Super Swaddle!!

A few weeks ago I learned a new swaddling technique from the mommy and me class I am taking a a local maternity store. The Super Swaddle is seriously THE BOMB and houdini-proof!! I think it makes Evelina look like a sack of potatoes and Chris wants to attach her to a stick like a hobo bag. Either way, it works. I wonder if it will still work once she puts on a few more pounds and gains more strength? We shall see.

Bad Blogger Mom

I really must get better at posting weekly Evelina updates but most days I have to weigh taking a shower, eating or napping with going on the internet when Evelina is napping. I would love to be blogging (and catching up on all of the blogs I love to read) all day long but priorities have changed.

Evelina has already changed so much in 6+ weeks it is really amazing. She is so much more alert, has more activity time and I can tell that she loves her mama and papa. She still loves her black and white book and art cards as well as mirrors, and she really has been enjoying the mobile in her crib as well as anything else that lights up....she gets memorized by the dim ceiling light in her nursery during nighttime feedings. She has gained about 3 pounds since we brought her home and can even fit into some 0-3 month clothes now. She is still in newborn diapers but pretty soon she will be making a step up. Her baby acne won't quit but we still think she is the cutest and just can't stand looking at her sometimes!! Oh, and although her eyes have watered when she cries over the past few weeks, tears feel for the first time this week...so sad and heart breaking.

We have a pretty good napping and bedtime schedule at the moment but it could change any day so I am not getting too excited (I know, I need to stay positive). I seriously thank a few books which I reference on a daily basis, "Becoming Babywise", "Secrets of the Baby Whisperer" and "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child". They all have great information in them but off course our judgment is pretty darn good too.

Here are her 1 week and 6 weeks photos. I have been taking a ton of photos but sometimes forget to take the actual weekly photo. Another thing I need to get better about!!

Violet Cuteness of the Week

Over the weekend we went and visited Paul and Joyce and enjoy the pool during yet another Summer heat wave. Violet was excited since it meant she could try out her new life jacket and "dive" into the pool. Here she is in action. This cracks me up!! She LOVES the water and could literally swim for hours if we didn't stop her.

Violet Practice Shoot

I continue to practice using the fab D-SLR camera that Chris got me for Christmas so that one day I will be able to take beautiful photographs of Evelina. While she was napping the other day I decided to shoot our first daughter, Violet (of course!!), while she was chilling out in the backyard. Our super zoom lens and manual setting with black and white (to hide our horribly burnt grass) was great. Here are a few of my faves.

Oooooo Aaahhh

Over the last week or so Evelina has become increasingly interested in things other than gazing in the eyes of whoever is holding her. She loves looking at herself in the mirror and analyzing the black and white flash cards and book we got to keep her entertained. When feeding her I even find that she loves looking at the black and white photos we have of Violet on the wall in the living room. Our little girl is growing up already!!

Newborn Photo Slideshow

How will we ever choose from all of the stunning photos of our sweet little girl? I just look at these and get teary knowing that she is all ours. Such a beautiful gift. To view the slide show go to the Heidi Hope website, click on "Clients" (from the menu bar) and enter the password - evelina0610.

Also, if you haven't already, go to the preview blog post and leave a comment so we can qualify for a free 8x10!!

Bright Eyes

Evelina has been spending many more hours awake then she did in her first few weeks. This is a good thing during the day BUT at night we would prefer that she sleep. She cooperates most of the time but she still has her moments and we still haven't been blessed with any "sleeping though the night" events but I am sure once she gets bigger her sleeping pattern will get better (well, I am hopeful that it will!!).

Violet Cuteness of the Week

In honor of the July heatwave, Violet had the opportunity to cool off in my Mom's pool. She just LOVES the water even though her Pug bottom sinks and needs to be held up to avoid drowning. We are on the search for a new life jacket for this Summer.