Stella and Finn's birthday party

We celebrated Stella and Finn's birthday in Houston on March 27th. We had it in the middle of their 2 birthdays. Stella's was the month before and Finn's is April 24th. We had it at Gymboree like we did for Miller and Brooklyn. We do cousin first birthdays together since they are so close in age. Everyone had fun especially Miller and Brooklyn. Stella has not enjoyed many first birthday festivities. She does not like cake we have figured out (sure that will change) and she is a Momma's girl right now. She will outgrow it but it is wearing momma out.




Trying to get that family pic



Momma and birthday girl



My birthday girl, Stella



The Fanning boys



Miss Fiona Duncan



My big girl, Brooklyn



Not a happy birthday girl



The birthday boy Finn enjoying his cake



Daddy and birthday girl

FLASHBACK below!



Flashback to Brooklyn and Miller's first birthday

Stella turns ONE!

Stella hit a milestone this last Saturday, February 27th. She is ONE! We have a survived a year with 2 kids. Yeah! Stella is so sweet these days. She is hardly fussy anymore except a little bit at night. I am trying to wean her from breastfeeding and she is not taking sippy cups yet. But she will! She is a little more feisty but has a smile that will melt your heart.

Weight: 18 lbs 3 oz - 10%
Height: 29 inches - 40%

Milestones:

She can clap, give kisses and high fives, and dance.

She is a pretty good sleeper although she wakes up sometimes to talk awhile or "crow" as we call it. She goes to sleep easily and wakes up happy. If she wakes up crying then it was not a good nap!

She is eating baby food good but still not a fan of much table food. I have tried bananas cut up and whole, cheese, cereal bars and random bites off my plate but she inspects it.

You did not like your birthday cake.

I think I hear her saying, "mama" to me, dada, night night, bye bye, thank you.

It is going to be so fun to see how her personality develops. It is always fun to see what will come out of their mouths.

Brooklyn and Stella love each other except when it comes to sharing toys. Brooklyn and Stella love their bathtime together. They love to get "nake" as Brooklyn says.




Newborn



3 months



6 months



9 months



1 year old



So happy before cake (don't you love how she cheeses, the eyes squint)



Not so happy!



Brooklyn enjoying Stella's cake

Heather's Baby Shower

The weekend of February 20th we gave Heather a baby shower in anticipation of Baby Boy Thrash. No name yet! Laird and Poppy stayed in Dallas with the girls and they did not win. Stella did not take a sippy cup or bottle the whole weekend and Brooklyn had an accident everytime instead of using the potty! Now Laird really has an appreciation for me. I definitely appreciate him too!

It was a great shower with Heather's mom (aka, Marlynn, my mother in law and Nonna) and Cissy planning the menu. I did a lot of chopping and Evelyn helped out with the cleanup! Heather's sister in law Janet was not able to come in from DC but she was a big help with the invitations. We had the shower at Heather's house. We had a good turnout! So excited for Heather and Clint and can't wait for Baby Boy Thrash! I am really ready for them to join the ranks of parenthood so I don't seem so crazy.



Heather looks great!



Me and my sis, Katie





Heather and her mom

My Valentines!

More Snow!

I can't believe how much snow we have gotten this year but I have seen enough. I am ready for Spring. Brooklyn does not really like the snow but Aunt Kim got her fired up about playing in it. Stella would have liked it if I would have let her loose more. Crawling is not really great for playing in the snow. Plus we really don't have any clothes to play in the snow in. Next year I am going to make sure we at least have some rain boots or something.

Big Girl Brooklyn!

Brooklyn is 2 1/2 today! She is not my baby anymore. She has grown up so much. She is really loving school, she moved up a class in swim lessons (without mommy) which is an adjustment but she will get there, and she has been doing really good potty training. We have almost been 2 weeks in panties. We still wear diapers at night. She is such a girly girl. She does not like dirt on the bottom of her shoes (yes, the bottom of her shoes), she did not like the snow, and was not fond of the sand at the beach. She loves all bling and jewelry. She has to take her purse everywhere. She loves music and dancing. She makes friends anywhere she goes.

Look at previous post for Stella update!

Stella 11 months

Stella is almost one! I really can't believe it. Her personality is coming through more everyday. She is going to have to have a strong personality since she is the little sister. Brooklyn constantly tries to make her mad even though Brooklyn loves her. Stella is the first thing Brooklyn asks about when she wakes up from her nap. Stella has started clapping, giving kisses, and she gets excited when Laird gets home. She just gives him kiss after kiss. It is so cute. In the last few days I have actually seen her eat a few puffs but not any other table food. I have tried bananas, pieces of soft sweet potato fries, rice, cheese and she has no interest. Brooklyn was very similar. She is still nursing 4 times a day and she is sleeping really well. Since Brooklyn has been potty training we are in the bathroom a lot and Stella is right there in the middle of it putting her hand in toilet and getting into everything in there. I have heard her say "momma", bye-bye (waving), dada, and uh-oh.

Here is a recent video of Stella clapping.

Here is a video of Brooklyn and Stella shaking cracker bags. We have all these toys and this is what entertains them!