Baby Adelle,
I've been telling myself I just have to sit down and write about all that you have learned since my last letter! You are becoming quite the firecracker these days. I would have to say that you have changed the most yet in your 6th month of life!
This month, two major milestones were when you learned to sit up (about April 8th) and when we fed you solids for the first time (April 11th). You love rice cereal, but are not yet sure about sweet potatoes, carrots, peas, or bananas. I still give them to you, but you make a very perplexed face every time you take a bite. I have been feeding you solids twice a day. I was hoping that this would make you a better sleeper, but alas, I still have the "up-several-times-a-night" child. Don't get me wrong, I love to cuddle you one time in the night, but really, four times, child? Luckily it is not always four times, but when it is, my patience is really tested! :) When will you get that I will not feed you every 2 hours around the clock? Trust me dear, you have plenty of fat stores to get through the night without mommy's help! I guess I really am thankful that you feel you need me, though. :)
You are working on those teeth. I can't wait for those little guys to pop through soon!
You have started "growling" at me when I do something you don't like, such as putting you in your car seat, changing your clothes, or taking you from something you want to play with. Grrrrr...that's what it sounds like. It makes me laugh.
You love crackly things. Anything with a wrapper. You grab a hold of everything as we walk through the house. I suspect this is only the beginning. I have had to become less of a germaphobe these days. I just can't keep you from exploring things anymore! :) You "help" me get your towel and washcloth for your bath time. You love carrying them in your little fingers!
You LOVE to be around your friends! Catherine, Phoebe, and Stella are your best friends. haha. I love it when you are around them too, because you pant like a dog (literally) with excitement, and always come home having learned something new. When Stella walked away from you one day, you cried because you couldn't keep up with her. Big poochie lip came out. Well, don't cry then, go catch her, girl!
Everyone thinks you are so pretty, and lots of old ladies call you "bright eyes" when we are at the grocery store, etc. They always comment on those big blues. Sometimes people ask me where you get those gorgeous lips too. I say, "her daddy." They clearly aren't mine. You are so kissable. I am nervous about the combination of you and junior high and boys.
The crazy college boys at church even tell me they could actually imagine wanting to have a baby someday because of how cute you are! THAT is something big, sista!
Your daddy and I have been learning more about what it means to trust in the Lord when it comes to you. Right now it is in the smallest ways, like not checking on you a million times when you are in your crib. Someday it'll be you driving down the street by yourself. Your daddy has to remind me a lot that you are God's child, and that you are truly in His hands. Relinquishing that to Him is so freeing. He knows the number of your days, and is the only one giving you life and breath. I'll have to learn that lesson a thousand times over, I suspect.
Yesterday we celebrated your first Easter. You wore a sweet little yellow vintage dress that mommy found at an estate sale when I was about 8 months pregnant. I knew it'd be perfect for you! Mommy and daddy are praying that you would know your sinfulness at a young age, and would also know how much you need a Savior that not only died for your icky sin, but he rose again to give you victory over it! This is why we gave you the middle name "Grace," that God's grace would truly be poured out on your little soul. It was a beautiful and rainy Easter Sunday, but the message rang true! May it ring true in your heart so soon!
I truly love you more every day. I love it when you look up at me and I know you actually want to snuggle. I love how you LOVE to sit in my lap and read books almost more than anything else. I love how you get excited when your daddy comes home, and you flap your arms and legs because he is SO fun. I love it how you love being outside, and it will calm down your most wild tantrums. I love how expressive you are. You have about 1,000 expressions and you use them all liberally. You are becoming quite the social butterfly, and are actually beginning to enjoy going on errands with me to see new things. You even love junk shopping with mommy while being carried in the front pack! This is how I
know you are mine!
I know that I KNOW that you are ours. You belong with us, baby. You are at home with us. It gets sweeter every day.
In just six months from today, you'll be devouring your first cupcake. You're gonna love it.
It's flyin' by, sweet baby girl.
Love, Mommy
It was a rainy day for the most part, but my friend Paige was able to capture these during a few of the sunshin-ey moments. So thankful for a Savior who came to complete our salvation! Praying that someday Ellie will know and believe this truth! Look at her eyes in this next one! Sly smile with eyes to the left...she makes expressions JUST like Ben!
