Play Mat

I put Geneva on her play mat this morning for some stimulation and for the first time today, she reached out to grab one of the toys. She liked one toy in particular and kept grabbing at it. She also got a rattle going with her other hand a few times and seemed to enjoy looking at the lights and hearing the music just above her head. I believe this is another milestone.

8 Week Update

At 8 Weeks, Geneva sure has grown and changed from the newborn she once was. She is now sleeping through the night (between 7-9 hours nightly). She is a very good eater and takes food both from me and a bottle interchangeably. After feeding time, she usually stays up to play for a little while before getting fussy and needing a nap. She naps either in her Boppy (a U-shaped pillow) or swaddled and in her swing. She is kind of night-owl and generally goes down for the night between 11-12am (we will be working on getting her down earlier). As of last week (7 weeks), she has begun smiling brightly and cooing when she is talked to. She enjoys voice fluctuations and exaggerated faces and smiles. She enjoys looking up at hanging toys and just today began grabbing for toys on her playmat. She also loves to be sang to. We also do a lot of singing: sometimes to calm her and sometime to play. She is working on her head/neck control and often lifts off of our shoulders. She enjoys sitting on our laps like a big girl or even practicing standing for short periods of time. She is easy to bathe and stares at herself in the mirror.

As for Greg and I, we've had 8 weeks (plus 9 months) to grow more and more in love with her. She has certainly stolen our hearts and we marvel daily at how blessed we are to have her in our lives.

Take Me Out to the Ballgame

Tonight, Tori and I took Geneva out to her very first professional baseball game. We traveled to Citibank Ballpark in beautiful Midland, Texas to watch the Midland Rockhounds (AA affiliate of the Oakland A's) take on the San Antonio Missions. To get Geneva ready for the breezy weather we bundled her up in this beautiful sweat outfit ensemble.

It was very important for her to be super cozy so she could enjoy the sights and sounds of the ball park.

We arrived a little bit late but it didn't really matter. We found our seat and we settled in pretty darn quickly. Geneva loved being outside and feeling the cool evening breeze in her face. I think she will be a big fan of America's pasttime.

Of course now that Geneva has been exposed to baseball the next question will be who she will root for . . .The Kansas City Royals or Saint Louis Cardinals. Since Geneva is daddy's little girl she will undoubtedly choose the boys in blue.

But don't worry too much . . .I think Mommy still loves her.

Geneva turned eight weeks old today and she is getting so big. It won't be very long before she is playing baseball herself . . . and we'll be there for every game.

Dinner with friends

Last night we had our friends Allison, Tim, and baby Blake over for dinner. They live right down the street and it is always great (and so easy!) to get together with them. Greg grill beef and turkey burgers and we had baked sweet potatoes, salad, and chocolate pudding popsicles for dinner. The girls were well-behaved and made it through our dinner before screaming for their own food (which they did pretty much in sync, with Geneva getting it started). :) After the torrential rain ended, Allison put Blake's feet in the pool and she seemed o.k. with it. Geneva was not as tolerant and screamed when I dipped her toe in. We will keep trying though because I really want her to wear this adorable little bathing suit that her PaPa and Grammie gave her.

Here are pics of us girls.

On Friendship

Let me just say, I so appreciate the good friends that I have scattered around various states, including here in Texas. Living in different places, I have been blessed to encounter so many wonderful people and many of them I still count as friends despite years and distance that separate us. For those of you that check in with this blog, I want to say thank you for many great years of friendship. Thank you for your kindness, encouragement, wisdom, and sharing in life stories and laughter. Lovingly and ever grateful, Tori.

Pool Party

Also yesterday, my aunt and cousin Kathryn and her three adorable, sweet, well behaved daughters came over to swim. They live in New Orleans and I haven't seen them in 3 years. It was really fun!!

Geneva can sleep through the night, why can't I?

Is it that I became accustomed to getting up every 4 hours during the night? Do I think it is too good to be true? Whatever the reason, I should be sleeping every bit as much as she does during the night, but for some reason I am in a habit of sleeping from about Midnight to 6 or 6:30 while she sleeps on until at least 7 or 7:30.

If she keeps it up, I'm sure I will adjust :)

By the way, have I said lately that I think she is such an easy baby? While I don't have a good frame of reference, I think she is pretty easy.

We bought a car!

After a week of car shopping, we bought a car last night, actually an SUV. We went with a Honda CR-V. After much debate, we decided it met all of our space, cargo, and size needs. We needed more of the first two but the vehicle couldn't be so big that it won't fit into our little garage comfortably. To get the color and interior we want, they are doing a 'dealer trade' so we will actually have the vehicle by Wednesday. The CR-V will replace my little Jetta. This I am sad about. I love little economical cars and the Jetta has been a great car. However, with having a baby, it has become impractical. With the stroller in the trunk there is not room for anything else. Greg and my brother (tall people) hate riding in my car. And, getting Geneva in an out of the car seat base is like crawling into a cave. Not fun. Of course, knowing me, the CR-V is still practical and gets good gas mileage. In fact, one of the online reviews I saw said something like "people that are uncomfortable in sensible shoes will not like this vehicle." This is hillarious to me because it pretty much sums up my consumer sensibilities.

I think we shocked the salesman a little when we started discussing "bank book" values and dealer auctions. I feel like we got a pretty good price on the car and the salesman gave us free Lifetime Oil Changes for the life of the car. Anyone who knows my dad knows that I come honestly by this negotiation style.

So, I have about four days of bonding time with the Jetta before I have to say goodbye.

I love bows!

At this stage, I am able to put huge bows in on Geneva and they pretty much stay on. She also can't complain or grab them off her head. In my opinion, the bigger the better.

Here is a picture of her from yesterday. The dress is also precious-- it has a halter top back and it was a gift from Greg's aunt and uncle. Look at those chubby chubby arms. Sweet!

Here is a shot of some of her many bows. I am trying to get every color :)

Well Check and Vaccines

Geneva went in for her 2 month well check and shots today because her doctor will be out of town next week. She had a combination shot (DTAP, HIB, and Polio) and an oral dose to protect against Rotavirus. She'll go next month to get a Pneummococcal (sp? and I'm too tired to look it up right now). I was very nervous about all of this, but she did great. When the needle went in and then afterward, she let out two big wails but then became quiet. I gave her a dose of Tylenol beforehand and had sugar water for a pacifier right before the injection. We've done Tylenol all night and she's done great. She was a little fussy earlier but was soothed by her swing. She has eaten well and we have not seen any signs of a reaction or fever.

She has definately grown! She now weighs 10lbs, 12oz and is 22.5 inches long. As a recap, she was born at 7lbs, 4oz and 19 inches. She is about in the 50th percentile for weight and above the 50th for height. Maybe she'll be taller than me one day?

This week Geneva has really been smiling and cooing a lot. We will continue to try to 'catch' it on video or in a picture.