Our little "Elle Belle", as she's called frequently around here, has had quite the adventurous few weeks. Not only is she growing by leaps and bounds, but she's becoming more and more engaged with the world around her. In fact, these weeks {right around the 4 month mark} are commonly referred to as the "wonder weeks."
It's during these times that babies start realizing that they can interact with the world {and with mirrors, toys, Daddy's hands, their toes....anything really} and the world reacts right back. They are in awe of the fact that their actions affect others and that they have a voice.
Our little girl is waking up in every sense of the word and it's been SO MUCH FUN to watch!
That's the good news.
The not so great news is that this stage is also called the 4 month sleep regression. It often changes sleep patterns (as they are moving to adult sleep cycles at this stage) and affects baby's mood- less vocal communication, fussier awake times, MUCH more hungry....just to name a few. So far {knock on wood QUICKLY} Elle has demonstrated some of these but in such a mild way, that if we didn't know her so well, we probably wouldn't even notice. And thank GOODNESS she's still sleeping 12 hour stretches at night. That could change any day; but for now we're so very grateful.
The really great news, though, is that babies typically come out on the other side of these "wonder weeks," much more capable, more playful, and more vocal.
It gets BETTER than this? I just can't believe it; but I hear it's very true!
In the midst of all of this growing, our Elle has had lots of fun "firsts" these past few weeks:
As a VERY early birthday gift,
Michael surprised me with the sailboat where we had our first date AND got engaged!
It was about to be sold to someone else in Florida; but he saved it for the waters of Lake Wylie
JUST in time.
She seemed to love her first sail with Mama, Daddy, & Lula.
We cuddled and watched the sun go down on the first of many lake days.
{I could giggle with her all. day. long.}
Her handsome Daddy is going to show her all the ropes ..... literally!
Elle even has her own bed in the boat!
Not too shabby, little one.
The sun setting on one of those days, you just don't want to end.
Perfect in so many ways!
In other firsts,
Elle got to garden with Papa Knotts and Daddy
They're going to make a country girl out of her, yet:
Those toes!!!
And finally, Mama, Elle, Caren & Tucker welcomed spring-ish weather with her first trip to the park
I'm not sure that she was too impressed; but she DID fall asleep in the swing like a champ!
We love our little girl so very much and can't wait for more Spring adventures.
Sleep regression or not, we're one very blessed family!
Couldn't even dream of a sweeter, more joyful baby.
Now as this day slips away, I'm off to read a Bible story with Elle & her wonderful Daddy.
Our favorite part of the night:
{If you haven't yet heard of the Jesus Storybook Bible- it's just beautiful! Every story points back to Jesus and His unspeakable sacrifice.}
"The whole Earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of JOY."
Psalm 65:8
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