7 wks

6 weeks old

Please forgive me for not updating the blog as much as I would like to. We are finally getting on a schedule, which has been wonderful for all of us. You would not believe how much Ella is growing and changing over the last few weeks! She has completely outgrown the newborn outfits and is filling out the 3 month clothes now. I have not weighed her since her last doctor's appointment, but I only imagine what she is up to now. She is so much more alert, too. She is starting to make cooing sounds and smiling at times. Unfortunately, I never seem to be able to catch it all on camera. She has great control of her head and can even sit in her Bumbo seat with assistance. Believe it or not, she has not lost any of hair. It just keeps growing longer! She'll have pig tails before too long at this rate! In the meantime, I torture her with bow hair clips. I dread the day I have to go back to work, which will probably be mid-March.

5 Weeks Old

Aunt Kathy's Visit

4 Weeks Old

Three Weeks Old!

We have survived yet another week as parents, and we are somehow all still alive, some more tired than others. Ella continues to grow more and more each day. She is starting to make some sounds, but crying remains her main form of communication. We are still working on her keeping her awake during the day so that she will sleep more at night. Some nights are better than others. We found that she is a bit high maintenance, and her bassinet just was not doing it for her. She now sleeps in her Boppy pillow with a blanket over it. Gene and I call it her Princess Pillow.

The weather was nice over the weekend, so we ventured out for out first walk in the neighborhood. We bundled her up in her warm knit sweater and hat. Too bad she slept through all of it. Hopefully it will continue to warm up while Aunt Kathy is in town next week.

Two weeks old!

Well, we have survived our first two weeks together! Ella has made so much progress since her birthday. After dropping her weight to 7 lbs and 2 oz, she is now back up to 7 lbs and 10 oz and has grown almost 2 inches already! Mama is feeding her good! Soon she will actually fit into her clothes. Dr. Everett says she is doing great and won't have to see him again until 2 months when she gets her dreaded shots. Although, she still likes to sleep most of the day away, she is more alert and taking in her new environment. If only she would sleep during the night without having to snuggle with her mom in the bed! That's what I get for praying for a snuggler. Ella had her first photo session this weekend, which she was not too happy about. The child that could sleep through a hurricane didn't want to cooperate for most of the pictures. All she wanted was to be wrapped in her pink blanket with her pink pacifier. She definitely is strong willed and will let you know when she doesn't like what you are doing (nothing like her parents!). Gene and I are falling in love with her more and more everyday. What a blessing!

Aunt Jenn, Uncle Preston, and Reagan made a quick trip to finally meet Ella Grace this weekend. Ella loved finally meeting her aunt that she had heard so much about and her future husband, Reagan. Reagan was so sweet about trying to soothe Ella when she was upset. He also enjoyed counting the strawberries on her outfit. He will make such a wonderful husband someday!