Thursday, May 25, 2017

SLOW DOWN TIME

I know every parent says this, but it is oh so true.  I feel like time is going by so fast and I am trying to reign it in unsuccessfully.  Tae and Elea are both growing and learning so much so quickly that if I blink I miss it. Tae is talking so much more, getting more coordinated in his movements, and picking up patterns, similarities, and differences.





The other day we bought him a new ba (paci--yes I know parents of the year for having a 2 year old still with a paci) that had a shark on it.  He looked at it and said, "shark" then went over to his fish puzzle and picked out the shark piece and said, "same."  Mind blown.  It's funny how when you become a parent when your child does something so simple it can feel like he is Einstein. Tae's dance moves are getting smoother and he is actually following along.  There is one move he can't quite do without falling, so he problem solved and uses the table or a chair to help him.  Again--proud mama over here.


Tae is obsessed with hats, another thing he picked up from Just Dance. He noticed the "meninha" in the dance had a hat on so now anytime he dances he insists on having a hat on.




Elea is a strong little thing and I feel like she is determined to stand up before she learns to sit up.  She is great at tummy time, and unlike her brother she loves it.  She is alert and always checking out the scene, or maybe she is just alert to fend off Tae's enthusiastic kisses and hugs.




We started sleep training her this week and so far she is adjusting well. I swear by Merlin's Magic Sleep Suit and recommend it to any parents, even if it looks like your baby is landing on the moon. Elea has also become a little drooler, she constantly has drool coming out of her mouth. I'm wondering if her teeth are coming in soon.




As for Jess and I we are just chugging along trying to soak it all in.  Jess continues to be busy with his business, working hard to get some sales. He has put his book on the back burner for now, but plans to release it around Christmas. I am just getting everything ready (read: getting rid of/donating ridiculous amounts of stuff that we have) for our big move. Thankfully I don't have work and am able to get lots of things on our checklist done.








Tuesday, May 16, 2017

DEAR RIO, WE'LL BE BACK

We just got back from our favorite city, Rio.  About a month ago we decided to make one last trip before our big move. I'm so glad we did, it was the perfect goodbye see you later to the city we love. There is something about Rio that makes me smile and my heart feel at home.  It's not the most beautiful beach we have ever been to, but there is something special about it.  Maybe it's the Brazilian beach culture, or the warm people, or the delicious food, or the fond memories we have made there over the past 5 years...but whatever it is makes it our happy place. 



It was a fast trip, but so wonderful.  Tae reaffirmed his love the for beach.  The whole week leading up to the trip he kept asking for the praia. When we finally landed and got in the taxi his excitement couldn't be contained. Sadly, it was already dark so we headed out for some picanha and called it a night. 





The next morning we woke up and headed straight to the beach. Tae was in heaven walking hand in hand with Jess and I my heart was beating with joy, watching my boys wander on Ipanema.  One of my favorite times to go to Ipanema is in the morning; when people are walking home from a wild night out,  the avid athletes are on their runs, and the surfers are catching the waves. 











We spent the day at the beach soaking in the sun, the people, and the vibe.  Tae ate his share of sand, cheese, and globos and drank mate and coconut water. He entertained himself the whole time and had a blast running from the waves and rolling in the sand.  Elea did her thing...chilled and napped. All in all it was the best day.  






We made sure to catch the sunset, a must do while in Rio.  Tae played while we enjoyed the views. While playing by the shore Tae spotted a cheese guy headed in after the day's work and called him. He wanted more cheese.  The guy was super sweet and stopped to make Tae one last cheese. I couldn't think of a better ending to our trip. :) 

Friday, May 12, 2017

ELEA HOLBROOK 3 MONTH UPDATE

3 MONTHS  
May 12, 2017 




 Height: 61.5 centimeters (24.2 inches) 
Weight: 6.665 kilos ( 14.7 pounds)



Likes: 
  • Whitney Houston and Janet Jackson
  • Pooping out of her diaper anytime I put her in brand new clothes
  • Tummy time on the activity mat or on our chests  
  • Smiling. She is quick to give a smile to people, she smiles with her whole body. Her little arms and legs squirm around as she smiles. 
  • Eating her hand/sucking on her fingers
  • Holding onto your shirt or hand when she sleeps

  • Still likes...
  • sleeping on people or with movement  
  • Nursing 
  • Baths!  She is so relaxed and smiles the whole time she is in the bath 
  • Mornings--she smiles and smiles after a fresh diaper and then looks around 
  • Bouncing and rocking on the exercise ball (just like her big bro)



Dislikes: 
  • The Nose Frida 
  • Tae's tickles (he still hasn't figured it out, his tickles are more like pinches)
  • Napping in her crib

The Jury's Out: 
  • Pacifiers--she takes them from Keila, but I haven't gotten her to take one yet


Sleep
  • Got her first cold, so she coughed during the night. The saddest sound.
  • Still...
  • sleeps like a rockstar
  • loves to be held while she sleeps 
  • falls asleep when I wear her in the Ergo. We go on walks a few times a day and she's out like a light. 
  • Pretty much sleeps through the night (7ish-7ish), only to wake up for feedings 
  • Sleeps in her crib at night and in people's arms during her naps 






Eating: 
  • Nurses every three hours, sometimes a little later or earlier.  
  • She continues to gain lots of weight--at her 3 month appointment she was 1/2 of Tae's weight at 25 months
  • Continues to be a speed eater, only about 5 minutes per nursing session
  • "Dreamfeeds" during the night...not super consistent.  Sometimes she goes 6 hours without nursing and others only 3.





Favorite Moments: 
  • She loved Ipanema, she would move her little toes around in the sand. 
  • Watching her figure out sitting up.  I hold her hands and she moves around like a weeble wobble. 
  • Watching Tae and Jess with her.  She has them wrapped around her little finger. 



Firsts: 
  • Cold.  Boo--Tae and I had a pretty bad one, and of course she got it.   
  • Trip to Rio 
  • Time on an airplane--she did okay.  She was fussy, but I think it's because she was congested 









Mommy Thoughts: 
Elea is teaching me to savor every moment.  I know that her time as a little baby will pass quickly.  I'm so thankful for my time at home with her and Tae and am really soaking it all in. From the big smile she flashes when I unzip her PJs, to her coos while we play, and even the cries of frustration or tiredness.  I love to give her baths because she is just so happy and calm, she passes it onto me. The other day I was just staring at every little feature of hers and how perfect she is. She truly is wonderfully and fearfully made by God.