Ellie ~ 2 months!

Ellie-belly,

You're two months old! (Or you were 2 weeks ago...oops, sorry kiddo.) And I'll also go ahead and apologize right now that it seems like the nickname Ellie-belly is sticking :)

But wow, what a sweet second month it was with you! We just love you so much baby girl. My heart literally feels like it might explode some days. You have quickly transitioned out of that newborn look and are changing so much already. It's weird though because sometimes I think you look just like Libby and then other times I think you have a totally different look. It's so fun to watch you grow although you seem to be growing too quickly already! I know ALL moms say this about their babies, but goodness, is it true. 

You have the brightest eyes that are a beautiful dark blue color. If you are awake, they are WIDE open. You are already very expressive and have started giving us some smiles. That milestone has got to be one of the absolute BEST things ever. You have a very sweet spirit and are quite a laid back baby for the most part. You let us know if you want your diaper changed or if you're hungry but other than that, we don't hear much from you. And good news - your spit up has decreased significantly this month. Hooray! We've figured out that although you do enjoy cuddling, sometimes you just want your space and would prefer to lay on your play mat and be free to kick and sprawl out. You like your paci occasionally but you're not super attached yet - so I guess we'll see about that. A few of your favorite things are ceiling fans and your sister, even though she gets right up in your personal space. I swear you two already have a special bond...and I just teared up typing that, soooo moving on :) You are already super strong and try so hard to roll over from your back to your tummy. At your 2 month check up Dr. Neely even told us to enjoy you while we can because you won't be a baby for long. Not good for my mama heart!!

On that note, here are some facts about you at the end of your 2nd month:
*You weigh 12 lb. 2 oz. and are in the 90th percentile for weight! Our little chunky monkey. I LOVE it. Your cheeks are incredible. 
*You are 23.5 inches long which is also the 90th percentile! Your hair also makes you a good 2 inches taller...it literally grows straight UP. 
*You are wearing 0-3 month clothes but they are quickly becoming a little snug :)
*Size 1 diapers
*You are giving us 6-7 stretches of sleep at night!! Thank you so much, Ellie girl!
*You nurse every 3 hours during the day.
*You're not on a schedule quite yet. You basically just rotate through eating, wake time and napping.

Ellie, Daddy and I just cannot get enough of you! We sit there and stare at you and can't get over God's amazing work in creating you. We love to see who can make you smile or get you excited. I will say, you do enjoy the sound of your Daddy's voice already :) We thank God every day that He brought you into our family and gave us the amazing responsibility of raising you. You are already such a joy to us and we love you SO much!! Happy 2 months!!

Those cheeks.

So pooped.

Beautiful girl.

Waking up sister. Can you tell she's excited to see you?

Love.

Being silly. 

Libby likes to make sure you have more than enough stuffed animals around at all times.

Cat nap with daddy.

Twins just goofing off. 

My heart.

We all made it in a pic! Blessed beyond measure.

Libby requests that "Ellie lay down too" when its time for her to go read books before bed. She wants you with her at all times. You actually seem to enjoy it :)

Becoming so expressive!

Soaking up these cuddles.

Tummy time is hard work.

Daddy keeping you entertained at your 2 month checkup.

Love my girl.

Oh my goodness, this face. I could eat you up. Love you, Ellie girl!!

Ellie ~ 1 month!

Ellie girl!

Back on August 12th you turned 1 month old! What an incredibly fast month. You are ALREADY such a joy and the perfect addition to our family. 

Here are a few stats from your first month...

-weighed 9lb 3oz at your TWO WEEK check up! That's almost 2 pounds, sister! Dr. Neely was rather surprised and actually weighed you twice just to make sure. Needless to say he gave us the ok to let you sleep at night and not wake you up to eat...so by all means, go ahead and sleep all you want! :) 

-you are already outgrowing some newborn footie pajamas and fit well into 0-3 month clothes

-wearing newborn diapers

-nursing every 2-3 hours during the day

-we introduced a bottle and you took it with no problem! Trying to do this every few days.

-giving us 3-4 hour stretches of sleep at night

-sleeping in the pack n play in our room

-you have blue eyes and a rather awesome hair do...it grows straight up on the top of your head

-you're crazy strong and can already lift your head very well

So what can we say about you...

Well let's start with the fact that you are the absolute cutest. Such a doll baby. Everyone keeps saying you look like me, which I love :) Although you definitely did not get your blue eyes from me, ha. And your cheeks...they are amazing and getting more scrumptious by the day. I could stare at you all day long. You rarely cry but you love to make these funny little noises and you're quite a squirmer and a grunter. Daddy calls you our little dinosaur baby. Also, you like your freedom! You do enjoy being cuddled but sometimes you just need some space and like to lay on your back and stretch out. In fact, you do not enjoy being swaddled at night which is a change from your sister. So we leave your arms out and you do fine. You're a bit of a spitter upper and we hope you outgrow your blocked tear ducts soon :( 

If you can't tell by a lot of the pictures down below, you have a big sister who thinks you are the best thing ever! She asks where you are as soon as she wakes up. She brings you stuffed animals. She wants to hold you and comfort you when you are sad. She is so proud and immediately says "that's my baby sister!" to anyone who will listen. You are so loved, Ellie girl! Between Libby, daddy and myself, we have quite a few nicknames for you already...including Ellie girl, sister, Ellie belly (sorry about that...it flows), baby girl, muffin, and the list goes on. I'm sure we'll have some more to add to the list before long!

We love you SO MUCH already, sweet girl. Daddy and I are so grateful to God for the gift of you and your precious life. What a miracle and testament to what a good and loving Father He is. Now that we know you and have you here with us, we already can't imagine life without you. My heart feels like it could burst right now just thinking about you and how much we love you. Happy 1 month!

Love, Mommy

Now here are some pictures of your first month...

Angel baby.

This is your daddy is setting up your college savings fund when you are 3 days old. He's a go-getter :)

Daddy and his girls.

Peaceful girl.

Look at that neck strength already!

Here you are just hanging out in the midst of chaos like a champ :)

More chaos. I think you were getting a check-up from Libby.

Sleeping beauty.

Those legs. You love for your feet to touch when you're sleeping.

Getting a good look at your sister...not sure about her yet, ha.

The lovefest continues.

You are a trooper, sweet girl.

Just chillin.

Libby brought some stuffed animals over for you.

First time on the play mat.

Sister love. Be still my heart.

Hi mom. Look at my belly.

Love those cheeks.

Your first "real" bath.

Never a dull moment around here!

Bright eyes.

Just one the funny expressions you make already.

Cuddles with my little loves.

Looking ready to take a punch.

Passed out.

Looking amazed. And wearing a hand me down from Vivi :) 

Just hanging out with sister in mommy and daddy's bed.

First time at the Northwood pool. We just can't stay away. It's too darn hot around here.

All dressed up and looking like a big girl.

Preciousness.

My heart in one picture. At lunch on your first Sunday at church! 8/10/14

Cute as a button.

Your signature face. Looking concerned :)

Yay, I'm one month old!

This just cracks me up.

Kisses from sister.

You two are going to be quite the pair...I can already tell :)

LOVE YOU ELLIE!