Dear Anya, Happy 4 months!

Dear Anya,
Four months already!?! When I tell people "I have a daughter who is four months" it doesn't sound like I have a newborn anymore.  I must say, although I miss your quivering lip and dream smiles, every day truly does get better and better!
At the beginning of this month you mastered rolling over from back to tummy.  Sleeping on your tummy is your favorite!  You have definitely gained a lot of neck strength and don't fuss nearly as much during tummy time.  We've had nights where you sleep through the night and nights where you wake up a lot.  I'm starting to stay away from spicy foods and continuing to stay away from dairy as this still bothers your tummy.  This month you have become a much happier nurser and you don't fuss during feedings as much as you used to.  I never thought I'd be able to say that!!  You hold onto my shirt like it is a blanket...oh, I can't wait for those days when you carry a blankie!
Daddy has started work up again so it's just me and you and occasional visits from Auntie Kates and your Grandmas at home.  We keep busy by playing in the exersaucer, reading books (you love the color book with the bright red strawberry and lime green background!) sitting in your bumbo.  Speaking of sitting-When I went grocery shopping the other day and you stayed home with Auntie Katie and you practiced sitting up on your own with her.  She said that you are like Tin-Man, falling to the sides for her to catch you!
Your routine is still somewhat inconsistent but you've developed a good morning nap and bedtime routine!  You use your paci a lot less than you did when you were a newborn, only using it now for naps and not even every time.  If Daddy or I are holding you, you start chewing on our arms, hands, shoulders...anything you can munch on. Toys are constantly going in your mouth and I wonder how you could possibly like chewing on some of those harder toys.  I try to get you to use teething rings but you seem to prefer everything else! I think you may be starting to teeth. 
Your eyes light up when you hear the water turn on for bath time.  You enjoy kicking water at Daddy...it's very cute!  I think you are going to be a big swimmer!  You love when water gets on your face and hands, and you try to lick it off.
We are still using cloth diapers and we love them-the colors look so cute on  you!  The summer dresses in 0-3 and 3 month are now being worn as shirts with skirts!  You wear mostly 3-6 month with 6 month sleepers at night.
A few days ago Mommy tried to give you rice cereal with a spoon but your tongue just pushed it out.  When we go to the doctor in a few days we will see what she says about starting it in a bottle.  You seem very curious and interested when Daddy and I eat.  It's very cute to watch you stare at us!
Here are some pictures from this month:

 

I love you,
Mommy

Dressing my Baby Doll

Bow is in place...

(See that burn on my arm?  It's from our black patio chairs...ouchie!)

Dress is buttoned up...

Spit up is wiped off...

Shoes are fastened...

Paparazzi's camera flashing...

This lady is all dressed up for her daddy!

Pasta Sauce from Old Italy

Put on your apron and let the fun begin!
This pasta sauce is A-Mazing and perfect for kids to help make, especially around this time of year when gardens are producing so many tomatoes you dream of them every night!

6 whole cloves of garlic
4 tomatoes (torn up with hands...no knifes involved here!)
1 cup of basil (rip with fingers)
1 teaspoon of oregano
1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes
salt
1/2 cup olive oil
Cover and leave on counter all day!
Tastes great on bread to make bruschetta, pizza with melted mozzerella on top, over pasta, fish, or chicken!

A visit from Grandma!

Yesterday morning my mom came out to be with Anya and I for the morning!  Usually she works but she was able to trade with someone and take on a Saturday shift.  We were able to get so much accomplished while she was here!

We cleaned up the front porch and garden.  No more weeds:-)

We made some "Counter-top Pasta Sauce"  and french bread with our aprons on.  

We loved on Anya! Boy is she loveable and talkative! She loves to say "who, who, who". 

All in all, it was a very productive and wonderful day spent with my mom and baby girl! 

Thanks Mom for trading in your shift and picking up a weekend shift for us!  We had a blast!

