4 Months Old!

Wow, I can't believe that tomorrow our baby will be 4 months old! She is so fun and full of lots of smiles. She loves to play! We think that Emma Clare is starting to get some teeth, she has been drooling like CRAZY and chewing on everything (thank you for Sophie Uncle Ray and Aunt Jill!). We have her 4 month appointment on Friday, so we'll post an update soon. Just had to share this pic, because I think she is the cutest baby ever!

Getting Big!

Our Little girl is not so little anymore! Look at how darn cute she is! Emma Clare got to visit this weekend with Grandma Pat. We had lots of fun in our Jumparoo! She can finally touch the ground! She has been all smiles lately-except for when it comes to nap time. She is really fighting her naps right now (still sleeping well at night) but we hope that passes soon. Can't wait for our visit from Grandma Claudia and Uncle Adam and Aunt Marissa soon!

Swimming!

Emma Clare got to go swimming with Aunt Caitlin and Uncle Mark this past weekend in Hilton Head. Once she got use to the water, she really enjoyed herself! It has been so hot here that even in the water she could only hang out a little while. I think we have a swimmer on our hands! Oh, but the way, that suit is 3-6mo and we had a really had time getting it on her (even harder getting it off!)

Emma Clare is getting more and more fun each week. This weekend we brought the jump-a-roo down from the attic-she loves it! She is almost tall enough to touch the ground, so we just put some extra Algebra text books underneath (doesn't everyone have those laying around?!). I'll be sure to post pictures of that soon!

This weekend my mom and Godparents are coming down (Chris will be in Cleveland for a wedding). We can't wait!!

Happy (LATE) 4th!

Happy 4th of July! Ok, the post is a little late, but I'm busy with a 3 month old! Wow, three, months, where has the time gone! As you can see, Emma Clare loves to swing. And yes, she is totally dressed like a boy in her fourth of July outfit, but she did have a very cute dress that she decided to pee on and so outfit number two had to come out (this might have been outfit number 3..the girl spits up a lot too...)

We are having lots of fun and enjoying the summer (and time off with Daddy!). It has been hot, hot, hot! Emma Clare went swimming for the first time this weekend! Other than that, we've been spending a lot of time inside! She is smiling a ton, and just started laugh. Her laugh is so funny!

In other news, our baby girl is BIG! We went to the doctor because we thought Emma Clare had a rash, turned out to be eczema. We did not get a height measurement, but she is 15.8 pounds. She looks like she grew a few inches too, so we'll see at the 4 month check up!
  

 

And, just so I remember when I look back years from now, here is what Emma Clare's schedule currently looks like:

8am-9am: wake up and eat a bottle (6oz)

9am-10am: play time! Loves to play with her bug toy and swing

10am-12pm: nap

12pm-1pm: bottle (6oz)

1pm-2:30: outing with daddy (usually home depot or target)

2:30-3:30: nap

3:30: Bottle (6oz)

4:30-5:00: play time

5:00-6:30: nap

6:30-7:00: play time

7:00: bottle (6oz)

7:00-9:00: play time with a nap mixed in every now and then

9:00: tummy time, bath and bottle (6oz)

10:00 bed time

We have some variety with this schedule, but this is basically how it works each day. As you can see, our baby girl loves sleep! We have her sleeping (through the night!!) in her crib, and we are try to transition to the crib for naps, especially her longer ones in the morning and afternoon.

Ok! That was a long update!! We have lots of people coming to visit in the next few weeks! Can't wait!

Just Love this Girl!

As you can see, Emma Clare is adjusting well to the beach life. Yes, she loves her sun glasses!

 Baby girl had her first 1/2 day at daycare today. Chris had to drop her off, I couldn't do it. He said he teared up when he left. When he went to pick her up, they said she was an angel, just slept, ate then slept some more. We tried to put her to bed early last night (around 9:30) but she was still in a dead sleep when I had to wake her up at 7:30. I guess we'll try for earlier tonight!

In other news, Emma Clare is a smiling fool! She loves to smile now, and is so cute. She smiles when her mom or dad walk into the room, so amazing. It is hard to catch on camera, but we have a few shots are our shutterfly address (emmaclaremullen.shutterfly.com) 

We're looking forward to all of our summer visitors! Mark and Caitlin are coming up soon, then Grandma Pat and Godparents then Chris' brother and girlfriend then Grandma Claudia. Can't wait!

My favorite things...

When I was pregnant I always asked moms about their favorite baby products. I thought I'd share mine here! This way I can remember and maybe help some future mommies! 1. The Miracle blanket. Now I'm not one to fall for gimmicks, but this swaddling blanket really works. It is the only one Emma Clare can't break out of! 2. White noise machine. While it is mind numbing to me, it helps keep Emma Clare sleeping! 3.Aden and Anais receiving blankets. They are a little pricey but are light weight and big and so, so soft. You can use them as a nursing cover and stroller cover too (to keep the sun out). I love them! 4.Sooth and glow seahorse. We play this for Emma Clare as part of her nightly routine http://www.amazon.com/Fisher-Price-Ocean-Wonders-Soothe-Seahorse/dp/B000W3XEQM . She loves it! 5. Diapers. Ok I know this is an obvious one! But I thought I'd share with you my take on brands. I hate the smell of chemicals in diapers. Some of you may be rolling your eyes at me, but I really can't stand it! We are using cloth while at home(bum genius and Econobum) and it is going well. I did not use cloth for the first few months(too much to adjust to) and we used 7th generation and earths best diapers. With coupons and promotions I was able to get them at diapers.com for 13 cents a diaper, which is a good deal! Cheaper than Huggies! I've also tried the target brand diapers, and the didn't smell too bad so I may use these in the future for daycare. There are lots of other products I like, but that is my top five must haves! You'll notice that most of them have to do with sleeping...we take sleep seriously in this house! Emma Clare has been sleeping through the night since she was 3 weeks old(at 6hours) and now sleeps 9-10 hours a night. I know a lot of it is luck, but I think some of these products help too!

I know I'm a little late on this post, but things have been busy! We recently spent 10 days in Cleveland visiting with family and friends. Emma Clare got to meet her cousins, Ryan and Connor (and we got to meet Ryan for the first time!). We also had Emma Clare's baptism, it was great. The same priest who married us did her baptism, so it was very special. Emma Clare did great on the flight and in the airport (even after several delays and not getting into Cleveland until 11pm!).

I can't believe that Emma Clare will be 12 weeks old on Monday! Which means, I have to go back to work. I've been so lucky to have this time with her! Chris will now be home with Emma Clare until the middle of August. I'm excited for him to have this time to bond with our baby girl!

Emma Clare is so much fun! She is smiling, rolling over, cooing and starting to laugh. She holds great eye contact and seems engaged when we read and plan. It is so crazy how much she has grown in just 12 weeks! Oh, and at 8.5 weeks she was 12.7 pounds and 24in long. Our girl is not a small one!!

Enjoy the pictures!