Weeks 10 & 11

Amara Grace is having lots of fun these days. She has a growing interest in toys, things that make sound, and people. In the last 2 weeks Mommy and Amara have taken a lot of walks in the neighborhood. Amara still snoozes in the stroller but wakes up to check out the scenery. Amara has also been shopping and out to dinner twice. She enjoys these outings! Mommy and Daddy are also enjoying the family dinners "out" and watching Amara change and grow by the day. She is talking more and more each day and smiling bigger and bigger it seems. And she loved the fresh salt air and sound of the waves on her first ever beach walk!

Weeks 8 & 9

Amara is growing and changing by the day! At her 8 week appointment we learned that she is in the 50th percentile for height and weight. Amara weighs close to 11 pounds! We introduced a jungle themed "play mat" and Amara loves it!! She instantly starting smiling when Daddy put her under it and soon learned to use her arms to "bop" the hanging animals which makes noise. So fun to see her playing independently!

The infamous jungle play mat!!

Week 7 update

As I always say, time flies! Amara is keep busy snoozing, playing (getting used to tummy time and able to push up on her arms just a bit), feeding, cuddling. She likes to be rocked in her bouncer chair and LOVES to look at at smile at the little birds that hang above. Amara has learned to smile non reflexively now. And it melts Mommy and Daddy's hearts to see her make eye contact and smile. She also laughs (no joke) but so far the laughing has only been in her sleep. Must be having some funny dreams! Last weekend we had a fun visit from Uncle Noons and Aunt Sarah. Grandma Patty and Grandpa Hamid babysat one evening so parents and uncle and auntie could have a night out (which consisted of beer, grilled cheese, tater tots, and fro yo). I am serious! It was a high class affair.

Family Portraits

These are our first professionally taken family photos. We will cherish them forever!

Ok I can't help it -- here are a few more!

Photos from weeks 3-4

How time flies! Amara Grace is now 7 weeks old. Time to update the blog!! Here are some professional photos that were taken between weeks 3 and 4. We had fun dressing up Amara and she tolerated it pretty well. She seems to like the camera!

Week 3

We had another great week with our new baby girl. We were fortunate to have a visit from Grandpa Simpson and Jan and Auntie Anne and cousin Nathalie! Also Grandma Patti and Grandpa Hamid came back to visit. Amara enjoyed the time with her family and so did her parents. Everyone helped cook, clean and run errands. Other cool things that happened-- Amara had her first ride in the Ergo. She now loves her daily walks with Mama. And Daddy fed Amara a bottle for the first time. She did great with the bottle and continues to eat enthusiastically. Amara is growing and changing by the day -- it is really incredible.

Amara week 2

1/2/14 It is a new year already! Hard to believe that Amara Grace is already 2 weeks old. Life is pretty simple and pretty comfy for Amara these days. She takes lots of naps and feeds every 3 hours or so. Amara still LOVES to snuggle and often will not fall asleep unless she is being held. We recently tried the baby swing and that soothes Amara to sleep 1 out of every 2 tries. Overall Amara seems like a happy baby. She rarely cries and when she does, it is usually for a good reason (hunger, wet diaper, ect). Mom and Dad are adjusting to life on less sleep. We can't complain -- our little girl is a delight! Amara's new "tricks" include big stretches (arms over head), kicking legs and moving arms (fast!), smiling, holding her head up when she lying on her tummy.

The usual yawning, hiccups and sneezing continue. So cute to watch her in action!