10 weeks and counting

Ilana is growing in leaps and bounds these days. She had her first round of shots at 8 weeks (a couple weeks ago) and she weighed 11 lbs. 2 oz! She's probably over 12 pounds by now (she's growing up so fast!). She screams before she falls asleep, every time. Besides that we're starting to think she's really fun. She's become much more interactive and is eating her hands all the time. Here's a few pics...

She'll actually sit in her chair these days and let Paul and I get a few things done. Here she's "talking" to her alligator, zebra and elephant friends. She gets really excited and shakes the whole chair, it's adorable.
The tiffany lamps in our kitchen mesmerize her too.
Here she's playing with her friend Ada. We have a video of them holding hands. Ada even sucks on Ilana's fingers, it's adorable.
We enjoyed celebrating Mom Miller's birthday with her. Ilana got to sit ON the table.
-H

Meeting the Family

Paul was out of town Friday, 5/23 through Friday, 5/30, so instead of trying to "tough it out" by myself at home with Ilana and Moses, the girls went on a little vacation to meet the whole family. (Thanks again Courtney for spoiling Moses while we were gone!) We spent Friday-Sunday with the Miller side and Sunday-Friday in Annapolis with the Polk side. There are so many other people in Annapolis we wanted to see, so we're hoping to get down again soon. Everyone absolutely LOVED Ilana. Here are a few pictures...

We had a blast at the Annual Rabuck Memorial Day Picnic Extravaganza. Here Ilana's meeting her great grandmother "Nana." She met 13 other people that day! Our little social butterfly...
On Tuesday morning my second niece, Caroline Grace, was born. Now all 3 granddaughters on the Polk side are here and my parents are swimming in PINK!
We kept my other niece, Sami, on Tuesday and Wednesday so the rest of the family could get some sleep. Here Sami is saying "babi!" and patting Ilana's head. It was precious!
Four generations...

-H

It takes energy to take care of Ilana...

-H

4 years later

A house becomes a home:

Before........................After


Why is it that the 60's ruined home remodeling? Who thought that paneling and lime green paint on moldings was a good idea? I sure hope that whoever remodels this house next doesn't have to ask, "what were they thinking?" as many times as I have. Blood, sweat and tears. While we are ever so thankful to be homeowners we are also so thankful that it's almost done! It has been good to share this restoration with our community, students, and family. We could not have done it without all of the support. -P

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