Ella is 4 months old!

Ella is now 4 months old!

Here are this month's stats:

Nicknames: E, Ella Bella, Ella Boo, Ella Bee, Silly Goose, Sister

Likes: Lia!, bottles, Sleep Sheep, bath time, activity mat, exersaucer, rice cereal, being walked around the house on Mama's hip (while doing chores, cooking, playing with Lia, etc. - she just wants to be in the mix!)

Dislikes: being strapped in the car seat, being left alone, being laid down for her naps, paci - period, no ma'am, don't you dare put that in my mouth!

Milestones: Ella has been sleeping really well lately, usually from about 7:30 pm to 5:30 am. Her eyes are also starting to change color. It looks like we are headed for light brown or hazel. She started rice cereal. She also rolled from back all the way to tummy! And she took her first bath in the tub with big sister : )


Feeding: We are doing rice cereal twice a day now! She has 1-2 tbsp mixed with an oz. of formula or breast milk for breakfast and supper, then she also has 4 bottles a day, usually about 6 oz. each, 2 or 3 of formula and 1 or 2 of breast milk.

Sleeping: First bottle is usually at 5:30 am, then it's back to sleep until 8:00. Ella stays awake for about two hours at a time before she needs another nap. She takes a morning, afternoon and evening nap. Then she heads to bed about 7:30 pm.

Behavior: Ella has gotten so talkative lately and loves to "ooohhh and ahhhh" at her toys and at each member of the family : ) She also loves to laugh at Lia and is usually chuckling at her a few times a day.

Clothes: 6 months

Favorite Moments: Every time I see that huge gummy grin, I just melt! And of course one of my favorites this month was the day we had Ella baptized.


Looking Forward To: Getting better at eating solids : )

PS - Still no teeth! She has a couple that look like they could break through any minute, but they haven't changed a bit since last month. At least they don't seem to be bothering her anymore...

The 4 month comparison:

Rice cereal

Ella started rice cereal. She amazed me by opening her mouth up wide for a big bite on the very first time I brought the spoon toward her! She is slowly getting the hang of swallowing it : ) She is eating 1-2 tablespoons twice a day right now. It's amazing how fast they change. I'm trying to enjoy every second of her being this little!

Here comes the first bite!

A little messy...
Sitting at the dinner table with Daddy and sister - what a big girl!

Sweet sisters : )

I was getting ready to feed Ella the other day when Lia adamantly declared "Mama, I'm going to give Ella a bottle by myself. I just need to get a burp cloth. I'll be right back, ok?" Well, how could I say no to such a determined little attitude : ) So, we sat on the couch and Lia did a wonderful job feeding baby sister (notice how she even has the burp cloth up on her shoulder - too funny!) She wanted to burp Ella by herself too, which did require some help from Mama, but she was successful. Ella looks like a giant in the photo of Lia burping her. I promise, she is actually a normal sized baby despite how things appear in this picture! Ha! As always, I was very proud of Lia being such a loving, gentle and thoughtful big sister. Lili - you are an absolutely incredible little girl and Daddy and I love you more than words can express! And little Ella Bella - you are a constant source of joy with your big smile and happy attitude. We are infinitely blessed to have these two sweet daughters - what a great family!!!

Family Vacation at the cabin

We took our first real family vacation to the cabin with both kiddos and Daddy got to stay all week!! It was SO much fun for us as a family! We had a relaxing week just spending great quality time together with the girls. Here are some photos from our wonderful week:

Roasting marshmallows with Daddy in the fireplace on the back porch

"I want to help you Daddy!"

Putting the S'mores together

Yummy!! That first heavenly bite : )
Watching all the fun, such a happy little girl all the time!
Loving on my two sweet baby girls - I love my daughters with all my heart!!!!

Their very first bath together - Lia wanted to bathe Ella's feet and look at Ella just smiling up at her sister : )
My cuties in the tub

The highlight of Lia's life - meeting "the real" Aubie!!! She was thrilled that he would hold her!

Hanging out with my little bro at his house in Auburn. We had a blast catching up!

Lia and Daddy putting deer corn out in our back yard for our new friends

Lia loved throwing the corn all over the woods : )


The fruits of her labor - we had 4 deer making nightly visits to eat in our back yard and we could watch them right from the back porch - so cool!
Snuggled up with my little bug by the fire
We met Cameran and Bentlee for lunch in Auburn and had a great time visiting!
Grandaddy, Uncle Gordon, Philip, and Cliff going quail hunting at the farm

Ella's Baptism

On February 18th 2012, we had Ella baptized at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Auburn. It was such a wonderful day! We were blessed to have so many of our friends and family join us for the celebration. As we did just a couple of short years ago with Lia, we had the baptism at 1:00 at the church and a luncheon afterwards. The ceremony was perfect and Father Bill, once again, was just amazing. We are so thankful that he was able to perform the baptism for Ella too.

Afterward, we went to Terra Cotta Cafe for lunch with our family and friends. Thanks again to everyone who made the trip to be there with us! Ella got many thoughtful gifts (and Lia was lucky enough to snag a few herself!) Thank you all for being there to help us celebrate the beginning of Ella's spiritual life!

With Ella's god parents, Uncle Cliff and Aunt Ginny. Thank you both for sharing in this special day and for the commitment you have made to Ella as you did for Lia.

My little family with Mimi and Grandaddy and Nana and Papa

Ella wore the baptismal gown that I wore when I was baptized as a baby and Lia wore when she was baptized in 2009. I hope we can continue to pass it down through the generations!

Me and Mama - she did so much for make the whole day beautiful and memorable, thank you so much Mom!!!!

Ella loves Lia!

Ella just adores her big sister! Here is a video from this afternoon of the two of them just giggling away together : )

Bangs!

My little girl is growing up! Lia got a brand new hair cut today, and she now has bangs! She looks so stylish and so much older : )