Four Months of knowing heaven on earth - Mallie Lynn

Mallie Lynn Estelle, You have quickly morphed from an infant into a beautiful baby.   Your milestones are coming quicker than I remember with your brother and I'm trying to soak them up like rays of sunshine.  Our doctors visits this month proved made everyone happy.  Our pediatrician was so happy to see you smiling and doing well.  He once again praised us for our road on the journey to happy and told you he'd always remember you as their big mystery baby.  He confirmed our thoughts on your ability to hold yourself sitting or laying on your belly, and said you were "stronger than most 4 month olds he sees".  (try not to let it go to your head) :) 

We are so enjoying getting to know you more, understanding when your tired, when your hungry, when you just want to change positions or activities.  We are all so in love with our roll sporting, fuzzy head wearing, blue eyed baby girl.  XOXO Mallie Lynn! 

4 Months brought us: 

Weight: 13.2 lb
Height: 24in long
 

Feeding: average every 3-4 hours sometimes more often if you cut a feeding short.  (You're easily distracted during feedings and often like to stop, smile, and talk to me) :)

Sleep: Well at night, usually asleep by 9:30pm.  This month you decided sleeping through the night was pretty cool and you did so 80% of the time!  The other 20% usually involved one waking to fuel up and flash us a smile.

Awake: Still a fan of being awake during the day.  We usually get a cat nap out of you in the morning and sometimes an hour in early evening.  My little energizer bunny.

Loves: smiling and wide mouth grins! Mat play time, your toy hootsie wootsie, grabbing toys and blankets, being swaddled, nursing, your brother, listening to music. This Little Piggy. Itsy Bitsy Spider, getting raised in the air, sshhhing to sleep.

Dislikes: gas,  being cold. having your hands touched, being tired, being put to sleep awake, sleeping unswaddled (we tried and you let us know that was a silly idea), being rocked,  oats- we attempted two servings at the advice of the CCH doctor.....that was a disaster and a reminder to us of how blessed we are to no longer hear your screams of pain daily.

Temperament: Still our cool cucumber and eager to show us a smile, or our new fave......laugh! 

Clothing Size: 3 months

New Milestones: Laughs!!!! Best sound ever! Rolled over twice and then decided you didn't need to anymore, Finger chewing and lots of drool, Attempting to sit up in the rock n play or swing. sitting in the bumbo and taking baths in the whale tub (*tear)
 

We love you darling girl!  

Christmas in a nutshell.

My favorite time of the year always comes and goes faster than I'd like.  Add two kids and a calendar that put 4 weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas and you've got the quickest holiday season evah' !  While being faster than any I can remember it will also be written in our history books as the sweetest.  Henry's age provided him a true grasp of the magic Christmas provides and sweet Mallie Lynn was the best gift imaginable.  

My favorite moments of the season involved flannel pajamas / hot chocolate / advent stories / watching Henry meet Santa and Olaf /gift wrapping / family movie night / baking cookies with my little elves / shopping for an Angel tree child as a family / singing and dancing to Christmas music / watching the excitement grow in Henry as he understood more and more the magic that Christmas holds. 

A meeting with the big man.

 

A sweet gathering at Nana's

A comfy cozy Christmas at my parents.

 

My favorite night of the year, Christmas Eve; when all the world stops and our big loving family comes together for an always heart warming celebration.  Thank you Jesus.  

These two sweet little gifts are more than I could have ever dreamed of asking Santa for. 

 

Then there was the magic of Christmas morning.  The kind of magic where your two year old sleeps till an unheard of 9:00 and your newborn sleeps till 8:00.  The kind of magic that's wrapped in peace, quiet, twinkling lights, a cup of coffee and topped with a two year old so genuinely thrilled for Santa's arrival he couldn't stand it. 

We enjoyed a relaxed morning playing with our gifts, eating a yummy allergen free breakfast casserole and simply unwinding before heading to the Cooper's for a continuation of the celebration.  

As I look back at this holiday season I can hardly believe we are now a family of 4 celebrating life together.  This Christmas had moments I will cling to  until I am no longer able to hold a memory in my head.  The one that will forever stand out to me will be the day I decided to ask Henry questions about Christmas.  

Are you excited about Santa?  "YES!"

What does Santa do? "He rides in his sleigh.  He goes to all the houses on their roof."  

How does he get there?  "The reindeer all fly for him and then he brings boys and girls and lots of them presents."

What do you like best about Christmas? "Jesus, telling Jesus Happy Birthday." 

There you have it folks.  The reason for the season from the mind of a two year old.  May you always believe in the unseen my sweet boy.