BR at 27 Months

I wanted to do this update on Brantley Rae since soon our lives are going to be crazy when we add her baby sister to the mix. Chase and I took Brantley to the Botanical Gardens yesterday morning to take these pictures as her 2 year old photos but it also happened to be the day she turned 27 months old.

 Brantley's Stats:

I'm not exactly sure how much she weighs but I think she is around 23-24 pounds. I need to measure her height but she's probably 33" tall. She is still wearing size 3 diapers. I'm hoping she will start potty training this summer after Savannah is born and we get used to our new routine. She actually pooped in the potty for the first time (she's never even TT'd in it before) last Tuesday and ever since she's refused to sit on it again to do anything. So I've decided she isn't ready and we'll try again in a month or two. Brantley is wearing mostly size 6 shoes but some 5's still fit. She now has 14 teeth (she finally got her bottom incisors, but not the top yet).

 B-Rae talks all the time and very clearly. Most of the time I love hearing her talk to us, but sometimes I have to ask her to just be quiet for 2 minutes, which doesn't usually happen. Haha! She is learning her letters and the sounds they make right now, so that is pretty exciting. So far she knows A, B and C. She's been watcing Leap Frog's Letter Factory movie for the past few days so that is really helping. She has yet to watch it just once. As soon as it's over the first time, she asks to watching it again. At least she's learning something. She currently has a little lisp with her /S/ sounds in the final position. She also can't say her /v/ yet and usually puts a /b/ or /m/ in it's place. It's pretty cute! "Sa/m/annah" is how she says Savannah's name. I asked my roommate from Auburn who is a practicing SLP about BR's lisp and she told me that she is still too young to worry about it. Those letters should develop over the next year or so. We'll see! If not then hopefully I can remember some of my college education and help her learn them.

 Brantley Rae is a beautiful little girl on the inside and out. She is a delight to be around and she brings joy to our hearts daily. I LOVE when she tells me, "I lub you, Mommy!" Melts my heart every time. She does throw a fit here and there when she doesn't get her way, but if we're at home we can take her to her room and sit her on her bed. When she has calmed down, she is allowed to come out of her room and join us again. It's working really well and for now that is our version of Time-Out. The other thing that works is counting to 3. I actually only ever get to 2 before she is up and doing whatever I'd been asking her to do. Overall, she is a very well behaved 2 year old and we are proud of the way she acts in public and at home.

 Brantley Rae will be starting preschool again in August. She will be going to St. Mark UMC K.I.D.S. Program on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I'm very excited about her getting back into school, because I feel like she will learn so much and benefit in numerous ways from being in a class with kiddos her same age. She is such a smart little stinker! Chase and I are amazed daily at some of the things she says and remembers that we just have to sit back and soak it in. 

Brantley Rae's Favorite Things:

Chocolate, candy, cupcakes, swinging at the park or in the backyard, riding the carousel at the Galleria, playing with her grandparents, riding her bicycle, swimming (this summer is going to be fun), and her blankets.

Favorite TV shows and movies:

We watch PBS kids or the Disney channel every morning during breakfast, so some of those shows are her favorite. I record Calliou every afternoon because that is seriously her very favorite show and it's a great 30 minute break time for me whenever I need it to cook dinner, chill out or eat a snack. (Hopefully this continues to work once baby sister is hear so that I can have time to get her fed and down for naps uninterrupted at least once a day. We'll see.) Her favorite movie is Letter Factory and a new Kipper video her Bebe just bought her on Wednesday night. Her favorite movies change every few weeks so I'm sure these will loose there luster soon.

~     ~     ~     ~     ~     ~     ~     ~     ~     ~     ~     ~     ~     ~     ~     ~

Brantley Rae,

You are such a joy to be around and Mommy & Daddy love you more and more everyday. Your contagious smile and sweet laugh are always heart warming and can make any moment all better in an instant. We are so thankful for your life and look forward to watching you become a BIG SISTER very soon! I truly believe you are going to be a wonderful big sister because you are very interested in all of Savannah's things. Also, you talk to her in my belly and tell her you love her often. It's the cutest thing in the world. You are amazing, wonderful, happy, silly, loving, smart and absolutely perfect. God is so good!!

