Those are definitely the two things that have been going on for the past month or so, both by Ellie and for us as parents. When I was pregnant I spent so much time doing research to find out what was the best thing for my unborn child, but I didn’t spend quite as much time learning about what to do after she was born. I bought the What to Expect the First Year book, which was helpful for the first four and a half months I was home from work. I would read each section while Ellie napped and inform Brian of everything I read when he got home.

After going back to work though, we really haven’t spent much time reading about the development of our baby girl, outside of the Brain Rules for Baby book (which is absolutely fantastic by the way). Thank goodness for our PEPS group. When we go to dinners with them on Mondays, we absorb all the little things that come up. Last week we learned that babies really can’t understand the word “no” until they’re about 2 and a half years old. There were several books that were recommended to us. Here are a few:

1. Positive Discipline
2. Parenting With Love And Logic (Updated and Expanded Edition) (Maranatha Novels)(I think this is the right one)
3. Unconditional Parenting: Moving from Rewards and Punishments to Love and Reason

As far as Ellie’s learning and growing goes, it seems like there is something new she’s doing every day. She walked up our two back stairs the other day instead of crawling! We’re certain she said “turtle” in the bath and “do it again” to me. She is smiling non-stop; it’s really quite contagious. She’s eating so well and loving all types of things. My only concern and priority as far as that goes is getting her a lot of vegetables every day. She babbles all day long and it’s just so adorable.

I know I’m gloating, but it’s just so exciting and I know every parent shares in that excitement as we all watch our little ones transform into more mature human beings. A couple of our friends came over the other night and we were talking about contrast and perspective. Being parents poses an interesting contrast. It’s challenging and every day there are new things to learn, but in the very same moment we experience the most profound pride and joy.

Here are a few pics of our pride and joy from Easter weekend: