Elana

My second born daughter is four months old now.  It has been a long and short four months.  The most challenging and happiest four months.  I figured it was time to do an update on my current youngest child for me to remember how she has grown without losing the memories through my sleep deprived state of being. 

Elana is such a happy baby.  I'm really not just saying that because she is my kid, but she really is happy.  Her smile is HUGE and very contagious.  She doesn't like to be alone and will cry out if she isn't in the presence of others and she loves to let you know that she is around by cooing and babbling often, so I'm gathering that she will be a social butterfly, unlike her sister.

As I am anxious to see what her personality will be like, but I also don't want to rush the growing process.  I love her being little and wish I could keep her that way.  

Currently, Elana is not sleeping through the night.  I'm working on it.  We had her four month appointment a few days ago and I wanted to wait until then to start her on rice cereal.  So far, she LOVES it, but I'm still waiting on the sleeping benefits.  Maybe she is just going through a growth spurt now too, but being woken up three times at night is no fun.

She is getting much better with her trunk control and using her hands more and more. 

What I love most about having Elana, is seeing her and Emmy interact.  The way Elana watches Emmy is heartwarming.  Emmalyn has no idea how much she is adored by her sister.  I love how Emmy has taken on her role as big sister.  She loves to read to her sister, show her new toys, take baths with her, help get her dressed, and is constantly telling her sister how much she loves her.  Never having a sister myself to grow up with, I'm enjoying the view. 

2014 goals

I don't usually make new year's resolutions, but the more I think about it, the start of a new year is as good of a time as any to reevaluate one's state, reflect on the past year's mistakes and failures, and make goals to better the next year. 

For me, most of 2013's self discoveries happened after Elana was born and I intend on taking what I've learned and moving forward.

In the next 358 days I intend to...

Get more organized

I'm obsessed with cleaning.  And as my house is clean, it really isn't organized well and there are so many things that need to be overhauled with organization.  My kitchen, important papers, toys, clothes photos, computer files, time, I could go on and on.  I also know, from experience, that getting organized won't happen unless I take baby steps and work on one thing at a time.  So, I'm going to try to take one thing a month that I'd like to organize and get it done the best way I know how. 

Purge unneeded things

I do this yearly.  Mostly because we have moved every year that we have been married and moving makes it easy to see the things you never use.  I love it.  I'm the opposite of a hoarder.  However, I need to get rid of clothes.  I have clothes from before I ever has children, while I was pregnant with my girls, clothes from immediately after giving birth, a few more months after giving birth, and then regular clothes.  Granted, they are all organized, but there is a lot of them and no way I'll ever be able to wear them all again.  So, once a month I'll be going through my closet to purge pieces I know just need to go.

Play more with my girls

I want to be a mom whose children remember me being engaged with them.  I love teaching Emmy things and seeing Elana learn new things daily.  I have to remind myself that the baskets of laundry and the sink full of dishes can wait.  The chores will get done in time, but time won't stop and my babies won't quit growing.

Save some money

Lord willing, this year we plan to purchase a house.  I'm not getting my hopes up because life seems to get in the way of the plans I make, but it is still in the back of mind.  I'm elated to think of having a home of my own to do with what I choose and I have some major pinterest ideas to put to work.

workout more

I know a lot of people say this, but this isn't completely about losing weight (although losing some post baby lbs would be nice).  I've been trying to run lately (I say "trying" because I'm extremely slow and out of shape), and I feel really good when I finish.  I've noticed I'm more patient, less anxious, and happier when I sweat some.  It is beneficial to everyone around me ; )

Do some things for myself

As a stay at home mom or two who works randomly at two different jobs, saving my sanity is important, but keeping it as a priority can get lost in the mix of everyday life.  Once a month I'd like to do something for myself.  And this does not equate to going grocery shopping by myself.  I'm talking, a girls night out, a massage, take a trip, have a date night with the father of my girls - something that doesn't involve any of my jobs (photography, nursing, and mothering).  This month I'm attending a girls night out with some fellow RN friends and all of us could not be more excited to get away and hang loose. 

Now, hopefully I can just keep up with all of this and keep you all informed on how things are going.

Best of 2013

2013 had a lot of big moments for us.  Here are some of my favorites...

Announcing my pregnancy on Valentine's Day

Emmy getting a "big girl" bed.

Traveling to Minnesota to see my grandmother ("Boo").

Playing in the Minnesota snow!!

Seeing Taylor Swift with my best friend in March

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Getting to be there for the birth of Emmy's Godparents' first child in April

Emmy loves her "Bwife" and it was great practice for her big sister skills.

The annual birthday kiss between Emmy and her friend, Porter at her ladybug birthday party in June.

Emmy's first fishing experience in June

Our annual Steele/Wilkes beach trip in July

Having our weekly library day which we started in August

Lots of cousin time this year!

My mom's 50th birthday in August!

The birth of our second child, Elana, in September

And lots of sleepless nights,

And picture taking.

Halloween adventures with her best bud, Porter.

And fair fun with family!

Getting to see the Gamecocks in person in November and Emmy getting to meet Cocky!!!

In December, I got to photograph Caleb's best friend's wedding.

 

We are really looking forward to some good changes and new things in 2014.  

Farewell 2013.  Bring it 2014!

realizations

After crunching some numbers, I realized I only need $5700 for my dream photography equipment setup.  I'm thinking, in my dreams.

I LOVE video monitors

Breastfeeding is NOT glamorous

Babies are cute (I'm sure 98% of you already knew that)

Working out postpartum sucks!  Wait, how long is a person considered "postpartum?"

Christmastime is fun.  Especially with a three year old to enjoy it with. 

Sleep in underrated by children

Having painted nails feels like such a luxury

I really don't like to wrap presents, but I do like how they look under the tree

I'm madly in love with this song

Breastfeeding - Model style

I know there is a lot of negative buzz going around about this photo that Gisele posted.  I really just want to trade places with her.  This is definitely NOT what my nursing sessions with Elana look like!

I mean, the girl looks so relaxed! 

Family Photos

Wow.  Things have been so busy around here.  Unfortunately, the blog is not reflecting that.

This time of year is always my busiest with photo shoots and actually a lot of baby shoots.  I love it though.  We had some family photos taken by my dear friend and fellow photographer, Liz.  For a short 20 minute shoot, I think the photos turned out pretty well.  I was presently surprised that my photo shoot hating husband was such a team player and smiled like normal.  Dixie even got in on the fun in some of the photos.

There isn't much a two and a half month old can do in family photos.  It isn't my favorite age to have photos taken, but we needed them for Christmas cards and between a strong-willed toddler and a wobbly baby, I'm very satisfied with them.  However, after seeing them, I decided my postpartum honeymoon needed to come to an end and I needed to get my butt into gear and make an active effort to lose the baby weight.  I remember having the same thoughts four months after having Emmy, and I'm not the lucky mom that loses all pregnancy weight from nursing.

So, since the seeing the photos I've changed the snacks I eat to more healthy ones and made more of an effort to make time for working out.  I've lost 5 pounds so far.  I probably wouldn't have said anything if I hadn't lost anything, ha.

More event recaps coming soon!