My Favorite Thing About Kiera

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If I’m completely honest, I’ve been postponing this blog and picking my ONE favorite thing about Kiera. I was telling myself it was because we were on vacation, and I just didn’t have the time to write, but the reality is I have no idea how to pick just one thing! If you had to pick one favorite thing about your children, what would it be? Share in the comments.

If you’re confused as to what I’m talking about and why I feel like I have to choose just one thing . . . I started a tradition when Landon turned 4 that I would share my _____ favorite things about them each year on their birthday. The number “favorite things” directly correlates to how old they are turning. Brilliant, right? So basically, I did this to myself. I was feeling guilty that I didn’t blog about the kids enough, so I thought I’d at least do a round-up once a year. So with Landon I started at 4 (because that’s when I came up with the idea), but I didn’t even do one for Liam until he turned two, probably because picking two things is still easier than one!

So here we go . . .  my favorite thing about Kiera (if I have to pick just one) is that she is a GIRL. Yes, I said it. I love having a girl! This is more surprising to me than anyone else. We were definitely not expecting a girl (You can read about my birth story to hear my reaction when she was born.), and I honestly didn’t know if I even would like having a girl, mostly because I only knew what it was like to have boys (and I LOVE having BOYS).

one week old

What’s different about having a girl? (I get asked that all the time.) Not a whole lot really – in my opinion. The only thing I’ve been able to come up with is that I think there is a little bit of a different connection simply because she and I are both girls.

7 months old

I also think it’s because having a girl makes things feel a little more new and interesting. I’ve always liked changing things up and she has definitely done that.

one year old

I have no idea if this has anything to do with being female (although I’d like to think it does) – from the moment Kiera arrived, she’s seemed very mature, almost like she wanted to talk to us. My mother-in-law  even joked about it – “I think she’s trying to say something.” Even now, Kiera laughs about things that I feel like she shouldn’t understand. Maybe it’s because she’s the 3rd child, I don’t know, but she brings a smile to my face every hour of every day that I’m with her.

I can’t wait to see what the future brings and what I get to add to this list each year.

Below are the Instagram posts from this past year marking her milestones with Mushy Moments cards (Selfishly, I thought it would be nice to have them all in one place). Oh, how I wish I’d had these cards (and even Instagram) with the boys.

I couldn't resist, and I also can't believe Kiera is already one week old! She's become so much more alert in the past few days and took a bottle from my MIL for the first time today! I can't wait for the boys to have a turn feeding her. Pumping has paid off. . 🍼🍼🍼 @mushymoments sent me these Milestone cards. You can't see the back but they have a spot on the back to write notes, which I love – this way they can also be used like a baby book! I was really great about writing down milestones with my first, not so much with my second, so we'll see with Kiera. I think these cards will be super handy with at least writing down something, as long as my #mommybrain can remember to use them! Anyone relate? 😜😛😜 . . . . #oneweek #oneweekpostpartum #oneweekold #babygirl #mydaughter #mydaughterismyworld #kierasis #milestones #mushymoments #newmom #mommusthave #mommymusthaves #saraspostjourney #postpartum #postnataljourney #babyfashion #babyfashionista #ministyle #mybabygirl #babygifts #babygiftideas

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And just like that she's 2 weeks old! She's sleeping like a champ and barely cries unless she's looking for food, so I don't have a lot to complain about. I'm still just getting accustomed to having a baby who spits up and needs to be burped more frequently. . 👶👶👶 Thanks to all who have been checking in on me too – so sweet of you to ask. I'm doing much better than I was a week ago and appreciating the fact that I don't have to constantly make room for my belly wherever I go. My MIL and mom have both gone home as of today so looking forward to getting back into our family groove . . . plus Kiera of course. . 😉😉😉 How are my other expecting and new moms doing? Hanging in there? . . . . #2weekspostpartum #2weeksold #babygirl #mushymoments #newbaby #newmom #newmum #postpartumbody #postpartum #postnatal #postpartumjourney #saraspostjourney #momof3 #momof3kids #momlife #babyupdate #landonbro #liambro #kierasis

