May 31, 2011

Memorial Day fun

Well, there was no better way to celebrate making it through our first week of daycare than to have a long, fun weekend. Check out our little patriot as we prepare for a day-long outing on her first Memorial Day!


Mommy, Daddy, and HG took a stroll through the waterfront park and had lunch al fresco. Then, with all of the beautiful flowers in bloom downtown, we had our own little photo shoot!





The next destination of the day was the ruins at Lands End, also known as Fort Fremont [check out the wikipedia description of the old marine installation.] It was neat to be a "tourist" in our own town and learn a little history about this 100 year old landmark! Some of the areas were "dungeon-like" so we didn't venture too far inside. In fact, the first time we tried, HG got upset... we were amazed that a 15 week old picked up on the same eeriness as her parents!





Then, to wrap up the day... HG put her cute little toes in the sand and salt water for the very first time... a sign of lots of good memories to be made in the Lowcountry!!



Hope you had a nice Memorial Day weekend! We are so thankful for those who have served our country - past, present, and future!


May 25, 2011

1st day @ Daycare :(

It's official. Hannah Grace started daycare on Tuesday, May 24. I was too emotional to make this post the day of... in fact, if your wondering how I felt that first morning, you can cancel out the following (normal) reactions:


          - I carried her in with a smile, kissed her good-bye and gleefully went on my way.
          - I took her into class, giggled at all of the cute kids and exclaimed, 
               "Look munchkin, these are your new friends!"
          - I helped her get all settled in and had a nice, thorough conversation with the
               caretakers to ensure a smooth transition, then waved bye to my cutie-pie.


Nope, none of that happened. Not even close. I was in a "this-isn't-really-happening" zombie state, and after I went through a few motions like setting her down, snapping a picture, and passing over the bottles, I left quickly, losing all composure as I stepped out of the classroom door.
And I cried. I cried a lot.


Not because I don't feel that she's safe, but leaving her with people I didn't really know and then knowing I'll have to do so every day for the next five years was an uncontrollably sad feeling. Maternity leave and all of the special, 24/7, mother-daughter time that accompanies it is officially over. 
And that breaks my heart.

Thank goodness Daddy was with me to comfort me and drive me to work. (Also, I'm thankful for whichever random lady hugged me in the parking lot. Sorry I cried on your shirt.) 

I have made some progress since then and have come to accept it that we are, in fact, at this stage. It's mostly acceptable because she has handled it like  a champ. We love picking her up at 5:00 and seeing that beautiful face recognize us and smile. I know she's safe and it will allow her to learn a lot... but I miss our everyday, schedule-free time to love and learn and grow together. 

I just try to remember what a friend told me that afternoon, this is the first of many times when you will be sad because she's growing up, but make sure you see the positive in change too. 


We love you HG, and we're so proud of you already!!

Day 1: HG in her crib (Don't worry, they're adding the "Grace").

Snoozing in the swing when mommy came to see her at lunch.

Her very first report card!

Day 2: Snoozing during my mid-day visit again.. I think I'll change my lunch break time!

May 22, 2011

Look what I found!!

HANDS: I love to suck on my hands... they are always in my mouth!




FEET: I'm supposed to do what with those?!?!


BELLY: I've got a good grip (look out necklaces and hair), and when I'm wearing a shirt or dress I show off my belly!





May 20, 2011

Looking back...

HG is taking a nap, which means I have time to blog! 


Today, I'm in the mood to reminisce a little. I recently stumbled across this video that Daddy took at the hospital during HG's first bath after the delivery. Mommy was in recovery and had no idea we had such memorable footage... but now I can sit here, watch it over and over, cry a few happy tears, and thank my lucky stars for the day my little girl entered this world.


Check out the newly discovered video of some of HG's first moments!


14 weeks and counting!! :)


 


May 13, 2011

3 month happenings

On 5.11.11 Hannah Grace turned three months old! 
And today, on Friday the 13th, she is 13 weeks!

So, what have we been up to lately? Well, mommy is back to work 3 days a weeks now, which is good for my productivity there, but not so much on the homefront (hence the lacking posts). We are SUPER busy just keeping up with our everyday schedules. HG is a pretty predictable little lady, though, so that definitely helps.


Enjoying a morning snooze in the swing with her babydoll!
There haven't been any big feats since the roll-over, but we're still practicing that trick... if HG wants to, of course. She is smiling a lot and is so close to giggling we can't stand it! Cooing and mumbling has also increased... we're pretty sure she's developed her own little language.


Aside from the [wonderful] everyday routine, here's some extras our family has enjoyed lately... Life is so good!


Hanging out downtown at the bike races.. until it was too loud

Playing at the park!


Prepping the plaster for footprints...


Ta-Da! Now we'll always remember how tiny her feet were!

Keeping on eye on the baseball game... keeping cool with her fan.

PS: Have you checked out new pics on the photo gallery page? You might be in one! :)

May 6, 2011

Outtakes.. the unglamorous side...

As my first Mother's Day approaches (yay!), I reflect on ALL that being a mother is... not only the cute, smiley, fun stuff.. but the yucky, hard, tiring part too. Nope, it's not a glamorous job, but like I've said before, I've never done anything nearly as rewarding as being a mother. Even those nights when I was so tired and cranky that I thought, this is it, I can't take it anymore... the page would turn, the sun would rise, and a fresh new day and chapter would begin. 


Nothing will ever make my heart melt more than seeing HG so happy and healthy. I love the way she looks at me lovingly when I change her diaper or greet her in the morning... there are no words to describe how I feel when that toothless grin shines bright in my direction.


But, realizing it's not all smiles and happy moments, I should probably document that here as well. Here are what we call "outtakes".. also known as the pictures you don't usually show-off, but we fondly remember all memories with our HG! :) It takes at least 10 pictures for every 1 that's perfect... here's what those "other pictures" look like....


Day 2 of life.. very mad during newborn pics.


Who knew a manicure could be so horrible!?!

Crazy eyes!

Not the pouty lip!


This is what we call a "blow out"
Yuck!


"Um.. hello?!?! I can't sit up yet!!"

Up to something mischievous for sure!

May 4, 2011

On a Roll!

Play time is increasing as HG gets more coordinated and curious. Here she is practicing the sitting up position in her bumbo chair with her first baby doll, which she snuggles with frequently (and chews/drools on it too)!

Here she is doing some tummy time and holding her head up high! She is actually on mommy's nursery blanket from 26 years ago! :)

Just what was she building strength for? 
Well, at ten and a half weeks, Hannah Grace rolled over from her tummy to her back for the first time! Mommy was putting away laundry in the next room, and found HG on her back instead of her tummy where she'd been placed initially! It was an exciting achievement, and while mommy was lucky enough to catch the next roll on camera, it won't upload here. (Figures!)