Mae Stanley- Three Months

I. Can't. Even.

Heart-Eyed Emojis times a zillion

Mae Stanley Facts

• Weight: 13 lbs
• Diaper Size: 2
• Clothing Size: 3-6 months
• Sleep: I am starting to see a routine. She naps and sleeps in her Rock'n'Play (we have made changes in this area, but I am trying to stay true to what she mastered by three months!) She likes to be swaddled...but not too tight. Her naps are anywhere from 20 minutes-an hour. She usually stays awake an hour and a half before she is ready for another nap. She goes to bed between 9 and 10 on most nights. The longest stretch she has done at night in 7.5 hours. I'm not complaining!
• Eat: Every 3-3.5 hours. She still won't take a bottle....awesome.
• Likes: Momma, Daddy, when her brothers talk to her, snuggles, her playmat, dolls, her fist
• Dislikes: Carseat, dirty diapers (hates them), bottles, people sneezing
• This baby is such a buttercup. She smiles all the time and has started laughing.
• Her little thighs are starting to get rolls and I adore her dimple knuckles
• Her eyes are BIG and blue like her brothers. Her hair is light brown. Poor Sister has an epic bald spot in back.
• We kinda follow a Mom's on Call schedule...but kinda not. I feel that we are working towards a better schedule. I just don't think I will ever be one of those mommas that can get their baby on a schedule...and I am okay with that.
• We are all still so incredibly, madly in love with our girl.

Trip to the Zoo

One day over Christmas break, we met up with our friends, Alyssa and Watts at the zoo. Alyssa is once of my favorite people. She is so positive and upbeat. The boys adore Watts as well.

I was a little nervous about how I would do in such a crowded place with all the kiddos. I ended up having to park on the street and walk to the zoo, but I made the boys ride in the double Bob and wore Mae Stanley in the Baby Bjorn. Once we got in, I let the boys walk around, and it was nice to have the stroller hold the bags.

Ugh. The smell.

After the train, we rode the Merry-Go-Round. It was a little stressful because Woody wanted to sit on the bench and Gaines wanted to ride an animal. Of course all the animals in front of the bench were taken. Alyssa got Watts on an animal right behind the bench and told me she would keep an eye on Woody. Then I couldn't get Gaines on his animal with Mae Stanley strapped to me. Once the ride started, Gaines freaked out and was trying to get off/hold on to me. We all decided that was exhausting and we needed to go home and sleep! Everyone took a great nap though and decided it was a very fun day!

(Except Momma got a parking ticket for parking illegally on the street. Weak.)

Christmas 2016

I'm behind. I know.

You guys, Christmas was so wonderful. I knew Christmas would be awesome watching the boys get the gifts they have long been asking for, but having Woody sing Christmas songs and retell the nativity was the absolute best. 

Christmas Eve

I love being in Atlanta for Christmas Eve. It is so special going to Christmas Eve service at Peachtree. This year, Woody was going to be singing at the 10:00am service. I didn't take pictures. I was so proud and too lost in the moment to think about getting my phone out for pictures. I was so proud of him for learning all the songs and singing so well. He had quite the fan club as well. Not only were Brooks, Gaines, Mae Stanley, and I there, but Nana, Gran, Mimi, Papa, Aunt Savanna, and Uncle Jake came as well.

Once it was finished, Mimi and Papa took Gaines home and the rest of us ate a quick lunch because we had to get back so Mae Stanley could be Jesus in the 1:00pm service. I was so proud! I think I told everyone in Atlanta she was going to play Jesus. She did so great too. She slept the whole time, which was hard because the orchestra was loud. Sometimes she would throw up her arms, but she didn't cry the entire time. 

I cried. Sue me. 

Once we got home, we got ready to host Christmas Eve for Brooks's family. I ordered dinner from Whole Foods again, but no fire trucks this year. Then we exchanged family gifts. Again, having too much fun and forgot to take pictures, but here is a picture of our table ready to host 11 people.

Christmas Morning we saw what Santa brought! The boys were so excited!

We then headed to church. The nursery staff had the day off (which, duh, I should have known!), so we had to take the boys in with us. We sat in the back of the balcony so we wouldn't disturb anyone. The boys were being so sweet and wanted us to hold them while we sang Christmas songs. It was one of my favorite parts of this Christmas. It was special to be in church on Christmas with my family. Then looking down at sweet, Baby Mae Stanley and thinking about Mary holding Baby Jesus. 

I cried. Again. The pews should have tissues.

We then drove to Maridelle's for some lunch and a little more time with our family.

Exhausted.

As a child, December 26 was the most depressing day. It was like the magic was gone. But not now. Woody still sings all of the Christmas songs. He also still knows all the lines from his class's version of The Nativity Story. He refuses to let me put up the Fisher Price Nativity Set. And maybe he has a point. Maybe I should do a better job of remind myself to "Don't Be Afraid! You're gonna have a baby," and to sing about the angels rejoicing. 

“For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.”

Isaiah 9:6