6 Weeks

Our Dear Mary-Michael,

Yesterday you turned 6 weeks old. Momma had hoped to update the blog on the actual day, but we have been traveling with Daddy's softball team this weekend in Salem, VA. You had your first nights in a hotel this weekend, which didn't go very well. I think you slept a bit too much during the day, which caused you to be fussy and a little too awake at night. You also have been wanting to eat every 1.5-2 hours these last 48 hours. Six week growth spurt perhaps?

You are getting so big and so much more aware of what's around you. You love to watch your mobile while you're swinging and you've turned your head towards daddy a few times this week when you hear his voice. You are a ferocious and fast eater. Lately, when you're done eating you cry. You also cry when we get you dressed - especially when we have to put things over your head. You seem to really like baths and wiggling on the floor. You do pretty good with tummy time, but you don't like it for long periods of time yet. Your head control is SO much better than when you were born, but it still bobs and moves around a lot if we aren't careful. You like to snuggle on our chests and fall asleep, but you sleep well in your pram or Moses basket, too. You are starting to out grow your newborn clothes (this makes Momma sad) and have started wearing a few things that are 0-3 months. Momma insists on putting a bow in your hair daily even if we're not going anywhere. Soon you'll be taking them out on your own, so I'm taking advantage of your unawareness. You are a beautiful, happy baby.

Momma and daddy (and so many others) fall in love with you more and more each day. We are excited to see what the future holds but really trying to appreciate the present and season you're in right now. We know you'll be walking and talking before we can blink.

We love you,
Momma and Daddy

Here are a few pictures on your 6 week birthday of you and your Great Nanny whom you met for the first time while in Salem.

Hallelujah!

We are celebrating this morning because the last 2 nights Mary-Michael has only woken up once to feed in the middle of the night. This means momma gets 4 hour stretches of sleep. Woohoo!!

Hearing Test Passed!

Mary-Michael passed her hearing test today! For those that don't know she failed her initial newborn hearing screening after she was born. We were told this happens occasionally when newborns have fluid behind their ears from being in the womb. Despite that, I was still a bit worried. Geoff assured me would we just learn sign language if we needed to - he was much more calm about it, thankfully!

After the test, we went to visit my Great Grandma with my mom. She is approaching 92 and not doing well, and we really wanted to make sure she had a chance to see Mary-Michael. I'm not sure how aware she was of what was going on, but she did smile when we showed M&M to her.



After a quick trip to Target (I feel like I live there lately), we headed to the house of a new friend we met in childbirth class. She gave birth to a baby girl 2 days after M&M was born. It was so nice to talk about the challenges we've encountered being new moms and just swap baby stories.

Finally, I'll leave you with a very cute picture of how I found Carla after leaving the room for just a few moments (she's not supposed to be on the couch, but this was awfully sweet).

M&M's First Real Bath

Last night momma and daddy gave M&M her first real bath. Yes, she's already 1 month old, but her umbilical cord took quite a long time to heal, and we've been waiting for a time when we could all do it together. She actually really liked it until the end, when I think she started to get chilly. Geoff and I both decided we'd like to bathe in a hammock from now on, too. Have a great week!

We've had a busy last few days. On Friday, Mary-Michael and I had our first real outing running errands by ourselves. I have been nervous about this as I didn't want her to start crying uncontrollably in a store. I'm not sure why as this will inevitably happen at some point (and it did and wasn't that bad), but it seemed easier picking up groceries when grandma or someone else was around. We survived a trip to the tiny post office, bank, Food Lion and Southern States so that we can finally get that veggie garden ready. Southern States was the last stop and she let the teenage kid putting the stakes in my car know she was not pleased with his struggle to get them in place. While she fussed Momma realized it was not a good idea to put 10 6-foot metal stakes in a Jeep Cherokee.

We arrived home in time to unpack the car and then Grandma and Papa George arrived from Alexandria for the weekend. The pastor and his wife who are renting our guest house purchased land right down the road, so Geoff planned to help clear their road and homesite. His dad came down to help and Grandma came down to help me out and spend time with Mary-Michael.

On Saturday, we picked up pizza for the guys and then headed out to run a few errands, including visiting and taking food to my dear friend April who is on bedrest until her baby boy (Emmit Joel) makes his entrance. She was in the hospital for over a week and is very glad to be out, so that she can be with her 2 girls. Other than flipping from side to side (like a rotisserie her husband says), she can't do much, but it's keeping her baby (and her) safe and healthy, which is the most important thing. It will be so fun for us to have babies so close in age!

Once the guys were finished working we headed to TGIFriday's for dinner. Mary-Michael slept for the most part, and momma was very glad to not have to cook dinner.

And today, Grandma and Papa George were very kind to let Geoff and I go out on a breakfast date (to Cracker Barrel!) and have a few moments to visit our friends Amber and Curtis who's baby recently had surgery. It was nice to get out for a bit, and we are very grateful!

Yesterday, miss M&M was 5 weeks old. Amazing! She is becoming more aware of us every day. Here's a picture of her in her swing - she loves to stare at the ducks. We are so proud - really, we are. It's the little things that amaze us these days!

First Trip to Mathews

Mary-Michael and I took a trip to Mathews, VA the last few days where Nonnie and Grandad have a place near the water. My cousin Blair and her son, Colin, were also down, so we had some great cousin time while we were there. It was also nice for me to have Nonnie there in the early morning, so that I could get a few more hours of sleep while M&M was wide awake. She's an early riser like her parents, which will be fine once we're sleeping through the night...


Momma, M&M, Blair and Colin


Snoozing on the deck.


We love this warm weather!


Colin was fascinated with his second cousin.


Wearing her first bathing suit (courtesy of Kim) - isn't it adorable!?

Happy Easter

We had a very busy Easter weekend that wore our baby girl out...leading to a sleepless night last night. Regardless, we had much to celebrate this resurrection Sunday and hope it was a blessed time for each of you and your families.