Four Months

I know, I know.  It doesn't seem possible, but our Staley is already 4 months old.  She is growing like a weed, weighing in at 14 lbs and measuring 24.75 inches.  She is in size 2 diapers and her super-cute 3-6 month wardrobe.  She still sleeps in her co-sleeper with us at night (primarily because I'm not ready to take that step yet), but she sleeps like a champ in her crib for naps.  Social and inquisitive, Staley enjoys new people and new places.  We've learned not to expect her to sleep while we're out because she doesn't want to miss a thing.  Our happy little girl is learning and changing quickly, so we just have to hold on and enjoy the ride.

Likes:  Staley loves her Mommy and Daddy.  Hearing us and seeing us always makes her smile, and seeing her smile always makes me smile.  She's still a great eater, sleeps her 6-9 hours at a time at night, loves bath time, and enjoys clothing and diaper changes.  She still loves her play mat, ceiling fans, and her mobile.  Her current favorite toy is probably her spinning alphabet ball, although she enjoys all her rattles and musical/light-up toys.  Her favorite books include her baby books ('Baby, Baby' and 'Baby Talk') and her touch-and-feel books.  And, of course, music of any kind is always fun.

Dislikes:  Staley generally only fusses when she is hungry, tired, needs a diaper change, or is cold.

Skills:  Staley is getting so good at grabbing things and bringing them to her mouth.  She loves to taste her toys, books, clothes, her hands, our hands, and just about anything else that she can pull towards her mouth.  She can activate her cause and effect toys (as well as try to eat them) and is great at tummy time.  She can sit with only a little help from us, and is rolling from her tummy to her back pretty consistently.  Over the past few days, Staley has started to roll from her back to her side, even rolling onto her side to sleep (which is really cute.)  Feet are another fun new discovery as she is starting to grab at them.  And Staley has learned that kicking and splashing makes bath time much more fun.  With all these new skills, Staley has stopped playing 'so big'.  It was such a cute game, so hopefully she rediscovers the joy of it again soon.

Feet AND a polka-dotted skirt.  Life is good!!

Staley at 2 days

Staley at 4 months

One Tough Cookie

Today was Staley's 4 month doctor's visit--also known as Vaccinations: Part 2.  And our little girl (well, not so little in the 73rd percentile for height and the 61st percentile for weight) proved that she is one tough cookie.  After charming the nurse with her smiles and grabbing her doctor's stethoscope while he examined her, it was that dreaded time again.  But three large vaccination needles weren't enough to bring our little girl down.  She didn't cry until after the second shot and was done crying about 10 seconds after the third shot.  She was calming down even before we picked her up off the exam table, and she even gave the nurse (the inflicter of the pain) a smile before the nurse left the room.  Every day I can add a new adjective to describe the perfection that is Staley--adorable, fun, happy, inquisitive, social...and today I'm adding a new one.  Staley is TOUGH!

Mother's Day

I really struggled with how to focus my Mother's Day blog post.  This day brings so many people to mind and I wanted to dedicate this post to each and every one of them.  So I am going to...

I dedicate this post to the God who blessed me with the unending joy of being Staley's mother.  For the answer to prayers, the perfect timing, the child who was planned just for us, the blessing of every day with Staley...thank you!

I dedicate this post to my mother, the woman I aspire to emulate.  My mother is the most amazingly selfless, positive, joyful, energetic, loving, accepting, understanding woman of faith that I know.  I am so blessed that this incredible woman is my mother, my role model, and my friend.  I love you, Mom!

I dedicate this post to Zach's mother.  I often hear complaints about mother-in-laws, so I feel doubly blessed that I have an easy and loving relationship with Zach's mother.  She is generous and loving, thoughtful and fun...and she has a knack for raising wonderful children!  Staley is so lucky to have an Uma who loves her so much, and I am so lucky to have not just one, but two loving families to be a part of.

I dedicate this post in memory of my grandmothers and in honor of Zach's grandmothers.  Each of  them is a strong woman who raised a beautiful family...women deserving of admiration and love.

