My Tweet Heart

The cheeks. The size and shape of the head... They could be twins!

Photos

Here are some photos from the last few weeks...

"Fine. I will ride in this seat but that doesn't mean I'm going to be happy about it." she said with a scowl.

We tried to make the drive to Dallas to see Aunt WaWa a couple weekends ago but due to a broken clutch only made it as far as MiMi's. Thanks Mimi for rescuing us from the side of the road. We were very sad to miss out on time with Aunt Sharla but at least the pool was nice.

I got an iphone ap that makes old timey pictures. As if I wasn't taking enough pictures of Marlo now I have another tool for recording her every move.

Marlo watching World Cup Soccer with her friends.

Holding her own bottle.

Snuggling with her little horsey. Christy made Marlo this little purple horse as a party favor at for Calvin's 2nd birthday. Marlo loves it- it just the right size to snuggle with and she loves to practice her fine motor skills by grabbing at the ribbon mane with her little fingers.

Dr. Suess' ABC

Marlo found Dr. Suess' ABC's very entertaining. It think these where some of her first big belly laughs.

Grabbing

This video is from at least a month ago. Now she grabs at everything and has much better control of her arms- but this seemed so huge at the time!

This is to have succeeded

Here's another very special handmade gift given to Marlo. Aunt WaWa (Sharla -Sean's Sister) knew that we would love something personalized and crafty. It's so nice and thoughtful- and I'm so pleased that it's not "too babyish". She used the text of a very lovely poem to create Marlo's name.

Here's the poem:

To laugh often and love much

to win the respect of intelligent persons and the affection of children

to earn the approbation of honest citizen's and endure the betrayal of false friends

to appreciate beauty

to find the best in others

to give of one's self

to leave the world a bit better

whether by a healthy child

a garden patch

or a redeemed social condition

to have played and laughed with enthusiasm and sung with exultation

to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived

this is to have succeeded.

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Here's a little close up of how she used the text of the poem to create M's name.

Thank you Aunt WaWa! We love it and it will have a place in Marlo's room for many many many years to come.

Bedtime stories with Daddy

The first 8 days

I have been delaying sharing this blog because I wanted to tell more of the story about how Marlo Mae got here. Well- now that she is just a few days shy of 4 months old it appears that I'm not really going to get around to writing anything too detailed. I probably have the time but would rather spend it playing with Marlo than writing a story. So- I've compiled a series of photos and captions that will at least tell some of the story.

Marlo Mae was born at home on February 24 at 4pm. She weighed 5 lbs 10 oz and was 19.25 inches long.

Marlo's first snuggles from Daddy.

Marlo had some trouble eating and since she was so little we she didn't have any fat reserves to keep her going- so, under the guidance of our midwife we decided to take her to Dell Children's Medical Center to get a little help

At the hospital Marlo and I did lots of skin-to-skin time.

This was taken after her first bath. She liked taking a bath even the very first time.

Marlo had her troubles in the hospital but everyday we were there she got more alert and active.

She did have some bad days... This is probably her at the worst part of her hospital stay. This picture breaks my heart- reminds me of how scared we were for her. The poor little thing got poked so many times- she was so tough and brave.

We love this picture "DJ MARLO" getting her hearing test.

Marlo's room.

This is Marlo on her last night at the hospital. She got to stay in a room with us. She was disconnected from the monitors and we took care of her (with support of the nurses just down the hall).

Marlo on her ride home. It was a long 8 days but all things considered she made great progress. We went home with a very healthy and joyful little girl.

Here we are at home the first day. Marlo still had some trouble nursing but she was doing great with the bottle. Look how tiny she is in this picture!

Eventually- after lots of ups and downs- Marlo started nursing at 9 weeks old.

Father's Day Picnic

We spent Father's Day at Mckinney Falls State Park.  Despite the heat we enjoyed a nice little walk and a picnic.  Marlo even took a little nap in her tent.

Marlo and Elowyn

Here are Marlo and Elowyn (5 weeks old) hanging out being best friends.

Marlo was pretty interested in watching Elowyn, but Elowyn is still in that newborn haze and didn't seem to notice Marlo. 

They are so cute!