The Sixth Month

Saturday, August 22, 2015


Happy half birthday Oaklyn baby! 
Here's to another month of firsts! 
I can't believe how much my little baby has changed and how big she's gotten! 
Half a year sounds so old! 
I may or may not already be planning her first birthday party.
We spent most of this month traveling and sweet Oaklyn did so well given the circumstances. 
We had so much going on and unless she was absolutely exhausted, she just went right along. 

Here's a bit of what baby girl is doing these days:

Trying to sit up. We plop her up and she stays put for different amounts of time depending on where we are and what's around her. For example: at the pediatrician she sat for a good few minutes because she loved looking in the mirror. However, if she's on the floor with numerous people/toys surrounding her she falls over almost instantly because she wants to see everything and loses balance.
She is SO curious. It's hilarious. Anything within reach she gets her hands on. We've had numerous spilled drinks, knocked over food, hair pulled, toys thrown, curtains pulled down, etc... already. And she's only gonna get more curious from here on out!
She smiles SO big! We also learned she's kinda shy! If she's in an environment that she doesn't recognize and she can't find mama or dada she does this adorable shy smile while turning her head.
This month she went to Las Vegas, Breckenridge CO, and San Diego!
She had her first plane ride and even though she had a huge meltdown right before the flight, she fell asleep for 45 minutes during and it went perfect! 
She got to meet all my cousins, aunts, uncles, and her great grandma and great grandpa on my side! 
She has also officially met all of hunter's side of the family!
Along with her first airplane ride she also went on her first gondola ride in Colorado!
She had her first day at the beach and was all smiles after napping in my arms.
We're working on giving her more baby food. She loves peas and carrots and doesn't love the fruits as much. Strange kid.
She gets sassier by the day. She learned how to scream at me and get my attention if I'm looking the other way or doing something other than smothering her.
She also figured out if she cries hard enough she will get picked up and she will get her toy back. Smart little cookie.
Sleep is still a bit of an issue. We're working on it and I have high hopes that it can and will get better!
Poor thing is on her third cold in 6 months. What the heck?
She also got a pretty bad case of thrush creating a pretty nasty diaper rash. So Sad! Seriously being a mom is the greatest thing but baby illnesses totally pull at my heart strings.
She's getting huge. Seriously. Her chunky thighs are perfect for pinching, her belly is perfect for squeezing, and her round cheeks are perfect for kissing. In the words of the pediatrician "She's solid." Ha, good word doc.
She tried her first rice cracker and devoured it. It distracted her the entire time I was at Target. I'm not a fast target shopper... score.
She's such a strong little thing. If I pull her up to something she'll stand there by herself for a little bit. I can't believe how big she is!
She loves to be babied and I've been pretty darn good at letting her be babied. Her pediatrician made me aware of that.
I gave her a sippy cup of water and she got so frustrated when I tried to get her to hold it herself. However, when I hold it she guzzles it ha.
She's still wishing so bad she could crawl. If she throws a toy just out of her reach she tries so hard to get to it but ends up frustrated because she can't put her plank swimming and pushing up together. 
She adores her paci these days. As long as its a mam one. I've tried several times giving her a different brand but she's a mam girl all the way.
She loves folding in half and eating her toes.
She blows raspberries SO much and she knows it's funny ha.
She enjoys sucking/chewing on celery, cucumber, carrots, and apples.
She has so much hair and it is just so fun. I put it in a fountain pony tail every day because it just gets in her eyes otherwise. She definitely hasn't lost any of it. Although sometimes it looks like it in the back because she has some awesome dread locks!
She seriously wakes up with the best bed head ever. 
She went in her first baby swing at the park! I'm not sure how she felt about it. She flapped her little "fin" (leg) the whole time. 
She's definitely at her separation anxiety stage so the car seat isn't her favorite place to be since she can't see me. 
One of her favorite activities is going on walks. 
She's a sweet little tummy or side sleeper and if she didn't wake up every time I walked in her room I would watch her sleep every nap. 

I feel like I could go on and on about her at this age.
It is so much fun!
As for me, I'm doing wonderful with this motherhood adventure at the moment.
Some days are definitely more challenging than others (especially with sleep training, ugh.) but I know being a mother is truly the best thing I'll ever do.
I'm still pumping, and even though I said I would stop at 6 months to begin with, I think I can hang on just a little longer.
I love this little girl so much it's crazy.
I already know she's gonna be a sassy little toddler because she has so much personality.
The older Oaklyn gets, the more I love being a mom.
She's my little bestie and her smile lights up my world.
I understand now why everyone tells you it goes so fast.
She truly learns something new everyday and I'm still in denial that my little baby is 10 pounds bigger than she was at birth. 
She is so beautiful and just gets prettier by the day. We're in for it during her teen years.
I just can't imagine life without my favorite tiny person.

All my love,
Aleigh Joy




















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It's Been a While

Friday, August 21, 2015
Hey!
I've been absent from random thought posts for a while.
But, let's try this again...
Because me and this blog used to be best friends.
I want that friendship back.

Target is the best place to waste time.
And the best place to spend money you don't have.
There's also a corner bakery coming in the same parking lot as the Orem Target.
I am so happy I could cry!
Not to mention there's a sodalicious right down the street.
It's perfect.

Fall is upon us and I'm much happier than I thought I would be.
I loved summer.
It was filled with warm weather, pool days, family trips, sandals, and my hair in a bun.
Oaklyn and I went to the dollar store the other day. 
The first thing I noticed was the Fall decorations they had out.
Fall decorations are my favorite... well actually Christmas is but Fall makes me so happy!
Seasons in Utah are so fun.

Oaklyn is huge.
I have a big baby.
Wait, take out huge.
I have a baby.
I still cannot believe that I have a baby!

I've been really into making yummy things lately.
I made buttermilk banana bread the other day.
It was so dreamy.
I also made mongolian beef and broccoli for dinner the other day.
I licked the pan clean.

All my old clothes fit again and I'm elated.
I've never used that word before...
But seriously, I love getting dressed again!

Downeast basics had a tent sale this past week.
Heaven!
Seriously I got 5 items for the price of one regular priced dress.
I love clothes!!!

Hunter got a new job.
He's working with BYU football as an intern recruiter.
He loves it.
I love that he loves it.
Football season is coming!

I've just felt really happy lately.
I feel like I have my life mostly under control and that's a great feeling.
Other than occasionally missing random middle of the week date nights with Hunter and a full night of sleep... I am loving motherhood more than ever.
My baby is my BFF and PPD is out the window.
My life is a lot different now, but it's great.
And, I'm happy

All my love,
Aleigh Joy
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Summer 2015 Family Pictures

Monday, August 17, 2015
While in San Diego this summer we were so lucky to do a family session with the ever so talented Erryn Kowallis! She did our first look photos and a cozy little couples session for us as well. 
I love every single picture she takes!
She captured our family so perfectly and got Oaklyn's little personality perfectly.
I'm in love with these pictures.
I couldn't wait to get them printed and hung around our house.
They printed so perfectly and my 16x20 above our TV looks fab!
Erryn truly is the best.
If you're in San Diego, book a session with her!
You will NOT be disappointmed with your pictures and how efficient she is :)

Flower Crowns: Erryn Kowallis Photography
Aleigh's Dress: Forever 21
Hunter's shirt: Target
Oaklyn's outfit: Marshalls
Location: Valley Center, CA



































All my love,
Aleigh Joy
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