Shutterfly Announcements

Stationery card

View the entire collection of cards.

We used Shutterfly to create Mikayla's baby announcement, and I'm so happy with how it turned out!

I love using Shutterfly- it's so easy, they have a ton of cute design templates, and you can always find a good deal (I get a great discount for this post!) 

Look for our family holiday cards by Shutterfly soon! 

After Nap

I heard James wake up from his nap, so I headed for upstairs to see him.

He was already on his way down, with his trusty partner, Kona!

Always happy together!

Hugs and kisses for his best pal!

Meeting Great Grandma and Grandpa

I took Mikayla to meet my Grandma and Grandpa (Tutu and Papa) a few weeks ago for the very first time.

They fell instantly in love with their great granddaughter.

This was a very special moment for my mom and me. As my grandma's health has deteriorated over the last year, I worried many times that she might not meet her second great grandchild.

It brought her so much joy to hold a brand new baby.  In fact, when it was time to go, she did not want to let go (a little scary for Mom!)

We visit my grandparents each Wednesday.  My Tutu is the sweetest grandmother and I am so grateful that James and Mikayla have these moments with her, and with my Grandpa as well.

This was a photo I definitely wanted to get. 

Four generations...

Mikayla napped soundly in my Tutu's arms.

She must have known she was surrounded by love!

Some of Tutu's thoughts on holding Mikayla for the first time...

Six Weeks!

Mikayla is six weeks old today!  

It's hard to believe. Time has flown by, and she is changing every day.

We are loving every minute with her- the last six weeks have been such a joy!

It's so fun to watch her grow and learn about her little personality.  She is such a sweet little angel.  

Six weeks feels like such a milestone.  In the past few days she has started smiling big time! She is also cooing, it is so precious!

She was especially happy this morning while I talked to her about our plans for the day.

 

At six weeks old, Mikayla likes:

Talking with Mom and Dad

Bath time

Sleeping with Mom- sometimes 5 hours at a time at night! Mom likes this!

Exercising her legs while laying on her back

Eating (as evidenced by those chubby cheeks!)

Getting kisses from big brother

Walking to the swings with big brother

At six weeks old, Mikayla doesn't like:

Hiccups

Sitting in her carseat, unless she is moving!

Diaper changes

Getting out of a warm bath

She is one happy girl!

I love this little half smirk that she has in the next two photos. I think she gets this look from Matt. It's so funny!

We love this little girl so much!

Little Smiles

Matt just happened to catch this little smile on video!

Only two days old!

Family Portraits

Friend and fellow Federal Way High School alum, Angie Arms, has a very successful photography business.  We had her over when Mikayla was one week old and she took some photos for us.

They all turned out incredibly beautiful. Here are a few of my favorites...

 One eye peeking open and a little smile on her face!

I am thrilled to have these- we're thankful to have captured such a special stage of our newborn.  Especially because she has changed so fast!

 James also got in on the photo action. What a good looking boy!

He's got the "cheeeeese" down!

My boys. Precious.

 This one is definitely going on the portrait wall!

Don't you just want to cuddle her?

I love my sweet baby girl.

James is such a sweet boy.

Our new family!

They are all fantastic pictures, the hardest part is picking which ones to put where!

Thank you Angie!

Check her out at angiearmsphotography.com!

New Cousin!

James and Mikayla welcomed a new cousin earlier this month!  


Congratulations to Matt's sister Amanda, Ben, and big sister Adalae!

Abigail Carrie was born October 2nd at 11:43 am, weighing in at 8 pounds 7 ounces and measuring 21 3/4 inches.

Sadly, I forgot my camera when we went to the hospital to meet Abigail.  Here's a photo of the girls from Amanda's blog:

They were born just a month apart- it's amazing how much babies grow in just a few weeks!


Now James is outnumbered 3 to 1 by girls, he carries the flag as the only boy in the family!

Our Little Model

Before Mikayla was born, I had all of James' old clothes sitting in her room, just in case we had a boy.

Well, once we brought her home, we put all the blue away to make room for the girly outfits!  But, there were a few "neutral" pieces from James' old wardrobe that I wanted to pull out for her.  They just bring back wonderful memories of James as a baby!

Love her in this picture at 20 days old... she has such beautiful eyes and soft hair!

Yes, one person did ask if she was a boy when we were out and about. I don't care! 

Too cute not to wear!

Double chin!

Here's Mikayla in some more "feminine" outfits.

Sadly this little pink PJ has already been put away because she's growing so fast!  And, look at her face! This is the face she makes when she's peeing.  I know this because it's happened when she's had no diaper on.

And look at this face... this one's all BOY!

Chubby Cheeks

Love to kiss this face!

Puyallup Fair

We managed to Do The Puyallup this year as a brand new family of four!

Thanks to Matt's cousin Rebecca who gave us exhibitor tickets!  

We were able to go on the weekend and get in early before the crowds arrived.

First stop: the firetruck! James loves checking out big trucks.  His first close encounter with a firetruck was at Bonney Lake's "Touch the Truck" day. He enjoyed getting another look at the fair!

I couldn't get him to look away for the photo! He was so fascinated!

Mikayla slept through most of her first fair experience... next year will be a different story!

James' favorite part of the fair was checking out the tractors.  He didn't just sit and look, though.  He wanted to drive them!

Looks like we'll have to go to Grandpa Knight's for a ride on his!

Yes! James was just barely tall enough for a few rides this year!

The merry go round is always a favorite. Check out that big smile and wave to mom!

We enjoyed looking at many animals, but that's all James was interested in doing this year- looking. 

Matt, on the other hand, got to pet them!

The Kellys came over after doing the fair as well.

Love Ginger's boots!

Goof ball!

 Auntie Melanie got in some snuggle time with Miss M.

What a fun day!