Sweet Eden,
Today you are 5 months old....momma can hardly believe it! It seems like just yesterday you came into this world. You are such a joy, little one. You are sweet, yet sassy, and always have a smile on your face. Oh that beautiful smile....I can't help but do the same every time i see it, or think about it for that matter. It has been so fun getting to spend my days with you. Just you, me, and little ellie. What fun us 3 girls have! Your little eyes follow our puppy everywhere she goes. You smile at her, too! You reach out your hand every time she gets close; it looks as if you want to pet her. Usually ellie runs (don't worry, she won't always do that), but if she doesn't, you grab a nice fist full of her fur. I then unclinch your fist, and tell ellie you weren't trying to hurt her. Someday, little girl, we'll need to explain how to be gentle with the pup....I'm confident you'll learn.
You've really taken to sucking your thumb, especially when your sleepy. I find it precious and I love that you've found a way to soothe yourself to sleep. In fact, I rarely even hear you cry when you go down for your naps these days. Speaking of naps, you take 3 during the day - from 8:30-11:00, anywhere from 12:30 to 1 until 3:00 and 5:00-6:00. You go to bed at 8 and sleep until 7. You eat four times a day, with solids at 3 of your meals. So far you've had: rice, oatmeal, sweet potatoes, carrots, green beans, prunes and pears. Today you will try squash, peas and apples....yum!
You are such a wiggly little girl - hardley ever sitting still. Even when I feed you, you are always moving something, most of the time it's your leg or your tiny little fingers grabbing my shirt in your hands. The exception to this is church. You have always sat so still in your carrier until it's time to eat and then you remain quietly in momma's arms until the service is over. I can't help but think God uses those moments to draw yourself to Him. Mostly I sit there and pray that you would always have a heart that is still and quiet before the Lord. That you would long to hear God's voice and listen when He speaks. A few days ago I was watching a special on homeless children and you sat so quietly in my lap and looked so intently at those little faces. Oh sweet girl, how i pray you'll grow up to love God's people. That you would be a woman who's moved to compassion and gives freely of her time, resources and talents. That you would continue to bring joy to all those around you. I love that I can already see some of these prayers being answered.
Little girl, I just love watching you grow. Every day it seems you gain more and more control over your hands. You grab toys so quickly now, and though you can't quite crawl yet - if you want something, you tend to figure out a way to get to it! You love being on your tummy, as well as your back (now that you've found your feet!). You love your jumper and figure out new ways to play with it every day. The same goes for your gym. You also love to be tickled and to kiss momma's face. You still like being changed. You love the pool and your baths and getting lotion on your legs. Daddy reads you Olivia every night before bed. You can sit up pretty well with assistance, and if I position your arms just right you can hold yourself up for a few seconds. Skirts that were once too big are now far too tight. Your cowboy boots still fall off when you kick.
Little one, I could go on and on. I still can barely believe you five months old. Do you think it's too early to start planning your 1st birthday? Time goes quickly by. I was noticing the other day how much the nursery has become your room. Before you were born, it was so hard to picture you in it. Now, with spit up stains on the glider, dirty clothes in the hamper, well worn toys and a sleep sack that waits for you in the crib, it's yours, and it fits you just perfectly.
I love you, I love you, i love you little girl,
Momma