This One Girl...

This little girl steals hearts...

Well, it's been a little over two months, and our little girl is thriving. Sure, her pediatrician thinks she could stand to gain a few ounces. But she is thriving, regardless.

In the past month, she's learned a few things:

1. Smiling. She is a smiley, happy, gurgly little baby. And we absolutely love that.

2. Pooping. By means that escape us, she is completely capable of getting poop up her back, down her leg, and all over us.

3. Rolling over. She can roll over. Child prodigy, right here. We make 'em right.

4. Diva-ness. Penelope Mae knows when she wants to be fed, when she wants to be rocked to sleep, when she needs to have her diapers changed, etc. And she makes sure the world knows when these events are to occur.

The best part about Penelope, for me, has been seeing all the small cues that have developed that hint at her personality, and the type of person she will be when she is older. It's an amazing process.

Also amazing is seeing my wife's maternal instincts. Elizabeth is an amazing, loving, caring, and nurturing mother. She puts me to shame with her awesomeness.

A Show of Fours

We're heading into the final countdown. We have less than four weeks left until our due date, and we could not be more excited. Nor could we be more overwhelmed.

In honor of our four weeks, I am posting a few lists so as to further your invasive insight into our personal lives, which I inevitably and disturbingly extend to everyone on a regular basis.

Four things we look forward to losing in four weeks:

1. Beth accidentally bumping her belly into her surroundings.

2. Heartburn, muscle aches, exhaustion, sore feet, etc.

3. People randomly touching Beth's belly.

4. Sleep. Losing sleep can be a good thing.

Four things we look forward to gaining in four weeks:

1. A baby girl who will be as beautiful as her mommy is. Please see above photo.

2. Fun toys to play with (this will not be me. maybe.)

3. A captive (and immobile) tiny audience for storytime.

4. A family of three that will rock the world.

Four things we need within the next four weeks:

1. A way to ensure our baby girl looks NOTHING like her father. Ever.

2. A stroller, a car seat, a pack-n'-play, and a bassinet. Might be time for us to spend some dough...

3. Finish our birthing and labor classes.

4. To find a pediatrician and get insurance blech set up.

We're coming close to the end now, so stick with us.

We'll be back next time, same Bat-time, same Bat-channel...

P.S. A huge thank you to all who have been so generous in shower gifts! We appreciate your support and the gifts! And I promise that any and all toys given to us will only be semi-played-with by the time the baby girl gets here. Scouts' honor.