Today, I couldn't help but notice how big you are getting. Your daddy dressed you today - put you in a blue cubs t-shirt with a red sequined 'C' on the front. I bought the shirt the day I found out I was pregnant with your big brother - a little boys' shirt and girls' shirt I would wrap up and give him in the parking lot of the mall just moments before I told him he was going to be a daddy. That shirt has been hanging in my closet ever since and seeing you in it made life come full circle for me. This life is amazing and God's love is astounding.
Anyways, it was the first short-sleeved shirt I've seen you in and all day I couldn't get enough of your chubby little arms. You've got the makings of some rolls forming around your elbows and wrists and I can't get enough of them. You're still a peanut, but you are working your way out of your size 1 diapers and 0-3 month clothes. You are still nursing and doing so well with your bottles while mommy visits her students in their schools. I think you drink about 4 ounces every 3-4 hours during the day and you get up to eat around 4:30 every morning. Last Saturday night, you slept 9:30-7 and were happy as a clam when you woke up. You are so happy in the morning and I love the crib-side chats we have before I even get you out of your sleep sack. You are still swaddled at night, however, you weasel your way out of that thing in the morning now. The minute we unzip you, your arms come sprawling out and you stretch so big.
You have discovered so much of the big world around you this month and I can just see the little wheels turning in your head as you study our faces, that cow mirror on your farm mat, or that hand of yours. You started sucking on your hand almost constantly this month and are so close to reaching up and grabbing the toys on your farm mat. You prefer to held facing forward so you can see what your brother is up to. You are trying so hard to grab toys and you can almost do it. I think I may have a blanket lover as lately you've liked hugging soft blankies and holding them up by your face. You love your baths but still aren't a fan of your car seat, and you would much rather nap in your swing over your crib during the day. You've napped the afternoon away in your swing on numerous occasions and lately, you like napping in your carseat! You fall asleep in the car on the way to the grocery store or Cruz's swimming lessons and will stay asleep for hours!
You have the prettiest blue eyes and I think you look more like your daddy every day. You are still astounded by your brother and he is so funny with you. He repeats all the phrases we say to you. This morning, I heard him say, "Hi pretty Mila, are you gonna talk to me," in this high-pitched little voice. Then, he climbed in your crib and read stories to you while I was getting ready. You already have the sweetest relationship and watching you together makes my heart explode.
Happy three months, little girl. Know that you are the perfect fit to our family and we can't imagine our world without that big smile of yours.
"a portrait of each of my children, once each week, in 2014"
Cruz: The other night, the two of us played outside until a perfect spring rain blew in. We chased the soccer ball and practiced his baseball swing, and then we got the sidewalk chalk out for the first time this season. Cruz immediately requested 'hock-cotch.' He loves it outside this year and is going to be so much fun.
Mila: This little one likes it outside, too. At first, she didn't know what to think of the breeze or the bright sun, but she's getting used to it. Today, the windows are open for the first time this year and she's been sleeping for two hours in her swing. I think it's the fresh air...
Thinking back to // a weekend with our friends, Kyle, Jen, and their little boy, Landon. Kyle and Jen made the trip from the Twin Cities this past weekend and we had a sleepover. We ate lunch at Pablos and showed off all the cute shops on the parkade. Kyle and Beau took Mila to SingleSpeed, her first brewery experience (Beau said she was a lightweight, one bottle in and already passed out), and Jen and I took the boys to Peekaboo, to the popcorn store, and to Scratch for a cupcake. We sat outside in the sun for the first time all season and I think Cruz and Landon played with every toy we own. It was great to see them and watch our little people play together and Mila was angel, sleeping all afternoon and going from 9:30-7 that night.
Looking ahead to // the end of the semester and spring. It's been a slow start to this new season and my desire to spring clean, pack away winter clothes, and spend time with my family outside has been neglected at times due to busy work schedules, day-to-day upkeep, and other obligations. Such is life, I'm finding, and the deeper the piles get, the more I seem to appreciate the little things. A found pair of favorite sunglasses I thought I had lost. Windows open while I rock Mila to sleep. My first iced coffee of the season. An afternoon of pretend at the playground while Mila slept in her stroller. Sidewalk chalk on the driveway. These little blessings are so important - they are my fuel that will get me to summertime.
Watching // A new season of Game of Thrones started Sunday night and I am still reeling from the end of last season. I'm also loving this season of Dancing with the Stars and am pulling for Max and Meryl Davis. Mila loves Dancing, too, and I have memories of watching Baby and her strappy heels on Dirty Dancing and practicing her dance moves in the basement. I have dreams of living vicariously through my daughter in ballet class! Eating // still attempting to overhaul our pantry and try a healthier lifestyle when it comes to what we eat. I've been making lots of green smoothies, am on my third batch of clean banana cookies, and Beau and I are having fun being creative and using up leftover produce at the end of each week with stir-fry and quinoa concoctions. Now that we have a baby who isn't too keen on her carseat, we've realized just how much we were eating out for awhile and how good it feels to save it for special treats and spend more time in our kitchen. We both love to cook and are discovering that great dishes don't need a lot of butter, cream, or cheese to make them taste great.
Loving // my sweet family. There have been many experiences lately that have really made me stop and realize how special this time is. Our babies are still little, still very unaware of the fast-paced world that exists beyond their safety net. The other night, I watched from the doorway as Beau read books to Cruz in his bed, only this time, a little Mila girl tucked right beside him. Her eyes lit up and she felt so important laying next to her big brother listening to bedtime stories. This is a snapshot that I know I will look back on and miss. Those days when we were all they needed.
Feeling // excited for lots of firsts for our baby girl. Her first Easter and her baptism are right around the corner and I'm looking forward to lots of pastels, sunhats, and eyelet dresses in our future.
