Chicago Bound

On October 27th , we officially said goodbye to Denver. Daddy and I lived in Denver almost four years and you lived there for the first month of your life. We loved living in Denver and will miss it tremendously. It was filled with many firsts and will always have special meaning to us.

The movers packed us up over a two day period. You were such a good sport. We had to pack up your room and all of your toys. We convinced the driver, Johnny, to leave your swing out and put it on the truck at the last minute. We had a full day and had to drag you to a lot of places. We closed on our house, grabbed a quick lunch at Wendy's, you went with me to my last appointment with Dr. Wagar, helped direct the movers and cleaned up the house once everything was out of it. You adapted pretty well. You slept in both the stroller and the swing. You slept through the movers taping up boxes and banging stuff around. You are a heavy sleeper!

This was pretty much how you slept while the movers were at the house. Total Zen!

Goodbye Denver :(

Grandaddy came flew in to help us make the drive to Chicago.  Daddy drove one car with Daisy and Grandaddy drove the two of us in the other car. Your grandaddy and I have made many trips across the country together. He has moved me to Boston, Atlanta, Denver, and now Chicago.  Making a long car trip with a 5 week old is very different from what we've been used to. We had to stop every 2.5-3 hours to nurse and change you. The drive to Chicago took two full days. You did wonderful in the car and slept most of the time. We played a classical lullaby CD for you when you got upset and it seemed to really settle you down most of the time. We stayed in several hotels on the road. Hooray for the Pack and Play and hooray for you being able to sleep in multiple environments. You are one adaptable baby. I've heard some babies can only sleep in their own crib, in their own room. Phew! I'm glad you aren't that way.

We made the most out of our road trip, as we always do! We stopped at several points of interestst along the way. Our first major stop was in Lincoln, Nebraska. We had breakfast at the Cracker Barrel with one of my dearest friends, Dana (Adams) Griffin. Dana and I went to Furman together and got into all sorts of shenanigans. She was also my Kappa Delta little sister. I was so happy you were able to meet Dana. It was a special treat for us!

Our next stop was in Omaha, Nebraska. One of the items on Grandaddy's "Bucket List" is to visit the major baseball stadiums in the country.  Rosenblat Stadium is located in Omaha and it's where the College World Series is played every year. Grandaddy was afraid that he'd never make it to this stadium since it's slated to be torn down soon. It was a very special treat for all of us.

The girls are posing infront of the stadium with Grandaddy. Growing up, it was tradition for Grandaddy and me to go to the Clemson baseball games together. It was great father/daughter bonding for us. I can't wait for him to take you to the games!

Daddy and Grandaddy are getting you into sports early!

Our next major stop was Chicago. We arrived on Saturday, but the moving truck didn't get to our new house until Monday morning. We had to stay in a hotel until then. Here you are helping Daddy catch up on work.

You and Grandaddy to a quick nap before heading out to dinner.

We had our first Chicago Style pizza experience at Giordanos. It was REALLY good! We are all sold on Chicago Style pizza and can't wait to eat it again.

Sunday, October 31st

We still dressed you from head to toe in pumpkin gear even if we didn't get to take you trick-or-treating

We were able to tour around Chicago on Sunday since the moving truck wasn't meeting us until Monday. We took a trip down to Wrigleyville where Wrigley Field is. We were able to see a famous landmark and check another stadium off of Grandaddy's Bucket List.

Moving day finally arrived and we are offical residents in Chicagoland! 

Woo hoo! Our stuff arrived and we're ready to move in.

The spacious and open kitchen. The two of us are going to have fun in here!

The den area

Posing with Grandaddy before taking him to the airport. 

We are very excited about this new chapter in our Family Story! We can't wait to see what Chicago has in store for you Hannah!

 

1 month post

Dear Hannah,

You are already one month! Daddy and I can hardly believe how fast the time has flown by. It seems like only yesterday we found out we were pregnant with you and now you are already a month old! I wish I could freeze time and keep you tiny for just a little while longer.

You are such an easy going baby. You have a sweet disposition and are a snuggle bug. You only fuss when something is wrong and calm down immediately when we figure it out. Most of the time it's because your tired or hungry.You love to be read and sung to. You have a classical lullaby CD that you really enjoy. You can be fussy in the car, we can turn it on and you will immediately settle down.

You hate to be swaddled. You like to have your arms free and when we try to swaddle you, you wiggle and squirm until you can get your hands free and above your head. We have a few swaddle blankets that we tried in hopes we could keep your arms close to you. You would pitch a fit and wiggle to the point where we ended up wrapping you from your arm pits down. You always sleep on your back at night, but I occasionally let you nap on your tummy. You prefer that position and rest better. You also love to sleep on our chests.

You love your paci! We have them all over the house. When you're upset, you generally stop fussing if we put the paci in your mouth. You've also discovered your fingers are pretty good to chew on and will suffice if your paci falls out at night.

