Tummy Time

       You have been itching for tummy time I think from the moment we brought you home. I'm not an expert by any means on babies and haven't been around a whole lot so I tend to just go by what other people say, and all I have heard from almost everyone that has been around you is, "wow look at that neck strength". I assumed all babies were like that but apparently you are ahead of your peers when it comes to neck control...yay!?! All kidding aside it's very obvious that you want to see all you can see and will move around to prove it. It makes it difficult to hold you at times cause you are squirming this way and that and always pushing off and stretching your long body as far as it can go. So even though from what I've read it's a little early for you to be starting so much tummy time but what our girl wants...our girl gets...okay within reason :). Here are a few snap shots of you working on your moves.

A few nights away from Dad

Sleepy smiles

We spent some time in the car while Grammy was at the drs

Stuck in Portland traffic

Snuggles with my baby

Snoozing

       

         Another first was our first trip away from your daddy overnight. We headed down and surprised your Papa and Grandma. They were so excited to see you and we had a great time sleeping in, running errands, and Papa even had story time with you. It was great to have a little getaway but it was good to get back to your daddy, who missed you like crazy. 

Lake Stevens

Two adorable cuties

Giving loves

Besties

Uncle Roland snuggles

Leah's sharing her snacks with Uncle D

You and Daddy

I’ve been majorly slacking on the blog posts. Mainly because I’m soaking up as much time with you as possible and that means things like blogs, laundry, dishes, etc. get pushed to the back burner and I’m okay with that. However I do want to keep you updated along with everyone else so I’ll try and be better about getting some blog time in J. 

                A few weeks ago we took you to one of our very favorite places, Lake Stevens. It’s high up on the list of places we love to go because of three pretty amazing people that live there. Your Aunt Trish, Uncle Roland and BFF Leah were sweet enough to invite us up for the weekend and we jumped at the chance to spend some time with them. It’s not the easiest thing in the world to travel with a newborn but if it’s going to be done one person that makes it a million times easier is your Aunt Trish. I don’t think I’ve ever met someone who is as selfless, caring, thoughtful and helpful as her. She always goes all out to make us feel comfortable, her and Roland both do. I constantly think how lucky I am to have such a wonderfully incredible friend in my life. They had a bassinet all set up in the room we usually sleep in, along with a sound machine, a chair to feed you along with a boppy pillow. Besides just making us feel so comfortable we just have a blast with them. Leah was very fascinated with you and the snaps I got were her cuddling with you on the couch which was pretty darn adorable. She’s just waiting for you to hurry up and grow up a little more so you two can cause some ruckus together.  Every time we leave their house we are so sad that we don’t live closer to the three of them but we just try and remember that it makes spending the weekend with them, when we get to, that much more special. Cheers to amazing people and fantastic friends.

A Few Pictures Just Because

Your doggy is a little big for you now but you'll grow into him

What this isn't your "happy" face?!?

Smiles for mama

A little tummy time because you keep insisting on working on your neck

       Not much to say here except you are continuing to amaze us with your beauty and overall awesomeness .  You seem to get more beautiful everyday and also more fun.  You and I spend a lot of our days just snuggling.  I hate hate hate the idea of leaving you to go back to work so I'm soaking up as much snoozing/cuddling in bed with you as possible.  You have started to really focus on things and people and my most favorite thing you do right now is smile at me when I go in for a few kisses.  I could do it for hours on end but you do it for maybe ten minutes and then you are done but that's okay I'll take as many smiles from you as I can get.  We even started to do a little tummy time because especially at night you do everything you can to work on your neck muscles.  We are amazed at how strong it is already and you are kicking your feet and moving your body like you are just itching to start crawling...slow down sweet girl.  Thank you for amazing us everyday with something new.  Love you honey!! xxoo

Another Gorgeous Weekend At The Beach

You got lots of Auntie Abbie snuggles in

Loved capturing your kissable cheeks as you slept

Long Legs McClain

Yep that's you under that blanket eating away

Snoozing with dad

Another snooze session with dad

Grandma Sandi even came up too

One of your favorite spots..Papa Bruce's arms

       We spent another relaxing weekend at the beach house last weekend and it didn't disappoint.  The weather was stunning and it was quiet and peaceful.  Grandma Sandi drove up from BG and joined us as well which was an extra treat.  You spent lots of the weekend snuggled up with your Auntie Abbie which she loved and also your Papa Bruce who has the magic touch.  You fall right asleep in his arms and always look so content in whatever position he decides to place you in.  It was the perfect weekend and we were sad to have it end. 

