You’re crawling, but usually it’s only when I walk away from you and you cry while you crawl because it’s all very upsetting to you. You also started cruising the furniture.

You still think Kennedy and Reese are the. best. ever. 3 musketeers.

Sleeping. Still about the same. Usually up 2 times to eat and go right back to sleep. You are actually worse about sleeping through the night than Reese even was, but I don’t mind for some reason. I still think it’s because you go down so easy for naps and bedtime and I know it’s not going to be a battle.

You like to get tossed in the air, bounce in my lap, and swing on the swings. I always say you’re going to be my adventurous one.

You pull up to stand all the time and it’s not always super convenient. Standing caused an issue at bathtime, so baths moved to the tub. You’re a wash and go kind of girl now and don’t seem to like playing in the big tub very much.

You love the water table and being outside.

You love food and you pretty much each whenever you can.

Happy 8 Months, Holland! I love you so much my sweet girl!

Nicknames – Reesey, Reese Olivia, Reesey Pie

How old are you? Free (3)

What is your favorite color? purple

What is your favorite animal? horses

What is your favorite book? Charlie the Ranch Dog

What is your favorite TV show? Sofia

What is your favorite movie? Flicka

What is your favorite song?  My God is SO Big

What is your favorite food? Mac and Cheese

What is your favorite drink? Hot Chocolate

What is your favorite breakfast food? Granola bar

What is your favorite snack? Fruit Snacks and Dunkin Donuts

What is your favorite outfit? Pajamas

What is your favorite game? Gaston and the Beast (They play this with David and it’s some kind of Beauty and the Beast themed chase game)

What is your favorite toy? Horses

Who is your best friend? The girl that has the pony (She means Reesa from the petting zoo in town. They both like that their names are similar).

What is your favorite thing to do? Play horses

What is your favorite thing to do outside? Play horses

What is your favorite holiday? trick or treating… Kennedy said this too.

What do you like to take to bed with you at night? horses

Where is your favorite place to go?  disney

What is your favorite restaurant? 5 guys

Where do you want to go on vacation? Disney

What do you want to be when you grow up? A HORSE! We suggested maybe she can take care of horses…

What did you do on your birthday? Unfortunately, Reesey’s birthday was during David’s “unnamed employer Crisis of 2016” and it fell on a weekday so David wasn’t home. We pretended like her birthday was the following Saturday because David felt so bad that he wouldn’t be home. By November the girl’s missed him a lot and they got upset when we talked about him not being home so it was easier to not discuss him being gone for her birthday and luckily she’s young enough that she didn’t get it. That Saturday, Kennedy woke up early and woke Reese up so balloons were a no go. We did presents and hung out while they played with those for a while. That afternoon, we took the girls to the fair so now Reese thinks the fair comes for her birthday and plans to again next year.

I have to mention this because it’s one of those stories you’ll never forget… I asked Reese what kind of cake she wanted for her birthday. She was very specific and wanted a cake with purple frosting, topped with horses and sprinkles. The girls and I made a double layer round cake and we made some buttercream frosting to go with it because homemade is the way to go. I frosted it later and when I finished it I was going to put it in the fridge. I opened the door to the fridge and the cake flipped off the cake plate to the floor. It landed upside down of course. I had to laugh because what else do you do, right? Cry, maybe. So I did what any normal mom would do and took the bottom layer of the cake that didn’t hit the ground and stuck it back on the cake plate. I stuck candles in it, her number 3, and a bunch of horses and we sang happy birthday. I made her a new cake the next day.

Nicknames – Kennedy and Kennedy Brooke

How old are you? four

What is your favorite color? red (same as last year)

What is your favorite animal? owl

What is your favorite book? I Was So Mad

What is your favorite TV show?  Dinosaur Train

What is your favorite movie? Cinderella

What is your favorite song?  Colors of the Wind (Pocahontas) and I’ve Got a Dream (Rapunzel)

What is your favorite food? Pizza

What is your favorite drink? Milk

What is your favorite breakfast food? Pancakes

What is your favorite snack? crackers

What is your favorite outfit? Anna dress

What is your favorite game? Candyland

What is your favorite toy? blocks

Who is your best friend? Madeline and Riley

What is your favorite thing to do? Catching crabs and fishies at the beach

What is your favorite thing to do outside? Play in the tree

What is your favorite holiday? She said, “trick or treat”… Halloween

What do you like to take to bed with you at night? Reindeer (This changes on the regular though). The only thing that’s a constant is yellow blankie and blue blankie.

