One month young!

Weekend Wit Da Fam: Part II

Anna continues to get her fill of grandparent lovin'. Grandaddy and Mia Sims came to visit this weekend to marvel at the intelligence and beauty of their only granddaughter to date. They were not disappointed. We didn't have a whole lot planned, which turned out to be OK because the party came to us! Greg's cousins Jeff and Jenn brought their two boys, Connor and Carson, to visit on Saturday morning, and great-grandmother Sims spent Saturday afternoon at Casa Sims. It was the first time Connor and Carson had met Anna. They were both so sweet with her, but Carson scored highest on the "aww-mometer" with his swoop-in kisses on Anna's forehead. He also scored pretty high on the "Don't Touch!!" scale when he repeatedly tried to tickle Anna by gently raking her across the face. It's the thought that counts! Mia and Grandaddy got to try their hand at pretty much everything - holding, soothing, changing, and bathing. They'll get to do it again when we come to Nashville in a couple of weeks. They looked like two seasoned pros. Otherwise, we ate lots of good food, took a stroller ride in the neighborhood, picked veggies from the garden, and went to church together this morning. All in all a great weekend...let the slideshow tell the rest...

You're getting very sleepy

One of the fun (sometimes exasperating, but mostly fun) aspects of parenting is finding ways to soothe Anna when she's fussy. Her preferences change frequently so we're always experimenting with new tricks. This week we discovered that she loves music! I'm not talking about your typical Baby Einstein variety, but the stuff on our iPod. When she starts to cry, we crank up the speakers and stand right in front of them so that she can wind down to the melodic sounds of everyone from Dave Matthews, to Chris Thile, Van Morrison and John Mayer. Sometimes daddy even sings along (our low-tech version of surround sound). She totally digs it and is soon dreaming about being a rock star.

We put Anna down for a nap in her real crib for the first time this week to get her used to it (she generally sleeps in the co-sleeper in our room). The thing practically swallows her whole!! She looks like a little peanut swimming in a sea of bedsheets, doesn't she? Hard to believe she's actually going to outgrow this thing someday!

Though we like it when she sleeps, it's hard to decide which is better: a little peace and quiet or staring at that gorgeous, bright-eyed face!

A Big Weekend Wit Da Fam

Anna visited Mama Sims' house for the first time this past Friday morning. Mama made us lunch (which Anna enjoyed later that day) and we all had a most lovely time... although clearly Anna had heard enough out of us.

 

Then Nana and Papa came for a visit from Nashville Friday afternoon! Fortunately they did not miss bath time. Here she shares with them how long her tongue is. They are quite impressed by it and her general supreme cuteness.

 

Anna loves her Papa. She tells him all about her adventures in her first 3 weeks... he is in utter awe at her genius and surprisingly cunning wit.

 

Anna smiled at her Papa more than she's smiled at anyone so far. We were so captivated by her beautiful smile that we couldn't get the cameras out in time. However, that morning, Daddy took a picture of his sleeping beauties and happened to catch Anna in a fabulous full-mouthed smile mid dream!! (Mommy would like to note here that she usually looks much better than this when she is sleeping...she is sure of it).

 

Ladies and gentlemen.. the belly button! This is right after the nasty cord stub fell off. What a lovely belly button. I dare say I have not seen one finer.

 

We'd also like to welcome Leah Medeiros and Samuel Galbraith into the world this week! Congratulations Jennie & Alex and Michelle & Steven (Gina, Jennie & Michelle are co-workers at United Way)!

The many faces of Anna

 

Anna lent her extremely photogenic face to us for an impromptu photo shoot the other day. She produced all these expressions in the course of, oh, say 2 minutes and had us rolling. She's nothing if not unpredictable, our little Dr. Jekyl...or is she Mrs. Hyde?

Our new theme song...

"Everything Comes Down to Poo" (Click on the link)

Is there an angel in the house?

Anna attended her first worship service at Harvest Community Church on Sunday. She slept through the sermon -- no offense Pastor Derek. For the occasion, she got to wear the same dress that her mommy wore home from the hospital when she was a baby. "I like her sleeves...they're real big." Her lace booties are a gift from Gina's Aunt Marilyn.

All the adoration just wore me out!

Something's in the water at Harvest. Anna's new playmate, Madison, was born just a week earlier.

The proud parents

My favorite pic so far

Here's looking at you, kid!

Chillin' Out

Finding Her Voice

After a relatively benign first week, Anna kicked off her second week at home in compliant fashion. We went to Sunday brunch for our first family outing and she behaved beautifully. By behaving I mean she slept the entire time. Nothing like eating an omelette and peering over the table at your daughter sleeping peacefully. Sunday night, however, Anna decided she had held her tongue long enough.

Turns out girlfriend can wail! She's treated us to several more outbursts this week...the doctor says it sounds like colic. Either that or she just gets overtired and can't quite get over the hump to sleep. If you're still wondering what to get us, earplugs might be a good pick! In truth, though, Anna is doing so well that we have little to complain about. She's gained another 4oz. since last week and has grown an entire inch in just 11 days, bringing her to 21 inches, 7lb. 13oz. That's our girl.

Before signing off, want to give a shout out to two of Anna's newest friends who entered the world this past week: Lily Larson-Wolbrink (a mere 12 hours ahead of Anna) and Oliver Thomas Fotopulos. Congrats Ben & Gretchen, Steve & Susannah!

Doctor Says We Can Keep Her

 
Anna passed her first doctor's appointment this past Wednesday with flying colors. Turns out she's a hefty eater! Babies typically lose weight in the first day or two after birth, and are given roughly 2 weeks to regain it. Already quite the overachiever, Anna weighed in at 7lb. 9oz, surpassing her birthweight by 1oz. in just 4 days (that's her on the scale). We're so proud of our little porker!

