New blankies

Mark's aunt Patsy sent two beautiful blankets that she made for Marlo. This picture doesn't do justice, they're just gorgeous. A very special gift to keep always...and she loves them already.

A few more...

This bottom one...what a chunk. She's all slobbery from sucking her hands, plus she's got her hand resting on her belly like she's proud of it!

My favorites

I love them so much...
and yes, Marlo is trying to nurse. She's dangerous around bare skin.

On our walk

Usually she falls right to sleep when we go on a walk. Yesterday she stayed awake for the first 40 minutes, I couldn't believe it. Here eyes were so wide open, she was just checking everything out.
Getting ready to go out of town, haven't started packing yet. I like to just think about it for awhile. I hope I don't forget anything for Marlo. Any tips for travel Amy?

Baby girl

My sister-in-law Amy did a photo session when Marlo was just days old. I'm so glad she did, they're so precious. I can't believe those tiny baby days are already gone...

Look at that little mouth

Makes you wonder how she can get so big with such a little mouth to eat with. But she gets by alright! I took this photo on our walk this evening. We have great parks and walking trails in our neighborhood. It's just too hot to walk them during the day. It was 84 degrees earlier, but it's turned into such a nice night.
Mark has his weekly basketball game, so he'll be home even later than usual. Gives me a little more time to think of something for dinner...I don't even want to say what we ate last night.
Anyway, I'm really excited because Mark found a hotel in Catalina for this weekend. He has four days off in a row so we wanted to take advantage and get away. We've been there a few times and it's just a perfect little place. The weather will be beautiful and I'm soo looking forward to four whole days with my family!

She's a tough cookie

Marlo had her two month doctor appointment today. She had to get four shots. WAY too many at once, even for an adult. It was the worst. She cried more than she ever had, and I cried too. She went in being such a sweet girl, happy and smiling, and then she had to feel such pain. I felt horrible, still do. She's coping better than I am, almost back to her old self after a lot of napping.
The GOOD news: The doctor says she is really healthy and doing great. She's in the 97th percentile for weight at 13 pounds, 14 ounces. He also said she was very strong and of course, really cute.

2 months old today

I love these photos, the colors, how Marlo matches her dad. I love too that you see his wedding ring. Here she's sucking on his hand. She'll get her fists in her mouth, one after the other, till she's a slobbery mess.
She laughed for the first time today. She was laying on our bed, watching the ceiling fan. She was cooing and kicking her legs and then let out a little laugh. Such a happy girl.

Photobooth

I know, I'm making some cheesy faces, but I was trying to get Marlo to smile. Now I know why she sometimes looks at me and knits her brows in concern. She's wondering if I've lost my mind.

Yes, the fair again

We just can't stay away. We met Amy and Josh there late this afternoon and just ate our way through. Deep fried avocados and tomatoes are surprisingly good, I'm embarrassed to say.

Sweet face

What else can I say?

In her bouncy chair

I remember when she was just days old and my mother-in-law got this for her. We put her in and she just slumped to the side and stared off into space. She first noticed the lights about a month ago. These are from yesterday. She was having so much fun. That one looks like she's crying, but it's really a big smile.

She might be little bit spoiled...

I realized I hadn't posted nursery photos on the blog! My sweet mother-in-law worked so hard on it and I am so in love with it all. She made the bedding, the curtains, the pillows, the crib skirt...everything! Her talent and imagination are amazing. These pictures don't do it justice. Oh she designed the weenie dog shelf and Mark's uncle Tom built it. How sweet is that?

Magic Moment

Marlo usually hates her swing. I don't know, maybe I've just been trying it at the wrong time. But yesterday I put her in it and she was so peaceful. She eventually fell asleep.
No luck with the video cable. Even though the website says it was for my model camcorder, and I called customer service who said the same thing, it isn't compatible. In my heart of hearts I knew that would be too easy...
I'll figure something out because I really want everyone to hear all the cute sounds she's making!

Profile

I love these pictures of my sweet girl. I ordered a cable for our video camera, so hopefully soon we'll have some video with sound.

What a day...

Marlo fussed all day long. The only time she slept was when my sister Amy came over and that was because she held her the whole time. But with a face like this, who cares?

Since I'm up

I'll post a photo. Marlo woke up at 2. She's been nursed, burped and changed. She's stared at the ceiling fan, her mobile, and now she's in her bouncy chair. She's wound up tight with no end in sight.

Father's Day

My husband is the best. He is such a great father, he loves his little girl so much. I never forget how blessed I am to have him. He is so patient, so positive, so giving. He works incredibly hard so that I don't have to. I know how lucky I am to be able to stay home with Marlo (and to not have to work during my pregnancy, either!) He is gone twelve hours a day at work, and each of those days is a big stress roller coaster. Yet he comes home every night happy to see us, never once complaining. He just heads straight for his little girl, with a big smile on his face.

The Fair

Mark and I love it. He tells me how great the Yuba City fair was, and I say how great the Napa fair was, and it's all the same thing. It hardly changes from city to city or year to year, but we just can't get enough of it. Even when we have to drag ourselves to the car at the end of the day...dirty, exhausted, and nauseous from all the food we ate. We have the best time, every time we go.
We stayed late to get a glimpse of the band Minikiss. They are a Kiss tribute band made up of "little people". Quite a sight.

At Auntie Lane's

Mark met me at Aunt Lane's when he got off work so we could go to the fair. I love having her close by. It's my home away from home. Her door is always open and there's always something fun going on. And she loves to see Marlo!

Enough, already!

I wanted to get a few photos, but she wasn't having it. She doesn't really cry much. It's more of a yell. She's easily quieted though. Usually she's just hungry (surprise!) She is a little cuddle bug and she loves her dad to hold her because he bounces her just right.

These will get better, I promise

I just wanted video for the Grandmas to see. There's no sound because I took it with my digital camera, but she was talking up a storm. Watch closely and you'll see her sneeze. Riveting!

13 and 1/2 pounds!

In case you haven't heard, that's what Piglet weighs. We went to Aunt Lane's on Monday and she has the official doctor-type scale. Unfortunately, I had to weigh myself to find out, but those are the sacrifices we make for our children.

Them Genes

I am so amazed at genetics, how certain features are passed on and similarities are shared. Mike and Amy and I look so much alike. I see Amy in my neice Sabrina, and I see myself in old pictures of my mom. Estee is a perfect combination of her mom and dad, with her Grandma's pointed ear. As for Marlo, she has her daddy's mouth and cheeks, and my eyes. We'll have to wait and see if they stay blue.

Happy Birthday, Brother

My brother Michael turned 38 on Friday June 9th. There was a great party for him at my Mom's on Sunday. I wish I could have been there. I am so proud of him. He has turned his life over to God and he is doing so well. Every time I talk to him he is so happy and positive. When I ask him how he's doing, how his wife and daughter are, he always responds with, "Everything is just great". And I know how much he means it. Happy Birthday, Michael. Love you.

Bear with me...

I'm just getting started with this, but I'm going to give it my best try. My sister-in-law Amy has been a real inspiration to me and I love reading her blog and seeing photos of Estee daily. So my goal is to post some of our little Marlo for all the family to see.