Happy 2nd Birthday to our precious darling Bop! And all the other milestones I'll try to blog

It's true.  My precious, tiny, preemie baby turned two years old this Saturday.  I was weepy all week as I watched her play.  Time as a mom is simply unfair at times.

I did not want to wait even one more day to blog Grey's birthday and Rose's 3 month birthday and 13 week photos.  You can tell I am a MOM OF TWO when I am combining HUGE milestones like yearly bdays with everything else. ;)  It's already Wednesday night (almost Thursday if I'm honest), and I am sitting at my computer for the first time.

The past two weekends we have had a house full of company.  I love when our home is filled with people we love dearly.  It is wonderful to my heart, and I wish we could host more often.  However, the past two weekends being as busy as they've been has made my life a wee bit crazy.  I am playing major catch-up tonight, and am considering pulling an all-nighter.  Eek.

There are so many photos I've taken this past weekend and this week, I think I may just blog through photos.

Grey's birthday was spent at Jump n Jungle with her friends and family.  She had so much fun, and that is what a birthday is all about. 

 

I didn't get many pictures of Grey playing, because I was jumping and sliding with her.  She loved it though!  She especially enjoyed cousins Shelbi and Kayson & Cohen playing with her.

 

Can't beat a cupcake from Cake!

 

All these wonderful friends and cousins!

 

Naturally, she wasn't too excited when everyone started singing and staring at her.  Momma's arms calmed her down quickly though.

 

My precious friend Lindsay, who JUST had twins two weeks ago came! That is a TRUE friend!

 

After the party, my sister and her family stayed the weekend.  Such fun!  We also had an essential oils party with my friend Robin from California.  It was a blast, but a blur.

Grey, 

My first daughter.  The day I gave birth to you will always be the very best day in my entire life.  (Matched only with your sister's birth)  You have changed who I am.  You have made my life richer than I knew possible.  You are a strong-willed, determined, JOYFUL, giving, loving, caring, empathic little person who I love more than I can ever tell you.  There are not enough books in the whole world to contain the words for my love for you. 

This year has been challenging at times, and you have been through huge changes.  You have moved homes, welcomed a little sibling into your life and mommy and daddy have both started new careers.  Through it all, you shine your happy heart every day.  I love you with all of mine.

Happy 2nd my dear.

~Momma

At 2, Grey:

• Weighs 23 pounds
• Wears 2T clothes
• Is saying more words and even a few sentences
• Loves her stuffed bunnies and dolls
• Loves puzzles
• Loves the iPad
• Loves music and dancing
• Loves Rusty our dog
• Loves loves loves taking care of Rose
• Lives with PASSION
• Is off her paci
• Is starting potty training (unofficially)
• Is the sweetest hugger on earth
• Loves books 
• Can point to almost anything in a book
• Says "I ya da" for I love you

I am teary as I type all of this out.  Grey is certainly a handful at times, but there is nobody on earth who can make my heart laugh like she can.  She takes over my entire day (as her sister calmly observes), but I wouldn't have it any other way.  We are READY for the 2 year old stage. xo

 

When asked how old she is, she uses gusto and points with two index fingers as she says, "twoooo!"

 

She loves Rose deeply, and is my little momma!

 

Her shining light brings light into my life.

 

We are having professional family photos taken in late April.  Her "2 year old shoot" will be then.  

Rose turned 3 months old on Sunday, after Grey turned 2 on Saturday.  Their milestones being so close is fun and crazy! :)  

 

Can she have an uncute pose?  Really.

 

Our sweet Rose is truly the cutest baby ever.  And her personality makes her that much cuter.  I swoon over her all day long.  I don't even know how our life would exist without our Rose Catherine in it.  She is amazing.