I dedicate this post to the other 'mothers' in my life...to aunts and my friends' mothers, women of the church and family friends.  Your influence in my life has shaped me into the woman, and the mother, that I am.

I dedicate this post to my friends and sisters-in-law who are wonderful mothers.  I count on you to answer my questions, give me advice, share my parenting journey, and teach me by example how to be a great mother.

I dedicate this post to my friends who are mothers-to-be.  I love sharing in this journey with you!

I dedicate this post to my friends who are not yet mothers.  On past Mother's Days, I have left church crying and sobbed my way out of family gatherings, finding it too hard to celebrate when all I felt was heartache and longing.  For each of you, I pray the same prayer I prayed for myself...for peace, for patience, for strength, for faith, and for the beautiful family that you will one day have. 

And finally, I dedicate this post to my Staley.  My life is forever changed, richer and fuller than I could ever have imagined.  Love has a bigger meaning to me now, and it is you!

Putting it to a Vote

A girl needs to accessorize, but I am also a firm believer in comfort.  (Just ask my mother about the 6 years I spent in nothing but sweat pants.)  I found these bows for Staley that are really cute, but with a super-soft and stretchy headband that seems so comfortable.  I am hoping to buy a few more, but here is the dilemma.  Which size?

Small?

Or large?

As a doting mother, I think she looks so cute in both.  So I'm putting it to a vote.  Feel free to share your opinion in the comments section.  You may also cast your vote via phone call, letter, e-mail, or text message.  Only one vote per person.  Standard text messaging rates do apply.  Of course, if Zach votes for "Does she really need more bows?", that won't count.  : )

Sleeping Beauty

There is nothing quite as peaceful and calming as watching a sleeping baby.  And there is nothing quite as beautiful and heart-warming to me as watching MY sleeping baby.

So angelic!

Cuddling with Grandpa

I love her thumb in her mouth, bum in the air, and one sock missing.

Our 3 a.m. Escapade

Five years ago, 3 a.m. escapades would have likely involved one of the following:  a vacation, a party, a movie marathon, or New Year's Eve.  Last night, our 3 a.m. escapade was a bit different.

Staley does not usually wake up in the middle of the night.  This morning around 2:30, however, I awoke to Staley 'talking' and kicking in her co-sleeper.  She was wide awake, happy as a clam, and watching the ceiling fan.  For about 10 minutes, I watched and waited as she happily kicked her legs (with one sock on and one sock off), sucked on her hands, and talked.  I finally determined that she was not going to go back to sleep anytime soon, so since we were now both awake, I figured I'd feed her and we'd both sleep in a little later in the morning.  Everyone wins. 

It was a good plan until I looked over and saw a large wasp hovering around our bedside lamp.  (Plan diverted.)  I woke Zach and the 3 of us headed into the hallway, shutting the door behind us.  A minute later, Zach re-entered the bedroom armed with 2 fly swatters, a garbage bag, and paper towels.  To sum up the next 20 minutes:  Zach looking, wasp hiding, Ellen helping, Staley mobile watching, wasp disappearing, Ellen and Zach giving up, wasp winning, Ellen and Zach worrying, Staley not concerned. 

After the 30 minute diversion, we returned to Plan A (feeding Staley).  After Staley finished eating, I prepared to swaddle her up in her blanket so we could all go back to sleep.  As I reached around the blanket to tuck it under Staley, my hand brushed something.  And there, sitting on my daughter's blanket (the very blanket that I was about to wrap her in), was that wiley wasp.  I grabbed Staley out of her bed, Zach pounded the wasp with one of his two fly swatters, and Staley (still wide awake) happily watched the whole scene.  With the wasp safely flushed away, we were all able to go back to sleep and only one of us had to wake up 2 hours later to get ready for work.  (Luckily, that was neither Staley nor I.)  Hopefully that will be the last of 3 a.m. excitement for awhile. As my high school curfew indicated, nothing good happens after midnight anyway.

I Heart Staley