No pictures for this post, sorry! This post is more about Hannah's Mom and Dad! The beginning of April brought new jobs for both of us! Daniel is now working for Meridian Compensation Partners. He's basically doing the same thing he did at Mercer, but for a smaller, more specialized firm. I'm proud of my little executive compensation consultant! This was a great move for him and for our family. Ironically, Daniel is working in the same building we both used to work at since Meridian once was a part of Hewitt. He runs into some of our old co workers on occasion. Daniel even has a fancy bio on the corporate page! http://www.meridiancp.com/people/
A job for me was not in the plans, as I "retired" at the end of last school year. My name is officially still on the Fulton County substitute list. I have to put in one day a semester to keep that up. It's worth doing in case I ever want to return to education.
Once the first couple months of mommyhood set in, I began really desiring something to stretch my mind, use my skills, and get a routine going. No coincidence that I heard about a job at our church as a missions assistant. The thing that made me jump at the opportunity was the fantastic child care for Hannah. She stays at the church with the sweetest ladies who love playing and cuddling with her. Hannah plays with toys we don't have at home, but what she enjoys the most is watching the other kids. I'm glad she has that stimulation. And maybe this will help ward off separation anxiety. I also joined the gym at the church, so Hannah gets to go play Monday, Wednesday, Thursday for work/my mental health, Tuesday and Friday for my physical health, and Sunday for my spiritual health.
I really do enjoy my job. It's a great fit for me at this stage. I get to play a part in our church's investment in local and global missions. I've gotten to meet some very passionate, God-loving people. I get to work in an environment where people understand me because they understand my faith. I get to join God where He is already working. So much job satisfaction and an environment I've never worked in before. I am very thankful!
I need to get better about posting the monthly update closer to the day. Hannah has new tricks since April 12 that I will post in the 6 month update. Thankfully, I do a better job keeping her baby book updated. Two of the bigger things I can think about this month is 1) Hannah's favorite position is standing up! She loves to have both feet on the ground while we hold her hands or under her arms and 2) Hannah is not a napper! She'll sleep in the car or being held, but besides that, it's a cat nap here and there. I am forever thankful that she is a fantastic night sleeper. 12 hours straight through the night on average. Guess you can't have both.
We bought Hannah a 3month sized going home outfit since we were told our baby was going to be a big baby. Well, she wasn't as big as we'd thought. That means Hannah's got to wear her outfit for 5 months now. I've had to pack away all of her 3 month outfits now, but I had to sneak her into the outfit one last time.
I love, love, LOVE the colorful tulips that pop up around our church's garden every year. Usually it's around Easter and we bring our camera to snap a few photos.
2007
2008
So, we missed a few years, but here's our family in 2011 with our newest addition. For a brief moment, I wished we could fast forward the clock a couple of months so Hannah could sit up on her own. She also has an aversion to the sunlight. We still managed to get some good shots.
For the first time, I can think back to Hannah as a newborn and can see how much she has developed! Gone are the days when we could put her in her car seat, lug her everywhere and be guaranteed she'd sleep through it all. I remember a dear friend of ours watching Hannah at the three month mark when I had a meeting at church. Hannah slept in her car seat the whole 2.5 hours. Last week when we dropped Hannah off for our date night she needed much more than the back of her eyelids to be entertained. (Thanks, Amanda!) Dinners out often require one of us hold her at some point to keep her happy. Who can blame her. There is a whole world to be discovered. I love looking in her eyes and watching the wheels turn in her head. She is constantly learning. She can do a good job entertaining herself with a toy for awhile. If I show her a rattle or her vibrating bird, she'll reach for it with fingers stretched out. I usually have to place the object in her hand, but she'll play for awhile. She loves feeling different textures and things that crinkle and rattle. The book "Little Feet Love" is one of her favorite since there is something new on each page to touch. I take her hand to touch each page, then she'll continue patting the object on her own.
Our family room looks like we could host a killer play group for babies Hannah's age! We have the playpen, play gym, exercise ball, swing, bouncer, bumbo seat, and the latest and greatest exesaucer invading our space. Hannah plays on most of these everyday. They are all places to put her while I attempt to get something done.
About 6 weeks ago, I remember asking Daniel to estimate how much Hannah cries on a given day. My guess was 10 minutes, all strung together. Wow! A baby who slept 8+ hours at night, could be taken anywhere, and rarely cried? Let's just say the level of perfection has slipped a bit. She's still probably better than the average baby, but is now demanding more attention and interaction. Hannah is always happy on the diaper changing table, in the bathtub, and in our arms. She's almost always happy in the car, except for when the sun is blaring in her face or she is very hungry. She's also started to yell at us in the middle of the night. It usually happens once a night. All it takes is me putting her dear paci back in her mouth. Doesn't take any time, but it's annoying.
