Chloe, Two Months

Oh this girl of mine. She's everything that I had hoped for and more.

At two months, Chloe weighs 11 lbs, 9 oz and is 22.5 inches long. She's working really hard on the continued fattening of her chubby thighs and maintaining her deliciously smooch-able cheeks. I don't know about you but hammy baby thighs are kind of the best thing ever. Chloe loves to smile and show off the dimple in her left cheek...her entire face lights up when she sees her big brother. There is nothing like seeing a relationship start to grow between Noah and Chloe. Noah is already so protective of her and takes his role as her caretaker very seriously. He's in charge of keeping her blanket on her when she's in the swing and letting me know if she's spitting up. I love to hear his little feet come running to let me know his baby needs something. 

Chloe is slowly getting the hang of nighttime sleep. We're starting to see a longer stretch develop at night which means I'm getting a little more sleep. She's also getting better about going back to sleep after she wakes to nurse. It's a delicate game we all play and I am now wise enough to know that she'll switch it up on us tomorrow. I'm grateful she sleeps well during the day whether we're home or on the go...something her brother never did. He was a firm crib napper from day one and that really limited what I could do and where I could go. Not true of Chloe...she's game to nap for hours in her car seat. 

I don't know if this is true for every family but Chloe seems to be turning into the classic mellow second child. She rarely gets herself worked into a frenzy and even when she is up in the middle of the night she's never fussy. She's content to hang out in her swing or the bouncy seat while I'm otherwise occupied which makes getting things done a little easier. Toss a rattle or little toy her way and she's happy to bat at it over and over.

I'm looking forward to these next few months as she learns so many new skills and continues growing, all the while wishing she would stay small forever. In the meantime, I'll be over here munching on her hammy thighs.

Thankful, oh yes I am

These two light up my life and make me thankful in so many ways.

All images by Katie Basil

Happy, sad, loud or quiet, my babies are my everything. Enjoy your holiday my friends. Be thankful for what you have today.

The Great Toy Purge of 2011

Yesterday, after a very enlightening Twitter conversation with her and her, I embarked on the Great Toy Purge of 2011. My motivations were twofold: 1) Christmas is coming and we need some space in the playroom before it gets REALLY out of control and 2) I need to start teaching Noah some life lessons like the fact that not every child in this world has a ROOM full of toys. Both ladies employed the "pick out a few toys and we'll donate them to a less fortunate child" method of toy removal with excellent results. Both of their little guys got into it and really grasped the idea of giving toys to another little one who may not have as many wonderful things as they do. I was impressed and very motivated.

So I rounded Noah up and sat him down to explain what we were going to do. I was EXCITED! and used a POSITIVE VOICE! and kept mentioning how HELPFUL and GOOD this plan was! He bought in and we headed to the playroom. I asked him to pick out two toys and let him take his time deciding which ones he could part with. I encouraged him but didn't interfere with his decision process. Ten minutes later he had picked out the toys:

A blow up ball from a birthday party favor bag and one piece to a baby shape sorter. Sigh. I think we have some work to do.

Forty looks good on him

Six years ago I met a very special man who swept me off my feet and easily convinced me to spend the rest of our lives together. Today that guy turns 40 and I couldn't imagine anyone more deserving of a wonderful birthday than my husband. He's the best thing that has ever happened to me and I am so very thankful for him. Thank you, Tim, for loving me and our family and for giving me the greatest gifts of all. Happy 40th my darling...you wear it well.

All images courtesy of our talented friend and photographer, Katie Basil. 

Email me at belleplaineliving at gmail dot com if you're in the 

Chicago area and looking for a fabulous photographer!

Chloe, One Month

My girl turned one month old a week and a half ago. Hold me.

At One Month, Chloe is sleepy during the day, nursing all night, and starting to share social smiles with us. The smiles are what keeps this mama going at 3 am. That and the swing...the girl loves her some swinging. Although Chloe is about as fussy (read: spit-y and grunt-y and gassy) as Noah was at this age, she's also MUCH easier to be out and about with. She naps on the go and at home with ease whereas her brother was always rather pissed about being in his carseat or stroller. Chloe adores her big brother and cranes her neck looking for him if she hears his voice. So far the sentiment seems to be reciprocal. Noah is so gentle with her and loves to pat her softly on her head when she starts to get fussy.

Chloe is classic newborn with her CRAZY sleep patterns and lack of any structured bedtime. I know I have a ways to go before I can expect any kind of consistent bedtime...I think this has been the hardest thing for me to adjust to. I had become so used to having the evenings to myself that I had forgotten that a newborn doesn't know 8pm from 8am. So we spend a couple hours every night attempting to create a soothing sleep environment...and then give up and turn on the tv. We'll get there eventually.

At One Month, my girl loves to snuggle and nuzzle her head under my chin. She adores being held and I am more than happy to oblige. I love this girl with all that I have...I really couldn't ask for anything more.

Behold the many faces of Chloe Elizabeth, affectionately nicknamed Spitty McGrunts:

Imma gonna get you...and your boobies.

What you just said was HILARIOUS...I think.

I'm mildly concerned with the situation at hand.

Halloween 2011

Once upon a time there was a witch, her little black cat and an...astronaut?

The young astronaut acquired a full bag of candy loot and one spectacular light up toothbrush from a very wise old neighbor. Much fun was had until it was dark and he decided things were getting a little too spooky for his taste. Hope you all had a wonderful Halloween!