The family that flys together stays together!

Adrian Joy has officially earned her wings! At only 8 weeks of age she has conquered what many people have not..2 direct flights on American Eagle. We made our initial trip back up to Indiana this past week for 5 days with the Hamilton family. Adrian was met with enough love and kisses to probably last her a life time! Between both sets of aunts and uncles, 8 cousins, grandparents, great grandmas, tons of extended family and too many to friends to count I dont think she was never not in someones loving arms. She was a very spoiled girl and that is just how we like it! See the pictures below from our great long weekend.

It amazes me everyday just how much a difference of 24 hours can make. It seems to me that everyday I wake up my daughter has changed in some slight way. Just in the past few weeks Adrian has begun to smile and almost laugh at funny faces and voices! Every time I am met with a smile from my daughter my heart feels as if it is going to jump out of my chest- the closest feeling I can describe this to is that first time you fall in love and your heart pounds and jumps at the sound of their name. That is exactly how I feel when my daughter laughs and smiles at me! It is amazing to already be so interactive with her and makes us so excited for what the future holds.

I am now 8 weeks into my maternity leave and it really makes me sad to know I only have 4 weeks left. I am looking forward to getting back to my job as I love what I do but I am sad at the thought that I will no longer know exactly what Adrian does all day and when she does it. This time with her has been precious and I am so thankful that I have been blessed with these 12 weeks. So the plan is to soak up the next four weeks. But I cannot promise that the first few weeks back at work will not be difficult and that I wont cry in my morning coffee everyday. I just hope that she loves Prince of Peace as I know that she will be in good hands.

Adrian Stats:

-8 weeks old

-Probably between 9-10 pounds (go back to the doctor on the 4th so we will know more then)

-Eats about 4 ounces when we use a bottle

-Sleeps between 6 -7 hours straight almost every night (!!!!)

-Has almost grown out of her newborn clothes but still a bit too mall for the next size (I say her and I are both in between sizes right now :)

-Is happiest in the morning and loves to sit in her bouncer in the morning sun

-Is starting to like bath time in the baby tub

-She is taking less naps during the day which means more play time for us

-She now smiles all the time and laughs when we make funny noises

-She has found her tongue and sticks it out all the time

-She is going to be a talker- she is constantly making noises and talking to us

Walking through the airport in her sling- she did sooo good!

Happy girl!

On the airplane back to Dallas.

The family!

Playing with her cousins- look close she is smiling.

Sleeping with grandma.

Birthday party for Ciera, Jack and Madison

On the way to Indiana..sleeping on daddy.

Aunt Krista being funny!

Everyone wanted their turn.

Relaxing with grandma.

All the grandkids, grandma and grandpa.

Too pretty for words!

Four generations.

First time in the shop for Adrian.

First bath at grandma Joys- Jack and Madison helped.

Girlie's meeting Adrian.

First time meeting Adrian.

Smiles!

Too cute!

Stir Crazy in Dallas

Today is the 4th day in a row that we are stuck inside the house due to a crazy winter storm that has left North Texas in a sheet of ice. And when Dallas is covered in ice and snow we Southerners have absolutely no idea what we are doing when it comes to driving, walking or really even playing in it. We are completely honest, up front and open about our inabilities to maneuver through the muck but for some reason this does not stop us from venturing out and causing wrecks and havoc. So that is why this time around the metroplex decided to completely shut down and for the longest length of time that I can remember. But with this shut down comes craziness - stir craziness. I know that I should be completely used to being cooped up since I am on maternity leave with a newborn but just as of recent Adrian and I had started to venture out of the house for mother daughter time. Our new found freedom was brought to a quick halt with the weather but we are hoping for clear and warmer skies this weekend- I promised my baby girl her first trip to Target and I intend to keep this promise perhaps Sat or Sunday :)


Other than the weather keeping us busy things are rocking along famously here at the Hamiltons. Adrian is growing like a weed and as of a week ago was up to 8 pounds 7 ounces and 20 1/2 inches long. She is hitting all the milestones that they expect from a 5 week old and we could not be more pleased. Overall she is a terrific baby - one that already has her days and nights figured out and only cries when she really needs something. She sleeps 5 to 6 hours straight at night and now only takes a few naps a day (when she feels like it). She is growing up so quickly!


Everyday that goes by I feel more confident and comfortable as a mother and thought I would share a few things that I have learned from being a mom for the last 5 weeks -


1. When changing a diaper ALWAYS have another one ready to go and in position - you never know when you might be interrupting something!

2. She will not break and is not that delicate.

3. A baby will always tell you when they are hungry- not a guessing game!

4. Dont run for the baby in the middle of the night if you hear movement and noises - the odds are that she will go right back to sleep on her own.

5. Sleep when the baby sleeps- this has always been good advice!

6. You cant spoil them at first- I hold her as much as I can while she is letting me!

7. You may have all the cutest clothes in the world for her but really the easiest ones to get off an on for changing diapers are the ones that you put them in all the time.

8.When it comes to my baby- if she is crying then most likely she still needs to burp.

9.Take a shower everyday if you can - it makes a huge difference in my self esteem!

10. And finally dont be afraid to be flexible - nothing ever goes as plan so I cannot get too worked up is she is late for a feeding or bed time..it will all work out in the end!