A New August

Normally at this time of year I am having back-to-school nightmares.  August days in the past were spent scanning the Target dollar section for teacher must-haves, decorating my classroom, lesson planning, and going on my favorite teacher websites. 
I am so blessed to say that this August my life is so different than it has ever been.  I have a new job....taking care of my sweet Anya Violet!  I'm trading in my calendar pieces, monkey name plates, and plastic coins for play dates, stroller rides, and tons of cuddles with my baby girl. 
I thank God that He has provided my hubby with a job and DJ company that allows me to be able to fulfill my life calling as a stay-at-home mommy!  These times with Anya are so precious and I thank the Lord that I get to spend this time with Anya on my hip. 
Staying at home means eating out less, generic brands, hand-me-downs, and homemade gifts but to me it is all worth it.  It helps that I am very frugal naturally and I enjoy the challenge of living on a tight budget.  My hubby goes back to work next Monday....I know, summer totally flew by!!!  That means that my new job also starts next week, and I must say that there are no "first day" nightmares involved this time around. 

Dear Anya, Happy 3 Months!

Dear Princess Anya,
Happy 3 months your highness!  We've noticed this month that you are quite the princess.  You make sure to tell us exactly how you are feeling, and when something isn't in your liking we know right away!
This month we can really tell you are going through a growth spurt.  Your legs stick over the bottom of the infant car seat, you've moved into 3-6 month clothes, and you've outgrown the headrest on your high chair.  That's right, I said high chair!  You LOVE sitting straight up in it with the shoulder straps on of course (you get crabby if it's tilted back.)  Within the past two days you have officially become a thumb sucker.  As soon as I lie you in your crib you put your thumb in your mouth right away.  It is so adorable!  You have started sleeping through the night, with occasional 10 minute feedings between the hours of 1 and 3am.  As soon as you are done nursing you go right back to sleep.
We have noticed that you are getting much better at holding your head up during tummy time.  Hand coordination is improving as you swing your arms to hit the toys on your play mat.  You love putting your hands in your mouth...sometimes you stick your entire fist in there!  When I walk in your room when you are crying you turn your head and notice me without me even saying anything.   You definitely know Mommy and Daddy's faces and voices.  It's really neat!
A day in the life of Anya at 3 months:
This month we have really started to notice you are getting a bedtime routine down.  We do the same thing every night.  Bath by Daddy, lotion massage and dress by Mommy, nurse with music or Daddy reads a story to us.  When I put on your diaper and bedtime routine you start to fuss because you know you will get fed next.  You are definitely in a night time routine!
We are starting to get in a morning routine, although you wake up at different times each day...most of the time around 7-7:30.  You get a diaper change, dressed for the day, nurse, playtime in high chair while Mommy unloads the dishwasher and eats breakfast.  Then you play on your play mat.  Within an hour you are ready to go back down for a nap (within an hour of waking).  You sleep for about 30-45mins.  Then back up again.  You take many short naps throughout the day with lots of play time, books, singing, and then after mommy and daddy eat dinner we go for a family walk with Charlie. We've been using the baby bjorn rather than the stroller.  You like the close contact and movement from walking.  When we get back from our walk we start bedtime routine...you like to go to bed early around 6:30-7:00. 
One thing we've noticed is you do not like to look at books!  I read them to you all the time when you nurse or when you are sleeping, but when I sit you up to look at the pictures you fuss and get upset.  haha!  I hope you grow to like reading!
This month you've had your first picnic (Arboredum), met your first baby younger than you (Zeke), went "swimming" in a pool, sat up on your own in the Bumbo, started going in the nursery at church (10 weeks) and started to suck your thumb as you fall asleep.   You've learned that you don't like being in the same position for long, don't like the taste of medicine, and love being naked! 
Anya, it's been another month.  It know I say it every time, but wow this month flew by!  You're growing so quickly and after meeting a few babies younger than you I realize that you really are getting big!  It's so fun though.  Your smile melts our hearts!  We can't wait to start to hear laughter=)
Love you always little girl,
Mommy