Reese at TWO.

*Talks ALL of the time.

*Has a personality that I ADORE. She is the perfect combination of independent and cautious. She will play by herself incredibly well for good periods of time, but she needs to know where Momma is and wants to be held A LOT. 

*Loves to laugh, read, "love" on Brother, eat snacks, and say "OK."

*Weighs 30 pounds.

*Has a passion for jewelry and accessories. 

*ADORES her Daddy. This relationship has been so fun to watch since Graham has entered the picture. She absolutely lights up when Daddy walks in the door, and she prefers him over me when we are both available. Most of the time. They have special things they do together such as dance in the front room with blankets over her head, sing songs together, play ball outside, make bubbles, and practice her cheer moves as the "flyer."

*Sleeps from 7pm to 7:45ish in the morning. Naps from 1-3ish in the afternoon.

*Goes to Mothers Day Out each Monday and is doing so, so well. However, she's only fallen asleep once at nap time. Normally she just quietly reads books on her nap mat.

*Asks to pray for different buddies during the day. Yesterday it was Leah and Campbell. The day before was Timmy. She even asked me to pray some more once we finished yesterday morning on our way to Bible study. 

*Recognizes the letters of the alphabet, colors, several shapes, and way more objects and living things than I thought she knew.

*Counts from 1-14. (She gets hung up on a few.)

*Has definite favorite TV shows, and most are on PBS Kids. Super Why, Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood,  Sesame Street, Curious George, and Clifford. She also loves Mickey Mouse, Little Einsteins, and the occasional Dora. 

*Speaks in 3-4 word phrases/sentences. Repeats pretty much everything I say.

*Says Please-Okay and Thank You-You're Welcome. A LOT.

*Loves playing with her kitchen and play food. 

*Pushes her baby dolls in strollers all over the house.

*Prefers waffles or toast for breakfast, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with fruit and veggie chips for lunch, and grilled chicken with ketchup for dinner. LOTS of organic fruit/veggie pouches are consumed around here, too. And lots of other typical toddler food. 

*Drinks at least 8 ounces of Organic 2% milk in the morning followed by another cup at nap time and bed time. She doesn't usually drink all of the last two cups.

*Loves Veggie Tales and her Veggie Tales Stacking Blocks.

*Enjoys play-doh and coloring with crayons and markers.

*Can sing several songs...cutest thing ever.

*I'm sure I'm leaving out so many things about my daughter that I want to record, but my free time is almost up, and I want to go eat one of the cookies Reese and I made before nap time is over for the day. And my brain is still kind of mushy.

 A look back at the 2nd Birthday celebrations and a few of Reese since she's turned the big TWO.

 Family picture at her party on September 1st. (Didn't turn two until the 18th, but we knew the actual day would be a bit too crazy to have a party.)

 The 18th. Woke up in a GOOD mood. "Mornin', Momma," she said.

 We took a birthday stroll to the playground. She loves to swing.

 Bestie Campbell brought over cupcakes on the big day.

 And she spent the afternoon reading books in her rocking chair.

 Cousins came over at night for pizza and cupcakes.

 And she got a special birthday smoothie, too.

 My sweet-natured two year old.

 Farmers Market with Mopsy.

 NICU Reunion. Year two.

 Pumpkin Patch Fun.

 I wasn't kidding about the jewelry and accessories comment.

 Practicing her cheerleading skills and calling the Hogs.

Yep, she loves her Daddy.

ONE Month Old.

Graham is ONE month old today. I feel like he's been here forever, and I feel like it was yesterday that we headed to the hospital to welcome him to the world. It's been a crazy month, and that's pretty evident by my lack of blogging. I've thought about it often, but I either clean, sleep, read, or just sit when I have free moments instead. I have started a TWO year old post for Reese that I should have published soon. However, I told myself that I wouldn't let October 10th go by without sharing some pictures of my sweet little guy and recording what he's up to right now. 

Like I said, it's been a crazy month. I just don't know how great of a new newborn mom I am. I mean, I take care of this guy like nobody's business, but my mental state has been in constant anxiety, analysis, stress, and need for control. Those things don't really mesh well with an unpredictable newborn. However, by the grace of God, He is mellowing out my anxiousness and stress and gently revealing how much more freeing and relaxing it is to rely on Him and not worry about every little detail of Graham's behavior and what that may mean for his sleep routines, etc. down the road. My stress level has consistently gone down every day this past week, and my enjoyment of my little boy has increased each day. I'm a huge fan of my son. (I wanted to make sure I wrote the not so positive emotions down because of how helpful they have been to me when I read other friends' blogs.) I still have high hopes of sleep training early and getting into a good routine, but I'm not overanalyzing every time Graham wakes up early, cries inconsolably, or fusses after eating. I know he will nap and sleep at night on his own in the future. I know he will play and not fuss the majority of the time when he's awake. He's still extra sleepy right now. These things just take time, and I guess it has taken me some time to remember and recognize that. 

Okay, so here is what he's up to at ONE month...

*GCW eats about every 3 hours. Just in the past two days has he really made it to 3 hours all day long. Before, he would nurse anywhere from every 2-3 hours during the day.

*Graham usually has a 4ish hour stretch at night. He's done 5 1/2 hours, and some nights he only makes it 3. 

*G-Man hates the adorning of the swaddle but loves it once he's in.

*I think he has smiled a couple of times at me. Oh My Goodness. 

*He makes a few "Ah" sounds, and they are fabulous.

*He weighed 10 pounds at his 2 week appointment, and I would expect him to be around 11 or a little over at this point. 

*He nurses in about 10-15 minutes.

*He likes to be held upright and has a few other reflux symptoms.

*GCW goes to the chiropractor twice a week.

*Graham sleeps in his Rock n Play sleeper.

*Umbilical cord fell off at church a day before he turned 3 weeks old. 

*He seems to be sensitive and possibly easily overstimulated.

*His inconsolable periods of crying have decreased in the past few days, but we still aren't to the 6 week crying peak, so I'm not celebrating yet.

*He looks like his sister's newborn pictures, but many say they see lots of Wes in him, too. I can't wait to watch him grow.

*Two dimples just like Daddy!

*Some of his dark hair is starting to fall out which is totally expected. Reese lost lots of her hair as well before getting a full head of curly hair a year and a half later!

*I've cut out dairy and most caffeine to see if any improvements in the gassy/congestion area are made. 

*He wakes himself up with gas pains and grunting most mornings between 3 and 6am. Reese grunted a lot but was able to sleep through it. Little Graham cries.

Graham, You really have stolen my heart. I feel like I learn to love you better every day, and my love for you is so, so strong. I already can't imagine what our family would be like without you. You are such an incredible blessing and miracle, and I'm so honored to be your Momma.

Graham at ONE month.

And for comparison...here is Reese at ONE month.