Addie turned four months old yesterday! It’s hard to believe how much she’s changed so far and it’s amazing to think how many changes the next year will bring. Addie’s not sure she’s ready to grow up yet…somehow I think the furrowed brow will stick around as she grows.

Check out our little duckling's fuzz!

Last night as I was getting ready for Addie’s last meal before bed, Steve was doing some tummy time with her. Suddenly he exclaimed (well, exclaimed in Steve terms, it was more like nonchalantly remarked), “Addie, you rolled over!” I almost didn’t believe it, given his calm tone. (You’d think I would’ve learned by now…)  But it was true! I raced in and saw her complete her second roll, tummy to back. Visions of childproofing danced in my head but couldn’t dampen my pride. What a big girl!

She seems pretty pleased with herself, right?

We head out in a few minutes for her four month appointment, so more stats are soon to come!

Thanks for the photos, Alice!

Addie was lounging on the dining room table recently perusing Austin Family Fun Magazine. Who says Mommy and Me classes are just for the mom to enjoy? Looks like Addie wants to start ice skating classes. Maybe next year, little munchkin.

In the past few weeks, Addie has become fascinated by books! Nothing could make her mama happier. Some of her current favorites are Gossie, You Are My I Love You, and The Belly Button Book. She stares at the pictures and sometime even points and squeals.

Her Aunt Emily read her Gossie and Gertie after a walk, and Addie even chimed in at the end. So cute!

Reading with Aunt Em from Ellen Strong on Vimeo.

…you’ll be a woman soon. Well, that might be overstating it, but Addie is growing fast. People who meet her often comment on how alert she is and how well she can hold her head up. She chats to herself and smiles all the time. She’s even started sleeping through the night. She seems like such a big girl now that she’s not a newborn anymore!

Last night, we took our big girl out for a family dinner at Zax. Addie took it all in; she is so observant these days. She held up very well for a post-bedtime outing and seemed to enjoy being passed around (and over) the table for quality time with Katie, Megan, Margot, Em, and Aunt Jeanne.

After such an eventful night out, Addie wasn’t quite ready to go to bed when we got home. Instead, she somehow managed to cajole Steve into singing to her. She chimed in at the end. Not sure why she responded to this song so enthusiastically – we’ve never played Neil Diamond for her before – but the smiles and giggles just kept coming.

Daddie and Addie Sing a Duet from Ellen Strong on Vimeo.

Addie will be two months old tomorrow and as an early birthday present, she got her very own chair!  I think she likes it.

We survived Steve’s first trip away from home! It’s hard to say who was happier to see him, but I’m guessing Casey. As he walked in the door, he stopped eating to give him lots of big smiles. Awww…

Casey has been playing on his playmat for 15-20 minutes at a stretch, as long as he’s on his back. He’s still not a fan of tummy time unless he’s laying on one of us. He loves batting at the elephant and giraffe and often makes contact (of course we think he’s gifted). He even tried to get in an elephant kiss!

Addie has been very interested in looking around lately…at lights, photos, toys, faces, and her newest visual treat, the stim-mobile! It seems to keep her interest longer than Mom’s homemade index-cards-and-Sharpie “toys”…probably not the first time she’ll prefer a commercial version to homemade.

After a relaxing morning rocking on the front porch (thanks Aunt Jeanne and Uncle Richard), Addie did some intensive work, focusing and cooing at the shapes. Don’t worry, I didn’t work her too hard. Naptime soon followed!

At six weeks old, Addie has been smiling more and more! She also likes imitating our facial expressions – she’s pretty good at sticking her tongue out – and coos all the time. She loves looking at toys, especially her My Friend Emily doll.

All this activity must be tiring her out, because last night she had her longest stretch of sleep yet – almost six hours. She definitely sleeps best when she’s in her “baby straightjacket” aka Miracle Blanket (see previous post for a visual), but the only downside is that she often grunts and squeaks throughout the night as she struggles against it. It doesn’t seem to bother her (or Steve!) so I’ll take it!

Here’s another waking up video that includes a smile! Those who are easily offended might want to mute the video.  Let’s just say after filming Addie was rushed in for a diaper change…

Sweet Relief from Ellen Strong on Vimeo.

Don’t I look ready for a good night’s sleep?