Don't Blink

I can't believe Emma Claire is already 5 months old. That is half the time I carried her in my belly! Time sure does fly. There is a song that is special to my dad and I- Kenny Chesney's "Don't Blink". And now I am beginning to understand his appreciation for that song as a parent.

Here is my little ham laughing it up while taking her 5 month picture.

I knew Emma Claire was growing up quickly, but it was really put into perspective when Chris' sister, Sandy, had her baby on August 18. When we put the two girls next to each other, I could really see how much Emma Claire has grown.

Emma Claire and Saylor. Can't you tell they are best friends already??? EC has her arm around her cousin :)

She is not this tiny little bean that fits on your chest anymore. Her newborn clothes (that I recently packed up) look so small! Life is moving so fast and we are flying by the seat of our pants, and she is growing up before we even realize what's happening!

This is my favorite picture of her from the past month. 

Emma Claire is really doing well at daycare. She is the class favorite because she is so good! There are 3 other babies in her class and when they cry she just looks at them as if she is saying, "What is wrong with you now?" She is the oldest in the class and the smallest. We went to the doctor last Friday and she now weighs 13 pounds, 4 ounces and is in the 5th percentile for weight but the 60th percentile for height at 24.5" long. She is just a petite little thing :)

Here she is with her classmates during a recent fire drill at school. They put all the babies in one crib and rolled them outside. Notice how she is the only one looking at the camera. She knows how to work it!

She is rolling over like crazy now! We can't seem to keep her on her back long enough to change her diaper or get her dressed. She is a busy body constantly kicking and squirming. I wouldn't be surprised if she walks before she crawls! She has definitely found her voice and loves to babble. She also loves to play peek-a-boo. She even tried to play it with the panda bears on her exersaucer. Here is the video:

She has been eating vegetables for a month now; her favorite is squash. We recently started giving her fruit with her cereal in the evenings. She loves fruit, just like her mommy. We have her nighttime routine down to a science now, and she knows when it is time get started! There is so much to do when we get home from work to get ready for the next day. I am so lucky to have a husband who is so helpful and involved. It is so sweet to watch them together. He treasures the time he spends with her, laughing and singing. I know how close I am to my daddy and I know she will be the same way.

Being a parent definitely has it challenges and it wears you out, but it is the most rewarding job I could ever have. I look at Emma Claire and think, "This is the child I prayed and prayed for when I was growing up. I always wanted to be a mommy and this is the child we created and God gave to me to be her mom." It is amazing! Someone recently said, "I don't understand how someone can be a parent and not believe in God." Creating a life is far too much of a miracle to understand it any other way. We have been so blessed with a healthy, happy baby for the past 5 months. She is perfect in every way and we are beyond grateful to God for our little miracle.