The End of Maternity Leave....

Let me start by saying - WOW, I can't believe how much I love our little princess.  She has ALL of my heart.  I knew that I would experience an overwhelming feeling of love when I finally held her in my arms, but I didn't realize just how much that love grows each day and the insane amount of joy I feel every time I think about or look at our princess.

This has been the post that I have been dreading to write.  I was hoping that if I put it off - thinking about it, talking about it, writing about it - that this day would not come.  But, sadly, my maternity leave is over....Ughhh....

Returning to work is a very bittersweet feeling.  I am excited to return to my classroom and students, BUT I am feeling so guilty, anxious and sad about leaving Graycen.  Today, I'm wishing that I lived in California, or Canada, or Europe to have an extended maternity leave.  I know I am lucky; however, I will return to work for the next 17 days before summer vacation begins. So here we go....17 more days until summer break and my next role - working mom.

Then....and....Now....

Our "big" girl....

                                                
                          1 week old                          3 months old

Playtime with cousins

Graycen is one lucky little lady - she has two very awesome cousins that love her.  The boys were so cute with her this last weekend - "babysitting" her while I washed my hands after changing diapers, holding her when she cried, inserting her pacifier, showing everyone how to handle the baby, and smothering her with love and kisses.

Brayden was the baby whisperer while we were visiting, calming her when she was fussy.

   

Happy Mother's Day

Thank you for being an amazing mom.  As I embark on my new journey as a mother, I know that I will do great because I have you as a role model.  I love you!

First Road Trip

Graycen's first road trip = SUCCESS!!!  Not that we needed any more evidence, but she really is the best baby EVER!

We were very excited to head to Spokane to celebrate our first mother's day with Graycen and our moms, but I was dreading the 5 hour drive with a 3 month old.  She is much more active now and I was sure that she would fight being in the car seat for long stretches of time.  I had nothing to worry about - she slept for most of the trip (both ways), waking up only twice for a diaper change and to eat. 

How she spent most of the trip :)

In fact, Graycen did better than the dogs.  I had hoped to crate the dogs in the back, but Garrett felt bad and decided that they would be fine riding shotgun.

Halen had a difficult time staying in his spot on the front seat...

...but eventually settled down and enjoyed the blast of cold air...but it was short lived...

Hopefully, I have convinced Garrett to crate the dogs in the back for our next trip. 

Bitter Sweet....

Someone's excited about being 3 months old today :)

3 month stats...

  - 11 lbs (25th percentile)
  - 22.75 inches long
  - has outgrown all of her newborn clothes and is wearing 3 month outfits
  - smiles, laughs, "talks" throughout the day
  - loves to watch T.V.
  - drooling all the time :)
  - has figured out how to suck on her hands
  - follows toys, voices and faces as they move in front of her
  - doing well with tummy time

Like father, like daughter :)

You may think that Graycen is enjoying some play time on her activity mat...but, she is actually watching T.V. - definitely her father's daughter :) 

Looks like I have one more person in my life to share the remote with.

A Sad Day...

It is a sad day at the Smith house...well, maybe just a sad day for me.  I am putting all of Graycen's newborn clothing into storage.  I've been holding on to the last few newborn things - a couple pairs of jammies, some "bigger" onesies and pants - pretending that they really did fit her. 

Newborn clothing to be packed for storage :(

First outfit - worn home from the hospital :(  :(

Then....   Now....