First Big Road Trip

We recently went to Bernie so Marlee could meet her great grandparents. It took us 8 hours to get there. We stayed the night in Fort Smith on the way down there, so that helped a bit. Marlee was such a good traveler. She napped pretty much the entire time. She only had a couple fussy periods and that was usually right before it was time to eat.

However, once we got there, everything went downhill. Memaw Polly had lots of company and Marlee doesn't do well with crowds. I think she gets overstimulated...especially if it is a large crowd AND a new place. That is a lot to take on for a 16 week old. That said, I am extremely thankful for my mom's help because 3 hours straight of inconsolable crying can wear on a tired momma. She did do really well in the mornings when it was just Memaw, Memaw Doris, and Papa Roy. And, she did great the last day because I gave in and let her nap in my arms the entire day.

Chillin with Memaw Polly after a long road trip

She found her thumb before the big road trip, but I think the stress of the road trip drove her to be a 100% thumb sucker. I can't get her to take her pacifier and she can't get enough of her thumb. Oh well, I guess you win some and you lose some. It does crack me up that she doesn't hold her hand in a fist yet so she always completely covers her face with her hand. She always sucks her left thumb and she always turns her head to the side to get it. I guess you do what you gotta do.

Playing in the morning with Memaw Doris

Transportation from Memaw Doris' house to Memaw Polly's house

Tummy time at Memaw Polly's house. She's saying, "Guys, I'm trying to have a good time, but where am I?"
All dressed up for church

Just hanging out on Memaw Polly's lap.

Relaxing with Memaw Doris

Cheesin at Memaw on the way home. I think she was glad to be on the move back to Fayetteville.

We got to see Josie at Memaw's house on our way home and she kept leaning over saying, "Whatcha doin, Maree?" and then she said "I hold you". Maybe next time.

A Few of Marlee's Favorite Things

We still ready a book every night (unless she is just too tired). James and I alternate who reads and she just stares at the book with wide eyes.She doesn't like being left out so sometimes we eat dinner like this. She loves it.She still loves to lie underneath her jungle gym and if the mirror catches her eye, she will stare at herself forever and just coo and smile. She's so vain.

We let her watch Baby Einstein for the first time this morning and it was a huge success. She sat there for 30 minutes like there was nowhere in the world she would rather be. It was awesome watching her smile at all of the sea creatures.

Her glow worm makes her so happy. She lights up every time it lights up. It is the most innocent and sweetest thing I have ever seen. It truly melts my heart.
And I'm adding this one because this is on our way to a lunch date with Dad. I promise it is one of her favorite things, too. It's all fun and games until I pull out my phone to take a picture.

3 Months Old

After we took these pictures, I noticed that her onesie was size 6-9 months. I was wondering why it was so big on her!

Some Stats:

I don't know what she weighs, but I'm thinking she has definitely moved out of the 25th percentile. She graduated to size 3-6 month clothes right at 12 weeks, mainly because she is getting so long.

Still smiles a lot. She is such a happy baby...when she is rested.

Sleeps a 6-8 hour stretch at night; mostly 6.5-7 hours.

Eats about 5 ounces every 4 hours and takes three naps a day. Some days she takes good naps and some days it is quite the struggle.

Rolled over (from stomach to back) for the first time at exactly 12 weeks and has rolled over twice since then. I have a video if I can figure out how to upload it.

Enjoys going out and about to run errands, but would rather be home when it is time for her nap. There are too many distractions out there.

We started a nighttime routine of reading her a book and she loves it. She either stares at the pretty pictures or stares at us and smiles at our animations.

Still enjoys her bath and has started splashing with her feet. Still not a fan of the after bath routine. Sometimes we can get through it without a fit if I hurry.

Loves going for walks. On pretty days, we walk for 30-40 minutes.

Has discovered her hands and sucks on them a lot. Especially her right hand. Sometimes she can get her whole fist in her mouth.

Really wants to grab things in front of her and concentrates so hard. She's almost there.

Ma gave her a glow worm that is by far her favorite toy. She lights up every time it lights up and it is the sweetest thing ever.

She has pretty good head control and enjoys the new view of her world when we prop her up on the couch or a chair. She will sit there for quite a while and look around.

She has recently started noticing her feet.

We have slowly been moving away from the swaddle and she is napping right now for the first time without it. She's going on 30 minutes...not bad.

She has stopped spitting up so much which is great because now she can dress up...even if we don't have anywhere to go.