Hand-me-arounds for Emme

Lauren's 4 Month Appointment

Last Friday we visited the doctor for Lauren's 4 month check-up. She weighed 14 pounds and is in the 50th percentile for weight and 98th percentile for height. She is a tall girl!

Easter Sunday

This morning we attended our first mass with Lauren. We arrived at church about 20 minutes late due to Lauren's second morning nap, but it was a long service this week, so we still arrived in time for the homily, a baptism that took place today, and communion. Lauren was on her best behavior at church. She didn't make a peep of noise! She seemed to be taking it all in, and she received a blessing from Reverend Sarah when we went up to take communion. All in all, it was a pretty perfect first church experience for her.

Today was also Lauren's first experience in her new Bumbo seat. Photos below!

Downton Abbey

Earlier this year I noticed that a lot of my friends were talking about a TV show called Downton Abbey. I had never heard of it and when I looked into it in February, I discovered that it was near the end of the 2nd season. So I decided to just start from the beginning and catch up. I finally got around to this last week and bought all of the episodes for Seasons 1 and 2 through Amazon Instant Videos. It is so convenient - you can order practically any movie or TV show and watch it immediately online via streaming video on Amazon.

The show airs during the "Masterpiece Classic" hour on PBS. It is set in the early 1900s and takes place in England. It follows the lives of the people who live at Downton Abbey, including the Earl of Grantham and his family as well as the house staff (butler, footmen, maids, cooks, etc). Of course there is a lot of drama but the show seems so realistic (as far as I can tell) that I never once felt anything was over-the-top. It was just really interesting to watch and imagine what life was like then. The castle where the show is filmed is called Highclere Castle in real life and a real Earl and Countess live there today. They allow the show to film there throughout the year.

I highly recommend the show if you haven't already seen it! I'm looking forward to season 3.

Polly

A few weeks ago, Jim and Lavonne gave Lauren a cute little doll. Dan named her "Polly" (I think for the sole reason that it rhymes with "dolly"). Lauren absolutely loves Polly! Whenever we put Polly in front of her, she gives us a huge smile and reaches out to hug Polly. It is really cute.

Out and about

Since our spring has been so summer-like, I bought Lauren two sun hats recently to make it easier to enjoy being outside without worrying that she will sunburn. Below is a photo of Lauren all strapped in and ready to go for a morning walk!

A Good Day

Claire posted this poem on her blog and I thought it was worth sharing again here.

A Good Day
“Today will be a good day,
And I will make it so–
I cannot make the sun come out;
I cannot make the flowers sprout;
I cannot make the fishes bite,
Nor blow the wind beneath my kite.
But I can wear a friendly smile
And listen to the trees a while
And laugh real loud and run real fast
And make each moment such a blast.
I can sing though skies be gray,
‘Cause I am captain of my day.”