Lila and I have developed a fun new habit. Since Christmas, we've been going out and swinging in the hammock together. The weather has been unseasonably warm for weeks, so we've been able to do it often. Not every day, but more often than not. This is especially helpful when Lila gets extra fussy or refuses to take a nap. Once we're in the hammock, she's guaranteed to be entranced by her surroundings for at least 15 minutes!

I'll lay on my back (sideways, with my feet off the side so that i can keep us swinging) and she'll be on her tummy on top of me. It's so awesome to watch her hold that head up and soak in all the fascinating new sights with those beautiful blue eyes. She's intrigued by the new sounds too - like dogs barking and the wind in the trees.

During these times I talk to her about everything from what I plan on cooking for dinner to the God who created her and how much He loves her. It's also a great opportunity to be humble and apologize if I've been impatient with her during the day. And sometimes I just lay back and watch her and marvel at what an amazing little person she is... It's a very special time. :)

Not a whole lot going on this week. Well, besides normal errands and lunch dates. Lila has been sleeping in her own room all night since Sunday evening! She really doesn't seem to mind. And she's going through another phase where she just wants to be swaddled and left alone most of the time. Sometimes if we try rocking her it actually makes her fidgety and mad. Whatever. As long as she's going to sleep...

I became obsessed last night with organizing a box of photos that's been floating around the house since... before we got married. I just wanted to straighten them up so that more would fit in the box and I put some of our professional photos (graduation, engagement, pregnant belly) in little photo albums. Now there's still the issue of figuring out where to put these albums and boxes.

It was a big weekend for Lila! On Friday evening, she started laughing for real (chuckling, really)! She had just had a major blowout (so maybe she was feeling extra 'light on her feet') and was laying on the changing table. Doug was cleaning her up and I popped in next to him and something about looking at me was quite amusing, apparently. She just chuckled and chuckled! I have had limited success at getting her to do it again by being the Mommy Monster and "eating" her neck and belly. :o)~

She also slept in her own room all night last night for the first time! We put her to bed in there on Saturday evening as well, but I brought her back to our room after her early morning feeding. For my benefit more than hers - she seems to be perfectly happy in there! The only reason we hadn't made the transition sooner is because I wasn't ready. I like having her so close to me at night. I can look in at her any time I want (to make sure she's breathing, to see what funny position she is sleeping in, or just to admire her beauty) and it is convenient for those nighttime wake-ups. I must say though, it was nice being able to get ready for bed without having to tip-toe and whisper! She's getting to be a big girl! *sigh*

Lila has discovered the enchantment of peek-a-boo. And I have discovered that it is a good way to keep her happy during the normally insufferable activity of getting diapered and dressed after her bath! :) She makes a lot of funny noises too and most of the time her tongue is sticking out while she's making them. She accidentally made a raspberry the other day, but she hasn't done it again.

We follow the advice of "they" and mimic her expressions and sounds to encourage communication development. The only drawback is that she tends to stop talking herself and just watch us! Every once in a while I try saying "ma ma ma ma ma" or "da da da da da" over and over again in hopes that she'll try and repeat it. No such luck so far though. :)

This is one of Lila's little Longhorn outfits. Everyone thinks she's a boy when she wears this one! 

Silly little bubble blower! And such pretty blue eyes! 

Lila enjoying the Exersaucer she got for Christmas. Look at those fat little legs! 

Oh my *goodness* what a game! The last minute was torture. University of Texas Longhorns - National Champions! :) I am SO tired now...

In the midst of watching the Rose Bowl. UT had better win...

Doug and I have been fully immersed in redecorating the living room and entryway for nearly a week now! We spent two solid days tearing down the ugly wallpaper that was up when Doug bought the house. That is not a fun job! We finally got it all down though and then the fun part began. We primed the walls, put texture back on them, primed again and started painting!

The living room is orange now. The color is officially called La Fonda Sombrero, but once we got it on the walls we realized that it's Longhorn Orange! Well, we're both Longhorns, so we can live with that. Plus, it's a great color! Anyway, the entryway is now a wintery sort of blue and we're repainting the doors and trim. We're totally rearranging the living room too.

There is a sliding glass door and a fireplace that sort of limit the room layout choices, but we've decided to "get crazy." We're reclaiming wall space by putting the sofa in front of the fireplace. It doesn't work properly anyway and we never use it (the fireplace, that is). With a shelf that Doug plans to build behind the sofa and some strategically placed lamps and/or plants, I think it will work! Well, enough talk - now I need to get back to work! :)

Lila's 4 Month Doctor Visit:

She is now up to 15 lbs. and 25 inches long!
Her head has remained proportionately smallish, so I'm guessing she'll be a petite child like I was.
She got her second round of immunizations which was sad, but she hasn't been as puny this time as she was after the first round.
The doctor did not seem to be concerned about her infrequent poops, so we'll stick with the prune juice torture and hope for the best!
Her shoulders pop a lot, which concerned me, but the doctor said it was probably nothing to worry about since she seemed to have no pain or problems with her arms.
I wondered why she doesn't squeal or laugh a lot (though she does smile often), but the doctor seemed to think she'd start to do that more in the next month and it's also probably just her personality.
As far as I could tell, the doctor didn't check her eyesight or hearing, but both would appear to be fine anyway.
We also talked some about her sleeping habits and decided that the way she does things now is fine.

Good times.

It's been crazy times here in Peeler Land! We had a fabulously busy Christmas weekend in Dallas (see photos below). Lila got so much stuff that we barely fit it all into the 4Runner! She also got more attention than she knew what to do with. Actually, she knew just what to do with it - she ate it up! And now that we're back home, she wants to know where her fan club is!

Now we're working on redecorating the living room and entryway. We're taking down the hideous wallpaper that has been there since Doug moved in and it's a major pain! It will all be worth it though and I'm excited to see things painted and rearranged.

Lila is now consistently rolling over from her belly to her back. And when on her back, she can roll to her side, but still hasn't made it all the way over - probably because she has no desire to be on her belly! She also had her first shower yesterday. While being held, of course. I was afraid she'd be freaked out by it, but she seemed to love it. Even when the water splashed in her face! Cute girl... :)

Here's the final photo - Lila with Aunt Sheila. Like I said, lots of photos of the Bean asleep! 

Here's Lila snoozing with what looks like a broken neck on the way back to Austin. I don't know how she sleeps like that! 

This is where Lila spent most of her time when we were at the Priddy Christmas gathering. Her cousin Ashley was definitely hogging the baby! 

Mommy and baby crashed out together. When she woke up, I brought her into bed with us for family snuggle time, but it turned into family snooze time. 

The whole Hickock clan. From the left, it's Waylen, Meredith, Teresa, Brent, Coleman, and Ashley. 

Clearly Waylen is up to something here. He is also very tall. :o)~ 

The newlyweds. Waylen and Meredith Pape! 

Lila and Grandmama passed out together. We got a lot of photos of Lila sleeping over the Christmas weekend!