4 Months

We would like to let all of you know that....

Gracelyn Kate is now 4 months old.

She weighs 16.5 lbs - 96th percentile
She is 23 inches long - 23rd percentile

and she is the light of our life!!

Off to pick apples!

This morning we went and picked some apples with Grandma, my cousin Lisa, and her two kids - Delaney and Dayne. We had tons of fun, even though I was feeling a bit under the weather. Here are some pictures from our adventure!

Fun, Fun, Fun!

Smiles...

These make every day the best day of my life!

Finally!

Ok, so I know I have been really bad at blogging...that is what happens when you become a mom! I always say that every single time she falls asleep, I have a choice of about 50 things I could do. I guess blogging usually is at the bottom of that list. Gracelyn is a doll...loves to smile, coo, tummy time, and her baths... Lately when we know she is getting tired we just wrap her up in a blanket and put her nuk in and she is out like a light. We are so lucky!

I have a love/hate relationship with nursing. I love how good it is for her and I love extra bonding time that we enjoy. However, I hate nursing in public - hate it! I also don't like leaking all over the place...but we continue for now...

I have started back at work part time which has been bittersweet. I would love to stay home with Gracelyn, but financially it is not possible. I like to shop for cute clothes for her as well and without a job it would be hard for me to do that as often as I do! Right now my mom is taking care of her and she will go to day care full time in September. I am soooo grateful for my mom's help, she has been a God's sent. It is easier to leave her with my mom during this transition. She has done tons of extra stuff - laundry, weeding, dishes, etc. the list goes on. I keep saying that those are all the things I will do for Gracelyn when she is in need of my services! I am also very thankful for my mother-in-law for allowing me to go back to work part-time at first! It makes it easier to go to work when you know you can be at home with your baby the next day!

So I suppose I will get to the best part...new pictures!

One Month

I can't believe that Gracelyn will be one month very shortly! I think the last month has gone faster than any other. I can't even explain how wonderful it is waking up every morning knowing I have a baby in a nearby room. I love spending my days with her. Every time she does something new Ben and I are amazed! She still isn't smiling - but we know she is on the verge!! She enjoys tummy time, her baths, snuggling, sleeping, playing, and (probably her favorite) eating! She doesn't enjoy getting her diaper changed (well I suppose only when she would rather be eating)...and being cold (like when she gets out of her bath). Otherwise she is a pretty happy baby! She will get her first pictures taken tomorrow with Ben and I and we are very, very excited!!

Here are some pictures of the last month!

In order from the top!

Gracelyn and her Daddy!

Gracelyn at a week and 1/2!

On our way out!

Gracelyn snuggling with Mommy!

Gracelyn on Father's Day at her first parade!

Gracelyn at 3 weeks!

Gracelyn with her cousin Camden!!

Welcome to Motherhood!

So, I can easily say that this has been one of the hardest and one of the best weeks of my life. Being a new mom is not easy, but it is the most rewarding thing on this earth. I look at this little girl and I can't believe she is mine. That her dad and I created her. Well, God actually created her but we had a little something to do with it. I feel so incredibly lucky because she is our "angel baby". She is soo good! She hardly ever cries, eats good, sleeps good, she is just perfect! We are the luckiest parents in the world.

I don't know if you heard but Gracelyn arrived into this world after 55 hours of labor. Was it pleasant? Not so much, but you forget it all as soon as they place that baby on your chest. You realize in that second why people go through all of that pain over and over again. It truly makes you excited to do it again - I remember Ashley saying this in her blog after Caden was born - and I thought are you crazy? But now I get it. We aren't in any hurry, but it does definately make you want more kids. It is the most wonderful feeling in the world holding your child for the first time. She was sooooooo worth it!! And...she is also the most beautiful baby in the world! I know I am a little biased...but she is so darn cute. She looks just like her daddy! She is our little lovebug.

Here are some more pictures!