Happy Easter!

Rylie was pretty excited that we all got dressed up for church this morning.

 

She may not look like it...This is just her poker face.

 

 

That's more like it.  Our little goofball...

 

What happens when you put a baby and a giant basket together?

 

An Easter photo op, of course!

 

We hope you all had a wonderful Easter!!

 

5 Months!

I spent 29 years of my life without this girl and only 5 months with her, and yet, I can hardly remember what life was like before her. 

 

Momma, I'm a pro at this now.  What are we waiting for?!

Cheeeese!!

 

How was that?  Pretty cute, right?  With the sideways smile and all...





 

No?  You mean you want entertainment?  Boo!

 

Still not enough?  How 'bout a new 'do??

 



Just call me Pebbles!!



 

So, what is happening at the ripe old age of 5 months??

 

She is smiling, laughing, and starting to get really playful.

 

I used to think the cutest sound in the world was her giggle.

 

That was before I heard her squeal with excitement.

 

Now, I'm torn.  Can we call it a tie for the cutest sounds in the world?

 

She is a pretty efficient "supported sitter."

She loves to stand up (with support, of course).  She acts so proud and excited to be getting so big and strong (insert tears from momma watching her baby girl grow up too fast).

She still loves baths and is learning that splashing is pretty funny.

Her hair is still dark and growing long.  She got her first pigtails 1 week ago with her aunt Kim.

 

She is still drooling...

 

She weighs 14lbs, 13oz and is 25 inches long.

She wears size 2 diapers and size 3-6 and 6 month clothes.

She has tried rice cereal and doesn't like it at all. 

She has tried sweet potatoes and loves them.

This week, we'll move on to squash.

She hasn't quite figured out that these foods can actually fill her belly if she gives them a chance.  She tends to get a little impatient and wants milk because it's what she knows will keep her legs from getting too skinny.

 

She is still going to bed around 7:30 or so and wakes twice during the night.  Until she can make it through the night, or at least cut down to 1 night-time feeding, she will continue to sleep in the Pack 'n' Play in our room.

Her bedroom is a looong walk from our bedroom at 1 am.

 

And 4 am.

 

And sometimes 11:30 pm...

 

Today, a lady in Target called her "striking."  Yesterday, two pediatricians called her absolutely beautiful.  Earlier this week, her daddy said he still couldn't believe how we made such a perfect baby.

 

Of course, we know we had nothing to do with creating such a sweet little girl.  We were just the lucky ones God chose to be her parents.



 



 

Such a big girl, New trail shoes, and a Road trip

Someone is getting too big for her britches, literally. 

 

I cry a little every week when I put more of her outfits in the "too small" bag.

 

She thinks she's old enough for her own place at the table.  All in favor say, "I."

 

IIIiiiii!!!!!

 

 

Is it approved, Mommy?

 



 

Yes, honey, I guess you won the vote.

 

That's what I thought.  Now, where's the food??

Well, the food is in the form of rice cereal, and she has made it very clear that it is the most disgusting thing on earth.  We'll move on to some veggies next month.  Maybe we'll have better luck.

 

In other news, I bought some trail shoes and took them out for a test run last weekend. 

 

I figured I should run on something other than pavement and treadmills to prepare for a race coming up in May.  I will be running on dirt/gravel roads and trails for 30-something miles in a 200 mile relay through the Ozarks.

 

Ouch.

 

I found some nice views.  

 

And some challenging hills...

 

My quads hurt for 3 days after this 5 mile fun run through the woods.

 

I'm pretty sure I won't be able to walk after my 30-something miles.

 

Tomorrow, Rylie, Aspen, Copper, and I are heading out on a little road trip to my parents for a visit.  We will be hanging out with my sister and Rylie's precious cousins this time tomorrow night.

 

Ryan is in Baton Rouge at a competition for engineering students.  We will meet again on Sunday.

 

Rylie misses her daddy.

 

She was only about a week old in that picture.

 

I cannot believe how much she has grown...

 

I better stop looking before I start crying again...

 



4 Months



I cannot believe a whole month has gone by since my last update, and our baby girl is a whole month older. 

 

By the end of this post, you may be tired of pictures of Rylie.  I think I just uploaded 500. 

 

Ready, Mom?  See, I'm 4 months old.. It says it right here.

 

Should I hold something up?  Like a flag, or a torch or something to look important.

 

You are important, darlin'.

 

*giggles* Momma, you're gonna make me blush.

 

Ok, seriously, how's this?

 

Yes honey, you look just like the Statue of Liberty.  Let me go find your torch.

 

*giggles* Stop, Momma!  You're killin' me! *giggles*



 

But seriously, I could hold it right here.  Wouldn't that be great?!?

 

When she's not trying to pose or laughing until her sides hurt, she is trying to sit up.  So, we had to do a few pictures of her sitting like a big girl.

 

Look, Momma!  I'm so big!  I can sit all by myself!

 

It's easy, really.  This stuff is for babies.

 

I can even sing a song while I'm sitting here...

 



 Oh wait, you mean I should wait until I'm 6 months old to do this??  Well, we can fix that.  I'll just take my 4 month sticker off.

 

Hehe...They'll never know...

 

Really, here, take it.  I don't need it anymore.

 

And, so ended our 4 month photo shoot with the removal of her sticker.  The little stinker has it all figured out..

 

So, what has been going on this month?

 

Well, Rylie spent the majority of her 3rd month of life sick with various illnesses, but she pulled through like a champ and has been well for 2 whole weeks now.

 

She is smiling a lot and now even laughing a lot. 

 

There is nothing sweeter than baby giggles.

 

I need to find a way to bottle them up.

 

Anyway, back to the list:

She is cooing and babbling a lot.

She is still waking twice on most nights, but her bedtime has moved from 9-10pm to 7-8pm.  Daycare must be quite strenuous.

She is grabbing and holding her toys with ease.

She has very good head control and is lifting her head with ease during tummy time.

She tries to sit up by doing crunches.  When we help her into a sitting position, she is a little wobbly, but can stay upright with just the Boppy pillow for support.

She still loves bath time.

Her hair is getting long.  It has thinned in some areas, but the rest of her hair is so long that you don't notice the thinned areas much.

Her absolute favorite nap place is still on our bed, propped on a pillow.  She slept 4 hours yesterday afternoon in "her spot."

She is in full drool stage.  I remember in my child development book in nursing school at 4 months it said, "Drooling starts."  It never said when it stops.  This should be fun.

She is wearing size 3-6 month and 6 month clothing.

I moved her up to size 2 diapers at home.  She still has some size 1's at daycare that she can still use for a little longer.

She is putting everything to her mouth and loves to chew on her knuckles.

She is starting to act shy around strangers...and around the baby that lives in every mirror in our house.

She has the most beautiful big brown eyes with looong eyelashes.  I'm a little jealous.

Complete strangers still feel the need to come say hi to her and comment on her hair and dashing good looks.  I think it's starting to go to her head. 

 

But don't worry, I still tell her she's beautiful every day of her life.