Four Months
Dear Sweet Anna-girl,
It's been just a little over four months since you made your way into this world.
Here are some of the things about you at four months:
- You are wearing mainly 6 to 12 month clothes.
- You want to be standing or sitting/being held facing out almost exclusively.
- You are very, very happy when you wake up in the morning. You seem just overall tickled to be awake and to see your people staring down at you.
- You are not so happy when it's bedtime. Lately you have been especially grumpy.
- You drool constantly and can just about fit your own whole fist in your mouth. I keep checking for teeth but haven't seen or felt any yet.
- You have started grasping and grabbing at things in front of you. It is so cool to see you use those muscles and work on getting your brain to move your arms and hands.
- You love, love, love to take baths and be in the water. If you are grumpy or fussy a bath seems to really help you out of that mood (at least while you are in the tub).
- You rolled over twice last month and have not done it again since then.
- You went on your first airplane ride to visit some friends and did great on three of the four flights. The last leg was the toughest. You were tired. I was tired. We both just wanted to get home.
- You are just so fun. Love having you around.
You have made each of our lives brighter since making your appearance.
I admit that we were a bit nervous at first with such a big change, but you have made it so
easy. You are a wonderful companion on this journey. Life with four in our family is really, really good.
We love you so much and are so thankful you are a part of our lives.
SUPPLIES : Bazzill Basics White Cardstock; American Crafts Little Bo Peep Dot Patterned Paper; American Crafts Pat-A-Cake Text Patterned Paper; Narratives Chipboard Letter A; K&Company Cut N Paste Word Strips & Circles; Heidi Swapp Yellow Felt Flower; Kaiser Pearl; Pink & Yellow thread
Tonight, as I capture these thoughts about Anna, I have these words from Mary Oliver running through my mind:
Tell me, what is it you plan to do
With your one wild and precious life?
It's a favorite phrase, from a favorite poem, one that makes it's way often into my thoughts. One life. One precious life. It makes me take stock and re-evaluate. It makes me want to make some changes and make sure I get to the heart of the matter during my time here on earth.
It also makes me think of another favorite quote from Steve Jobs:
Your time is limited, don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma, which is living the result of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of other's opinion drowned out your own inner voice. Most imporant, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition, they somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.
My one wild and precious life. Time to go live it.
Ali- I loved the poems in your post today! :) I also love your pics of Ms. Anna. :) Your pages were wonderful also. I love your clean way of scrapping, very pure! :)
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Bravo, Ali! I loved reading your words to Anna and seeing the pictures. She is just precious! I love the Steve Jobs quote; that's from his Stanford speech, right?
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That is one beautiful LO - I love your thoughts. AND, I have been searching for words to use on a page in a secret journal I share with my 12 year old who's been having a tough time with things others say thoughtlessly. This is PERFECT! Thank you :).
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Beautiful. . .your words, your photos, your daughter. Thank you for sharing your world.
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She is pretty cute - looking so much like you!! Is Simon done school now??
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She is such a gorgeous girl, Ali... I can't wait for the days when we get a glimpse of your baby girl... you have two very beautiful children :) Lucky you!
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What a sweet sweet girl!
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beautiful lo. very inspiring.
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Today was his last day :). All done with first grade.
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What a lovely post! The layout is great (of course...) - I love to see your girly layouts! :) And thank you so much for the quotes - they are so precious.
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Thanks so much for sharing the photos of Ana. It's fun to peek in on your journey. Also, thank you for the two quotes at the end of your post--love them.
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Oh Happy Day!
Ali, you are just simply amazing, what beautiful pages, beautiful precious memories for Anna; and so pretty even though you strive to keep the pages simple and let the photos and your words tell the story. I love the last one, and the plane ride photo - enjoy every single moment, thank you for sharing your family, you made me smile yet again :)
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I just found your blog around the time Anna was born. It has been uncanny how similiar we are especially your last few postings. I constantly chuckle reading your posts as I remember the same thoughts, feelings, and experiences (I am 41). Our daugthers, although 10 years apart seem to be two peas in a pod so look out. My Ryann is a hand full of personality- very strong personality. She too always had to be upright as a baby. She prefered to be held in a standing position. She wakes up happy to this day. She is a complete delight and my biggest headache at the same time.
As for the drooling- all babies have an increase in drooling around 4 months and it is not related to teething. Just a stage.
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That's only my favoritest of poems. So much so that I made it my blog title and now even some of my real life friends will refer to me as wild and precious.
Thank you for all the inspiration that your blog provides. I wish I could be you when I grow up!
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Thanks for sharing Anna with us.
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Thank you for loving her so much.
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Gosh, she is sweet. What a lucky little baby (and Simon too, of course) to have you recording all of this for her :)
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The perfect color for baby girl..it's peaceful too...
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Simply amazing, Ali. I love the pictures of Anna. I love the thoughts you have captured about her at this time. And I love the quote you shared. It is a great time for us all to really focus on what matters most.
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Lovely thoughts about your daughter, congrats on her 4 months! It's great to see how they begin to roll, to grab things, to "talk"... I love that!
Thanks for the quotes, they moved me!
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Oh my goodness, could she be any cuter?!
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Your little Anna is so beautiful and your post brought a tear to my eyes. Her layout is so lovely too! Thanks for sharing, Ali!
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Precious Beautiful Sweet Anna!
Thanks for sharing!
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Hi Ali, your Anna is a princess!! Its so special to read what someone is going through and be able to relate... I have a 1 1/2 month old and it is just amazing to watch them grow day by day... I love how you share that part of your life so freely, and lovingly, and hope that some day, I can do the same for my daughters. I'm a little bit scared of scrapbook (LOL, I have tons of supplies), but Im sure once I start, Ill never stop!!! Your page is of great inspiration, and its giving me the courage to start... I just have to print some photos and go for it, right?
Anyway... thank you very much for sharing like you do, you are an inspiration as a woman and as a mom. Take care, and God bless you and your beautiful family.
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Hi, Ali and Anna!
I have missed so much. I had to have back surgery and spent a couple of months in the hospital and rehab center so I am way behind on the scrapping world. Also, in the process, my husband and mother managed to pack us up and move us WAY out into the country on 5 acres. So in between learning to walk again and unpacking, I have had no computer time or scrapping time. I just got satellite internet service and the first thing I did was head to your blog! I thought about you often when I was in rehab and wondered about Anna's arrival and name. She is so precious! It's early yet, but she appears to look a lot like you, where Simon looks so much like Chris. I can't wait to learn more about what all you have been up to creatively and need to update my CK subscription and find website. I am completely unused to the satellite internet where I was spoiled by hi-speed cable before. In case you have forgotten me, I was the Close to My Heart consultant that tried to start a business called Butterfly Kisses and advertised on your blog. Between the economy and my health though, that project has gone nowhere. I am looking forward to catching up with your news, as well as what is going on in the scrapping world.
Hugs and welcome to our world little Anna!
Angi
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