Grandma Gigi's Birthday

We went over to the Hansens this weekend to celebrate Grandma Gigi's birthday.  Kathleen had a delicious salmon dinner for us and we had a great time with everyone.  Of course, Laken was the main attraction!

All dressed up and ready to go..

Loving on Auntie Kaitlin

Laken had a present to open from Grandma Gigi's good friend, Lori Dee ... it was her first gift from Tiffany's!

Getting some love from Auntie Sandy...

... and some more from Great-Grandma Annabelle

We've been getting lots of smiles lately but haven't caught many on camera ... she was all smiles at dinner and we caught this cute one from her - love that face!

Staring at Grandma Annabelle

The Johnsens

Laken and the birthday girl :)

Daddy Makes Such a Comfy Bed...

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!