and have not bought a single thing. I know we have time, but I am a planner. We had Harrison's nursery complete at 26 weeks.

worries: I worry about my job performance. I feel like I haven't been there for a couple of weeks, my mind is floating somewhere else. I worry about Bee, I worry about that I worry too much. I worry that I am not doing enough planning, I worry I have too much on my plate between work, photos, being a mom and a wife.

what's different this time around: Early movement. I felt Bee's first flutters at week 13. Those flutters feel more like a swimming gold fish now. I can't wait too feel strong regular kick, surely the best part of pregnancy.

symptoms: Bigger bras again this month. Yep, pretty certain if I didn't have this belly below this rack I could easily be up against those Victoria Secret Angel models. I am also a little more emotional, especially when it comes to Harrison's accomplishments. He has come so far.

maternity clothes: I have a few shirts, but most of my regular clothes still fit, but definitely more snug. I am excited to look some cute summer dresses, one specifically for our gender reveal photo session (in just a few weeks).

sleep: What's that? I haven't slept well in the past few weeks. I can sleep for as long as about 4-5 hours at a time max.

belly: Definitely growing! It's wider and softer than it was with Harrison's pregnancy. I never made an outty belly button with Harrison, but some days already it's showing it won't be long before Bee makes it certain that it will happen this pregnancy. I continue to use tons of cocoa butter, it helps against itching from skin stretching to accommodate Bee's growth.

movement: Yep, especially at night is when I feel those tiny kicks. I am usually glued to the lap top editing photos and then I feel those pokes. Bee is also active after I eat something he/she must really like.

boy/girl: My gut feeling is still a girl. Intelligender, the Chinese calender and Harrison say girl. Either boy or girl we will be over joyed! We find out two weeks from today!

milestones: Making it to the second trimester, it's been a bumpy road, but together Bee and I are a team and we have a whole team of support behind us.

comments from the general pubic: Your so small...Your going to have a beach ball. I had my first belly rub from a friend last week and she said, "whoa there really is bump there."

best moment of the month: Kicks, listening to Bee's tiny heart beat multiple times, the daily reminders from my i-Phone of pregnancy to dos. But best yet, the continued support from friends and family. I am always getting phone calls, texts, e-mails, and FB messages with supportive thoughts and prayers. This means the world to our family.


Now, the moment you have been waiting for...

I did a few shots in something with a little color, it makes my bump a little more, well bumpier.

 We even bought the "Bee Movie"

My favorite shot...told you he is so in love with Bee!

Are you still convinced there is no bump? Check out this comparison.

Baby

Remember Harrison's tea party from last June? Some things aren't just for girls you know...



Harrison likes his babies---correction, loves babies. He is quick to point them out, especially when we are out in public. The word "baby" is probably one of the most used words in his vocabulary.

I have been looking and looking for a baby doll for him for sometime now. You see growing up, I had some pretty cool baby dolls, so my expectations were high. However, I quickly found I had to lower my standards. Have you been down the doll aisle lately? What is with these babies these days? None of them look real and honestly the coolness of them wasn't even a five and not to mention I only found one baby boy doll out of at least 100 that was male gender.

Well anyways... I FINALLY found a realistic baby doll that met my criteria. The baby opens and closes it's eyes makes noise while drinking the bottle and sucking on the pacifier, it can cry when you set it down and when it's laying down it makes breathing movements. Now...that is closer to cool. We even dressed the baby in some dino jammies and made a girl baby into a boy baby.

 I had better luck finding boy clothes...less luck finding a boy stroller.

 Saved the best for last---LOVE.