HAPPY NEW YEAR!

We just wanted to wish everyone a Happy New Year! Hope you had a safe and fun time however you celebrated. We hope your 2008 is filled with many blessings for you and your families.

5 Months Old

Taylor is five months old and getting so big! She is filling out and getting some really cute cheeks. On Christmas day she laughed for the first time - it's a funny, little laugh and we weren't quite sure if that's really what it was at first. But later in the day she did it a few more times and we were then sure that it was indeed a laugh. She has also been flipping from her tummy to her back alot more, and then gets stuck like a helpless little turtle (not fun for anyone in the middle of the night). Her gums have been bothering her more lately and she chews, gums, and slobbers on anything she can get into her mouth. The past few nights we've been working on getting her to sleep through the night. Last night was kind of rough, but the night before she did pretty well. We'll keep you updated on this for sure. I still haven't introduced cereal or baby food, but you better believe I'll post some pictures when we do. The day gown she's wearing in the pictures was purchased by Nick's parents and was intended to be what she wore home from the hospital. As you can see, at five months and over 13 pounds it fits her quite well. There was no possible way she could have worn it at 6 pounds, despite the "newborn" size.

Baby's First Christmas

Here are some pictures from Taylor's first Christmas. Of course she's too young to know what's going on, but Nick and I sure enjoyed dressing her up in Christmas paraphenalia and buying gifts for her! From top to bottom: Modeling her Christmas outfit from Nick's parents; Our little stocking stuffer; Loving her lion from Grammy; Sitting with great-grandmother Grammy; Happy after the Christmas church service; Annual Porch Picture at Robyn's mom's house.

Bad Combination

We have evolved from a sick baby to a sick baby and Mommy and now to a sick baby and Mommy and Daddy! This is not a good combination.

Sick Baby

Just wanted you to know Taylor is sick with upper respiratory issues and is running a fever. Please pray for her quick healing and that she'll be able to sleep and eat well through the congestion.

Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart!

I was reminded today as I watched "A Baby Story" on TLC just how precious life is and that the birth of a healthy baby is indeed a miracle. I've "known" these things and probably even said them a time or two. I also just read a blog entry from a couple who lost their baby 10 days ago. So of course my heart is in a tender state. The lady on the TV show today had had 1 baby born at 28 weeks (who is now 7 and a half years old and doing well), 3 miscarriages, 1 stillborn baby, another miscarriage, and then another baby who was born at 36 weeks and healthy. I sometimes take for granted my uncomplicated pregnancy and that Taylor was born healthy. Then I see or read about people whose stories are so very different than mine, and I remember to thank God for our precious baby. So I encourage you to look around you, think of your blessings and all the things for which you should be thankful, and indeed give thanks with a grateful heart!

A Day of Firsts

Today was a day of firsts for two of the Villacampas. Taylor rolled from her tummy to her back for the first time today. She was fussing so I went in to get her up from her nap and she was on her back! Yes, she sleeps on her tummy eventhough they say not to. So neither Nick nor I got to witness it, but hopefully we'll both be here to see her roll from her back to her tummy for the first time. The other first was for Nick. He had the privilege of seeing a ballet for the first time in his 29 years of life. He took me to the Nutcracker tonight and I thank him very much! As we were leaving he said, "I mean, that is just something I cannot relate to (men ballet dancers). Why do they have to jump around when they leave the stage or after they do something good? I would probably just do a fist pump or point to someone in the crowd." And I can totally see him do both of those things. I think fun was had by all tonight, but I probably enjoyed it the most. I hope to take Taylor to the ballet one day and I especially hope to watch her in one, too!

Too Big For P.J.'s

Back in September (see top picture) we made a post entitled "Big Enough For P.J.'s" and now that same pair of jammies is too small (see bottom picture). Actually, they're just too short - you can't tell from the picture but she can't really straighten her legs out all of the way without it looking like her big toe is about to poke through. It's great that she's growing so well, but it's a bit sad, too. It's true what they say..."They grow up too fast!"

Christmas Spirit

This past weekend we got our Christmas tree and began decorating it and the house. What a fun time of year! Taylor looks to be in the Christmas Spirit doesn't she? My excitement must be contagious! Nick and I are looking forward to celebrating Taylor's 1st Christmas - much more excited than she is I'm sure. Thanks Aunt Sissy for the precious outfit! I think Taylor likes it, too.

On Her Way

Taylor seems to be on her way to rolling over, or at least it looks that way to us. She'll just about break her neck trying to look at the T.V. (as you can see in the last picture), so it might take placing her in front of it in such a way that she has to roll over in order to see it. (Disclaimer: We do not allow her to watch T.V., nor are we encouraging it at such a young age. She just always turns to look at it when it's on.) I'm not in a huge hurry for her to roll over and I really hope Nick and I are both here to see her the first time she does. We'll update you on her progress.