Bren at 8 and 9 months

Our little girl is getting so big!

The last two months Bren has taken off in motor development, we feel like she'll be walking any time now.

Bren:
- started crawling on Father's Day. She has a funny crawl, keeping her left leg bent and dragging it along as she uses her arms and her right leg. She's gotten speedy of late.
- is standing up on her own, loves to walk around holding your fingers, and can now use a walker (supervised and still working on guiding it)
- her bottom left tooth finally came in (almost one month after the first one did) and she seems to be cutting her top teeth.
- has begun eating small pieces of food like watermelon, bananas, cooked carrots, bread, puffs, cantaloupe, and strawberries.
- can now clap and even roll her hands (in 'Pat-a-Cake' "roll 'em up...")
- beginning to show separation anxiety when being handed off from Mom or Dad
- holds on with your legs when being held
- has become more cuddly, burying her head into your shoulders
- has such an exuberant personality, loves to laugh, and expresses her likes/dislikes
- mimics sounds really well (like clicking)
- went to Nashville, Cincinnati Zoo, Nana and Grandads, & Jonathan and Adrian's wedding.

Maggie at 8 months

Maggie at 9 months

A Summary of Year 2

Maggie turned 3-years old June 25th. She had a great day celebrating with Mom and Dad - eating donuts, opening presents (Disney princess dolls, princess tent, pirate ship for the bathtub),watching movies (Monsters Inc., Despicable Me), eating ice cream and playing at Chick-fil-A (a staple in our house).

This past year has been quite a year for Maggie. We have moved to a new town, started a new school and church, and lived in two different homes. She has been amazing through it all! Maggie has learned to do many things over this past year and I'm sure I will forget to record some of them, but here are the ones that I can think of:

- Ride a big wheel and tricycle
- Ride a bike with training wheels
- Ride a scooter
- Hopscotch (which she sometimes calls 'hipscotch' :) )
- Attempts to hula hoop (she knows how its supposed to happen, but hasn't quite mastered it yet)
- Hits/Kicks a ball 
- Love bouncy houses
- Moved into a full size bed
- Became a big sister October 8, 2012
- Has been potty-trained for a year and a few months, with very few accidents
- Goes to the bathroom by herself - wipes, flushes, washes hands
- Brushes her own teeth (and wants to squeeze the toothpaste onto the brush)
- Can get her own water out of the refrigerator door
- Opens the refrigerator to put her milk cup in and out
- Loves PB & J, usually have a waffle with peanut butter on it everyday for breakfast
- Favorite foods include mac n cheese, cheese, grapes, apples, BANANAS, and anything sweet
- Vegetables you'll eat: broccoli, green beans, tomatoes, sometimes potatoes & carrots
- Finally got her two year molars (at around 2.5 years old)
- Moved into two houses in Cookeville (still call our current one our "new house")
- Went to: Cape San Blas (2x), Disney World Magic Kingdom, Louisville and Nashville a lot, Murray (2x), Cincinnati (Zoo), Campbellsville (Christmas), Chattanooga (Children's Museum and Aquarium)
- Got a pass to Cookeville Children's Museum and go often
- Rode on a train (Thomas the Train event in Nashville)
- Attended First Baptist Church's MDO (July 2012- May 2013)
- Attended your first VBS June 17-21, 2013
- Can write your name  (and any letter of the alphabet that we walk you through)
- Can draw a circle, triangle, face, clouds
- Can count to 20
- Enjoy drawing/painting, playing with play-doh, playing on your Ipod, playing with friends
- Some of her closest friends: Alex, Abby, Anna O; Canon R; Kara H; Levi M; Marin R; still keep in touch with Jacob R and Katherine
- Says her own prayers
- Knows the roles of God (Father), Jesus (Son), and the Holy Spirit (Protector); can name the first four books of the NT; knows what gospel means; knows the first and last books of the Bible
- Loves the story of David and Goliath, Moses as a baby, and Joseph

I'm sure there is much more, this girl is amazing :). We love you Maggie!

Maggie on her 2nd birthday

Maggie - one year later! This pic was taken at My Old KY Home 6/12/13

6 and 7 Months

I let the 6 month milestone go by without recording as we were a little busy that month moving into our new house and going on vacation. This post will include both 6 and 7 month milestones.

- Went to Chattanooga with our family to the Creative Discovery Museum March 14th
- Moved into our new house March 30th and you finally moved into your own crib (you had been in a bassinet until then)
- Introduced to solids, which you thoroughly enjoy. So far you have tried carrots, avocado, and green beans.
- First time at the beach April 4th, you liked the sand ok; we're going again in July and I think you will love playing in the water because you love bathtime
- Traveled quite a bit this month - to Disney and the Cape April 1-6; Murray, KY April 15-18 to visit with Rudy and Fran; JoJo and RadRad's and Nana and Grandad's April 23-27.
- You had your 6-month pictures taken and your 6-month dr. visit which included shots and antibiotics for an ear infection (this was your second one :/)
- Weigh 17 lbs 12 oz and are 27.25 inches long; Size 3 diapers; 6 and 9 month clothing
- Say 'Mama', 'Dada', 'Baba'
- Easily roll from stomach to back; have rolled from back to stomach one time :). You have the ability but don't really care to do it. You'll usually roll on to your side and then back. You much prefer to be sitting up.
- Quite the cuddle bug. You love being held and reach to give Maggie hugs at night. Also give open mouth kisses.
- When you fall asleep you like to have a blankie by your face.
- You definitely like your paci.
- Really like dolls and get excited when you are given a new one.
- Show happiness by cough laughing.
- Your personality is blossoming.

