Grace's birth announcement.

I finally got around to making and sending out her announcements! I really enjoyed making our Christmas card....so I decided in December that I would make her announcement, too! I just had to find the time! ;)

4 weeks...can it be?

Grace's Newborn Photos

Let me just start off by saying....I wish that we would have just paid someone to take our newborn pictures! Initially- I was so excited to do it ourselves...that is....before she was born. I don't really ever get a chance to practice taking pictures of newborns, so I thought this would be a great opportunity...and we could just do it "whenever." Uh-huh....yeh right!

Anyway- I am still beating myself up about it....we never got any of her with me...or her with Geoff....or any of the 4 of us. But I am learning to let it go. It's just hard because she's only this little once, you know?

Ok...so I'm still not real thrilled with what I am posting, but I am posting because I am 'done'. At least for now. So here they are....



And this is obviously a 'take-out' since you can see my hands....but I just think her smile is the sweetest thing.

Does anybody have a favorite for a birth announcement?

2 week well-visit.

Grace had her 2 week well visit this morning. So far, so good!

Here are her stats:

weight: 8 pounds, 15.5 ounces (that's 8.5 ounces more than her birth weight)-- 75th percentile
height: 21.25 inches (she's grown about a quarter of an inch since birth)-- 75th percentile



They did her PKU newborn screen, as well. She was a trooper. She did cry, but not too much, and then stopped crying completely when I picked her up...(one of the best feelings).


And the next 2 pictures are just because....

Parker seems to really be coming around. She has shown interest in Grace since she was born...and she asks to hold her at least once a day....but I guess I am just starting to feel like things are becoming 'normal' around here (whatever that is).

Anyway....

Sometimes when Parker holds her...she starts pointing out all of her body parts and naming them. It's pretty cute. Here- she is pointing out "baby Guh-race's feet!"

On newborns: You forget....

Since the birth of Grace....I find myself saying in my head a lot of the time "You forget...." followed by something that I 'forgot' about since having Parker as a newborn.

• You forget about the sleepless nights...
• You forget about just how many diapers you go through in a day (seriously....you really do forget this!! ;) ....
• You forget about how your laundry seems to double....
• You forget about how long it takes for the surgical tape residue to come off of your skin (12 days and counting...)....
• You forget how easy it is to fall asleep sitting up (I've even found myself dosing while just blinking my eyes!!)....
• You forget that, although these days are rough, they are numbered....so you remind yourself of this so that you can enjoy this short time with them so little....
• You forget how helpless they are and how they depend on you for every little thing....
• You forget how irregular their breathing pattern is....
• You forget the funny noises they make while they are sleeping....
• You forget how wobbly they are....
• You forget how soft their skin is....
• You forget how good they smell...
• You forget how little they are....
• You forget just how sweet they really are....
• You forget what life was like before them....
  

And oddly enough....you are reminded, yet again, how amazing the miracle of life is.

One more newborn photo....

We did finally get around to taking some pictures on Wednesday, but the lighting in the house was horrible due to the overcast skies. That...coupled with the fact that we really don't know what we are doing. But here is one that I have somewhat finished up and wanted to share. Hopefully I will get around to more of them later today or tonight!

An attempt at newborn pictures....

And a measly attempt it was. We're hoping tomorrow we will be able to spend a little more time and try to get some good ones!