Trying to get a smile

Every new parent knows how amazing it is when their kid starts to smile back at them (and not just when they are moving stuff into their diaper). Here I am trying to get Emi to smile at me, which she does, but then becomes much more interested in the mirrors on the wall behind me.

At the Pool

This is how Emersyn hangs out at the pool...and pretty much everywhere else.

The Grandparents

My mom was so excited she showed up in California the day Emersyn was born. We were so glad to have her here. She is a superstar when it comes to helping people. She brought us food in the hospital since the hospital food left a lot to be desired. She sanitized the whole apartment a couple times over. All of our meals were taken care of once we were home. She went to the grocery store and ran errands. Took me to the doctor. Watched Emersyn in the middle of the night so we could sleep. And, well...was wonderful. I was lucky to have my dad come out that weekend for a day so he could see Emi as a newborn.

Chris' mom flew in when Emersyn was about 4 weeks old and stayed for almost a week. She was great to be a babysitter and do grandma duty when we needed it. She was especially great at understanding my new-mother anxieties and being patient.

3 Week Photos

A good friend and talented photographer was wonderful enough to take some pictures of Emersyn when she was 3 weeks old...still small and very new. (And wasn't even upset when Emersyn spit up all over her bedspread)

The Evolution of Emersyn

Even though she has not been with us for very long she sure has changed quite a bit. The following is a series of photos documenting these changes.

Day one, the Angry Alien:

Later that day, Rocky Balboa after his bout with Clubber Lang (the first one):

A couple of days later, the Little Monkey:

And then, our beautiful Emie appeared:

Something tells me she's going to regress now and again to the Little Monkey phase....

She's Here!

Emersyn Elizabeth Bell

March 1, 2011

7.0 lbs 20.5 inches

Thanks to Mom!

The end of this pregnancy is fast approaching - okay not 'fast' approaching, just approaching. I have been doing my best to fulfill my nesting urges even though we don't have a baby room and I am limited as to what I can decorate. Chris has been great in telling me how wonderful the changing table looks even though he doesn't understand why I wanted to paint it black in the first place. He makes approving comments and does his best to appear interested when I show him the new stock of nursing pads, q-tips, and garbage can deodorizers I just picked up.

We feel like we are pretty well prepared as far as having all the right equipment goes. Stroller - check. Car seat - check. Crib - check. Diapers and wipes - check. And then we started thinking about all of the little things that a baby needs. Thank goodness for friends, baby showers, and especially mothers.

My mom flew in for a long weekend just to spend time with us before the baby arrives. I think some of her motivations, other than just wanting to see us, were to see me and the large and in charge belly before I deliver, and to get away from the cold winter weather in Utah. It was great having her here to talk to and be with. We did a lot of shopping in getting all those little things that Chris and I wouldn't have known we needed until that moment when we needed it.

I was so glad to have my mother come - even though it was a very low-key, 8 months pregnant kind of trip for her. It means a lot to know that she will take the time and effort and expense to come. And, with the baby on the way it won't be long before we see her here again.