3 Month Update

It is hard to believe that 3 months tomorrow marks the day that our baby girl entered our world. I would have to say that this month has been the most fun yet as Elliana has become so much more interactive and personable! Elliana's smile lights up the room and we have found at times that we literally can't stop kissing those big cheeks! Almost anything these days can bring a smile, and on occassion we have even heard her giggle now and then.

As for other milestones, little Elli-Belly has also learned to hold her head up for longer periods of time, sit in her bumby, splash in the bathtub, play more with her toys and continues to sleep through the night. Overall, we know that we are incredibly blessed to have this little girl in our lives, and are loving to watch the changes that come with each new day!

Our Big Girl

In looking through recent photos, I noticed just how much Elliana has grown these past few weeks. Grown not just physically, but socially as well. Elliana is now 11 weeks old and loves to smile and giggle at Mommy & Daddy. She loves to exercise those long legs of hers and practices standing on a regular basis. But, rather than just gushing over the details all day...how about some photos?! :)

Enjoy!

Thanks to the Mommy

There isn't much better than coming home to see the smiles on my girls' faces.

It has been about 2 ½ months since our newest addition, Elliana, joined our family. During that time, I've noticed significant growth in Ashley as she has become a mommy. It is a challenging transition from husband and wife to family of three; sleep decreases, routines change, and even the simplest task of eating dinner can become an ordeal. Ashley's commitment to our family and Elliana, as her mommy, during this transition is something that deserves some recognition.

Despite all the changes, new learning, and sporadic frustrations, I've never heard one complaint from Ashley. She has embraced being a mother and is really living out the dream she had prior to Elliana's arrival. She always said she wanted to be a mommy, but saying and doing are two separate tasks. Ashley is doing it, and she is doing it great.

I could never list everything she does, but taking care of Elliana, running errands, keeping the house in order are just a few.

Most importantly, whatever she does, she makes sure there are two smiles waiting for me when I get home from work, and there isn't much better than that.

Thanks Ashley, the Mommy!

Elliana & I

A lot of people ask me how I spend the day with my little girl each day. Well, that answer is quite simple and complex all at the same time. Though, I will sum it up with just a few words: We have fun.

Even on her somewhat grumpy days ( I must admit these are few and far between), we enjoy our time together and play as much as we can. In fact, I am finding that the days are flying by far too quickly most days! Between visiting grandparents, playing, grocery shopping, cleaning, playing, laundry, running errands, playing...I find that I am loving my role as Mommy more and more each day. I thought I might have had expectations too high about what it would be like, but Elliana and T.J. have helped surpass every expectation I had regarding motherhood.

I must admit those first few weeks were rough, with the emotions of excitement & fear wrapped up into everything we did. Add on some sleep deprived parents and at one point I was wondering how we would survive it all. But, as I am now more comfortable and confident, those fears have dissipated and the excitement remains, even stronger than before.

I love my family, and am so very grateful that I was chosen to be a wife to T.J. and a Mom to Elliana. Isn't life spectacular?! :)

Four Generation Update

A few months ago, I posted a picture of myself, my mom, my grandmother and one very swollen belly containing Elliana, the fourth generation of women. I am pleased to now post an update to that picture with Elliana actually IN the picture!

Though Elliana is still quite tiny, I hope that one day she will appreciate these women (and the picture) as much as I do! :)