Oh Sisters. Oh Friends.

Dearest Girls, 

I was going to put a sweet quote about sisters on here but I decided not to. I googled some but found that a lot of them were cheesy and also didn't come close to the relationship you girls already have with each other and didn't come close to the relationship I pray you will continue to have.

Looking back over the relationship that you girls have developed just makes my heart smile with a joy I never imagined.  The way you sweet girls play, read, and talk together is something that brings a little more light into this seemingly daunting world.  Watching you love each other.  Watching you quarrel with each other.  Watching you make each other laugh.  Occasionally watching you make each other cry.  It all amazes me.     

I am thankful for the blessings that the two of you are to your daddy and I.  As we watch you grow both into your own and together we just want you to know some things...

We love you.  We love you with a love you will never be able to fathom until or unless you become parents of your own.  

We want the best for you.  In those moments where we use the dreaded "No" it's not because we're being mean and it's almost always not because we're tired or frustrated. It's because we are doing the very best we can to raise you up in ways that are good, wise, and kind.  

We love each other. We love each other more now than we did before you both came into our lives.  You girls have help your daddy and I connect more deeply and more intimately than we could ever imagine. We're truly a team now. Not just for your sake but for our own. 

We strive to be more like Jesus.  Moreso now you girls are in our lives.  We have been given an eternal responsibility.  We have been chosen by our sweet Savior to be your keepers and bringers-up here on Earth.  We take that responsibility very seriously.  

We are going to get it wrong. A lot. There are going to be moments when you girls bob and we weave and we're all just standing there like we lost a puppy.  However, we love you. We will always love you. We will shower you with grace and we pray that you will do the same for us.  

Forever & Always, 

Mommy

6 months. Really? 6 months?

Surreal.  That is the only word I can think of to describe what I feel.  With Teagan, they warned me...time will fly.  Nobody told me how much quicker time goes with the second.  30 seconds vs. 60 seconds per minute is the going baby #2 growing up pace.

Weight- 15.2lbs (2 pounds more then Teagan at this age)
Height- 26 inches (an inch taller then Teagan at this age)
Diaper- we've recently moved to size 3s.  Her torso was outgrowing the 2s but her belly still had a lot of room.

Kyra Mae was above average on her development.  She is sitting up by herself and getting stronger every day.  She has started rolling over more and more and does the occasional rocking back and forth.  She is so ready to chase after Teagan!

We started solids.  She could care less.  She eats her oatmeal most of the time but usually doesn't eat more then 3-7 spoonfuls of her fruits or veggies even if we give her that instead or before the oatmeal.  So, we're taking a break on the fruits and veggies for a week or so.  Then we'll try again. 

I pulled out the 3-6 month and 6 month clothes the other day.  She can still wear some of the 3 month stuff but length wise she is making the pants turn to capris.

Squeals like you wouldn't believe!  She is hilarious.  She has started the "ah ya" and "ah ga" sounds. Mostly we get squeals and gummy smiles.  She does have a very, um, vocal 2 year old to contend with though, so I am interested to see if she is going to continue to sit back and listen/observe or try and top Teagan...

LOVES her feet. She cannot get enough of them.  I was so excited when she started to notice and play with them.  There is just something about a baby chewing on their feet...gets me every time!

Has started sleeping on her side some but mostly sleeps sprawled out.  She kind of looks like a flying squirrel (especially in her sleep sack).

Is becoming a rockstar in her excersaucer.

Kyra is still very patient when it comes to Teagan's constant "lovin'".  On the other hand, when she's done she is DONE and the whole world knows it.

Teagan is her favorite person.  Her face could light up three houses when she sees or hears Teagan.

Teeth are nowhere in sight.  With Teagan that was an amazing thing because that meant I wouldn't get bit!  With Kyra that just means she isn't in any pain yet.  Hopefully she has a simliar experience to Teagan.  We didn't know Teagan was teething until the pearly whites popped through!

She is getting so much better in the carseat!  Kyra Mae has hated the carseat since our first ride home from the hospital.  She does a lot better now that she can manipulate toys and actually pays attention out the window.  If she looks out the window too long she konks out, which is usually the case on the way to school and most of the rides home. 

