Kittens and doctors and paychecks, oh my!

Two months old! My baby daughter is two months old and getting more fun everyday! I have really enjoyed motherhood the last couple of weeks and have really praised God for the blessing that is my sweet baby girl. As oddly as it sounds, I am really grateful for the struggles that I encountered the first 7 or so weeks. I feel as though everything I have learned has made me appreciate this time so much more. Because Miriam is now giving me sweet smiles and coos and calming down when I sing to her. It blesses my heart so much to know that even in the times of her screaming day and night, she still bonded to me. She still knows my voice and follows me with her eyes when she hears it. I love her big beautiful eyes! When she is awake and alert, she just melts everyone's hearts. I love the smell of her skin and the the feel of her peach fuzz hair on my lips. I love when I give her kisses and she gets so excited that she opens her mouth, kicks her arms and legs and starts breathing really fast because she doesn't quite have the whole 'laugh' thing down. Yep. Things are definitely looking up.

And to top it all off, I officially gave my 'two weeks' to work. We are taking the plunge. I don't know how we are going to do it financially, but it is a sacrifice that I know God will bless. I just can't see looking back on this years from now, having more money and security, but at the expense of not staying home with her. Daniel and I decided we would rather just make the sacrifice and struggle so that Miriam can have her mommy at home with her. I am excited! And I am terrified! But, I know it's the right decision. So, don't be offended if we don't invite you over for awhile....it will take some time to get situated at the homeless shelter. : ) Please keep us in your prayers. Pray that not only will the Lord provide, but that we will keep it in perspective and not let it become a source of anger and frustration in our marriage. It is so easy to let financial burdens become a stumbling block.

Miriam had her 2 month appointment Tuesday and she weighed in at a hearty 10.8 pounds! She has the most adorable rolls on her thighs and a big double chin. I have to scrub between the cracks every night because she gets fuzz stuck in there. ha ha. She has really begun to enjoy her baths. It probably helps that I spoil her completely and turn the shower on full blast to make the whole bathroom a sauna before I put her in the bath tub. I would relax too, if I came into a warm steam room and someone bathed me.

We also celebrated her first Halloween. She was a kitten. We didn't take her trick or treating because, let's face it.....Mom and Dad would have eaten all the candy and that's the only reason we would have gone. But, we did take her around to the grandparents' offices and houses so that they could show her off.

The paparazzi just wouldn't leave her alone! "Please, no more pictures! I just want to live a normal life!"

Her costume got really hot, so I put some pumpkin socks on her and a little bib that said, "Look whooooo's first Halloween."

Believe it or not....besides the first day she was born, this is the only family photo we have. Lame.

Kiss!

Miriam likes to sleep on her tummy because of her acid reflux. She doesn't grunt as much when she sleeps like that, so when I am in the room with her, I let her sleep that way. But, look how tiny she is in her crib!! Awww.....

This was Miriam's 'tummy time.' As you can see.....she wasn't too interested.

Awww....little feet.

Miriam and Uncle Joe on Halloween

The other day, Miriam got her first shots. She was pretty fussy the rest of the night and didn't feel real well. Daniel got home from work, picked her up and just started talking to her and it turned off the 'fuss' button immediately. She is enamored with her Daddy. I am amazed at the connection between the two of them. From day one.

My cousin, Becca, came up a couple weekends ago and brought the girls for the day. It was so good to see them and it was the first time they had met Miriam. I am so excited that Miriam has so many little cousins in the area.

I'm pretty sure Miriam slept that entire day.

Alex is a natural at holding her. Ha. Doesn't she look so comfortable? Don't tell him that if she pukes at that exact moment, he has the burp cloth nowhere near her face. Speaking of puke, I kissed Miriam on the lips this morning and she puked in my mouth. THAT was fun.

Kyla was watching Monster House.

Kaelynn was also a kitten for Halloween, so we decided to get the girls dressed up in their costumes and take pictures together.

Dave came over with James, so we took some more pictures. Look at all our babies!

In case you can't see it, her onesie says, "This is my little black dress."

I tried to catch a smile, but only got the tail end.