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Kiera is 3 weeks old today and to say Liam loves being a big brother is an understatement. He loves up on her every chance he can get (swipe left to see the extent of his love.) Whether it's holding her, kissing her or obsessing over her little toes, he's committed to being the best big brother ever. . ❤️❤️❤️ As for Kiera, she's much more alert during the day, eating and sleeping like a champ (still spitting up) and gives the occasional smile (or is it gas? LOL). What are your littles up to? . ❤️❤️❤️ Thanks again to @mushymoments for sending these milestone cards – such a great way to document these early days! . ❤️❤️❤️ To get the latest updates, giveaways and info from me click the link in my bio! . . . http://sarahaley.com/newsletter/ . . . . #milestones #mushymoments #liambro #kierasis #3weeksold #3yearsold #bigbrother #bigbro #littlesis #littlesister #3weekspostpartum #postpartum #postnatal #mommymusthaves #newmum #newmom #newmomlife #newbaby

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Kiera is one month today and already giving out lots of smiles! Her biggest brother Landon couldn't be prouder. I often joke that one of the reasons I was okay having a third was because Landon is such a great helper. I realized the other night (when he slept over at a buddy's house) how much I really do depend on him. Not only did I simply just miss his presence, but I realized how truly helpful he is, specifically with Liam. The two of them (Landon & Liam) do everything together, especially at night – from bath time (Landon runs the bath and everything.) to story time (Landon reads to Liam). It has seriously made the transition with Kiera so much easier – for Liam and for me. I suppose that's why people say the transition from "one to two" is harder than "two to three." The first two entertain each other. . 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 Any expecting moms worried about this transition? Anyone having a similar experience? . . . . . #milestones #mushymoments #onemonthold #1monthold #onemonthpostpartum #postpartumbody #kierasis #landonbro #broihiersibs #bigbrother #bigbrotherlittlesister #bigbrotherlife #mommyproblems #newmomlife #postpartum #momof3 #momofthree

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Yay! “I’m 2 months old today!” #kierasis __________ I can’t believe I almost forgot . . . two milestones today . . . a first grader and a 2 month old! I’ll be honest I still can’t believe she’s mine. I remember with Landon (my oldest) I was so anxious to hit each milestone: “Smile already!” “Sit up already!” “Crawl already!” With Kiera, I want it all to just SLOW down. Where the last 2 months went I have no idea . . . ___________ Which milestone(s) were you most anxiously awaiting (or are awaiting) with your littles? . . . . . #2monthsold #2monthspostpartum #8weeksold #8weekspostpartum #postpartum #postnatal #newmom #babygirl #girlmom #girlmomlife #momof3 #momof3kids #momofthree #boppypillow #boppycover #milestones #mushymoments

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Please, please, please slow down little girl. It is all going by way too fast this time around. I blinked and she's already dominating tummy time, rolling from front to back, laughing out loud, holding hands, and sleeping like a champ. Meanwhile, her milestones, growth spurts, and eating habits are leaving me hungry all the time and working to execute some willpower on my food choices. . 🍕🍟🥞🧀 I am still congratulating myself on making it through 3 months as a new mom of three. I learned to do that after I had Landon (my oldest). A friend said to me on his first birthday – "Congrats on keeping him alive for an entire year!" And it's so true . . . so congrats to all my mamas out there wherever you are in your journey. Would love to hear how many days, weeks, months or years you've made it through so far and any milestones your littles have achieved recently. . . . . #kierasis #3monthsold #3monthspostpartum #milestones #babygirls #tummytime #smileybaby #babysmiles #motherhood #motherhoodunplugged #motherhoodunited #newmom #girlmom #momof3kids #momof3 #momofthree #saraspostjourney #postnataljourney #postpartum #postpartumrecovery #momtips #mushymoments

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Look who rolled over last night! I didn't believe it at first. The boys and I were catching up on @abc_dwts (I brainwashed them into liking it when @grandparossy_3 from the @chicagocubsnation was on last season.) Anyways, Kiera was lying on her back and then I looked again and she was on her front! So we turned her back over and she did it again and again and again and again! I even caught one on video(Check out my stories.). 😍😂😆 It's funny how excited we get about all these milestones when they are young, and they barely even realize what they've done. I think we need to find a way to carry this over into our 20's, 30's, 40's and beyond . . . @mushymoments – will you create some adult milestone cards please? LOL. If you could have a milestone card for something you've recently done, what would it say? . . . . #milestonecards #milestonecard #mushymoments #kierasis #babygirl #milestones #babymilestones #girlmom #proudmama #babylife #babyrollingover #rollingover

