Arielle is doing fabulous. Treats Elly like she's always been a part of the family. No mutinies or uprisings from her :). If Elly starts to fuss Arielle will run run run from the other room and start cooing "You're alright. You're ok" It's pretty endearing. She is growing leaps and pounds intelligently. Every time we turn around it seems and ask a question jokingly - she actually answers it correctly! Bizarre to hear her try and hold a conversation with you as well. It's so much fun (if you take out the tantrums of course :)) Oh! We did try potty training but found out, indeed, that "they are not ready until they are ready". Not one to do pointless endeavors we decided to stop forcing the issue and allow her to develop communication skills and understanding a bit more before we try again.
Ellia is now 7 weeks and is growing more aware of herself and surrounds at an increasing speed. She is a bit more quiet than Arielle was but that much more of a cuddler as well. She is laid back and willing to go along the ride of the Rodgers Family antics but will be quick to let you know when she's had her limit of slings, car seats and strollers. At which point you simply wrap her up and put her close to your skin and she's like "Ahhhh, ok. It's all good". She still loves to practice standing (I have yet to video tape that) and 'working out' as we call it. Much more physically adept than Arielle was at this age (Arielle was more social). We have no worries about neck control anymore which is always a fun stage to pass by :).
She is solidly on her schedule and has yet to show herself as one of the babies that eats more frequently during growth spurts (like Arielle did) she simply eats more during feeding time. THAT was a pleasant surprise to come across, as we obviously would feed her if she asked for it sooner. She just doesn't. Elly just started the past two nights sleeping for 6 hour stretches and I cannot tell you how delicious that is to experience again. Although my body still wakes up when she used to eat. We're hoping it stays this way - although it is definitely not unusual if she stops and starts this trend a few times before making it a true habit.
As for the rest of the family: All is well. Brandon will class up to Primary Flight school on July 28th. In the mean time he is at home loafing with us trying not to give to much a mind that school starts up soon. He basically calls a number every morning and says his name for mustering and has one mandatory day in the week to physically show up on base. It's pretty nice to have him around to play with before the craziness starts. Arielle is VERY much a Daddy's girl right now and cannot get enough of his rough housing, cuddles and book reading. Which, of course, tickles Brandon. I can't say we've done a whole lot of big important things. Brandon went kayaking 32 miles; I plan to go kayaking this weekend; horseback ride next week (hopefully); running every morning; watching more tv than we should (we just got DVR cable); working on puzzle books; nursing nursing nursing; feeding Arielle again and again and again; having company over; budgets - you know, the regular stuff.
Well that's all for now. I pray the Lord is working mightily in your life. Love, The Rodgers
The video is basically a video over the past two days - mainly dealing with the gifts from Mimi, Papa, Grammy & Papa Bear, Mommy and Daddy for her birthday. (we should have filmed shoving that plastic pool in the back of the minivan.) Thank you all for the gifts, Arielle loved them. (She sleeps with the bear, mom)
