Snaps of Ginger: 2016

June 23, 2016

Brady Michael {4 Months}

Sweet B,

I absolutely cannot handle how quickly time is flying! It is SO hard to believe that you are already 4 months old but that you have ONLY been here 4 months. We love you so much and feel like you have always been a part of our family! Your gummy grin lights up my day and you are quick to share it with anyone who looks your way! Your sweet personality is continuing to develop and make itself known to us.

You are still taking 6 ounce bottles every 3 to 4 hours. I decided to try a Size 2 nipple on your bottles and that has made a huge difference in the number of bottles that you finish every day. I really believe that you grew tired of sucking with a Size 1 nipple and as a result, you just gave up. You continue to struggle a bit with acid reflux and a visit to Mrs. Molly for this was in order before vacation in hopes of giving you some relief. We have been mixing rice cereal in your bottles for quite some time now to help with your reflux but while we were on vacation, we decided to go ahead and give you some rice cereal and fruit. This was about a week early (usually get the go ahead at 4 month appointment). You seemed to like it and take it about as well as I expected. It's different. It's thicker. It's on a spoon. It's sweet. You weren't quite sure what to think at first but warmed up to the idea of eating it very quickly.

Mo and Jan gave you and Levi DVD players for the car (before we went on vacation) and this definitely seems to help you and your lack of love for being in the car.

Likes: playing on your activity mat, being held, watching and laughing at Levi (he is SO funny), taking a bath, playing outside, floating in the pool,

Dislikes: being left alone in a room, playing for too long without being held, being hungry

A Few Firsts:

5/30/16: Today was your first time swimming. We went to Mr. Andy and Mrs. Casey's pool for a Memorial Day party! You LOVED it!!!

Swimming at Mrs. Casey and Mr. Andy's pool! This was your first time swimming! You LOVED it!!!

Those dimples...I just can't handle it!

All Smiles! My little Water Babies!

6/10/16: Your first "sick" visit to Mrs. Molly today about spitting up and possible reflux. She started you on 1 mL of Zantac twice each day. We are hoping this will help you tolerate your bottles a little easier.

6/11/16-6/18/16: First Family Vacation
We traveled to Panama City Beach for a week long vacation. We stayed at Lake Town Wharf with Kaye Kaye, Papa, Siouxzy, Uncle Ryan, Landon, Carter, and Owen. It was a week full of pool and beach fun and you did GREAT! You slept well in the pack-n-play and adapted to whatever was going on around you. We have a few pictures of you in a baby pool on the beach but you did not care for the sand to much. I think it was uncomfortable in your leg rolls...and I CANNOT blame you for that! We only visited the beach one time during our stay. Most of us preferred the pool and it was much easier to get to with all of our paraphernalia. You are such a trooper and a champ!

1st Day of Vacation-at the pool!

One of your favorite things to do in the pool!

Playing in the pool on the beach.

The Sweetest Brothers! - Runaway Island

6/13/16: You ate Rice Cereal and Apples for the first time today. This is the first time you ate food from a spoon. You seemed to like it and did well taking it.

Levi helping out with your first feeding. He is always ready to help!

6/21/16: Today we took a trip to the Children's Museum in Atlanta. I was a little nervous because Daddy did not make this trip with us. He had to work so we took this trip with Mrs. Ashley and Bailey. Of course Levi came too! You both were SO sweet and did GREAT!

You were perfectly content hanging out in your stroller most of the time. You looked at everything your eyes could focus on and were SO sweet! You were a bit too small for even the toddler section this time.

We went to your 4 month checkup on June 23, 2016. We could not believe how much you had grown! You weighed 16 pounds 10.5 ounces (70th percentile). You were 27.5 inches long (100th percentile). Your head circumference was 17.5 inches (100th percentile). You are growing well and ABSOLUTELY PERFECT! We could not be more in love with you and we are SO excited to watch you learn and discover more new things as you continue to grow!

Much Love Always,

Mommy

Sleeping on the table at the pool!

...and she loved a little boy very, very much-

even more than she loved herself.

-From "The Giving Tree"

by Shel Silverstein

May 22, 2016

Brady Michael {3 Months}

My Precious Brady,

You are just growing way too fast! You are SO squishy, snuggly, sweet, and smiley! Your leg rolls are absolutely delicious and are something that your brother never had. So although the two of you look very similar, there are definitely some differences. You are adored by your family and you clearly share a mutual adoration. Whenever you are talked to or looked at, you break out with the biggest most contagious grin. Melts. My. Heart.