At 3 Months, Rose:

• Weighs 11 lbs. 2 oz. (lost a little, but we are stretching out!)
• I think she's about 24-25"
• Wearing 6 months clothes
• Is teething :(  So sad!
• Laughs out loud all day
• Loves to watch fans and lights and her crib mobile
• Sleeps like a champ at night
• Doesn't nap much during the day
• Eats almost 4 oz. every 2 hours during the day
• Eats one bottle in the middle of the night, most nights
• Holds her head up 
• Trying to sit
• Pushing into a stand for short periods of time

Monday was of course Rose's weekly countdown, so these are some photos from Monday through today:

 

 Rose, you are our family jewel.  You are precious and beautiful.  I believe the Lord's plans for you are so huge, I can barely wrap my mind around them.  You weren't even a thought of ours a year ago, yet it is unreal how our lives are absolutely made perfect with you in our family.  You are the snuggliest and easiest baby I have ever known.  You make me want 10 kids- if only all babies were like you.  You are dreamy and I love you with all of my heart forever.  What a Savior we serve to allow me to be your Momma.  You bless my life in the most profound way.

~Momma

12 Weeks Big on St. Patrick's Day!

At 12 Weeks, Rose:

• LOVES baths.  Well, she always has, but it is so fun to see her actually get excited about them now.
• Is wearing mostly 6 month clothes.  No lie. :'(
• Still in size 1 diapers, though I have a feeling those will be moving up soon.
• Giggling audibly!  Oh how sweet the sound!
• Is holding her head up almost completely now.
• Loves being sung to.  She will giggle and coo through the entire song!  
• Loves music!
• Is so laid back she SMILES when we use the bulb syringe to suction drainage.  What baby smiles through that?  Seriously.  Rose is amazing.
• SUCH a momma's girl.  

Yesterday also happened to be Grey's second St. Patrick's Day and Rose's first one! :)

For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory. 

1 Corinthians 3:10

Rose is 11 weeks and big accomplishments for Grey!

 Miracles happen!  I'm actually blogging on MONDAY - her actual week birthday.  This is the best Monday we have had in over a month.  I think we are finally adjusting to Chet working in Oklahoma. 

I snapped some other photos I must share as well this week...Is she not the cutest baby on earth?  I cannot handle her cuteness.  All of us are so wrapped by her love, crooked grin, squealing giggles, red hair, black eyelashes, blue eyes, snuggly personality and soft kisses.

Our littlest is 11 weeks old, and so full of love and personality.  She truly is the EASIEST baby.  I know I say that every week, but really.  She is.

Sadly Rose came down with her first sickness this past week.  It was bound to happen with big sister catching it two weeks ago.  We are so grateful for our Young Living oils though, as 4 days later she started to feel so much better, and today she is almost 100% again.  (No doctor appointment too!)  She is growing like a weed!  She LOVES eating and I have even put some 6-9 month pajamas on her for length. 

I absolutely MUST blog about Grey's HUGE accomplishment this past weekend:

GREY IS OFFICIALLY PACI FREE!!  This was the most difficult habit we have ever had to "break" as a family.  I realize a pacifier addiction is a family addiction, rather than just a toddler addiction.  We were the ones shoving it in her mouth since birth to calm and appease her.  Whew was this NOT easy.  This was our fourth (and final) attempt.  We had tried snipping the ends off, etc. and nothing worked.  So on Thursday when I dropped her off at school, I told her teacher, "This is the last paci we have.  When it's lost, we are done!"  I never imagined I would pick Grey up and hear, "Well, I guess you guys are done with pacifiers.  Grey really did lose it during outside play!"  There were tears and HOURS ... HOURS of screaming ... but we are officially paci free.  We are SO proud of Grey.  She has been such a big girl, and it was not an easy transition with everything else going on lately.

To celebrate, we took her to see the penguins at the Science Spectrum, painted her nails (like a big girl), and did "big girl things" all weekend.  Grey has grown up tremendously this past month.  She is my helper and "little momma" who never tires of taking care of little sister.  She makes my heart glad, and humbles me each day. 

 But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere.  For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.  

2 Corinthians 2:14-15

RC at 10 weeks!

 

Grey at like 5-6 weeks and Rose at 10 weeks in the same outfit.  Be still my heart.

Both girls are napping, so I am chowing down on frozen Girl Scout cookies and chips and salsa.  I will take a vitamin. ;)

Rose was born yesterday, right?  Not ten weeks ago!!

