Hannah's First Train Ride

Grandmommy and I took you on your first train ride in January. We rode the BNSF to downtown Chicago to see the ice sculpting competition at Navy Pier.  You LOVED the train! I have to tell you a funny story. We almost missed the train downtown. We were standing at the wrong end of the platform. The train flew past us and grandmommy and I had to run (with you in your car seat and with your folded stroller) in order to make the train. We made it, out of breath, but we made it.

Here you are with Mommy's ticket

You really enjoyed the ride and especially looking out of the window. It kept you busy the entire trip downtown. I can't wait until you're in a car seat that you can see out of the window. You'll be entertained for hours!

When we got downtown, we caught the city bus down to Navy Pier. The ice sculptures were out of this world. Here you are at the entrance to Navy Pier.

You read the Snow Days Chicago program to Grandmommy and me and told us all about the ice sculptures we were going to see.

There were about 17 sculptures to vote on in the competition. Here we are in front of one of them. You weren't too impressed with this one, as evidenced by your interest in your zebra.

Grandmommy and I loved the Indian chief. We wanted to cast our vote for him, but quickly found out he wasn't competing. The team that made the winning sculpture last year made him.

This is Shark Feast. I voted for this sculpture. I thought it was really cute and had great detail.

you and Grandmommy posing in front of one of the high school exhibition exhibits- the polar bear

After judging the ice sculptures, we ventured out on to Navy Pier. It was really cold, but it was totally worth it. We can't wait to take you back during the summer. 

Picture time with Grandmommy! The Chicago skyline was too good to pass up.

Frozen Lake Michigan

Picture Perfect! We had so much fun taking you downtown for the afternoon! It sure was cold, but it was completely worth it!

A rare, but wonderful moment

At four months old, you like to be held but not really cuddled. This was a rare moment and I took advantage of the oportunity to cuddle with you. You had fallen asleep in my arms. I was in heaven for 30 full minutes. I'd forgotten how much I missed our cuddle time. When you were a newborn, you would occasionally fall asleep on my chest and we napped together. I loved it! That definitely doesn't happen now, so when the opportunity comes along to snuggle... I take it!

4 month post

January 24th, 2011

Dear Hannah,

You are four months old today! This has, by far, been our favorite month with you. Your personality has really started to shine.

You love to stand! We hold your hands and you either push up on our legs or on the floor to the standing position.

You have started "talking" and you babble all the time. You are most talkative when you're on your changing table. You have so much to say! You also like to talk when you wake up in the mornings. You lie in your crib and just babble away. It's so cute! Speaking of sleep, you are now sleeping in your big girl crib! The bassinet has been retired until the next baby comes along. Mommy was a little sad. You are growing up so quickly. You smile all the time and it melts our hearts!

You rolled over (tummy to back) for the first time on January 20th. Uncle Bill, Aunt Tiff, Grandmommy and Max were in town for Mommy's birthday and all saw you! We were so proud! Daddy walked in the door less than 5 minutes later. You still haven't shown him your new trick, but we're working on it!

You are a growing girl. Grandmommy and I took you to your 4 month appointment on January 31st. You weighed in at 16lbs and were 24.5 inches long. You are still 100% breast fed. You are gaining sufficient weight (clearly!), so the pediatrician recommended we hold off on introducing solids to you until 6 months. You are eating an average of 5 times a day. We still have you on 3-4 hour schedule, although, you are slowly transitioning to a 4 hour schedule. You are completely sleeping through our night (YAY!). You usually wake up between 5-7am for your first feeding of the day.

You are really drooling now and putting everything into your mouth. The pediatrician checked your gums and they are puffy and swollen. She said you should start teething within the next month.

Hannah Kathryn, every day is an adventure with you. You are making new discoveries each and every day. Daddy and I love you so much!

Mommy's 30th Birthday Weekend

Mommy turned 30 on January 21st. Daddy really pulled one over on me. Two of my good friends from Denver were flying in to spend the weekend with us. What I didn't know, was that Daddy had also arranged for Grandmommy (who was already in Chicago), Grandaddy, Uncle Bill, Aunt Tiffiny and Max to celebrate with us too!

You had just rolled over for the first time and we're trying to get you to do it again. I didn't know Aunt Tiff took that opportunity to get the big surprise on film.

You were so excited to see Max again! Ok, so it's not evident in this picture, but you really were!

Max remembers you :) He was clearly excited to see you.

Sandy and Andrea were two of my very best friends in Denver. We had a lot of good times together. They loved on you from the moment they found out I was pregnant. They are very special people! They loved spending the weekend with you.

The entire crew headed out to Lou Malnatti's for some Chicago Style pizza. We must have been great entertainment, you slept the entire meal.

Sandy couldn't believe how much you had grown. She loved snuggling with you.

Happy Birthday Mommy! I think you were ready to enjoy the cake grandmommy made. Not so fast! You'll get some from me later. HA!

 You helped me open presents. Of course the paper was your favorite part! I found out I was pregnant with you on my 29th, so I couldn't think of anything that could top that for my 30th. Daddy did a great job though! He always does :)

Spending time with Uncle Bill in your Bumbo.

Hanging out with Andrea!

Hannah's first "real" snow

Your first "real" snow came on January 16th. It snowed a little on Christmas day in SC and it had also snowed a little in the weeks prior to Christmas in IL, but this was your first "big" snow. Grandmommy and I got you all dressed in your snow gear and took you outside. You didn't sseem too thrilled with the snow, so we didn't keep you out very long.

Kindermusik

Daddy and I were looking for a fun and educational way to stimulate you. We also feel it's important to expose you to lots of other children since you don't attend day care regularly. Mommy has always had a passion for music. We looked into several music classes for babies and decided that Kindermusik was perfect! Mommy loves the curriculum and feels it will give you a solid foundation in music education http://www.kindermusik.com/ 

You are the youngest in the class. The other children are anywhere from 8-16 months. You are entertained the entire hour of the class. We do so many fun things together. We sing, dance, play rhythms, play in the bubbles, lay under the parachute, and so much more.

You are pooped by the time class is over and usually fall asleep in the car on the way home. You've always loved music and I'm happy that we've found a class you and I can both enjoy.