Drew - Month Three

May 2012

Dear Drew -

Happy 3 Months to you!

You have now been with us for a quarter of a year.  I am still filled with just as much awe as I was the first time I saw you.  Your growth amazes me.  I love to watch you and it is hard for me to imagine you any older than you are right now, at this moment.  I guess, I will always feel this way.

This has been such a fun month!  You have begun to have more control of your hands.  Your favorite place to put those hands is in your mouth.  You like to suck on your fingers.  Many times you prefer your own hands over a pacifier of any kind.  It was noted that you first gained control of your left hand.  Will you be a lefty?  We will just have to wait and see.

You have become such a vocal girl lately.  You really like to coo.  Daddy and I like to have "conversations" with you.  You have gotten so good that you often try to mimic your Daddy.  Sometimes you succeed, sometimes not. 

You have begun to really like the activity mat we bought you.  You really want to catch that ladybug, but she continues to elude you.  Keep trying and I am sure it will be yours.

Your hand control has become so advanced that you have started holding toys all by yourself.  The first toy you held was a soccer ball rattle that was bought for you by your Nana.  I may have helped you get your grip on it, but you held onto it after I let go.

This is also the month we heard the most wonderful sound.  We got to hear the sound of your laughter.  Mommy can usually get you to laugh by bouncing you up and down on her lap.  We hope to hear that laughter all the time.

Our exclusive time together is quickly coming to an end.  Next month, you will start daycare and Mommy will have to go back to work.  This makes Mommy sad to think about, as I love to spend all my time with you.  But I know it is what is best for our family.  In the meantime, we are going to make the most of every moment we have together, now and in the future.

I love you everyday!

~Mom

Third Month Visits

April 2012

Drew still loves it when she gets to visit with people.  We believe we have a social butterfly on our hands, just like her Daddy.

Aunt Tammy comes to visit quite a bit.  This time she was able to take a nap with Drew.

Drew with AG

Jackson acts as if he has no idea what to do

Cousins

Meeting Cousin Lila

Lila though Drew weighed a bit less

Uncle Drew's Prom

We went to visit Uncle Drew, Nana, and Pops for Uncle Drew's prom weekend.

All dressed up in celebration of Uncle Drew's prom!

Big D and Baby D

Baby D does not look very happy here.

Three generations of women

Our little family

Drew with Nana and Pops

Gotta love a sleeping baby!

April 2012

I am obsessed with taking pictures of Drew while she is sleeping.  I just feel as if that a baby sleeping is the most pure form of innocence.  I am amazed at how long I can just stare at her while she sleeps.  For someone who typically hates to sit still, I could stare at my sweet cakes forever.

Things Are Getting Fun!

April 2012

Things are really starting to get fun with Drew.  She is getting more and more control of her movements.  Below are some pictures to showcase her having fun!

Even though I have placed her on the mat multiple times, this was the first time that I felt as if she was beginning to understand and have some fun.

Trying to get some tummy time in.  She still doesn't really like it.

This soccer rattle is the first thing she has held all on her own.  Her Daddy, Uncle, and Pops probably hope this will be a sign.

I may have helped her a little bit...

She loves to stick her tongue out right now.  Cutest thing ever!

Big girl sat in her Bumbo seat for the first time.  She looks amused, doesn't she?

Decisions are difficult for everyone.  Does Drew prefer the fist or...

the pacifier?  What a tough life.

Drew - Month Two

April 2012

Dear Drew –

Happy 2 months to you!

Another month has passed and you have yet to fail to amaze me.  You have done an amazing job of weaving yourself into our hearts, our home, and our future.  So much so that it is impossible to think of any of those things without thinking of you.

Nursing is still going well and I have to admit that I love this time with you.  My favorite part right now is how you stroke my arm while feeding.  It is the sweetest thing.

My favorite look of yours right now occurs when you are stretching.  Your entire body goes into your stretch and you make the cutest little face.  I hope I can remember what that looks like forever, because it is so hard to capture that on film.

You attended your first wedding this month and were the cutest guest in attendance.  I know, I am a little biased, but that’s okay.  You were such a trooper traveling.  Daddy and I really expected the worst and were pleasantly surprised.

This month you started truly smiling at people.  You love for people to look at you and talk with you. 

You have stayed without Mommy or Daddy a few times.  You have stayed with Aunt Mandy and Gran for play dates while Mommy tried to get some work done.  As far as they tell me, you have been good for them.  I am sure they both spoil you to pieces.

The cutest thing you started doing this month was sticking your tongue out.  This trick just proves that there is some Kelley in you.

We introduced a pacifier to you this month.  You seem to be able to take it or leave it.  However, it works wonders for you at naptimes as it gets you to focus in on Mommy or Daddy.

The most exciting advancement for you is that you have started sleeping through the nite.  I am almost afraid to speak of it as I have heard this luxury can be fleeting.  But for now, you are sleeping peacefully through nite.

All of these advancements make me excited for the future, but I do not want it to come to fast.  I just want to cherish what is now.

I love you everyday!

~Mom

Sanders Easter

The Sanders Easter was held at Aunt Laura's house.  It was good to see everyone since most of them had not had the chance to meet Drew yet.  Drew missed Gran but understood that she was having a once in a lifetime experience in Holland.

Abigail was so sweet holding Drew.

Taking a nap with Aunt Katy

Cousin Eli, Aunt Katy, & Drew

Drew was lucky enough to be given an Easter basket by her sweet Aunt Alicia.  Our friend Kristin also made her a cute bunny hair bow.  Both of those can be seen in the slide show below.

Kelley Easter

April 2012

Drew's first Kelley Easter was spent at her Great Grandmother's house in Roanoke, AL.  Only part of the extended family was able to make it but we had a good time.  Drew was very observant this year and plans to put what she learned to good use next year when it comes time to hunt eggs.

Drew and Pops watching the egg hunt. 

Her daddy felt as if she didn't have anything "springy" to wear so he bought her this cute outfit for Easter.

Taking it all in.

Family photo

Drew and Daddy.  Notice the butterfly on her wrist?  It was a gift from Nana and Pops.

Having a conversation with MawMaw

Focus

March 2012
One day, Drew was chilling in her pack and play with the mobile going.  In the past, the mobile had been just for sound as she could not focus in on it.  But on this day (March 28th), I noticed that she was beginning to focus in on the bears and follow them.  Below are the pictures of me trying to capture that.

In this one, you can tell she is looking at them.

And then here, her head has moved to the right slightly.

And then a bit more centered.

It is exciting to watch her gain new skills.  I am excited by each new things she learns but also a bit sad.  Time goes so fast and I just want to remember it all.

~Candi

Drew's First Wedding

In March, my cousin Amanda was a beautiful bride and married her longtime boyfriend, Jeff.  They were married in Raleigh, NC.  Of course, we couldn't miss it, so this was Drew's first long car ride and first wedding.  She was better than expected.  Of course, traveling with an infant turns a 7 hour trip into a 8-9 hour trip due to more stops, but other than that all was well.  Below are a few of the photo highlights from that trip.

This was on the way up.  My friend, Ashley, had sent her this Sophie which she loved right away.

Meeting Aunt Di for the first time.

My brother Drew, Aunt Tammy and baby Drew

Aunt Tammy and Drew

Her face looks crazy in this pic

Family photo.  Drew would not stop stretching.

Drew with the beautiful bride.  Stretching again.

All in all, it was a good trip.  We can't wait to go on many more adventures with her.