You are currently sleeping in the bassinet in mommy and daddy's room since you still get up to eat every three-four hours at night. You are an excellent nurser, a little piggy for sure! I cherish the time we get to spend together while you nurse.

You are a very strong little girl. You came out with fairly good head control for a new born. By one month, you can turn your head from side to side and can hold your head up. You like to be held facing out so that you can see the world better.

You are on a good schedule of eat, play, sleep. Play consists of reading, singing, walking around, talking, tummy time and playing on your mat or with your toys. We get in "tummy time" every day. You aren't the biggest fan of it, but you do tolerate it. Your favorite thing to do aside from playing with us, is being in your swing.

You are growing like a weed. You weigh 10lbs 9.6 oz, are 21 3/4" long, and have a head circumference of 14 3/4.

 Hannah, you have brought so much joy to our lives. You are an amazing miracle and we thank God every day for bringing you into our lives. We love you so much!

Happy Halloween

We were officially en route to Chicago on Halloween, but we still wanted it to be a special and fun holiday for you. We celebrated before the big day by taking you to the pumpkin patch and corn maze at the Denver Botanical Gardens. We dressed you up from head to toe (literally) in cute pumpkin gear.

Here you are in the car, ready to go. You can hardly contain yourself :)

Posing with mommy and daddy at the pumpkin patch

 With daddy in front of the corn maze

 With mommy

Photo op with Mimi and Smooth

Family photo

Sweet Hannah, we love you so much!

A Visit From Mimi and Smooth

Mimi and Grandaddy Smooth came to Denver when you were three weeks old. They spent an entire week with us. They fell in love with you immediately.

You and Smooth getting to know one another.

Mimi was such a big help to mommy and daddy during her visit. She helped keep the house clean and looked after you each morning when she woke up so mommy could rest more. The two of you bonded a lot that week. You snuggled, read, sang and played so much. Mimi and Smooth also helped daddy look after you while I was at CSO dress rehearsals all week. We couldn't have done it without them!

Mimi and Smooth bought you a play mat that you adore! You love to look at the lights and occasionally reach up towards the toys.

Mimi and Smooth love you very much! We can't wait for them to come and visit again! 

Grandmommy

I'm not sure what I would have done without your Grandmommy around the weeks prior to and just after your arrival. Grandmommy arrived on September 15th, earlier than we had planned. We thought for sure you would come early, but you had other plans. My last day of work was on the 17th. I was getting quite uncomfortable and very anxious about your arrival. How was I supposed to know the difference between real contractions and Braxton Hicks? When were we supposed to go to the hospital? Was I really ready for labor and delivery? I had so many questions, fears and anxiety. Your daddy was right there with me. Grandmommy helped both of us stay calm. She definitely helped me stay positive the last week you were in my belly. She encouraged me to get out and walk every day, helped me hunt down "labor inducing" foods, and made sure we were ready to leave for the hospital in a moments notice.

She was an amazing cheerleader in the delivery room and helped not only me, but also your dad stay calm. She helped monitor my contractions for the nurse, encouraged daddy, and coached me through pushing. When you arrived, she marveled over you and yet still made sure I was ok. She was a rock for all of us.

When we got home, I had the normal "new mom" moments and breakdowns. Grandmommy knew exactly what to do to help me through them. You and grandmommy had a lot of time to bond during the first 2.5 weeks of your life. You had "grandmommy spend the night parties" most nights during those first weeks. It was one of the best things she could have done for me. I still had to get up and pump in the middle of the night, but I was able to rest better knowing you were in good hands. Come morning, I was well rested and she was able to spend one-on-one time with you. Grandmommy also cooked amazing meals for us, got us out of the house everyday (lunch, shopping and walking around), cleaned, went to doctors appointments with us and helped with the laundry. We had our house for sale during those first few weeks and had to have our house "show ready" in a moments notice. We couldn't have done it without her. Daddy had already started his new job and had to travel some. Grandmommy helped me take care of you during that time.

You and grandmommy will always have a special bond. You were born on her birthday! Your cousin, Madeline, was born on your grandaddy Smooth's birthday. What a wonderful gift! 

Grandmommy taught your dad and I a lot during those first few weeks. We will be forever grateful for her help. Grandmommy definitely gave me the confidence I needed to know I could be a good mom to you.

Splish, Spash it's Hannah's First Bath!

We gave you your first bath on October 6th. Grandmommy showed me exactly what to do. We had to give you sponge baths until your cord fell off. You were a champ. You were very patient and you didn't cry at all!



We started with your eyes and washed from the inside out.

We made sure to wash all the fold of your neck to avoid what your pediatrician called "milky neck" or a sour neck smell from old milk.

Daisy was very interested in what we were doing to you, but she didn't come into the bathroom for fear she'd get her own bath.

Hello everybody! I'm a clean girl!

Our Bathing Cutie!

It's pajama time

"Hey, that wasn't so bad!"

All clean, in your PJ's, and ready for a bed time story.