Violet at Two Years

I can't believe this day is here. Two years ago I met the most amazing little girl, and she has continued to amaze me each day since then. Violet is truly the sunshine of our world. She is our comic relief, our curious cat, and our sweet little snuggle bug. Before she was born, I didn't know I could love another human being as much as I do her (sorry Tim, but it's different!).

This year has been so much fun! Violet learns new things every day it seems, and she is a smart little cookie. She can say her ABC's and count from 1-10 flawlessly. She knows all of the main animals and the sounds they make, as well as some obscure ones that her books highlight (Newt, Yak, Xenops, seriously?) She loves songs and continually wants us to sing to her. She points out letters wherever we go. One time we were walking into Giant Eagle and she suddenly shouts out "G!!!!!" It was adorable. She is very proud of herself when she locates letters while we're out and about.

She is still a very picky little eater. She survives on yogurt and milk. She will only eat meat if it's chicken from my chicken and broccoli when we order chinese. She will not touch cheese, and don't you dare offer her peanut butter, that's just ludicrous! She LOVES fruit snacks, vitamins, and veggie straws.

Violet is still my excellent sleeper, and I'm so thankful for that! She goes to bed between 7 and 7:30pm and wakes up around 8am. She is in her toddler bed now and she hasn't tried to get out, she always waits for Daddy or Mommy to come get her.

Her one true love is still lambie. She has warmed up to "other Lambie," which is a duplicate of original lambie that I bought when original lambie started looking too embarassing to take out into public. Violet knows original lambie has to stay in her bed. Other lambie gets to roam the house and go to church and other outings with us. It has worked out nicely! She doesn't know it yet, but I purchased a third lambie to eventually phase out original lambie if something happens like a rip or irreversible stain.

The biggest thing that happened for Violet this year is becoming a big sister. She has taken to it like a dream. She hasn't displayed jealousy or anger towards "sissy" as she calls her. She likes to inform me when Juliet is crying "sissy cry" as if I already didn't know.. :) and she likes to randomly throw pacifiers or blankets onto Juliet. It's quite adorable and I can't wait to watch her grow even more into her role as a big sister.

Violet weighs 24 lbs (22nd percentile) and measures 34 inches (50th percentile). She is wearing 18 months and 24 months clothes. Some of the 18s are becoming too short now. She wears size 5 and 6 shoes. She isn't interested in the potty very much yet, but she does tell me when she is about to go #2 (she says "potty") which is a good start. I've sat her on the potty but she hasn't done anything yet. We'll keep trying and hope she catches on quickly! One less butt to wipe is OK in my book!

Looking back on the last two years, it has been such a fun ride. I have been stretched further than I ever thought possible, physically, emotionally, and mentally. But the good times are much easier to recall than the hard ones. This little girl, my beloved Violet Marie, has stretched my heart; and will never go back. I can't wait to see what the next year holds for my sweet baby girl. Thank you, Lord, for this precious gift.

Juliet Elise at Three Months

Three months old!

I have to be honest. I have been looking forward to hitting the three month mark for some time now! Don't get me wrong, I love newborn squishiness and cuddliness, but I enjoy much more when babies are a little sturdier and less volatile. I recall that the three month mark was when I started to feel like myself again after having Violet. It's really different this time. I think this time I have decided I may never be "myself" again, because really, I'm not the same person as I was before Violet, or even the same person I was with only Violet. My life totally and completely revolves around the kids. Schedules, naps, feedings, activities, diapers. The days fly by so quickly and before I know it another week has passed and I still haven't had a chance to pluck my eyebrows or fold the 5 loads of laundry waiting for me. 

Juliet is falling into somewhat of a predictable routine, but not totally yet. We are still working through her reflux issues. Rookie mom mistake we ran out of her prescription over the weekend so she was off medicine for two days and it made quite a difference in her behavior. Lesson learned there! I sort of feel like we got off to a bad start because her reflux was undiagnosed for two months, but it is what it is. As the days pass, I still learn her preferences or tricks that help calm her down. I am thankful to have a few things that always work with her; one being the vacuum. If she is fussing, we turn on a vacuum and she immediately stops and usually falls asleep. Needless to say, we have the cleanest floors in all the land. Tim and I have both downloaded a free app that has tons of baby sleep sounds. One of them is a vacuum cleaner and always leave it in the crib with her when I put her down. We are averaging waking up every two hours at night. Three nights in her life (once a month! lol)  she has give me 5 hour spurts, which is heavenly and provides a glimmer of hope for sleeping longer in the (hopefully near) future.

Tim's nickname for her (which I was not in full support of but it's growing on me) is "beef." (beefcake, beef patty, beefaroni). This is because the girl is a little meatier than Violet was and has cheeks for days. It's been fun to see the differences between the girls and I'm excited to see more personality unfold in the months to come!

This month's stats:

• 13 lb 5 oz 
• 3 month size clothes
• Size 1 diapers
• Loves attention and conversation
• Loves being worn on mommy
• Sucks on her fist
• Loves the vacuum sound
• Celebrated her first Thanksgiving

Crooked smile

Juliet and Violet

the Raney sisters!

Violet on the left, Juliet on the right

Lots of sweet faces

Watching football with Daddy

No one is impressed by Santa!

Juliet Elise at Two Months

I am two months old today!

Two months old! I keep thinking that this is so different than when Violet was this age. Violet was SO TINY and Juliet is much more solid and feels sturdier at a younger age. She's wearing the clothes Violet wore when she was a few months older!

