I couldn't resist...

More of you "talking" ...today has been one of your chattiest days ever! If you were awake, you were talking (except come evening time when you got cranky!).

Our social butterfly....

The Isabell Gang at Great Aunt Evelyn's  Labor Day Barbeque- that is you sleeping in the sling

Getting ready to party! What a cute dress from Aunt Steffenie!

During a recent video- we showed the world your talking skills.  You recently blew us away, however, when we took you to a barbeque at Great Aunt Evelyn's for labor day.  You engaged every person that walked up to talk with your own special language of aooowwwwoooaaaaa.

Then, I took you over to my friend Luci's house- she had her baby Mahi 3 days after you were born.  The two of you LOVED each other- and you were so cute trying to grab her face and "kiss" (picture a big open slobbery baby mouth coming right at you- another of your favorite ways to interact!).   I think you have your first girlfriend!

Mahi and Ginny- 4 months old

Lean on me, sister.

Chitter chatter

You are really into talking right now- super freaking darling.

Best way to end a day.

I've been back at work now for three weeks.  My first day going back was so hard- I was crying when I left the house and the whole way to work, and then some more in the hallway when someone asked how I was doing.  But, lo and behold, as soon as I got home that first day and saw you having fun with your daddy- I felt 100% better and it has been fine ever since.

Coming home to you, daddy and Pepper makes my days SO fun.  I can't wait to get in the door and scoop you up and soak in the smiles you give me.  You get pretty excited to see me even if you are tired! I am also watching magic happen with you and your dad- the two of you are like two peas in a pod and you are growing closer and closer- it is wonderful to see.  Also, it is something not every little girl gets- lots and lots of dedicated daddy time.

Plus, your dad is excellent with the unpredictability of being with a baby- he loves not knowing what the day will be like.  That is something that is hard for me- I like to know what is coming!

More than anything- you are surrounded by loads of love and showered with hugs and kisses all day from both your parents and we can't imagine life without you.

a photo update....

14 weeks old- you had a major growth spurt!

With your Pappy...

15 weeks old with Mommy after a bath.  You LOVE your baths!

Nighty night...

I figured you would want your naptime/bedtime song Mama made up for you recorded, so here it is- I sing it to you while I'm swaddling you for sleep. Here you are, all tucked in your cradleboard (on loan from the Fivecrows) and a captive audience.  These moments are some of my favorite of the day, you almost always smile and coo when you are all snug.  We've yet to catch you "singing" along on video- but you do it sometimes, it melts our hearts. Next time I'll record your "I can fly" song your Daddy made up for you.

11 weeks of fun!

Everyone said time would fly- it feels like a I've been in a time-vacuum for 11 weeks.  Next Monday I go back to work, I'm feeling very sad to miss the time with you, but at the same time excited to go back and happy that you and your dad will get to spend so much time together one on one. That is something not every girl gets and it is a pretty special thing!  I have loved all the moments- the challenging ones and the happy ones and being your mom is the most amazing experience of my life thus far- every day it feels like I will burst with love when I look at you!

Who is Virginia Beth?

What fun it has been getting to know you over the last 11 weeks! There are lots of little things that make you Ginny- some of these might be "every baby" sort of things, but they are special to us!

• You are very quick to smile! You started smiling at about 4.5 weeks old and haven't stopped since.  You have a smile for everyone you meet as long as you have been fed and aren't tired!
• You have very strong opinions about wet or messy diapers- they are intolerable to you. You like to be dry and comfy.  I think you are sensitive to touch- you love soft things and being massaged too.
• When we sing to you, sometimes you coo along, it is adorable.  You won't do it for the video camera though!.  I'm thinking you are going to like music a lot as you grow.
• You like people- one of your favorite things to look at is our refrigerator door.  You get so entranced looking at all the faces of your cousins and our friends. 
• You feel like you are lighthearted and like to have fun to me, I'm excited to see how you play in the months to come!

9 week wonder!

OK, so although I said I was going to put the books away and stop worrying about your sleep- truthfully I haven't.  So at my wits end, some good friends lent us a cradleboard and guess what? It works! You're sleeping so well outside of your sling I feel like I don't even know what to do with all the time I have.  You seem to love being all tight and bundled and get to sleep pretty easy.

Sweet dreams baby girl!

Ginny at 7 weeks.

This seems to be the only way you will nap if not being held by someone these days- on your tummy on your nursing pillow! Hey- we'll take it. This last week you have gotten even SMILIER (is that a word?).  You grin all the time and last night you didn't even cry in the bathtub- a major accomplishment.  You seem to be very social, we took you to a party and you had a smile for everyone.  Very heartwarming.

Your momma is the queen of....

Unnecessary worrying.

It is true! It is almost as if I look for things to be worried about.

Current worry- are you sleeping enough Ginny? Why should I worry about such a thing? You are, after all, SIX WEEKS OLD, and there isn't a lot I can do besides put you down to nap when you are tired. I can't make you sleep MORE or make you sleep in the places that are culturally acceptable (i.e. your crib), so from here on out I resolve to stop worrying about this!

Yesterday- you hardly slept during your naps, but today, you are sleeping double. Silly mama. Nothing stays the same-this is an important lesson.

Really, the problem comes from reading too many books about babies and sleep. They all say different things and my head is in a spin. So basically- I think what is best is to stop all the worrying and just follow your lead.

6 weeks old!

Our little bean is six weeks old! She started smiling at 4.5 weeks and it has been increasingly easy to entice little grins and the start of coos from her- such a blast. Ginny is for sure a morning girl- so happy and chatting in the morning from 5am on.

Sage wisdom from those who have gone before....

We just got back from visiting Utah for Uncle Wayne's wedding reception- while there you had the chance to be cuddled and loved by your whole Nielson family! In this video, your cousins Sadie and Madelyn give you some advice about living life on this planet....

4 weeks old!

Ginny at 1 month old! My, how she's growing, already 8lbs, 9oz!

Awake time!

Ginny is growing like a weed- holy cow! To me she looks rounder every day and more and more kissable, though I didn't think that was possible. Here is a video of her at 3 weeks and 4 days old playing on her infant gym (a gift from my boss Michelle). She loved trying to grab things and cooing at the colors. We are so excited to see more of her open eyes :).