Four Months Old

Anna is four months old! (Actually, she is four and a half months old, but I just now got around to writing this post about her).

Here are a few fun facts about our little cutie:

1. Anna, although you can't tell from the pictures, is not always the most social of babies. She is particular about when she wants to be social and when she wants to be left alone. She regularly looks past people as they try to get in her space over and over again. She prefers small crowds or one-on-one time.

2. Like most babies, Anna absolutely loves to be outside. When I put a sun bonnet on her, she starts to pump her arms and legs up and down because she knows it means we are going for a walk to the mailbox or to Andrew's baseball game or around the block. She even tolerates the wind well!

3. Anna likes to chew on soft things. She prefers a wet washcloth to any chewy toy or teether. She has come to expect her own washcloth to chew on during "tubby time" and starts to fuss if she isn't handed one within thirty seconds of sitting down in the tub. The same washcloth must be wrung out and kept within her reach during lotion time as well. Um, yeah....she's spoiled. :)

4. Anna loves her big brother, Andrew. She looks for him when she hears him come home from school and almost instantly smiles at him. From the front seat of the car, I can often hear the two of them conversing in the back seat. Andrew makes up little songs and rhymes for her and she absolutely adores them.

5. Anna refuses bottles and pacifiers, but will take a sip of water or milk from a cup. Funny girl. She has mastered (finally) the art of sucking her thumb, which I happen to find adorable. I may not find it adorable when she is two...but maybe she will give it up before then!

6. Anna is not a big fan of tummy time. She occasionally takes a short nap on her stomach now, but does not enjoy long periods of time where she is "exercising" on her stomach. I try to talk her into it, but she only puts up with it for about ten minutes a day. She can now bury her head into the blanket and scoot her little body about six inches. So cute.

7. Anna loves to be held and kissed and snuggled. She tolerates my thousand kisses a day all over her adorable chubby cheeks and has started returning them with a sweet little open mouth on my cheek, leaving all kinds of drool and slobber for me. I love it. I carry her around a lot during the day and sometimes don't get much done except for loving on her.

8. Anna does not like to miss meal time. For the first three months of her life, she would routinely nap during our evening meal time....but has now realized that she is missing out if she sleeps in the early evening. She sits on my lap and watches the food, listens to the conversation, and is content to hang out and chew on her washcloth or burp rag. I keep telling her that her turn is coming, but she is still happy with her milk meals and I am not eager to rush into solids.

9. Anna is an excellent car rider. She definitely prefers the freeway where stop lights and slower speed limits don't interrupt the rhythm of the road that she so enjoys. She regularly drifts off and takes a light snooze while we are out running errands.

10. Anna is such a blessing to our family and such an answer to prayer. We thank God daily for her presence in our lives and pray that we will raise her to be of service to our Father in the ways that He has planned for her.

Love

I watched my children today.

I watched Andrew as he tied his shoes this morning. I watched him as he visited with friends at church. I watched him as he stood up in front of a small group of people this evening and confidently led a song, looking to me once in a while for approval. I watched him kiss his little sister on the forehead and give her zerberts on her belly. I watched him cry, hurting because a respected, loving, Godly woman passed away today. I watched him and loved him.

I watched Anna as she stretched this morning, arms and legs reaching and moving until she saw me and smiled. I watched her nuzzle in towards me, looking up at me with asking eyes, wanting to nurse. I watched her eyes light up as she saw her Grandma and Grandpa when she woke up in a new place. I watched her laugh as I kissed her chin in that ticklish little spot just under her lip. I watched her cry as she told me she was tired and ready for bed. I watched her and I loved her.

I watched Nathan today. I watched him in my mind, seeing his sweet curly blond head resting on my arm. I watched his chest go up and down, breathing with the help of a machine that I hated. I watched him in his Daddy's arms, his Grandpa's arms, his Grandma's arms. I watched him as I held his hands and stroked his head. I watched him as the nurses took him from me for the last time. I watched and I loved him.

My heart is overflowing.

7 Random Facts/Habits About Me

Having been tagged by Katrina, I feel obligated to participate and write seven random facts about myself. SO...here goes:

1. I have a hard time going to bed before midnight. Before the clock strikes twelve, I feel sort of like the day hasn't officially ended and I might, well...miss something. Most of my friends think I am crazy, but my mother understands. :)

2. I never (and I mean Never) go to the grocery store or even to the corner convenience store without all of my makeup on. Silly, I know...but there are some standards that I just can't let go of!

3. I have four and a half classes left until I FINALLY earn my Bachelor's degree in Psychology. Does this mean I will go out and get a "real job" in the real world? Nope...already have one. Being a domestic engineer (a.k.a. stay-at-home Mom) is the best job in the world. I do plan to work outside the home someday, though...possibly in the school system.

4. I absolutely love aerobics. For me, going to the gym to take an exercise class is like going to dance class. When the music starts, I get almost lost in the rhythm of the steps and before I know it, it's time to cool down and stretch. I go three or four times a week. My current favorite is Body Step. Love it!!

5. I am a safety girl. My husband tells me so on a regular basis. If Andrew leaves to go to the neighbor's house, I always remind him to be careful crossing the street. If Anna's car seat straps aren't just right (you know, two fingers' width between the straps and her chest), I absolutely have to fix it. When Tim talks about getting a motorcycle, I cringe in fear. If I could, we would buy the safest car available, live in the safest neighborhood, and send Andrew to the safest school. Yes, I know...I need to relax.

6. I am a somewhat adventurous eater. I like to try new restaurants and new foods. When we all go out to dinner together, I always have to study the menu to see if there is anything new to try. My boys, however, know what they want before we even get the menu. Other than most shellfish, I haven't found much that I don't enjoy.

7. One of my goals for this year is to be more outspoken about my love for Christ and what He has done for me. God is good!!