Hannah used to be able to sleep anywhere at anytime. Now I'm trying to get her into a scheduled nap routine where she sleeps in her crib. It cramps our plans a bit, but that's what comes with the blessing of having a baby!
I guess Hannah hasn't officially rolled from back to tummy yet. She gets everything but her shoulders over. She loves rolling up on her left side and often sleeps that way. She's really giving us signs she wants to sit on her own. often going from reclined to upright on her own. We still have to keep a hand on her though. She can bear her weight on her legs for 10 seconds or so. I'm not really in a rush for her to meet these milestones. I always try to seize the moment and enjoy her for where she is now. She has a whole lifetime of sitting and walking, but the days of mommy daughter naps are numbered!
Hannah's ready for size 2 diapers, but we're finishing off our last pack of size ones. We were so blessed with the gift of diapers! We still have enough for a few months yet! She's wearing 3 to 6 month clothes, and we're just now beginning to see her legs and arms for the first time. This little winter baby hasn't had much bare skin up until now. Hannah's in the 80th percentile for height (25.25 inches) and 25th percentile for weight (12 lb 9 oz). I'm paying much more attention now to her feeding. We often go to her room where it's quiet to eliminate the distractions. Hannah's hair actually needs to be patted down on top after her bath. Guess that means it's growing!
Probably the cutest thing Hannah does right now is spit out her pacifier when she's happy. We'll give it to her if she starts to whine, but when she decides she's happy, she'll spit it out and smile. She'll also grab it out of her mouth and play with it. She doesn't need it most of the time, but boy the paci is handy when she's tired!
Hannah loves discovering the noises she can make and the bubbles she can produce. She also loves munching on those hands. She loves silly faces and Daddy's airplane rides. To guarantee a smile, I blow her a kiss! We have so much fun together!
Some of her 4 month photos. FINALLY were able to capture a smile!
In honor of her 4th month, we busted out the exesaucer. She's still a bit overwhelmed by it. Here's her first taste.
The same weekend Hannah turned four months was also the weekend Daniel dubbed "weekend of Angela." I turned 29 and Daniel treated me to an extended weekend of special treats, quality time, and gifts. We had a date night while Hannah got to play with her friend Claire. Thanks to Daniel and my friends and family who made it such a special weekend.
Yikes! Hannah turned 3 months on February 12th, so this post is tardy! I'll update with a few favorite pictures and videos from her 3rd month.
Hannah gets verbal.
Hannah's favorite time with Daddy is doing the airplane. She's amazed us with her strength. She always sticks her arms and legs out, raises her head, and keeps her body straight.
Hannah's 3 month video taken on Valentine's Day.
I'm in da hood! This was actually Hannah's take home outfit. The 3 month outfit fits her much better at 3 months.
Meeting Leticia for the first time!
Little Miss in her car seat. So comfy! Hannah's winter ride was very warm.
Hannah and Daddy
Pretty in Pink!
Starting my own Facebook page
Hannah LOVES her bath!
This winter baby is finally wearing her first dress!
The only man in Piedmont Park with a baby and a wife.
Airplane Hannah
Hannah was actually watching basketball. She loves sports, much to her Daddy's pleasure!
Before the calendar hit February, Hannah had already traveled to 3 of the 5 states bordering Georgia (factoid presented by a former Georgia studies teacher). With the grandparents in Florida and Tennessee and Daddy's college friends and alma mater in Alabama, I suppose it was only a matter of time. She's got to meet some very special people along the way. Hannah also had her very first plane ride at the beginning of this month to Orlando. Traveling to Otown by air was a great first plane ride: short, sweet, and full of many children. The logistics really went off without a hitch. Certainly helps that Daniel's medallion status earned us free checked luggage! We were determined to give Hannah a bottle on the ascent and descent. On the way to Orlando, she ate on the way up and sat in Daddy's lap for the flight. On the descent, little girl wasn't hungry, so her ears made her cry for about five minutes. There is so much noise on the plane, I doubt anyone more than 3 rows away could hear her. On the trip back, Hannah fell asleep on the way to the airport and slept until we set foot in Atlanta. Perfect!
Doesn't she look like a natural? Afterall, she did fly to Sweden on the other side of the womb.
Hannah met two good friends along the way. In Alabama, Hannah met Madeline, eleven months her elder. Madeline's Dad Dan and Daniel are college friends and were the best man in each others wedding. Here's Madeline helping her buddy learn to sit up.
A couple of weeks ago, Hannah met Channing. Channing is two weeks older than Hannah. Channing's Dad Andrew and Daniel have been friends for 26 years! Andrew and Cauleen lived in Pasadena when Daniel and I lived in L.A. We have some fond memories, including camping out for the Rose Bowl Parade together.
Let's show everyone what good friends we are! Let's hold hands!
