S-T-R-E-T-C-H

We caught this picture while David was coming out of his carseat after a long nap through the end of church. The carseat is one of two routines that calls for a good stretch.

David sleeps best when he is swaddled tightly in a blanket. He is sleeping through the nights now (what a good boy we have!) with 11 hour stretches on a regular basis. The other night he woke up once at 2:30, protesting that his hands had escaped the security of his swaddle. So I tucked them in, wrapped him up again, and he promptly went back to sleep.

With such a good night's sleep, it's no wonder that David needs a series of good stretches as soon as he wakes up. The minute his arms are free, he punches the air a few times, arches his back, and pulls a funny face. While I am taking him out of his swaddle blanket, I tell him he is like unpeeling an orange--all wrapped up, and squishy and sweet on the inside. (This is a genuine compliment, coming from his mother that claims to be a "citrus snob" with Arizona roots.)

New Milestones

David is growing up so fast! He weighed in this week at a robust 14 lbs, 11 oz--and we can see that his thighs are the main beneficiaries of his latest growth spurt. They are round and squishy.

David's neck, back, and legs are noticeably stronger this last week. He likes to bounce up and and down, using his legs as a springboard. He is also very good at keeping his neck and back straight for long periods of time.

We can't seem to interest David in toys, but he never misses an opportunity to study a friendly face--usually winning them over by looking into their eyes and smiling a big toothless grin. He also likes to read books with me--the bright colors and pictures keep him captivated for a few seconds on each page. An outstanding length of attention span for a 3-month old, if you ask me!

This past week we were listening (and dancing, of course) to the CD Grandma C made of her singing some children's songs. When she sang about a motor boat, she made the noise by vibrating her lips together. David joined her with his own motor boat sounds. Previously, this is something he would mimick when Sam or I would do it in front of his face. I was surprised to see him recognize and mimick the sound, just by hearing it! David is sharpening up his motor-making skills already. Plenty of need for that skill in a little boy's childhood.

Giggling Glee

David has a genuine giggle that we love. It starts in the bottom of his belly and rises clear to the top of his head. He usually entertains us with it while we tickle him--under his chin or inside of his squishy thighs. Occasionally he will surprise us, and we will hear him giggling by himself. This past week, we heard a chuckle coming from his crib. I snuck over to see what he found so funny. He was giggling in his sleep. David's laugh is our new favorite sound in the whole wide world!

High Adventure

We took David on his first cabin camping experience this past weekend. It was the perfect arrangement to be able to park the car right next to the cabin--no hiking in on this trip. David stayed toasty warm with all of the layers and the protection of his car seat for slumber. His parents wish they had fared as well as he did that night! While we were around the campfire, David was bundled in layers from head to toe. With plenty of new things to look at, he insisted on poking his face out from underneath all those layers. He didn't pull it in to the warmth of the blankets and drift off to sleep until he was good and ready. Plenty to keep him curiously looking around.

Bumbo

David loves his new Bumbo chair. It gives him a sense of independence, and also seems to give him a little bit of a workout. In short spurts, this is the perfect way to get David to strike up an exited conversation of baby jabber.

Easter Reflections

It has been a quiet Easter at our house. I have been given to reflection this week on the gift of mercy that we receive from our Lord, Jesus Christ. How grateful I am that He triumphed not only over death, but also over our sorrows and sins. With the happiness in my heart growing with each passing day, I think of how mercy has been extended to our family in many shapes and sizes. Our longing to be parents has been met with a tremendous gift of mercy. I learned much about the suffering and gift of Our Savior by watching a sweet angel birth mother suffer the pains of giving birth to David, and then handing to us the gift that resulted from that suffering. And she did it because she was motivated by love.

I can relate with the triumph of my sorrows in this verse of scripture where a father is teaching his son: "And oh, what a joy, and what marvelous light I did behold; yea, my soul was filled with joy as exceeding as was my pain! Yea, I say unto you, my son, that there could be nothing so exquisite and so bitter as were my pains. Yea, and again I say unto you, my son, that on the other hand, there can be nothing so exquisite and sweet as was my joy."

Yes, I have been blessed with a triumph of joy in my heart. And for that, this quiet Easter day has been sweet.

If You Chance to Meet a Frown

David is getting better at protruding that bottom lip. It seems that with his ability to smile and express happiness, he has also gained some ground in showing off his frown. A little too cute to really take him seriously, if you ask me!

Game Face

David's winter hat gives us a glimpse of what our future linebacker will look like in a helmet. Now the question remains . . . will he play for BYU or for Ohio State?

Springtime Stroll

David and I enjoyed a chance to get out into the fresh air for a walk along the Campbell Creek trail. We joined Jessica and Tallis for the afternoon, and were happy to have Jessica's eyes with us--she pointed out tracks in the snow belonging to a snow shoe hare and other little animals that we would have missed completely!

David enjoyed the stroll in the warmth of the Moby wrap. He cuddled up and took a nap while we walked. And don't worry--his warm hat didn't come off that bald head until it was picture time back at the car. He didn't really need it, because his whole body was encased in the wrap. I told him that Grandpa C always says, "If you want to keep your feet warm, then be sure to wear a hat!"