Getting bigger!

Elise had her 4 month check-up with her pediatricain yesterday. As predicted by Jeff, she is exactly 12 lbs. I knew she was getting heavier to hold. You should see my biceps! Elise is 23 inches long and her head is 15inches... a nice and small head to fit her 'petite' body. Dr. Kennedy is very happy with her growth and development. Elise is either at or past where she should be as of now-so that is super news! Of course the end of the appointment ended with her vaccines so Elise was quite happy to hit the road when that was over! Our next doctor's/vaccine appointment will be at the 6 month mark. We will be talking more about adding food!

It is exciting to see our little girl grow and mature before our eyes. She is such a delight to watch and play with-- I've included a few videos below. Bath time is her favorite until it's time to get out and put on her pj's. Elise would stay in the tub until she was a little raisin if it were up to her.

Elise 'Van Winkle'

Our little Elise must have been super tired last night because she slept like a champion. We feed her at 8:45 and by 9:30, we tucked her into her bed. Miss 'Van Winkle' didn't get up until 7:45am. That's almost 10.5 hours! It was wonderful getting some well deserved sleep- and a cup of morning coffee- and breakfast- and get dressed- and get the day started before she even rose from slumber! Yes, we don't expect to sleep like this every night but we will settle for it when we can get it! We are lucky that most nights she sleeps about 7 hours straight and maybe will get up once to eat. The days of only sleeping 2 hours at a time appear to be over. Yahoo!

Warm weather

Elise is officially 4 months old today and still on track for all of her developmental milestones. Our pediatrician had told us that Elise would more than likely begin reaching for objects around the time of her next doctor's appointment- which isn't for another two weeks. It seemed like such a big challenge but within the past week and a half, Elise has been reaching out and grabbing onto her toys- sometimes by accident but mostly on purpose. She's officially discovered her hands and enjoys spending time staring at them and putting them into her mouth. It's like she didn't know she had them until just recently. With this new discovery, she's been wanting to pick up and suck on all those toys that we have dangled and played with in front of her.



The weather in Holland has been unseasonably warm this past weekend-- 84 degrees just yesterday when the normal temperature usually is 63. We've had to break into Elise's summer wardrobe of shorts and t-shirts- which are a bit on the big side. Finally, those little sausage legs are able to breathe! It's been great taking long walks as a family-- Brutus, Garth and Daddy included. Jeff has been off for the past week so we've really gotten to enjoy all the time together.

Out and about

Elise has been out and about on the town. Now that warmer weather has arrived (72 degrees yesterday!), Jeff and I have started venturing out with Elise to the grocery store and out to eat. Elise is in love with all the new experiences. Our first dinner out was to Smokey Bones for BBQ with our friends George, Julie, their son (age 3) and twin girls (age 15 mos). We figured that a noisy restaurant would be perfect in case Elise had a meltdown but overall she behaved fabulously! Afterall, evenings are notorious for crying and screaming as we unwind from our day. I think Elise is just glad to be sprung from the house and ride in the car.

Yesterday we ran several errands and had dinner over at the Hebekas house. We wore Elise out enough that she slept through the night! After eating at 8:30, we put her to bed and she didn't wake up until 4:30! Unbelievable!!!!!! When I realized the clock read 4:30- I flew out of bed to check on Elise only to find her wide awake, looking around, and smiling. She must have known how wonderful a full night's rest can be- and how happy a rested mother is! Unfortunately, today is going to be rainy and 53 so we won't be getting too much fresh air. It doesn't matter because I slept an entire week's worth just during last night. I am good to go!

Happy Easter

Elise had a wonderful first Easter. My brother was able to visit us from Baltimore. It was wonderful to see him as Kevin hadn't seen Elise since the day after she was born. In fact, when he last saw her, he wasn't allowed to hold her because of all the IVs and her size. I'm sure it was worth the wait. The day before Easter, my parents, Jeff, Kevin and myself decorated Easter eggs. Normally, my eggs are the best (or so I think!) but with Elise strapped to me, they were less than perfect. There is always next year!



On Easter Sunday, both sets of parents and siblings attended church together. Elise got all dressed up in her blue and white corduroy duck dress (the first dress ever!). She also wore a yellow knit jacket that I wore as a baby. She looked so cute! Elise loved all the singing and new environment that she slept through most of the service but woke up for a blessing by the pastor during communion. She looks forward to more Sunday church services.




After church, our families joined us back at our home for Easter brunch. Jeff's uncle, Chris, and my uncle, Rik, joined us as well. Everyone helped by bringing a dish to share. Of course, since the Master's golf tournament was on, we watched it through the afternoon before we had to get Kevin to the Detroit airport for his flight home.















The day must have worn out Elise because she slept like a champ that night....the longest EVER! We put her down around 11pm and she didn't wake until 4:40. If only everyday was Easter Sunday!

Visiting with Daddy

Elise had her first visit to Daddy's office today to spend the lunch hour with him and to meet his staff. We arrived right as the lunch hour had begun at 12:30. It was nice to go for a drive to Bowling Green, which is about 30 minutes from our home. The sun was shining so it was a perfect day for an outing. Daddy was so happy to see us... plus he got to show Elise off. While we ate in his office, his office manager, Nikki, gave Elise a bottle. She wasn't too interested in eating with all the new people and scenery. Before too long, Elise will be spending 'take your daughter to work' days with Jeff at the office. Afterall, she'll be taking over the practice someday!

Nursery and Playtime

Even though Elise is a little over 3 months old, her nursery continues to be a work in progress. Aunt Amy painted some pink and brown canvases (we love them!) to hang over Elise's changing table. They match our circle rug. Elise noticed the addition right away! Jeff and I also ordered her a mobile to hang over her bed as she has discovered interest in brightly colored things. As for drapes or a valence, we haven't gotten that far!

I had never really intended to hang a mobile but she seems to love it! I make it a point to play with her in her crib each and everyday so she makes the association that her crib isn't a 'bad' place to be... plus the thought is that maybe one day she will be able to self-soothe herself back to sleep. While I'd like for her to take all of her naps in her bed, she has yet to approve of the idea. I sometimes give up and let her snooze in her swing (her favorite) or in my arms (but I'm trying to get a way from that!). My goal is to slowly introduce a schedule for napping and bedtime. Jeff and I have established a nighttime routine but that's all so far. Of course, she's still a bit young to have anything set in stone-- maybe by this summer we'll be good to go!

Now that Elise is getting bigger, she's much more active and energetic! Her new favorite activity is to play on her back on her play mat. She kicks and throws her arms around- hitting the musical toys as she goes. All the smiles and cooing shows that it's really a party! Maybe in another month or two, she'll be starting to reach out and grab those toys!

Evenings can still be a bit tiring at our house. Poor Jeff usually arrives home when the meltdowns begin. Elise is just blowing off steam and telling us she's getting tired. A good bath always perks her up (she loves to watch herself in the mirror while we suds her up!) and we follow it with a meal. Afterwards, she starts to get sleepy and ready for bed...at least that's the plan!