Big Girl Bed

Daddy went out and bought you your big girl bed today! You've been out of your crib since you were 16 months old, for six months you slept on your crib mattress on the floor. But we decided it was finally time, for you to have your own big girl bed.

We decided on a white trundle bed, it has drawers below you and we can add a mattress for future sleepovers.

Daddy brought it home on Thursday night and immediately started putting it together, you wanted to help with every step. You would hand daddy his tools and sit in his lap to observe his work. It took him two nights to finish. Then I bought you sheets and on Saturday night we made your new bed and we were so excited to show you. We brought you upstairs and showed you your new BIG GIRL bed with excitement and your response was, "No." And you walked into our room. I coerced you back into your room, we got in jammies, read books and I snuggled with you until you fell asleep.

Then you woke around 1:00 a.m. and I went back into your room to snuggle with you, you woke again at 2:30 a.m. and I wearily went into your room for more snuggles. But THEN after that you stayed in your room for the REST of the night! I think we are making big steps sweet girl.

At times it is very hard for mommy to watch you grow up. I still cannot wrap my mind around you being 22 months old... two short months away from turning TWO. But, I know with each new month, each new milestone, comes new joy and memories.

I love you so my darling Halen girl.

Love,

Mommy

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Sisters

 Oh my darling Halen! Today daddy and I found out we were bringing a baby sister into your world. We were elated. Daddy had tears streaming down his face, he has always wanted to be surrounded by girls and now The Lord is making daddy's dream come true.

Your sister, Henley Charlevoix, is going to look up to you like no one else. She will want to be near you all the time, play with you, and mostly love you. Be patient with her, and teach her well. You are her biggest role model. And God knew you could handle that job, which is why he made you a big sister. Ultimately, Henley will be your best friend for life. She will always be there. Please treat that relationship with tenderness and put it at the top of your priorities. I, as your mom, am beyond excited to give you a baby sister.

 I am enjoying these last few months of you as my baby, and with our family of three. I watch you grow and learn and opevery motion blows me away. You have started to say "I love you", but your version sounds like, "Iluhyoo" and daddy and I love it! You are so nurturing and want to mother all the kids in our in-home daycare. You try to our diapers your stuffed animals and try to take care of everyone.  I absolutely adore being your mommy. It's the best part of my life. Thank you for bringing me such great joy and happiness. You give me glimpses of what Heaven will be like one day. I will dearly miss you as a baby, but I know wonderful moments and beautiful conversations are ahead.

Iluhyoo baby girl.

Love,
Mommy

My growing baby girl

I have been having these moments of panic, when I realize you are growing up. One episode kicked in Halloween night, I cried myself to sleep just thinking of you growing up. I know it's inevitable, and you're growing up beautifully, but I so love my baby Halen girl. I love your cuddles, your sweet little toes, you're kisses, how you just want mommy sometimes. Hearing you learn to talk and say, "I love you." Watching you play and learn life. I will miss your sweet little self, but I know there is an amazing Halen yet to come. Thank you for loving me so much and always making me feel like the best mom in the world. It's hard to believe you are 20 months old. Four months away from being two. Five months away from being a big sister.  So much will change, and it will all be wonderful. I will miss our family of three, of you being my baby girl. But I'm so proud of the toddler you are becoming. So strong, so sure, so determined, and smart. You pooped on the potty the other night, daddy and I were so proud. You're the best thing I've ever done.

I love you more than every Rocky Mountain pine tree and every grain of sand on the Sleeping Bear Dunes. You're my darling, forever. And no matter how old you are, you're always be my baby girl.

Love,

Your Mommy

You're going to be a BIG sister

Something very special happened on Thursday, August 24th...you woke mommy up really early. But instead of trying to shush you back to sleep, I got up eager for an answer from God, of which daddy and I had been praying for. A few minutes later, my question was answered...mommy was pregnant!! Which meant you my darling muffin, were going to be a big sister!!!!! Mommy was so elated for so many reasons. I was so excited for the new member of our family, and to watch you grow into a big sister role. I am looking forward to watching the bond you'll create with your sibling. You have grown to be so nurturing, smart, and so loving. I know you'll be such a wonderful role model to your little brother or little sister.

After the initial excitement of  mommy wanted to plan a surprise for daddy, I put you in mommy's old shirt that YaYa put on mommy when I became a big sister. It said "big sister" in pink and turquoise. Then we went to Starbucks and bought daddy some coffee and breakfast. When we came home, I had you wake up daddy. He spotted your shirt and was so excited. Daddy later told me, "I don't know what I'm more excited about: Halen becoming a big sister or this new baby." Daddy loves you so much and never wants you to feel unimportant or not as loved as your new sibling. You are our baby forever and always. You made daddy and I parents. But we know this new family member will add something so special to our family and develop an unbreakable bond with you.

