8 Months Old

Dear Isabella,

Here I sit again. You are 8 months old today. I love that you were born on the first of the month. As each month begins, I feel as if a new stage is beginning in your life. You continue to be a Momma's Girl. And you continue to learn new things each day. This month you learned to wave hi and bye and you are working on clapping your hands. You have the idea, but just can't quite make contact. You are officially sitting up - you like to sit on the floor and play with your toys (as long as I am sitting right there with you). You don't have any interest in crawling or rolling, which makes my life a little easier. I know the time is coming when I am going to be chasing you around....
You love having dance parties with Alex and me. Sometimes I hold you and dance around the room. Sometimes I stand you up, and you bounce and bounce. You have gotten 5 teeth in three weeks! The first couple were pretty tough - you were fussy for a few days, but now you are handling it much better. You love Cheerios. You eat them all day. You think you are so cool picking up each Cheerio and putting it in your mouth and chewing it like it is a piece of steak. You do a good job, although sometimes I look over and you have Cheerios stuck to your face! You love apple juice in a bottle, but will still not drink soy formula or water. (I won't tell you that I water down that apple juice so much that it is water with a shot of juice in it!) You love taking baths in the kitchen sink. Last week it was so warm, I opened the kitchen window and you sat in the sink and splashed and splashed.

We have welcomed Spring this month. You love being outside, which means we should buy some stock in sunscreen! You are the fairest one of all.... We have been playing on the deck and taking walks in the stroller and in the wagon. We rock on our front porch rocking chairs. Last week we sat on the front porch and watched a thunderstorm roll in!

You celebrated your first Easter this month. We went to the beach for the weekend with the John side of the family and then came home and had Easter dinner at Nana and Pop Pop's house.
You and I also had our first girl's road trip. We drove to New Jersey to visit "the cousins" and say goodbye to Steph - she went to live in Australia for two years. You also met three of Grandma Mela's sisters. It was so wonderful to see you with them. They fell in love at first sight. It made me feel so good to realize how deep family love goes, and that it only takes a minute for someone to fall in love with you...but then again I already knew that.

I love you Moo Moo,

Momma

Her face is a map of the world

Is a map of the world

You can see she's a beautiful girl

She's a beautiful girl

And everything around her is a silver pool of light
The people who surround her feel the benefit of it

It makes you calm

She holds you captivated in her palm

-KT Tunstall

Happy Easter!

We had a great Easter. This weekend we went to the beach with my family. We played at the playground, went on the boardwalk and ate junk food, we swam in the (indoor) pool, had an (indoor) Easter egg hunt, a big family dinner, and dyed eggs. And that was all BEFORE Easter. On Easter, we woke up and realized the Easter Bunny had hidden the baskets. Alex found them! Then we went to church. After church we drove to Nana and Pop Pop's house. There we had another Easter egg hunt, found the baskets the bunny hid for us there, and had another big dinner. We are so blessed to such wonderful families.

Our 4th Anniversary

Another year has gone by. We are in our dream home and have a beautiful baby girl. I just watched my wedding video with Alex. Things are so different then they were that day only 4 short years ago. As we were watching, I was noticing how skinny I was, how young Jay looked (you look better now, honey), how some who were there are no longer with us, how some are now married, and how some who were pregnant now have sons that are my son's friends.

Four years ago, Jay danced with me. Today, as we watched, Alex danced with me. I told him, half jokingly, that this was the last day of my life that was "all about me." In just a few weeks we would find out about him. And he said, "Yea, Mom. It is all about me, now!"

I am not going to lie - my life does revolve around my kids. But my husband is my life. He is strong and good and hardworking. He isn't afraid to say he is sorry. He loves his children with an unending patience. On this day, I think back to our wedding day and before. I remember the first day I met him at a party in Canton when I "had him from hello," our first date in Federal Hill when he kissed me, and all the ballgames, dinners and drinks, beach trips, and hurricanes and blizzards we shared in those few first years. Yes, things are so different now. But in the best way. We now have not only each other but our babies, and we have so many "little moments" that make up each and every day and each and every memory.

I love you, Jay. Happy Anniversary.

7 Months Old

Dear Isabella,

Another month has passed. It seems as if each month goes by faster than the last. You have grown and changed so much during this past month. There is so much to say, but I have decided to narrow my thoughts into my top ten most favorite things about you.

10. You love to eat. You will devour any baby food - peas, prunes, turkey that smells like dog food.... This wasn't always the case. Last month, I could barely get you to eat your baby food. You say "baba" when you want to eat and even make little chewing motions with your mouth. And although you still won't take a bottle, you love to nurse. And that is my most favorite time. It is so adorable how you can smile up at me and nurse at the same time.

