T H R E E

Sophia Mae,

You are THREE YEARS OLD today! (February 28, 2015)

You had your three year old checkup and loved almost every minute of it (thankfully you were up to date on shots). You weigh 31 pounds (59th %) and are 38.25 inches tall (70th %).

You have red curly hair and brown eyes. You still hate getting your hair brushed, but it is a battle that must be fought. You despise having your hair in your face and prefer to wear a bow instead of a ponytail.

You are close to being potty trained. You still needs lots of reminders, but you are getting better at listening to your body. You wear a diaper at night, but usually wake up dry.

You are wearing clothes ranging from 2T - 4T and wear a size nine shoe. If we don't have plans for the day you would just rather wear pajamas all day and I don't blame you.

You are a great eater and I am so thankful for that. You will try almost anything and will claim that you like it. If you don't care for something you will take a big sip of your drink to "wash it down". You have been cooking more frequently with Daddy and I think that helps you to at least try new foods and flavors. Your favorite breakfasts are either Chex or yogurt parfaits. You like to eat a 'snack lunch' where you have a large variety of foods to choose from.

You have always been a great sleeper, but recently started dropping your afternoon nap. I was hoping you would hold onto it a little bit longer, but I guess it was time. You still take a rest time in your room which usually involves you reading or playing with your toys.

There was a time I was worried about your speech, but you are talking all the time now. There are times where we don't understand what you are saying, but we usually can figure it out.

You have a fiery independent streak and insist on doing most things by yourself. You can get easily frustrated and will ask for help when you need it. Before Emma was born you had a phase where you wanted to play the baby all the time.

You love reading and insist on having several books in your bed. You also love television. You have several favorites on Disney Junior and Netflix. Your favorite movie is Frozen. Your screen time is limited, but you have gotten to watch a bit more recently thanks to Emma.

You love to play doctor and can do so for hours each day. You love puzzles, playing princess, taking care of your babies, and playing with play dough. When the weather is warm you love to spend your time outdoors at a playground. You love gym class and I love to watch how proud you are of yourself when you are successful at a new skill. You love to dance, sing, and make up songs. I hope you always sing as passionately as you do now.

Your Daddy and I have loved how entertaining you have made the last three years. Thank you for making every day fun. We love you to the moon and back!

08/52

The girl who made me a Mama turns three in a few days. We celebrated early while grandparents were in town. She had the hardest time getting the candles out, but was so pleased with herself when she finally extinguished the last flame.

"A portrait of my little love, once a week, every week, in 2015."

Thrilled to be linking up with Jodi for The 52 Project.

Follow along on instagram @jenhimmel

07/52

Having a new sibling has come with a few growing pains for all of us. Sophia is learning how to share her Mama and that has come with a few tears. 

"A portrait of my little love, once a week, every week, in 2015."

Thrilled to be linking up with Jodi for The 52 Project.

Follow along on instagram @jenhimmel

Emma Layne: 1 Week

We survived our first week as a family of four.

Sophia loves being a big sister and helping with Baby Sunshine. She was a little grossed out by Emma's bellybutton, but the umbilical stump came off yesterday. She likes to assist at every diaper change and give Emma her 'pacimouth' when she gets upset.

The dogs are adapting well to having a new baby in the house. They constantly try to give Emma kisses, but are still getting used to having a crying baby in the house.

Dave and I were quite surprised at how giant Sophia seems now that Emma has joined us. There is a huge difference between seven pounds and thirty pounds.

I loved my nurses at the hospital, but it was quite a different hospital experience from when I had Sophia. It wasn't bad, just different. Emma's birth story to come soon.

We were discharged on Sunday and our sweet neighbors came over to visit with Emma.

On Monday we had our first trip to pediatrician followed by a trip to Cincinnati Children's Hospital to get a blood test for jaundice. Emma was looking a little yellow but was in the safe range with her biliruben score.

A nurse came and did a home visit on Tuesday. She helped us perfect a breastfeeding position. I forgot how different breastfeeding a newborn can be. Luckily, Emma loves to eat so we have had plenty of time to practice.

Wednesday Dave's parents arrived. I am so thankful that they are here to help out. Sophia loves having them to play with. It was a day full of presents from the grandparents spoiling both Sophia and Emma. Even though I have all of Sophia's clothes saved, it is nice for Emma to have some new clothes of her own.

Dave headed back to work on Thursday and I might have cried a bit. It was so nice to have him home, even if it was just a short stretch. He gets paternity leave, but I asked him to spread it out instead of taking it all at once.

Today Emma had her weight check at the pediatrician and she surpassed her birth weight. I knew she was eating well, but I was thrilled that she made significant gains. I was also thrilled to hear that I can let her sleep for four hour stretches overnight. I am a much happier Mommy when I rest well.

I am not planning on doing recaps of every week, but I am hoping to post on a regular basis because I love looking back at how much Sophia has grown and changed. Read about Sophia's first week here.

06/52

Sweet sisters meeting for the first time. Our hearts are so full.

"A portrait of my little loves, once a week, every week, in 2015."

Thrilled to be linking up with Jodi for The 52 Project.

Follow along on instagram @jenhimmel

Some of my favorites from last week:
Admiring the seals at the zoo.
A little sprite in the snow.
Lounging in a laundry basket.

Baby Sunshine is here!

Emma Layne Himmelberger

February 6, 2015

born 11:54 am

7 pounds 0.7 ounces

19.125 inches long

Baby Sunshine: Week 39

Size: Baby Sunshine is the size of a mini watermelon, weighing in at slightly over 7 pounds and measuring about 20 inches.

Total Weight Gain: Ugh. 39 pounds (Three pounds more than my total weight gain with Sophia).

Maternity Clothes: Yepper.

Gender:It won't be long before we find out!

Cravings: Water. I am still thirsty all the time.

Symptoms: Lots of braxton hicks contractions still. Unfortunately no real contractions. I am also having some hip pain from extra walking and sitting on an exercise ball.

Movement: The little one is still having lots of hiccups and moving around the best he/she can.

Sleep: Sleep was awful this week (meaning I was also extra cranky and emotional).

Moments of the Week: Taking Sophia to her Big Sister Class. She loved looking in the nursery and playing with the realistic baby dolls. Her big takeaway from class was that new babies have black belly buttons. We heard the heartbeat again this week and it was in the 120s, which is boy range. Dave and I finally chose our girl name and boy name...but there is still time for one of us to change our minds.

What I Miss: Sleeping through the night (shame that will not be returning to normal any time soon) and moving around without a belly in the way.

What I'm Looking Forward to: Meeting this little one.

Big Sister: Sophia has been talking about the baby constantly. She is ready to be a big sister now! This week whenever she talks to Baby Sunshine she has lifted up my shirt and spoken directly into my belly button. It is the cutest thing ever. Sophia wasn't feeling great this week and wanted to cuddle all the time. I loved every minute of it, especially when she used my belly as a pillow.

Looking Back: Sophia was born shortly after I reached 38 weeks. We had a one week old on our hands at this point (and survived)!

In the Kitchen with Daddy {gnocchi edition}

I think of all of the time that Dave and Sophia have spent in the kitchen, gnocchi was Sophia's favorite to make. She loved touching and playing with the rough salt that the potatoes were cooked in and the smooth flours that the gnocchi was made with. She loved mixing, rolling, cutting, and building with the dough. The process was a little frustrating for Dave since Sophia can get very enthusiastic when she is enjoying herself, but the gnocchi were quite delicious, even if the process took about four times as long as it should have. 

I am so thankful for the love of food and cooking that Dave is creating with our daughter.

Thrilled to be linking up with Jess.