First Game Day

Go Hogs!

Brad and I enjoyed another night out of the house Saturday night. Brad's parents came to Little Rock to babysit while we went to the season opener against Missouri State. It's great to be back in Razorback country! Especially after a win! Football season is one of our favorites, and this year we have high hopes. Thanks Gigi and Papa!

Four Weeks

Four Weeks Old

Sweet profile

Going for a stroll around the neighborhood

This week we got out and about. Our first trip out on our own was to Walgreens for diapers on Tuesday. Woo hoo! Then we got brave and went to have lunch with Daddy on Wednesday. The weather was beautiful, so we took a couple walks around the neighborhood too.

Sunnin' on the patio

Mary Ella LOVES to be outside. Sometimes this is the only way Mommy gets to eat her lunch. She doesn't love her bouncy seat, but she will sit in it awhile if she's outside or looking out the window. If she's fussy going outside is a sure cure.

Napping with Mommy

This week my cousins Jeff and Diana came to visit Mary Ella. They came bearing some very special gifts. In this picture with Diana she is wearing a one hundred year old dress. It belonged to Diana's mother, and it is BEAUTIFUL. The lace detail is amazing. We will have to have some professional portraits made in it. They also brought another vintage bunny outfit from the 30's and an original Madeline print by Bemelman. These were just a few things hanging around their house! Thanks Jeff and Diana for such thoughtful gifts. We enjoyed your visit!

A close-up

This week we tried napping in her crib. She loves sleeping on her side.

And her tummy. Don't worry people, I am watching her closely.

Getting some exercise on her play mat. I know it wasn't on purpose, but she actually grabbed a giraffe hanging abover her head and pulled it off!

Zoolander

Happy girl

We are also working on some tummy time, because Aunt Julie, the OT, says so. But this is what usually happens. She kicks around a little bit, grunts, raises her head a time or two, and then finds a comfy position and doesn't move. We'll keep working on it!

A Night Out

Our first night out after baby

This weekend my mom came up to see Mary Ella and babysit for the first time. Friday she watched her while I got my hair done (much needed)! And Saturday she stayed with her while Brad and I went to a wedding in Hot Springs. One of my roomates in the Kappa house got married. We had planned on going before Mary Ella got here, but I wasn't really sure if it was a good idea. She didn't have any problem taking a bottle from my mom Friday, so we went for it. It was a beautiful wedding and fun reception at the Hot Springs Country Club. It was nice to be out of the house for a little while and see some old friends. Congratulations Lauren and Lance, and thanks Mia!

Three Weeks

Three Weeks Old

Chubby cheeks

This is the face I see every night in the middle of the night. Daddy changes her and brings her to me, I feed her, burp her, change her again, swaddle her, and then she's wide-eyed and ready to talk. It's tempting to stay up and enjoy every minute, but I do need my sleep. So, we rock a little bit, I put her down, and we go right back to sleep. Such a good girl.

This was our first week at home on our own. We had more visits from friends and family and went out to eat with friends for the first time. She made it until the souffle came out, and then she decided she wanted dessert too! Early in the week Mary Ella had some very fussy days, and I was beginning to wonder where my smiling, happy baby went. She cried and seemed like she was in pain every time she was awake. We are crossing our fingers it's not colic or reflux. I talked to the doctor, tried a couple things to help her tummy and by Thursday I got my baby back. Thanks, Gripe Water!

First Sunday at Church

This was our first family outing besides going to the doctor. Mary Ella was an angel during worship and didn't make a sound. She stirred one time, and her Daddy immediately grabbed the paci and stuffed it in her mouth. I think he was terrified that she would interrupt the service. Not this time. :)

Two Weeks Old

Two weeks old

Gigi and Papa stayed with us this week to help out with Mary Ella, but she's such a good baby all they had to do was hold and cuddle and chat with her. Well, we did eat really well and Rita kept the washing machine, dryer, and dish washer going constantly. Thanks for all of your help! Here's what Mary Ella's been up to....

She's a little piggy when she eats and snorts.

Sweet feet

Bright eyes

Loves her paci

And her thumb

Woo Pig!

Amen.

First Photo Shoot

Feast your eyes on these! I thought they turned out great! Thanks Aunt Lisa for coming to Little Rock to photograph our pretty girl.