this could take all day

Dani @ 12 weeks

I can't believe my baby will be 3 months old on Thursday!

 

And a couple fun close-ups.

 

 
 
 

Dani @ 9 weeks

Yup, she's a victim of second child lack-of-photoness. We are just a little behind on the weekly photos.

 

Dani @ 5 weeks

 

And getting bigger every day.

We took her for a checkup last week and found out she's up to 10 pounds, 14 ounces. That's apparently 100th percentile. But the sweetheart doesn't seem chubby to me, so I don't know where she's hiding all that weight.

She's also 22.5 inches and has a 15 inch head. That's 88th and 77th percentiles, respectively.

Loving this kiddo more and more...

Dani week 3

Dani week 2

 

mmmm...something's off with the colors...

one week later, tidbits

Is there anything cuter than a little baby in a big carseat? I know it won't be too long and she'll fill it out.

 

We talked our doctors into letting us go home on Friday instead of Saturday and it's been so nice to get settled at home. Of course, it's also been wonderful to have the help of my parents and the friends bringing meals. We'll see how life looks when Darin's back at work and my parents hit the road again.

 

So far Miss Dani is a great baby, although she does seem to be of the opinion that when she's awake she should be eating. My little snacker likes to eat about once an hour, and always seems to get hungry right when my food is hot and on the table. (What is that sixth sense in nursing babies?)

She also has a love affair with her hands (which you saw on that video below) and it means we're constantly pulling them out of her mouth while trying to get her to latch. Hopefully she'll figure it out soon!

So far she is a great sleeper and we have logged several 4 and 5 hour stretches of night-time sleep since coming home. Heaven!

And is there nothing better in the world than snuggling a sleeping baby on your chest? I think not. (Gram & Dani)

What is it about sleeping babies that makes them loose all muscle function?

 

There are two things in life this kid clearly doesn't enjoy: baths and diaper changes. In the hospital she really enjoyed the head massage while all wrapped up and washing her hair. But clearly was not a fan of the sponge bath. And the one bath we've given her since being home was met with mighty resistance. Man, our kid has good lungs.

 

Big Sister Daisy has taken to calling Dani "my baby", which is only slightly confusing because she received a new baby doll from Gran last week too. So we're always clarifying, "baby Dani or baby Doll?" Most often she's asking what Baby Dani is up to or where she is.

 

Daisy has taken to her role as big sister quite effortlessly. She loves to see "her baby" and giver "her baby" kisses. She's learned how to throw diapers in the diaper pail, pat gently to help burp, and hand us wipes upon request. She gives us updates about Dani's status while riding in the car, and gets excited to serenade her.

We are so very blessed and I pray often these two will grow to be sisters with a life-long love and bond.

 

We took Miss Dani to the pediatrician on Monday and it turns out our little snacker was already up to her birth weight and beyond. We were pretty proud parents to hear how rare such an occurance was, and took extra pride in being told they wouldn't need to see her again until her one-month visit. Ah...the silly things that make us parents puff up a little.

 

Weekly photos began today and for those of you curious, you can see the last-minute prop decision below. Since Danielle is a derivitive from Daniel, Darin thought this cute little animal of Daisy's would be appropriate.

 

 

That's all for today...off to take a nap!

Daisy @ 55ish weeks

I fully intented to take her last "weekly" photo on the Sunday following her party. And then life happened. And then camp happened. And so we finally got around to attempting it this afternoon since Darin had a few hours with us.

Yeah, Daisy is so over the idea of lying on the floor while I try to take her picture.

This is the succession of photos we took today during our first attempt. The second ones were all so blurry they aren't even worth showing you. And every time a photo was snapped, poor Darin had to pick her up, make her laugh again, set her down, and stand up really fast so I could try to snap before she rolled over.

I haven't decided if we're going to try again or just end with the blurry knee'd one. At least her face is cute!

And just for fun, here's Darin just prior to jumping!

Daisy @ 51 weeks

The penultimate photo! (Don't you just love that word "penultimate"? Since learning it in way back in AP English I try to use it whenever I can.)

I'm not playing with this flower. I don't know what you're talking about...

Daisy @ 50 weeks

Daisy @ 49 weeks

Daisy @ 48 weeks

Those wild woman eyes are looking up at the crazy Papa who is dancing and singing in order to get her still and happy. She wasn't so happy to start the process this week, as evidenced by the photo below.

Can you see a toddler in that face, cuz I sure can!

But Papa worked his dancing magic, and within seconds we had blurry giggly goodness.

And it only took 5 shots to get the one on top. We're getting better at this. And we've only got a few more weeks to go!

Daisy @ 46 weeks

Daisy @ 45 weeks

Look at those sparkly pink shoes. Thanks Aunt Koda!

Daisy @ 44 weeks

Daisy @ 42 weeks

Daisy @ 41 weeks

And later that day when I realized that we didn't get a picture of her sweet dress, we tried again. Darin's getting quite the workout these days keeping Daisy entertained during these photo shoots. It's funny to watch!

Daisy @ 40 weeks

Daisy @ 39 weeks

Daisy @ 38 weeks

And a sweet closeup.

Daisy @ 37 weeks