The Worm

Hannah loves playing on her "worm" (an activity mat sent to us by Jon's cousin, Sue)....and while in DC she got to share her worm with her cousin. Liam doesn't quite lay on it and play with the toys like Hannah does. Liam turns himself sideways and tries to kick or pull the activity bar down to get everything in his mouth.... So funny. Here are some shots of the kids playing on the worm.

Hannah and the worm...

Liam and the worm....

My Great Great What???

I have been blessed with a very close extended family. On our way back from DC, we stopped to see my Great Aunt Eleanor and Great Uncle Ray (who also happen to be my godparents). This was their first time to meet their great-great niece. Aunt Eleanor was quite excited to get to see and hold Hannah and Hannah gave her quite a few smiles during our short visit.

Hannah is wondering who this person is holding her.

Great-Great Uncle Ray and Great-Great Aunt Eleanor with Hannah

When we were leaving my aunt and uncle's house, Jon asked me to remind him of how we were all related and I explained that Aunt Eleanor and my Grandpap Catney were brother and sister. He continues to be amazed at how we were so close to our extended family, since he isn't even sure if his grandparents had siblings. His family was much more spread apart than mine, so his nuclear family is really close, but he never really got to know his extended family growing up. My family isn't nearly as spread out, so we saw the extended family a great deal. I don't really remember much about many of the Folger grandparent siblings because many of them had passed on before I was even born, but I did have a gaggle of cousins and second cousins that we visited at family gatherings.

Jon and I realize how much richness an extended family can bring to kids growing up, so we're hopeful that in today's busy and over-committed world we can make sure our kids know their relatives.

Picnic at Great Falls Park

We took Hannah and Liam on their first picnic on Sunday afternoon. We went to Great Falls National Park. We had a nice time seeing the waterfalls and having some lunch.

Jon & Hannah
The Woolley Family
Woolley Family Take 2

(the falls are better in this one)

The Falls were really amazing....and it is hard to believe that people kayak on them. But, we watched some people in kayaks go down over the falls. I don't know if I'd have the nerve to do that.

This is the best way to take multiple 5-month olds to the same place!! We're traveling in style thanks to a good friend from work. A double stroller was a whole lot easier than having to bring 2 strollers with us. It was especially nice since Hannah slept for most of our time at the park, while Liam wanted to be looking around at everything.

Hannah & Liam enjoying their day out

SAS Visit

While in Virginia, Jon and I were able to take Hannah to see my former shipmate from Semester at Sea, Grace, and to meet her husband, David, and new baby Rachel. It was funny to have Hannah be the bigger baby in the room for the first time. Rachel is not quite 4 weeks old in this picture, and although Hannah is 5 months, she is not quite 3 months "adjusted" so it won't be long before Rachel is as big as Hannah is in this picture. (Trust me Grace -- they grow REALLY FAST, even if in your current sleep-deprived state you find it hard to believe.)

We had a wonderful visit with Grace and David (Rachel was upstairs asleep pretty much the whole time!). It was nice to get to talk about being new parents and to also talk about our dog training escapades (since Grace and David are fairly new parents to an adorable dog, Dolly). We look forward to more (and longer) visits in the future. As a new mom myself, I know that any visit over 2 hours is too long, so we didn't want to overstay our welcome!!

Liam's Cousins

Liam, surrounded by his cousins - Hannah, Madison, and Cameron
Hannah (5 mo), Liam (5 mo), and Cameron (8 mo)
The babies, with Madison (almost 3 years) down front
Madison rocking the babies

While we were visiting with Karen & Brian, we went over to have brunch with Brian's brother, Chris, and his wife Dana (and their two daughters). Dana made us a WONDERFUL blueberry pancake breakfast and we enjoyed hanging out with them for a few hours. This was the first time all of Liam's cousins were actually in the same place, so we got some pictures of everyone together.

Madison had been prepped on who we were and she asked if "Baby Hannah" was okay now, since she saw pictures of Hannah in the hospital. She is quite the inquisitive kid....who just got into preschool (and we learned over breakfast that getting into preschool is not as easy as it sounds). It is so great that we get to enjoy time with Brian's family when we visit and they treat "Karen's extended family" as much a part of their family as Karen is now.

5 Months Old!

All smiles in the air!
Hannah can "sort of" sit up
She LOVES to chew on her fist and fingers
"Mom, can't you see that this dress doesn't fit yet?!"