One Month Old

Posing with your blankie

Sleeping angel

Shirt speaks volumes

We spend a lot of time just staring at your beautiful self

My sweet love

You've changed so much in just a month

        How can it be possible that you are a month old already sweet girl?!? You have changed so much and for that matter so have we...all for the better.  I don't have a baby book for you because my hope is that this blog is even better.  So instead here's where I tell you some of your "firsts" and I'm shocked at how many there are already. 
      
         On June 30th you sucked your thumb for the first time.  You still love your binkie most of the time but when you are really upset or having a rough go at things you always opt for your thumb and I think it's adorable.  On July 2nd you had your first dr's appointment and Dr. Cueva fell in love with you instantly.  It was also the day your belly button scab thing (icky) fell off.  The next day, July 3rd, you had your first bath and you loved it, you practically fell asleep during it.  On the 4th of July you had your first major poop blowout at Uncle Danny's mom's house.  It was projectile poo and got all over a handmade quilt she had. On July 5th we took you on your first road trip to BG and you were amazing! Not one single peep! On July 6th you met your Great Grandma Chambers who was smitten with you.  Your mom was a bonehead and didn't get a picture but next time I wont forget.  On July 10th it was your dad's first day back to work and it was just you and me.  It went smoothly and you were on your best behavior for mama. At your three week dr appt Dr Cueva said you were off the charts for height and you are almost 9lbs already so you are growing like a weed.  You got your first little bit of diaper rash sadly ;( and this week you have had lots of gas and some reflux which has been scary.  Your hair is lightening up a little and looks more like mama's coloring rather than your dad's.  Some days I look at you and I see all McClain and other days even your dad says you look just like your Papa Bruce.  You are such a good sleeper and I feel so lucky.  Even with your reflux you are still sleeping for a good 4-5 hour period each night and I don't really feel tooo exhausted. 
       
        Our life has been very different with you here but it's been wonderful.  Time seems to be flying by and I hate that feeling because I want to cherish every moment with you.  It's been so fun to get to know you and learn how to soothe you and what you like and don't like each day. You are everything we ever dreamed of and the last month has been the best month of our lives.  We love you sweet girl and are so excited to see you continue to grow, develop, challenge us, and bring so much joy to our lives.  xxoo

A Mother's Love

Just snoozing

Love when I catch a little grin

Loving my new outfit from Auntie Lexie

Mean mug

Love these post bath time curls

Can't get enough

Dad's so upset we had bath time without him :/ oops sorry dad!

Mom enough already with the pictures

       I knew from the second I took that pregnancy test that my life would never be the same.  That becoming a mom would be the best thing I've ever done and will do.  I knew that I would love our little boy or girl with all of my heart.  I did NOT know just how deep that love would be.  My mom (your Grammy) has always said to us, "I love you more than you love me" and while we joke and say "no we do"...deep down I knew that she probably did love us more.  I didn't realize just how much that was true until I had you, my own daughter.  I stare at you and it makes me want to cry I love you so much.  I love thinking about your future, wondering what kind of person you will become.  Will you be shy? Confident? Silly? Creative? How much will your personality reflect your dad and me?  Will we get along when you are a teenager?  Will you cause as much trouble as I did...heaven help us!?! What amazing things will you accomplish?  It truly makes my heart warm to think that you have your whole life ahead of you and we are lucky enough to get to watch you develop and grow.  I know that everyone looks at their child and feels this love and most people try to tell you JUST how much you are going to love your child before they are born but I had NO idea what that love would feel like until I held you in my arms.  I'm writing this to let you someday see maybe just a glimpse of the love we have for you.  I'm not so naive to think that we wont have our struggles along the way, or that somedays we will test eachother's patience to the point where we just want to scream...but even in those moments I will love you more than anything I have ever dreamed of loving.  I will do my very best to always support you, enjoy your company, teach you all I can, and I will love you with every ounce of my being. I hope you never have to wonder just how much I love you but if you do...I hope you read this and know just how deep your mother's love is for her baby.  I love you my Hannah girl. xxoo