2 Years Ago Today

I can't believe it, our baby girl turns 2 years old today.

Two years ago today I didn't know if we were expecting a girl or boy but I was so ready to meet him or her! Two years ago today I was sent home from the hospital because "just because it's your due date doesn't mean you're going to give birth on this day" and returned hours later in active labor. Two years ago today our sweet, dark haired baby girl Abbey Florence Rose sped into this world and changed our world forever. I will never forget sitting on the hospital bed with our two girls and the feeling that my life was complete.

Since she was born, Abbey has changed a lot and amazed us in many ways. She looks so much like her daddy but is very much her own person in every way! She is feisty, passionate and knows what she wants and I hope she stays that way. Very few people in this world know what they want and will fight for it. I can't forget to mention that she's just about the best snuggeler in the whole world and such a Momma's girl so that makes me happy.

In the past year she has learned how to walk, got her first tooth (yes, she is a late teether!) been on 2 family vacations and even spent a few days and nights with just Daddy when I went to visit my sister. Her big sister has taught her so much including the alphabet, how to color, how much fun it is to play in the snow and even how to push Mom & Dad's buttons!

Here's to you, Abbey. You goofy, sweet, adorable little 2 year old! Happy Birthday, I love you so very much! XOXO

Breast is Best

I saw this quote somewhere online and had to make my own little picture featuring Abbey. The picture is of her when she was only a few weeks old, passed out after a big drink of "boob milk".

7 1/2 months of exclusively breastfeeding and still going strong!

Routine is Our Thing

After 6 months of having a crazy, unpredictable sleeping schedule I have finally gotten Abbey into a routine and she seems to have taken to it better than expected!

I have to admit, I coddled her way more than I did Ceili, our oldest. I think it's because I know she is our last baby and I wanted to hold onto that so badly and as long as possible. Now I have realised that I have to let go, just a little bit and let her have her own space to grow and discover.

We now have a routine for both girls. Abbey starts her nap at noon and Ceili starts her's at 1pm and bedtime is around 9pm for both of them. Abbey started to be so crabby when we were trying to keep her up later, so one evening I just decided to put her in her crib and see what she did. Well, she cried for a few minutes then rolled onto her side and fell asleep! What a surprise to me! I expected the same fight as with our oldest where she would scream and kick as soon as she saw me leave the room.

Over the past 4 years I have come to understand that routine is our thing in our house. Without it, I think we would be in complete chaos. If my children skip a nap or get to bed too late, they are complete monsters and it makes our day so much more stressful. I have had so many people say to me in the past "Does she have to be in bed at that time?" or "can't she just skip a nap?". To that, I say we are in a routine that works for us, it keeps my kids happy and healthy and mommy and daddy aren't insane because we never spend any time on our own.

Two GIRLS?!

Throughout my last pregnancy, I (as well as everyone else) was convinced that we were going to have a boy. We didn't find out the sex because Matt wanted to keep it a surprise this time since it was our last. Having a girl never even really crossed my mind! My pregnancy was totally different than the first. From the cravings to my belly shape, it was all opposite!

We had boy names chosen, and a few girl names as well just incase, but I felt they weren't going to be needed. The moment our little Abbey was born, the doctor said "it's a girl!" as he checked between her legs. Matt smiled then said "what?!" and did a double take! I was shocked myself, but happy nonetheless. She was beautiful and perfect and she melted my heart from the first moment I held her. Ceili said Abbey was a girl the entire time, maybe our 3 year old is psychic.

Come to think of it, this happened with our oldest daughter too. Even though we found out the sex and the ultrasound tech told us multiple times that we were having a girl, I was convinced she was a he. I kept having to tell myself that there was a little baby girl living in my belly, not a boy!

I guess the different pregnancies could have been due to our very different children. They are quite opposite so far. Ceili used to be awake and crying at least 5-6 times a night as a newborn where as Abbey is only awake once during the night to nurse and fall back asleep. Abbey is quite happy sitting in the swing in the morning and looking around and Ceili wouldn't have anything to do with it. You could say that Abbey is an "easy" baby, let's hope I didn't just jinx myself, lol.

Either way, I love our girls just the same and I do enjoy playing Barbies and princesses and I'm sure we will have many years of that ahead of us.