3 Months

This month we started you off with some more first experiences. You traveled down to Arizona with your Mommy, Gigi, and Poppy. It was your first time flying on an airplane and you did fantastic! You slept the whole time and woke up right as we landed. We had some much needed mother-daughter time. It was so warm down there that in the late afternoons once there was a little shade we would get in the pool! You had the most adorable swimsuits for the occasion and some sunglasses for that bright light. We could get use to that lifestyle of warmth and relaxation. We did do a little shopping, of course, while we were there. After being gone for almost a week though we were ready to come back home to see your Daddy. He missed his girls while we were away. On our flight home you fell asleep as we took off and didn't wake up until we arrived home! I couldn't believe you slept thru traveling two whole states. We will have to take more trips in the future because you are such a good girl to travel with.

You have discovered hands! You have a fascination trying to eat yours, ours, anyone's really. You started working on some tummy time this month and you continue to impress us with your strength. It didn't take you long to flip from your tummy to your back. I think in part from the weight of your head it helped. I was always hearing how babies didn't like tummy time but you love it! By 2 and a half months old you could roll from your back to your tummy. You favor turning over onto your left side to do so. And now here at 3 months you pretty much have mastered that trick! Just need a little more practice rolling the other direction.

Bath time is our favorite family time together. You love your bath! It's so much fun to see you stretch out in the nice warm water. Your legs and arms are moving like crazy and you love to splash Mom and Dad. It makes us laugh to see our girl so happy playing in the water. All that splashing does wear a girl out though and you usually go right to sleep after we get you out of the tub.

You spent your first night in your crib on September 12. I think you were the only one that got sleep because we were so nervous to have you so far away from us. Ten minutes into the night you had rolled onto your side and came unswaddled. You were able to stay in your crib until 5:30am and then I had you sleep on my chest after Daddy showered you with kisses heading off to work. Needless to say we both will need more practice getting used to having you sleep in your crib.

In the morning or after a long nap, you like to stretch out. Its so cute because you do a half stretch just like your Mommy. You may have some of Daddy's looks and grins, but you defiantly have the mannerisms of your Mommy. When you are awake you love being held so you can see everything that is going on.  If we have been sitting too long you remind us that it's time to stand and walk around. Your head is constantly looking all around, taking in all the sights and sounds.

You are happy as can be and we love playing with you. We play peek-a-boo a lot and you smile so big every time you see our faces. We talk to you frequently and we are in a battle of teaching you to say mama and dada. Only time until we see who it will be that you name first! We are so excited to see you trying so hard to talk back to us making sounds and almost mimicking our facial expressions.
You are wearing size one diapers and 3 month clothing now. It is fun having you grow so we can dress you in more of the cute clothes you have. The outfit you are wearing for your three-month picture is one of my favorites! Daddy agrees that you look good in purple.

You have done so much in 3 months! We can already tell that you are going to continue to surprise us with everything you do. We sure love our growing girl.

2 months

Aria, you are a morning person! You are mostly happy all time, and even more so first thing in the early morning. It doesn't matter how tired daddy and I are, we just love to see you all alert and full of energy. It brings smiles to our faces to see you each morning. You are tracking things with your eyes now and love to look at our faces and any lights. We can even get you to smile, make some slight giggles, coos, grunts, and even an occasional growl as you test your voice. You are changing everyday and we can see you getting stronger. When you are awake, you don't hold still very much. Legs are constantly kicking and pushing off anything close to you. One of our favorite things to do is to play with your toes. While everyone loves when a baby will grab their finger with their hands, we do it with your long toes. They are so strong and will wrap right around our fingers! It makes us laugh every time you do it. You take a pacifier some times, but when you do have it, you like it slightly sideways just covering half of one of your nostrils. Even when I try to straighten it, you move it right back. We love when you start to get sleepy because you like to cuddle up close to us even more. You will even flash half a grin at us as you fall deeper into sleep. Daddy loves to lay you on his chest. When you do, your legs tuck up underneath you like a stink bug. It's so cute seeing you two take naps together. As a family, we love taking evening walks around the neighborhood. We all have been enjoying the sunsets and summer evenings.

We had your two month checkup with the doctor. Wow have you grown! Stats this time are: 24 and 1/4 inches in height (95%), weighing 11 pounds and 13 ounces (46%), and your head circumference of 15 and 1/4 inches (48%). Dr Summerill says you are doing great and you are right on track with your development. During your exam, you were so happy and even giving smiles at Doctor and your nurse, Tiffany. After all your measurements were taken, you had a round of shots to help you stay strong and healthy. It took you a couple seconds to realize that you had been pinched but by the time you let out a good cry it was all over. You seemed to settle down pretty quickly when placed back in your Mommy's arms. We are so proud of you and how good you were! Keep growing strong, baby girl. You are mostly wearing size 3-month clothing now and size 1 diapers. You are growing even taller and are outgrowing your outfits in length, which explains your height measurement being in the 95%. You will eat about every 3 hours and will sleep longer periods of time at night.

Sunday morning, exactly two months old, we blessed you. I ponder at the phrase "we blessed you", because if I am honest, it is you that have blessed us. Our lives are totally different with you here, and we wouldn't want it any other way. We dressed you in a beautiful white dress that looks a lot like the dress your Mommy wore a few years back. To complete the look, we added some bling on your wrist and some adorable sandals we made for you. It was a perfect Sabbath day to bless you, warm and sunny.  Your Daddy gave you a beautiful blessing with your Poppy, Grandpa, Uncle Ryan, Uncle Adam, Great Uncle Cory, and Bishop Tuttle standing in the circle. You were such a good girl and listened to Daddy's voice as he delivered our Heavenly Fathers blessing just for you. Everyone said that you were just beautiful and very well behaved. Family and friends all came to support you this day and we are just truly thankful for the amount of love they have shown our family.  We love the sweet spirit you have brought into our lives and home. Our testimonies have been strengthened and our prayers answered. Aria Noelle, you are so loved and I am eternally grateful you are part of our family forever.

"For this child [we] prayed"- 1 Samuel 1:27