Mommy later called the doctor and set up our first doctor appointment for October 16th. Which seems so far away, but it'll be here before we know it. The estimated due date is June 2, 2016. Which means you'll be just over two years old. 2016 will be one amazing, exciting, adventurous year!! Takes us back to how daddy & I felt when we knew you were on your way. Pure joy.

We love you with all our hearts Halen Rae Carol. You're the light of our life. Our family is incredible.

Love always,

Mommy & Daddy

Our little climber

Well, my darling, it's official. You've climbed out of your crib. Twice. You are almost 16 months old. Daddy and I weren't quite ready for this next step, but here it is. We have learned in the past year that you are quite the determined, strong young lady. And you'll do just about anything to get what you want (oh brother). So I took your mattress and put it on the floor and made you your Step 1 big girl bed. (Who's big girl, surely not mine she was just born!) Indeed you are growing up, right before my eyes, and I am loving evey single second of watching you thrive.

The night you climbed out of your crib neither your dad and I even saw the act. All we heard was you and you were knocking in your door to come out. I had put you down and daddy went to get you in the morning. The following night, we all slept great until you did it again. I looked at the monitor and saw your face, I ran into your room. I've been scared but, you seem ready. You don't like being confined. My little American honey pot, you grow wild and free.

So first night in your Step 1 big girl bed...so far you've rolled off the mattress twice, despite my efforts to keep you in. Hopefully my latest update wil keep you snug in bed, all night long. Mama desperately needs sleep tootie.

Love you my anchor,

Your mama

First month in Colorado

Hello my beautiful daughter! You are 14 months old and we've been living in Colorado for a month. It's been a busy month, we are so close to being settled. We're still living out of boxes, but we get new carpet today and then we can officially and completely unpack.

Daddy and I have painted the stripes in your room to re-create your nursery from the Mourning Dove house. We love our new house. You love playing in our backyard with giant birch trees to keep it shady. The living room and kitchen are open and connected, so I can always keep an eye on you. That makes mommy's heart happy. All of our rooms are upstairs, and you even have a playroom right next to mommy and daddy's room!

We went camping in Telluride for the Fourth of July! We had so much fun, you are such a trooper. We stayed for five nights! We went on three different hikes, you rode on daddy's back in a hiking backpack. You played in the mountain stream, looking at rocks and exploring. It was freezing! But you didn't mind one bit, you loved it. You are definitely an outside kinda girl. We went into town and had some delicious meals. Mommy and daddy celebrated our 4th anniversary and we cooked meals at our campsite too. You pooped in the tent on the first night!? It was stinky, but mommy cleaned it up. Sleep was a little nutty, we all ended up cuddling each night. We went to the awesome 4th of July Telluride Parade, it was so fun. Old-fashioned airplanes flew overhead and fighter jets to get the parade started. We saw all kinds of people, animals, it was really fun. Then we went to the park to relax and play. It rained a bit on our trip, but we made the best of it. We had yummy Brown Dog pizza for dinner while waiting for the fireworks. There was a fun band playing, and you danced your lil hiney off. Daddy and I had so much fun with you.

Lately, you love shoes, love playing outside, you love being social with other kids, your first word was "ball" and then "Hi". You wave at people and have started blowing kisses. You know where your tummy is! You are a busy bee and so much fun.

Your new buddy Mackenzie Grace was born on mommy and daddy's anniversary (June 30th), you'll get to meet her over Christmas break. This weekend we'll be celebrating Mackenzie's 8th birthday and going to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo with Kyle, Tim and Owen Besson. And we're going camping in Steamboat next week! Summers are so much fun.

I love being with you everyday, mommy is trying to start her own in-home day care so I can be home with you everyday all the time.

I love you Halen Rae Carol!!!!!

Love,

Mommy

Wubbanub

This post is solely dedicated to your beloved wubbanub. Daddy and I went shopping at BabyEarth while you were in my tummy. We wanted to get you a few  pacifier options because we didn't know what you were going to prefer.  We liked the Wubbanub collection, because there were little stuffed animals attached to every pacifier. We found one with a cute caterpillar and chose that.

At first you didn't like any pacifiers or bottles. But when we went on our month long road trip you started to like them. Then you became hooked on your Wubbanub. It became your lovey, brought you so much comfort and made you feel safe. I loved seeing something bring you happiness and peace. Everyone in life needs a lovey, a safety net.

I always want you to be comfortable in life. The world can seem dark, and uncertain sometimes. But when you find comfort, your heart feels safe and content. I hope our home always brings you comfort and the feeling of being safe. Being with your daddy and I should always make you feel safe, comfortable, and happy.

We hope to teach you how to create your own safety net and comfort one day. Building a home that is clean, safe, smells good, provides that place you can always go and feel right.

Then for Christmas we bought you another Wubbanub, you were thrilled. Now you carry around both, while we nurse you have this cute habit where you hold your Wubbanubs, you stick one in your ear and hold the other close to your chest. So cute.

You want your Wubbanub all of the time, we try to only give it to you when you are upset or about to go to sleep.

We love you our lil sweet pea.