Overall, the first week has been good. Most of the time we just sit around staring at her. We're still learning how to decode her sounds and moods, which at times has been frustrating, but I guess that comes with the territory. Sleep is intermittent but better than I expected (don't know if Gina would agree). So far the greatest challenge has been establishing some semblance of a routine - for her and us. Thankfully, we haven't had to worry much about fitting prep time for meals into the schedule - our church family and our friends at CTS have been so generous with meals. We could get used to catering! Anna took her first bath and her first stroll around the neighborhood this week. She likes riding in the stroller...the bath not so much. Her great-grandmother Kelley and great aunt Jacque also sent her some very cute outfits with a "pink" theme. She loves them! Nana has been taking good care of Anna and her weary parents - running errands, cooking, and cuddling her granddaughter whenever she can. Yet somehow she still manages to squeeze in naps every now and then.

A Week of Firsts

So many new things to see and do! I don't have a picture of it, but Anna also carried out her first projectile poop attack on daddy this morning.

My New Friends

Anna is already blessed by so many who love her.

Zuchinni Patch Girl?

Uncle Brent and Aunt Halina totally surprised us yesterday with a birth announcement of their own. Looks like Anna's new cousin might steal the show at our next family Thanksgiving. Check out their message...

Announcing the arrival of the newest member of the Rice/Siwolop family! After roughly 2 months of hard labor in the garden, our beautiful baby entered the world this evening at 6:47pm, weighing in at 2 lb. 1 oz. and measuring a sleek 16 inches! More formal introductions will follow once we have decided on one of three names we're considering, so for now any affectionate term of endearment that approximates "large", "tasty", "delicious", etc. will do.

Mother and vegetable are both healthy and resting at present after a long night with little sleep. Halina was induced around 6:46 pm to go outside and cut the vine, but her progress really took off between 6:46 pm and 6:47 pm. By the time she got to the garden, she was fully tired and ready to go back inside. I tell you what, it's hard to label Halina, but she cut like a champ in this case - 2 minutes from the time she went outside until our little one made her grand entrance. Very impressive if I do say so myself :) The only problem we encountered during delivery was that the vine got wrapped around the baby's, uh, "neck". However, she was quickly able to cut it, and after some vigorous shredding, our little one turned into the sweetest loaf of zucchini bread I'll probably ever eat. Both parents were able to be here to taste her, as well as one set of grandparents. Needless to say, baby Rice/Siwolop is getting eaten fast!

I hope you enjoy these first sneak peaks of our girl. If they whet your appetite for more, we have set up a blog so that you can follow her adventures as she gets used up. This way, instead of sending you multiple emails each time we make her into another dish or she does something hilarious (unlikely), you can just visit www.watchhalandbrenteattheirbaby.com any time you want and stay up to date on what we're eating in our world. I know some of you may not be terribly familiar with zucchini recipes (neither was I honestly), but I hope you'll bookmark our site and visit it often. Then you can brag to your friends about how hungry you are! There will also be a way for you to order recipes of your favorite dishes if you like. Feel free to email me if you have any questions. In the meantime, be patient as I try to get things uploaded while catching up on making fritters and sauteing.

Each of you holds a special place setting in our hearts and we are thrilled to share this moment with you. Our love and a piece of zucchini bread to each of you!

Brent and Halina

.
Ahhh, the joys of gardenhood. Takes me back to our own bundle of joy last year

Meet Anna!

Anna is thrilled to be making her big screen debut. For the occasion, she has donned her new onesy and is enjoying her bouncy chair. She also decided to open her eyes for all to gaze at those baby blues.

Introducing Anna Kelley Sims!

We are thrilled to announce the arrival of the newest member of the Sims family! After roughtly 13 hours of labor, our beautiful baby girl Anna Kelley Sims entered the world yesterday morning, June 30, at 6:47am. She weighed in at 7lb. 8oz. and measured a sporty 20 inches! Her first few hours have been spent sleeping, pooping, and learning how to nurse. She's mastered the first two and is well on her way to mastering the third. She's pretty much a genius.

Here's the short version of the story: Gina was induced around 5pm on Friday afternoon, but her progress really took off between 1am-4am on Saturday night. By the time 6am rolled around, she was fully dilated and ready to go. It's hard to label Gina pushy, but she pushed like a champ in this case - 35 minutes from the time she began until Anna made her grand entrance. Very impressive if I do say so myself :) The only problem we encountered during delivery was that the umbilical cord got wrapped around the baby's neck. However, the doctor was quickly able to cut it and after some vigorous massage, our little one let out the sweetest cry I'll probably ever hear. We are grateful to God that both sets of grandparents were able to be here for the birth as well as one great-grandmother. Needless to say, baby Sims is getting lots of love! Definitely more than mommy and daddy are getting sleep.

This Sunday morning, the three of us worshipped God together for the first time and gave thanks for all that has happened in these past hours. Here's an excerpt from the Psalm we read to her:

For it was you who formed my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; that I know very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes beheld my unformed substance. In your book were written all the days that were formed for me, when none of them as yet existed. How weighty to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! I try to count them - they are more than the sand; I come to the end - I am still with you. (Psalm 139:13-18)

Praise be to God!

P.S. - Debra Sanders brought this fun tidbit to our attention this morning -- "You've probably heard the phrase 'Once in a Blue Moon' your entire life. I heard on the radio this afternoon that the full moon right now is known as a Blue Moon because it's the second full moon in a one month period. Therefore, your little princess was born 'Once in a Blue Moon!' Just a little trivia for you."

P.S.S. - There is special significance behind our name selection. "Anna" was the name of Gina's late maternal grandmother, and "Kelley" was Greg's late mother's maiden name. Their memories live on.