i'm pooped

i just finished my first mommy & me yoga class and i'm tuckered out - well, that and my tummy is full and mommy wore me in her new mei tai while we had coffee and visited with miss Beth and eliana after class. I always sleep good when mommy wears me (i'll make sure to post a picture of that later). the pic above is of me finishing my long nap in my car seat at home. i was sleeping so good still that mommy decided to leave me right where i was until i woke up on my own. i think i kind of like not sleeping flat on my back.

the countdown begins...

19 more days until the opening weekend of the albuquerque international balloon fiesta - hence the new blog design! mommy and daddy always look forward to the balloon fiesta, but are even more excited this year because they get to take me! i will be going on my first plane ride, visiting family (hi again, grammie and gampa!), meeting my great grandmas for the first time, and spending one very early but very fun morning watching more than 700 hot air balloons ascend the dusky skies. daddy says it is one of the most awesome things he's ever been to. he and mommy use to be part of the chase crew for the ashworth ballooning team (mommy had known them since she was really little). so they're really excited for me to attend my very first fiesta. i can't wait. i'm already thinking about what i want to pack!

my first day at church

my first bible

this morning was my first day at church. mommy and daddy decided that it was time to go back after taking some time off when i was born. other than the loud music that would erupt every now and then, i slept through most of it. mommy and daddy go to cherry creek presbyterian church. daddy was so excited when the attendance register was passed to him since he got to put my name in the book along with my age. it was the first time mommy and daddy got to fill in the line for "children". mommy ended up having to take me out of the car seat since i cried once the loud organ started playing. it seems these people burst out in song and don't prepare me for it. anyway, i fell asleep in mommy's arms and enjoyed the sweet sound of her singing voice. daddy has some work to do on his. i think i'm going to love church. since my gampa is a pastor, i'm sure he's excited that i had my first visit to church today.

mommy and daddy have been reading me stories from my "Jesus storybook bible" since before i was born. i heard the stories while i was in mommy's belly, but now i get to hear them in person. i have a feeling that Jesus and i are going to be best buddies. 

all set to go

my "first day at church" outfit

can we talk?

A Word from Mommy...

I was overwhelmed again today as I sat in the chair, Owen in my arms, his head buried in my elbow (he's taken to that position this week when trying to fall asleep), and reading a book "The No Cry Sleep Solution" by Elizabeth Pantley (one I highly recommend to anyone with children under 2). Something she wrote hit me and made me tear up all over again.

"If you can, and when you can, put your baby down so that she learns she is able to sleep alone, as well as in your arms. And when you don't put her down, hold her with your heart, too, and relish every gurgle, flutter, and little sighing breath. Trust me when I say, 'You will miss this.' You will. Even the dark, exhausted nights will take on a certain romance in your memories, and they'll bubble to the surface when your "baby" drives off in his first car, graduates from school, gets married, has his own baby."

Lord, thank you for the blessing of this little man. May he grow in the knowledge of you as he continues to grow each day. And remind us daily to hold him with our hearts and not just our hands, relishing every coo, giggle, grunt, and groan. For we know all too well that it will go too fast and before we know it, he'll be a grown man. So thank you for today. Thank you for the special moments we had together. Thank you for giving him to us.

6 week appointment...for mommy

mommy had her 6 week follow-up appointment today at the birth center. aubrey, the lady who helped mommy for over 12 hours of labor before we transferred to the hospital, wanted mommy to bring me along. aubrey was so supportive for mommy and daddy, she even went with us to the hospital when they decided to transfer. she is so nice and was so excited to see me. and even though the appointment was for mommy, aubrey went ahead and weighed me just to see how much i've grown. i'm not sure i want to start releasing this information...but maybe this one time. drum roll please...12 lbs!!! aubrey said mommy must be making some good cream. way to go mommy! by the way, mommy's check-up went well.

ready to go in my cool hat

me and aubrey...not my most flattering picture

i already hate goodbyes

it seems like i always have fun with family visits, but they always have to leave. this morning i was rudely awakened by mommy only to have to say goodbye to grandpa and grandma may. i had lots of fun while they were here and enjoyed all the extra cuddle time...especially with grandma. we did lots of things like go shopping at the mall, bbq with friends and watching football. here are a few highlights from their visit. bye grandpa and grandma, i miss you already and can't wait for the next time i see you.

cuddle time with grandma

matching outfits

grandma buying me clothes

grandpa likes hats

grandpa singing to me

more time with grandma

check out my stylish shoes

totally relaxed with grandma

family photo with daddy

family photo with mommy

walking in the 'hood

mommy and daddy took me for a stroll through the neighborhood this evening since the weather was so nice...and cool. simon and bella tagged along as well. daddy walked the dogs while mommy pushed me in the stroller. since the weather was so cool, they dressed me up warm thanks to the clothes that lula passed on to me.

sportin' my own hood

check out my wheels

my posse

lacing them up

i got to wear my first pair of shoes this morning. even though i can't walk yet, mommy and daddy thought it would be cute to see me in something other than just socks. the outfit was given to us from lula. it first belonged to reagan, my cousin and lula's third kiddo, and now it belongs to me. the shoes were a gift from the people my daddy works with. thanks everyone!

100% pure boy

all laced up and ready to go

always thinking

grandpa and grandma comes to town

last night, my grandpa and grandma came into town from texas to see me for the first time. they were so excited since i'm their very first grandchild. in fact, they were were so anxious to see me that they drove 15 hours straight to get here. they got here so late that i was already asleep but mommy and daddy at least let them see me sleeping. boy were they excited when mommy brought me to them the next morning. they even brought me a new toy to play with. we are going to do lots of fun things while they are here over labor day weekend so i can't wait to tell everyone about it.

grandma and me

hanging with grandpa

a gift from texas

my own ocean paradise