Fresh from a Nap

Around the time Jane turned four months old, we hit rock bottom with sleeping. We had spent the first three months moving from a co-sleeper to a travel bassinet on our bed...I managed this in our bedroom while Matt and Luke slept together in the guest bedroom. We wanted to Luke to feel as tended to as Jane and I wanted the boys to actually get the sleep they needed for school/work. Jane was a horrible sleeper and I rarely got more than 1-2 hours of sleep at a time. I watched a lot of reality TV and took lots of naps during the day. The naps really saved my life.

Anyway, as we neared the end of my maternity leave, it was time for Jane to move into her own room so I could get some sleep. She just would not sleep in her crib...so she slept in the vibrating bouncer/rocker. She actually slept quite well for the month that we did that! But we just couldn't get over the fact that she was literally vibrating for 10-12 hours a night. Just didn't seem right.

Around month 4, with our nanny's help, we moved her to the crib and went back to 1-2 hour wakings and REALLY tough work days for mommy. No naps = zombie mommy at work. Then, we had a big a-ha moment. OK, the nanny had an a-ha moment. She swaddled her one day and Jane slept for 2-3 hours. Consistently. And then it worked at night and she began going down faster and sleeping for 6 hours at a time. It took us four months to figure out the swaddle. Yep, about the time that she shouldn't be swaddled anymore. Oh, well.

This is what a well rested Jane looks like. Heaven.

Red Roller

Just a little workout after the nanny left and before we pick Luke up from school. At least someone is working out...

New Bouncer

Jane is SO strong! She's been pulling herself to standing when we hold her hands since she was 3 months old (maybe even before), she kicks like crazy when laying on her back, and she grabs EVERYTHING. Her grip is astounding. Grandma Jane said that the other day, when she was spending the day with them while mommy worked (which she's done 1-2 times per week since she was 3 months old), she put her down to nap - instead of napping, she kicked and played for 20 mins or so. In fact, she kicked so hard and so repeatedly that she knocked off a number of blankets that were draped over the railings - crib-quake!

In response, I bought her this fancy jumper to replace the old exersaucer that Luke and Aiden played in prior - she deserved a new one! This was her first look at the goods. Feet didn't actually touch the floor so we had to build a platform of blankets. She didn't really jump, but she loved the little toys on the tray.

Love that concentration face...

Flutter sleeves

Trying to document some of these cutie-pie outfits before she busts out of them. Jane is always game for picture time...pretty sure all I said was "jane!" and I got this exuberant smile.

Swing 'n play

The little lady loves her swing. I put this tray on to mix it up for her, but she's not a big fan. Her smile says otherwise, but when does Jane not smile???

Weekend in a Log Cabin

For the past three or so years, we've headed down to the Flying L Ranch in Bandera, TX (the cowboy capital!) for some quality time with Matt's company. It's truly been a highlight of the year for Luke, in large part because of the GIANT water park that sits squarely in the middle of the place.

This year, while Luke and daddy were off splashing around for hours on end, Jane and I hung out in our log cabin - eating, napping, playing and just trying to stay cool in the 100+ degree heat. When the family was together in our little one-room fun house, Luke was ALL OVER and the bunk beds while Jane happily kept herself entertained in the pack-and-play. Sleep was tough since Jane's not the best nighttime sleeper - lots of up and down for mommy. I'm pretty proud to have figured out that the car seat doubled as a better crib vs. the pack-and-play.

Overall, we loved the bonding time, but it didn't make for a great variety of photos...this is all I got!

Chilling with Daddy

Amazing how she fits so snug in the crook of his arm.