"I'm ready for my close up Mr. Demille"

Maren had new born pictures taken. These pictures were taken when she was 5 days old. I've never been able to do this before because the other two had oxygen canulas over their faces and obviously weren't ready to be around people. I was a little nervous but I am glad that we did them because they turned out so cute.

Ok I know I am bias, but she is beautiful.

So far Maren is a very good baby. She's taking it easy on us.

I love sweet newborn cuddles. And she loves to be cuddled.

She's already over being swaddled. She likes to be wrapped, but not too tight and have her arms out.

She is a healthy baby!

Snug as a Bug!

teeny tiny.

Our family loves Maren so much!

Kindergarten

Well it finally happened. Garrett started kindergarten on Aug. 22
I can't believe that he has grown up so fast. It seems like just yesterday when I was holding a tiny little baby boy in my arms.
He has grown to be a smart and very energetic little boy.

He picked out a Transformers backpack. Guess you could say he's into those these days.

For the first day we drove to school and Brad was able to go in late to work so that he could be there to drop him off too. After the bell rang the kids lined up and waited for their teacher to come out and get them. Garrett's teacher is Mrs. Titus. She seems very nice.

And there he goes! Wave good-bye to my little-big boy!

After I picked him up we went to lunch at his choice (McDonald's :) and then he picked out an ice cream cake from the ice cream shop to share with Dad later that night and celebrate his first day of school.

We've been walking to school every morning and he has been riding his scooter - for some reason not ready to go for the bike yet. Last Friday was a special day when the kids got to meet the principle at a nearby park and walk with him to school for health and safety. So far so good, I think we're going to like the kindergarten thing!

(My eyes were a little watery as we drove home, but to my own amazement I didn't bawl like a baby.)

MaDe In cHiNa

Grandpa Blaine made it home from China! and he came to see baby Maren.

He also brought her a gift!

A Chinese baby carrier. He said that people really walk around with their babies on their backs in these kinds of baskets. There is even a little seat inside!

This was really cool! now like he said we actually have something that is "made in China but didn't come from Walmart!"

Maren's first bath

It's always a little bit of a shock the first time around.

then it turns into -not so bad-

and then a little bit relaxing

Hoopin'

Our friend and neighbor made some hula hoops for the kids, how nice! Embrie is loving it!

2 Week check up

Maren had her 2 week check up (a little early, because Garrett has school starting when she is 2 weeks.) Things look good. We have a healthy little baby.

She weighs 7 lbs. 7oz.
and is 20.5 inches long
--making her one ounce above birth weight. they said that she came out at 18.5 in. I think they must have gotten it wrong at birth because there is no way that she grew 2 inches in 9 days. And that would explain why she looks so skinny.

Garrett and Embrie were quite alarmed to hear her screaming when they took her blood for the PKU. She is such a quiet little thing, none of us had ever heard her cry like that.

1st Weeks

oops this is a post I worked on last week and forgot that I didn't post it.



I just might be that crazy mom that takes at least one picture of her baby every day. Ha ha! I can't help it! everything about her is cute!
Here are the moments that I have captured:

Don't you love the whole "scrunched up" little body

Garrett learning how to swaddle, don't worry he is using "baby LuLu" for practice.

Daddy gets to feed Maren

I don't know what it is about how peaceful and sweet they look when they are sleeping, but there is something.

Big Brother sure loves Maren.

Big Sister sure loves Maren.

Ah! she's going down!

Brad caught this one. Mommy is sure tired.

She is changing every day!

I have taken a zillion pictures of all my kids, heck who am I kidding I still take a ton of pictures of them.