Linley Anne- 1 Month Old

Our girl is 1 month old today! I can't believe how fast the past 30 days have gone by. So much has changed and at the same time it feels like she has always been apart of our family. She has brought so much joy to everyone and we just love her so much.

The pictures are some that my wonderful friend and coworker Leslie Pate took for us. I just love how they turned out.

To say Linley is an easy baby would be an understatement ….. she is so easy going and sweet. Her personality is so chill that my Mom and I joke that she would be easy to forget somewhere because she is so quiet. OF COURSE we would not/could not forget our sweet girl. 

Tanner has adjusted so well to being a big brother. It melts my heart to hear him say "hey buddy buddy" when talking to her, or "where's sister?" or "that's my girl" when referring to her. He showers her with kisses and hugs and so far has not acted out negativity toward her at all. He has had a few episodes of what I like to call "acting 2 years old" to Kris and myself but overall I would give him an A+ for his big brother transition.

Weight- at her 2 week check up this girl had gained a whole lb since going home from the hospital bringing her to 7 lbs 14 oz…. She is much heavier now. I won't have an official weight until we go for 2 month check up but I would guess 8.5-9 lb range
Length- Birth length was 20 inches and at 2 weeks she grew to 21.25in !!
Clothes- Linley outgrew most of her newborn stuff by week 2. She fits well in 0-3 month and 3 month outfits are roomy but they fit!
Diapers- Size 1
Eating- Breastfeeding is going so well. I don't know if she is such a good eater or if I am more relaxed or better at it this time but either way we have got it down! She eats every 2/3 hours during the day and I get a 5/6 hr stretch at night followed by another 3/4 hr stretch.
Its amazing to be getting this much sleep at this point. I don't think Tanner slept this well until he was well over 6 months old. WAY TO GO LINLEY!!
We attempted a bottle at 3 weeks and it didn't go very well. We will try again soon. I am not too worried about it since I don't go back to work for 2 more months.
Sleep- She is sleeping in our room in the rock n' play or bassinet depending on if she is feeling a little spit-upy at the time. I am thinking about moving her to her crib soon because she is a loud sleeper and she is sleeping for long enough stretches that I am only getting up once maybe twice a night.

Baby Linley - week 38

I can't believe I am 6 days away from meeting my sweet baby girl.  Our repeat scheduled c section is set for Oct. 30th at 12:30 pm.

I have felt so many emotions this week. Im nervous for my c section, excited to meet my baby, a little sad that Tanner won't be the only kiddo in the house anymore. 

I know giving him a sibling is such a blessing and gift I just hope our transition from a family of 3 to a family of 4 goes fairly smoothly. 

Weight gain- 36 lbs! I did a little better this time, I think i gained between 40-45 with Tanner 

Movement - all the time and most of it is fairly uncomfortable

Contractions - Yes : often and uncomfortable but not consistent or regular enough to cause any dilation! (in my opinion if you are having a repeat c/s you shouldn't have to deal with contractions at all)

Swelling - my ankles and feet get pretty swollen after working but they always go back down after sleeping. 

I am so excited to:

- breastfeed again!!! it was such a great experience with Tanner and I hope Linley and I will be just as-  successful if not even better

- sleep on my stomach, or back, or really any position I want without being in pain

- eat a COLD turkey sandwich

- drink a ICE COLD beer

- be off for all the major holidays, being a nurse working holidays is just part of the gig. But this year it worked out that my maternity leave will be over thanksgiving, christmas, new years, and my birthday!!! YES!

Baby Girls nursery is ready! Its very pink and girlie and I just love it. 

Her bag is packed and ready to go! Of course we have about 8 outfit options, 5 or 6 bows, and adorable swaddle blankets all ready for her.

Above her changing table are 2 paintings that Tanner did for his little sister. 

Baby Linley - Week 30

How far along: 30 weeks
Total weight gain: 30 lbs so far
Sleep: Not so good anymore, waking up several times during the night. I guess its good practice for when she arrives
Miss Anything: not being in pain everyday and my energy. I have had so much more back/hip/sciatica pain this pregnancy. There is not a single day that I don't have pain.
Movement: ALL THE TIME. Not sure when this girl even sleeps. Our "kick counts" take less than 10 min to complete every time.
Food cravings: still nothing specific
Nursery Update: We have been working hard on sweet girls room. I really wanted a cool feature wall with stripes. When we started painting it was so much harder than I thought. So we improvised and did solid in the middle with stripes on the sides. I actually ended up loving this even more because we were able to center her crib on the solid part of the wall and it will be a perfect background for her name above her crib.

Baby Linley Anne - Week 22

Bump pic at work

How far along: 22 weeks
Total weight gain: At my 20 week appt I was up a total of 18 lbs!!! yikes But I did gain 45 with Tanner so hopefully I won't gain quite so much with this one
Sleep: I am still sleeping pretty good. I find that some days I try to do too much and really get worn out the next day
Miss Anything: Not really maybe just bending over easily
Movement: Yes little girl moves all the time! I have felt her move consistently every day since about 18 weeks and every week the kicks get stronger and stronger
Food cravings: Nothing specific surprisingly
Aches/Pains: I have pretty bad pelvic bone pain and hip pain already. I had it with Tanner and they told me it would be worse the 2nd time around and they were not lying! Also I get sciatic nerve pain if I sit for too long and then stand up fast.
Gender: its a girl!!!! Her name will be Linley Anne Holdman

Baby # 2 - Week 18

Baby # 2 is a …………………GIRL!!!!!!

