Cast Away

I was given permission to officially remove my walking boot a week ago Monday. I saw an orthopaedic doctor who told me my bone is mostly healed and I can start swimming and walking again. Whoo hoo! I can't tell you how much I have missed walking! Onward, ever onward.

My thoughts exactly. . .

I saw this blog posting today while I was checking my email. My thoughts exactly.

Anyone else having a hard time understanding why our government is bailing out these banks/companies who have made very poor ecomonic decisions? Lance came home yesterday and told me that we, as tax payers (and I might add we pay A LOT in taxes here in CA), are now proud owners of the largest insurance agency in the country. I was a little miffed. NO one consulted me on this purchase. Shouldn't they have? I am feeling the need to write some strongly worded letters to our government representatives. I hate to say it, but every day I become more and more disillusioned with those we have chosen to lead us.

I guess here's to hoping for a better future. Or at least for leaders with a little better economical sense.

Roly-Poly

Elisabeth is officially 4 months old and continues to live up to her Chunka Munka moniker.  Here were her stats from her well check-up:

Weight:  95th Percentile

Height:  45th Percentile

Head Cir.: 25th Percentile

Bath time has proven to be more challenging to us.  As she has so many rolls to clean, we are never quite sure if we got in between them all.  (Not to mention the fact Elisabeth likes to chew on the side of her bathtub and splash water everywhere!)

She is officially sleeping in her own crib in her own room and we are attempting to train her to fall asleep on her own.  We are on our way to her sleeping through the night.  (A hopeful cross of fingers included with that statement.)

She also reached two important milestones these last few weeks.  First, she learned how to roll over from her back to her stomach.  She doesn't know how to roll over again to her back but I am sure that will come soon enough.  Second, she decided to notice the puppy and vice versa.  As soon as she sees her furry friend, she erupts into smiles.  Likewise, Sofi has discovered that our baby produces some interesting smells and needs to be greeted with a customary lick when we return home from an outing.

We still have not picked an official nickname for her, although it appears that "Ellie" won out on our little blog poll.  Try as we might to call her by another name, Elisabeth just seems to fit the best.  Actually, the closest we have come to a nickname is  "Emily Elisabeth."  Our friend's four year old daughter, Laura Kate, started referring to our girl as "Emily Elisabeth."  I guess LK just assumed all little girls need two first names. . . either that or our little girl resembles Clifford the Big Red Dog's owner.  So, because we think it is too cute, we have not corrected Laura Kate and have resorted to call our baby Emily Elisabeth around her.  Emily Elisabeth seems to fit as well.  Maybe we are on to something. ;-)

Before and After Shots

BEFORE

Elisabeth having fun at the pediatrician's office, waiting for the nurse to return with her 4 month immunizations.  I wish I had a video of this as she was giggling uncontrollably.

*Take note of her luxurious hair.  Her hair often has a red tint and a hint of curl and is quite pretty, in my opinion.

AFTER

After receiving her shots. . . no longer having so much fun.

I often wonder if she is thinking in her sharp little mind, "Oh Mama.  Must must you document EVERYTHING I do?"  Oh, to be a child of a scrapbooker.

Hopes for Her Future (A.K.A. Gushy Mom Post)

Between trying to set a daily schedule, figure out sleep routines, doing without what I consider to be adequate sleep, figuring out how to get Elisabeth to like her carseat, and all the diapering, feeding, and cuddling that is necessary for raising a baby, I have these small, cherishable moments where I feel an amazing, indescribable connection with my little girl. 

Like how my heart swells with excitement while I watch her sleep, imagining all the wonderful things I want to share with her - my testimony of the Savior, my love of good books, my joy of baking, my passion for learning and my enthusiasm for holidays.  I cross my fingers she will want to watch Anne of Green Gables with me and be excited to read all of the Little House on the Prairie books with me before bedtime.  (As Lance also hopes she will be a big Wii player, an avid Trekkie, and a devout Cougar fan.)

Or how it occurs to me the trust my little baby has with me as she cries out after her nap, knowing her Mama will come to pick her up, give her loves, change her diaper and whatever she will need.  Almost like her Mama will always be there for her and she can count on that.  She may not know who to vote for in the next election (neither do I, for that matter) or what state she lives in, but Elisabeth knows, with a surety, that I will be there for her when she needs me.

I pray that as she makes the journey through life to create who she is and who she will become, she can take small pieces of myself and her father into her creation.  I feel blessed to be allowed to be a part of her journey.  

Good Ol' Family Fun

I have been back from MN for a little over three weeks already and still have not posted pictures from our trip.  I have been trying to finally get out all of my thank yous and birth announcements so I have slacked on my blogging.  

We loved spending time with family and being able to celebrate Luke and Heidi's marriage.  I especially loved spending time with my new nephew, Andrew, and hanging out at Aunt Lorraine's who is a fabulous host.  I saw almost all of my family and many, many friends.  I came home a wearied but happy traveler.  Good news:  Elisabeth slept through all of her plane rides!

The Cousins

My brother Dave with Elisabeth and me with his two sons,

Andrew and Alex.  Elisabeth is crying right now.  Not too excited to 

meet her uncle, I guess.  Probably because he is already making

fun of the big mouth she inherited from me.

Big brother Tom, Adrianna (now 3!) and myself.  

Elisabeth with her Auntie Lorraine, my mom's youngest sister, 

after her bath.  It was so nice to be able to stay with Lorraine, Dick,

and cousins Joe and Molly.  We felt very loved.

The whole extended family clan.  Too bad the two baby boys are 

hidden behind mine and Luke's noggins.  We are sure a handsome

and "large" bunch, aren't we?

Chunka Munka

Can you overfeed your breastfed infant?  I didn't think you could.  However, at the rate our little peanut is growing, I am beginning to wonder if it is possible.  I decided to try to spread out her feedings every four hours these days.  She definitely isn't going to waste away!!!

Here is Ellie Beth at 3 months.  We have been affectionately calling her Chunka Munka in honor of Beatrix Potter's A Tale of Two Bad Mice.  She is now graduating into 3-6 month sized clothes.  **Sniff, sniff**  They grow up so fast.