Parenting

Leeana,

I'm learning so many new things about parenting these last few days as you've now gotten sick, again, unfortunately right after Christmas. You have a 103.1 fever and it's so tough knowing that I'm doing all that I can to help you get better, but you're little body is working hard to get better on its own. I feel like my efforts aren't helping or working as you cry through the baths when we try to lower your temp, or the fever reducer we try to give you, in which you now spit out with a bitter face, or when I wipe your nose and you toss your head from side to side crying. I've rocked you to sleep (when we rarely do that) and as soon as I put you down in your crib, you wake up and fuss or make noises as you can't sleep. I'm so sorry that I can't take this sickness from you, as I would if God allowed. I would give anything to see you no longer sick. 

It's so amazing to know the feeling of being a mom when I'm up all hours of the night with you as you're not sleeping through the night right now. The moments when I want to continue sleeping, I hear your cry and my body somehow gets out of bed to come to your rescue and put you back to sleep so you can continue to get better. It's tough, as I love my sleep, and I'm losing a lot of it! But nothing makes me happier than helping to take care of you in your time of need, and right now you surely need daddy and I!

It breaks my heart to see your joy not there all of the time. Those random smiles are now filled with cries and screams for help. It's so tough to see you scream/cry and shake your fist at me during a diaper change, when usually your laugh, smile, giggle, talk, or sing to me. I want to see you better as I long to see you full of joy all the time. I want you to sleep through the night again, so you don't wake up wondering why you're in pain, but wake up talking to yourself knowing ill be there soon to feed you, reminiscing on the sweet dreams you had the night before. (Plus, I love my sleep!) I can't wait to see you feel better my sweet girl, and as I keep telling you, I do promise to nurse you back to health! I love you precious girl! Keep fighting, as I'm right here holding your little hand through this! 

Love,

Mommy

Month 4!!!

 Wow babygirl, you're 4 months old already!!! Where has time gone?

Look back over the last 4 months to see your growth...

Everyday with you has been so amazing, and I absolutely love watching you grow older and mature in the little areas of life. You continue to impress me with how much you desire to learn and just your ability to take in new things. 

We got to take both of your grandparents (Grammy and Granddaddy) out for their birthdays and then you were reunited with your cousin Lucy and Aunt Jess who were off in London.

You've been so amazing with attending 2 weddings in the last 2 weekends (Josh & Marissa as well as Kristen & Dustin's) and you did great! Here are some pics below of you hanging at your Aunt Kristen's bridal shower.

You had your first Thanksgiving, and did amazing through your first musical at Toby's Dinner Theater (Miracle of 34th Street) and you made it all the way through until the last 10 minutes (after 4 hours of being amazing!!! Way to go baby girl!

I can't believe that as of tomorrow, I've been home for 1 month with you already! It's been the greatest month spending my days with you! My sweet girl, I love watching you grow! Here are some of your highlights through your last month of life:

-your eyes seem to be turning brown, and you've grown so much of your hair back in

-you always want to hold up your head all of the time, and it's quite impressive

-you love when I hold you like an airplane and give me the biggest smiles

-you love for daddy and I to hold your forearms and help you sit up

-since accomplishing rolling on your side, you absolutely love to be on your sides now just holding those little toes of yours

-you love to be on your tummy (you used to fuss the whole time, now your a pro, especially holding up your head)

-you're able to hold your bottle now, although you sometimes let go, but you get a good grip and hold on tight

-you've rolled over once already from your belly to back

-you've finally found your feet, and now I usually find them in your mouth

-you LOVE pulling your socks off.. But it takes you some work to do it

-you keep giggle a lot more now and my goodness it's worth working for those giggles!

-you love to stare at yourself in the mirror

-you smile at anyone and everything

-you seem to make everyone smile back at you

-your very alert and great at focusing on things 

-you've learned how to grab things that are in front of you

-you smile after you sneeze

-you smile soooo big when I kiss on your neck- so adorable!

-you're a drooling fanatic, since you're teething a bit early

-you've really begun to start grunting

-you really love to be swaddled when you go to sleep, which I know will be tough soon as we have to try and transition you out

-you've really learned to hold your pacifier in your mouth and it's impressive to not see you spit it out every other minute

-your mouth seems to be a fun spot for you to store things, such as feet, socks, toys, and your whole HAND of course (silly girl)

holding your own bottle - 11/11/13

hanging with daddy at church

You love your feet - 11/29/13

first roll to your side - 11/8/13

What an amazing month of accomplishments that you've had! So proud of every step that you take closer to being a big girl! I love you sweetheart and look forward to your next month of growth! MWAH!