Bren at 7 months

Raspberries

Maggie at 7 months

Bren is 5 Months!

Bren turned 5 months old on March 8th.

This month's milestones include:
- wearing size 2 (about to move up to size 3) diapers; 6 month clothing
- Still off the chart in height at 27.25 inches, moved to 86% in weight at 16 lbs 13 oz
- Celebrated your first Valentine's Day 2/14/13
- Began rolling over from front to back
- Went to Grand Cayman (2/8-12); Louisville Zoo and Science Center (2/25 and 27); Children's Museum and Aquarium in Chattanooga (3/4-5)
- Sit up unassisted for a little while (March 6th)
- Love playing in the exersaucer and jumperoo
- Love your Taggie blankie by your face when you fall alseep
- Want to be around people all the time, cry when you are by yourself
- Enjoy being held, snuggled, and tickled
- Made the "ma" and "da" sounds
- Found out that your tongue can turn all around
- Began buzzing your lips together and sometimes make spit bubbles
- Reach out for everything
- Sleeping through the night from 10 pm - 8 am, take several small naps (30 min - 1 hour) during the day or two longer naps (1-1.5 hours)

These are my toes, aren't they awesome?!

Bren at 5 months

Maggie at 5 months

4 Months

Bren turned 4 months in the Cayman Islands February 8th... what a great place to celebrate :).

This month Bren:
- Wears size 2 diapers, 3 month and 3-6 month clothing
- Weighs 16 lbs.
- Hand-eye coordination has really increased. She easily brings items to and from her mouth and grabs objects that she wants.
- Has begun to show interest in food. She loves watching us eat and tries to grab for food/drink in our hands.
- Has been fighting a cold :/, seems like this has been the story of her little life so far, the curses of winter and germs I guess.
- Is very vocal. Laughs out loud, coos, and will let you know if she is unhappy about something - she's got some pipes!
- Sits up really well, almost unassisted (she leans forward too far which prevents her). She likes sitting up in her Bumbo seat and the exersaucer (for shorter periods of time). She has not shown interest in rolling over, although she enjoys being on her tummy and back.
- Loves watching Maggie and Lucy play.
- Enjoys bath time, especially with sister.
- Sleeps through the night! She will go to bed around 10 pm and sleep until 8 am. Takes several short naps throughout the day (30 min-1 hour).
- Seems like she tries to give you kisses when you kiss her cheek, she turns her head and puts her open mouth on your cheek.
- Went to the circus in Louisville, KY with Nana, Maggie, and Mom.
- Went to Grand Cayman to visit with the Richmonds. She was fabulous on the plane - slept during most of the flights!

Bren at 4 months

Maggie at 4 months

Bren is 3 months!

My, how the time flies (and yes, I realize I say this every month)!

Bren turned 3 months January 8th.

- At the end of the month she began really sleeping through the night, from 11 p.m. to 9 a.m.; she was sleeping from 11 p.m. to about 4:30-5:30 a.m. and then getting up again around 8 a.m.
- Had 3 month pictures taken
- Got first round of shots (her 2 month shots) and did really well
- Began wearing size 2 diapers
- Is in all 3 month clothing
- Celebrated Christmas with both families. With mine in Campbellsville and Mt. Washington and with Sam's in Nashville.
- Grasping objects with both hands
- Still enjoys looking at her hand
- Tracking people or Lucy across the room really well
- Enjoys watching Maggie and Lucy
- Almost impossible to catch her smiling because she stares at the camera, in the picture below my mom got her smiling and I snapped the picture quickly

Bren at 3 months

Cousin Harper and Bren at Christmas

Maggie at 3 Months

New Year, New You

I feel like the title of this blog post is an oft-quoted phrase when the new year rolls around. I fall in with the majority of people and create several new year's resolutions - which is not always a bad thing. It's great to start fresh, refocus, and set new goals. For most people (myself included) the motivation to continue with those resolutions tends to wane as the newness of the new year fades.

I am so thankful that our God gives us new mercies every morning instead of making us wait until the next new year. Instead of focusing on new year's resolutions I can focus on the new day's resolutions. What things do I want to accomplish that bring me closer to God, take care of my family, and myself today? When I fall short of my goals that day, with God's mercy I will have another day to try again.

Great is His faithfulness, morning by morning, new mercies I see. All I have needed His hand has provided. Great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me. He gives strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow. Blessing all mine, with thousands beside!

"Great is Thy Faithfulness" by Thomas Obediah Chisholm