Merry Christmas

It was right around this time last year that Peter and I found out we were pregnant.  Peter was loading his car for the airport for a work trip to California, it was 4 am, and I had a feeling I might be pregnant. So, early that morning, I pulled myself out of bed and was able to send Peter off to California with some wonderful news! Meanwhile, I was home with several days to freak out about the unknown ahead. :)

Now here we are, one year later with our little girl celebrating the holidays with us. While she might not be aware of what's happening, we're both enjoying celebrating the birth of Christ and starting some of our own Christmas traditions.  Here are a few...

Santa Pics! We went to get a Santa pic for Laney in exchange for a food donation and it was adorable! The teenage boys taking the picture seemed to think that if you clap really loud you can get an infant to smile...ummm...I'm glad they don't need to know how to care for infants.  Then the next day, I learned that a different Santa fuels up at the same Safeway as we do! You might be inclined to think, "Oh fun! So magical!", but there is something about seeing Santa driving a dodgy, brown minivan with mold growing on the windows that really loses the magic... Now I know what Santa needs for Christmas!

Lights!  Christmas lights are one of my favorite things! They really brighten up the darkening days.  Peter and I thought we should take Laney to see some lights.  Then, we realized that she stares at the lights on the microwave or our neighbor's chandelier with bright eyes and awe. Why would we pay to see Zoolights, when we can sit with a warm mug of hot cocoa and stare at the lights on our microwave.  Magical!  (Next year we'll be a little more ambitious, but for this year the Christmas tree and microwave will do)

Music!  I love the power music has to evoke memories and impact emotions. This is one tradition that we value greatly in our home. I think I have Christmas music playing much of the day. Plus, Peter's been giving Laney private guitar lessons for months now. Holiday music is a fun and special way to celebrate this season. Our home wouldn't be the same without it.

Presents!  Who doesn't love to receive gifts! Actually, a newborn probably doesn't mind either way. So we decided for her first Christmas that we'd get Laney a sweet little personalized Christmas ornament with her name. Shhhhh...don't tell her.  We'll leave any other spoiling to her grandparents.  :)

Christmas Tree! We've gotten a Christmas tree every year and this year was no different.  In the past, we've driven out into the woods to find the perfect "Charlie Brown" tree, but this year we decided to venture out to Home Depot in search of that perfect tree!  Low and behold...we found it!  As you can see, Laney is ecstatic! :)

Christmas Books! Every evening Peter is responsible for putting Laney to bed.  The routine is quiet play, put on pjs, and read a book. It's one of my favorite times because during "quiet play" I always hear sweet baby giggles (which I don't really think qualify as quiet..) from downstairs and I love walking past and glancing in to see them both laying on the floor reading a fun book. This year, I went to the library and checked out a handful of holiday stories. While Go Dog Go is Peter's favorite, it's nice to mix in some Christmas stories as well.

I'm sure we'll develop more traditions as Christmas approaches and over the years, but for now, I'll sit here listening to Christmas music, next to my Christmas tree while Laney stares at those magical microwave lights and enjoy this holiday season.  A very Merry Christmas to you and God bless you this holiday season. :)

True Confessions of a New Mama

Life with a newborn is pretty crazy.  Sometimes, this leads me to do things that I'm not particularly proud of.  Some of them are funny, some of them I just hope won't scar my little Laney girl. Here are just a few:

• Sometimes when Laney first starts stirring in the morning, I try to stay asleep just long enough that Peter will get her.
• The other day I saw something that looked like some black dirt in Laney's neck folds (love the double chins).  Turns out it was large crumbs from the Oreo I ate earlier..oops!
• When Laney is completely sound asleep and content, I'll risk waking her up just so I can hold my sleeping baby.
• Again, when Laney's completely sound asleep and content, I'll risk waking her up so that I can move her around and get cute sleeping pictures.  
• When Laney is not at all asleep (but I wish she was), I'll put her in her bed and leave really quickly just "hoping" that she'll fall asleep.  It never works. :(
• When I'm running, I'll stop to "check on the baby". Deep down, I know Laney's fine, I just don't want to come to grips with the fact that I can't run anymore. :(
• I only have one pair of jeans that fit.  So yes, if you see me two days in a row, those are probably the same pants. I will cave in and buy new jeans.
• Once, someone came over and watched Laney and told me to take a few minutes to do whatever I needed to do.  I went upstairs and sat on our bed for 30 minutes.  I did absolutely nothing.
• During pregnancy, I snapped at Peter because he bought me Reduced Fat Oreos. In my defense have you seen the amount of stuffing in those? There's nothing there!

Grandparents...yep. 

Bug Catchers...Rescuers Really
No exterminations here!

Special Dad Time...love those little feet

Pajama Par-tay!

We decided to spend our Friday night in so Laney could invite a friend over (and her parents could have a date night). I hope all of Laney's friends are as nice and well-behaved as Izze. We'd invite her back anytime!

Laney was obviously excited for her friend Izze to come over.

"Hey Laney, just push up on this arm and you'll see everything like me."

"Oh yeah, this is much better!"

"Let me get you your bib, Laney."

"So are your parents okay?"
"Yeah, they always make those weird faces.  I'll give them a smile in a minute."

I never would have guessed how much more fun I would have with two adorable little girls on a Friday night than doing anything else. So precious!

