And we're back!

Sorry about that little hiatus. At work we don't like when bloggers go more than a day without posting, so what kind of example am I setting when it's been over a month. I could make excuses, like the fact that we're dealing with a baby, getting ready to move, trying to find jobs, etc., but I won't do that. Instead I'll just say I got overwhelmed by the number of photos we got during the graduation-baby naming weekend that I had to step away for a while. Also, I figured Grandma and Poppie had just spent several days seeing Nicole so they could go a little longer without pictures. I guess I was wrong.

Anyway, here are pictures from the graduation and baby naming weekend.

Here are a few more since then, including Nicole meeting her new friends Madison and Robin.

On the positive side, Nicole slept for 8 hours straight last night, so her mommy is a happy camper. She also slept the entire ride up to New Jersey on Saturday, about 3 hours (3 hours and 45 minutes if any traffic cops or Grandma are reading). Most of the time she's very cooperative. And darn cute. But you already saw the pictures so you know that.

I hope to post more frequently in the upcoming weeks, including on our big trip.

Happy Mother's Day

What a weekend Nicole had. First, her Daddy put together her swing and she got to enjoy the new toy a little bit Friday night and for several peaceful hours on Saturday. Then Saturday night she got to meet her BFF Maggie. They hit it off wonderfully and kept complimenting each other on their pretty pink outfits. Sunday she had a lovely Mother's Day dinner at Aunt Ruth's (well, we all did; Nicole ate the usual), and we got some pictures with her Mommy, Bubby and great grandmothers. (The men get their turn in a month).

Click for more pictures.

Nicole welcomes Maggie

Nicole got some good news today. Her new friend Maggie Blumberg was born this afternoon. Maybe they can play together this weekend.

The bad news is that allergy season has made parenting quite difficult. Nicole will sleep through just about anything (like her father) except for my sneezes. And it seems that's all I do these days, except for blowing my nose. Here's hoping for some rain to wash away the pollen so Nicole can sleep and I can finish watching Casino Royale.

Here are some pictures.

Quick update

Nicole enjoyed her first real bath this week. Mommy and Daddy were happy it wasn't a difficult experience, although they learned the hard way that you can't hesitate -- even for a second -- to put a diaper back on after the bath is over. Fortunately no evidence in the pictures below.

Nicole also liked watching the NFL Draft on Saturday. She was thrilled with the guard the Ravens took in the first round, but wasn't so happy with them burning a first-day pick on a kick returner. She was hoping that the Ravens would grab the Stanford QB that was somehow still available.

Click for some more pictures.

Three weeks old tomorrow

This will be brief, because someone won't stop crying and hiccuping (I'll give you a hint, it's not Jessica). Week three has been busy -- we've attended a birthday party, gone out to dinner a couple times and met a few new people. Nicole tried her first bottles. It's gone ok, but she seems to prefer when her mommy feeds her (and who can blame her?).

Here are some more pictures.

Almost two weeks

It's been over a week since we last posted. Sorry about that. We were a little busy -- can you imagine? Things are going very well, though, especially now that Jessica's feeling much better after her untimely illness. Let's catch you up on Nicole's adventures. She has:

- Made her first trip to the doctor
- Made her second trip to Costco (at least as far as the parking lot)
- Made her first visit to Bubby and Grandpa's house
- Gone out to dinner for the first time
- Seen her first grand slam (fortunately, this one was hit by an Oriole, for a change)
- Caught up on a few episodes of Lost
- Enjoyed her first time in the bouncy chair
- Attended her first party (the social butterfly will attend her second next week)

and most of all
- Missed Grandma and Poppie sooooo much.

Click here for more pictures.

More pictures

Dear friends and family,

Thank you all for all of your emails and phone calls. My mommy and daddy say they'll respond eventually and hope you understand. I'm enjoying my new home and getting the hang of being outside of mommy. Today was a special day. My grandpa arrived from Phoenix and I spent all afternoon napping on him. Mommy and daddy say that I'm a very good girl and am eating and sleeping as well as can be expected for a 4-day-old. Please check out more pictures of me, linked below.

Love, Nicole

Wednesday and Thursday pictures

Friday pictures

Saturday pictures