Happy Five Months (a couple of weeks late)

Jenaleigh,

You've been keeping your Mommy pretty busy these days! You're really growing and changing! You've finally gotten to a point where you love to play with toys, but you become frustrated so easily if you drop one, can't fit one in your mouth, or if it just isn't doing what you think it should do. *cue cute little grunts* You don't stay entertained for long, so your Mommy has to sing, dance, walk, and play with you pretty much the whole time you're awake. But, even though it's tiring, it's a blast! I love having you as my little buddy! Your smile fills my soul with overwhelming joy and I am beyond thankful to have you in my life.

YOU LIKE:
- Your Jumperoo. That is, until you realize that you can't put the froggy that dangles overhead in your mouth. Then you get mad!
- Your swaddle, paci, and rock 'n play. Yep, we're still addicted to that threesome!
- Sitting up (mostly with support). You're sitting up on your own a little now -- you have to be in the right mood with the right toy in front of you to sit for a few seconds without support. But, otherwise you're still pretty dependent on Mommy or Daddy to provide you with support while sitting. Either way, you love sitting.
- Veggies! Your Mommy hates vegetables, so she is determined to turn you into a lover of them. So far you've had carrots and sweet potatoes, and you ADORE them. Yum, yum, yum, yum!
- Horton, the elephant. You still love to put his trunk in your nose.
- The game we play before bathtime... where Mommy holds you and Daddy hides in the bathroom and then comes running towards you. This game puts a great end to the day -- no matter if it's been a stellar or a fussy day.
- When Mommy sings to you -- it immediately brings a smile to your face.
- Playing typewriter -- a game Daddy invented.
- Going for walks with Mommy in the stroller. You love to look at the trees and feel the cool breeze on your face.

YOU DON'T LIKE:
- When Mommy and Daddy eat in front of you when it's not time for you to eat. It makes you so mad!
- Dropping your butterfly toy. You love that toy and you get so frustrated when you're in the swing playing with it and then drop it.
- Belly time. Daddy is determined to get you to crawl, so that means lots of belly time. You hate it, though!
- Being bored. You must be entertained.
- When Gigi and Mommy get too excited about football; we scare you!

I wish I could bottle up all our time together so I could release it to experience all over again once you're grown. I know that can't happen and I know each and every stage of your life is going to bring its own joys. I look forward to the day when you first say "Mama" and mean it. I look forward to the day when you finally understand God's love for you. I look forward to the day when you meet the man you will spend the rest of your life with (of course, if it is God's will for you to marry). But, even though I'm excited about all of those things happening, I wish I could press pause, or at least run things in half time, because I'm having so much fun with you now. Every day with you is a gift and I'm so blessed to have you in my life, my little five month old baby.

Love,
Mommy

My Four Month Old Bebe!

Dear Jenaleigh.
You are SUCH a big girl right now! Gone are the days where you just slept all day on Mommy's chest. Now you want to see what's going on and more importantly, participate! I'm sad to think that your newborn days are behind you, but so excited to be a part of your life as you grow into your own person. Here's what you think about the world...

YOU LIKE:
- Being worn (in either the Ergo or the fantastic custom sling that Melanie made)

Mommy and Jenaleigh, 4 Months Old!

- Your fist (I wish I could shove my whole fist in my mouth! Well, maybe not...)
- Your elephant "lovie"
- Pulling my hair (OUCH!)
- Baths (you can be in such a foul mood, but the second you plop down in the bathtub, your entire demeanor changes)
- Trying to sit up by yourself
- Going to church and seeing tons of people
- Your paci (yep, you're addicted.)
- The TV (we're really trying not to let you watch it, but when we have it on, you crane your head all the way around to see it!)
- Going out to eat (you usually start "talking" in restaurants)

At your favorite Mexican Restaurant!

- The doggies (they made you giggle!)
- Dr. Foster, your chiropractor (he makes you laugh EVERY time you see him!)
- Talking back to Daddy while he preaches (yes, this is cute, for now!)


YOU DON'T LIKE:
- Staying awake for more than 2 hours at a time (if you do, we better watch out -- cranky baby on her way!)
- Being held like a tiny baby
- Having to wait more than a milisecond for your food (when you're hungry, you're hungry!)
- When your paci falls out in the middle of the night

I couldn't think of many other things that you don't like. You are pretty content with life, little girl! I love you so much and am so blessed to be your Mommy!

Love,
Mommy

(NOTE: Don't forget to enter the giveaway! There are several ways to enter and you can do each one, if you'd like! Click here.)

Dear Baby . Your Daddy

NOTE: I wrote this around 37 weeks of pregnancy. I never posted it, but I think now's the perfect time to do so -- on our 6 year anniversary. 