We actually found out the gender last week but wanted to surprise our families at Tanner's 2nd birthday party.

We put some girlie balloons in a "present" for Tanner and everyone was so surprised when he opened it!

Tanner turns 2!!!

I am a little late in posting but our sweet boy turned 2 on June 4th! We had his birthday party at the splash pad/park by our house that weekend. We had a blast!

Clothes- 24 months/ 2T
Weight- 25 lbs 8 oz  - 23%
Height- 34 1/2 inches - 55%
Head circumference- 49 cm 60%
Diapers - Size 5, he has shown some interest in potty training but we are not tackling that just yet
Shoes- Size 7, when we can keep them on him. This kiddo loves to be barefoot
Food- He still loves his pizza and berries. He is really into granola bars and "hotdogs" which is basically anything that tastes like sausage. He loves chicken and broccoli as long as he has his dip- IE Ranch dressing and of course "Ronies" short for macaroni and cheese. He loves popsicles too!
Sleeping-  bedtime usually around 9 and up and ready to go around 8. We try to get him to nap everyday but sometimes he fights it and we miss a day.
Activity- Lately he has been all about swimming and of course playing outside. We got him the puddle jumper float and he loves the freedom he has in the pool with it.

Words: Tanner uses full sentences now. There is almost nothing that he says that I can't understand. Its really amazing how well he communicates. I hope I can always remember how sweet his little voice sounds.  He can count to 13 all by himself and knows some of his colors. Blue and Orange must be his favorite because he always get those ones right.
He also knows he is getting a sister and kisses and hugs my belly. It is just the sweetest thing. He is going to be the best big brother ever!

Baby #2 - Weeks 15 & 16

15 weeks

16 weeks- Whoa growth spurt

Weight Gain: Up 6 lbs at the doc, which brings my total to 10 lbs.

Sleep: still about the same, waking up a few times during the night. But overall I wake up rested

Movement: More frequent now but still flutters, no distinct "kicks" yet. I felt them with Tanner at week 19 so not too much longer

Gender: Soon so very soon :)

Baby #2 - Weeks 13 & 14

Hello Second Trimester!!!!

How far along: 13/14 weeks

Total weight gain: I am only stepping on the scale at the doctor office this pregnancy so I will see at my 16 week appt.

Sleep: Pretty good still but I am finding that I am waking up a few times during the night to go to the bathroom.

Miss anything: Not really but I am sure this summer I will miss my occasional beer or rita by the pool

Movement: A few times a week I am still feeling the soft flutters

Food Cravings: Nothing specific but I generally go for more salty than sweet

Gender: Still don't know but we are so excited to find out!

Had to add this sweet picture of my boy sleeping on me. This rarely happens so you gotta soak it all in when it does! Heart so Happy!!!!

Baby #2- Weeks 11 & 12

The bump has arrived!

How far along: 11/12 weeks

Total weight gain: +4 lbs

Maternity clothes: I have been in maternity pants since about week 9!

Sleep: Still pretty tired but can defiantly feel the energy starting to return. I am not requiring my daily naps on my days off like in weeks past.

Miss anything: I saw a billboard for Shiner's new beer for summer Prickly Pear and my mouth watered a little. I am hoping they bring it back next summer so I can try one.

Movement: Just this week (week 12) I noticed 3 different times the distinct flutter feeling!!! I was so in shock that I could feel the baby this early, I had to ask around. After talking with several girlfriends that have had 2nd babies they all told me that they too felt baby move this early!!

Food cravings: salty things, and MILK (chocolate, strawberry, plain… its all good) 

Anything making you queasy or sick: I am feeling much less nauseous this week, still very tired. I am been much more sick this pregnancy that I was with Tanner. 

Gender: We don't know yet. I have had a feeling for a few weeks thats its a girl. Every time we ask Tanner if its a brother or sister he says "sister!"

Baby #2 - Weeks 7 & 8

Since this will probably be my last pregnancy I want to remember every moment of it! I am going to attempt to update weekly on all the happenings of Baby # 2!

I am so excited to go to our first doctor appt on Monday 3/30. I am so anxious to see the little bean in there that has been making me feel so sick. 

How far along: 7 weeks

Total weight gain: -2 lbs

Maternity clothes: My pants/shorts are getting a little tight. I am not sure if its just bloat or the baby 

Sleep: Sleep is good, just can't seem to get enough of it. I am tired ALL THE TIME.

Miss anything: Not feeling sick and tired everyday, but I know that in a few short weeks I will feel good again 

Movement: Not yet, way to early

Food cravings: Cereal and anything salty

Anything making you queasy or sick: not anything in particular, nauseous on/off all day and I only vomit a few times a week (lucky me!)