We love you,

Mommy & Daddy

Maternity Pictures

This morning we went over to the Birmingham Botanical Gardens to take some maternity photos of me (and Savannah) and 2 year-old photos of BR. These are the best ones that we were able to get of me. The lighting was really too bright in a lot of places this morning and we were trying to keep up with BR while taking my pictures. A task that could only be handled with Smarties. haha

I am 36 weeks and 1 day pregnant with Savannah Claire Williamson. We CAN NOT wait to meet her!!!

My Big Fat Belly - 36 Weeks (Photo Update)

How I'm feeling at 36 weeks: Still very pregnant but super excited after today's doctors appointment. I'll get to that in just a minute. Savannah has dropped so I'm breathing a little easier these days. Sleeping has gotten a little more difficult because my hips fall asleep around 2:30am, so I have to sit awake for an hour or so before I can get back in the bed. Dr. S suggested that I start taking Tylenol PM so that I can sleep better for the rest of this pregnancy.

Progress: I got really good news today! Are you ready.... I'm 1 1/2centimeters dilated and 50% effaced!! Yay!! I'm further along at 36 weeks with Savannah than I was at 36 weeks with BR. I'm so pumped and encouraged that maybe I won't be pregnant for another 4 more weeks. I'm really hoping that I will have her in the next 2 weeks but I guess that's really all up to Savannah. Savannah is for sure head down and pretty far down into my pelvis. Dr. S didn't say what station she was but she did say she was really far down so that's good. Also, that explains the pressure I've been feeling down there. I didn't have an ultrasound today since we are certain that Savannah is head down. She may guess her weight next week if I'm still preggo at that point.
Dr. S did say that she thinks I will deliver before 39 weeks because I've progressed sooner with SC than I did with BR and I had BR at 39 weeks. We'll See!!

Baby's Size at 36 Weeks:

I'm not sure where in those ranges she is on length and weight but I'm still measuring right on track so I guess she might be somewhere in the middle.

Belly Pic:

Let me explain the middle picture... I'm pushing down on my stomach to show how much she has dropped.

Please pray with us that sometime within the next few weeks I deliver a healthy baby girl. We thank you for your thoughts and prayers. Also, if you haven't already done so make sure to cast your vote for when you think Savannah will be born. Just for fun!!

Baby Sprinkle #1

 Tonight, some of my really good girlfriends threw Savannah and I a baby shower. I am so thankful for each one of these ladies and I feel so blessed to call them all friends. Since Savannah is our second baby girl we didn't need a ton of new stuff but since she is born in a different season than BR was, some new clothes were needed.

Savannah was given some really cute clothes, diapers, wipes and a cool car caddy/organizer thing that I had registered for. The girls also went in together and got us a gift card that will be used to buy some of the bigger things we still need/want to have for when SC is born. I'm so thankful for all of the gifts we received!

All of us girls minus Erin, who wasn't able to come to the shower. We missed you, Erin!

We had a wonderful time laughing and catching up with each other. I always love getting together with these girls!!

And look who joined the party...baby Easton!! This is my friend, Lauren's little boy. He is such a cutie and was a perfect angel the who time. I can't wait to have a tiny one to hold all the time again. 

I'm fully aware that life is about to get exponentially crazier, but I've preparing myself as best I can and I think I'm ready for the challenge. God is so good! I feel so privileged that He has given Chase and I another one of His children to care for and raise. I'm so excited about this journey and I look forward to all of it's ups and downs. 

I'll be back Friday to post my 36 weeks belly post. Hopefully,  it will be filled with good news from my doctors appointment on Thursday afternoon.

