Our Little Lucky Charm

While I am gathering pictures for Ella's 6 month post, I wanted to share some fun ones from St. Patrick's Day. When trying to take some pictures of her in her festive green outfit full of shamrocks, Jackson decided he'd like to get in on the shoot. They were quite the models!

We had fun walking around the Dublin St. Patrick's Day Festival with Stevie, George, Mrs. B, Mom, and Auntie Birdie. Our little Irish baby tried out her new sunhat and sunscreen for a really beautiful March day. She takes after her father in the skin department :)

"I love you, Jackson"

"I love you, too, Ella"

<Insert loud squeal here> Haha!

Our Giggling Girl

Our Ella is 5 months old-- and a little over a week. It's amazing to us how fast it's going. As much as it makes me sad that she's getting big so quickly, she has become so much fun! Don't get me wrong. She made us so happy before, too. But now she's so full of smiles when you walk into the room, she snuggles into you when you're holding her, and best of all, she giggles like crazy when you tickle her or kiss her neck. She follows us with her eyes so carefully now (including Jackson), and knows how to cry to get our attention (yikes). Everything goes into her mouth as she explores all that's around her. You can watch her taking it all in, all of the time. It's so awesome to see her learning and doing new things every day/week. Recently she's found that she loves the taste of her own toes, which is hysterical and impressive, and she's on the brink of fully rolling over. Lots of rocking, lying on her side, scooting around the crib... Just today, when Ella shoved my finger in her mouth, I noticed a funny texture on her bottom gums... Yep! Ella cut her first tooth :) 

Toes... yum!

Between January 17th and 30th, three of my great girlfriends had babies! Welcome to the world Anna Sofia Hill (1/17), Dylan Michael Rein (1/28), and Lucas Charles Hugo Janin (1/30)! Ella is so happy her friends are here, happy, and healthy. Great job, new parents :) We are so excited for you.

Babies pictured below in birth order. Apparently I like to wear my black cardigan when I meet babies. haha

Breakfast with the Fahey Fam
Kendal, Original Baby, and Ella

Papa's Quick Visit in February

Mom's 29!

Best Friends

More Fun with Andy

Bath Time!

We spent Valentine's Day/Presidents' Day Weekend in sunny San Diego, visiting our Garber family and the newly expanded Rein family. We got to meet Dylan Michael, Kristen and Kurt's beautiful new baby boy, as well as spend time with Rick and Marie, Jeff and Erin, Grandma Barbi, and Jeanette, Mark, and Melissa Mulvaney! It was a wonderful weekend; family photos coming soon!

Sending you kisses this Valentine's Day!

Our Little Valentine

First Flight
To San Diego we go!

Kristen, Kurt, and Baby Dylan. We love this family!

Auntie Kristen & Ella

Uncle Kurt & Ella

Love at First Snuggle

Oh, how times have changed...

Best Friends, Beautiful Babies

one, two, THREE, FOUR

Miss Ella is growing and changing every week, and she hasn't stopped amazing us-- or getting cuter :). Since turning 4 months a little over a week ago, she's lifting her head up high when on her tummy, rocking when lying on her back, sitting in her Bumbo and jumper, popping her pacifier back in, and starting to giggle (though not on demand unfortunately). It's getting more fun as time goes on, which is good because I find myself sad she's getting big so fast. Where's my little newborn baby?


4 Month Stats
Weight: 14 lbs. 13 oz., ~60th percentile
Height: 24 1/2 in., ~50th percentile
Head Circumference: ~90th percentile
Likes: mornings, the taste of her hands, anything that can go in her mouth, her stuffed Goofy, pacifiers, rattles, music, her play gym, Jackson, the sound of her own voice (the louder the better), drooling
Dislikes: burping, tummy time (getting better now that she's getting stronger), getting into the carseat

2013 has started off busy with heading back to work, but I am so happy to be job-sharing. Working two days gives me a great balance, as I really enjoy the classroom and my colleagues but can't imagine full time away from Ella. It has me that much more appreciative of my days with her. Transitioning back and forth with my partner is going to take a lot of practice, but I know we'll get into the groove of things very soon. I'm so grateful to be working with such a wonderful teacher with whom I'm not only a good professional match, but friends, too. Chris has been working harder than ever, and he's excited to be attending Stanford's Emerging CFO Program for an upcoming week in February and then in May.

Some non-holiday pictures of the last few months:

Andy's First Birthday

Andy's Moves 

Ella Meets the Kachmariks!
We were so happy to have our good friends from Montana visit :)

Hangin' with Joi

Baby lounger or dog bed?
Pedro votes dog bed. Ella loved the snuggle.

Thanks for the cute hat Great Grandma Barbi! Go Uncle Tyler!
Livermore Wrestling Team's Cutest Mascot to Date

Lunch date with Grandma

This face says so much.
Like, "Wait, we're not hanging out all day tomorrow, Mom?"

Grandpa's Recovery Buddy
So glad he's doing better :)

Lounging with Dad and Jackson in my slippers.

Look what I can do with my neck!