Your personality continues to reveal itself to us. You are laid back unless you are hungry, sleepy, have a dirty diaper, have gas on your tummy, or want to be held. Other than that you are just giggles and grins.

This month we discovered that you LOVE to listen to stories. Mommy, Daddy, or Levi can read to you and you are actively engaged with your eyes fixed on the pictures and your sweet feet kicking. Our sweet little family shares a love for reading so we are so happy that you, too, will most likely have this same love.

Bedtime Story in Levi's Bed

You are still enjoying your hands in your mouth and in most cases would prefer your hands over your paci. I am hoping that you are not going to be a thumb sucker but that is strictly for my benefit...I can take a paci away but I can't take your thumb away.

You continue to be a good eater and will take 6 ounces (give or take) at most feedings. You are still taking Similac Sensitive but we give you the regular instead of Non-GMO. Your tummy seems to tolerate the regular a little better (and it's a few dollars cheaper too). At your 2 month check up, Mrs. Molly told us that the store brand formula is the same as the brand name. So, most of the time we give you Kroger Brand formula and you love it!

We have recently moved you into a Size 2 diapers (because we ran out of size 1 and they were getting a bit snug anyway). These are fitting you pretty well but you have PLENTY of room to spare. I'm thinking we will be in these for a while. We still have not purchased even one diaper. Huggies are my favorite for you right now. They just seem a little more stretchy and comfy for your sweet tummy and legs. In the clothing department, you are wearing some 0-3 months and some 6 months and everything in between. It really depends on the brand. While I don't know your exact height and weight, I do know that you are very long and have a long torso. This often is the reason for moving to the next size in clothing.

Likes: playing on your activity mat, swinging (you will swing for much longer now...I think you really like to swing), being held, watching and talking to Levi, being outside, taking a bath, laying in your bed and watching your mobile, snuggling, listening to stories, talking to Mommy and Daddy and whomever else talks to you (you smile and coo at everyone...you are not selfish with those sweet grins), sucking on your hands and thumb, playing (watching the lights) with your Baby Einstein Take Along Tunes Musical Toy, holding onto the shirt of whomever is holding you

Dislikes: riding in the car, being cold, being hungry

Nicknames: Brady Bug, Chicken Little, Mr. Cheekers, Shugs

A Few Firsts:
4/25/16: You laughed out loud for the first time. Mommy was getting all of your sugar.

5/6/16: Your nails were clipped for the first time today. Those tiny little fingernails will do a whole lot of damage...they are like razors.

We read "The Pout Pout Fish." This is one of our favorites that you heard for the first time. You LOVED it! Your would stare at the pictures and smile so big! It was the sweetest thing!

5/7/16: First Trip to Firehouse Subs!

5/8/16: Baby Dedication at Northway Church and Mother's Day

You stayed in the church nursery for the first time on this day. I was very hesitant to leave you and was a bit nervous the whole time.

5/15/16: You rubbed your sweet sleepy eyes for the first time today!

5/18/16: Mommy went back to work and you started staying with Mo and Jan. This is the first time I have left you for the whole day. SO sad!!!

5/19/16: You slept in your bed for the first time. You lasted about 4.5 hours.

As you can see, you are just a busy bundle of love! We love you SO much!

Much Love Always,

Mommy

Sweet Feet!

As for me and my house we will serve the Lord...and yell "GO JACKETS!"

Mischievous Little Grin...Pure Sweetness!

...and she loved a little boy very, very much-

even more than she loved herself.

-From "The Giving Tree"

by Shel Silverstein

May 17, 2016

10 on Tuesday

1. I write and post on this blog like I have a huge audience and I know that I don't! I'm pretty sure my husband is my only audience member!

2. I LOVE the way Levi makes a cat sound..."Me mow"! I mean...it makes me giggle every time!!!

3. I CANNOT handle the way quinoa looks. I recently cooked some to go in a recipe and I ended up making the recipe without the quinoa. It totally GROSSES me out!

4. This sweet little hand absolutely melts my heart! It is always grasping onto the shirt of whomever is holding/rocking him.

Brady-7 weeks

5. I am LOVING Dunkin Donuts Chocolate Glazed Donut Coffee And Folgers Sugar Cookie is running a close second!

6. I recently had a mani/pedi and I am really loving the colors I chose!

Toes: She's a Bad Muffuletta! (OPI)

Nails: Passion (OPI)

7. I have to go back to work TOMORROW! I am NOT excited! I am SO going to miss snuggling with my smiley and uber squishy baby boy. Thank goodness it is only for a few days...12 to be exact!

