Steve and Jenny Valentine

FOUR MONTHS: Not a fan of tummy time Finding her voice and enjoys hearing herself make noises Responds to her name Smiles and coos when you say "I love you" Beginning to grab at toys STATS: 11 lbs 7.5 oz (for the win of littlest baby at 4 months that we've had!) 23.75 inches long I'll let the pictures do the rest of the talking :) I came home from being out and she had been giving daddy fits, finally falling asleep on him. Cutest thing ever! still wanted to be swaddled, but began getting out of the swaddle. We were able to have her not swaddled at bedtime during month four. And when she gets enough rest, yes she does wake up like this! first father's day with Olivia in the bunch and all smiles! she could sit like this if we propped her against the arm of the couch and apparently happy about it! sitting with assistance enjoying the play yard and hitting the toys The day she turned four months old... ...

Olivia turned three months old a couple weeks back. As I sat and nursed her the other night I thought about how she is a quarter of a year old already.  Wow...we have survived a quarter of a year with three kiddos.  OK, it's been a joyful (and hard) three months! For our family, Steve and I have agreed that the transition to three children was a lot more challenging then the transition to two children.  And here is what I would say to anyone reading this who may have not heard me say it already in person...every family's experience IS different!  I had people tell me going to three was easier, but most said it was harder.  However, I chose to believe the few that said it was easier and was quite shocked after Olivia was born and found myself in such a struggle as to figure out how to manage this beautiful (yet full) household of little blessings! Our littlest girly, Via (as Isaac so affectionately calls her!), is learning new things... She sucks fiercely on ...

As I begin to emerge from the fog that has been our lives over the first month, I can't help but be in a continual state of thankfulness.  Thankful for the gift of life, little Olivia's specifically.  Thankful for the gift of children the Lord has entrusted us with.  Thankful for the MANY people who have served us by bringing meals (literally we only had to cook a couple of times during the first month!). Thankful for my mom who served and cared for us all. Thankful that in the midst of tiredness, we are finding much joy.  Thankful for so many thoughtful gifts given. Thankful for encouraging reminders of God's love and grace toward us. Just THANKFUL! Olivia is the typical newborn. She sleeps, eats, well you know!  She likes to be near mama, doesn't mind the VERY loud sounds her brother and sister create (in fact sleeps right through it amazingly!), beginning to hold her head up and has very strong arms and legs (which makes diaper changes a bit challeng...