An update from the homefront...

I'd say she likes her "pouch"...
Some awake and happy time (we enjoy these when they come...these times are few and far between some days)...

Ilana's tear ducts opened a few weeks ago, making her "fuss fests" (as I call them) more emotionally challenging for me...

We're starting to think she's pretty cool! We had Ilana at the pediatrician's office on Friday for her one month check-up. (Has it been that long already?!) She weighs 8 lbs. 14 oz. She's gained beyond her birth weight and the doctors feel great with how she's doing in every way. What an encouragement! Our next visit will be in another month for her first round of vaccinations...I better pack some tissues!
-H

To Nonnis, Great Grandmoms and Gigis everywhere

Great Grandmom (Paul's dad's mom) the first time she held Ilana...Nonni (aka "The Master Soother" and "The Baby Whisperer" - Heather's mom) holding Ilana...
So I know they say that "no one can replace mom." Well, I believe that most days. However, there are those few days that I wish for Nonni or Great Grandmom or Gigi (my mom's mom) to hold and sooth Ilana - they are the pros and they make it look so easy!
To all the moms and grandmas out there...THANK YOU for your example to the rest of us! You are inspiring to us all. I've only been a mom for a little over 3 short weeks and I already appreciate my mom and moms everywhere so much more. Happy Belated Mother's Day!
-H

Ilana's many faces

Tummy time!
When we're changing her diaper...
She didn't seem nearly as excited about the cloth diapers as Paul was.
Completely content after eating.
This is my favorite! Doesn't she look like she's about to tell you something really exciting? So cute!

We're trying to enjoy these days of feeding and changing diapers. We only wish we could get a bit more sleep so our brains could capture more of these moments!

-H

These days...

We are enjoying Ilana's hands (that she practices folding before every meal),Ilana's feet,
and Ilana's hair.
Moses loves to help.
We're doing great!
ps-we're also enjoying our 2-hour increments of rest every night.

And her name shall be...

(drum roll please...)
Ilana Christine Miller

These are some of my favorites...

SHE'S HERE!!

Well, my water broke 10:30 Wednesday night...

And after 27 hours of labor...

WE HAVE A BABY GIRL!!!!


Here's the stats:
8 lbs. 5 oz.
19 1/2 " long
Born: 4/18/08 at 12:17 a.m. (!!)
Name: TBD (we were so convinced she was going to be a boy, that we've had to go back to square one with the whole name thing)

More photos to come.
-H

Size matters

I'm just here to lament one small fact...I AM BIG, I mean really big. I get asked multiple times a day how many babies I will be having (even a total stranger at the bank today asked me if I was having twins!). It's a little embarrassing to have gone from regular smalls to maternity extra larges and here's the result...
my belly still hangs out!! Can you say ALL OUT FRONT?!
I never would have thought that my body could stretch like this, and if you had shown me this picture even 5 months ago, I would never have thought that this person was me. Well, here's to being 6 days from your due date!
-H