Leah loves her Daddy, and the feeling is quite mutual...

We spent Paul's first Father's day at home, just like he wanted. We have been running around like maniacs with plans, and he just wanted to have a nice quiet day with his girls. I granted his wish, and we stayed home, snuggled, played, and made his favorite dinner. It was a wonderful day spent with my two favorite people.

For those of you who don't know, Paul is an avid gardener. I could not resist this darling garden set for Leah as part of his Father's Day gift! We, of course, had to have a photo shoot of the two of them "gardening". Ah, how I adore watching these two together!!! 

I hope all you Dad's our there had a great day, too!!!

4 Months!

Leah, at four months old, you...

- Officially survived being looked after by Papo when I went back to work. He misses you so much now!

- Have taken to sucking on two of your fingers, although sometimes you just shove that whole fist in your mouth. It is hilarious.

- Giggle when we snuggle into your next and sometimes when we blow on your belly. Sometimes you giggle for no reason at all! It is the sweetest sound ever.

-  Are rapidly becoming a Mommy's girl. From when I hear form people who watch you when I am away, your mood shifts sometimes when I leave. Although I love that you know I am your Mommy, I hate the guilt that comes with it, because, let's face it, I can't be with you every second.

-  Have had a sleepover at Nonnie and Papo's house already! You did great, and they loved having you stay over. You will be staying at Glamma and Grandpa's this weekend, too, while we go to a family wedding and stay over for our anniversary.

-  Take bottles like a champ, although you much prefer when i feed you from the real deal. I am having a hard time keeping up with you and making enough milk to help you grow, but it's going well and it is worth it all!

- Squeal in delight when you look at a happy face. You are so interactive now and you love people. I am happy to see you love to chat. The apple does not fall far from the tree. 

-  You are a teeny peanut! At a few days shy of four months, you weighed 12 pounds and were almost 24 inches. You are in the 25th percentile for both height and weight. The doctor thinks you might just be a little girl and take after your Daddy.  Works for me!

-  Although you are not a huge baby, you have chunky thighs and still have gorgeous, smoochable cheeks fit for a squirrel to hide nuts.

-  Still sleep like a champ! Now that I am home from work and not waking you at 5:30, you sleep til about 7:30 each morning. That adds up to about 12 hours straight. You are crazy!  You still wake up happy and squealing when Daddy and I go see you each morning. It is the highlight of our days.

- Love to observe people doing everyday things. You like to sit in your bouncy seat and listen while I talk to you and cook, and you love being walked around the yard to see all the plants your Dad works so hard on.

-  Are losing lots of that pretty red mane. You have lost a lot of hair in the back, which is probably from all your sleeping, and it is starting to go from the sides, too. I think you may be rocking a faux-hawk soon!

- No longer sleep swaddled. When we went to your crib a couple of weeks ago, we found you with three of your four limbs busted out of the swaddler, with a big gummy smile on your face. That was the end of swaddling, and, miraculously, you have still slept all night long.

-  Still have lots of nicknames- LiLi, Smushie, Little Bird, Schamatza, Schmoop.... the list goes on!

-  Enjoy bath time much more now that you can splash around a bit. I can't wait til we can play!

- Roll over really well now! You still get a little startled, but it is so cute!

-  Sop your shirt with drool in about 5 minutes now. It has actually been mistaken for sweat a few times... but, alas, it is just the drool!

- Make "choking" sounds sometimes from your acid reflux. You are still on Zantac to help with your spit-up issues, and it seems to be helping. Yet another way you take after your father.

- Got baptized a few weeks ago. I am so thrilled that you are officially a part of God's church, and I am looking forward to teaching you about your religion and nurturing your faith.

-  Have had tons of play dates, and have already been to three kid's birthday parties. Now that Daddy and I are off for the summer, we have quite a lot of fun booked for just about every day! You have the social calendar of a teenager. :)

-  You love a few toys and have really become talented at grasping for things. You adore being read to and flail your arms and legs with delight. You love music, being held so you can see out, taking walks, putting anything in your mouth, being talked to, your Lovey, your bouncy seat, and especially standing up. Those legs are getting stronger by the day!

- You are a very happy, content baby almost all of the time. You seem to be very laid back and easy to please. I think you are going to grow up to be a wonderful person, although I might be a little biased.

- Remain the light of our lives. Thank you for showing your Daddy and I the meaning of true love. You are, and forever will be, a blessing beyond words, and we can't wait to see who you become!

Blessed Baptism

Our sweet girl was baptized at our church on Sunday, June 5. She wore my baptismal gown, and her Uncle Jim and Aunt Cait accepted the challenge and honor of being her Godparents. It was a wonderful celebration of faith, family, friends, and of the blessing we have been given.

These are some of our favorites from the ceremony. More to come from the celebration after!

Nonnie's Description is right on

 My wonderful mother has bestowed a lovely description on her grand daughter- "she is such an oral baby". Duh, Mom! All babies are oral, but seriously, this kid is ALL ABOUT her mouth. She either has her Gene Simmons-esque tongue out, or her fat little fist or fingers in there at all times. In fact, at least half of all the hundreds of photos of Leah as of late involve her noshing on anything she can get in there. Here are a few of our faves.

This is how we found the little stinker in her crib the other morning. That was the LAST time she got swaddled at night.

"Thanks for the puppy, Auntie Morg! I love snacking on it!"

She likes to test the water in the tub.  :)

Down for the count. Who needs a pacifier when a girl's got her hands?

Between this and her new penchant for rolling over, we are having to keep a close watch on this little one thesedays. Good thing we love to watch her anyway!