Second Month

March 25, 2017

Over the weekend, Laina turned 2 months old! She's getting so big and bright eyed. She's started smiling and interacting more and more. We play a bit now, though she's yet to achieve the ability to really control those arms of hers ;) Babies get more and more fun as the months go on in the first year so I'm looking forward to what's coming next!

She looks a LOT bigger in her full body shot but that's just because she was so squished down in the 1 month photo. It was really the best we could do. She even almost went head first off the chair for this shot. Babies are so top heavy! But luckily Grandma and Daddy are quick spotters. She'll be better at sitting each month hereafter and we'll really see how much she is growing!

Laina Lu: Week 8

March 22, 2017

You are getting so wiggly and happy. Sometimes you have to work to get the smiles out of you but when you are in the mood, you are pretty forthcoming with them. I love your big open mouth smile as you figure out how to do it. You love laying on the floor to play (although not for very long, as you prefer to keep changing positions often!) and I've discovered you like Julie's squeaky baby lobster. You get all excited and dance around when I squeak it for you. Sounds like you are doing well at Grandma's too. I know she enjoys having you there. I guess you are getting so you don't sleep a whole lot... sorry Grandma!

We had a busy week for you (the week starting on Wednesday of course ;) Angie brought Ellie and Simon over on Friday. Ellie didn't want to play with Julie for some reason, she was being shy. But eventually they warmed up and had some fun. Simon and you hung out on the blanket. He's already not looking quite as small compared to you. Growing babies! That night, since Daddy was just heading back from an overnight work trip, Julie and I made a "pillow fort" (a bunch of cushions and pillows all over the living room floor) and watched "Trolls". You hung out in your pjs with us and we called it a pajama party. It was fun and there was even some dancing!

Saturday morning we packed you all up and went to the butterfly ballet at Fredrick Meijer Gardens. It was cute, and afterwards we went to the Butterflies are Blooming exhibit. You really didn't do much and I wasn't able to get many photos of you, but Julie enjoyed it. It'll be more fun for you next year. It sure wore us out chasing her around and lugging all the stuff it requires to go places with two kids. Grandma Charyl and Grandpa Ron volunteered to take you for the afternoon so we were able to go get dinner, just Daddy and me, for the first time since you came. Then I got a new iPhone. Can't wait to get some great videos of you guys now that I can!

On Sunday, Grandma Nore and Grandpa Mike finally got to come visit. Grandpa has had pneumonia for quite awhile so they haven't been able to see you girls for awhile. They were excited to finally get to! We'll see them more now that he's all better.

And even though it technically was during your next week... you slept all night for the first time last night (technically the 23rd since that's when I'm writing this). You did wiggle around and start to wake up but went back to sleep. Hooray! Let's see if you can do it some more this week.

P.S. Julie-ism to note: One of our favorite "games" ("all the games!") is for Julie to shout some gibberish in a worried voice, which would also include "Dinosaur comin'!" and then we must run and run and run through the house. I get a lot of things put away while I'm chasing her, at least!

Butterflies are Blooming!

March 18, 2017

We went with the Ronas family to Fredrick Meijer Gardens this past weekend to see the butterfly ballet. The big girls thought it was pretty neat. Though the Ronas' went home after (it was an early morning as Allie decided to wake up at 4am that day!), we decided to get a quick look at the butterfly exhibit. We promised Julie we would anyway. We also got a family membership to the gardens so I'm sure we will be back! For now, here is Julie exploring.

^We were chasing after one of the big blue ones and it flutter right in Julie's face!

^Looking up at all the butterflies.

^Baby Laina and Daddy (Jules grabbing Daddy too)

^She's such a cutie when she wants to be!

^Smile, Jules :P

^Loves her Daddy.

Newborn Hospital Photos: Elaina Jae

January 26, 2017

The day after Laina came along, Pam met us in the hospital to take her first pro photos. Since I wasn't feeling quite as bad (and I wasn't bed ridden) as last time, I was able to get into a few of these. I wasn't looking that fabulous, but that's okay, it was all about Elaina! Here are the last of her newborn photos.

^I love that Daddy wants to take care of her :)

^I am still surprised how different she looks than Julie.

^Precious Laina.

^Yay! Mommy and Laina!

^Give a kiss!

^Little love.

^The grandparents who were there when Pam showed up :)

Lainer: Week 7

March 15, 2017

This past week has been nice because we were able to get out of the house more! You got to spend some time with Grandpa Ron and Grandma Charyl as they are back from Florida. Julie spent the night over there a few nights and you joined her on Friday for the day while Mommy did her first photo session in awhile and did a few things that are easier without kids in tow. We also went to Charles and Hien's house for homemade pizza on Saturday. You met Adalynn, who is a few months older than you. It's amazing how much bigger she is for only that small amount of time. Like Julie did with Ellie, you'll catch up :) We had a good time there, and will be hanging out with them more again this week.

The biggest event in your 6th week would probably be that Mommy went back to work this week. The morning routine works but it need some refining. Getting up with you at night makes me a little more tired all day at work but I managed. It's good to be back though I really miss you still! Grandma Charyl is loving having another baby to coddle and cuddle though, I can tell!

And now, your photos on the day you turned 7 weeks old! Getting so big and SMILING! Since I'm back at work, we have to do the photos in the evening when Julie is around again... she wanted to get in on it this time and the photos of them together are HILARIOUS :)

^We are still working on the smile but I like it anyway!

^Love it! I've been so excited to see her smile finally!

^Can't leave out silly Big Sister.

^She wasn't actually strangling her, but this is the funniest thing ever.

^My little ladies ;)