Hannah is already 5 months old. Our little girl is growing up so fast. Our time in the hospital seems like forever ago....the memories of that time are fading and it is almost as if she has always been home with us. She can roll from her tummy to her back, she bats at some of her toys hanging above her, she smiles all the time, and she loves to "talk" and coo. She continues to be a little wiggle worm -- she is always active and moving around. It is hard to believe that she isn't quite 3 months adjusted yet. She is definitely on track for a 3-month old baby, but can do some things that 4 or 5 month old babies do. It is so much fun to see her grow and develop.

Bubble Bath!

Hannah took her first bubble bath with her cousin Liam while visiting Aunt Karen & Uncle Brian. Liam had tons of fun splashing, squealing (like a little piggie), cooing, and laughing in the tub. Hannah wasn't quite sure of what to make of everything, but toward the end she did start to kick and splash a little.

Hannah & Liam

I'll get to my own postings as soon as I can, but for those who want to see pictures...... check out my sister's blog at thecassidyclan.blogspot.com. She has already documented "Woolley Invasion 2008." She will put up new pictures for the next few days - she has 4 or 5 posts ready to go. We've taken tons of pictures of the cousins together, so the hard part is sorting them out and deciding what to post. Hopefully I'll get some pictures up soon.

Aunt Karen with Hannah & Liam

The cousins are having a great time together. We can't wait until they are older can can really enjoy playing with each other.

Baby Dedication

Our church had its baby dedication service on Father's Day and we had Hannah dedicated. My parents and Jon's extended family were all able to attend the church service. There were A LOT of babies dedicated -- 12 or 13 -- usually it is only a few each year. This year we must have had a bumper crop! Hannah was VERY well-behaved in front of the church - I think she slept the whole time...

During the service our Pastor issued a "charge" to us and we promised to raise Hannah in the way that God would want her raised (to the best of our human ability, that is) and to pray for her daily. Jon introduced Hannah to the congregation and thanked everyone for the many prayers, visits, meals, and other acts of kindness that we received during my pregnancy and while Hannah was in the hospital. After the service we gathered at the house with some family and friends to celebrate with punch and cake.

This cake was made by one of my co-workers!

NOTE: The above picture is the only one we have from the dedication.....we're waiting on our family photographers to send us more!!!

Uncle Josh and Aunt Danila Coming to Visit

Beware...new guest contributors to my blog.

All the family came to see me be dedicated at church! These Woolleys are driving me crazy! Have you seen all these dogs? And I have to go on vacation with these people!

So Uncle Josh and Aunt Danila got a new camera. Apparently they think I'm adorable. They took something like 150 pictures of me. At one point Mom told Uncle Josh to stop taking pictures because the flash might make me go blind. Uncle Josh just said that at least they'll have cute pictures of me. These people stress me out. Where do they come from?

It's definitely passed my bedtime and they are still taking pictures...and people don't think its hard work looking this cute. I need my beauty rest.

Father's Day

Happy First Father's Day Jon!!!


Jon got to celebrate Father's Day a little early....on Monday the UPS man came with a package for Jon. Apparently, Hannah has learned how to use the computer and ordered her Daddy a fun present for Father's Day. Mommy agreed to let him have it early....and Daddy was really surprised (but VERY HAPPY) when he opened the box.

Mommy and Daddy had fun playing games this week (and Mommy even beat Daddy in a round of golf!)...it has been fun to play when Hannah has been down for naps.

She's a Rollin'

Okay Mom, I'll pose for you....
I'm starting to tip over and I don't like it....
Mom, enough pictures! Pick me up!

While at Mom & Dad's house last weekend, Hannah rolled over in her pack n' play. It took a lot of effort, and I wasn't ready to admit she was really rolling because she stopped part way and had a little "encouragement"... well, the other day here at home she was laying on her belly in her pack n' play (yes, I know babies are supposed to lay on their backs....please do not lecture me) and I heard some thrashing around....when I walked by about 5 minutes later, she was laying on her back smiling and watching her mobile.

She can't quite go from back to belly yet, but she is certainly starting to move a little more. She can even "scoot" a little on her blanket when she is laying on the floor. She's a long ways from crawling (thank goodness), but she is certainly active.

