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!

First Week Visitors

Laken had lots and lots of visitors in her first week of life.  Everyone wanted to get in some quality time with our precious baby girl!

Grandma "Gigi" and Papa Hansen

 Grandma and Grandpa Cozine

 Great-Auntie Linda and Auntie Lisa

 Auntie Lisa and Auntie Ashley

 Great-Uncle Lou

 We were so lucky that the LeMays happened to be in town the weekend she was born.  It was great to get the chance to see them and introduce them to Laken.

Great-Auntie Carla

 Cousin Angie

Cousin David

 Little Jaxson was so cute - he loved taking pictures of everyone with his mama's big camera

 Cousin Craig meeting the newest member of the family

 Jaxson is just too cute!

 Laken's great-aunties Vicki and Jeri

 The Horwaths came to visit and introduce Ella to Laken ... we envision Ella being the leader of the pack with all the new babies coming

 Great-Auntie Deb came into town from Kelso

 Great-Grandma Annabelle

 LOVE the bear suit! Grandma Gigi in the background....

 The Olsens came over to meet little Laken

 Tracie looks pretty great holding baby!

 Missy and Laken ... and future playmate Lillia in her tummy!

 Grandma Cozine with Laken

 Auntie Ashley

Laken's First Days

We spent two nights at Tacoma General recuperating with Laken. We were beyond exhausted but so completely in love with our little girl. Those first days with her were absolutely magical. She won our hearts over instantly.

Here is our little family of three ... only one day old

The night she was born we talked about naming her Laken, but she was still just "Baby Hansen" to the hospital staff. The next morning the nurses came in and - while Stephen was still sleeping - I "committed" us to the name by having them write it on the little white board in the room. The more I saw it written, the more I loved it and knew it was perfect. When Stephen woke up, this is what he saw ... It was official - she was our little Laken Belle.

So many visitors in the hospital - Everyone wanted to get some time with the newest member of our family

So pretty - We just couldn't get over how absolutely beautiful she was! Our perfect little angel

Angela and Jon came to meet her too ... Angela was only about a week away from giving birth herself! Laken's newest playmate, little Elin, was born on October 19, 2010

Loving on Laken in our hospital room. Daddy was the first to change her diaper and swaddle her up ... Mommy was excused from these duties while she recuperated from the ordeal that was childbirth ;)

Grandpa Joe

Grandma Annabelle came to visit on our second night in the hospital. We surprised her by announcing Laken as her namesake. I certainly couldn't keep from tearing up as we told Annabelle that her first great grandchild would be named Laken Annabelle. It was such a sweet moment. We couldn't have picked a sweeter woman to name our little girl after.

Exploring mama's face

I have never been happier

All dressed up and ready to head home. I was absolutely giddy about going home. Getting her all dressed up and ready ... I couldn't stop smiling!

Checking out Daddy...

Ready to go - we are so happy!

I loved being wheeled out of the hospital with Laken on my lap ... I was soooo proud to have this perfect little being with me - every person who walked by, I was thinking "yep, this is my baby ... I made her ... isn't she perfect!"

And we're off!

Sleeping beauty in the car ride home