Jack will be here soon.

First, a letter to my first born, my special girl, Pearl.

My Dearest Pearl,

You're baby brother will be here any day now. You're going to be a big sister! I know you're going to be the best big sister. I sometimes get sad for you, because you're not even two yet and soon you won't be getting all of our attention. You will always be my baby though. Even when you're a teenager and you'd rather hang out with your friends... you'll be my baby. I think there's something very special about being the first born. You definitely are something special. 

I am so excited that your dad and I are able to provide you with a friend for life though! You two are going to be great together. Having brothers has been pretty great (and sometimes challenging) for me! He will be your protector for life and you'll be his comforter for life. I'm looking forward to watching you two grow together. 

I prayed for a girl first. My prayers were answered better than I could have imagined. You are everything I've ever wanted and more. I love spending every day with you. I pray we will always be close. 

You are one one of the coolest and most amazing little girls I've ever met. I know you're life is going to be beautiful and filled with happiness. You're going to do great things. You bring joy to so many people and I have a feeling that will continue as you get older. 

I love you so much my little porcelain doll. I could not have asked for anything more in a baby girl. Always, always remember, I love you with everything in me. You are my sunshine. 

Love, Momma

It's so hard to keep track of everything new Pearl is doing. It seems like she learns so much with each new day! Which makes me one proud momma. So here are some of my favorites:

-saying hi to everyone in the store (people don't always say hi back)

-this new little laugh she does every once in a while. It's the cutest.

-dinosaur "roar"

-"reading" to herself 

-wiping her feet at the door and taking her sandals off inside

-the joy she gets out of the littlest things 

-she says "eww!" 

-she's starting to imitate a lot of things we do and say. It's cute, but we need to be careful! Haha

-she loves to be in the pool! Which is so scary, but I'm happy she isn't scared. 

-she has recently started to get a little scared when I turn the vacuum on. When I turn it off she will go up and talk to it haha.

She's learned a lot of new words, but you have to know her to understand them haha. She has also learned new animal sounds. She can blow a kiss and give hugs. And so much more!

This is a very fun (and sometimes frustrating) age! 

Now on to Jack...

Baby Jack,

You will be here soon! Today is your due date and I went to the doctor. She swept my membrane, so any day now! We can't wait to meet you. I especially can't wait for you to meet your big sister. You guys are going to love each other so much! I'm nervous for your arrival, only because of how your sister's arrival. Everything will be fine though and I'll be holding you soon enough! Having a boy is going to be so different. I'm excited to experience it! You're sister can be pretty loud, so maybe you'll be on the quieter side. You'll be perfect no matter what. Do us a favor and get here safely! Can't wait to meet you. I already love you baby boy. 

Love, Momma

Here are some photos from the past month:

Our baby isn't a baby anymore

My precious Pearl is 10.5 months old! It really has gone by incredibly fast. I've found myself starting to forget her milestones so I tried to write them all down last month. I'm so sad that I cannot remember every little and amazing thing she does.
Pearl has always been quite the character, but it is starting to show more and more. Which is why I have decided to drop everything and sit down and write this blog. (I'm sure there will be many pauses between Pearl and my HUSBAND, eek, husband!)
Where to begin...
I'll try to start from my last Pearl update.
At 7 months old she started her first foods. Her first food was avocado. She still loves it three months later.
At 8 months she started finger foods, because she kept grabbing the spoon from me when I fed her baby food. She also started pulling herself up around this time. I remember the first time I saw it. We were in the room. Pearl was in her playpen and we were in the bed. I looked over and she was doing it. I told Cory to "look!"
At 9 months she got her first tooth! A few days later, a second tooth started coming through. Around this time she started walking around using furniture.
The reason I really wanted to write this was to share with you just a little bit about her personality. I'll do that in a letter to Pearl.

