One Month Old!

On November 6th, Laken turned one-month-old.  I will be taking a picture every month with her lamb chair to track her growth throughout the year.  Here she is on her one month birthday.

She had her one month check-up and is doing so well. 

Her Stats at One Month:

Weight: 9lbs 15 ounces - 75th Percentile

Length: 22.5 inches - 90th Percentile

Head: 14.75 inches - 55th Percentile

The joy this little girl has brought to us is immeasurable.  It's hard to believe she's been with us for such a short time because we already can't imagine life without her.  She is a precious gift from God.  Here are a some of our favorite pictures from her first month...

Newborn Pictures

We had Laken's newborn pictures taken when she was just ten-days-old.  A friend of ours from high school, Kristal, took these beautiful photos of Laken.  She is such a talented photographer - check out her other work at www.kristaljoyphotography.com

Baby's First Halloween

The day before Halloween we headed out for one of our first family outings.  We went to Spooner Farms pumpkin patch.  It was a beautiful, warm, sunny day - absolutely perfect for picking out a pumpkin  ... or three pumpkins! We had so much fun spending a day with our baby girl away from the confines of our house :)

Stephen wore the baby carrier and kept Laken snuggly warm....

... so Mommy was in charge of all the heavy lifting

 I'm thinking next year, we need to switch roles ... but it was a good workout for my arms!

 Our family of three pumpkins

 Laken was an adorable bunny for Halloween this year.  We just couldn't get over all the cuteness on Halloween night.  We stayed home and enjoyed lots of Trick-or-Treaters coming to our door.  Everyone wanted to meet the new baby ... we even had a couple of neighbors come by sans children just to see her and bring her gifts.  I guess our little Laken Belle is already a darling of the neighborhood :)

I Want My Mommy!

Those first days with Laken were absolutely magical ... but they were also tough.  As a new mommy, I was anxious about pretty much everything.  I read too many parenting books, had too many nursing hormones flowing through me, and was just a bit too crazy.  Frankly, I needed my own mommy.  

Stephen had to go back to work about a week after Laken was born so my mom took a few days off of work and came to stay with me.  Those days with my mom were so special.  Becoming a mom really makes you appreciate your own mother in a whole new way.  Thanks, Mama, for being so wonderful!

A Couple of Firsts

First Bath!

 We gave Laken her first bath when she was four-days-old.  She hadn't lost her umbilical cord so we could only give her a sponge bath but we were sure excited to start bath time with our little punkin...

 Needless to say ... our little punkin wasn't quite as excited about bath time as we were.  I guess when you only get to dip half your body in warm water it's a little uncomfortable!

At least Daddy had a comfy towel and warm blanket close at hand ... I love this picture of Laken staring intently into her Daddy's eyes 

First Doctor's Visit!

On Day 6, Laken had her first doctor's appointment with Dr. Struthers.  We packed Laken up for our first trip out of the house.  Amazing how much time and preparation it took us new parents make it out.  I had her whole diaper bag packed to the brim with everything we could possibly need for the whole day - Of course, I never even opened the bag - we're talking a 20 minute doctor's appointment here - but I sure felt better having it :)

Laken was doing so great - she was almost all the way back to her birth weight already so Dr. Struthers told us we could let her sleep through the night without waking her up to eat.  Of course, she usually manages to wake herself up, but it sure was a relief to get a clean bill of health!

 Dr. Struthers with Laken

2nd Bath!

She may have hated her first bath, but the second was much better.

On Day 7, Laken's umbilical cord stump fell off, so we decided to give her her first real bath.  

 Ahhhhh, so much better! Nice, relaxing jacuzzi tub

 First Stroller Ride!

On Day 16, we went for our first stroll in the neighborhood.  Laken slept through it all, but Mommy and Daddy sure enjoyed themselves!