January 2017 Wrap-up

January was a cold month but we made the best of it and got outside when we could and spent many hours inside with each other or visiting with family and friends.

Enjoying the morning snuggles with Mommy               Nighttime bath

 

The many funny faces of Leah bea

  

Snuggles with Noah and Leah

 

 

          Really getting those smiles :) 

 

Hannah and Noah helping "change" Leah  

 

Reading to Leah... she just loves listening and watching these 2 

Took Hannah, Sydney, and Diana to watch an MSU gymnastics meet

 

Being a baby is exhausting! 

  

 

Snuck outside while Leah napped alone to help the kids build a snowman

    

Enjoyed some yummy hot chocolate inside to warm up 

Hannah reading to Leah, look at her watching Hannah

 

Twinsies!  

  

We just love this little one 

  

Noah was out!  

But woke in time to get some Leah snuggles in 

  

Visiting with Tiffini and Heather - 2 of my work friends.  Spending some time with her littlest Grant who was born in September

 

Snapchat fun with Heather

      

Big sissie is home and ready for her duties now 

 

Play mat time!  

 

 

Snuggles with Daddy

 

Video of Hannah as "the baby whisperer" 

Visiting Grand Rapids to see Aunt Cassie's photography features at a local coffee shop 

  

 

Had lunch at Founders then drove to see Uncle Paul and Aunt Megan for a little bit 

Our little "dear" 

  

Hannah lovin' 

  

 

Noah needed some snuggles too 

 

 

She's really figuring out those hands! 

You are both Mommy's little angels 

  

Spending some time with Mommy's friend Mary and her twins.  These kiddos (and Mary) will always hold a special place in my heart as I took care of them both in the NICU.  The night that Leah was born their Dad, Jeff was the ER trauma physician who then took care of me.  

                        Leah, Kirra, and Gavin 

Leah just loves these 2!!  They melt my heart :) 

  

Helping to shovel out the sidewalks and driveway on this last day in January 

   

Here's a cute video of Leah finding her voice :) 

Happy January!!  Stay warm my friends :) 

Visit from the Billetta Family

Amy, Steve, Grace, Andrew, Matthew, and Ava drove out for a visit over MLK weekend to spend some time with us and meet their newest family member Leah.  

Hannah and Noah enjoyed playtime with their cousins and Leah enjoyed TONS of snuggles from everyone.  

It was nice to have some quiet time with just them as we typically have to "share" when we are in PA visiting everyone.  

But we had a great time and were so glad they could make the drive out to see us!!  We love you guys!  

Here are some pictures from their trip

 

 

 

 

 

 

We took them to Relli's for dinner before they left.  This is where we had the lovely encounter of Noah touching the hot space heater.  Noah went to touch it and both John and I told him no, its hot, you will hurt yourself.  So what does he do?  Noah reaches out and touches it anyway.  Silly boy?!  

Leah - 2 Months Jan 2017

Our little Leah-bea is 2 months old already!    While it has been a quick 2 months, it also feels like its been a long time.  The cold winter months make things move a bit slower since we are stuck inside.  We're in for it since we've got a few more months of this cold stuff to look forward to.  

                                          

2 Month old Stats:

-Height: 22.25 inches (40%)

-Weight: 11 lbs 10 oz (58%)

-Head Circumference: 37.5 cm (27%)

This little love bug has given us a run for our money.  She has certainly been the worst of the 3 kids in the sleep department.  She does NOT like to be put down once she is asleep.  She lasts between 5-15 minutes laying down before she is awake screaming.  Then it's really hard to get her back to sleep again.  

She also likes to fight sleep.  Nighttime is by far the worst for that.  Typically around 9:30-10pm when you can tell that she is tired, she will fight falling asleep.  We try rocking, holding, swaddling, walking around, singing, bouncing, the swing, crying it out... you name it, we've tried it all.  She just does not want to give in.  Sometimes the only thing we can do is put her in the swing to cry for awhile.  Then she seems good and tired and will finally cave in and sleep.  Some nights are okay and she doesn't do this.  But most nights it is a struggle both  mentally and physically for John and I.  It's hard when you can't soothe your baby and you feel helpless.  But thankfully we are a good team and can help each other out when the other is at their wits end.  

We also FINALLY got Leah to take a paci.  She would fight that as well, pushing it out with her tongue, gagging on it, flat out refusing it.  Normally I would be okay with this, but given our hard time coming to sleep, I want something to be able to help her soothe.  We tried a few different varieties before coming to the Nuk, which is what all 3 kids used.  I'm just glad it works now!  

Besides our sleeping issues, Leah is a sweet little thing.  The kids enjoy her snuggles and cuddles because she does love to be held.  Hannah is so sweet with her, always asking to hold her, even putting her to sleep on her chest at times.  I love seeing the kids interact together and Hannah is by far the sweetest with Leah.  Sometimes when Leah is crying, Hannah will say "let me hold her Mom" and she gives it a try.  I love it.  

Hannah helping out at Leah's doctor appointment

 

Noah is still hit or miss with Leah.  Some days he doesn't acknowledge her existence unless she is crying during a TV show that he is watching.  And other times he wants to hold her and be right close next to her.  Or he wants to hold a baby doll and pretend its his baby.  It is really interesting to see how he is handling his new little sister.  

  

We are also getting lots and lots of smiles from Leah!  She is starting to coo and it almost sounds like a giggle is coming.  She is an active baby (when she gets put down) and will kick and flail her arms and legs around.  Her eyes are so expressive and she really follows whoever is talking or walking around the room.  She loves listening to and watching the kids play.  Its like she knows they are there to protect her.  I can't wait to continue to see how their interactions will grow.