GLAMOUR SHOTS

Oh sad day...

Friday was my first day back to work. I can't believe it's been almost 7 weeks since Wren came into our lives! Every day is a learning experience and I have really enjoyed getting to know her and taking care of her. Part of me has been a little excited about getting back to work. The structure of the school psychology model has changed and I was given a team leader position. I am a bit of a control freak so it has been really difficult to step away from work at a time of change. With all the change happening at work, I think I was able to avoid the reality that going back to work meant being without my little snuggle bunny baby during the day. It finally started to sink in Friday about 1 am. So I cried and cried for hours which made the 5:30 wake up call much more difficult than it needed to be. I am a little mad at myself for setting myself up in such a bad position for my first day!!
Luckily I am so behind at work so the hours passed very quickly. I was able to come home during lunch and spend some time with Wren. She looked like she had already changed since earlier this morning! It was a little sad seeing how quickly she can change. I have now realized that it has nothing to do with me being at work, she is just changing so quickly this week! I am glad that I get to spend evenings and weekends cuddling her and haven't missed a bedtime. I am also lucky that I get a few vacations in the next couple of months. Fall break is in 8 work days!! Even with all the positives that come from me working, it's still hard to leave this at home...

I LOVE my daddy

My mom had to go back to work so I get to spend my days with my daddy and I LOVE him. We spend some of the day napping, then listening to music, then we take the dog for a walk. We also love waiting for mommy to get home for work. She doesn't always like how daddy dresses me but I know she is excited to see me no matter what!

A blessing for a blessing

Wren has been such a blessing in our lives. She is more perfect than we expected and has been the best things that has happened in our marriage. This weekend we had the opportunity to bless Wren at our church. We are so appreciative of those who supported us in this experience. I know that it was a moment I will always remember!!




We know that she will continue to bless the lives of all those around her and is deserving of all the blessings her Heavenly Father has in store for her.

We were so lucky to have my parents come visit all the way from Illinois. It's so fun to watch them enjoy their first grandchild. Wren loved having all the attention and even shared her lunch with them by letting them wear it.

Greg's family was able able to come spend some time with Wren and be a part of this celebration. Wren was able to meet some of her cousins. Hopefully they will be nicer to her than her Uncle Greg was to them. I am really fearful of all the paybacks Greg has worked up. Luckily she is too cute to be picked on. They just loved holding her and fought for more time.

My 2 favorite things...

Baths are my favorite time of the day!! It reminds me of that house I lived in for 9 months. Plus it feels so good when I pee in the tub right when my mom and dad are taking me out of the bath.



My other new favorite is my furry friend Rilo. She is so warm and soft and tells me everything that is going on outside. Plus she keeps the cat away from me. She's my buddy even if she doesn't like it.

1 month and 23 new fat rolls

I can't believe we have made it through 31 nights of interrupted sleep. This was my biggest fear associated with having a baby. I LOVE my sleep. It's amazing how the body adapts to having a little one. It only takes a couple whimpers and I am on my feet.





We have been really fortunate to have a baby that only cries when she is hungry, poopy, or needs to be burped so we have really been enjoying a happy, content baby. She seems to be settling into a routine which means in bed by 11, feeding around 3 or 4, and waking up around 7. Putting her in the crib at night is one of my favorite things to do. Not because it means sleep for me, but because she looks beautiful!!



The past week we have also noticed a solid weight gain. We are having to clean more rolls and creases than at 3 weeks. She also seems to be carrying most of this new weight in her cheeks, which seems consistent with my chubby cheeks. We just love watching her change. She has also started "talking," which is mostly grunts and squeaks.

Look what I can do...

Now that I have grown up a little, I can do all sorts of new things. I love to smile, but mostly in my sleep so it is difficult to catch on camera. I have also figured out that my hands belong to me and that they actually taste quite yummy!

I live in a house full of fur friends. They didn't seem too excited about my arrival. There were a lot of drive by sniffings but not much lingering. It seemed they didn't like me a whole lot. They have started to warm up to me and liked to be around me. I have learned that the cat isn't as scary as she first seemed. She actually keeps me really warm when I am taking my hourly nap.

3 Week Wren

3 WEEKS ALREADY!?!?!?

I'm quite surprised that we have hit the 3 week mark and everyone is still alive and functioning on a somewhat normal level. We can't believe how big Wren has gotten!! It seems that her hands were the first thing to grow. It's exciting to watch her change but a little sad at the same time since we have just loved this tiny little package of sweetness!!

Wren has been such a wonderful baby and super patient with her novice parents. We learned that when babies grow they need to eat ALL THE TIME!! We almost didn't survive the 36 hours of constant eating but we surprised ourselves. We are definitely bracing ourselves for the next growth spurt!

A Field Trip to Remember

Hogle Zoo!

My little bro and his wife came out to see the baby so we took a little family field trip to the zoo. It was a beautiful day and I got to bust out my wicked awesome stroller. Love that thing! Wish I could fit in it.





I was a little nervous about taking her
out for so long, especially with it being her first time in the stroller. She completely amazed me and was totally content chillin/sleeping through the whole visit.

The animals were awesome and the monkeys were super cute but...

LOVE ME SOME GIRAFFES!!

Bundle of Joy

After being cramped in such tight quarters you would think that I would love to stretch out but somehow it just feels so good to stay all balled up. Most of my time is spent in a little ball or eating til I almost barf. Life is good.

New Baby = New Blog

SHE'S HERE...

After much anticipation, we welcomed Wren Livy Raftery on Monday, August 15th at 6:04 am. She weighed 7lbs 4oz and measured 19 inches long. The delivery went very well and mom and baby were both happy and healthy. It has been so amazing getting to know this little blessing. We are excited to share all her developments and of course, lots of pictures!!