Praise Baby

Disclaimer:  Apparently I've been using the old version of blogger or the editor or something so I have no idea why the last picture is centered.  It took me forever to do this short post with the updated version.


Langley continues to love the Praise Baby DVD's that we have. 

I cracked up when I looked down and saw her raising her hands!  Getting a little charismatic :-)

A Video: Communication!

I realize that this is not the cutest sound in the world.  If it wasn't my child, this would probably annoy me greatly.  But, this is a part of her verbal skills currently, and her crazy parents think it is adorably awesome!

3 New Developments

In the past few days Langley has:
1.  Started rolling from her back to her tummy.  Now I can't leave her out of my sight!
2.  Discovered her toes.  Her preferred position is laying on her back holding on to her toes all while flashing a huge grin and "talking."
3.  Started "chewing."  There is nothing in her mouth, but it looks like she's chewing gum.  It's strange, but funny.

We've had a good week so far!  I can't believe she's nearly 5 months old!

No Title

All I've got for you are just some pictures to get the family through the weekend :-)


Please do exuse my no-makeup and air dryed hair look.

Miracles

As I am rejoicing over the end of a week-and-a-half of daily, uncontrollable, unconsolable, crying/screaming episodes Langley was having, I am remembering. What am I remembering? We'll get to that in a second. Let's go back to the above-mentioned episodes.

I'm pretty sure it was a growth spurt, due to the fact that the last 2 days she has been an angel and slept -I mean hardcore 1 hour+ naps, 4 times a day- alot. I battled with her for over a week and had become very worn down. Let's just say I lacked patience with her (which I know did not help the situation.) I was emotionally exhausted, often crying with her when she didn't want to be held or put down, or inside or outside, or ... I was physically exhausted from her throwing her 15 pound self back or burrowing on me or constantly trying to rock, bounce, hold her. It's a miracle - she's like a new child. She's had a couple of rough growth spurts. Three weeks old was a fun one. Not.

Anyway, what am I remembering today? July 22, 2009. The day we first saw Langley and heard her heart beat. I was 8 weeks pregnant. A miracle - plain and simple. I did not cry in the doctor's office. I guess I was in shock, even though I had known I was pregnant for almost 4 weeks, and I was ending a 2 week bout of daily, violent, vomitting. It was the most beautiful little blob with a heartbeat ever created :-)

What a miracle it has been to see her grow inside of me and outside.

I hope I always remember July 22. I hope I always remember trying to call my mom over and over, and finally calling Nanny's cell phone (they were in a different state at an Air Show I believe.) I say "hey Nanny! I'm having a baby!" Her response, "have you talked to your mom?" and I think she dropped the phone and started crying. Just classic.

Wordless Wednesday

What Did You Do Today?

By Langley:

I woke up and ate breakfast and then we picked 2 books to read...






Before my morning nap I played and mom put my high chair together for me to try out...

Then I slept for 1.5 hours while my mom cleaned base boards and took a shower. My mom just figured out that if she'll just swaddle me up at nap time, I smile at her and fall asleep pretty quickly.

After lunch, we ran some errands and came home to play, get my roll on, and nap some more...

(this hilarious face was accompanied by a grunt)

She Looks Nothing Like Me

Langley wore the cutest dress Sunday...



I made Josh document the back of the dress, is this not precious?!


Love this face...


See, I told you she looks nothing like me...


This may be one of the best pictures I've ever taken!

Out of State

First of all, thank you for the great comments on the last post! You all were very helpful and encouraging! I'll keep you posted as I figure it all out!

Monday afternoon we loaded up and headed to Mississippi! This was Langley's first trip out of Arkansas, and technically we hit up 2 states (had to go through Memphis.) I was a horrible and only took 2 pictures the entire trip. But, give me a break, it was a quick trip.

We had a blast with our friends the Parkers! It was neat getting to see their new home and college. It's nice to have friends with very similar lifestyles and interests.

We got there Monday night and Becky made us dinner and we got to visit inbetween taking care of children and getting them to bed. We ended the night watching the Office, so really, how could we go wrong with these folks?

