Noah :: 2.5 Year Update

Dear Noah,

It's been far too long since I last wrote to you - almost a year to be exact. In that year, quite a lot has happened - we moved from PA to SC, you became a big brother, and you are now a talking-up-a-storm 2.5 year old little BOY. You are clearly no longer a little baby, and while that makes mommy a bit sad, you have blossomed into such a happy, fun loving boy. 

There's a lot to catch up on so I'll share some of the highlights with you. Last summer we spent a lot of time traveling and got to spend nearly 3 weeks in NC with Mommy's side of the family. We had such a BLAST! We had fun riding the choo choo & carousel at Pullen Park, took your 1st trip to the beach, and we even went strawberry picking. But perhaps the biggest highlight of our trip was meeting your baby cousin, Emma, who was just 2 months old at the time. 

At the end of the summer you turned two years old. We celebrated your birthday with a tractor themed party with family and friends at a local park. Your official two year old height/weight stats were: 28 lbs and 35 3/4". Here is your two year old photo :)

Shortly after your birthday we celebrated another huge milestone in your life with your 1st day of school! We decided to enroll you in a two year old preschool program, and it has been one of the best decisions Mommy & Daddy have made for you. You absolutely LOVE school. You have learned SO much in such a short amount of time. Not only has school helped you with learning your ABC's, numbers, colors, etc....but it has been a huge part of your language development. When you started school you could say only a handful of words and now you are speaking in full sentences. Mommy & Daddy are so, so proud of you!

In October we found out that we would be moving to South Carolina for Daddy's new job. We made the official move into our new home the week before Christmas, but still managed to get our Christmas tree up just in time to welcome family on Christmas Eve. We enjoyed a simple, yet fun holiday with your grandparents, aunts, and cousin in our new home. You seem to really like our new house (especially the backyard and your huge playroom!), and have done very well with this big transition. We hope that you will love growing up in the South!

Less than two short months ago we welcomed your baby sister, London, into the world and you officially became a big brother! You are just smitten with her. The transition to our new life as a family of four has gone fairly well. Naturally, it's been a big adjustment for you, and some days are easier than others, but we are slowly settling into a new routine. Mommy & Daddy are so excited to watch you and London grow up together. 

The last time I wrote to you I included a "favorite things" list, so I thought it would be a good time to update it with your current faves. 

Favorite TV show: "Jake and the Neverland Pirates" is by far your #1 favorite show with "Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood" and "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse" as close seconds.

Favorite movie: You still LOVE "Cars", and have since added a second favorite, "Planes".

Favorite books: Your favorite books seem to change fairly often, but a few of your current favorites include "Honk Honk, Beep Beep", "Otis", "Little Blue Truck", "The Very Hungry Caterpillar", and any book related to Lightning McQueen or Dusty.

Favorite toys: Basically ALL of your die-cast cars and planes from your favorite movies, "Cars" and "Planes". You have such a fun imagination these days and will spend hours flying your planes through the air and driving your cars all over the house. You even like to recreate the scenes from both movies as you watch them. 

Favorite activities: Playing in the backyard, chasing bubbles, drawing with chalk, playing in water (you are still a big fan of bath time), taking walks around the neighborhood, playing on your iPad, and being a big helper around the house (you love to help with chores). 

Favorite foods: Pizza, granola bars, muffins, blueberry waffles, pancakes, and pretty much any carb or sweet treat ;) 

It's been one awesome year, and I can't wait to see you grow up even more this summer as we approach your 3rd birthday. Mommy & Daddy love you more and more each day. 

Until next time, here are some of my favorite photos from this past year.

1st lollipop ;) 

 Getting our bags packed for a summer full of travel!

1st trip to the beach (you LOVED it!)

Beach day fun!

4th of July at the zoo (it's become a yearly tradition)

Carousel ride w/ Daddy

Family selfie :) 

Daddy's car washing helper

Little car lover :)

Happy boy playing outside :)

Birthday dinner at Red Robin

1st day of preschool

Just swinging

 Playgroup buddies (we miss them!)

Announcing your baby sister's gender!

Preschool trick-or-treating 

 Happy Halloween from "Daniel Tiger"!

Christmas morning kisses :) 

New Years Eve ice cream party :) 

Big boy haircut + style

Holding your little sister for the 1st time :)

 I don't have any current weight/height stats for you (your next check up isn't until you turn 3), but you are mostly wearing size 2T clothes and you have just transitioned into size 6 diapers. 

P.S. Potty training starts this summer!  :) 

I love you,

Mommy 

London :: 1 Month Update

Dear London,

Today you are one month old! Since this is my first time writing to you, I thought I would tell you where this monthly letter tradition all started. I first started writing to your big brother, Noah, when he was born, and continued with monthly letters for each month of his 1st year. I wanted to do the same for you, and hope that someday when you are older you will appreciate these letters. In each of these letters you will be able to read about milestones that you've achieved, how big you've grown, our family adventures, and daily life. I hope that you enjoy reading them as much as I enjoy writing them! 

This past month has gone by in a blink of an eye. Your first few weeks of life were mostly spent sleeping your days away while Mommy & Daddy adjusted to life as a family of four. You were so sleepy that we had to wake you up most of the time just to feed/change you. You still sleep quite a bit during the day, but you are waking up more and more as each day passes. Right now we are working on getting your days/nights in order by following an "eat/play/sleep" pattern during the day. During our "play time" we play on your activity mat and read books together. You seem to really love your play mat, and Noah enjoys playing beside you!

You are such a cuddly little girl and you absolutely LOVE to snuggle. Your favorite thing to do is lay on Daddy's chest. We think you are a Daddy's girl already ;) When you're not snuggling, you are eating like a champ. You are currently eating 3 oz. of pumped breast milk every 2.5-3 hours, and you will occasionally have a 4 hour stretch at night.

You've had several "firsts" this month, including your 1st official bath in the bath tub, 1st walk in your stroller (double stroller with big brother, of course!), and your 1st visit to the zoo. Yesterday we celebrated your 1st Easter. We had a nice, relaxing family day here at home. You got your first Easter basket and we watched big brother hunt for eggs in the backyard. 

Daddy and I are looking forward to watching you grow this upcoming month. We love you, sweet girl!

Here are some of my favorite photos from your 1st month.

Our first time meeting...just minutes old :)

Daddy's girl already ;)

 
 2 days old

Headed home from the hospital!

 Big brother is absolutely smitten with you :)

 1st trip out of the house (Target) as a family of 4!

Sleeping Beauty :) 

Off to take your big bro to preschool

 Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Sleepy newborn smiles :)

 Mommy's girl

#1 Little sis (big bro would agree!)

Some quality big brother time :)

Bath time makes you sleepy

All set for your 1st visit to the zoo!

Here are your 1 month stats: 

Weight: 8 lbs, 8 oz.
Diaper size: Transitioning into size 1 
Clothing size: Still mostly in size NB, but you can fit into a few of your 0-3m outfits

I love you,

Mommy