Stop and Smell the Roses

These are the roses that Geneva gave me for my birthday.

In these busy times, I think they serve as a good reminder to 'Stop and smell the roses.'

Food, Love, and Swaddle

The first two are a given, but we didn't realize how very important the swaddling was until we could not swaddle Geneva when she had the fever. Without being swaddled, she would wake up every hour.

We LOVE these Kiddapotomas pajamas and swaddling blankets from http://www.adenandanais.com/

People (or the baby books at least) tend to have different opinions about whether or not to swaddle, but for us and Geneva, it is a must!

10 Weeks Old

Dear Geneva is 10 weeks old today. I can't believe it has already been 10 weeks since we had her.

Her hair is so crazy! Since birth, it has stood up at the crown in a big swirly.

She is just starting to hold onto a rattle. Sometimes she shakes it by accident.

10 weeks have flown by. We can't wait for the next 10 with our little girl.

Happy Birthday to Me

Apparently, Geneva didn't get the memo though because she came down with a high fever the night before the 10th. Poor baby got up to 103 degrees at one point. She likely has a infancy virus called Roseola which basically means a high fever that lasts for 3 or 4 days and then ends in a rash on her belly. She does not have any other symptoms besides the fever and some associated fussiness. However, she is responding really well to Tylenol and Motrin and we are able to keep the fever at bay.

Despite my sick baby, I had a special day. I had lunch with family, special treats from Greg, and my aunt and uncle watched Geneva while we had dinner out at a super yummy restaurant. I also received lots of phone calls and messages from family and friends which reminds me how blessed I am to have so much love in my life.

Fun with Fotos

I am sure there are many wonderful programs to create elaborate photo collages, but being somewhat technologically limited (if I only had more time....), I made some rudimentary ones.

I finally captured a few smiles on our way to Austin:

Geneva on the 4th of July at Barton Springs:

Geneva from birth through 8 weeks:

I used Picasa to make these. Does anyone use any other program?

4th of July in Austin

We had a terrific 3 day weekend in Austin! We got to visit with Tracy, cousin Hannah, our old neighbors, and some of our good friends. We also got to do some of our favorite things, including taking a little hike along the greenbelt, swimming and laying out at Barton Springs, and going to a Band of Heathens show. We also ate our favorite pizza and did some damage in a Carter's outlet store. The CR-V toted us and all our gear around comfortably, the weather was beautiful, and we even brought Stella along.

With former neighbors, Amy and Josh:


On the Trail:

Under a shade tree at Barton Springs:


Family photo:

With uncle Tracy:

Goodbye Jetta, hello CR-V

We picked up our CR-V Wednesday. I was very sad to let go of the Jetta, which I purchased used in 2004. I had just graduated from college and was headed to San Antonio for grad school. Trading in my Honda Accord, I was determined to buy a little German car. My dad, Greg, and I ended up in Fairview Heights Illinois (E of STL) and we drove a pretty hard bargain. So, then I enjoyed the Jetta for 5 years. It was a very good car that has made several trips between TX and IL. Its only flaw was that it did not have enough cargo and passenger space after a car seat and stroller.

Goodbye :(

Hello (good thing the salesman sells cars and not cameras because I have never seen a picture more poorly taken/focused.)