9. You have lots of little tricks. You can make the "AHHHH" sound with your hand and your mouth. You like to stick out your tongue. You love to play "peek-a-boo." You can "beep" my nose. You give the best kisses too! And you have found your feet. You love to hold onto both of them at the same time.

8. Speaking of your feet. I love how they are constantly in motion. You are always twirling your ankles and moving your toes. I can imagine you someday as a ballerina or maybe as a soccer player.

7. I was able to put a bow in your hair for the first time this month. Need I say more?

6. You are sleeping about 12 hours a night. Every night, I put you in your pajamas, nurse you, rock you, sing to you and read to you. And then I lay you in your crib and you hold your giraffe and your doll. I cover you up, and say, "May God bless you." And then you go right to sleep.

5. Your belly laughs. I love making you laugh. But no one can make you laugh like Alex. You are his biggest fan.








4. The way you look at your daddy...like he hung the moon (which he did). You say "Dada." It was your first word.

3. The way you act shy when someone talks to you. You give them a shy little smile and then you put your head on my shoulder and look up at them with those big blue eyes. You sure know how to melt a heart.

2. When you cuddle. You are still a Momma's Girl. You want me to hold you all of the time. You love to sit on my lap and cuddle. You touch my face and even hold onto my hair. I cannot even leave your sight for a minute. And that leads us to my #1 favorite thing....

1. When you say "Momma." There is nothing as sweet as the sound of you saying my name.

Happy 7th Month!
I love you my little Kissaroo,
Momma

Lullabies

Alex and I were putting Isabella to bed tonight. We were singing songs and saying our prayers. When he was a baby, I made up a silly song that I always sing to him. He wanted to sing it to her tonight.

Do you know how much I love you?

Do you know how much I care?

You're my pumpkin.

You're my pie.

You're the apple of my eye.

Do you know how much I love you?

Do you know how much I care?

You're my pride.

You're my joy.

You're my little baby boy...

When we got to the last line he laughed and said to Isabella, "No, you're my little baby girl. You are my sweetheart!"

As if that weren't enough to bring me to tears, then he told me he wanted to sing her another lullaby. And here are the words he sang as he held his baby sister's hand...

Go to sleep.

Go to sleep.

Go to sleep little baby.

Close your eyes.

Snuggle down.

And rest your little head.

Shut your eyes and go to sleep.

I will give you a kiss goodnight.

When you wake up and see the sun,

you will have my wish.

I asked him where he learned it, and he said from Max and Ruby. I have spent the past hour trying to find it online so I can see the real words, but I cannot find it. I guess the real words don't really matter anyway. What matters is how much my little boy loves my little girl. There is nothing else in this world that matters as much as this.

Alex-isms 5

Sometimes I think Alex doesn't listen to a word I say. But I could not be more wrong. He quotes me on a daily basis, and in the correct contexts too!

• I have been known to say to Jay at the end of a long day, "I am so done!" He was mad at Jay and told him, "I am so done with you, Daddy."
• His friend Brody was upset the other night and Alex told him, "You just need to calm down."
• Alex has been saying a bad word or two lately. I have threatened to wash his mouth out with soap, and actually followed through with it once. Tonight Jay said "stupid," and Alex didn't miss a beat..."Momma, get the soap and wash out Daddy's mouth. Daddy, your mouth will burn!"
• I HATE whining! Alex gets NO WHERE with me when he whines. Tonight at dinner, Jay kept telling him to eat. Alex looked at him and said, "I will...if you stop whining."

Alex-isms 4

It has been awhile since I have written an entry - life can really get away from you sometimes. But thankfully, I have been keeping notes on some of the funny things Alex has been saying lately.

