Ella Joy at 4 months

4 months.

How in the world did I go from being incredibly, miserably, 42 weeks worth of pregnant to having a 4 month old in a 3 week time span? Okay, maybe I didn't but, seriously it feels like just yesterday I was in the hospital gazing at her new, sleeping self and now she's 4 months old. Dear God, PLEASE STOP THE TIME.

But, she has got to be the most sweet, cuddly, chubby cheeked, grinning 4 month old I know. Seriously, y'all. She is the sweetest baby. So content, so smiley, so easily satisfied. Oh I just love her beyond words.

My sweetest Ella Joy,

At 4 months old you surprised me by rolling over from back to front and then from front to back. You are proud of yourself but you get a little ticked when you can't get your arm out from underneath your belly. Once I help you though, you're usually content on your belly for a few minutes then, FLIP!, back onto your back. And, you're just so happy at your newfound skill!

As for sleeping, well, it's getting a little better. For the last several nights you've had some 6 hours stretches. And, I've found that if we put you "down" for the night at around 10:00pm, you sleep much, much better. Even if you could go down at 8 or 9, holding you off til 10pm makes your nights much easier on Mommy.


You still sleep swaddled, but starting last night Mommy and Daddy are moving you from sleeping exclusively in the swing to sleeping the crib. Last night you did great and right now you are napping in the crib. So, it's a start! I'd imagine that the next week or so could be rough until you've adjusted to sleeping solely in the crib and only sitting in the swing for fun.


Your cheeks are so squishable that I just want to spend all my spare time squeezing and kissing them. Your rolly polly thighs are nothing short of sweet marshmallow fluff! How I could just take a bite!

You are seriously the most content baby I've ever seen. You're so happy to just be in the mix with everyone. We drug out the exersaucer and I gave it a good scrubbing (you know, since it's the same one we've had since Elizabeth was born 6 years ago) and you really love being able to "stand up" in it and move some of the parts. You especially love the little turn-table that's on it. You smile at whoever stops to talk to you and you tolerate your siblings mothering you quite well.

When you sneeze, Aaron is the first one to come to your aid, if only to say, "Wess woo Wellwa." It's especially tender. Ella Joy, you make our family a sweeter place to be. We all love you so very much and I just can't remember what life was like before you were my baby girl. I've never been a Momma who desired to wake her kids just because she wanted to smooch on them, but you are making those thoughts go through my head on occasion. As I've said before, the word that I'd use to describe your little self, more than any other, is simply Sweet. I think that maybe, even your drool and slobber is as tasty as straight sugar. Or maybe it's just me.

I love you sweet girl,

Mommy