My Big Fat Belly - 35 Weeks

How I'm Feeling at 35 weeks: I'm feeling pretty good considering how pregnant I am. I'm really looking forward to my appointment this week because Dr. S is going to check Savannah's size and position via ultrasound. I think she's head down but possibly sunny-side up (facing out).
I've been having some interesting symptoms this week of my body gearing up for labor. Wednesday I was very nauseated pretty much all day and then by that afternoon my back and thighs started aching pretty bad and made me worried about preterm labor, but since I wasn't having any contractions, I figured we were okay. I have also feeling little one pushing on my bladder/cervix so maybe she's getting things thinned out. I'll find that out on Thursday at my doctors appointment as well.
Oh and I've been feeling more Braxton Hick's contractions this week. My body is getting ready for baby girls big arrival finally.

Baby's Size at 35 Weeks:

Savannah is now about the size of a butternut squash!!

- Savannah's hearing is now fully developed. She can respond to sound now and mostly, to high-pitched noises.

- She is almost full term and ready for her bid debut!! 2 more weeks!!

Belly Pic at 35 Weeks:

Doctors Appointment: I go to the doctor on Thursday afternoon so I'll update again on Friday. Thanks for thoughts and prayers as my pregnancy with Savannah starts nearing the end.

Savannah's Birthday and Weight Poll

The poll is up and working, so now you can vote for when you think Savannah Claire will be born. If you already voted, I'm sorry. I realized I had worded the poll question wrong and I couldn't edit it without removing the poll and starting over. Go ahead and do it again for me! Thanks to those of you who participate.

Just as a reminder.... Savannah's due date is May 25th.

Brantley was born at 39 weeks and weighed 7 pounds, 10 ounces.

My guess is May 13th, because her birth would be a wonderful Mother's day present to me this year. Ha! And I'm guessing that she'll weigh 7 pounds, 5 ounces.

Let the guessing begin!! If you are reading this from Facebook, you can comment on the link from Facebook if you don't have a Blogger username and password.

My Big Fat Belly - 34 Weeks

How I'm feeling at 34 weeks: VERY pregnant!! I'm not having any major pains but I'm pretty uncomfortable every moment of the day at this point. I know it's only going to get worse and that's probably the worst part. I'm SO ready to not be pregnant any longer and to hold Savannah in my arms instead of her being inside my belly. My hope and prayers are for her to make her arrival in about 4 weeks. I have heard from numerous people that second babies often come sooner than the first so that's what I'm hoping for. Savannah's birth would be a great Mother's Day gift this year. I would be 38w, 2d by then. I'll be ready!!

Savannah's position: Dr. S is pretty sure she is head down because she always hears her heartbeat on the Doppler below my belly button. I think she is still pivoting around though because sometimes I feel her back in front but then other times I feel arms and legs. At my next appointment in 2 weeks, Dr. S is going to make sure she is head down and whether she is sunny side up or not. I'm hoping she isn't because that would mean I'll be having a longer/harder delivery this time.

Movements: Savannah still moves around a good bit. She is mostly giving me kicks and punches these days because she has gotten too big to turn flips.

Baby's Size at 34 weeks:

-My guess is that she's probably is the middle of that range at about 5 pounds.
-At 34 weeks, the Savannah is now able to recognize simple songs that are sung over and over. I guess Savannah will be calmed by Brantley and I singing Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star and  The Wheels on the Bus because we sing those a lot.
-She is also urinating about a pint a day. This one isn't so cute but my hope is that her bladder is working just as it should be.

Doctor's appointment: I had my 34 week check up with Dr. S on Thursday afternoon and we got a good report from her. My blood pressure was 126/68 which is really good and about where it is always. (In the past weeks it's been more like 120/60, but this weeks is still really good). My weight gain still looks good but the number is getting higher and higher and it's starting to freak me out, but I'll live. I'm measuring exactly 34cm/weeks so even though I look really huge and like I'm about ready to pop, Savannah's growth is right on track. 

My next appointment will be in 2 weeks (36 weeks). Dr. S will do my first pelvic exam to see if I have started to dilate or thin out. I will also have blood work done and such to gear but for delivery. 

I'm not really sure if I've been having Braxton Hicks contractions yet or not. If I have, I can't really feel them or I'm just not sure what I'm feeling. I'm hoping I start having them (and feeling them) in the next two weeks so my body can start practicing for delivery. We'll see!

