4th of July fun :)

Well..its been a fun month!!! We had Father's Day in Poseyville and Ellie got to meet a lot of new people. She seemed to do pretty well for the most part. I worry sometimes about stranger anxiety but she loves everyone. She got her new bumbo chair thanks to grandma Rhonda) and has really taken to it. It is the cutest thing I have ever seen (her in it) and everyone that sees her in it seems to think so, too. Its really strengthened her tummy muscles and tummy time seems to be much easier now.

The next week we got to take her swimming for the first time. After the initial shock of the cool water she seemed to love it. Ryan and I both loved the water as kids...and it looks like she's going to, too.

We got to go back to Kansas for the 4th of July and spend time with family. We all had a great time and got to celebrate Ellie's great-grandma's 80th birthday. She seems to do pretty well with the traveling in the car seat, sleeping most of the way. It was baby-mania there with lots of new little ones and it made me realize how much my little one has grown in the last three months. She was the big girl of the group! She also got to go swimming again...which after the initial cold she seemed to enjoy. I'm hoping it stays warm here for a bit so I can take her more to our neighborhood pool.

Last weekend we went to my mom's family reunion. It was a lot of fun. This was the first time Ellie got to meet her great grandma Frances and a lot of my mom's siblings. Ellie's uncles Johnathon and David came in town for it and she enjoyed them a lot. She thought uncle J was pretty funny :) and I was glad they finally got to meet her!

My little girl is quite the big girl or so she thinks. We are transitioning out of that little baby phase and as much fun as she is now that she interacts with us more and knows who her mommy and daddy are...it is still bittersweet. She doesn't like to lay in our arms anymore. She wants to sit up all the time and look around unless she's nursing. She loves to sit on the couch next to us in her bumbo chair. Also, she's been sleeping in her crib for the last week. She still doesn't go to bed until 12 or 1...but she sleeps for 6-8 hours in her crib until her morning feeding. She isn't going to sleep on her own yet and fights it with everything she has. She kicks a lot and cries and refuses to fall asleep...but is showing signs that she's getting there. When we hold her in front of us she pretty much holds her weight and stands on her own. I think she'll probably walk early like Ryan did since she's already taking practice steps. Oh...and the cutest part of this months developments..she giggles!!! She has been doing it more and more the last two weeks and I LOVE it!!! Here's a vid of her giggling. You have to wait through the bouncing...she was giggling when I did it but was too fascinated with the camera to keep it up. (Sorry its sideways...I don't know how to flip it)

What a month already!!!

Well..we have been really busy these last few weeks. Ellie had her first vacation to the big town of Wartburg, TN to see my cousin Chad get married. It was a great weekend and we all really enjoyed ourselves. Ellie got to meet a lot of the Scott family and I don't think she was ever not in someone's arms the entire three days. The wedding was beautiful and so was the area. We spent most of our time in cabin...but ventured out a couple of times mostly to see the mountains (and go to the wedding). We are really looking forward to going to Kansas for the 4th of July to see everyone again and to see family that didn't make it to the wedding :)

On a different note...my little girl had her first vaccines last Friday. I swore once it was over that Ryan would be taking her to her next set. This was the most awful thing I've ever had to witness as a mother. I know...its dramatic but you have to understand that Ellie doesn't cry. She has the most quiet whine when she's hungry and that's about it. She is very soft spoken unless she gets really mad and then she yells while crying which I can chuckle about because I know she's just made herself mad. This was different. She was smiling and chatting me up for the first part of the visit then out came the shots. The nurse was very kind and considerate and had everything ready so it would be quick. She got two in one leg and one in the other. Ellie was just looking at me when the nurse stuck the first one in. She made a look of surprise and then her lip turned and she started crying. This was a cry I had never heard before. She cried so hard that she didn't catch her breath for a few seconds. It was a sad cry that she was in pain and there was nothing I could do but pick her up quickly and hold her. I comforted her for a few minutes before getting her dressed to get her out of there...and every few minutes it was like she remembered what had happened and started crying again. Luckily she does great in the car and she calmed down once she was in the carseat. But before she fell asleep for a few minutes I had to listen to her quietly gasp like a little sob when you've cried so hard you can't quite catch your breath. Heartbreaking...and I know this is just the beginning. Maybe I will be better next time because I know she needs these vaccines. Maybe I'll know what to expect so it won't be quite so shocking when my little girl cries so hard. She was fussy all weekend until today...when she woke up smiling like her usual self...and I know I have been spoiled by this child. She is always such a pleasure to be around and for the most part is so content. I am very thankful for that!!

Six weeks and counting....

Wow. That's pretty much all I can say. Six and a half weeks in and I had no idea. Ellie has taken to her mommy since breastfeeding. She is pretty much the best baby ever unless she's hungry. If she doesn't get to the food fast enough she gets a total attitude (i.e. screaming and face turning red). She's a lot like Katie in that way. She does ok with bottles here and there but if she's tired it just won't cut it. I can't say I necessarily mind it...it's so wonderful for her to know who her mom is and know that no one can comfort her quite like I can. I know it is a bond we will have from here on.

She's growing so fast. It truly is bittersweet. I want her to stay that little infant stage for a while longer..but she's turning into quite the little person. She has a mind and attitude of her own and I love watching it develop every day. I guess I will look forward to this with future kid(s) but I just want to savor every minute of her right now while it's just the two of us. I see why moms get so teary eyed while their babies grow up.

We are both handling everything very well. Ellie is a night owl...but so is most of her family on her mommy's side. She stays up until about two or three in the morning...but sleeps usually until eight or nine. Needless to say I can't complain. Five hours straight...I'll take it!! Ryan looks forward to coming home every night and having his time...and she definitely knows who her daddy is. She lights up when he holds her.

As for developing...she is all smiles and laughs (or little squeals that simulate laughter). She has just started that this week. She smiles a ton when she gets up from her naps and likes to chat at a lot of inanimate objects after her belly's full. She is truly such a happy girl and I just can't wait to hear her talk and laugh even more. We love this girl!!!