8. We took Levi swimming this past weekend for the first time this season. He love, love, loved it! It was a great way to burn energy too! He begins swimming lessons June 20th and I think he will do great and love swimming even more.

9. I am SO ready to head back to the gym. It has been way too long! I am anxious to try spinning and barre.

10. This gem was part of my Mother's Day gift. I. LOVE. IT. It really keeps my water cold all day! S'well water bottles are perfect for everyday use. Going to the gym, pool, beach, or taking care of errands around town...you are sure to have an ice cold beverage at all times!

April 23, 2016

Brady Michael {2 Months}

My Precious Brady,

Another month has come and gone and so many of your tiny features are changing. While I am very thankful, my precious boy, that you are growing as you should, I am heartbroken that some of those tiny newborn features are slipping away right before me. Your sweet cheeks are a little more full than when you were first born...just more for Mommy to kiss! Your beautiful blue eyes have a way of melting my heart when you look up at me (just like Daddy's and Levi's). I have heard people say that a baby's eyes may change color but I really feel that your indigo blues are here for good!

You are such a happy baby and are more than willing to give out smiles! You smile when you are talked to, when you are looking at your toys, and especially when Levi is talking to you and smothering you with love and kisses. There are also many times that we can simply look at you and your whole face just lights up! The dimples that appear in your cheeks with each smile are just precious and I cannot get enough!

You are still an excellent eater. You are taking 5 ounces of Similac Sensitive Non-GMO Formula every 3 to 4 hours. At night, we can typically wait 5 to 6 hours between feedings. This is great...a few extra winks of sleep are always appreciated!

You are wearing a Size 1 diaper and have done well with Huggies and Pampers. We still have not bought a single diaper for you and we are so very thankful for that! Your clothes are usually 0-3 months or 3 months. We are making great use of some of Levi's clothes and I LOVE seeing you wear some of the same things that he wore. It is the sweetest! Most, if not all, of your Newborn clothes are too small (again...bittersweet).

This month you have discovered your sweet little hands. You like to put them in your mouth and you often try to figure out a way to suck your thumb. Your tiny hands that are plumped with sugar are SO precious and delicious that I don't blame you for tasting them regularly.

Weight: 13 pounds 10 ounces (80%)

Height: 24 inches (90%)

Likes: playing on your play mat, swinging (for short amounts of time), being held, watching Levi, being outside, taking a bath, looking at the firetruck on your wall, eating, snuggling, holding onto the shirt of whomever is holding you (SO sweet!)

Dislikes: being left in a room by yourself, being hungry, having a poopy diaper

Nicknames: Brady Bug, Chicken Little, Mr. Cheekers, Cheeks McGee

A Few Firsts:

3/23/16: You took your first bath in the big bath tub. We used the mesh seat from the baby tub in the regular tub. You loved it and so did we. Bath time was a million times easier!

3/24/16: You smiled me when I talked to you. Heart Melted!

3/25/16: You smiled at Daddy when he talked to you.

3/27/16: You celebrated your first Easter with lots of family, egg hunts, and love! The Easter Bunny left a few treats for you as well.

3/29/16: You shed your very first tear. It was SO sad but sweet at the same time.

3/31/16: You and Levi took your first bath together. Mommy and Daddy were a bit nervous but were pleasantly surprised. You absolutely loved it and Levi was extremely gentle and made no huge splashes. The two of you take baths together regularly now. It is the sweetest!

3/30/16: We went to the Cherry Blossom Festival at Central City Park. Levi had a great time riding all the rides and you enjoyed riding in your stroller outside.

4/2/16: You went with us to the Cherry Blossom Festival Arts and Crafts Show. You enjoyed being outside even though it was a bit windy.

4/3/16: We had a picnic at Party on the Green. You enjoyed spending time outside and did great with the fireworks!

4/20/16: Slept through the night (Praise the Lord!)

4/22/16: 2 Month Doctor's Appointment

You had your first round of shots since you left the hospital. It was SO sad! You cried (held your breath) until the last shot was over. Shortly after the last shot, you stopped crying and slept for most of the day. You were not interested in eating...just snuggling and sleeping!

You are such a blessing to our family, little one. Mommy, Daddy, and Levi thank God for you every day. You and Levi are amazing gifts from God and Daddy and I are ever grateful that we were chosen to be your parents. We pray that both of you grow into strong and healthy boys that know Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Much Love Always!

Mommy