Happy 4 Months, Bethany!!

 I cannot believe that our beautiful baby girl is four months old today. A tiny little munchkin, she is 10lbs 2oz of pure sweetness and such a lightweight that she doesn't yet appear on the growth charts. The doctors tell us not to worry, however, because she is "just being her own person". Terrible reflux has been the cause of MANY screaming fits, especially earlier on for her. However, with the correct medicine to soothe her upset tummy, Bethany is an absolute delight. Her smile is almost constant. During the mornings I watch another 8 week old baby boy named Nash. Bethany is so good and wiggles on the floor by herself all morning and bats her toys around, while Nash demands to be held constantly. On the occasions when I have to set him down to attend to something else, Nash will scream next to Bethany and she will just turn her head and watch him calmly with a look like, "What's HIS problem?" I am so grateful that she is turning into such an easy baby, just like her big brother was. I honestly believe that Heavenly Father knew we would go through hell getting our children here, so he sent us angels to make up for it.

Sometimes when I am working at night in the basement, teaching online ESL classes, she will get a bit fussy for her daddy. Now that I am home during the day both children have become a little more particular about having their mom around. We are making the adjustment, however, and once she goes down for the night she generally only wakes up twice to eat and falls back to sleep quite easily on her own. Although getting her to sleep at the beginning of the night can still sometimes be difficult (and ear-splitting), I can put her back to bed in the middle of the night with her eyes wide open and alert. Once I leave her room I usually only hear a whimper or two (if that) before she is sleeping again.

I realize that I'm biased, but I've never seen a porcelain doll that could compare with how beautiful my baby girl is. Of course, to be honest, I haven't spent much time looking at porcelain dolls.

She still has her dark blue/steele colored eyes. I wonder if they will start to change soon the way Emmett's did.

A few things still bring Bethany to tears: reflux, an empty tummy, a messy diaper, exhaustion/sleep deprivation (never ignore a yawn!) and the dreaded TUMMY TIME. I empathize. I don't like to exercise much either.

This picture was taken on her changing table. We call it her "happy spot". No matter how upset she is, once you place her on the changing table, she is all smiles again.

Yes, she is actually smiling in her sleep here. It makes me giggle every time I look at this picture!

Happy four months, little Bethany! Having you in our family is a privilege and a blessing! We love you!