Our little girl and I have been busy during the day while Daddy is at work. We’re working on tummy time (she hates it after only 5 minutes) and have been practicing making faces and following people with her eyes. She’s so strong. Every day we try to send Daddy an email with a new picture so he’ll know how much we miss him when he’s not here.

Last weekend we baptized her at my local church and had a big brunch reception in our home for the family and friends that attended the big event. It was amazing to have everyone here for this special occasion. We missed Joe’s mom and his sister, brother-in-law, and niece…but we’ll get to see them all again soon.

Just wanted to say hello and post a few more pictures for the masses. My time with two free arms is always very short. I’ll keep posting when I can. Thanks to all of you who have sent emails, gifts, cards, and calls. We can’t always answer the phone and respond right away but we appreciate them and your patience as we try to reply to all of them. You have all been so supportive and our daughter is so blessed to have you in her life…as are we.

The baby has been so much fun to watch as she experiments with facial expressions and noises. Today Joe was playing with her and she smiled at him.

I figured it was a good time to post this picture I took yesterday. She was laying on our bed and just looking around at everything so I grabbed the camera. This was a lucky shot of her almost smiling.

I wanted to post some pictures from our first week together as a family. She’s worth every minute of sleep we’ve lost. What a joy! All of it…even the moments she cries when we change her diaper. It’s amazing the love you feel for your child. People have told me but you just can’t appreciate the magnitude until you go through it. We look at her and are in awe of this whole experience. She is such a gift.

Daddy has been wonderful with his little girl and with me. He’s my cheerleader, my confidant, my shoulder, my caretaker, and my partner through all of this. We are a great team. Here is a picture of them watching football together. It’s the playoffs ya know…and the Chargers have won the first two games! Watch out New England! We really need to get this child some Charger gear so she can sport their colors like Daddy.

Here I am with our little one after some play time on her mat. She really likes to kick her feet, hold her telephone rattle, and look at herself in the mirror. A diva already! We’ve had some great times together this past week as we both learn about this breastfeeding thing. The night feedings are all about mama and baby time which gets me through the soreness and lack of sleep. Everything seems right with the world when she’s in my arms. I love it when she falls asleep on my Left shoulder and she nuzzles into my neck. It’s the best feeling. We love to listen to all of her little noises…from the seal noise her throat makes when she swallows hard, her little snort when she’s hungry, and the cutest grunting sigh when she’s had her fill to eat.

I think I speak for all of us when I say, “I can’t wait to see what’s next!” Hope you’re all well. Thanks for your patience with us as we work through this time together. We appreciate all of the love and support from all of you. We are blessed, indeed!

Hello!

We’ve gotten so many requests for pictures so I thought I’d post one and show you how much she looks like her daddy!

Our new little family is doing well as we work through this first week at home together. She is a miracle indeed…we are overjoyed!

By the way, in order to keep her identity private, please refrain from using her name on this site. Thanks!

No baby yet but I’m starting to have some of the symptoms that tell me it will be soon. I won’t go into them…

My parents will arrive in town tomorrow to stay with us. Their trip here is two-fold. One, to be here for the birth and Two, to help us out afterwards. It will be nice to have someone to help us with some errands and food prep while we concentrate on the baby those first few weeks. I understand it will be a trying time for everyone but that in no time we should get into a schedule.

We’ll keep you posted, of course, when things do start. Next week should be pretty interesting!

Shame on all of you who knew about this concoction and didn’t share!

I’m drinking my first Diet Caffeine Free Dr Pepper and have to say it’s heavenly for a pregnant gal like me. I’ve tried to stomach the Coke version (we call this Coke free Coke in our little family) and honestly feel that it’s horribly vile! I was pleasantly surprised after drinking my first sip of this Dr P.

Another fave is A&W Diet Root Beer…which is naturally caffeine free. Plus, Fresca…which is naturally diet and caffeine free. None are substitutes for the nectar of the gods, Diet Coke, but they have been life savers while I’ve been taking greater care with what I put in my body these last 9-months.

This is a recent picture that Shana took of me (and the baby) on Thanksgiving. It’s almost time!