Fourth Trimester, Here and Gone!

Many people describe the first three months of their child’s life like the fourth trimester of pregnancy. Probably because babies, as we know, come out nearly helpless, so fragile, and so sleepy. But over the first three months, much happens! And... we’ve made it! As of yesterday, little Julip Emmaline is three months old! And wow, has the time flown!

This is my FAVORITE picture of her! She finally fits into this cute outfit from dear Melanie Dew!

Little girl can hold her head up now. She prefers to sit up when not sleeping so she can turn her head from side to side looking about the room. When you hold her while walking, she keeps her neck strong and supports her head. A big accomplishment for such a tiny human with such a big head! J

Sitting in her babypod! Those kicks were given by her cousins Oliver and Holden once they outgrew them! yes, that means they're boy shoes...but they're Vans :)

When it’s tummy time, she now works on lifting her head at a 45° angle and can hold it there for quite an impressive amount of time! Just a few weeks ago she couldn’t even turn her head from side to side. She’s getting so strongl!

She doesn't always like Tummy Time...I guess cause it's a workout!

Momma's impressed!

While holding Julibelle in your lap, she has fun when you let her stand on your knees. She’ll smile so big and hold her weight so well! We have a fun game we play when she bends her knees and then springs up, with a little assistance from me, of course…just a little…ahem.

Standing on BoPop's legs on the porch!

Needless to say, she doesn’t sleep as much during the day! We have set a schedule now! The first weeks of her life, the word "schedule" didn't exist in our lives…it was just feed/sleep/poop on demand! But now, just in case you’re wondering, she wakes up around 7:30 am, eats, stays up, naps, eats, stays up, naps, eats, stays up, naps, eats and is put in her crib around 8 pm, give or take a few more naps or feedings plus some diaper changes! Also, I’ll share a little secret we’ve been trying…while she’s asleep, right before I go to bed, I pick her up and feed her one last snack (remember, she’s still sleeping...wish I could do that). This seems to work! She has given us five out of seven full nights of sleep, and I’m not complaining! J

Swinging and sleeping on our porch...such a nice day...must be outside! Thanks Poarches!

I love how she places her hands while she sleeps...

See, she's not ALWAYS swaddled!

Something cute we find when we get her from her crib every morning is...a SMILE! She wakes up happy! She must be having some very pleasant dreams…it surely makes us laugh!

Finally stretching after a long night's sleep!

This picture is hilarious! This is how I found her sleeping...When I sat her down, her shirt was buttoned...but I found her like this. And although this picture doesn't show him, her daddy is sleeping next to her in a similar position. FUNNY!

Julip has also found her tongue! May sound funny if you haven’t spent much time around newborns, but this is a necessary step in development. I know she has discovered this because of her new noises! She has been rolling her tongue near the front of her mouth and making some of the funniest and cutest noises!

I wish flowers were as big as my head! :)

I always thought all my babies would have blonde hair and blue eyes. Even when I married Dustin I thought they'd surely have blonde hair, cause his was blonde too! But I have a feeling that this little girl will be keeping her head full of brunet hair! It's not falling out! :) I think it's a beautiful color, but I'd like it even if it were blue!

What an incredible Daddy! I love this man!!!

My brown-headed babes!

So far, little girl has done a lot during her short life...best of all, she's been baptized! What an incredible sacrament to take part in! She has celebrated Easter with family! She has gotten her shots and handled them so well. She has been to Chattanooga and on many trails and to many parks and gardens! She has been to her Susu’s house in Mississippi, to Mimi and Bobo’s house many times, and to visit her Uncle Eric and her Pawpaw and Muttie! And this weekend, she’ll visit her Uncle Davis and very-soon-to-be Aunt Anna in Georgia! It’ll be her first time to Georgia and FIRST WEDDING! They're getting married! That also means she'll get to meet many family members like Jeanine (my sister) and her boys, Ryan (my oldest brother), the Poarches and Feeros! She'll also have lots of time with her Uncle Carter and Aunt Kim, Old Grandmother, and Susu, who have all missed her very much!

Showing off her battle wounds...wish we could've avoided that...cute bandaids though.

He was supposed to be showing her the flutters...but was getting some sugar instead! I don't blame him...

Huntsville Botanical Gardens...what a great gift, Dustin! :)

Our baby girl is definitely growing up...healthily and happily! We love her to pieces and are so thankful for this precious gift God has entrusted to us!

Thanks for reading!

With love,

The Jernigans, we three