Langley was a great traveler, but she was ready to get out of the car. She slept great and acted pretty good. I think she was trying to impress her boyfriend :-) Ty impressed Langley with his rolling skills. In fact, she has rolled over 10 times today - yes I counted. Considering when she woke up this morning she had only rolled over 8 times in her entire life, I think she learned a few things from little Ty.

Tuesday morning our little family drove about 45 minutes to go sign a JV player and then headed back to the Parker's. We all went to Blue Mountain College for a tour. I took a picture of part of our caravan around campus. I didn't even know any of the girls noticed me taking their picture, but see Halle smiling in the back? So cute!

After our tour of campus, which is nice by the way, we all loaded back up and ate lunch at McAllister's together before the Austin's had to come back to Arkansas. I told you it was a fast and fun trip!

Thank you for everything Parker's you were great hosts!

A Stormy Sunday Afternoon -- COMMENTS REQUIRED!

I just made Josh go get Langley from her bed (she's napping) and hold her because it thundered so loud! I just like to hold or be held during loud storms, so I figured she would want the same. It is currently pouring down rain with thunder and lightening, but most of the afternoon it has just rained. And I got to take a nap. I haven't done much else except make a list 1/2 a mile long to prepare for my week, start a load of laundry, and think about this baby food situation.

I am waiting until August 1 to start rice cereal. I think I can handle the cereal situation, but I start to get a little panicky when I think about what comes next. So, I will now ramble on with my questions and a few things I've read or been told by the doctor. PLEASE COMMENT with answers or advice if you have any experience with this stuff!

1. Thin rice cereal with formula. Start with it very thin. Do just the cereal for a week then introduce a new food each week.

2. What foods should I start with? I'm thinking I'll do a veggie first. Is there a specific order to introduce foods? The doctor said to hold off on meat until 9 months.

3. What are some good resources (websites, books) that you have used to guide you in feeding your baby solids?

4. Do you make your own baby food? I am interested in this. Do you recommend it?
5. What was the process (boiling or steaming, food processer or grinder?)
6. How do you store it? Reheat it?

7. How will solids affect her feeding schedule?

8. I have a high chair thing. I need bibs, spoons, bowls....anthing other essential gear I'm not thinking about?


I'm looking forward to your comments. (My goal is to get 5 on this post.) I will hold out cute pictures of Langley if neccessary :-)

Just For Fun

I prefer the happy baby in these pictures to the whiney-ness she's been most of the day today. Bless her heart, I know shots are no fun (for anyone involved!)

Updated Stats

Langley at 4 months:
15 pounds (just over 75th %)
25 3/4 inches long (90th %)
with a 16 1/4 inch head (50th%)

She fell asleep waiting on the doctor, but woke up when he came in and smiled and laughed and talked to him. She is such a trooper at the doctor. She only cried during the shots. The nurse even commented how "tough" she was. Such a sweet girl - I teared up during her shots. Thank goodness Josh was there to hold her!

We have the go-ahead to start solids, but I'm not ready. Give me a few weeks. I'm thinking we'll start at 5 months. I need time to mentally prepare for that! She does not seem hungry and is obviously not malnourished so we're waiting. I know the grandparents are thinking I'm crazy by now, but it's been awhile since 2 week old babies were fed cereal. Times are changing :-)

As for the rolling over, we are increasing her tummy time, and being patient. The big kids take a little longer to roll - go figure.

So, she's perfect and acted perfectly, and now we are spending our afternoon with extra cuddling and paci time!

Home For a Minute

Josh had to do some recruiting last week in SW Arkansas, so we decided to tag along and see the fam.

Langley was a good traveler, and even slept really well despite me finding her like this...

On Friday, Josh and I got 4 glorious hours alone. 2 spent driving and 2 spent at my aunt and uncle's pool. The weather was perfect and it was good to have a date while we had a free babysitter! I got very sunburned!


Langley got a exersaucer on this trip. Thank goodness Amber put it together, because it probably would have taken me forever. She really likes it, but it overwhelms her because she can't decide what she wants to look at and play with. I have to put books underneath her feet because she still a little too short.

Henry even got to make the trip and he did great! Our dog is high strung. He gets very excited very easily. But the answer to our crazy dog is a 10 foot leash made for a 60 pound dog. He is able to walk around, and not run away, but the leash subdues him when he is outside. Weird, but it works!