Gender: We don't know yet. I'm thinking boy, but Chinese calendar says Girl.

The 8 week appointment went well. Our sweet little one was measuring right at 8 weeks 3 days and our due date is November 7th!

We are expecting Baby #2!!!

Baby #2 due November 7, 2015


 Background Info:

We have been trying since July 2014, we had been "trying" meaning I had been using ovulation kits and paying attention for fertile signs for several months. We decided this month (February) to just relax not think about it and just leave it up to God. Well turns out that was just what we needed because it just so happens that this month WAS our month.

Since I really wasn't paying any attention to anything this month I really didn't think there was anyway that I was pregnant. But the last few days I had been really really tired. The kinda tired I was when I was pregnant with Tanner. I jokingly said to Kris "I know I am not pregnant but I am just so tired… like pregnant tired." He and I just both laughed and chalked it up to working so much this last week.

Today 2/24 I decided I would just take a test midday because I just knew it would be negative but it turns out there was a faint second line!!!!
I couldn't believe it….. complete shock!

The next day I took digital test too!

We are so thrilled for Tanner to become a big brother!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Turning 31

Turning 31 was so much fun! Seriously though …… it was the best birthday I've had in a long time for sure. I worked on my actual birthday but that was fine because everyone at work was super sweet and my primary's parents even brought me a yummy treat. It was so thoughtful and kind of them to think of me!

On Saturday my wonderful mother in law came over to hangout/watch Tanner for us at 11am!! We had a whole day planned. We started out at the Deep Ellum Tap Room for a beer brewery tour and some drinks. We also played some Jenga and listened to live music. It was so fun! Our good friends John and Anne joined us as well. 

Posing with my beer

Showing off the Koozie I won during the tour…. I answered this question correctly: What is beer's biggest enemy?   Answer: Oxygen! Thank you Biology Degree

Next we checked out another local brewery called Community. It was also very cool but Deep Ellum was more my vibe. I did have some amazing Kimchi fries at the food truck outside community brewery. Then we were all getting hungry so we headed to one of my favorite places to eat: Chuy's!

My sister/ her boyfriend and Brittany/Joey joined us. Then to end the night we went back to John and Anne's house for a riveting game of Cards against Humanity. I seriously don't think I have laughed so hard in all my life!  

Such a wonderful day with the hubs and good friends. Huge thank you to my mother in law for allowing us to have some adult fun for my birthday. 

One of the Good Guys

This week was a really hard week……The world lost one of the good guys.

Kris's Grandfather or "Pop" as we all called him passed away. Pop had been ill for a while now but we still thought we had more time with him. He declined very quickly on Sunday and then passed early Tuesday morning.

I met Pop about 10 years ago when I started dating Kris. From the first day that I met him he treated me like his granddaughter. He had always wanted a granddaughter so I was his girl from day one!

Pop had a sense of humor like no one I have ever met. He always made me smile and I loved spending time with him. Once Tanner came along it was pretty magical to see the connection between them. Pop loved Tanner more than anything and Tanner felt the same way in return.

I will miss him so much but I will make sure that his memory lives on and that when Tanner gets older he will  know what an amazing, funny, and kind Great-Grandfather he had!

I LOVE YOU POP!!!!

DIY: Concrete Style

My Dad has always said he wanted some concrete yard balls for the garden. I know I know it sounds strange but they are actually really cool. But unfortunately they are super expensive. Sooooooo I decided I was going to figure out a way to make them for him for Christmas.

Here is the inspiration….

 I got on Pinterest and I found several ways to do it but ended up following the steps on this blog.

http://www.thegardenglove.com/diy-concrete-garden-globes/

The hardest part of this project is finding old glass light globes cheap. I went to several thrift stores and the hardware store and found these.

I forgot to take pictures after I filled them with the concrete. But I filled them to the top and let them dry for 24 hours. I then placed them in a plastic trash bag and gently broke the glass with a hammer in the bag so all the glass would not go everywhere. It was super easy!

Even though its not perfectly smooth I still really like how it turned out. 

The texture of the concrete shows through

This one is more like a 3D stepping stone but I really love it. I will make more of these for my own garden

Christmas 2014

The week before Christmas we decided to cut Tanner's hair again…. but this time a big boy haircut. I was super nervous before, but I just loved it after.  I can't believe how much it changed his little face. He looks so much like a little boy now and not a baby.

Before: Long and kinda curly

After: Super short and of course the baby Mohak

 I had to work Christmas day this year so Santa came a day early. This is Tanner's second Christmas (last year he was only 6 months old) so Kris and I had so much fun watching him open his gifts and play with everything. I love his sweet little voice say "ho ho ho" when you ask him what Santa says :)

Still a little sleepy here, but loving the vaccum

Checking out the new play foods

Loving his new big boy bat

Look at this baseball stance! He can already rip the ball!

Christmas day going to visit family while Mommy is at work

Showing off his new Cowboy jersey he got from GrandDad

I just love his sweet little smile