Belly Pic of the week:

We finally hung Savannah's vinyl name decal a few weeks ago. The plan is to hang a canvas print of one of her newborn photos above it after she's born. I can't wait!

What I'm looking forward to: Meeting Savannah in a few weeks and not being pregnant anymore!!

Easter Sunday 2012

This year the Easter Bunny was pretty good to Brantley. She got a beautiful dress, a coloring book, ABC book, vitamins, cookies and some candy. She was in heaven that morning just looking at it all! BR dove right in and ate opened one of her eggs that was filled with a few Jelly Beans. Starburst jelly beans are the bomb, by the way!
Unfortunately, Chase had to be at work during church so BR and I went to VHUMC with my parents. Brantley stayed in the service with me and she did surprisingly well. Goldfish and water during the sermon were the key to keeping her seated and quiet.

After church we went over to my parents house for family lunch. Like usual, I should have taken more pictures of everyone that was there but we only took these cute pictures before we changed clothes and ate lunch. Brantley's cousins, Abby, Will and Molly were there as well. They had an egg hunt just before it was time to head home for nap time and I didn't get any pictures. Bad Mom!

Easter is such a special day to celebrate our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He is Risen!! I'm so thankful for the sacrifice that was made for us and all the love, hope and life we have been given. Spending time with family makes me so aware and thankful for all the many blessings we have been given.

We ended our day by having dinner at Chase's parents house. BR got to hide and find eggs at their house too! She had major sugar overload and bedtime was rough. Today was much better and her candy intake was close to nothing compared to how much she had on Sunday. haha!

Girls Beach Trip

Last week, Brantley and I rode down to Orange Beach with our friends, Casey, Stella and Addie for a few days of fun in the sun. Unfortunately, we only had one day of sun, but regardless we still had fun!

Tuesday's weather was perfect and we stayed out at the beach for as long as we could before it was nap time. I took Brantley down by the water just to see if she would touch it or freak out (like she has done in the past) but this time she loved the water. She held my hand and we walked down close enough for the waves to touch her feet and splash up on her little bottom. It was so cute! I hate that I didn't get a picture but I was afraid to take the camera down by the water and not be holding her hand. Better safe than sorry!

Brantley and Stella had so much fun together playing in the sand. They built sand castles or rather sand-piles, played with water from their buckets and ran around having a great time. I really hope that the next time we make it down to the beach, that the weather is better so we can spend more days playing on the beach.

Wednesday was really rainy all morning so we had to skip the beach. Casey took us all to a Beignet shop that morning that was really close to the house. OMG! I had never had one before but those suckers are dangerously delicious!! Brantley ate hers right up and I could have had 10 more. haha After our sweet treat, we took the girls to Adventure Island to run off some stem and stay out of the house for a little while longer. To our amazement there is NOTHING to do in Orange Beach or Gulf Shores to do inside on a rainy day with kids. We were hoping to find a Jump Zone or a Painted By U place but they have neither. It was a major bummer but we made do.

While the girls napped, the rain cleared out so we took them to a playground that was close by. Brantley and Stella wore their matching shirts I made them that day. They looked super cute!

We decided to head home Thursday because yet again it was suppose to rain again and there wasn't anything fun to do inside down there. The girls were pretty excited to be headed home to see their Daddy's and to get back to our normal routines. Us Mommy's were more than ready for that as well. Casey and I learned a few lessons while on this trip. The biggest one being that we will not venture off to the beach without our husbands with the girls again. It was so much work and a lot harder than we had anticipated. Like I've said before, we still had a great time and are thankful that we got to go, but hopefully, next time the weather will cooperate better.

Playgroup Egg Hunt

On Monday before heading down to the beach, we met up with our playgroup at McCallum Park in Vestavia for some playtime, an egg hunt and lunch. The weather was perfect and the kiddos had a great time!

This was our attempt at getting a cute group shot of the kids before the hunt. LOL! Didn't work and AnnaBelle was not happy about it at all. haha!

Stella                   -                   Brantley               -                      Cooper

I wasn't able to get a group shot of everyone but some of the other mommy's did. Hopefully I can get a copy from them so I can add it to this post. Hint Hint!