5 Months Old

I'm writing about my sweet baby because I want to remember every detail I can about this little person. I'm also wondering if I can help others when they reach this milestone.

Roxanne is 5 months old now! Woo hoo! These are some of the fun things about Roxy right now:

• She loves playing with my necklaces and scarves that I'm wearing when I'm feeding her.
• She loves trying to make me smile while she's eating by pulling away and smiling up at me.
• While I'm burping her after a feeding, she likes to scratch at the pillows behind me that are on the couch.
• She can roll from her back to her belly. We're still working on belly to back, but she seems like she's close!
• She LOVES staring at her daddy. She'll stop eating and pull away just to watch him, even if she's super hungry.
• She's learning to love going on walks with her stroller. She still seems unsure of the whole prospect (we've been cooped up all winter)
• She loves making TONS of noise, specifically high-pitched squeals that can make Momma's ears ache.
• She doesn't like to be alone for very long. She'll start squeal/yelling in frustration.
• She loves meeting new people and her parents don't mind passing her off to others so she can keep learning to be sociable.
• She's getting MUCH bigger cheeks that I can't stand but not kiss right now.
• She loves observing things. She'll just watch a person, or grab a toy and just look at it. My favorite is when she's mesmerized  by her hands and then shoves them in her mouth :)
• She's been eating rice cereal for about a month and we are currently feeding her new veggies. She liked the squash and now it's time for peas! (Our pediatrician gave us the advice to start with veggies and then go to fruit since fruit has a sweeter taste and babies will like them better. This way, she can try the veggies without knowing any better and like them before the fruit)
• She is really sweet and really doesn't cry unless there's a problem.
• She's really loving bath time! She likes to splash in the water and loves the occasional shower as well.
• She loves being outside. She grins so big when we're all outside together!

She's going through a weird sleep phase right now. We can't tell if she's just not tired when we put her down, or if she's too tired to fall asleep...it's all a guessing game. She does pretty good at nights though. She wakes up, however, at 3 - 4 am just wide awake. We keep her in her crib and let her cry/whimper while checking on her every once in a while. Last night worked pretty well, except it was about an hour until she fell back to sleep. At least she's learning that we only pick her up at night when it's time for her to eat and to hopefully get herself back to sleep when she does wake. It's an exhausting process :)

It's kinda hard for me when I read the things that "Roxy should be doing" or the "milestones that she should be reaching". Not saying that she's not reaching them, but I see some of my friend's babies....I've just decided that I need to stop comparing. Roxy is an individual and, with our urging and support, she'll reach the various milestones when she's ready.

She really is the joy of our lives. There is nothing more rewarding or wonderful than being a parent. I so look forward to the things that we get to experience in the future!

Valentine's Day

So Valentine's Day is coming up. I'll be honest, I LOVE Valentine's Day! And not because it's all about romance.

Growing up, I would wake up on Valentine's Day and open the door to my bedroom to see a small gift from my parents right outside my door. It really wasn't anything big. It was like a small bag of candy or a cute stuffed animal. I would go upstairs, tell my parents I loved them, and then tell the rest of my family the same. To me, this holiday is simply letting those that I love know that I love them.

Okay, now time for what's really on my mind. I see, all the time, couples (including married) that post on social media things like, "I don't need anything on Valentine's Day. If my spouse wants to show me how much they love me, they shouldn't limit it to doing it one day of the year. If he wants to bring home flowers any other time of the year, I would love it. Yada yada, etc."

Umm...no one said they have to express their love only on this day of the year. Your significant other is more than welcome to do things during the year. But for people like my husband and I who are pinching pennies and can't afford for him to bring me flowers "once in a while," a day like Valentine's where we can splurge a bit is kinda nice!

Right now I'm working on a project to give to Spencer for Valentine's Day. It's taking up lots of time and effort and it's completely homemade. I might spend maybe $10 on it for supplies. It's something that wouldn't work on Father's Day, or Easter...and his birthday is in October! I don't want to wait that long! (PS I'm making those "Open When..." envelopes. Where they say to open one when "you're lonely" or "you miss me" or "you need to know how much I love you"...super cute idea from Pinterest) No, I don't spend a lot for Valentine's Day, but at least it's something to tell him I love him rather than completely avoiding that day of the year out of spite. It's just a fun holiday kids, have fun with it like you would St. Patrick's Day or......that's all I can think of, but still, just enjoy it (or ignore it) rather than dissing it or making it a mockery for those who actually enjoy it.

PS: these opinions are all my own. If you disagree, then great! But if there are rebuttals, keep it positive peeps :)

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Many Welcomes to My Blog

Aaaaand here I am. Creating a blog. And why not? Blogs are the "in" thing right now I guess. If you don't have a blog, you're not cool.

Why am I creating a blog? I really don't know...I have always kind of wanted to. Not really so that others can read and appreciate my opinion (ha) but just for the fun of it.

Anyway, I think introductions are in order. My name is Emilee Stansfield. My maiden name is Banks. I hail from a small town, went to college in a small town, and now live in a much larger city...even though it's considered one of the "smaller" cities of the area. I am a wife to my wonderful husband, Spencer. He is the love of my existence and brings so much joy into my soul. Together, we have a beautiful baby girl, Roxanne. We call her Roxy, Baby Girl, and Stinker-Bum. My little love is currently 4 months old and brings me so much happiness. I could never had imagined the beauty of motherhood and it is my most favorite thing I have ever done.

I love doing crafts and I love learning new skills. So far I have learned piano, taught myself the guitar, forced myself to become better at public speaking, created cute headbands for my daughter and for others' babies, and right now I'm trying to learn how to do calligraphy. I love finding skills that I'm passionate about and pursuing them and challenging myself.

I am also a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I am by no means perfect, but I am striving every day to grow closer to my Savior and to follow His example.

I don't want to ramble on for ten years tonight, I just wanted to give a brief overview of who I am :)

Also, I have no idea how to end these things. So.....