1 month already!

Can someone please slow down time?  I'd really appreciate it

It's so funny how you want just the opposite that last month of being pregnant, and then they're here and grown up in a flash.  Why was I always so anxious with the others to get to that next development stage, so excited for them to grow?  I almost fear I didn't cherish their little-ness nearly like I should have and I'm trying my best to hold onto Ella's.  

The first 2 weeks she was just a perfect baby, never fussy really, easily soothed.  She still is so wonderful, but does deal with some colic for 2-4 hours every evening before bed.  It's challenging, especially when Jer travels (he's gone for 10 days currently), but we do our best and then I get to enjoy her at night since knock on wood she sleeps well.  She's gaining weight well, has plenty of rolls but I don't think she's fat per say.  I love to rub her legs and the extra skin she has on her back near her neck.  She's getting strong too, been trying to stand on her legs for the last few weeks.  She tries to control her neck, looking around at everything, thankfully she does still rest on my shoulder and snuggle sometimes  :)  She does well watching things, but isn't tracking yet.  She's really so great, and we have all enjoyed her so much.  I have enjoyed watching the kids interact with her and care for her in word and deed more than I knew I could.

Enjoy some photos of her over the last month, in chronological order

You'll notice lots of night pictures.  Dim lighting, wrapped in her  yummy bamboo muslin swaddle blankets.
I've really cherished her night feedings, just such peaceful quiet time

Probably the first time and one of only a handful of times I've put a bow on her.
So funny that with Kait I bought so many bows and used them all the time, I just haven't with Ella.
Maybe I'm still more surprised than I thought we had a girl and not a boy.  I'm perfectly happy with my little girl though

We've had such lovely 60 degree weather the last few weeks
Ella's first time walking the kids home from school.  Yes I'm running out of room in the trailer, but luckily
Mckayla and Talmage don't seem to mind walking the whole time too much

Lest I forget I have other adorable kids, I love them all!

Another trip outside.  This time we walked along the Jordan River Trail to a park and had a picnic.
I have to say it is nice having a baby while not having a toddler,
they can all just play together and do their thing while I attend to Ella

Enjoying her infant sling in the Chariot

Another 'I'm cherishing nursing' pic.  Maybe a  little much for some people, but I don't care, this pic just really is everything I love about nursing a newborn: being able to hold most of them, their soft squishy little skin to stroke, a little hand on my breast, just being able to look down at this baby I'm cradling, feeding and soothing.

He sure does love his sister.
He may have been not so sure when she was born, but he's so good with her every day since.

It's funny though that I have so many pics of he and Kaitlyn holding her but not of Mckayla.
She is such an amazing little mother, seriously.  She can handle Ella crying and fussy and not want to hand her back but wants and does soothe and calm her, changes her positions, walks with her, sings and talks and shhh's her.
Maybe I don't have any pics of them together because I hurry to get something done while Mckayla has her  :)

Yeah, I think Kait is having more fun too :)

Today was the first morning I woke up asleep with Ella on the couch from a feeding, normally I stay awake fine and put her back in her crib.  But it was really sweet waking up with her today on her 1 month birthday with the sun finally coming in the windows.  I love her so much and have enjoyed her more than I thought I would.

And I finally caught a little smile on camera.  Happy 1  month little Ella, please don't grow too fast