Months 3 and 4

Four months went by way too fast--it really is true what they say about blinking and missing it. Eliana has changed so much in the last few months. It feels like I just updated this... but, wow... that was 2 months ago. So I'll catch up:

Eliana at Three Months:

Smiles and more smiles! Eliana is such a happy and content little girl. We didn't have a three-month physical, so no new height/weight stats.

Eliana loves sitting in her infant rocker and batting at the toys that hang in front of her. She can even grab and hold on to them!

We pulled out the Bumbo seat and Eliana is practicing sitting up like a big girl. Eliana is finding her voice too. She coos and grins. It makes me melt every time.

Eliana watched her first Packers game--a win. Their season is off to a good start! I went back to teaching part-time, which means Eliana gets to go to the nursery at church for a few hours on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday. She spends Tuesdays with "Grandma" Brenda, the other pastor's wife, and Fridays with Daddy. Leaving her was extremely hard at first. And I don't think it will get any easier for a while.

Eliana at Four Months:

12 pounds, 9 ounce and 25 inches long puts her in the 50th percentile for height and the 5th percentile for weight. She's a string bean! This past month, Eliana has become very interested in her hands. She sucks on her thumb and chews on any finger she can. She's noticing her feet too. Blowing raspberries is one of her favorite things to do. She lights up with smiles when Mommy and Daddy blow 'em back. 

We took a trip to northern Michigan for the Pastor's Conference and finished the journey around Lake Michigan to visit Matt's family. Eliana got to meet her great-grandparents on Matt's side for the first time.

We enjoyed visiting with Grandma and Grandpa Baye, Aunt Annie, Uncle Kaanan, and Aunt Becca too.

 We also made a quick stop in Columbus to visit the Jacobs--and we were SURPRISED that Grandma Tindall, Aunt Lora, the other Matt, and Boo-dog came to visit us while we were there too. Eliana pulled out some tricks for Grandma Tindall and rolled over from her back to her tummy--three times in a row! We loved all the family time we got that week--and leaving was hard, as always.

Other happenings...
Matt and I dressed up as Prince Eric and Ariel for the church's Fall Fun Fair. (I wish I could say I enjoyed it, but being away from my baby for 5 hours for the first time wasn't exactly fun... )

We are continuing the call process at church as we seek a Senior Pastor to replace Pastor Kasper. In the meanwhile, Matt stays VERY busy. He is preaching more often and seems to have meetings or some other church commitment at least 4 nights every week.

Teaching is going well for me. I'm trying to stay ahead with my lesson plans and on top of my grading. I'm either balancing Eliana on my lap or cramming in as much as I can while she naps... I can't imagine teaching full time. Kudos to those moms who find that balance and make it work for them.

Oh, and how 'bout them Cardinals? Matt thinks it is great that in the year Eliana was born his football team and my baseball team have had championship seasons. Eliana has good teams to cheer for!