Coastline

We are visiting family in SoCal and so, because I love photographs, I figured it would be fun to post some pix. Silly me forgot to pack the big, nice DSLR so these are all grainy iPhone snaps. Sorry!

You are Four Months Old

My dearest girl,

You are now four months old, with eyes that shine, sparkle, and dart about; gleaning from, and gleaming for, all that is new and thrilling.

GUSTO! You have it in spades! Dad and Mama have to trick you into sleeping because all you want to do is play and explore. You are only calm in the face of chaos and crowds.

You greet each morning with dimpled smiles and giggles, shrieks of delight, and bounding happiness. As your energy wanes and you fight sleep, your patience, likewise wanes.

You love people and don't mind being passed around from strange face to strange face. After all, newness is always exciting for you, isn't it? Many people have commented that you are going to be a party girl. I like to think instead, that you will excel at fellowship and reaching out to lift people up.

All these hopes at only four months old!

~Milestones~
*Rolling over back to front
*Sitting up with the help of an adult finger
*Push-ups
*Laughing at Mama when she gets hurt (she thinks my loud exclamation if pain is amusing)
*Babble talking to mirrors and TV shows as well as yourself
*Testing putting weight on your legs when someone holds you up by your arms

~Favorite Playtime Activities~
*Airplane (on mama's shins...aka ab exercises for mom)
*Tummy time in front of a mirror
*Dancing with mama
*Playing with a soft, crinkly square with tags.
*Playing with hanging toys on a play mat
*Being held upside down

I love you my baby girl! You have brought so much joy to your mama and dad's lives and we can't wait to see what tomorrow brings!

xoxo

Fabulous Friday Finds

 

Parenting: This wonderful list of ideas for better parenting: 50 Parenting Ideas You Won't Regret

Dressing: I just love this top - and it's such a deal!

 

Eating: Even Numbers Man would enjoy this meal.

 

Laughing:

 

Loving: Just We -  Read it Here.

Reading: This is powerful stuff on the cheap ($2 download). God desires for us to use The Word in every aspect of our lives; there is great power in His Word.

 

Homemaking: I must admit, I've been hand washing our dishes for the past few years and it is something I took a strange sense of pride in. Wellll, as a new mon, it turns out I have more pressing, nay BETTER ways to use that time so I decided to give our neglected dish washer (the electronic contraption, not yours truly) an overhaul  I highly recommend it even though Numbers Man complained about the vinegar smell for a couple hours afterwards.

 

Inspiring: Sometimes it is easier to see God's handiwork up close. the oft' maligned carnation gets downright gorgeous.

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY

Outside my window... A constant, heavy drizzle is making murky puddles on the ground.

I am thinking... About ways I can improve my professional communications when I am low on time and high on projects.

I am thankful... For God's grace! It is prideful to worry and carry our cares instead of casting our cares on The Lord and that is SO freeing!!!

In the kitchen... Veggie Soup with Rice and mashed Sweet Potatoes with Brown Sugar.

I am wearing... Grey Gilly Hicks 3/4 length sleeve henley and dark rinse Kut from the Kloth jeans.

I am creating... Trash. Seriously folks, that's about it. Between mothering a 3.5 month old and working from home with said 3.5 month old, my creative output is next to nill.

I am going... to the mailbox. Testify!

I am wondering... If God will make me more effective, more loving, and more...warm. I feel like I'm not as expressing of my love and appreciation of folks as I could be. Lots of prayers in that area.

I am reading... A Love that Multiplies. And James.

I am hoping... For so many things! Big things!

I am learning... What it means to live beyond worry. I never worried about "big" things like accidents and calamities, but I worried about making people happy, making everyone content. That's not my job and quite frankly it's too big a job for anyone, but God. I can do my best, with His help, and live lovingly, with patience and kindness.

Around the house... Clean the main bathroom sink and mirror. Big time!

I am pondering... Why baby fat is so cute and adult fat is not. Bogus! Oh, and the Papacy.

A favorite quote for today... "Rednecked Minotaur"? - Phil Robertson (Duck Dynasty)

One of my favorite things... Nordstrom's Honey Almond Latte. Scrumptious!

A few plans: Respond to all emails. Make Baby Girl a song. Cuddle Goose. Hug Numbers Man.

Photo of my day:

A Reflection

In between bleary eyed,
minute moments, a mother
takes a breath...
Followed by another,
But she cannot tell
inhale from exhale
Or even blink from flutter.
But when she looks into the
mellow grey orbs
That circle back to her face
To watch for affirmation
And to match breath for breath
She remembers to steady
And savor
Her reflection.

Acknowledge Him

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your body and refreshment to your bones. Honor the LORD from your wealth and from the first of all your produce; so your barns will be filled with plenty and your vats will overflow with new wine."

Proverbs 3:5-10