Where is your favorite place to go?  beach

What is your favorite restaurant? Chef Mickey’s

Where do you want to go on vacation? Disney

What do you want to be when you grow up?  a bulcanologist (volcanologist)

What did you do on your birthday?  She woke up to balloons all over her room and we could hear her saying “oh man, oh man”  “I love this”  “this is amazing” and then we ate Minnie pancakes.  We asked if she wanted Dunkin Donuts, but she said no. We went to the splash pad for a while before we went to her doctor appointment where we found out both girls had strep.  Happy Birthday!  We played at home the rest of the day and they rested on the couch.  We took them to 5 Guys for dinner (where Kennedy asked to go), but neither of them were very hungry.  We got her a cupcake from Small Cakes and then went home to eat the cake she helped bake earlier in the day.  That weekend we went to the beach and planned to go to the Jacksonville Zoo, but we postponed that because of them having strep and her not being in the best mood.

This month…

She’s pulling up to stand. I don’t know if she’s shorter than the girls were at this age, but she’s not tall enough yet to pull up on a lot of the things I for sure remember Reesey pulling up on. She easily pulls up if she has your fingers to hang onto though.

She isn’t full on crawling yet. She scoots forwards and backwards, rocks on her knees and gets the first few movements in before dropping to her belly.

Sleep is decent. I woke up one morning and you had rolled onto your belly in the marshmallow suit so that was the end of that. You are now in a sleep sack and you sleep on your belly.

You were having issues finding your paci when you started sleeping on your belly so I scattered pacis all over your crib hoping you’d find one. I think that just made you mad and the glow-in-the-dark ones freaked you out so I just stuck with the paci clipped to your sleep sack and let you figure it out.

I always sing “How Much Is That Doggy In the Window” when I change your diaper and you love it. Changing you is definitely a battle now as you just roll all over the place.

Nursing is even harder than changing you. You refuse a cover and have a serious case of FOMO(fear of missing out). If I actually want you to eat anything we have to sit in your room, in the dark, by ourselves. Even that isn’t perfect, but if we don’t do that you are on and off the whole time and we both end up covered in milk. Not my favorite.

You are so chill and calm, but you are finding your voice and getting louder.

I moved the height on your bouncer and you jump all around in there.

Still only 2 teeth, but you bit me. Again, not my favorite.

You started swinging in the blue swing at the house and you get the biggest smile. The girls love to push you.

You are a foodie. It’s insane the amount of food you eat and how well you eat. One of the only times you get fussy is if we eat something and don’t share with you.

You love books and it reminds me so much of Kennedy as a baby. We lay on the floor and read all the time. You kick you feet and squeal and I love it.

That’s about it. Happy 7 months, Holland!!! I love you so much!

Sitting is no longer cool enough… you want to move.

You love to stand

You were very clear about your desire to eat some real food so you got to start baby led weaning a little earlier than Kennedy and Reese did. You have been all in right from the start and you still haven’t met a food you didn’t like.

At your 6 month appointment you were
-14 pounds 8 ounces (20th percentile)
-26 inches long

You still love bath time and we still have you in the kitchen sink. It’s so easy, but the time is limited now that you’re sitting so well and getting more mobile.

You were working on your 2 bottom teeth. 1 cut right before Christmas.

Sleep was decent except for the teeth cutting. 2 times a night seems to be the norm. I’m ok with that.

You and Kennedy… sweetest. thing. ever.

You got to take your first ride in the blue swing

I love you so much, my sweet baby girl. Happy 6 Months, Holland!