Remember last month when I said Juliet was a chill baby? HA! This girl has found her voice this month and isn't thrilled to be away from someone's warm arms. However, last week, the pediatrician diagnosed her with reflux and we started Zantac twice a day. This has definitely helped her be more content sitting by herself for a while. I am so grateful for this! Having a tiny, unappreciative human attached to you 24/7 is extremely draining physically, emotionally, and psychologically. The breakdowns (for all the women in the house) are a little less frequent, but they still happen.

I started back at work this past week, so that has been quite an adjustment. I am working part time (20 hours/week give or take) for the company I have been with for 11 years. My responsibilities have been reduced to the things I know I can handle and take care of well. I am extremely thankful for an employer who has worked with me through two babies and life changes! I am able to get close to two hours in before I get Violet up in the morning, and then two or more in throughout the day (nap times) and evening. I told Tim that the laundry and dishes may not get done as quickly as usual, but I'm hoping to get into a groove.

Juliet is still waking up to nurse ever 1.5-3 hours all day and night. At night, it's usually shorter spurts :( With baby #2, it's harder because I know I need to be up and on point in the morning for Violet and work. Probably once every other week or so, I absolutely cannot get Juliet to sleep and she will just cry for a couple hours. I always sort of hope this night falls on a weekend night so I have Tim's help with Violet in the mornings.

Tim has been so busy with work, fixing up one of our rentals for a new tenant, and other outside projects, that I have no choice but to push through. If that means one kid is crying for a few minutes while tending to the other, it just has to be that way. Crying does agitate me, but I'm learning to "turn it off" in my head and just do what I have to do until I can address it. One of the things I have been struggling with lately is just missing Violet. I miss our alone time and I miss just being with her. This doesn't mean I love Juliet less, it's just been an adjustment we are working through. I love the times that Daddy takes care of Juliet so I can give Violet her bath and put her to bed. I miss those times the most!

Going out alone with the two girls is still a little stressful, but I keep doing it in hopes that it will get easier. Juliet generally likes her carseat and riding in the car. Violet is a hit or miss. But I have decided that it would be great if every store had parking for moms with young children. This past week at Target, a kind stranger helped me get a cart because I had the huge diaper bag on my shoulder, Violet on one hip, and the infant carrier in the other arm. (I won't let Violet walk by herself in a parking lot yet). It's so hard but I know that these days are temporary and that it won't be like this for long (which makes me both sad and relieved at the same time). Each day is a lesson in self-sacrifice, unconditional love, and endurance. When being tough is your only choice, the Lord gives you the strength to do it.

Sincerely praying that this month brings longer spurts of sleep and a more predictable routine!

This month's stats:

• 11 lb 8 oz 
• 0-3 month size clothes
• Size 1 diapers
• Lots of happy smiles when we talk to her
• Loves being worn on mommy
• Sucks on her fingers
• Loves the ceiling fan and the mirror on her play mat

The girls trick or treating as a mouse and cheese!

My two sidekicks

Juliet's first Halloween

BIG yawn

Smiles galore!

Love these two more than I knew I could love anyone!

Many faces of Juliet

Sweet baby

Saturday morning snuggles

Violet usually plops down next to Juliet

Juliet Elise at One Month

One Month Old!

It has officially been a month since we laid eyes on our newest little girl, Juliet Elise. The month has gone very fast and I can't believe it's already here. She is a totally different baby than my Violet was. Juliet sleeps most of the day and really only cries if she needs something or if she is overtired (which I try not to let happen). This is quite opposite of Violet, who would cry and fuss on the days that ended in "y."

Violet is adjusting so much better than I had anticipated. She really loves "helping" me change her diaper, bring blankets, help me "shhh" and rock her, pacifiers (that Juliet doesn't want), or whatever I ask her to bring me. She likes to point out all of her body parts, which led us to learn the word "gentle," especially when she points out her eyes! She is displaying signs of kindness and care, which I love to see!

Juliet is pretty chill, and I'm so thankful for that. It's a whole new ballgame tending to two little humans. When they both need something at the same time, usually the loudest one wins out. It does stress me out when both are crying (or in Violet's case, whining), but having siblings means learning to wait and be considerate of other's needs.

Juliet's longest spurt of sleep has been 3 hours, but of course it was during the day. At night we are about every 1.5-2 hours. I had completely forgotten how tiring these newborn months are, but thankful for the daily grace that God is giving me. Not only to survive on the little amount of sleep, but to be able to handle a VERY high maintenance toddler as well as the needs of a newborn all day every day. Throw in normal household duties, and that is enough to overwhelm even the most collected person. I haven't had nearly as much "alone time" with Juliet as I had with Violet, so in that respect I feel sad, but Lord willing we have our whole lives to get to know each other better. :)

It's still hard to believe that I have birthed two little girls. How is is possible I have multiple children? I'm so thankful and humbled to have been given this opportunity and pray that I will take full advantage of the joys and lessons that come from it.

This month's stats:

• 9 lb, 4 oz, 21.5" long
• Newborn size clothes
• We moved up to size 1 diapers, but they are big
• A couple genuine, big awake smiles per day
• Loves her Rock n Play
• Loves being worn in Boba carrier
• Loves being outside; talking walks with mommy and big sis, watching Daddy work in the garage
• Loves being held on Mom or Dad's chest and having her bum patted
• Discovering her hands and likes to gnaw on them

Sister shot fail

Daddy is busy!

Sweet little angel

Violet and Juliet in same outfit!

First matching outfits :)

Violet teaching sissy how to do a somersault

Daddy and Juliet