7-24, Happy 2 Months, Baby Doll!

You still don't have much of a routine.  Most nights you are sleeping through the night.  If you go down too early for the night you wake up to eat in the early morning hours.  But for the most part we are getting you down between 10 and midnight and you are staying down till somewhere between 6:30 and 8:30.  In the mornings, you still eat and go back to sleep, but you are usually up for the day around 10.  You don't usually eat again till noon or 1, and then sleep until mid-afternoon.  Sometimes you go back to sleep a little bit, and sometimes you stay awake till you eat again.  But you are always awake from about 5ish till bedtime.



You have the biggest smile in the world, it seems to take up your entire face, and you coo at us alot these days.  You still grunt quite a bit too, but I'm still waiting to hear that first laugh.  You smile most, when we sing to you.  And you seem to find your siblings funny faces and voices amusing, because you smile for them alot.  They are all convinced you are trying to say "hi" back to them.   They will lean over and say hi, and giggle and talk to you, and you coo back with a sound that almost sounds like an "i".


You had two other firsts this month.  You had your first beach trip to Anna Maria Island.  You mostly napped, but seemed to like the water.  I guess it was just like a giant bathtub, but with us to hold you.  You also, went to your first Rays game this past weekend.  Everyone complimented, your "retro" onesie.  You didn't nurse well while we were there, every noise had you turning and looking around.  You seemed really interested in all the sounds and lights though.


You really detest laying on your stomach, and you still aren't a fan of laying flat on your back.  We have propped up the cradle mattress by putting blankets with all of you kids, but we also have a crib wedge from Sis. Lydia that we are using with you.  Otherwise, you won't stay in your crib for your afternoon naps.  The only time that you will lay in the floor is when I get out a few of your toys and let your siblings play with them by you.  Even then you will only lay on your back not your stomach, and then only to watch them for a short time.  So, as you might have guessed, you aren't rolling over any yet, because you won't spend anytime laying down to practice it. ha!


But that's just fine, since it's a very real possibility that you will be our last baby, I'm content to baby you for a while yet.  No, rush for you to start racing through milestones.  Rebecca was insistent on doing everything as early as possible, you don't have to follow her lead in that.  Even though you seem to fit so perfectly into our lives, as if you've always been here, the newness hasn't worn off.  You are adored and loved by everyone in this family.

I love you,
Momma

We had a wonderful day today.  Bro. Mark Quarrels was blessed with a really amazing sermon.  Kate slept through the entire thing, so I got to focus and take notes.  Gary and I had a great visit over lunch with two of my favorite people Bro. Randy and Sis. Paula, no matter what we are talking about I never fail to feel better about life after being around them, and they are always good for laugh.  We also got to visit with the Quarrels over lunch.  We then took the kids over to the Lakeland Fun Center between services.  A lot of the other families went, so we got to visit with more of our Church family, and other Church friends from Sister Churches that we don't get to see too often.

The best part was tonight though by far.  Though it is always a somber service, I came especially full of thanksgiving, because of the blessing of Kate.  For the first time in my life though I've seen both of the ordinances of the Church in one service.  We had two join the Church this morning.  And we were able to see Brother Chris baptize them, and then straight away enter into communion service.  Which was really joyful.  But then, for the first time I sat in communion with my daughter and I was surprised just how moving it was.  Ruth's first time, was last month while she was in Alabama.  We had talked about the service before, and she's seen it many times.  But getting to wash feet with her tonight, was unexpectedly emotional.  And it made me think of the times I've been privileged to wash feet with my Mother, and I wondered if it struck her like this.

Here was this sweet little girl, that what seems like a very short time ago I was holding in Tampa General.  A tiny, very round, helpless baby with dark hair.  This little girl who has grown from being able to do nothing on her own, to a girl who more than any child I've ever met is selfless and giving, who tonight was washing my feet.  After I washed her feet I told her that I loved her.  That I thank God He gave her to us, that I get to be her Momma.  That I'm thankful for her sweetheart, for her giving spirit.  I'm thankful that she loves the Lord, that she chose to follow Him.  That I hope she always choose to follow Him.  It was really beautiful service tonight, and my heart is just overflowing.

I love you honey.

I try to show you everyday even through I fail often to be a better husband.  You always seem to think that you are a burden or a cause for distress.  But you are my greatest blessing in life.  You are a godly mother and a great wife to us.  When I was looking for a wife I had certain standards or qualities that I was looking for.  I wanted someone who loved the Lord and his church as much as I did.  I wanted someone who knew what she believed and understood the scriptures.  I wanted someone who is kind and sweet.  I wanted someone who needed to be in church not just going because your father told you to. I wanted someone who turned me on, who I passionately love and want.  Honey you meet and exceed these qualities  I am so blessed to have such a loving and Godly wife.  I love you more now than Ten and half years ago when we first met.

Gary