Fantastic Five!

Can you believe it? Ellie is already 5 months old! 

Let's see, at 5 months Ellie...
-smiles and laughs a lot (just chuckles, no belly laughing yet)
-grabs for EVERYTHING and puts EVERYTHING in her mouth
-is eating cereal twice a day (she moved from once a day to twice a day today!)
-goes to bed between 9:30 and 10 and sleeps til 5, 6, 7, 8, or sometimes 9am!
-is still nursing 5-6 times a day (without supplementing)
-LOVES to talk and squeal
-is teething but still no sign of any teeth
-has moved from the sink bath tub to the "tub" tub and loves it!
-takes 3-4 naps a day
-rolls over from front to back and from back to front, constantly!
-is always putting her feet in her mouth
-LOVES pool time
-is friendly towards everyone and will let anyone hold her
-still wears size 3 month clothes
-and still has a head full of red hair!!

As for her weight, we have to wait til the 6 month check up for that but I would guess around 15 lbs. She was 13.9 lbs and 25 in long at her 4 month check up.

As for an update on Daddy, he is still projected to leave Afghanistan around Sept. 28 and be back in the US by Oct. 6. So we will be going back to NC around Sept 28 to settle in for a week before he gets back. We can't wait! Less than 2 months left!

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Dear handsome husband of mine and the father of our lovely daughter (and dog),

It is under unfortunate yet heroic circumstances that we cannot be there with you to celebrate your birthday today. However, comparatively it is not so bad because there are other special occasions and holidays that we will have you in our presence for such as Thanksgiving and Christmas and our daughter's first birthday, that we are quite grateful for. And with that thought, it occurs to me all of the men and women out there that are serving for an entire year plus that miss all of these holidays and more with their families and I am reminded of how blessed we really are that we only have 2 more months apart.

That being said, it is still your birthday and I would like to take this opportunity to tell you how thankful I am for the day of your birth, for without it my life would be a bit different. 26 years ago today, a young boy was born and he quickly grew up to be a fine gentleman, a caring husband and a wonderful father. I am so lucky to have found you and thank God every day that I am able to claim you as mine. 

Ever since I met you I became very aware of life and death--for the thought of spending my future with you makes me greedy for life and more time. And though it is hard that you're there and we're here, it is all considered bliss to me because it is still "our" life together. I cannot wait for you to get home and celebrate the next 79+ birthdays with us. 

P.S. I also cannot help but reminisce back to your birthday weekend last year when you came home from work and I broke the news to you that I was pregnant. Your parents surprised you for the weekend and you came home from the shark fishing trip (a little tipsy) and you blurted it out to them in a very unendearing way. SURPRISE! And on your actual birthday was when I got the blood work done and they confirmed that yes we were indeed going to be parents. What a great present! A lot has changed since then :) Happy Birthday!

I love you,

Your wife 

We're celebrating!!