4 months old

Anslie is 4 months old already!  She is growing and changing so quickly.  At 4 months, Anslie:

-stays awake playing for longer periods of time during the day and consistently sleeps through the night.  She usually goes to sleep for the night around 9 p.m. and wakes up at about 7 a.m.  Her nap schedule during the day is not predictable yet.  She goes to sleep easily when we rock her.  She likes her pacifier and little pink blankie at nap/bed time.

- is very content and sweet-natured.  When she wakes up in the morning, she is full of smiles and baby talk.  It is absolutely heart-melting to see her big smile as soon as I say "good morning, sweet girl!"  She doesn't wake up screaming for her bottle, even though she gobbles it up as soon as we get it for her.

-takes 6 ounces of formula every 4 hours during the day. (24 ounces a day) Her 4 month check up is this week, so we will see if our pediatrician recommends starting her on cereal now or waiting until she's 6 months old.

-drools a lot and likes to blow "raspberries".  She also enjoys chewing on her fingers.

-is starting to show some preference for her family over unfamiliar people.

-has an adorable laugh.  She finds the boys very entertaining!

-reaches out a grabs her toys, even though her movements are still not entirely intentional.

-kicks and splashes in her little tub at bath time.  We will have to move her to the big tub with a bath seat soon.

-wears 3 month-sized clothes and is still in size 1 diapers.

Walton just rocked her to sleep for her morning nap while I worked on this post.  He  just looked over at me and remarked (again) about what an easy baby she is.  She rarely fusses for more than a little while and is very easy to calm when she does fuss.  I'm sure it helps that she always has someone to hold her and talk to her.  I cannot even count the number of times that we thank God daily for sending this precious little girl to our family.

The Lord is my strength and shield.

      I trust him with all my heart.

   He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy.

      I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.

Psalms 28:7

winter smiles

Anslie is becoming quite the talker, and she never has to wait for someone to talk to around our house.  Kyle had her squealing and giggling on Saturday morning.  It is so much fun to listen to them together!

She has also figured out how to blow "raspberries".

She is enjoying her little Bumbo seat that our friend Priscilla let us borrow.  It has been great because Anslie loves to sit up so she can see what's going on.  Bumbos weren't around when Kyle and Will were babies - but we think they're a pretty neat invention.

She looks like such a big girl sitting in it!

Grandma mailed Anslie this little headband from Illinois.  Her pastor's wife made it.  We decided they were sharing a snowflake with us since they have plenty of them up there.  It definitely fits Anslie better than her Christmas hairbow did!  (I know I am biased, but how sweet is this little face?  Love it!)

Here is Anslie's first little friend Will C.  He stays at our house with our wonderful babysitter Christie during school days - his mama Jodi is a teacher at the same school as me.  Believe it or not, he is only 12 days older than our petite little girl!   Christie caught this fun picture of them holding hands today.  We are glad that Anslie has a friend to grow with and they have such happy days with Christie.   They will go to kindergarten together in a few years!  It will be here before we know it.

Will C. has learned how to roll over.  I think Anslie has been watching him, because she has been trying to roll over this afternoon.  It won't be long and she'll have it figured out - here she goes....

Halfway there!

It's hard work for such a little person. She hasn't made it all the way to her tummy yet, but it won't be long. Check back for 4 month pictures and update on Friday!