What a wonderful month its been! Ella turned six weeks last Tuesday and I got my first smile from her on Friday, 4/23. It was in the evening and I'd been begging for a smile all week. We were walking up the stairs to start our nightly routine with bath time and Thomas the Tank Engine and as I talked to her, the side of her lip curled up. Later, while sitting on the couch, I got a big smile from her. She cooes and even her fusses are just adorable, as if she's talking to you. I could just eat her up! Unfortunately, I can't catch any of these smiles on camera.
Jack is still very smitten with his little sister. He enjoyed holding her, trying to give her a paci, and patting her when she fusses.
Here is his little fist that he puts through the crib railing as he falls asleep. Really cute.
Ella is such a sweet soul. We snuggle so well at night and during naps. She is a great sleeper. I've put her down awake and she continues to know how to fall asleep on her own. Still not much of a paci girl and she has a bit of a gassy tummy. She doesn't eat super well, in that you can always hear her clicking, a sign of a bad latch, whether it be while nursing, bottle feeding, or on her paci. Below, she's in a sweet sailboat dress that Granna bought her.
Jack is such a character these days! Justin continually says how much fun he's having with him, how sweet he is, how much he loves him. They are buddies and it warms my heart. Jack still loves animals and has recently become infatuated with squirrels. He sees them in the park and tries to take off after them. He doesn't get anywhere near them before they charge up a tree and are gone. He also still loves airplanes and can point them out even if they are crazy high in the sky. He always points and makes his "vroom" noise. Other noises he's making include elephant, dog, and lion/tiger sometimes. It's a cute roar. A new thing he does is shrug and turn his hands out to say, "I don't know," when he's stumped. He always does it when we ask what the giraffe says :) (Giraffes don't make noise).
Last weekend we went to the pool for the first time. The weather was warm and perfect but the water still and a bit of a chill. Jack wasn't interested at first but then warmed up to it as he got used to the temperature. He splashed a bit, but was more interested in the park next door.
Meanwhile, Ella napped :)
This is what happens when you ask Dad to help find a way to tie the Moby wrap with Ella pointing out. It didn't really work.
I haven't been too lucky getting many smiling pictures but I'm determined! She has the best little grin! I have really enjoyed getting to dress my girl up. She has more clothes than I do by a long shot! And hair bows to match. Below is one of my favorites. It's smocked and has little flowers and pearls on it with ruffles on the hiney.
This is a precious blue dress. I love how it looks on her and really makes her baby blues stand out.
Milk bubble. Ella's recently started cooing more and more. I just love it. She gave Daddy a few grins and smiles tonight and he melted. She is just precious. I could seriously eat her up. Can't even think about leaving her in a few short weeks to go back to work. I thought it would be easier the second time, but it may be harder. I've had so much fun with them both! And now I have to leave two sweet babies. Thankfully, we have a nanny that I really like and hope will be the perfect match!
Below, Jack had one corn pop left...do you spot it :)
We love going on walks. We go on at least one very long walk in the morning. Usually another in the afternoon. We circle the ponds and look at birds and turtles. We go to the dirt pits and watch the back hoes and dump trucks dig and dump. We stop at Jack's super secret rock pile (i.e. small gravel pit) and let him play and throw rocks like boys do. Today, we stayed outside playing in dirt for an hour. He would pick up mud clods and crush them between his fingers. It was so funny, he would squeeze really hard, so much so that his arms would shake. Seeing the dirt crumble was fascinating to him, but every once in a while, he would get a real rock and still try to squeeze it to pieces. It was funny. He would eventually give up and throw them. I have to say that seeing him discover the world has been so much fun. Every day that passes, I see a little less baby in him, and a little more boy, but every phase is just as fun as the last. Mommyhood is full of priceless memories.
Recently, he FINALLY started drinking milk!! This was the first day he drank it and liked it. Two full cups :) And let's not forget about chili. He's a chili-loving fool. That's all for now folks! :)