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Kiera was 4 months old on Sunday, so I thought I’d share some updates: 😃 She is a rolling machine & tummy time champ! . 😩Because of all the rolling, she’s waking up more often at night. #4monthsleepregression . 😬She grabs on to anything she can get her hands into. (Attempting to say goodbye to Legos in the living room. ). 😛She smiles and laughs all the time. . 😢She’s still teething. . 😮She’s in the 98% for height and head circumference. Is this really my child? (I’m 5’1”.) . 😂I still can’t believe she’s mine! . What kind of milestones are your kids hitting these days? Anyone have any crazy teenager stories yet? . . . . #babygirl #4monthsold #kierasis #milestones #teething #4months #babyupdate #girlmom #momof3 #tummytime #babytime #babysteps #milestonecards #milestone #babygirlmom #girlmomlife #babylife #babyig #mushymoments

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A baby’s brain grows the most rapidly the first 12 months of life. And we wonder why their sleep is all over the place . . . LOL 🔹 But seriously, yesterday was a big milestone day for 5-month-old Kiera. She sat up by herself for a significant amount of time (Swipe to see video from my stories yesterday of her determined big brothers help her.). And she ate more than a spoonful of solids. She’s had a taste or two of guacamole over the past few weeks but really went at it last night. . 🔹 I also gave her a cucumber to gnaw on. I know this might sound scary to some of you, but I did “baby-led weaning” with Liam so “real food” doesn’t scare me much. She’s been sucking on apples, carrots and bell peppers for a while now. 🔹 What fun milestones are your littles meeting these days or are you hoping they’ll meet soon? . . . . . . #kierasis #broihiersibs #milestones #5monthold #5montholdbaby #mushymoments #firstfoods #babyledweaning #firstsolids #babymilestones #babymilestone #babygirl #5monthspostpartum #newmom #momof3 #momof3kids #momofthree

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Guess who is now 6 months? Crazy, right? How old are your littles (or not so littles) right now? . So what’s 6 months like in the life of Kiera? 🔹Still nursing and no longer spitting up! I had actually forgotten about her spitting up all the time until a friend of mine asked me about it recently. It had slowly been getting better and stopped completely around 4 months.🙌🏻🙌🏻 🔹She has a tooth and loves using it (even bit me nursing). 😬😬 🔹Eating/gnawing on food. Favorites include bell peppers, cucumbers, cantaloupe, watermelon, guacamole, hummus and oatmeal. Yes, I promise to share more on #babyledweaning. 🔹Sleep is okay but that’s mostly my fault. I like having her in bed with me. 😴 🔹Sitting up, rocking back and forth in the crawl position, scooting across the room 🔹Singing (aaaaaaaaah), cooing and laughing all the time – probably my favorite thing on this list 🔹Recognizing her favorite people when they walk in a room – specifically her brothers and me . . . . . . . . . #kierasis #6monthsold #6monthspostpartum #babygirl #girlmom #mushymoment #milestones #babymilestones #6monthmilestone #nursing #breastfeeding #spitup #crawling #babyfood #postpartum #saraspostjourney #postpartumrecovery #babygirlclothes #babygirlfashion

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I’m legit freaking out . . . 8 months old?? That’s almost as long as she was in my belly. Slow down little girl! 🔹 So what does 8 months look like in the life of Kiera? 💖Pulling up to standing constantly 💖Crawling everywhere she wants to go 💖Contemplating the stairs (need to get on those gates this weekend!) 💖Eating like a champ – especially loves her protein, like meatballs and chicken fingers 💖Still drinking Mama’s milk 💖Especially loves nursing in the early morning hours #goodtimes 💖Still likes sleeping next to Mama most of the night 💖Down to 2 naps a day 💖Special interests in music, books, and chewing on puzzle pieces 💖Has 2 bottom teeth all the way in and one top tooth on its way 💖Laughs when everyone else is laughing as if she’s in on the joke 💖Can always make Mama smile, even in the craziest of moments 🔹 So what’s going on with your littles? Any highlights or milestones? . . . . . #kierasis #8monthsold #8monthspostpartum #babygirl #milestones #babymilestones #girlmom #newmom #newmomlife #mushymoment #mushymoments #babysister #growingup

