watch out Elaine

Jonathan captured some Ella dancing today. Not sure those ballet lessons are paying off just yet!

stardust

"Babies are bits of stardust, blown from the hand of God."
-- Barretto

{thanks to Anita for beautiful pictures once again!}

one month of milla

This is Milla today, post one month visit and the mild to moderate trauma of a heel prick. She did not offer to or enjoy sharing her blood. She also did not appreciate the extended period of the nurse squeezing her heel to get enough blood for the PKU screening, thankyouverymuch. But she made it through and then enjoyed a little swing time once back at home. And as she smiled at me I realized that, while I am sad that her first month has gone too quickly, there is so much to look forward to - including many more sweet smiles!

She now weighs 11 pounds, 1 ounce and has grown an inch in length and in head circumference. Yikes, she's a big one! When we left the hospital, Milla had lost down to 8 pounds, 9 ounces. At 13 days I took her in for a weight check and she weighed 9 pounds, 4 ounces (2 ounces shy of her birth weight). And look at her now - 2.5 pounds bigger than when we brought her home! That's my girl.

Isn't God's provision through a momma's body amazing? I found myself feeling proud of her weight gain - it's very satisfying to know that I have nourished Milla well. But I realize it's not by my power but by God's plan. What a blessing to be able to give to her and grow her in this way!

“With his small head pillowed against your breast and your milk warming his insides, your baby knows a special closeness to you. He is gaining a firm foundation in an important area of life—he is learning about love.”

The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding, originally published by La Leche League in 1958

"A newborn baby has only three demands. They are warmth in the arms of its mother, food from her breasts, and security in the knowledge of her presence. Breastfeeding satisfies all three." ~Grantly Dick-Read

"Breastfeeding is an unsentimental metaphor for how love works, in a way. You don't decide how much and how deeply to love - you respond to the beloved, and give with joy exactly as much as they want." ~Marni Jackson

I did not nurse my sweet Elijah. I honestly had no desire. But a strange thing happened. Of course my milk came in and I worked hard to dry it up. The moment I realized it was all gone, I was so sad, which was surprising to me. But in the back of my mind I knew that I'd give nursing a try with my next newborn. I'm so glad I did. I have very happily nursed Miles {through five bouts of mastitis and all over UAB Hospital, learning to nurse discreetly in public out of necessity when Dad was sick}, Ella {with thankfully no mastitis and almost to my goal of one year} and now little Milla. I don't pretend to think that nursing is right for every woman {I know some women want to and try and can't and others just don't want to}, but I do think it's benefits cannot be argued. God's plans are always good. He made me to be able to nurse my babies and I'm happy to partner with Him in this way.

Enjoy these pictures from Milla's first month:
Happy 1 month, my sweet baby girl. You quickly captured our hearts. Ella says you are her baby but that I take care of you. Miles kisses you frequently. Elijah calls you the cutest and best baby in the world. Daddy is quite smitten. And I'm pretty much wrapped around your finger. We are so happy you're here!

preschool begins

Last week Miles and Ella began another year of preschool {Miles' last!}.

With a very proud big brother {with a smile that looks just like my dad}.

There they go.

adorable

as requested...

here are a couple of recent pictures of Milla. {Ok, so only one request for a new picture, but that counts to me!} They could be titled "sweet, sleepy, swaddled" and "humoring momma but impatient and about to lose it because I'm hungry." Enjoy!

Maybe soon we can catch a picture of one of her sweet smiles. She's giving them out a little more frequently each day. There's nothing sweeter.