Chattanooga, TN

We decided to take a mini getaway to Chattanooga, TN.

Matt has been so busy with work and we don't see it slowing down anytime soon, which is great, but we needed a little bit of family time.

This time we decided to go to the Aquarium and Ruby Falls.

Ophelia was such a trooper.

I was a little nervous because she seems to be a little bit fussier than Madelyn was (or from what I can remember). She was such a snuggle bug and I wouldn't have had it any other way.

She took her first dip in the pool- which she loved

and first carousel ride.

Madelyn enjoyed running around in the park and walking through the tunnels of Ruby Falls.

I loved the Jellyfish. I could have watched them for hours.

5 months old

Ophelia.

Your personality is really starting to show. You are very demanding.

You are a screamer. I believe you are going to have a big personality. We have to plan very accordingly because you LOVE your sleep and NEED your sleep.
We attempted to transition you into your crib to sleep because you have started to try to do tricks in your rock and play. We failed miserably. We will just keep you happily in it and just buckle you up. You are getting too big!
You are a face eater/attacker. You still love your fingers and toes. Your paci is your best friend. You are a momma's girl! Luckily when daddy walks in the door you are all smiles for him though. You are starting to have a little bit of a more predictable schedule during the day. You are not doing as well at night anymore. You usually wake up more frequently to nurse. And you are poopy ALL the time!! I'm assuming you are going through a growth spurt or something. You are finally liking the car again. You will ride pretty happily in your car seat.

Ezra and Ophelia (cousins- almost 4 months apart)

 Time to buckle her up!

4 month check up

Height: 24 inches (23%)

Weight:  12.4 pounds (11%)

Doc said you are growing just fine.  We didn't really have any concerns other than checking on your strawberry mark on your arm and new dry patches on your head.  The strawberry mark is of no concern and will most likely go away on its own.  The dry patches on your head are eczema which he told us to put a dab of hydrocortisone on.

Snow

Well... more like ice.

This was Ophelia's first snow.

Madelyn got out and played in it for a little bit, but it was mostly just ice.  We couldn't build anything. Just trample around in it really. Next year we will at least get a sled. I think she would enjoy that.

Four Months

Ophelia Ryan.

You are beginning to nuzzle & snuggle me on your own.  

You are so smiley and have begun to laugh. I think you are going to be difficult like your sister was though with getting you to laugh. It has only happened a few times and it has just been little chuckles. You love grabbing onto things whether it be my shirt, a finger, a toy or a blankie.You also love your feet and your fingers.

You have really shown signs of knowing mommy and daddy by fussing when someone else holds you if we are nearby. You can roll from back to tummy and tummy to back.

You love your sister!

You stare at her. Smile at her. And I just know you are going to be her little shadow as soon as you are mobile. You drool on everything! Your shirt is constantly wet. We are going to have to start using bibs!

Sleep: You go to bed around 6:30 p.m.

You usually sleep a good 5-7 hour stretch. Wake for a diaper change and to be nursed.

Then sleep for another 3-4 hour stretch.  Wake for a diaper change and to be nursed.

Then sleep the last 2-3 hour stretch to be awake around 7:00 a.m.

Naps on the other hand are more of a challenge.

I have started nursing you a little before naps which has helped a lot! You like your face to be covered with a blankie. You have begun to hum yourself to sleep (cutest think ever!) You nap about 4 times throughout the day. One of them usually while I wear you. You love to be worn! If ever you are grumpy I can rely on putting on the carrier and just wearing you.

Ophelia and Ezra (cousins- almost 4 months apart)

Three Months

Ophelia.
You are three months old.
You are beginning to show much more personality and definitely don't mind letting us know what's up. You've got a good set of lungs. You give the gummiest smiles now on a frequent basis. We get the sweetest coos from you and your favorite thing right now is making bubbles and blowing raspberries.  You are still a pretty great tooter and you definitely don't like the car. Your sister still adores you, but she cannot wait until you are mobile.
This was a big month for you.
We decided to try having you sleep in your own room for the night.  All I can say is you are a rockstar sleeper at night. You sleep 6+ hours in a row sleeping in your own room.
You've been loosing all of your jet black hair! It is coming in brown now.  

Two Months

Ophelia.

You are two months old.

You are such a good little sleeper at night. I still wake up several times to nurse you, but you fall right back to sleep. You like napping best in the dark. White noise. Swaddled. Paci. And usually something covering your face. Can you tell you need a lot of soothing? You are sweet as can be, but definitely don't mind letting us know when something is wrong. You are a tooter. Sometimes I can't believe the noise that comes out of you. You are starting to not be a very good car rider.  You have begun to give the gummiest smiles and it melts my heart.