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I was so caught up in Landon turning 7-years-old this week, I almost forgot Kiera turned 9 months old. 😯😯😯 I’ll keep with the theme of this past week and share 9 Kiera updates for the 9 months. What I mean by that . . . If you didn’t see my posts earlier this week, I annually share #ontheblog my __ favorite things about my kids on their birthdays based on their age. (Click the link in my bio to read “My 7 Favorite Things About Landon.” 7 things are because he turned 7.) Share in the comments any milestones your kids hit this week, no matter how old. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 9 Fun Kiera Updates: 1️⃣She can stand up by herself. 2️⃣She cruises fast around tables and loves to walk holding our hands. 3️⃣Crawling is now at lightening speed. 4️⃣She babbles constantly and it sounds like she’s saying “Dada” and “Bye-bye” sometimes (but not really). 5️⃣She waves and claps. 6️⃣She tries to wrestle with her brothers. 7️⃣She doesn’t really like the pacifier and thus loves sucking on me when she can’t fall asleep. 8️⃣Her 2 naps are sometimes really short, so I think she may go down to one soon. 9️⃣She has the best smile and laugh and makes me so happy every day to be her Mama. . . . . . #kierasis #9monthsold #9monthspostpartum #babygirl #girlmom #milestones #mushymoments #momlife #motherhood #timeflies #babygirldress #babygirlfashion #girlmomlife #momof3 #momofthree #postpartum #newmomlife

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If you follow my Instagram stories, you probably know that Kiera has been walking for a while now and is 10 months old. So before she is 11 months I wanted to officially share an update, since I had been pretty good about doing these thus far. **** Swipe to see the official @mushymoments cards and the boys trying to help me out. Getting her to sit still these days is close to impossible. So here’s a few recent things about Kiera. 1️⃣ She started staggering around just before hitting 10 months, much like her oldest brother Landon. She quickly turned pro and pretty much insists on walking everywhere now. 2️⃣Food wise she’ll pretty much eat anything thanks to #babyledweaning. I still haven’t given her grapes or goldfish (2 things I happen to be fearful of because of horror stories I’ve heard.) 3️⃣She’s still nursing, but I’m honestly not sure I’ll make it to the year like I did with the boy. She bites me a lot- like a lot a lot. 😬 4️⃣She doesn’t totally sleep through the night if I’m around because I’m a sucker and like to bring her into bed to nurse and snuggle (part of the reason I’ve been dealing with the biting). One of my favorite things is waking up to her sitting up smiling at me. 5️⃣Her favorite activities are swinging on the swing in our backyard. She’s fearless and likes to be pushed surprisingly high. She loves dancing and singing and of course getting into whatever her brothers are doing. I often find her looking at books on her own. 6️⃣She “talks” a lot. She says “uh-oh,” “bye-bye,” “hi,” and “Ma-ma-ma.” Right now it’s more copying and babbling – not really intentional. **** Okay, your turn. Share your littles’ recent milestones! I love hearing about them! . . . . . #kierasis #10monthspostpartum #10monthsold #10monthsoldbaby #babygirl #mushymoments #milestones #walkingbaby #girlmom #momof3

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These are the times I wish Instagram had been around longer . . . so I could look back on pics like this if the boys. It’s also why these @mushymoments cards have been so helpful. Liam legit asked me the other day (because we were looking through everyone’s baby books) why his wasn’t as filled out as Landon. Ummmm . . . #2ndchildproblems. Needless to say, I’ve barely touched Kiera’s either, but at least I’ve shared here and wrote a few notes on these cards. #3rdchildproblems Can you relate? ❤️❤️❤️ So here’s my Kiera update before she turns 1-years-old! Share in the comments what your littles are up to these days! ❤️❤️❤️ 1️⃣As you’ve probably seen on my stories, she’s a walking machine!!!! I turn my head and she’s gone. If only you knew how many times a day I say, “Kiera? Where’s Kiera? Everyone look for Kiera!” (insert panic voice) She’ll literally be standing behind me. LOL 2️⃣She got obsessed with the stairs this weekend, and no I don’t have gates up (#badmom), so my life is officially over. I don’t know what happens to my gates but they must get destroyed after each child because I have to get new ones every time. If you have a certain brand you like, please share in the comments! 3️⃣She seriously eats like an adult – from the types of food she eats to how she holds a spoon. With Landon I did NOT do #babyledweaning. With Liam I dabbled in it, and this time I fully embraced it. I think it has everything to do with how she eats. 4️⃣I forgot how much they understand so quickly. She laughs at stuff we laugh at, knows when to be sneaky, and converses in her own way. It sounds like she’s talking to us and at times it sounds like she’s answering us with the right words, but I’m not sure how much of it she is actually intentionally doing. I feel like her first word is going to be “DaDa.” Boo. 5️⃣Speaking of DaDa, she is newly obsessed with Dad. The moment he steps in the room, she immediately wants to be held by him. CONTINUED IN COMMENTS . . . . . . #kierasis #babygirl #mushymoments #milestones #11months #11monthsold #girlmom #3rdtimemom #babynumber3 #momofthree #momof3

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