Grey caught a virus last week, and I thought we were over it, but I caught it and I think we are just bouncing it back and forth.  This pretty much describes our week.  I had a huge list of "to dos" while Grey was in school today, but instead we are just snuggling at home.  I am diffusing oils like crazy, so it hasn't been terrible, but it has slowed us down.  We are SO ready for spring weather and outside time.  Being a prisoner inside our home is no fun for toddlers...or mommas! 

Rose is:
Always a delight!
Always happy to see us and be with us!
A MOMMA'S GIRL through and through!  She won't let anyone hold her for long other than me.  :)
Definitely in 3 month clothes, and we even broke out some 6 month outfits since she is so tall!
Mesmerized by Grey.  No matter what, Grey captures her attention the most.
Struggling through her first sinus drainage gunk. :(  I am using thieves and frankincense on her feet, RC, peace and calm, oregano and thieves in the diffuser though, so hopefully it won't turn into anything more than drainage.

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”  Joshua 1:9

A whole lot of "date" milestones ;)

This blog covers Grey's 23 month update, Rose's 2 month update (and 2 month well-check stats from this morning)... PLUS Rose's 9 week photos.  Yes, I am turning into that mom.  Between Saturday and today we hit all those milestones, so why not. :)  I definitely don't have time to blog more than once this week.

 These photos were taken yesterday (2/23) on her second month birthday, and I absolutely love them.  Rose was a HAM and just smiling like crazy every time I said "Wreck 'Em!"  I absolutely cannot ever get enough of her crooked smile.  Swoon.  

Really though.  Is she not the cutest baby on earth?

Grey is 23 months old and certainly the biggest and best helper ever!  She is always capturing our attention and is SO full of life, energy and attitude. ;)  I am EMBARRASSED to admit that I didn't get her 23 month photos taken yet.  She is much more difficult to photograph these days.  Being a toddler means she is NOT a fan of the camera.  This blurry photo I snapped from my phone at Rose's appointment this morning sums up so much of her though.  She is silly, loves dancing, snacking and is always giving us a "new" face:

I don't know Grey's exact stats, but we weighed her last week, and she was 25 pounds!  I still cannot believe she is turning two next month.  It feels surreal.  Actually, it still feels surreal that we are even blessed with a child on earth... wow.  I am planning her sweet little birthday party, which is hard on my heart.  2?!!!!  She is wearing 18-24 month clothes, size 5 shoes and size 5 diapers.  

Grey has stepped into the big sister role so beautifully.  She and Daddy have had lots of one-on-one time lately, while Rose and I stay home more.  She has found a new love for drawing (thanks to cousins Kayson and Cohen), loves her dolls and mimics everything I do with Rose with them and her bunnies.  We are so blessed to call her our daughter.

Rose turned 2 months old yesterday and 9 weeks today.  Her 2 month well check was today, which was a bit hard on my heart.  She took the shots TERRIBLY, and just had an all-around sad time there.  (WAY unlike her!  She's normally the calmest, happiest baby on earth.  I think that is what made it SO hard on me.  I choked on tears alllll day.)  She is my little light, and seeing her sad was almost more than I could bear.

Rose's 2 month stats:

9 lbs. 14 oz. (25%)

23 inches long (75%)

15.2 inches head circumference (60%)

She is going to be tall and thin I think! :)

Rose is:

Growing like a weed!

Eating about 3.5 ounces at a time, every 2-3 hours

Wearing 3 month outfits

Wearing size 1 diapers

Truly the easiest and calmest baby there ever was

Our family's littlest bundle of joy

Every day I am amazed at how perfect Rose fits into our family.  God is more amazing than I can even think.  Every event in our lives had to fit exactly the way they happened for Rose to be an Erwin.  It's beautiful --- and beauty from ashes. 

February is coming to an end, which just blows my mind.  Our days go by so quickly.  Two makes everything crazy, but definitely so much fun.  I am still working Nerium quite a bit during the day, and Chet is still busy with work.  He's been working in Oklahoma a lot, so we are managing life without him during the week.  It's not easy (if I am honest), but I am grateful for the precious friendships I have made here in Lubbock.  Sisters in Christ encourage, teach and help.   They are HUGE to my heart and life.  Especially as a mom!

I am personally struggling to fit everything that needs to be done in each day.  I am committing to more time in the Word.  I have not been in the Word nearly enough, and my soul is hungry.  

 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12