Whaaaaat?

That's right, she is four months already. Newborn no more. Well, it depends on your definition of newborn, I guess, but Rob and I consider month four the end of the newborn days. We love month four! I mean, of course she has been our little angel since day one. But, I'm not gonna lie, it has not been easy. Month four is magic. The baby books tell you it is coming...for example, if your baby has colic, the books assure you that the crying will subside by the end of the third month. Oh, I remember that so clearly with my Bennett Bear; clinging for dear life until month four. The first three months of his life were the longest three months of mine. Sorry, Bear, but it's true. And then on March 1, 2007, just as the books predicted, the clouds lifted, the crying ceased, and his marvelous personality broke through. Magic. Well, this time around was easier in many ways (harder in others, of course, this is life we are talking about here). For starters, Ella girl was not colicky. Only a mother of a colicky baby can appreciate that distinction (o.k, fathers too, it just doesn't sound as dramatic). Second, time flew. Hence, the title of this post. I mean, I seriously cannot believe that she is four months old. In part because at least half of my brain cells are gone from pregnancy and lack of sleep. I actually don't even know what I'm talking about right now...

The other apparent difference with this little one is my mind set. Not in the-"you will be so much more relaxed this time around"-way that everyone said it would be. No, for me it has been more like...no matter how difficult the hour/day (or should I say night) is, I just know that I need to appreciate the time with her. I look at Bennett, and he is big...he speaks in sentences, we can reason with him. And that happened in a heartbeat. Everyone says it, but the cliche is so true: time flies. It just does. So, through all the challenges of her newborn-ness was this internal acknowledgment that she wouldn't be my tiny baby very long. And here we are at 4 months, the most challenging (for me, anyway) part of her very young age is already behind us. It is bitter sweet. But mostly sweet ;)

Happy birthday, baby grill (as Bennett pronounces it)!!

From Bennett and Elodie

We learn so many important things from you everyday, Daddy.

Like how to work hard...

and play hard.

We love spending time with you...

and your snuggles are the best!

Happy Father's Day to the best Daddy ever. God sure did a perfect job
when He chose you for us!

Ellaroo

She is getting so big! We have some smiles and (video) screams to share. Elodie is a super happy and easy-going girl. Now if she would just learn to sleep! Argh. That's right, another stinky sleeper. She was good at it in the beginning, but she rounded some weird, unfortunate corner, and, three/four weeks later...still won't sleep more than 2 hours at a time. Yuck. But the girl is so delightful when she's awake that it's kinda hard to be bitter about it. I mean, look at this face:

Tummy time!

She's talking to me here. She stares at me so much-I love it

We call this her "eat your face" face. She'll come at you
with her mouth wide open anytime.

And now for the smiles...

No neck, just chub :)

And next is a sampling of her screamy-squeal. Elodie has become quite fascinated with her own voice, as babies do. She has a happy scream that cracks us up. Sometimes she sounds way older when she screams-like a preschool-age girl. Weird, but cute.

Weekend Recap

We had such a nice relaxing weekend. Actually, it was quite productive but still felt relaxing-that's the best kind! Auntie Kate came over on Thursday and brought a bunch of plants for our needy backyard (she is in the landscaping biz.). It was SO kind of her, we are very excited to beautify the place. So, we did a lot of that...yard work and being outside. My Mom and Dad came up for the day on Saturday and got right to work! They dug, weeded, watered, and planted all day. Thank you Auntie Kate for the plants, and thank you Mom and Dad for the labor! I wish I had taken a pic. of Bennett "working hard (as he says)"-very cute.

Then church on Sunday-have I mentioned we found a church?!? It is SOO good, we love it- great worship, great teaching, we love it!! It is huge, which is very different for both Rob and me, but the people are super friendly; we are already getting to know people and finding ways to be connected. I cannot tell you how grateful and excited we are about that.

Anyway, on to the pictures...we wouldn't want you to forget what we look like:

Elle's new bebe pod. She can sit up in it like a big girl!

Self photo, just to prove I still live here ;)

Bennett, Daddy, and Squirtz playing around

Rob brought this hat home from work on Friday,
it's the real deal(looks like a toy, huh?) and Bennett wore
it ALL weekend. And yes, Bennett does wear pants sometimes,
I swear.

Hee hee

She's a thumb sucker!