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

Alayna's First Week

Alayna and me  right after she arrived.

What a wonderful, crazy, and life changing week it has been!  It is hard to believe that last week at this time Alayna was just about to make her grand entrance!  I can't believe all that has happened in the last week! Peter and I are so grateful for our little girl and love her so much!  We were lucky as we seem to have gotten the cutest little girl around. ;)

Two days old

Alayna's arrival was quite the event last week with my contractions becoming pretty regular on Monday night around 9. Unfortunately, I had back labor, meaning Laney was turned the wrong way.  At first I didn't think I was actually having contractions as I just had excruciating pain in my back. Then by midnight, I was ready to call the doctor and ask if we should come in.  My contractions were about 5 minutes apart.  He said we could, but he also said I might be more comfortable at home.  (Realistically, I don't think I would have been comfortable at a 5 star resort in the Bahamas...)  I've read that you should try and sleep between the contractions, but they must have been talking about the future father not mother, because I told Peter to get some rest (he had no problem) and I spent the night downstairs trying to sleep in 4-5 minute intervals.  Whoever said sleeping is possible is absolutely insane!

By 6 am the next morning, I told Peter I wanted to call again.  My contractions were three minutes apart and definitely not fun.  I just kept telling myself that I must be imagining the pain and to toughen up.

Back at our house and 3 days old

When we got to the hospital, we went to triage and the nurses said I was probably a little dialated as I was clearly having contractions.  When the doctor checked me out, she was amazed to find that I was already 7 cm!  Hooray!  Only 3 left to go!  The nurse led us to the birthing suite and I just kept looking at that empty baby bed and couldn't believe that I would have a little, baby girl lying in that bed.  I was excited, but to be honest...completely terrified!

After many more hours, Laney finally decided to make her entrance at 3:30 in the afternoon on Tuesday.  The entire experience was unlike anything I've ever been through.  Words just can't describe it.

One Week Old  Birthday Walk to the Park

Currently, we're adjusting to this new life with our beautiful girl and praying that she'll figure out this whole sleeping at night thing.  Otherwise, we've decided to just switch our schedule and stay up all night...might just be easier...