Rolling over

Here's Willow rolling over. After this long attempt, she did it with much ease over and over again. Of course we didn't tape that. I thinks it's a tad challenging to get those leg rolls over, I just want to give her a helpful little nudge! Pretty soon she'll be rolling from back to tummy and sitting up.

*Much cheering and sympathetic grunting at your computer while watching is definitely encouraged =)

3 months!

Happy 3 Months Our Little Willow-Bee!

3 month beauty shots

Apparently I produce "VERY healthy" babes. Oh my.

Willow celebrated turning 3 months yesterday.... it doesn't seem possible! She's growing way to fast for my liking, yet becoming so much more interactive and fun too! Her newest accomplishments are: making a beautiful gurgling, spit sound....which produces much drool and spit bubbles, followed by a glistening wet, huge grin; rolling over- although she's only done this a few times and doesn't seem too interested in doing it again, we're going to count that as progress; "playing" with toys- she's definitely become interested in her little hanging doo-dads on her play mat and bouncy seat, and appears to "reach" for them, albeit spastic arm swinging with occasional contact. We're counting that as progress, too!

She and I celebrated her 3 month day by driving south to Balboa Island off of Newport Beach. The adventure was encouraged because our apartment buildings are being re-painted and I was enclosed inside with taped up windows, banging ladders and mariachi music on the porch. We needed to get out =) 

Anyway, Balboa is a beautiful area, very prestigious and noted for it's famous residents, both current and past. John Wayne, Greta Garbo, Tyrone Power, Bogart and many others used to have their homes here and it definitely has held onto that rich history. The day was gorgeous and we enjoyed a walk around the periphery of the island, beside the bay's edge, looking at the glamorous homes (shamelessly into windows I'll admit) and impressive private boats. It was a fun morning, followed by a MUCH needed nap on her part and movie on mine. I think we'll celebrate each new month in a similar way!

I'm so very, very thankful for this little gift of a person. She is a true delight and joy and has already been used to help teach and refine me as a child of God. Praise Him for that! I know the adventure has just begun and am filled with so much eager anticipation, and sometimes trepidation, with what's to come. God's grace to lead.

I didn't post the best picture that happened about 30 seconds after this face. The front of Justin's shirt covered in spit-up =) After I stopped laughing, more at the look on his face than the spit up on his shirt, I made him wait to change his shirt so I could take a picture of his first REAL experience. Somehow he's managed to avoid getting hit for the past 2 months. Which is fine because apparently it totally grosses him out. Me, not so much. As he put it, I have "mommy immunity" to those types of things. Hmmm, I didn't realize that came with the package. But I guess I do =)

These are my favorite times of the day, in the evening as the sun's going down and Justin's home visiting with Willow and I putter in the kitchen and listen to them chatting. It's good soul food and I know I could hope for nothing better, sweeter than this.

little drooly

She's really starting to get the sticking her tongue out and blowing thing down... sometimes when I'm in the kitchen, I hear her in the living room doing it all by herself! I guess she has to practice her new skills ;-)

It's been a really wonderful day. Willow and I went for a walk this morning, down to the ocean and back through a lusciously green park. The weather here is a gorgeous 80 degrees, with warm Santa Ana winds brushing off stagnant heat and swirling around the sunshine.

This afternoon, I've been sitting on our porch, rocking my babe, listening to the wind crinkle the red bud leaves and sway the palms. I love how trees dance to the season's song... swaying with a breeze, glisten and shimmer with a heavy rain, rest heavy with the weight of a cold blanket of ice or snow. To my pleasure, there always seems to be a bevy of little birds joining the tree chorus, harmonizing in natural, perfect pitch. There's also a handful of birds of prey that reside in the branches nearby. I love watching them ride the warm winds, without effort or seam in their glide, casting quick shadows over our lawn.  Sometimes I wonder if they do it just because it feels good. As I sat there, watching life unfurled on my little plot of grass and stand of trees, feeling the weight of Willow sinking lower into sweet sleep, I couldn't help but feel my soul rise and join the song. 

I began whispering in her ear the Doxology we used to sing before diner when we were children...

Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow;

Praise Him, all creatures here below;

Praise Him above, ye Heavenly Host;

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

 Amen.

More video

Here's more Willow clips. She was super happy and vocal this morning. We had fun cooing and gooing at each other!

Here's a little clip from this evening. She was chatty and smily for me; of course I kept missing all the best ones! But here's a little sample of her sweet little coos.