Counting My Blessings

1.  A glowing report from Leila's 4 month check-up.  She's healthy and happy and beautiful!  Leila now weighs 11 lbs 4oz and is 24 inches long.  I checked Liberty's baby book, and Leila is smaller than Libbs was at 4 months by a couple pounds and one inch.  I guess Puny, the nickname Jonathan gave Leila in the womb, is a good pick!  

2.  A good visit with my friend Angela J.  She came over with her two kids today (Arianna & Santino).  We had planned to work on some crafts while the kids played, but it just didn't work out!  We did have a great time just talking and hanging out, though.

3.  My sweet Liberty.  She has recently been asking if we are ok if we trip, stub a toe, cry, etc.  It's so cute...she'll say, "Daddy, you otay?  you awight?"  How precious! 

4.  Extra time to sleep this morning...thanks to my hubby for getting up with Liberty!

5.  Two good nights in a row with the girls.  Jonathan has been working some evenings and doing his Primerica training, so that leaves me with the girls on my own for the evening and bed time.  I was a little nervous about it because I'm so used to having Jonathan's help, but to my delight the girls have been great!

6.  Reading with my hubby.  Since we've been married (Jonathan actually started this while we were dating) we always read to each other before bed time.  Jonathan picks out a book of his choice to read to me, and I pick out something I like to read to him.  I absolutely love this time with my hubby.  After Leila was born we set the reading time aside getting used to another baby and just being so tired.  Recently we finally started reading to each other again...HOORAY!!

7.  Despite the fact our finances are crazy due to hardly any hours at K-mart and no other jobs coming up for Jonathan at the moment, I have been surprisingly more at peace that I thought I would be.  Of course I have days when I worry and wonder and question, but it seems those days are less than days where I don't let it overwhelm me.  I know this is definitely a God thing.  I'm so thankful for His peace and comfort during this crazy time.  We definitely couldn't make it through this without our Jesus. 

8.  Going along with #7, I have to say I am so thankful for my hubby...and I am thankful that we are not letting our circumstances get in the way of our relationship.  I know a lot of couples let these kinds of things push them apart.  I truly feel that the things we are going through are bringing us closer together. 

9.  A nice visit with my cousin Joe and his wife Laura (who I've been friends with since elementary).

10.  And the rest of my blessings can be seen in the pictures below :)  I particularly love the pics of Liberty "helping" me cook.

 

On a Roll

Today Leila rolled over from her tummy to her back!  She's not a pro at it yet by any means, but it's an exciting new accomplishment!  She also laughed a ton today at Liberty and Daddy!  Oh how I love the sound of that laughter! 

Counting My Blessings

1.  Cuddle time with my Libbs.  Liberty has never been one to sit still and cuddle with anyone until recently.  I am savoring the moments when she wants to sit on my lap and cuddle.  

2.  Our cute chatterbox, Leila.  She has definitely found her voice!  She "chatters" on and on throughout the day, smiling as she coos.  I love her little voice!

3.  Sisterly love.  I love to see Liberty get excited when she sees Leila.  She runs over to give her kisses and to play with her.  So precious!  And Leila's face just lights up whenever she sees her big sister.

4.  A very nice visit with one of my best friends, Angela R.  She came up yesterday for the day.  It was so nice to catch up in person.  We always have a good time together.  We were even able to sneak away to the mall for a bit while Jonathan watched the girls.  

5.  My husband.  We celebrated our 4 year wedding anniversary this past week.  A lot has happened in those 4 years (big moves, babies, job changes, spiritual growth, etc), and I can honestly say that I love Jonathan so much more today than the day we got married.  I am so thankful God has blessed me with such a great man. 

6.  Yummy cheesecake.  Jonathan loves cheesecake, so I got a recipe from his sister, Sarah, for Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake to make for our anniversary.  Despite forgetting to add the vanilla, the cheesecake turned out great!  Thanks for the recipe, Sarah!

7.  Bedtime.  There are days I so look forward to bed time with the girls.  Today is one of those days.  I love my daughters so much...but some nights it's so nice to close the door to the bedroom and go into the calm & quiet living room and just breathe.  Ahhh...

8.  Reading books.  Liberty is finally letting us read to her an entire book.  Usually she will beg us to read a book to her, but then flips quickly through the pages before you can read two words.  Now she actually wants to sit through the entire book..sometimes more than once!  There are two she really like us to read to her.  One is a favorite of mine, and the other is a favorite of Jonathan's.  How sweet!

Leila @ 4 Months

Today Leila is 4 months old.  I cannot believe that 4 months have passed since her birth!  She is such a sweet, laid back baby.  She is so happy...smiling all day long.  Here are some pictures I took of her today.  I took a lot...she's just so cute I can't help it!

 

Counting My Blessings

 

1.  A nice evening with my husband.  Yesterday was my mom's birthday, and after celebrating she went up to Frankenmuth to stay over with her friend.  It was nice to put the girls to bed and have the evening completely to ourselves.  At home dates can be just as fun as a night out.

2.  Liberty's new favorite thing...holding her sister.  She'll come up to me and say "holllll."  She likes to take Leila in her arms and "carry" her around the living room (with Mama's help, of course).  Too cute!

3.  Leila's fascination with her big sister.  Leila watches everything Liberty does with wide-eyed wonder.

4.  A job opportunity for Jonathan.  He is joining up with a financial services group called Primerica.  Jonathan will be starting his training on the 15th.  He has to get licensed to provide some of the services they offer.  Please keep him your prayers!  He still needs to find another job to help us get through the start up time with Primerica, so please be praying about that as well.  We are really excited about this opportunity.

5.  Music.  I'm particularly thinking about Liberty in this blessing.  She has a great love for music...especially dancing to it!  All throughout the day she will point at the stereo and ask to dance.  The girl LOVES to dance!  And she loves it when we dance with her.  It's nice to put aside the demands of the day and dance away with our little girl.

6.  An impromptu visit from my Dad this morning.  Liberty was standing at the door expectantly and I was asking her what she was waiting for when suddenly there was a knock!  She must have heard Poppo pull in the driveway.  She was so excited to see her Poppo.  The rest of us enjoyed the visit as well :).

7.  Extra sleep.  Lately the girls have been waking up earlier than they used to.  Last night as Jonathan and I were headed to bed, we were talking about how nice it would be if the girl would sleep in a bit....and they did!  Leila started stirring about 8am, and Libbs and Daddy slept until 8:30am!  How refreshing that little bit of extra sleep can be!

8.  Meeting a possible new friend.  Liberty has been sick this week, so I had to take her to the doctor on Thursday.  In the waiting room there was another mom with a 15-month-old daughter.  Liberty and Alexys had a good time playing while waiting to see the doctor, and I had a nice time chatting with Charity, the mom.  Before we got called back, Charity and I exchanged numbers to set up a playdate. :)

**Liberty is feeling better...she had a bad cold and sinus infection and a cold in her eyes.  

9.  Saturdays.  Saturdays are nice because it is when Jonathan can call and connect with his family back in California.  I'm thankful my mom lets us use her extra cell phone to do things like this.  I'm glad Jonathan is able to talk with his family every week, and it's good to hear how everything is going back there.

10.  Finishing projects.  I am slowly but surely finishing up craft projects.  I just finished making my first dish rag.  I made a mistake on one corner...but it's going to be used to washed dishes, so no big deal! (at least that's what I try to tell myself!!).  I'm also halfway finished with my father-in-law's Christmas gift...YEA!  Once that is finished I will be all  caught up on Christmas.  I can't wait to start the new projects floating around in my head.

And of course I have to throw in a few extra pictures!