My sweet Pearl,
      You are growing up too fast! You are becoming independent and outspoken. Pearl, you came into the world fighting and you haven't stopped. You're going to be a strong girl. As much as I'm scared for you to grow up, I'm excited at the same time. Your personality is showing more and more everyday.
      Lately, you've been very clingy. I'm not sure if its because you're teething or if its just a phase you're going through. You want "mamama" most days. You do love your "dadada" time though. A few weeks ago you were about to stick a cotton ball in your mouth and I shouted "no" at you. You started crying and it broke my heart. You are starting to understand the word "no" and you're understanding how to use it (a fear of mine). You have the best sense of humor. You've always had a sense of humor, but I can definitely see it now. You crack me up.
       You've began to really observe things. You don't just pick up things and shove them in your mouth. You look them over, pass them between your hands and I can see the little gears working in your head. You want to figure everything out. I think you are very smart for a 10 month old.
       Bath time has become a bit difficult. You like to stand up and that isn't safe. Also, when I rinse you off you get kind of scared and sometimes cry. I hope that passes, because you've always loved your baths. You love the pool. We took you for your first swim about a month ago. I enjoy our pool time.
       Eating is becoming tricky with you. I think you're starting to become picky (another fear). I'm going to try harder to widen your pallet. You love your toast though!
       Everyday I notice more and more that you are becoming a little girl. You don't always need me, but I enjoy when you do. I'm excited to watch you grow up because I know you're only going to become more and more fun. You'll always be my baby though.
       You have become quite the little dancer! It's so cute. You shake your hips like a pro. Your famous move is circling around in your butt! Oh yeah, you're starting to climb too! And you've let go, while standing, a few times.

I love you so much Pearl Sullivan. My baby girl.

Love,
         Your Mamama

Ps How could I forget! You sleep in crazy positions. It's the cutest thing. You throw yourself and circle around your playpen until you just pass out. Also, we love waking up to you babbling and peeking over your playpen at us.

So I'm going to try to do Pearl updates at least monthly! Too much is happening to not do it.
Eventually, I'll do a wedding post!
Like I tell Pearl, "be gentle." Until next time!

XOX,
BreeAnna

I'll leave you with some photos.
Well, maybe later because I guess I can't add them from my iPad :(

Crawling, a little bit of Easter and wedding planning. Oh and PEARL IS 8MO!

Pearl is officially a crawler! It has been so amazing to watch her learn to crawl. Just watching her grow and develop in general is a blessing. Sometimes I have to sit back and remember how lucky I am. Pearl has been trying to crawl for about a week. On Easter Sunday she finally got it down.

Pearl's first Easter was wonderful! The Easter Bunny brought Pearl and Daddy Easter baskets. I guess he forgot about Momma :( We went to church and later that day had a big family BBQ at the park. It's so nice when our whole family gets together. Everyone is getting older and living their own lives. So i truly value the times we all get together. Pearl is so lucky to have so many people love and adore her. We are beyond lucky to have her in our lives! (The pictures aren't in order. I'm still trying to figure this out.)

Pearl & Julia. Julia is 6 weeks older.

                                                

Our little family after Easter Mass.

My parents and Pearl.

A successful first Easter!

Wedding planning is coming along! Yesterday, my mom, aunt, Pearl and I did a little decoration shopping. We are planning a wedding crafting get together on April 22nd. I will post a blog about the things we will be making, also, more wedding details sometime next week.

Finally, Pearl turned 8 months old yesterday! It is crazy and unfair how fast time flies. Everyone tells you how fast it goes by and it really does. The first year goes by especially fast. I think it's because they are growing and developing so much within the first year. It seems like just yesterday we were visiting our newborn in the NICU after she gave us a big scare. I am so blessed to be Pearl's mother and to have such a wonderful papa bear/future husband.

I will try to do a few different blogs next week. Each blog with a different subject. It's rough to juggle my time as a mom. Also, eventually I hope to get better at this blogging thing. We will be getting a much better camera within the next few months. So please bare with me. If you are reading this then thank you!

8 month old Pearl. She thinks she can do everything on her own. Growing too fast!

Playing catch-up

So many things going on in life right now. Some good, some bad. Life is a blessing though.
Pearl seems to be growing up uncontrollably. (She will be 8m next week!) I wish I could pause moments with her. I am incredibly lucky to be a stay at home mom.
Anyways, she's been eating "baby food" for almost two months now. She loves to eat. She babbles A LOT. Her first word was "mamama" and now she's moved on to "dada." Pearl is also on the verge of crawling! She's been working hard at it for a few days. I think she'll have it down in a couple more days! I love watching her grow into her own little person.
Wedding plan is in full gear! June 1st, 2013, I will be marrying my best friend. We are going for a "rustic" look/feel. Although, if it were completely up to him we'd be running away to Vegas. We're having a simple ceremony and reception. My Grandparents are letting us use their property. They have a small chapel that my dad and uncles built when I was a little girl. I'm getting more and more excited. My mom and I picked a dress out a couple weeks ago. Everything is coming along.
I will continue to keep this updated! Also, I'll post pictures of wedding projects and Pearl of course.
Feel free to throw any tips you have my way!