A photo says a thousand words, right?

Brenton was less than amused with my posing him for a photo opportunity. He's far less compliant than McKenzie was as his age. I keep insisting that a loud, needy, baby will become a cooperative toddler. Profess it with your mouth and it shall come true, right? I think he's mocking me- "No, Mom, not right. I'll give you a run for you money in my toddler years, too."
Love how his bib states his love and gratefulness to his parents- but his expression and noise clearly states how he really feels: "Please remove this ridiculous get-up and pick me up!"

And with this expression he's clearly stating, "Oh good Gracious, they posed me with her! She's squeezing and I am annoyed! Very annoyed! She doesn't care- she's still snapping photos!"

We had a good Thanksgiving. A lot to be thankful for. The day wasn't overly chaotic, the bird was delicious- and we got some great Black Friday deals. Here comes Christmas!

McKenzie: You're Three years old!

Happy, Happy, Happy, Birthday to my beautiful girl. It's so hard to fathom you being a three-year old. This is probably because I am hanging on tight to the fact that you're still my sweet baby girl. The thing is even when you're thirty, you'll still be my baby girl; I'll still remember the moment we first met and how my heart exploded with emotions. You're blossoming into a little girl right before my very eyes. You're funny and smart and beautiful. These are some great qualities to have, little Miss.

You're still pretty shy around new people and often cling to me even around people you know well. However,once you're comfortable you run off and never look back. Lately, you've been chatting up a storm to complete strangers. You LOVE to talk and even do it when fast asleep.

We had your party this year at an inflatable bounce house place. You LOVED it. You talked about your party with all of your friends for weeks prior. I think you were more excited about seeing your friends than the actual party. You love, love, love, seeing your friends- especially Emerson and Avery. I believe they're your toddler BFF's! You ask to see them at least once a day and most of the time the three of you play pretty well together. It makes my heart expand to watch you develop new relationships. The biggest change in your life since your last letter is you're a big sister! You loveeee Brenton so much- sometimes too much. You cuddle him, kiss him, sing to him, fetch and steal his pacifier, rock him and LOVE on him the vast majority of most days.

You've learned that he can only have milky(after you fed him a goldfish cracker) and with every peep he makes you question if he needs his milk. You're really empathetic to his feelings and needs, or any ones really, and it makes me VERY proud. I look forward to continuing to watch your relationship with Brenton grow and develop.

You know so much already: All of your colors and shapes. You can sing your ABC's, Count past 20, dress and undress yourself. You can open the fridge and get your own snack and drink(if pre-poured of course)- Just to name a few.

You're still opinionated and sassy! You're obsessed with spandex and often wear them under your clothes! We compromise! You LOVE all things girl: Baby dolls, make-up, clothes, shoes, and hair bows! You're 100% a girl and I love it!

You're sleeping in your bed without a fight now and stay in there all night. Thank you!

You've blessed our lives from the moment I learned we were pregnant with you. You radiate this energy than makes everyone who crosses your path smile. We love you more than I can explain into words. You complete me in ways I cannot comprehend.

Love you to the moon and back,

Mommy

One Month Well Baby

Brenton had his one month appointment today. He's 10 pounds, 4 ounces(up 11 ounces from 5 days ago), 23 inches long, and his head is 15 and a half inches.

Developmentally on track and won't return until 2 months!

Brenton: You're one month old today!

Sweet baby boy, today you turn one month old. It's surreal how fast it's gone by. It's been a whirlwind of emotions with lots of bumps along the way. I promised myself we'd at least attempt to nurse you I never did this with your sisters and I was determined to at least try with you. You loved nursing, but your latch was less than perfect. This resulted in a very sore, exhausted Mommy. You wanted to nurse every ten minutes it seemed like and I threw in the towel. My guilt for giving up so quick still bothers me, but you're quite content and happy with your bottles. You love to eat. And you didn't skip a beat when we transferred you to formula.

You are so, so, different than your sister. You eat well, poop well, sleep well. You're already sleeping four hours at night at a time. You're a pretty laid back little guy and we appreciate that very much.

Speaking of your sister- I promise, one day she'll stop molesting you. I cannot wait until you can tell her to leave you alone for a few minutes. But the truth is she LOVES you. She thinks you're the best thing ever. She kisses you about a billion times a day; she ask you your name(though she knows what it is); and tells you over and over how cute you are and that she loves you. As a Mom, I couldn't really ask for more.

You've really started to notice the world around you in the last few days and even follow our faces when we move from side to side. You've flashed some gummy grins sporadically, though we're not convinced that they're intentional quite yet.

At one month we're not expecting much out of you yet. You eat, sleep, poop and repeat. I am trying to saviour these itty-bitty baby moments because I'll wake up one day and you'll be grown.

Bubby boy you complete our family in ways I didn't dream possible. You've blessed us with your sweet demeanour and adorable chubber cheeks. You've showed us that baby boys are WAY different than baby girls(I must remember to cover you or I will get soaked) and we thank God everyday that you're our son and healthy. My life is complete because you complete it.

We love you to the moon and back-

Halloween in photos

See these little Cuddle Bugs? McKenzie insisted that Brenton was a cat. She'd go, "You're a cat, Baby, Meow!" I didn't have the heart to tell her that his feet were hat bats on him and this was my generic attempt to keep him a tad bit festive! However, she played the part of pirate quite dramatically! "I'm a pirate! Aaarrrghh Matte!"

I promise there is a baby inside that carrier! A year from now this picture is sure to make me nostalgic! Kenzie was apprehensive going up to strangers at first. Daddy carried her the first two houses and she quickly went from shy to professional trick or treater! Amazing how candy can do that to her!

She did, however, shake at the knees and cry at the sight of these "monsters" that were on stilts. I'd shake, too, if I was two-year's old and seeing a 9-foot tall monster!

All and All we had a successful day. We ended the night at Red Lobster with her MeeMaw and Papa- (*Note- my mother despises being called MeeMaw, so of course, I must encourage it) and she passed out in the car and didn't wake until the next morning!