Ansley's first Jeep ride

Jeff's parents have an old Jeep and a bunch of beautiful land that we like to ride around on when we go visit. It's one of my absolute most favorite things to do. What made the ride special on Sunday was that a cool front had come through making the weather really feel like fall and it was Ansley's first ride. Bumping along in the pasture and the cool breeze put her to sleep in my arms.

I've also learned to sew and my creative energy has been redirected (for now). I've sewn two skirts and an adorable bandana dress for Ansley. I'll be back at it again tomorrow. I LOVE being a stay at home mommy!

Who's that cute baby in the mirror?

Ansley sat in the bathroom with me yesterday morning and found herself in the mirror. For about thirty minutes she was completely enamored with the adorable little reflection that was smiling and talking back to her. I loved it and think the photo is pretty precious. She also discovered yesterday how to blow bubbles and spit at the same time. Her cereal ended up all over my face and hair, the table, and her arms and legs. I was laughing so hard and it just encouraged her to do it more. She's trying to do it while still holding the pacifier in her mouth and gets so frustrated when the pacifier falls out.

I appliqued another onesie today. I'm loving it because it's giving me something to do, but I need to make some for other babies or that's all Ansley's going to have to wear.

My little model

Yep, it's that time again. We had another photo shoot today to model the onesie and bow I made Ansley. It's so precious, but I was sad to find that it won't fit her much longer. I guess I'll just have to make more... I seem to be obsessed with this stuff these days. I'm spending way too much time on blogs searching for new stuff to make her. My next project is a pillowcase dress. I'll let you know how that goes when I finally get to it.

By the way, the button on the bow is one from Jeff's grandmother's collection that was given to me by Aunt Sister. I also put some on the other onesie I made. I thought it was pretty special to be able to use those.

My first applique

It went so well! I'm proud of my work and I can't wait to see Ansley in the little onesies and bows. It was easy to applique the pattern, but took forever to stitch around it. I think it was well worth the time, though. And Ansley was such a big help.

Watermelon & Baptism

Tonight our church held its annual watermelon and baptism and it's always so much fun. We sing a few praise songs, Butch baptises, and then we have fellowship with watermelon. It was all outside and it actually wasn't too hot. The wind was blowing and Ansley did so well. She received a lot of complements on her big flower headband. I've had a few people stop and tell me "he is so cute," so I'm sure to always put some kind of bow on her head so people know she's a girl. We need some more, though. I'm thinking of going to Hobby Lobby tomorrow to get ribbon to make some and I'm also going to attempt applique on a onesie. I've decided that Ansley needs some clothes with her initials, so I'm going to try an A in some cute fabric. We'll see how that goes...

This is one vocal little girl

I just had to post video of Ansley screaming this morning. It's something she's been doing for about two weeks now and Jeff and I get a kick out of it. She's not unhappy, just vocal. Sometimes it seems like she's telling a story. I think we're going to be in trouble when she finally starts talking. She may never stop!

Bath time

Ansley LOVES her baths and always has. She's just started playing with toys...well, at least trying to put them in her mouth. That's where everything is going these days.

My sweet baby girl

Is it possible to love someone so much? I find myself staring at Ansley constantly, wanting to hold and cuddle her endlessly, randomly waking in the night to go check on her. My mom told me this would happen long before I had her. She said that the love you feel for your children is unlike any other, and she was right. I could have never imagined I'd feel this way and with each passing day the feeling only gets stronger. Maybe I'm hypersensitive right now because this is the first full week that I'd be at work and would be leaving Ansley's care up to someone else. I can't even imagine it. I tell Jeff constantly how thankful I am that he's willing to work so hard for us and I know that the fact we're even in this position is a blessing from the Lord. I have never been happier in all of my life. I look forward to each new day with my sweet baby girl and am so blessed to be her mommy.

Sleep update: I don't know what happened this week, but Ansley has been taking long naps in her crib. Before, she was only sleeping for 30 minutes at a time. For the past few days she's been sleeping for one to two hours. It's wonderful, but I do go check on her a million times to make sure she's okay.

I'm also very excited because I have finally joined the technological age with a new computer of my own. After turning in my MacBook at the end of school, I told Jeff that I have a hole in my heart. Just a little dramatic, I know, but I had that thing for three years and loved it. It's so much easier to manage my photos and videos of Ansley now. Plus, blogging is a breeze!

A great big smile

Ansley's personality is really coming out now. The little girl smiles so big and it just melts my heart. She wakes up smiling. And, she's now napping well in her crib. The only problem we're having now is that she wants to sleep for only 30 minutes and then thinks she's ready to get up. I'm going to get some room darkening shades next week and am hoping that will encourage her to sleep longer.

It's really hitting me now

Teachers start back in Brenham tomorrow. It's finally beginning to hit me that I'm a stay at home mom now. I would have never believed this is where I'd be in my life even just a year ago. I never anticipated staying home, but having Ansley actually in my arms changed everything. It's such an incredible blessing that I'm able to and that Jeff is willing to work so hard for us.

We went to a cousin's wedding last weekend in Bowie. Car rides with Ansley have gotten a lot more enjoyable now that I'm sitting in the backseat with her to keep her entertained. My mom bought her the most beautiful little dress to wear...I've never seen anything so cute! I've also posted a photo of her after she had some cereal. I love all of the little rolls!

More updates:
-Ansley is pushing up and completely extending her arms now. She scooted backwards today.
-She just figured out how to scream and loves hearing her voice. She screamed all through Kroger yesterday.
-Wearing size 6 months clothes now at 4 months old.

Just an update...

Oh my goodness, how just letting Ansley cry once in her bed made all the difference in the world! It's like she had to get used to the idea that she was going to sleep in her bed and Momma was not going to pick her up. It broke my heart, but was so worth it in the long run. That was one week ago and nighttime is a delight now. We're all getting more sleep. Here's what her schedule looks like now: wake up at 7:00 am and eat, nap at 9, eat at 10, nap at 12, eat at 1, nap at 3, eat at 4, cereal at 7 and bath since she has it all over her, milk after that, and finish off the night with a story and rocking. She goes to bed around 8:00 and will wake once to eat during the night and goes right back to sleep. So, that's what we do day after day. We went for a walk this morning and took Hero with us. He has to wear a choke collar since he's 150 lbs and can drag me around. I'm sure people were thinking I was crazy having that huge dog around my baby. He looks pretty mean with the collar. But he's the sweetest dog I've ever met. And Ansley loved watching him walk in front of her the whole trip. We felt very protected.

Other news: Ansley's now rolling over to sleep on her tummy. She has started lifting her chest off the floor and as soon as she figures out her arms, she's gonna be crawling. I don't think it will be long before she's sitting up on her own either. She is the most inquisitive baby I've ever seen. She watches everything that goes on around her and will wrinkle her brow in concentration. Something else that I just love is how if there is a loud noise and Ansley is startled, she will open her eyes up really big and stare at me as if to ask, "What was that?" I've been talking to her a lot and teaching her to cook. I'll sit her in the Bumbo in the kitchen while I'm making dinner and explain to her what I'm doing. She seems to love it. We've also been singing and dancing a lot together. It's usually Bob Marley, but tonight it was Elvis. What a blessing it is to be able to stay home with my daughter! I'm so thankful that Jeff works so hard for us and finds it as important as I do.