A Letter for Laney - we figure she'll be reading in just a few short months :)

Dear Laney,

Happy 2 Months!  I can't believe that only two months and a day ago I was sitting at church, carefree as can be, wondering when we would get to meet you.  What an amazing miracle you are!  We have had lots of fun these last two months.  My favorite time of day is when you want to smile and laugh with your dad and me.  It happens about twice a day and it's not for too long, but I love it!  The rest of the day, you keep busy watching me from your rock and play, sleeping, watching your mobile go around and around, and eating.  Boy, do you enjoy eating!  When I take time to burp you, you cry out like you may never get to eat again.  Don't worry, I like your little rolls of chubbiness, so I'll keep feeding you. :)

This last month has been so fun!  You got to have a lot more firsts: your first Mariner's game, your first bath in the tub, your first visit to the pumpkin patch, your first heart-melting smiles at mom, your first girls' week, and so much more!


Thanks for coming into the world and thanks for being such a sweet, little girl!  We love you, Laney and can't wait for the next adventures. By the way, things are going to get even better in your third month as we already have great plans!  One involves that adorable costume hanging on your closet door!

Love you,

Mom :)
(Even two months in, it still feels weird to call myself mom...)

Play date with your girlfriends, Alice and Izze - so fun!

Peeking out at the world

Napping with Dad is priceless!

Having fun in the Rock-n-Play

Love your mobile

Lovely Ladies

Who will win the stare-down?!

You could stare at this for days!

Precious Pumpkin

Was I Pregnant Only 2 Months Ago!?!?

 I barely remember the days of not being able to roll over, only wearing slip-on shoes, feeling faint every morning, regular kicks to my ribs, and closely monitoring everything I ate to get the perfect nutrition for our baby bump.  In fact, the entire last 9 months or so has been a total blur now that we've entered this new stage of life. Pregnancy is truly a special, unique and miraculous time. That said, I'm glad to be done...for now... ;)   

About a month before Laney was born, Peter and I had a friend take some pregnancy photos.  She did a fantastic job and we are so glad to have them! I was looking at them today and realized that I cannot believe that the pictures are of me! It seems so weird to think about having that big belly and even stranger to think that Laney was inside!  When I was in the moment, I felt like the pregnancy would last forever, but in retrospect, it was no time at all.

Laney's Latest Escapades!

Enough about that, here's the latest lowdown on our little girl!  Her biggest accomplishment of the last couple weeks has been her smile!  Two Fridays ago, she very clearly smiled at me when I started talking to her!  Since then she smiles at me, Peter, and herself in the mirror.  It's still pretty sporadic, but it's so great to see her little, gummy grin.

We also have enjoyed watching her learn to track things (like watching the animals circle around and around on her mobile), we were able to take her to her first Mariner's Game, and most importantly, we're THRILLED that she's sleeping longer at night.

Inside the Bjorn on a great little walk

I love this pic, but it always comes in portrait. Anybody know how to rotate it?

Happy One Month, Alayna!

Our little Laney girl is already one month old! It has been both the shortest and longest month of our lives. We've been so blessed to be able to enjoy extra hours of the day that we used to waste sleeping. What were we thinking!?

Here are just a couple highlights from Laney's first month:

Our first little hike

Partying with Dad ;)

Meeting Laney's adorable cousin, Alina

Laney's First Party (Alina's turning 2! What a big girl!)

Laney and Mom after Laney's first evening with world-class babysitter, Grandpa Rick

Relaxin' on a typical day on Laney's one month birthday!

Parenting 101 - Lessons from Laney

Over the past 3 weeks, I've been busy teaching my mom and dad all about parenting.  So far, they're doing pretty well.  Here are a couple of the important lessons that they have learned so far:

1.  I am going to need ALL your attention when I'm awake.  Don't go thinking that you can check your cell phone while burping me or check your email while bouncing me on the couch because I'm onto you!

2.  If your legs are tired or you just can't rock me anymore, I would recommend using an exercise ball. (Dad - I appreciate you spending countless hours in a daze bouncing me to sleep at 2 am)

3.  If I'm grunting, I'm going to be needing a diaper change very soon.  (Let's hope I outgrow that by middle school...)

4.  I love to be close to you! You can hold me close or use one of those great carriers so you can do other things...but what is better than cuddling me!

5.  That Harvey Karp from The Happiest Baby on the Block really knows what he's talking about!  If I'm a little fussy (which is to be expected when you consider all I've been through), just try the 5 S's.

6. When you get up in the morning, you won't have any time to yourself.  When I wake up, I'm ready to play...and by play I mean stare at you and blink and if you're lucky make silly faces. If you really want excitement, stick out your tongue and I'll stick mine out right back at you!

 I have many more lessons to teach my parents, but so far they're doing great! Thanks especially to their wonderful friends and family for all their help! Apparently, having me at home can be pretty overwhelming and they wouldn't be able to do it without all the support.  (Plus, they have LOVED the tasty meals!!)

 Keep it up, Mom and Dad!

 Love, Laney

Happy 2 Week Birthday, Alayna!

After her first bath

Our girl is growing up so fast!

What a crazy last 14 days it has been!  Laney has had many more first and Peter and I have been surprised and amazed left and right.  Here are some milestones and firsts from the last week or so:

1.  First blowout of apparently many to come...

...which led to...

2. First official sponge bath (she didn't really enjoy this special bonding opportunity)

Boat Trip

3. First boat trip with Grandma and Grandpa Hansen and Uncle Darren.  It was a great trip and we managed to keep her totally out of the sun!

4. First evening of grunting...apparently this is normal. I guess she takes after her dad?

Bright Eyes

5.  Loss of what was left of her umbilical cord - now she has a cute little belly button.

6.  Evenings of silly faces - I think she's learning to use all the muscles in her face because she'll stare up at us with the cutest, strangest, most fun little looks.

7. First visit with Great-Grandma Freda and Grandma Hansen. Four generations of women. :)  Great-Grandma was the first to guess that Alayna was on her way (last Christmas) and knew from the beginning that she'd be a little girl. Great-grandma knows best.  

Four Generations of Ladies