Blessed Beyond Measure: May 2012

I love the month of May. Not only do I love hearing the sound of race cars a few miles away (the nostalgic feeling I get from that noise always makes me happy), but I also love that it is the unofficial start of summer, my favorite season. I am especially excited this year because I can't wait to experience all of the "outdoorsy" stuff with Leah for the first time. Judging by the way she stares out the window and how she watches everything around her so intently when we take her outside, she is going to love summer, too.

This May in particular has been special for a few different reasons. First, Brian's brother, Mike, graduated from Trinity International University with a degree in Christian Ministries. He and his wife, Carey, will be living in Haiti this summer working at a Christian camp and clinic (Carey is also a nurse). We are very proud of them both and know they will do a great job serving God in this capacity. You can follow them along on their journey by reading their blog, Belchers Meet Haiti.

It's official...he graduated!!!

Mike and Carey after the ceremony.

Leah had a great time visiting Uncle Mike and Aunt Carey in Chicago for graduation. She sat through the 2 hour ceremony like a champ and did great the whole trip, except when we got stuck in traffic on the way home. We were not able to safely stop and feed her until almost an hour and half past the time she was due to eat. At that point, Leah and I were both in tears because no matter how loud I sang, she could not be consoled. She was starving and there was absolutely nothing I could do about it. After that trip, Brian and I both agreed that we would prefer Mike and Carey move anywhere BUT Chicago when they return from Haiti.

Leah is so proud of her Uncle Mike!

"I want to go to Haiti, too!" (helping Mike and Carey pack)

Another reason this month is special has to do with Mother's Day. (WARNING: I'm about to get all sentimental/emotional. I don't think I can blame it on my pregnancy/labor hormones anymore, so I have just accepted that crying while watching the news and during commercials is my new normal. Don't worry, I'll make this quick.) Yes, this was my first Mother's Day and Brian and Leah made it special...for this I am very thankful. But more than that, this was the first Mother's Day I was able to have a true understanding of my mother's love for me. Even though I have always been grateful for my mom and all she has done, I was not capable of comprehending the depth of her love and sacrifice until I had Leah. Now, there are no words to describe how blessed I feel to have been given such a selfless, compassionate, godly woman to be my mother. I hope and pray I can follow her wonderful example as I raise my own children.

I am also fortunate to have a great mother-in-law. Not only did she raise an excellent son (who has turned out to be an amazing husband and father), but she is also a very kind, caring, and giving person who I can honestly say I have enjoyed working for the past 2 years (I think that says a lot right there, haha). Brian, Leah, and I are so blessed to have such wonderful Christian women in our lives! Here are some pictures from that special day:

This was the sweet note on Leah's door when I went in to wake her up that morning for church. It was written on a piece of scrapbook paper she had played with the day before. Oh, and that is me in the background feeding her...Brian decided to get all artsy with his photography :)

Brian, Leah, and I made 3 of these plates (one for my mom, Brian's mom, and me). We were at the pottery place for over 3 hours, but Leah was a great sport and she did an awesome job with her footprints, don't you think?


I am so glad God chose me to be her mom!

Brian with his mom and Leah

4 Generations!

And one more thing we celebrated this month...Leah turned 5 months! I know I was really late posting her 4 month pictures, but I feel like this month went by especially fast!

5 months is just so exciting!

Love those chubby little legs!

Precious smile!

Here is more of what Leah has been up to since you last heard from me:

Moved up to size 2 diapers (I know, so exciting, haha)
Finally wearing some size 3-6 month clothes
Rolled over from back to stomach
Experienced her first sunburn. She was outside two different times that day, once with Brian and once with my mom and me. We aren't sure exactly how she got burnt (she wasn't out very long with Brian and I kept her in the shade), but we both felt awful that it happened. However, her rosy cheeks were pretty adorable...


It obviously didn't bother her too much.

Went for her first swim in the pool (don't worry, she was covered in sunscreen this time). Pictures to follow in an upcoming post...

Have a great weekend!

Better late than never, right?

4 months already...where has the time gone???

Funny smile

Laughing at mom (who was singing a silly song)

"Mom, you are weird."

Sitting up and chatting away like a big girl!

She just thinks her mom is hilarious!

Leah's 4 Month Stats:

11 pounds, 12 ounces (11th percentile)

24 inches long (38th percentile)

Head Circumference: 38.6 cm. (1st percentile)

As you can see from her 4 month numbers, Leah is a tiny little thing. I was assured by the pediatrician that her weight is fine, she is just going to be petite. She looks and acts healthy, but I couldn't help but be a little concerned when she wasn't even 12 pounds at her check-up (working at Riley for 3 years will put all kinds of worrisome thoughts in your head). I am sure she has heard Brian and me say how sad we are that she is growing up so fast. I think she is just trying to make us happy by staying small for as long as she can...at least that's my theory.

Leah is right on track developmentally and it is so much fun to watch her grow and discover the world around her. Here is what she has been up to over the past month:

Still wearing size 0-3 month clothing and size 1 diapers
Continues to sleep through the night (9-10 hours) in her crib
Doing better with naps...she finally realized it isn't that exciting around here during the day and she really won't miss anything if she falls asleep. She usually takes 1-2 good naps/day, depending on if we are home and if she is in the right mood :)
Eats 5 times a day, every 3-4 hours (although lately she hasn't been too interested in eating...I think she is tired of milk and ready for some of that Mexican food she always sees me eating)
Rolls over from front to back
Grabs at everything and then puts it right in her mouth. Her favorite things to chew on are her hands and feet (the latter was just discovered about 2.5 weeks ago, and she can't get enough of them!)
Drools A LOT...I think we will be seeing a tooth soon!
Started sticking her tongue out more a few weeks ago. She also makes a chewing motion like she has gum in her mouth. Lately, we have been sitting her at the table with us during dinner and she watches very intently (like she does everything) as the food goes from the plate to our mouth. We've even seen her do the chewing motion while she watches us eat. We will be starting cereal very soon...I think she is ready.
Smiles, laughs, and coos a lot...so adorable.
LOVES it when we sing to her! Her face lights up and she gets so excited (like the pictures above). A lot of times she will try to sing along with us. If she is starting to get fussy because she is hungry, this is the one thing that will calm her down and take her mind off the hunger. A few car rides home from church (when we stayed past her feeding time) we have had to sing the whole way to prevent a melt-down. The radio does nothing for her, but the minute she hears our beautiful voices (haha), she is silent.

I am sure there is more to tell you, but that is all I can think of at the moment. Besides, I know all you really care about are the pictures. Well, here you go...