The Many Faces

Here's what happened when I left the 11-year old in charge of her baby sister for a few minutes while I was on the phone. I love every one, but I saved the best for last!

Eleven, and All Grown Up

The three older kids raced out onto the playground for an afternoon of fun. The baby and I sat down on a blanket in the shade of a giant oak to watch the big kids romp.

As they ran from one play set to another, my 11-year-old daughter jumped aboard a swing and exclaimed with delight,"Wow! I haven't been on a tire swing like this since I was a kid!"

Almost Sitting Up

Sweet Baby is now 10 months old. She has been very busy. She gained almost 4 pounds in the past 2 months. She is still working on some new teeth, and the bottom two are all the way in now. Her hair had been shaved at the Care Center, but now is growing back in soft little curls. I finally figured out how to keep her skin soft and clear~ Aquaphor and olive oil!

She can almost sit up. When we first brought her home she was floppy and wasn't holding her head up alone. Now, she is so strong and as soon as she figures out the balance thing, this girl will be sitting on her own. She also spends lots of time trying to scoot on her tummy to reach things, but is smart enough to just grab a handful of blanket and pull it toward her to get toys that are out of reach. She kicks her legs like a swimmer, and can reach and grab toys in all directions with both hands. She understands much of what we say, and gets very excited when we tell her it is bathtime. Baby's bathtime is now a family event, so the kids all come running and we gather round the tub to see her splash. Since the boys are no longer allowed to make a huge mess of the bathroom, they enjoy living vicariously through baby sister as she whoops it up.

She is ticklish all over, and she laughs out loud, like a big kid. She squeals with delight, mostly at her big sissy. She waves bye-bye and says "Hi" with a sweet Southern drawl. Her Daddy is very proud that "Da Da" was her first word. So, for now, that's the name I'm going by, too. 

She absolutely loves to lie on a blanket in the yard and watch the trees. Imagine how much fun she'll have when they are all full of leaves! She loves to be outdoors (what kid doesn't?), likes the goats, grins at the dogs and chickens,  and thinks picnics are grand. 

She has the cutest habit of wrinkling up her nose and grinning when she is especially tickled about something. It's hard to catch on camera, but trust me, it's beyond adorable. 

She had her first road trip to Granny and Grandpa's house for lots of spoiling. She got to meet their church family and friends who have been praying for Sweet Baby on her journey home to us. Gram and Daddy Don stop by for their fix regularly and always leave with a spring in their step after some Sweet Baby snuggling. 

She sleeps well, eats well, is very healthy, and is all around just about the most cheerful baby on the planet. Yep. We are blessed.

 

Just to Make You Smile~

More Snuggles

A visit with Cousin T. Another love fest!