Stella Babe is 7 months old!

I can't believe I have a 7-month-old baby.  Here is a look at what Stella has been up to...

She still loves bath time!  She knows when we are getting ready to bathe her, and she gets so excited!  As soon as she gets in the warm water, she immediately puts her arms down into the water and relaxes.  She also is loving to suck the water out of the washcloth every time.

She loves playing on her back....still not so much on her tummy...

But sometimes the tummy is okay :)

She loves playing with and eating her toes.  Her little feet are constantly wiggling...I'm hoping that means she will be a little dancer ;)

Stella loves her puppy and smiles just looking at her!

She sleeps like a champion!  Especially at night.  Her naps are still fairly short during the day, but I'm thinking that's just the way she is going to be, so I have given up trying to change it.  

She is sitting up like a big girl...

And is trying to get her knees under her when playing on her tummy....crawling might be in the near future!  But since she hates being on her tummy so much and would much rather be sitting up, I am wondering if she might skip crawling all together, and just be a "bum-scooter".  I'm sure we'll find out soon enough!

She loves being in the water which has made this summer a blast!

She has been teething the past few days...I definitely feel those bottom teeth coming in, but they haven't quite cut through yet.  I think its just a matter of days now! 

This baby loves...and I mean LOVES to laugh!  Maybe I am just bias of my own baby, but I really feel like she is easy make giggle.  She is always happy and smiling!!  She gets the hiccups almost every time she laughs, but it is worth it to hear her crack up!  We have multiple laughing sessions throughout each day, and I love every second of it!

Most of all, she is just busy being silly...

and adorable...

at all times!

Seven months sure went by in a hurry!  This is such a fun age and we are loving every second of this little angel... I seriously don't know what we ever did without her!

Two down...

....Eternity to go!

Josh and I just celebrated our 2nd Anniversary.  Time goes by so fast!! 

I am so grateful to have Josh in my life.   He is such a sweet husband to me and such a wonderful dad to Stella. Recently, Josh's grandfather asked me if Josh is good to me.  I was so happy to be able to honestly answer with "Josh is GREAT to me!"   We have our differences, but I know he loves me and would do anything for me.  Neither of us are perfect, but I do believe we are absolutely perfect for each other!

Four years of dating plus two years of marriage and a baby later....and I am still head over heels for him.  So I guess things are going okay ;)

Love you Josh!  I'm so glad you're mine!

Stella - 6 months

I just can't seem to get enough of this perfect girl and I am loving every little bit of her!

The 4th of July

Our 4th of July started at the Murray Parade, which has been a tradition in our family ever since I was a little girl.  And I was so excited to take Stella for the first time!

 And eventually, she passed out...

That evening, we headed down to a park in Provo for a picnic with the Madsen clan. 

And to celebrate Grandma Cox's birthday.  (Grandpa thought it was appropriate to help her blow out the candles haha!)

We then headed to the Stadium of Fire!  I have been to this a few times now, and I have to say this was the best one to date.  The Beach Boys sure do know how to put on a good show!!

And the fireworks did not disappoint! 

Happy (late) Independence Day!

Welcome Home Elder Madsen!

Elder Jordan Madsen returned from the Paraguay Asuncion Mission on June 22nd. After not seeing him for two years, this was an exciting day for our family!

Waiting for his arrival

 Cousins Stella and Josie

He's Home!!!

Brothers and Dad with "Hermano Yordan" 

Stella meeting her Uncle Jordan for the first time

The handsome R.M.

We can't forget that this special day was also my mother-in-law Kerri's birthday.  What an exciting birthday for her!! 

(I tried over and over to upload the video of him arriving, but it wouldn't work :(  In fact, I can't get any videos to upload on here.  Anyone have any tips for me?)

Welcome Home Jordan!  We are so proud of all of your hard work.  You were a wonderful missionary.  We love you and are happy to have you home with us again!

Solids

Hm.... This is new.... 

What is thist stuff? Squash, you say? 

Ew! Yuck!!!

Well...maybe it's not SO bad.

Okay, I think I can get used to this :)

That's right - sweet Stella babe is on solids already.  At her four month appointment, her pediatrician told us she was definitely ready for them, and encouraged us to get her started soon.  So we did!  She took a liking to it pretty quickly, and has done very well.  So far, she particularly loves nanners (bananas). 

Let me just say the one thing I was NOT prepared for when starting solids.  The difference in diaper messes!!  (TMI?)  The doctor warned me - but holy moly!  Let's just say changing time is a bit...less enjoyable now!  ;)

She is getting big so fast and we are loving every second of watching her learn and grow!

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?