Melanie's First Halloween

We experienced Melanie's first Halloween. Her costume was Tigger from the Winnie the Pooh stories. We headed over to Melanie's aunt Debbie's house. While Debbie and I stayed in Matt, Keith, Sara, Robbie, and Katie went out trick-or-treating.

I've included 5 pictures. The first two were taken this morning at our house. You can see in one she is happy and the other she is not. The next three were taken at Debbie's house this evening before and after the trick-or-treating festivities: The first is with her daddy, next with Aunt Debbie, and lastly with cousin Sara.

7 wks old - pictures

Here are pictures from the past week. Melanie is starting to hold her head up for longer periods of time now.

7 wks old - Update

Melanie is now 7 weeks old. There are so many things she is doing now that just last week was not a reality.

The biggest change has been that she is now routinely smiling at people who get her attention. I met a close friend at my favorite coffee shop yesterday morning. Melanie was smiling all over the place at her. I cannnot wait until she starts giggling along with her smiling and not just in her sleep when she does not realize she is doing it.

If I were to guess her weight it would be around 10 pounds. She has not grown a whole lot since her last doctor's visit. Her next appointment is on November 5th. I will let everyone know her weight once that occurs.

I am starting to pack away baby clothes that Melanie no longer fits into. There are some newborn items and small socks that just do not fit her anymore. I know some day I will come across those outfits and wonder where the time went when our little girl was only 6 lbs and 9 ozs.

When we give Melanie a bath nowadays she enjoys it. Before she would grimace and act like she was not too sure about sitting in water. Now, she kicks around a little bit and seems to enjoy the water being poured on her tummy.

We have some new pictures from this past week that I will post within the next couple days.

Rolling Around Indeed.. and a little Thumb Time

Melanie is now rolling from her side to her back.... and sometimes back to her side. She is a little squirmer! Nowadays one of her favorite things to do is grab daddy's chest hair while she is being held by him. So far Matt finds it endearing... we'll see how that goes the stronger she gets.

Melanie is starting to find her thumb now, also. She likes her pacifier but doesn't always need it. We're enjoying watching her trying to find her thumb. She frustrates herself sometimes but it is all adorable to see her grow.

Trip to visit Great Grandma Lily

This past week I went up north so Melanie could meet her great grandma Lily for the first time. Great-grandma was excited to hold Melanie and gave her many hugs and kisses -- that is the first picture. After that are two pictures of Grandma holding Melanie, too.

6 weeks old - Pics and Update

Melanie is now six weeks old. Over the past week we took some pictures at home. She is doing well and continues to build new areas of her personality every day. Last evening she slept seven hours through the night and woke up pretty hungry. Enjoy the pictures. :o)

Pictures from 5 weeks old

Matt and Melanie bonding during a movie/TV viewing.










Oh yes.... both are sleeping like a baby.











And... the infamous "baby burrito" wrap that puts Melanie sound to sleep.

Pictures from 4 weeks old

You can't see it... but the shirt reads "Cutie" :)















Melanie loves her Papason chair that Aunt Jennifer bought for her.


























Sound asleep in her Classic Pooh flannel blanket.

5 Weeks Old

Yesterday Melanie turned 5 weeks old. She is now sleeping between 4 to 5 hours at each stretch during the night. What this means to us is that she is only waking up once during the night after we both go to sleep. Although Melanie is not in a complete routine, she does seem to be gathering a pattern in her daily activities.

Melanie is definitely staying awake longer after feedings now. She is looking around, reacting to our voices, waving her little arms and legs around, and attempting to take in anything within her limited vision. It's amazing to me to see how much she has grown in only a little over a month.

Next week Melanie and I will be going up north to visit Grandpa and Grandma Yoder for a couple days. Melanie's big visit will be to meet her great grandma Lily for the first time.

I am continuing to take pictures to see her growing and to share with family/friends on this blog page. My computer is still on the fritz... so as soon as that is taken care of I can add pictures and updates from that computer instead of Matt's PC (his computer doesn't have USB hookups).

4 weeks old

This past Thursday our little Melanie turned 4 weeks old. At her pediatrician appointment this past Friday she weighed in at 8 lbs 15 oz. Time is flying by and she is growing more and more every day.

Melanie is starting to smile in reaction to us. According to the "experts" babies at this age can see approximately 10 to 12 inches away. It is so sweet to see her break a smile when she recognizes our face and our voice.

Melanie went with me today to have lunch with my teammates. There were 10 people there to see her. Everyone had nice things to say about our little angel. And... everyone is eagerly looking forward to me coming back to work.

Matt came home and did his nightly ritual of feeding Melanie and then snuggling with her on the couch. I captured a few pictures that I'll put out on the blog page in the near future.