The Sleep Easy Solution

It has been one crazy week at my house! I decided that it was time to wean Braelle off of her night time feedings, so both of us could get some sleep! To be able to successfully do that, she needed to know how to put herself to sleep, so that she would be able to go back to sleep in the middle of the night without a snack. Chrissy went online and ordered a book to help us with this process, "The Sleep Easy Solution." By Monday afternoon, we had highlighted what we needed to know and had a plan!

So...here's the plan!

6:00 - Dinner Time (Braelle basically just downs a ton of blueberries)

6:45 - Bath Time (Braelle and I still bathe together & this is her FAVORITE time to lean over and get something to drink! ha!)

7:30ish - Quiet Time (We read books, play with toys, and rock...all in her room)

8:00 - Bed Time (I put Braelle in her crib, whisper some encouragement, and close the door!)

If she cries, I go back in every 5, then 10, then 15, ect minutes until she is asleep and tell her that I'm right outside the door, that I'll see her in the morning, to have sweet dreams and that I love her very much!

The Results

Night #1 - Braelle screamed, cried and sniffled for 45 minutes

Night #2 - Tears for 30 minutes

Night #3 - Tears for 30 minutes...*sigh*

Night #4 - 13 minutes!! HOPE!

Night #5 - ZERO MINUTES! I put her in her crib, she laid down and went to sleep without a peep!



8 Months...8 Teeth

Braelle started getting teeth when she was 4 months (VERY early). I can't believe she already has 8 teeth when she's only 8 months old. This whole teeth situation makes breastfeeding interesting...but a bite here and there, even though it hurts really bad, is well worth the pain to have a healthy baby girl. Check em out!

(please excuse the turkey in between her bottom teeth) :D

Braelle has grown up a lot this month. She went from practically exclusively breastfeeding for the first 8 months of her life, to really enjoying some good solid table food. (Yes, she skipped baby food-she's too independent to let someone feed her). Some foods she really likes include: asparagus, green beans, carrots, apples, grapes, cherries, blueberries, and recently, chicken and turkey! Healthy girl, I'd say!

A recent HUGE pet peeve is when other people try to give MY baby foods I wouldn't approve of. (like cake icing and potatoe chips). There is a reason why she is my baby and not theirs...God wants her to be healthy and I take my job seriously. It would be great if they'd stop going behind my back.

On a lighter note, Braelle was all smiles today. Ahhh I just love her so much :)

And So Began "Our" Love Affair With Water

I couldn't wait to take Braelle to visit the Oenbrinks at their amazing house on Lake Murray. I've grown up here in Charleston loving water...from being on the Coosaw Creek swim team for 9 years, to learning how to water ski when I was 8, to ocean kayaking every summer. I want Braelle to have the same appreciation and love for God's amazing creation of water. And so far, so good!

It was time for dinner, we loaded everyone up, put Braelle's life jacket on, and were off! Braelle enjoyed her first boat ride...she fell asleep!

How cute is this Bee life-jacket for Baby B?!





After Tom treated us to dinner, the boat ride back wasn't as smooth as the ride over. Lil brown girl was getting tired and hungry and wasn't excited about having some patience.

Thanks for the memories Oenbrink family, Catherine Duckett, and Rachael Beebe! Yall the the best!



Birthdays & Boo-boos

It's my last year to "be a teenager"... as if I'm not already living like I'm 30. :D
Today I got to share my birthday with my little girl. I'm glad we were both born on the 17th. My amazing mom took us out to eat at the West Ashley Mellow Mushroom for lunch...it was delicious as always. She then proceded to take us downtown to Cupcake, where she bought me not one, but two cupcakes. I might have talked her into it but still. I got a French Toast cupcake (AMAZING), and a Turtle cupcake. Both were scrumptious but I prefered French Toast.

We almost got through the day without any mishaps. That was until Braelle slipped and fell on her wipes container, cutting her bottom lip with her sharper than sharp puppy teeth. As Braelle bursted into tears and shrieks, I yelled, "We've got blood!" My mom and dad came running, offering a wet wash cloth and a frozen teether to stop the swelling. She stopped crying shortly and I, of course, grabbed my camera to capture Braelle's very first boo-boo.

Now THAT is a fat lip...poor girl

Braelle's 1st Sleepover

Everyone was skeptical when I first announed that Braelle and I were headed off to Kiawah for a couple of days. She had never slept anywhere else but home. Of course I was with her every second, but B is not one for change. She notices the small stuff...(like a different mattress). I didn't tell anyone, but I was a little nervous myself.
I said a prayer as I laid her down in her pack-n-play, begging God for a good night. B woke up for a midnight snack and drifted back to sleep. God must of wanted to give me a little hope for future sleepovers the first night we stayed, because the first time she woke up, was also the last! As for the second night, well...let's just say it didn't go down like the first. She woke up every hour and even though it wasn't time for her to eat, I gave her my milk to make her quiet in hopes that she wouldn't wake up the rest of the house. It worked. But I will say, that was the last night we stayed.
During the days we had a blast. I basically have the best friends a girl could ask for and they are so loving and patient towards Braelle and me. "Once a Friend, Always a Friend" is a pretty good motto I think, to describe the friendship between Rachael Beebe, Catherine Duckett, Caitlyn Oenbrink and myself. After all, we've been best friends for all of our lives.

Mother's Day & Baby Dedication

Mother's Day was extra special this year. I mean I celebrated last year while Braelle was in my tummy, but this year I got to hold her in my arms and feel her love towards me. I love being a mommy and am so blessed to have Braelle.

Baby Dedication was on Mother's Day which made this day even better. As I stood before the Lord and His people, I vowed to raise B to know Jesus and follow hard after Him. Deuteronomy 30:19b-20a "...I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life..."

My mom and my sister play a big role in helping me raise Braelle and I 'm glad they were there to stand in front of the church with me and Braelle. After all, it does take a village to raise a child.

As for her behavior, she was a doll (surprisingly). During dedication she charmed the congregation with her dimpled smiles and squeals of delight! And she SLEPT during the rest of the service. This is amazing because we all know how very sensitive B's ears are.