4-months old!

4 months already?!  Time is going WAY too fast!  I feel like we just brought her home from the hospital yesterday.  And now...

She's playing on her tummy (still not a huge fan of the tummy time, but definitely improving!) and rolling over...

Enjoying looking at pictures, colors, feeling textures, and having story time with dad...

Learning new things...

 Sitting up like a big girl, watching Baby Einstein and Baby Signing Time...

Laughing (I have yet to capture her laughing on video.  Every time we pull out the camera, she stops!  As soon as we get it, it will be on here because its the cutest thing ever! But I think this face says it all)...

And basically just being completely adorable in every way...

I mean really....look at those cheeks!  How could you not love that face? 

The Blessing of Stella Babe

May 6, 2012 was the big day for our little girl!  We had been anticipating this day for a long time, and it was finally here.  That morning, there was a lot that needed to be done to make food and prepare for our guests we would have after the blessing.   But I honestly remember waking up that morning and just feeling completely overwhelmed.  Not because of all that had to be done... But because of what this day meant. I was completely at peace and knew the Spirit was with me that entire day.  I feel a little piece of Heaven every day when I hold Stella, but it was especially strong this day, and I knew it was because of her.  She brings such a light into our lives!  Maybe it is just because I am her mom, but I think she is an extraordinarily happy baby.  Of course she has her moments, and her first few weeks here were difficult.  But she is such a joy.  Getting her to smile is not a chore - not even close! 

Josh gave a beautiful blessing.  I will never forget the many things he blessed her with, and I know those things will be instrumental in her future.  I am so grateful to have a husband who holds the Priesthood, and who is worthy to bless our daughter.  I am also grateful for the other men who stood in the circle that day.  You don't know what it meant to us to have you there.  The Priesthood has been a huge part of my life.  I know it is real, and it holds a special place in my heart.  I know that every part of the Church is true, but if I have a truly strong testimony of one thing, it would be the Priesthood.

After the blessing, everyone joined us at my Parents' house for lunch.  We enjoyed a baked potato bar, and I was very happy with how it all turned out!  Thank you to everyone who brought food that day - it was a HUGE help!

 

 J.B. and Zach

Melissa and Kellen.  I love this picture - can you tell she really loves Melissa?!  That girl is going to make a wonderful mother someday! 

Uncle Brian and Aunt Brittany

 Uncle Josh and Uncle Tyler

Aunt Krissy and Uncle Tyler

 Great-Grandma and Grandpa Cox

 Great-Grandma Greenwell and Grandpa Bart

 Beautiful Josie and Adorable Sadie

 Aunt Heidi, Uncle Jason, cousin Josie, Uncle Johnny, Uncle Jared, Chandler, and Grandpa Scott

 Grandpa Scott and Grandma Kerri

 Grandma Brenda and Grandpa Bart

I especially have to thank my mom for all of her help with everything on this day!  It would not have been possible without her - there is absolutely no way I could have done it on my own!

 This was such a perfect day!  Thank you again to everyone who came and supported our family.  We love each and every one of you, and are grateful to have you all in our lives.

These are a few photos that were taken at the time we had her 3-month photos done.  Thank you Brooklyn for taking such beautiful photos! 

Dear Stella, 

 We hope you know how much your mom and dad love and adore you.  You have been the greatest blessing in our lives!  We are so grateful to Heavenly Father every day for trusting us to be your parents.  We know you are going to have such a wonderful life ahead of you!  Keep being the sweet angel that you are.  We Love You!

Stella's 3-month Photos

We just got these photos back today.  I don't even know what to say about them... This girl is an absolute angel, nothing makes us happier. 

There are no words!

Easter Trip to Zion's

 Over Easter weekend, we were able to take a trip down to Zion National Park for a fun getaway with Josh's family.  The entire Cox family (my mother-in-law's family) were able to attend, minus a few.  We took this trip three years earlier and we couldn't wait to go again!  This time we had little Stella with us, of course making it even better.

 

One of the main reasons we had this trip, was to celebrate Josh's sweet Grandpa Rodney for his birthday.  It was a bit belated, but a great celebration!  Everyone in the room was able to share a special memory they have of Grandpa.  It was fun to learn some new things about him. From the time I met him, he has made me feel like one of his own grandchildren and I love him for that.  He is such a wonderful man and I am grateful for the time we were able to spend with him during this trip!

The man of the hour!

 

 

Stella loves her aunt Heidi.  I don't know if it is because Heidi has a young baby as well, but she definitely has the touch!

 

The next day we were able to enjoy a movie at the IMAX theater, then spend the afternoon at the pool.  This was Stella's first time swimming, and she had a great time! She loves bath time, so the fact that she loved the hot tub was no surprise. 

 Swimming with daddy!

 

The next day was Easter Sunday.  At home, Stella received a new dress and some toys from the Easter Bunny, but we didn't bring these things along with us So it was so thoughtful of Grandma Kerri and Grandpa Scott to have a gift waiting for her. 

A new book to remind her how much the Savior loves her.

 

Then it was time to pack up and head home.  Before that, we had to get a photo with the whole gang. 

(Heidi, I didn't have of a photo of the whole group, I stole this off your blog - hope you don't mind!)

 

 

 The Madsen kids with their Great Grandma and Great Grandpa Cox.  A photo that will be cherished forever!

 

 

Thank you Grandma and Grandpa, Scott and Kerri, and everyone else for a fantastic weekend!  Hope to do it again soon! :)

2 month old Stella babe

This is the face I get to see every morning and after every nap...

I just had to brag :)

I can't believe she is two and a half months old already! Time is absolutely flying and we are just trying to soak up every second with her!

Some things I want to remember about her first two months of life:
-She is pretty much sleeping through the night! HALLELUJAH! I don't know how we got so lucky to have such a good sleeper, but I am beyond grateful for this!
-Even though she sleeps great at night, she doesn't really take naps during the day. She takes a few 15-20 minute naps here and there, but that's about the most we can get out of her. (But I would choose the sleeping through the night over taking good naps any day!)
-This girl hates....and I mean HATES....tummy time. She always has. She absolutely screams her head off any time she is on her tummy. So when her pediatrician told us that tummy time is overrated, I was pretty happy.
-She is one happy girl...it doesn't take much to get her to smile. She was pretty fussy from about weeks 6-9, but is starting to grow out of it and we love how happy she is! She is even starting to giggle once in a while!
-She loves the T.V. Call me a bad parent, but anytime she is fussy, all you have to do is put her in front of the T.V. and it calms her down. I know I know, they say no T.V. when they are this young, but hey - we do what works!
-She LOVES bathtime...she could sit in there for hours if we would let her.

-She is in the 50% for height and weight, and 90% for head circumference! She is just smart :)

Stella is an absolute angel! I really don't know how we ever lived without her!