Stella, the 3 month old.

This month has been so exciting. Stella learned to smile and we absolutely love it. We could just stare at her all day trying everything we can to make her smile. Also we're pretty sure we caught a giggle from her too on two separate occasions, but it's not an official laugh yet.

She's very close to rolling over too. She doesn't love her "tummy time" and is now trying as hard as she can to roll on to her back when she's sick of being on her tummy. She tries hard to roll over but gets frustrated and screams in the girliest cry/scream you can imagine. It's so cute. In fact, Mike likes to let her cry because he thinks her girlie cry is so cute. So sad!

She also loves to stand and has really strong legs.

This month, I was given the go ahead to start working out again and so, we've been going full force and Stella joins me everyday. Mike and I are training for the Philly 1/2 Marathon in November, so we take Stella in the jogger stroller and Morris and head out on runs 4 days a week. We're also doing baby yoga (which Stella loves, I'll have to take pictures one of these classes) and baby boot camp, which is a stroller fitness class that meets in the park. It's been so nice to be active again and I love having Stella along for the ride. My gym even lets me bring her in her carseat while I workout. It's so great!

As far as travel, we took her to Manhattan for the first time this month and also made 2 trips to Newton, NJ to visit her Uncle CJ and his family. She loves her cousins, they can always make her smile.

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

NYC

Yesterday, we decided to head up to Manhattan for the day and meet up with Kari and the girls. We had a great time - we walked a ton (about 80 blocks), went to lunch, played in Central Park and shopped. It was so fun to take Stella there for the first time. She was a hit too, she had more people oogling at her in New York than anywhere she's ever been.

A quick little shoot in Central Park. We couldn't resist, she was just loving the park and looked too cute. And no... she's not sitting by herself, well... she sort of is, we would prop her up and then have a few seconds to shoot it before she tipped over!

And some of the whole fam...




Me and Mike.

Times Square.


These guys looked tired and ready to head back to Philly.

For Sale - A place we call home.

So, our first home which we have loved so much is now up for sale. We only have a one bedroom and Stella can only sleep in a basket for so long :). We're thinking of moving out closer to Mike's office (since he now has about an hour commute each way, ugh.) We've had 11 showings thus far, hopefully an offer will come soon. By the way, the showings are really fun... Stella, Morris and I all have to leave and go on a walk together. For any of you who know Morris, you can understand why this is a total nightmare. An hour walk in the city with a crazy dog and a stroller- you just can't beat it :)

Anyways, we're excited to move on but will be so sad to leave our first home. So many great memories... if any of you know someone in the market for a one bedroom in Center City Philly, let us know!

Labor Day in Newton, NJ

We spent Labor Day weekend with my brother and his family in Newton. It was so fun to just relax and hang out with them. We hung out on their back deck, made pizzas, watched a movie, went on a walk around Lake Mohawk and then another around Echo Lake (more of a marsh :)), played at a few parks and went shopping at the outlet malls. It was a great weekend - thanks CJ and Kari!

CJ and Hannah playing at a park near Echo Lake.


Mike and Haydin were picking flowers.


Stella just hangin'.


CJ and his girls.


Hannah loves holding baby Stella.


Mommy and Stella walking at Lake Mohawk.



Kari and Hannah.


Uncle CJ and Stella.


Haydin swinging at park near Lake Mohawk.


Mike giving Haydin a little push.


Hannah riding the frog.


Mike got some great shots of Stella and I relaxing at the park...

Stella is 2 Months!

Stella's second month was filled with a ton of travel. We spent a day visiting the Amish country, a couple of days in Washington DC, a few days in Colorado Springs and the majority of the month was spent visiting our friends and family back in Utah.

Stella has grown a ton this month and has really "chunked up". She now looks much more like a baby than a newborn - 12 lbs, 5 oz (80th percentile) and 23 inches long (75th percentile).

She just got her 2 month vaccines, which were SO sad, but she took them like a champ. Her screaming cry almost killed me, but she made it out just fine.

This month Stella has learned to smile. She smiles when she's happy or thinks something is funny (in the first month she only smiled when she had gas :)). She enjoys her tummy time (in short spurts) where she can lift her head 90 degrees.

She is finally interested in toys, well sort of. She follows them from side to side, coos at them and sometimes even smiles at them. She talks a lot now too, lots of sounds coming out of her...

Stella caught her first cold this month- a sore/red throat and a runny nose. Nothing like getting that immune system up and running early! We had to visit the pediatrician while traveling in SLC, but all is good now.

We've loved all of the traveling, but are happy to finally be home (oh yah and our house is now on the Philly market - fingers crossed it sells!)

Make a Smilebox photobook