My girl

Well its been about five weeks with little Miss Smith in our lives and we couldn't be any happier! She currently goes through 12 diapers a day, she wakes up twice at night to eat, and she sleeps really well! These last two days she has been especially social and she and I have enjoyed many conversations together as she tests out her vocal capabilities. Lily is already 10 pounds and has great head control. Her eyes are still gray-blue and we are curious to find out what color they end up! Yesterday she was awake for 5 hours straight giving me lots of time to play, read, and sing to her. She is very alert and always looking around. Its incredible how much information she processes every day!

We are still in awe that such a precious gift was given to us! Its hard to believe that she is part of Eric and part of me, rolled into one tiny body. For all the stories we heard about how being a parent changes one's life, it is only becoming real for us now that she is here. Some days I still can't believe that only five weeks ago, she was a little stranger moving in my belly. I probably repeat this phrase too much but I have no other way to explain this experience--It feels like she has always been a part of our lives!

I thank God for all the blessings we've had in our lives, but this one is by far the greatest! It is so awesome that Eric and I met as an unlikely pair seven years ago, and all along, God would have this sweet moment planned out for us!

One month old today!

All things bright and beautiful

I am absolutely in love with my daughter! She is the sweetest gift!

Words cannot express the joy she brings to us...

She is absolute light and life; All things bright and beautiful!

2 Week update

Its been two weeks since Lily arrived and we are still on Cloud Nine! At her doctor's appointment we learned that she is now 20.5 inches long and weighs 7 pounds 12 ounces--she's growing so quickly! She cried her first tears at the doctor's office, laying on the cold scale as she was weighed. She goes back in October when she'll start receiving her shots--We are not looking forward to that day.

So far Lily is still on a consistent 3 hour eating schedule with long naps in between each meal. From the time we brought her home she has been very alert and already holds her head up on her own for a short time. She is very vocal and spends most of her time making noises--even in her sleep!

Eric and I are so in love with her--its surprising how someone so new and small suddenly means so much to us both! I am already sad when I imagine the day she goes away to college and we don't get to see her every day! We are also amazed with how quickly I have been able to recover from the pregnancy (THANK YOU to the grandmothers for all the help we've had these last two weeks--the recovery wouldn't be possible without you!!). I gained 32 pounds during the pregnancy and am already down to only six pounds over my pre-pregnancy weight (unfortunately that six pounds seems to be in saggy skin). My incision has also healed very well--its about as thin as a pen mark. I think its important to say that I was so blessed during the pregnancy and delivery--everything was much better than I expected!

After a great visit with Grandma Sophie and Great Grandma Minnie, Grandma Christy arrived to spend some time with her very first granddaughter. We cannot wait to bring Lily home to Washington in October so she can meet the rest of her family!

Family Pictures

Family pictures

You are my sunshine...

Our first week home with Lily has been just amazing! She is an absolute treasure! As first time parents, we weren't sure what to expect, but she's adjusted well and is such a happy baby! We've had a handful of diaper mishaps and one spit up event...and we are enjoying every moment! Lily is an excellent sleeper and is a great little eater--she already passed her birth weight! We've had lots of visitors and already been on a few outings--she does very well in social situations (of course!). Lily keeps us entertained with all the cooing and facial expressions she makes--she is such a joy to have in our lives! We hope you all get the chance to come visit or spend time with her when we go home in October!