4th of July

We spent the 4th of July at beautiful Lake Martin with Alan's family.  We had so much fun and baby girl loved the boat rides! She fell asleep every time the motor started running.  She didn't love being "in" the the water near as much as she loved being "on" the water. There's always next year. I know that her Daddy will make sure that she is a lake baby in no time! 

Grown-ups can play too! 

Sun bathing in her bonnet.

Relaxing on the pontoon.  Love those baby blues. 

sun + water = snoozes 

Our little family 7/4/2015 

After the weekend was over, Alan had to head back home to work so Caroline Cate and I went to Birmingham for a few days to visit.  We had more fun in the sun, and as always, loved staying with my sister and her babies! 

Happy FOUR Months!

Your personality has really started to blossom these past few weeks.  On July 9 you rolled over! After you did it once, you couldn't stop. You probably roll over at least 25 times a day. You will NOT stay on your back when I put you down and it's the cutest thing. Your feet finally touch when you are in your bouncer and you LOVE it. I think you would stay in there all day if I let you.  You have really started reaching and grasping objects and then putting them straight in your mouth. Mommy and Daddy are going to have to watch you like a hawk! We can tell that you love to be on the go and are hardly still for a second, unless you are sleeping. Speaking of sleeping, we finally transitioned you to your crib. We only had one rough night and then you decided it wasn't so bad. The past two nights you have slept 12 hours straight in your crib and we couldn't be more proud of you! You are napping for about 2 hours every afternoon and taking a few cat naps in the morning.  We switched to a hypoallergenic formula because of your consistent fussiness during the day and you are a TOTALLY different baby. You have gone three straight days without crying unless you were hungry or dirty. We think that Mommy's milk was making your tummy hurt. While it is sad to see all my hard work go to waste (i.e 2,000+ ounces of breastmilk in our freezer) I am so so happy that you are not fussing and hurting anymore. You are growing so fast and Momma's heart may burst from thankfulness. 

We love you Caroline Cate! 

100 days old on June 12, 2015...Cousin Will's birthday! 

We stopped by Mommy's work for a visit. Got some sweet lovin' from Dr. Smith! 

Such a big helper in the kitchen 

What's Up Doc?! 4 Month Check-Up

Caroline Cate had her 4 month check up this week. She doesn't turn 4 months old until this Saturday but due to scheduling conflicts her appointment was earlier this week.  She did not love anything about this appointment, especially the shots but she got extra TLC once we got home.  She weighs 12.4 lbs. Petite and perfect.  She is in the 15th percentile for weight, 20th percentile for height, and 45th percentile for head circumference. 

HC: 40.25 cm

Length: 1ft 11.75in

Waiting to see the doctor.  

(Side note: The bubble she is wearing was mine when I was little)

Never quits playing with those hands

Trying her hardest to roll over. She usually gets "stuck" halfway :) 

Selfie with Momma! 

We are so thankful to have a healthy baby! She passed her exam with flying colors. However, she has been increasingly irritable/fussy as of late and she is continuing to spit up (all the time) so we are trying to figure out what the root of the problem is. We have narrowed it down to either GERD or cow's milk allergy. I'm really hoping that it is GERD because we just bought a deep freezer to store all the excess milk that I have made for her to take once I stop pumping. If it is a milk allergy I will proudly donate my milk to anyone who needs it :) I refuse to pour it down the drain. I have worked way too hard for it to go to waste. We are starting zantac twice a day and going to see if that helps her fussiness.  If not, we will move to plan B. Other than that she is doing great! Her personality has really blossomed the last month and she just gets sweeter everyday.  She has great head control and enjoys sitting in her bumbo (most of the time).  She continues to sleep about ten hours every night, takes about three forty-five minutes cat-naps a day, and has just started taking a long two hour nap in the afternoon. I am SO thankful that she sleeps so well.  She still sleeps in her rock-in-play in her nursery. We will eventually transfer her to the crib but we have been on the go so much that I haven't had several consistent nights at home to make the transition.  She takes about five 6oz bottles a day. She is growing and developing more every day and it just keeps getting better and better. I wish time would slow down and speed up all at the same time! 

She LOVES:

Bath time

Eating her hands

Playing and looking at her hands

Her activity mat

Watching TV

Car rides/Stroller rides

Being outside

Laughing out loud

Kicking her legs

Her wub-a-nub

I can't wait to see what next month holds. I have a feeling that she will become a roly-poly very soon! 

Welcome Baby Will

William Stewart Laney 

6/12/2015 at 8:41am

6lbs 3oz 

19in 

This sweet, beautiful baby boy entered the world and captured our hearts immediately.  I could hardly get to the hospital fast enough to get my hands on him. My sister went into labor on a Thursday night, ten days before her due date throwing off all of my "plans" to be there for Will's arrival.  Alan had planned on taking off the next week when we thought he would arrive so he was working.  Friday morning I woke Caroline up early, gave her a bottle, put her in the car, and (very carefully) drove from Madison to Birmingham to meet him!!!  We got there just a few hours after he made his debut. 

First time holding Will 

Brand new and precious

Watching Anna Scott become a big sister was so sweet! She couldn't get enough of her baby brother. She gave kisses and couldn't stop "petting" him.  She brought him the same teddy bear that Mary Catherine brought to the hospital when I was born. Anna Scott also brought it to meet Caroline Cate when she was born. So sweet. 

It was such a special time at the hospital seeing the babies together! It's hard to believe that Caroline Cate is already a big cousin. Will made her look so grown and it's so sad how quickly they grow out of the newborn stage. We are quickly becoming a crazy crew with all these kiddos but we wouldn't have it any other way! I cannot wait to watch Will and Caroline Cate become the best of friends. And of course, Anna Scott will be their boss. It is such fun chaos and we are so thankful for these blessings from the Lord. 

Grandaddy and Granmomma went from one to three grandkids in three short months! 

Caroline and I were able to stay a few extra days after Will came home from the hospital. We had so much fun loving on our little ones. Lots of rocking, bouncing, swinging, napping and crying :)

Alan meeting Will 

My grandmother, great-aunt Sandra, and great grandmother visiting the babies! 

Sweet baby Will we love you deeply. I cannot wait to watch you grow up and I pray that your life will be full of blessings. Welcome to the family!