Sip & See

This past weekend we "stole" a southern tradition and my friend Merritt hosted a "Sip & See" at my mom's house. What is a "sip & see" you ask? Well, it is a chance to "sip" some tea or punch and "see" a new baby. In the deep south, they are often hosted so grandparents get a chance to show off a new baby. Gifts aren't expected like a shower....just passing around a baby and eating food -- a perfect combination!


A number of my mom's friends were able to attend (and many brought gifts). Everyone enjoyed seeing Hannah and eating some good food. A few of my friends from high school were even able to attend, so it was good to catch up a little.

During the party Jon spent the afternoon playing with Merritt's 4-year old twins. I'm not sure who had more fun -- Jon or David & Emma. They played in the creek, caught butterflies, grasshoppers and crawdads, rode bikes, and ran around all over. I'm betting the kids were fast asleep on the way home -- I know Jon was tired.

I'll have to have my mom do a post with pictures, since my camera really wasn't used during the party, but here are a few pictures of Hannah.

Hannah slept through most of the party...but when she woke up, she DID NOT want her picture taken in her pretty dress.

It Happened!

Hannah slept through the night !!!!!

I put Hannah to bed around 11:15 pm (for the 2nd time), and at 6:30am this morning I woke up in a panic (once I had my glasses on and realized it was 6:30, that is). I hadn't heard her all night.

Now, I am a former deep sleeper who is now only a deep sleeper when I know someone else is taking care of Hannah (case in point - last weekend I didn't hear the thunderstorm or the tornado sirens - all I heard was my mom asking Jon if we needed to go to the basement because the sirens were going off). I know I didn't not hear her because Jon is a light sleeper and would have gotten me up......

So I ran down the hall to her room and she was laying in her crib, sleeping as sound as can be. I stood there and watched her breathe for a while (and grin in her sleep) and went back to bed. Of course, I had a hard time going back to bed, so by 7am I was just standing in the doorway to her room watching her sleep. She finally woke up around 7:15 am (and wanted fed RIGHT AWAY).

I am so amazed (and so very thankful) - she slept for just about 8 hours last night!!! She is almost 10 weeks (adjusted), so that is probably close to target for a breastfed baby. Thanks to everyone who has been praying for her to sleep better - I appreciate it more than you could ever know.

Sleep

Around our house, sleep is a precious commodity. I haven't had a really good night's sleep since I went into the hospital in December. In the hospital it was an uncomfortable bed that "moved" to keep my circulation going, then it was pumping to keep a milk supply up with no baby around, then Hannah came home and it was feeding her....then we took her off supplements and I fed her even MORE OFTEN. So, almost 6 months after this ordeal started -- I'm really tired.

This past weekend, my law firm had its annual summer party. I wanted to go (they have good food!) and have a chance to get out of the house with Jon for the first time since Hannah came home. So, my parents came up for the weekend to babysit and help out with some projects around the house. My mom ended up staying up all night with Hannah both Friday night and Saturday night to let me get some sleep. On Saturday night, I slept for 5 hours IN A ROW. I had previously been averaging about 5 cobbled together hours. It was so wonderful - I felt like a new woman!!

To give you a taste of my nights -- my mom kept notes while she was up with Hannah because we're trying to keep a "sleep chart" to take to her pediatrician, if things don't improve by the time she hits 5 months (although right now she is only 2 months "adjusted," so her sleep isn't that abnormal). Here is what went on Friday night at our house when Mom took over:

12:30am - Julie put Hannah to bed
1:30 - 1:40 - AWAKE (held pacifier in with shoulder & held her; lots of gas)
2:15 - Laid her back in bed
2:25 - AWAKE (but then right back to sleep when put pacifier in her mouth - lots of sucking and gas)
4:00 - Awake and pleasant - just looking around
4:00 - 4:15 - Took bottle, burped (had gas while eating)
4:15 - 4:30 - Rocked her
4:30 - Put in bed (woke up with big toot; gave pacifier)
5:30 - Woke up
5:45 - 6:00 - Rocked her
6:00 - Back in bed

Now, my daughter doesn't typically take a pacifier -- she uses me -- but my mom was able to get her to take it some of the time while she was here. When it is just me around, I usually end up feeding her when she wakes up around 1:30 or 2am (and Mom told me she has a "convincing" cry, like she is hungry)....and I also end up feeding her around 6am. I was AMAZED that she only ate once Friday night, since she is usually up at least 3 times at night (not counting when I put her down for bed at 8pm and 10:30pm). Maybe we are turning a corner.....