At my mom's house he LOVES looking out the big front window. At night when the curtains are drawn he will stick his head in between and still try to look out.

Poor thing, he's not too bright. He managed to wind himself and get stuck around tables and chairs when we stopped in Magnet. He just so social, he can't stand being left out. He has to stay on the leash there because there's always people going in and out and I stress myself out wondering where he is or if he's going to get eaten by another dog.

We had a fun trip! It was great to see our parents and family!

Family, Friends, Fun, and Fireworks - that's the 4th.

For the 4th of July we went to church (slept in a little and didn't make it to Life Group,) and stayed for our church cookout at lunch. Langley had a precious red, white, and blue dress so she was festive for the occasion. I got teary eyed during the worship service as we sang "God Bless America."

During the afternoon we just hung out at home. I worked on my office/guest room, we played the Wii, I went to WM, and Josh grilled. We didn't get any fireworks or even see any - I know, lame. Langley went to bed at her normal time and slept through all the ones we heard in our neighborhood. Henry, on the other hand, was scared.


My little All-American girl!

Here is Langley looking patriotic on Saturday at my mom's house.

PS. If you know what the title of this post is from, then we can probably be friends :-)

4 Months Old!

The last month has been great with Langley Elizabeth! She has grown a lot and has been such a good baby. We go to the doctor later in the week so I'll post her actual stats then, but according to my scale she weighs 15 pounds.

- She eats 6 oz. 5 times a day (8, 11, 2, 5, 8.)

- Sleeps 11 hours on average. You know she has slept well or had a good nap when she greets you with a HUGE smile and excited shreiks and kicks - seriously, it is so sweet!

- Talks a lot! Makes noises, laughs, and fake coughs. She talked the entire way from Conway to Benton. Did -not-shut-up. It's hilarious now, but ...

- She has rolled over once. We practice a lot, but she just gets to her side and stops. She can also scoot anywhere and turn in a circle wherever you lay her down.

- She likes toys more and is noticing Henry more.

- She's about to outgrow her swing, but we have entered the world of the exersaucer and she can spend about 10 mintues at a time in it.

- She loves to stand up! She'll grin so big and looks so proud of herself. She can also sit in the bumbo for a good stretch of time.

- She drools alot, I think teething will start soon.

Langley is such a joy! We are still figuring out the "stay at home mommy" thing because it takes me forever to get anything done. But I rarely fill guilty because she needs me and loves to spend time with her mom a this point in life - so I take advantage of it!

Here are some outtakes from the 4 month photo shoot. Please note her outfit, it was very festive, but too small. I had to put it away as soon as the pictures were over - at least she wore it once, right? Also note the drool - oh the drool!

And She Finally Rolled Over This Morning!

We had a great time visiting with family over the weekend and celebrated the 4th by going to church, eating at the church cookout, and hanging out at home. Josh grilled and I cleaned!
I'll post more in detail later, but had to let you know Langley rolled over by herself this morning. I totally celebrated and freaked out - probably only the first time I'll overeact to one of her great accomplishments! So, we know she can roll over, but she hasn't done it again. It's almost like she did it so her parents would quit bugging her about it :-) She likes to get on her side but refuses to roll all the way over. Whatever. She'll probably sit up before she decides she wants to roll!

So, I owe you a post on our little visit, 4th of July, and her 4 month birthday -- hope you are having a great Monday!

The Swim

• Josh got in the pool with Langley first (so I could take some pictures.) I think she was a little cold at first and thinking "where am I?" but she did not cry and even managed some smiles.
• Josh was so cautious with her. He got a little uptight when some kids came in and starting splashing around. Langley just looked at them with huge eyes.
• I held her and submerged her a little more. Her head got wet, but I didn't put her under. I could tell she would float easily, but she definitely wanted to be held close.
• This one-piece bathing suit is too tight for her. She's worn it a total of 2 times.
• Swim diapers were a good investment.
• There is not a bathing suit on the planet that would allow me to get in front of a camera. God Bless the tankini. If my body ever looks good enough to wear a two piece bathing suit again in my life, I would consider posting it on here to demonstrate a miracle of the Lord.
• All in all, another great first experience with our girl!