• Alex is Mr. Literal. He loves to correct other people every chance he gets. For instance, "I didn't hurt my finger Mom, I hurt my thumb." "It is not a diaper Mom, it is a pull-up."
• Alex has a way with words. Sometimes that boy can melt my heart. The other day he said, "You are the best Mommy I ever had in my whole life." And he can break my heart too. I always tell him that even when I am mad at him, I still love him everyday. Today he was mad at me and said, "Mommy, I don't like you on any days." (He later changed his mind-Thank GOD).
• Alex is up-to-date on current events. Whenever Barack Obama comes on television, he says, "That's A-Rock Obama. He is our President."
• Alex is interested in learning about God. Last week after we said our prayers I was telling him how God watches out for us. He asked me, "Where is God? I can't see Him." We went to church on Sunday. It had been awhile since I have taken him with me. We were a few minutes late. We were standing in the back. He said, "Come on Mom. Let's go in. We are missing all the fun." Then he pointed to the priest and asked, "Is that God?" Once we were seated in the pew, he was sitting quietly. The little girl behind him kept talking to him. He turned around and said, "Shh! You have to be quiet in here!"
• Alex is very detail oriented. When he tells a story he gives you all the details. For instance here is his rendition of what happened the other night when the smoke detectors went off, which he tells anyone and everyone who will listen. "You know those round things (smoke detectors)? Well, Daddy was cooking on the grill. And he opened the door and smoke came in. And the round things started making a lot of noise. And they were saying FIRE! FIRE! And daddy was trying to hush them. I was crying. Momma had to drive Izzy Bizzy and me around the neighborhood. We were looking for deer. Then the fire truck came and the men - one was wearing a green shirt - came inside to check out the problem. Then they said everything was okay and there was no fire. So then it was okay for us to come back inside. Daddy let me stay up late and watch Clone Wars and Scooby Do. I fell asleep on the couch. The next day I got a fire truck toy!" Not only is his story detailed - it is accurate too!

6 Months Old

Dear Isabella,
Happy 6th Month Birthday. Six months ago tonight visiting hours were over, and Daddy and I were alone with you for the first time. Our sweet tiny baby girl. We touched your little face, hands, and feet. How things have changed. Now it is you who reach out and touch our faces and our hands. And you love to hold onto your own little feet.

This month you went on your first family vacation. We went to South Seas Plantation on Captiva Island in Florida. We had a great time, and you loved putting your feet in the sand. You weren't too happy about the pool though! We also celebrated your first Valentine's Day, "Our Little Love."
You have become such a little Momma's Girl. If you are awake, you want me to hold you. You have been crying at nap time and bedtime until I pick you up. You still smile at everyone, but if I am there you want me! I absolutely love it, but I get nothing done. I have been putting you in the sling. You are as happy as can be, all cuddled up next to me holding your Giraffe. I am cherishing how much you need me and want me all the time. I can't imagine a time when it will be different.

The past 6 months have been the best of my life. I can't believe that in six more months we will be celebrating your first birthday. I hope the time goes slowly, but if the past six months are any indication, I know it won't. I promise to savor every moment.

Love you Busy Bee,
Momma

It's My Potty...

Exciting news in the Beynon house! After months, and I mean months, of ZERO interest in potty training, Alex has now decided to "get the hang of it." (His words not mine!) Tuesday he came home from school and put on his Spider-man undies and that was that! In just a few short days, he has gone from needing me in there reading to him to needing "privacy." And his "wee-wee" is now a "wiener." We have had a few minor setbacks: "Momma, my legs are all wet." "Momma, it just came out!" But other than that he is officially a BIG BOY!

5 Months Old

Dear Isabella,

It was 5 months ago today that you came into this world. And I know I say this every month, but where has the time gone? I feel like every time I go to get you out of your crib, you are bigger and your smile is brighter.

That smile of yours is the most beautiful thing in the world. Your eyes, which are still as blue as can be, smile right along with that cute little bow of a mouth. The phrase "Happy Baby" is used to describe you all the time!

Everyone always comments on your blue eyes and fair skin. Your Nana and your Pop both have blue eyes, so that is where you get yours. I wonder if they will stay blue? I am guessing the fair skin must have come from your Grandma John and your "Great-Aunt" Kathy. It certainly didn't come from Momma. Your skin is so sensitive too. You get rashes and eczema all the time and even had hives this month. When I give you a bath, I put baby oil on you and you are so slippery to hold, but it seems to help!

This month you tried rice cereal for the first time. You like to take the spoon away from me and put it in your own mouth. You also tried formula - but that is when you broke out in hives. We hope you are not allergic. We have to wait a few weeks to try it again.

We have been working on napping and sleeping in your crib. You were sleeping through the night, but then you started waking up every few hours. I think that had to do with having a cold and a cough. You seem to be feeling better, so hopefully you will start sleeping longer at night again.

We get such a kick out of watching you reach for things now. You love to reach your little hands out to your toys, to our faces, and especially to Alex's hair. Sometimes you grab onto it, but he doesn't even mind. You can do no wrong in his eyes...yet (ha ha).

You are our little doll. I say "our" because if I ever call you "mine," Alex always corrects me. He says you are "Our Baby." And he is right. You not only fill my heart with the joy of being able to watch you learn and grow, but you are the most important thing in the world to your daddy and brother too!

Love You Sweet Cheeks - Momma