Monday, June 20, 2016

Finley Irene- Months 2-8 (It feels impossible to keep up!)

Already 8 months old! (well almost 9!)

It's hard to process it all... where to begin??  Obviously this time with Finley has FLOWN by.  We are busy with our lives running here and there and all the normal activities.  When I look through photos, the MANY photos I have taken since I am always taking photos, it is unreal how fast it is going.  I'm so glad I have taken all these pictures as it helps me to remember it all and I really love looking at them. While I can't share them all, be prepared, because I am sharing a ton in this post.

I have failed with the monthly updates on the blog, but thankfully have come through with my short updates every month with a picture of sweet Finley.  This angel has brought us an immeasurable amount of joy.  Her smile completely melts me every time and I just want to hug and kiss her constantly.

In these photos you see huge changes in our sweet baby as she's gone from being a skinny legged tiny baby to a chunky legged big baby practically overnight.

Our early months, while more tiring with nighttime feedings, were a dream.  She's been the best baby and so easy.  We kept Finley in our room for 6 months... I say "we", but if I am being honest it was me who couldn't bear to be as far away.  It was wonderful having her so near.  I got to where I would lay her down with me if she woke earlier than normal and loved watching her fall back to sleep and smelling her sweet scent.  She's smile at me so happy to be close and we both slept so peacefully.  And I can't even believe I am saying or sharing that as I was always so worried about doing that before.  But this time I decided it was ok as long as I was very cautious.  

I felt no reason to hurry into feeding Finley solid foods so it really was 6 months before she had actual baby food.  It didn't take long at all for her to love eating and she now enjoys some fairly tasty baby food pouches.  At first it was once a day, then twice and now we eat 3 times a day usually plus the bottle feedings.  With her bottles, she usually has 7 ounces now, but for a while it was 4-5 ounces.  

Her napping has gone through several transitions.  We had absolutely no schedule for several months.  After the holidays I started working towards some more consistency.  The challenge has always been the afternoon pick up times and activities for Emerson and Cameron that interfere with Finley's schedule.  It was hard to get her on a schedule but after a while we had a semi schedule worked out.  It was 7 months before we had a real routine that was consistent.  Now that it is summertime, it is easier on Finley.  She naps better now.  When she was just a few months old she did't nap more than 20-30 minutes in her crib and now she naps 1.5-2 hours many times.  

It's been fun watching her learn and grow stronger.  We were slow to really focus on tummy time but got with the program eventually.  Finley went from hating it to loving it.  It is hard to keep her still now as she wants to roll all over and crawl.  She actually gets pretty irritated if you try to hold her back, but you have to roll her back to change her diaper.  

Soon we will be upgrading to a normal carseat instead of the infant carrier as we have reached the point where it truly is so hard to carry her in her car seat.  When we do this transition we will really miss the convenience of the infant carrier.  So hard to believe this time has already come.  

I know this is the shortest blog post ever, but getting in to more detail is a real challenge and I want to make sure I at least get this one posted!  After this, I need to do severe other updates, too!

Here are 100 pictures for enjoyment and some videos of our sweet baby girl.  The photos did not all stay in order, but for the most part they did.  We love, love, love our Finley Irene!



Dr. Ramirez checking on Finley at her 2 month appt

Early tummy time... my heart aches seeing this tiny baby stage!


Big brother and big sister were so attentive

She was not quite ready to smile!

There is that beautiful smile!


One of the 6 week pictures

All my babies from their 6 week pictures.

So happy!!


Oh, this sweet face.

Finley's 1st Christmas Eve service!
More tummy time practice!


Uncle JP is the best!


Love that sweet smile!


Love this and hope to squeeze this on her at 9 and 12 months... we will see!!

We had to do it... 


She loves Uncle Glenn

Such adorable baby chub!



She is our third baby to enjoy this walker, which barely works!



Cam has loved getting on the floor to play with Finley

Coordinating sort of with her CC

There is that nose crinkle!


I love my baby kisses!


Better picture of those two teeth!

Big girl sitting up playing





Do you wake up this happy?

Our precious baby!

Here are some videos, too!





















Monday, June 6, 2016

Family Photos- June 2016

We were able to get some family photos taken through the Life 365 photos to complete Emerson's package that we purchased when she was just a baby.  I'm not usually a big fan of indoor pictures, but I really like how these turned out!