You roll both ways, but you very rarely roll from your belly to your back.

You perfected sitting and you seriously never fall over. I kept the boppy around you for another week or so and realized you really didn’t need it.

Whatever the yoga pose is where you push your butt up in the air and make a triangle… you do that.

You had your first Halloween. I was going to dress you up, but then I decided it wasn’t really worth it since I’d just be wearing you in the Solly. There’s always next year. You did get to go to a few pumpkin patches and you may have christened a pumpkin with spit up.

You love watching Kennedy and Reese play and I can’t wait until you get to play right along with them.

You grab at EVERYTHING and you are a major pincher and hair puller.

You love to stand

You love your feet and toes and you put them in your mouth all the time.

Naps started getting better. Usually 2 longer naps about 1.5 hours and a short 30 minute nap. You still wake up a few times a night to eat.

You are getting better at putting your paci in yourself. I watch you on the monitor practicing taking it out and putting it back in until you fall asleep.

You had your first Thanksgiving and you slept through dinner.

You’re still the sweetest, happiest little baby and I love you so, so much!

Happy 5 Months, Holland Taylor!

You turned 4 months October 25th and you are still the easiest baby on the planet.

I stopped swaddling you right when you turned 3 months and you got put in the marshmallow suit. It worked really well for you.

You’ve had rough patches here and there (a day or two where I could only get you to sleep in the swing, too), but you generally only wake up once or twice a night.  You’re not our best sleeper as far as sleeping through the night, but you put yourself to sleep so quickly and easily and it makes nap time and bedtime a dream.

Naps are still about 45 minutes and bedtime is at 7.

At your 4 month check up you were almost 12 pounds and 24″.

Bathtime is still a favorite for both of us. You don’t have a “witching hour” so we never dread the end of the day. Your hands were a favorite this month, too.

We broke out the activity jumper and you really liked being able to stand.

The girls still love you more than anything and you love them right back.

Happy 4 months, Holland Taylor!

When did I forget that you've always been the king of the world?
I try to take life back right out of the hands of the king of the world
How could I make you so small
When you're the one who holds it all
When did I forget that you've always been the king of the world

Just a whisper of your voice can tame the seas
So who am I to try to take the lead
Still I run ahead and think I'm strong enough
When you're the one who made me from the dust

When did I forget that you've always been the king of the world?
I try to take life back right out of the hands of the king of the world
How could I make you so small
When you're the one who holds it all
When did I forget that you've always been the king of the world

Oh, you set it all in motion
Every single moment
You brought it all to me
And you're holding on to me

and Romans 13

13 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. 4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.

6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

and Daniel 2:21

He changes the times and seasons; He removes kings and establishes kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.

I don't have much to say I'm just resting in all of that

• You go to sleep around 7/7:15 and wake up once or twice.  You are up for the day at 7.  You are awesome about putting yourself to sleep too and that makes things so much easier.
• Naps are still only about 45 minutes if you are in your crib, but our house is never quiet either.  They’ll get longer one day… sooner than later please



• You are always trying to lift your head up like you’re in a sitting position.  Even in the car seat you try to sit with your head up.
• You are more okay with tummy time now and you can hold your head up really well.



• You love to stand up and you push against everything with your legs.
• You found your hands and you suck on them all the time.  You’ve found your thumb a few times, but I’m hoping you just stick with the paci.



• Bubbles and drool all day long.
• You are usually making it 3 hours before you want to eat again.



• We lay down on the floor and read books and you just smile and talk the whole time.
• Bath time is still your favorite and sometimes Kennedy helps.  You guys are so cute together.



• If I stick my tongue out at you, you do it right back.
• You had a bottle and you had some formula.  I was gone unexpectedly and didn’t have any milk pumped, but you needed to eat so Grandma Leanne fed you.



• You think Kennedy and Reese are awesome.
• You started holding onto a few toys and putting them in your mouth.



• You are still just the sweetest, happiest, most content little baby I have ever met and I am so thankful God gave me you

Love you to the moon, Holland Taylor!