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.

one week photos

Daddy and I took you to Boulder for your one week photos. It was an eye-opening experience for us both. Boulder is about an hour from our house. The photo shoot was mid morning, so we figured we'd be golden to get there on time. We were pretty prepared to leave the day before, but we still ran late. Ah, life as new parents. There's definitely a lot more to do when you have an infant.

Caroline was all ready to go when we got there. You were a trooper. We had a few outfit changes and you hate having your clothes. You screamed and cried during these times. You'd rather be snug and sleeping.

The funniest moment of the photo shoot happened as this photo was being taken:

You were completely naked. Caroline wanted to get a shot with both Daddy and my hands on you. As we took this picture we both felt something wet and then heard a "splat" on the floor. We figured you had just peed, but on second glance, you had pooped all over us and the floor. You were screaming at this point. I immediately took you to clean you up and put a diaper on. I nursed you to settle you down. Daddy and Caroline took care of cleaning the rest up. 

The rest of the photo shoot went well. You slept the whole time. Caroline got some great pictures!

It's all in the details. You are perfection!

Our little baby doll

Kisses from Mommy

We chose this one for the front of your birth announcement

A slight smile :) Probably thinking "phew, they're finally going to let me sleep!"

Family photo!!

 I really liked this series of photos

This was taken right before we left. It was too cute!

Your first days at home

Your first days at home were definitely a whirl wind. We were pretty much on the go for the first couple of weeks. We got home on Sunday and Monday morning we were off. Grandaddy spent a little bit of time with you before heading back to SC. 

Daddy was able to feed you some since I was still pumping. He was a pro!

Our first stop of the day was the lactation consultant. We ended up spending about 2.5 hours with this sweet lady who got us more in sync with one another. She was a lifesaver for sure. She showed me several ways to hold you and how to make sure you were latched correctly. Who knew nursing could be so complicated. Up until that appointment,  I was pumping and you were still being supplemented with the tiniest bit of formula. It was so hard to know how much milk you were taking in, which makes most new moms very nervous... including me! You were weighed before nursing and then immediately after a full nursing session. This let us know about how much you were taking in at each feeding. The lactation consultant reassured me that you were getting enough...phew! No more supplementation for you! 

We all felt you looked a little jaundice, so we ended up at the pediatrician's office shortly after our lactation appointment, another two hours. Dr. Kyriazi took good care of you and said your bili levels had gone up a little bit, but that it wasn't anything to be concerned about. Whew! No light treatments!

You were such a trooper! I think we ended up getting home around 6pm. A full day indeed! 

The next few days were more relaxed and filled with fun outings and visits from friends who couldn't wait to meet you! 

Grandmommy and I got out almost everyday to walk you around the neighborhood. You slept and we got some exercise and fresh air. Daisy really liked the daily outings too! We also walked with neighbors Kaley and Olivia when we could get up and going in the mornings.

One of your first restaurant experiences was Chick-fil-a... of course!!!! Grandmommy even offered you a bite of her sandwich.

 We took a family trip down to the park to meet my friend Kathy. Unfortunately, I didn't get a picture once Kathy arrived. We were too busy oo-ing and ah-ing over you.

Our sweet neighbors, the Slaughter's came to visit with little Catherine. They brought the yummiest spaghetti for a dinner treat! They were also your first babysitters. Megan was such a source of comfort throughout my pregnancy with you. She's a NP for an OB practice. She provided such good advice! Little Catherine LOVED you, but made it very clear that her mommy and daddy were to leave you with us and not take you home with them :) It was too cute!

Lu and Michelle were two of my co-workers at UCDenver. They came to visit you at the house. I also took you over to the office, but didn't have my camera with me.

Sandy came over and brought us dinner one night from one of our favorite spots, Mama Roma's! Miss Sandy loves spending time with you!

I tried to sneak in afternoon naps when I could. This was one of my favorite ways to spend time with you during those first few weeks. You loved to snuggle your head around until you settled over my heart. It was so sweet!

Grandmommy cooked wonderful homemade meals for us every day. What would we have done without her?

The swing was a favorite spot for you!

Daisy was and still is very protective of you, even if she was "ready for you to go back to where you came from" after a few short days.

 Hannah Kathryn, we love you and look forward to many more years watching you grow!