Shreveport trip!

At the end of September Libby and I made a trip over to Shreveport! John Paul couldn't miss a Sunday at church so I took Libby all by myself :) Other than the fact that she pooped 3, yes 3, times on the way there it was a pretty easy trip and she slept almost the entire way!

We had so much fun seeing everyone. Libby got a ton of attention and had a blast! The only thing that could have made it better was if Uncle Stas, Tracie and Matthew had been in town too. Hopefully next time! It was a great, although short, trip and we can't wait to go back. Here are some pictures from our weekend!

YiaYia Tina and Libby

Libby & Papou Bobby

Playing with Thea Mary

Having fun with the Cosses

Dad & Barbara

Maria & Libby 

Everyone crammed in the bathroom to watch Libby take a bath :) 

Libby & Uncle Pat

Looking good with Papou Bobby at church

At church with YiaYia

With Kalli & Athan 

Playing with Kalli

Libby with her great-grandparents!

4 month checkup stats!

Libby's 4 month check up stats...

Weight: 13.6 pounds (50th percentile)

Height: 24 3/4 inches (50th percentile)

Head Circumference: 39.5 cm (20th percentile)

I'm a few days behind but Libby had a great appointment this past Thursday! She thoroughly enjoyed playing with the paper on the table before Dr. Neeley came in. She also loved being on her tummy and staring at herself in the big mirrored wall. Dr. Neeley said she is growing at a good rate and developing right on track. He did say she is most definitely teething even though we probably won't see any teeth for the next 2 months. Also, we should start looking for signals that she is ready to begin eating solids some time in the next 2 months. She got 3 more vaccinations...one oral and 2 injections. Sweet girl was having such a good time up until that point :( I gave her some Tylenol before and nursed her right after which calmed her down. She fell asleep about 30 minutes later and then slept in her stroller for the next 2.5 hours while mommy and YiaYia ate lunch and walked around Northpark...such a trooper. 

So thankful for our healthy 4 month old! 

Libby is 4 months old!

Libby,
Happy 4 months baby girl! I know I've said the other months flew by fast...but this one was the fastest yet. 4 months is a third of a YEAR! Crazy.

Well you are just as fun as ever these days, Libs. I've had a few mom friends tell me that 4-6 months are the golden months and I would have to agree. You are learning so much all the time and it really is amazing to watch you develop right before my eyes! And you are so stinking happy. I'll tell you...you are setting the bar mighty high for your future siblings.

So let's see...there were some firsts and some lasts this months little girl. We are definitely getting into somewhat of a groove but every time I think we've got things down, something changes and we have to make adjustments. There was much trial and error this month :) Here's what's new...

-You're eating 5.5 ounces every 3 hours during the day and I'm still doing a dream feed around 10:30pm. 

-You still generally go to sleep around 8:3opm and wake up around 7:30-8am. You take 3 naps a day that are usually about 1-2 hours. And sometimes you enjoy an evening cat nap before dinner :) I'm so thankful you're a good napper!

-No more swaddling for you! Daddy and I finally got tired of reswaddling you 3 times a night when you'd get out of it. Plus you figured out how to roll over while swaddled...so we knew it was time to move on :( I was nervous that you'd have a hard time falling asleep without it but we tried it last week and you did great! We still use the Halo sleep sack but just wrap you with your arms out.

-You can roll from your back to tummy! That pesky left arm was getting in your way for a while but not anymore. Yesterday you were on your play mat and must have rolled over at least 10 times. Way to go Libs!

-You giggled this month! Daddy was playing with you and moving your legs like a bicycle which you thought was pretty awesome. It has got to be the cutest sound on earth.

-You growl! We have no idea where this came from but last Monday night Daddy and I were playing with you and the most hilarious little growl came out of you. You've been doing it pretty often ever since so who knows how long it will last :)

-You're finding your voice! You are all of a sudden so much louder and more vocal. You just have so much to say!

-You can hang onto your toys now and will actually grab them yourself! 

-You actually got your paci in your mouth by yourself a few times! You're still not super consistent with this but close!

-You started waking up at night again :( Boo. It's usually happening between 3:30-4am. After talking with some mom friends I'm thinking it's probably a growth spurt which apparently happens around this time. At first Daddy or I would just go in your room and put your paci in. You'd fall back asleep but only to wake up again about 30-45 minutes later. Not fun. So the other night I went ahead and nursed you and you ate pretty well...so I'm thinking you must be getting hungry. Thankfully you go right back to sleep after you eat so I can't really complain! Hence the trial and error method I mentioned earlier :)

Your favorite things these days include putting your fingers in your mouth... 

Chewing on everything in sight...

Smiling...

 Sticking your tongue out...

Taking baths...or just being in water...

 Reading books and actually looking at the pages...

Cheering for the Aggies...

Holding your toys...

Sitting in your bumbo...

Watching yourself on Mommy's phone during tummy time...

Going on walks...

Other favorite things include grabbing anything in sight, being around people, music and dancing with mommy, standing on your legs, and watching TV...you will seriously turn your head so far around just to get a glimpse of whatever is on.

I also want to make sure we remember this awesome bald ring on the back of your head :)

You are just the sweetest, cutest, most curious little bug! (Did you see that I have a new nickname for you? Shocking, I know.) Daddy and I love you more than you'll ever know. 

I can't wait until your 4 month check up this week so we can get your updated stats!

Rain for Roots

Ok everyone, I just have to share an amazing find! I absolutely love this sweet new children's album called Rain for Roots: Big Stories for Little Ones! The songs are beautiful and fun and tell classic bible stories about Jesus. There are four women who sing on the album and one of them, Ellie Holcomb, has sung at Young Life camp for years.  She and her husband, Drew, are amazing.

http://rainforroots.com

Anyway, I strongly encourage all you mom friends out there to download this album for your babies and kiddos! Libby loves it already :)

Celebrating Stella!

Earlier this month Logan and Abby made a visit from France so we could celebrate Baby Stella! I cannot tell you how good it was for my soul to see them. Believe me, I am definitely grateful for blogs and instagram and Facebook but nothing beats seeing your best friend in person. Nothing beats getting to sit down and eat lunch together and pretend that she doesn't live a million miles away. Nothing beats easy conversation that feels like she never left. Ok, I better stop now...I'll move on to pictures :) (But seriously, my friends have got to stop moving away...it's a problem)

Logan got to come to TX too this time! Yay! 

So happy to see her cute bump in person!

Lunch buddies 

Kisses from Aunt Abby

Group shot

The dads. I don't have a pic on my camera but Logan offered to change Libby's diaper so I took him up on the offer and he did great. Just remember, Logan: front to back :)

I was terrible at taking pictures at the shower (boo) but here's a group shot of the hostesses! It was a great day!

Me & Libs in front of some of the French themed decor!

It was a great visit and I'm so glad we got the chance to celebrate baby Stella! She is so loved already. I can't wait to see her sweet face in a few months! Abby & Logan - I'm so excited for you two! Stella is such a lucky girl to have y'all as her parents. Love you guys!