Dear Jenaleigh,

Your mommy and daddy love each other. We are seriously head over heels. It's important for you to know this, because it's part of God's plan for marriage! We want you to see how great being married can be. We'll try not to be too mushy around you, but expect to see some cuddling, hugging, and a little kissing going on every once in a while!

Do you want to know why I love your daddy? Well, there are lots of reasons, so I thought I'd make one of my famous lists (keep in mind some of these on the list are more important than others!)

• He makes me laugh. Not just little giggles, but he knows how to get me rolling when he wants to!
• He can cook. (Two words for you -- Homemade. Pasta.)
• He puts others before himself. You'll find this one out quickly. When I was in the hospital for 3 weeks he sacrificed so much -- sleeping on a yucky pull out, using scratchy hospital towels (he wanted me to have the good ones he brought from home), eating boring meals, and answering phone call after phone call from people who wanted to know how I was doing (even though after the first day nothing was going on!) Even now that we're at home, he's doing the chores, working full time, cooking when he needs to, and waiting on my every need. 
• He's a great musician. This is what first attracted me to him! He can sure break out some improv on the trumpet and his sweet voice combined with guitar playing makes me melt! I'm sure he'll sing you tons of lullabies!
• He is an idea man. He comes up with so many creative ideas! So, when you see that look in his eyes, you better just sit back and listen to the stream of thoughts that are about to come.
• He feeds the dogs every single day. He's been doing that since we moved here to Hardin. It's not the most fun task to go outside in the morning (especially when it was freezing) and give the dogs food and water, but he does it (without complaining, I might add!)
• He loves you. You should see his eyes when he starts talking about you! Or that sweet smile of excitement he gets when he puts his hand on my belly and feels you movin' and groovin' in there!
• He's not afraid of the truth. It can be scary to stand up for what's right and to proclaim God's Word day in and day out. But, your daddy does it!
• He wants to go to Heaven and wants to take you and me with him.

Those are just a few reasons why I love your Daddy. There are SOOO many more, which in time, you'll come to see and understand. I know you'll love him just as much as I do!

Love,

Mommy

Dear Baby . Weddings

Dear Jenaleigh,

A portrait (by your Mee Mee) of your Aunt
Rachel as a child, trying on your Mee Mee's
wedding dress.

Your daddy and I were on our way to an appointment with our midwife when my mind started to wander into the future ... your wedding day. I said something to your daddy about how someday he'll have to walk you down that aisle and give you away. He gave me a very serious look (and I could almost see a tear starting to form) and told me, "Take that back! Don't say that again!"

You see, your Daddy is already very attached to you (as am I) and it's so difficult to think about that day when you'll leave our family and be joined together with a man to start your own. 

However, we're going to try our best to teach you about God's plan for marriage, about the relationship and roles between husband and wife, and we are regularly in prayer about your future (I even wrote a post for the whole world to see about how I'm praying for your future 'in-laws'.)

So today as the rest of the world is SO excited about the marriage of Prince William and Kate (I'm sure you'll learn more about them when you get here), I'm thinking about you! Kate was a stunning bride and I LOVED her dress. But I know on your wedding day -- perhaps a breezy day in spring or a winter wonderland in December -- you'll be the most beautiful bride ever. My baby, who I haven't even met yet.

Love,
Mommy

You can vote every day (until May 18) if you'd like!
 

You Are Taken Care Of

Dear Baby Howell,

Early this morning as I was laying in bed struggling to get comfy, my mind started thinking about all the things your Daddy and I are doing right now to try to take care of you.

I force down prenatal vitamins the size of horse pills. I sleep on my left side because it's somehow better for my body with you in it. I abandoned my favorite drinks of Diet Mountain Dew and Starbuck's Cappucinos. I allowed myself to get stuck 6 different times in one of my many baby appointments. And, while your Daddy doesn't have to guard his body to help you grow, he's doing a stellar job to help me create a safe haven for you. He takes care of the dogs so they won't jump on me. He forces me to eat (even when I don't feel like it) so you can grow like you should. He brings me orange juice so I can get my vitamin C. He asks smokers to move so you won't be subjected to the harmful substances in the second hand smoke.

There are so many things we are doing now for you; but, I know when you enter the world, that list will multiply beyond measure. Not only will we take care of your physical needs, but as your parents we will take care of your spiritual needs, teaching you the love of God and His Word. That is our number one goal with you. Nothing else matters if we fail to do that. While somemay tell you that going to college is a measure of success, or marrying a rich spouse is a measure of success, or being happy on this earth is a measure of success, we will teach you from day one that true success is living your life and going to heaven.

You're going to be a very blessed little baby; because, not only do you have a Mommy and Daddy who care for your soul, you will have a slew of relatives -- grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc -- who will help us and ultimately help you reach true success.

Love,
Your Mommy