Lily's Life: Catch up...

I can't believe how long it's been since I posted pictures of our little angel. Let me update you on our family - Joe is changing jobs beginning on Monday. He will continue to work for Waterfront Rescue Mission but will be ministering at the Career Development Center which is an extended phase of the drug/alcohol recovery program. We are very excited about this new opportunity that God has opened up for him. Even though he has enjoyed his time at the Mobile Rescue Mission and working with the homeless, his heart has always been for the recovery side of the ministry. Please keep him in your prayers as he begins this new venture. The CEO of the Mission allowed Joe to take some time off to be with "his girls" before he starts the new job. For the past week 1/2 we have been blessed to have him home with us. It has been so nice! I think he and Lily have really bonded during this time. Since I'm out a couple of times every week it gives them some alone time together. So, that brings me to what's up with me....I'm still lovin' being a stay at home mommy. And I'm still keeping little Blake 2 days a week. Recently I began a new Bible study on Tuesday mornings and it has been so good. It's a Kay Arthur Precept study of the book of John. (I highly recommend it!!) I'm still going to the MOPS (mothers of pre-schoolers) meetings twice a month and I've volunteered to be a leader of the small group discussions so that should be fun. I've always loved encouraging other women and studying God's Word with them.

Okay....so most importantly....what's up with Lily, right? She is 3 1/2 months old now and I'm amazed at how she is growing and changing (it seems EVERY day). We go back to the doctor on the 17th so I'm anxious to see how much she weighs and how much she's grown. Here are a few of the new adorable things that she is doing -

laughing out loud
singing and squealing
grabbing toys and anything else she can get her hands on (including my hair :-))
grinning and putting her head down and to the side like she's being bashful
she's discovered her feet but hasn't figured out how to put them in her mouth yet
splashing around in the bath tub
she loves looking at Bluberry (our dog)
she's rolled over a few times but not real consistent
she's trying to sit up (when she's in her swing or bouncy chair)
she likes to stand up when I'm holding her

Well, there's lots more things but those are the ones that come to my mind right now. So, the other milestone (probably more of MY milestone than hers :-)) is that she went to the nursery at Church for the first time last Wednesday night. And she went again on Sunday and again tonight. The nursery workers absolutely love her and they say that she "talks" and smiles the whole time she's in there. The other thing "I'm" working on is letting her sleep in her crib. I still haven't made the transition yet but we'll get there. She takes naps in her crib but still sleeps in the bassinet in our room at night. And yes, I let her sleep with us at some point in the night. There are so many things that I said I would NEVER do that I'm doing (co-sleeping, allowing her to have a pacifier, letting her kind of set her own schedule). However, I am praying about things as I go and I trust that the Lord will give us wisdom and direction as Lily's parents. He is ALWAYS faithful. Here are a few photos from the past week...

This was today in the car (you can see the progression of the car ride)

she was singingeyes are getting a little heavy very, very heavy sleeping beauty