Ode to Summer

With Labor Day fast approaching, Summer fun is about to end. This includes the closing of our neighborhood pool. Due to super hot heat here in Kansas (and the fact that my Mom isn't dying to get into her swimming suit), we had "Pool Day" here at home.

Who could possibly sport a belly button smiley face or hot red bikini any better than Baby Lauren?

Two Months Old!

I'm officially over 8 weeks old and am growing into a big girl right before my parents eyes. I have grown to 21 inches and weigh almost 11 pounds. Put on your hats and let's celebrate!

Where does the time go?

Clearly we are very behind in getting our blog updated! It seems Lauren has just discovered her lungs and has chosen to exercise them every evening for almost a week. I'm not sure if its colic or her strong personality, but when we look at the latest professional pictures of her we realize that whether she is screaming or not...she is truly our little angel.

Here's to a perfect weekend!

Our perfect weekend started on Thursday night when Lauren's Aunt Jerris, Uncle Michael and cousin Sam arrived from Denver. I can't begin to tell you how it felt to have Lauren meet her new family for the first time. There was so much love for her and there is nothing quite like being an Aunt!


A long overdue snuggle...




And a sporty new shirt...



Friday night we headed to our good friends Cara and Josh's home for a wonderful baby shower where Lauren received beautiful gifts, outfits and necessities for the upcoming year. Thank goodness our "parent friends" know what we need (as we sure don't). Such a fun evening filled with good food and good friends.



The rest of the weekend we just enjoyed being together. Lauren showed her Aunt Jerris how much she loves the bath...



And the "Kate Plus 8" hairdo that followed.



Come back soon. We miss you already!

When at Home...Go Shopping

After 5 weeks at home, us girls decided its time we start acting like the stay-at-home "ladies of leisure" that we deserve to be. Life is just too short to stay home and write thanks you's! Rumor has it that new parents spend a lot of time walking around the shopping mall. So off we went to join all of the other moms and babes in strollers.

First our day started with a long (luke warm) shower...


As hot as it is outside, we traded in our frilly shopping dresses for cargo shorts (or in my case more like capri pants)!



Then it was off to get pedicures (Okay, Lauren slept through the entire thing but at least her Mom got her toes painted).



Everyone needs a new hat!



And a new party dress



We finished off our perfect shopping trip by sharing a bottle of formula in the food court and then headed home for a long afternoon nap.

Its good to be a lady!

Showered with love...Sprint style

On Wednesday, August 4, Lauren and her Mom headed to work for the Sprint-hosted Baby Shower. To say the shower was perfect would be an understatement. I was overwhelmed by the amount of work that had gone into the event and the amount of people that came to show their love and support for our new daughter. Lauren did great and seemed very interested by the world of telecom and to meet her mother's wonderful friends and peers.

The event was STUNNING complete with custom-made cupcakes decorated like little baby girls and pink chicks, a fruit bowl cut out as a baby buggy, the most beautiful diaper cake, and of course more gifts than we could imagine.

My good friends who planned the event gave me a hand painted "New Mom" wine glass and even had custom-made wine labels with Lauren's picture on it to use as the centerpieces. I will never forget the lovely event and can't express enough thanks to everyone who has adorned our family with gifts and love.



The rest of the week was spent with good food and good friends (Thank you Jimmy and Carrie!) We are having so much fun showing Lauren off that every day feels like a celebration.

This week is going to be super fun as Lauren's Aunt Jerris, Uncle Michael and Cousin Sam are coming to visit from Denver. I can't wait for her to meet them and we are sure to have the BEST weekend. Only 3 more days!

"One of these things is not like the other..."

On Tuesday, Lauren's Uncle "Brandon" came to town to visit his new niece en route back to Washington DC. We had a great time visiting and Lauren clearly feels comfortable in her Uncle's arms.

When I look at this picture I can't help but think of the Sesame Street song "One of these things is not like the other...". Those of you raised in the 70's might remember it. HA!

Thank you for coming to see us Brandon. So fun!

The measuring of Lauren

I just couldn't go another day without posting this funny picture. Lauren's One Month Birthday was spent at our dear friends, Rachel and Joel Crews. After consuming a ton of fabulous bbq (and formula for baby), we decided it was time to "weigh in". Thankfully not weighing ourselves but Lauren!

After placing her on the Crews' bathroom scale it appears she is now well over 8 pounds. Like any good pediatrician would do, you should also measure the baby in addition to taking her weight. Thank goodness for Joel's tape measure from the garage. Baby now measures over 20 inches. And who knew you could do all this while feeding her a bottle on the kitchen table. PS: The beer is Joel's!

Pull out the Party Hats...I'm One Month Old

Let's celebrate! Baby Lauren is one month old!

And what a fun week we've had. On Tuesday, Lauren's Great Aunt Coni came to Kansas City to spend 3 fun-filled days with us. With Bryon traveling for work it was just us girls and we enjoyed every minute of it. We enjoyed a couple of ladies lunches out and Aunt Coni spent the rest of the time snuggling Lauren. She told Lauren how loved she is by so many people, sang her songs, and read her books. She also tried to reacquaint Sydney with some familiar nursery rhymes but it seems we have a ways to go on that!



To add to the excitement, Lauren's umbilical cord popped off (on Aunt Coni's white pants) so we were able to give her her first warm bath. Bliss!

The rest of the week was spent with good friends making us good food and just staying inside due to the hot weather.

Tomorrow Lauren will meet her Uncle Brandon for the first time. I can't wait to take pictures of our tiny baby and her GIANT uncle. Then on Wednesday, Lauren and I are very excited to attend our Baby Shower at work. What to wear????

Until next time...zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz