Week 6 growth picture

It's getting easier for me to sit up (with a little help from my parents), and I'm starting to figure out how my hands work. Look out, Mr. Bear...pretty soon I'll be able to put you right where I want you!

Another active week

You didn't think Mommy and Daddy would let me get bored this week, did you?

Mommy and I had lunch on Wednesday at the Farmer's Market with our friends Julie, Chris, Michelle, Charlie, Will, and Linda. It was also Julie's birthday on Wednesday (Happy Birthday Julie!), though I couldn't join in the "Happy Birthday" singing this year. Maybe next year...

On Thursday, I had my one-month check-up. I'm now 9 1/2 pounds and 22 1/4" long - 55th percentile for weight and 85th percentile for height. I'm really hoping those percentiles hold steady for a LONG time! And to celebrate my measurements, Mommy & Daddy took me to my first Milwaukee Brewers game on Thursday night. The Brewers eventually lost, but I really enjoyed the atmosphere. Can't wait to go back to Miller Park next year when the Cubs come into town!

Friday night and Saturday, Mommy's friends Hollie and Amanda visited us from Detroit...my first visitors from the lower peninsula of Michigan! Later on Saturday, I went to a birthday party for Charlie & Will Slawinski. Once again, I was a pretty hot commodity, as all sorts of fun people - including my friends Jordan, Julie & her Mom (a.k.a. "Mamma G"), and Andy (as shown in the pictures above) were eager to meet me. No birthday cake for me this year, but since Mommy & Daddy both have a sweet tooth, I'm guessing I'll really like birthday cake when I can get my little hands on it!

And of course, I capped off another busy week by visiting Mike, Carol, and Ray Neufeldt on Sunday to watch some football. I wore a new Packer outfit, and it seemed to be good karma for the Packers this week. This week was also the first week that Mommy & Daddy played against each other in their fantasy football league...and it looks like Mommy is going to win this week's duel. Let's just say Daddy is eagerly awaiting the rematch.

Another busy week in the books...and more fun on tap this week!

Week 5 Growth Picture

To start off the week, we are starting to start off every day by reading a book. We thought it was only appropriate to have Rachel's outfit reflect a book! The Very Hungry Catepillar by Eric Carle is a favorite of ours. The outfit she is wearing has the four strawberries on it that is the same in the book!

Oh what a week!

Week 5 has been our busiest week yet! Monday we were visited by our friend Jenny and her daughter Samantha. On Tuesday, with Paul still off of work, we were able to take a trip to Grandma Barbara's house in Escanaba, MI. On our way, we were able to stop and visit Great Grandma Marion Sickel. Great Grandma finally met her 30th great grandchild and we had a great time! Wednesday morning we visited the Escanaba library where Martha frequented during her childhood not only to read a LOT, but also to visit one of her favorite ladies, Mrs. Fittante (or Mrs. Fitt). Also at the library are some special birds that were donated by Grandma Barbara in honor of Grandpa Dale. We are sure to visit the library whenever we are in Escanaba in the future. While we were in Escanaba, we had lots of visitors: Mrs. Brown, Beth, Corky, Doris, and Fr. Jed. It was wonderful to see so many friends on our visit. Friday we had a play date with James, Samantha, Charlie, Will, and Evan at Michelle's house. Rachel just hung back and watched the fun. We had some fun dressing Rachel up in her orange vest on loan from Aunt Jennifer. Saturday we had Guncle Steve and Guncle Rick visit. Martha promised Guncle Steve that Rachel would not spit up on him while eating. Let's just say Rachel didn't get the message! Sunday we went a birthday party for Layla and the big kids had a great time hunting for skittle packets in the yard. That was followed up by the traditional football watching at Neufeldt's house. Like we said, it was certainly a busy week for Rachel, but she is a trooper and has continued to eat and sleep very well. She certainly had a wonderful amount of hugs and kisses. More next week!

Early morning...

Rachel -
I just want you to know that my favorite time of day is when I get to be with you, in the middle of the night, feeding you. My favorite look is when you are eating from your bottle and it is all quiet and dark with your big eyes open wide, enjoying every gulp. I wouldn't miss that moment every night for any amount of sleep. I love you.

Mom

Week 4 Growth Picture

I am so happy that I get to wear the same coat that my Mom wore when she was my age. The coat was made by a friend of Grandma Van Ermen when Mom was born and Grandma kept it all these years with the doll clothes! I turn 1 month old on Wednesday - I am getting big fast!

Week 4 in pics

This week I had my first car trip (next week will be my second!). I also went to work for the day with my Mom. When we were there, I met Jeannette, Celestine, Robyn, and Karen. Pat and I had already met, so we just caught up on the news since I had seen her last. I had a few visitors come to my house (Eileen Huie and Matt Martin) who I didn't get pictures with (geez Mom - you take pictures of everything else!). The picture of me sleeping is one of Dad's favorites...he says that my pose while sleeping is a fun thing to just watch for hours. Today I also experienced my first regular season football Sunday at Mike Neufeldt's house. I had to make sure I was in my Packer gear. I am also pictured in a coat and hat that my Mom wore when she was my age. I think I look like her when I wear it!

Rachel's photo shoot

Mom was bored the other day and decided that she wanted to take a few snapshots of me as a little baby. Then she figured out how to make all the pictures black and white...so yes...she went a little overboard with it! Mom says I'm pretty cute -

Week 3 Growth photo

"Yes Mom, I will sit here so you can take my picture. Oooooohhhh - something way more interesting is on the ceiling!"

Week three in pictures

I am a clean and well dressed baby!

This week was another fun one as we explored even more new things with our little girl Rachel. This week was her first bath in which she was able to be doused with water (no sponge bath for her any more!) AND our very first clothes shopping trip! You can see how excited she was during our shopping trip that she was totally cashed out in the car seat for 2 hours afterward. Next week we have a few trips planned...stay tuned!