Oh! I almost forgot! Kyra Mae has started to "whoooo" which isn't surprising seeing as she has heard about Getty her whole life!! We're gonna get this on video soon!


And of course here comes the "I can't believe how fast she's growing and I can't wait to see what the next 6 months hold...".  Truly, I can't.   Who knows when Kyra will decide to take off and crawl.  She's growing like a Reid already.  Her laugh continues to be infectious.  Her eyes light up with wonder at everything new.  It's amazing to see the eyes through a baby again.  Josh and I are so blessed to have a constant reminder of the innocence of a child and how sometimes we just need to laugh or cry with no explanation behind it.  Having a second child rocked our world but I'm so glad it did.  I'm so glad it is.  I'm so glad it will. 

Struggling.

Squatting.  Rocking.  Bouncing. Swinging. Bobbing. Trotting.

Sounds like fun right? Sounds like a description of goofing off with either Teagan or Kyra right? WRONG.  That is what a nursing session with Kyra is like.  It has been hard. It has been a struggle.  It has been frustrating.  It has been exhausting.  It has not been a satisfying experience for Kyra or I.  It has not been a bonding experience for Kyra and I.  The only "good" sessions we ever have are the ones first thing in the morning.  It goes down hill from there.  We haven't given up completely yet but I am officially a willing slave to the pump.  I nurse her in the mornings and the rest of the day she gets a bottle of half "Mommy Milk (as T calls it)" and half formula.  We had to do this with Teagan but not until she was about 10 months old.  Sadly, we've had to start supplementing now. 
It wasn't just the struggle that has us starting to supplement.  We went for her well check on Monday and she is in the 20th percentile weight wise and when they drop below 25 they start to get a little anxious.  They didn't say we had to supplement with but it's been so hard on us both that we decided to go ahead and start bottle feeding her just to make sure she was getting enough to help her gain weight. 

I can't say that this was an easy decision for us.  We've been fighting this decision for 4 months because of the struggle and frustration but I was determined to exclusively breastfeed as long as we possibly could.  Our decision to supplement vs. exclusively bottle feed with breast milk didn't come easy either.  But, both Josh and I want Kyra to have breastmilk as long as possible and just in case my milk supply starts to decrease we don't want to worry about not having any more. 

There is one of the positive of bottle feeding....

Laughter.

Kyra is laughing y'all! I am so excited.  In the mornings Kyra and Teagan have some special time.  I get Kyra out of her crib and lay her down to change her on the floor while Teagan gives her toys, kisses and makes the dirty diaper "disappear".  Teagan is Kyra's favorite entertainment and has recently found her quite funny.  She just chuckles and coos when Teagan talks to her and kisses her.  Such precious moments between two precious sisters.

Sweet sisters.

After a bath the other night we decided to put the girls in their almost matching PJs and snap some pictures before bed.  Beware...serious Christmas cuteness ahead.

Dearest Kyra

Dearest Kyra,
My sweet baby girl.  You have done it.  Something I wasn't sure I was going to be able to do one more time.  You've made me fall in love for a third time.  I honestly wasn't sure my heart was capable of breaking off into one more solid piece but you've proven me wrong.  I love you with as much intensity as I did your sister and as I do your daddy.  You have been such a blessing to our family.  You've made our family a whole now.  With you we are complete.
Your temperament is not unlike your sister's but it's quite a bit calmer then hers.  You take most things in stride and curiously watch her and the rest of the world with a look of intense interest.
Even though at this point your smiles are still mostly due to gas bubbles it still makes my heart squeal with joy when your lips curl up and you smile that sweet smile.  Sometimes I disregard what research is proven and know certain smiles are just for me and not caused by bubbles in your tummy.
You turned three weeks old yesterday and to be honest I could hardly believe it. I feel as if you have always been with us at this point.  Truthfully, I think Teagan thinks you've always been with us.  She adjusted to you much quicker then your daddy & I thought.  She loves you like we only hoped she would.  She thinks you are the best thing since yogurt or bananas and that is saying something for her.  I only pray that love continues to grow between the two of you and you can have a bond that surpasses even the best of friendships. 
We thank the Lord every day for bringing you into our lives and we can't wait to watch you grow up. We are prayerful that you will always know how much we love you and how blessed we feel. 

Forever & Always,
Mommy