Happy Birthday Melissa!

Another great lady, another birthday - our ex-neighbor and oh-so-much-more, Melissa is turning one year older today. Here she is with Finley at the hospital.... Have a great vacation, Meliss - you deserve every relaxing exhale.

Pinkness

The Summer of the Babe

You know I will be taking SO many pictures of these two.

First Family Outing

Jason and Monica Pharr finally got hitched after 8 years and we had to go - though it is a month early for Finley to be out in public - germwise. It was outdoors and a beautiful Buddhist ceremony. We had a great time laying in the grass and Fin saw her first tree - I captured the view for her.
Papa and The Buba
Finley impersonating a cheering tamale.
Seeing the First Tree
Her View of The First Tree:)

A Visit From Her Fairy GodMother - Nana!

A very important person in our lives and the GodMother (Fairy-style and teacher of things spiritual and otherwise) - my beloved cousin Marianna (Nana, Nanouche!) from San Francisco came to lend a hand and see The Newness for herself.
She and Fin modelling the fabulous sheets she brought to pamper us all with (Finley promptly peed on them - diaper malfunction.)
I see the family resemblance - something in the mouth maybe?

Happy Birthday Annie!

I blog a lot about my sister-in-law, Annie because she is study in how to be Awesome and improves the quality of my life Greatly. Through this blogging business I am happy and grateful to know her even better. I am so glad you were born, sister from another mister!!

She makes amazing pots.....And teaches people how to make amazing pots.....
She makes amazing kids..... And helps people make amazing kids - namely ME!! We love you, Annie!!!

Happy First Father's Day, Craig!

Matt got potato pancakes and Bill got breakfast in bed. Craig got Not a Damn Thing because a few weeks ago (before the birth) he didn't say "Happy Mother's Day" because I "wasn't officially a mother yet." And yet, I see him with her and can't begrudge him at least this post showing just what a sweet Papa he is already. Finley's gift for Father's Day was a smile - he loved it.
Them sleeping....
Miss Pink and Plumply.
I love this one of his big ole' Platypus feet.

I Am A Human Pacifier

As many of you know, Finley has an extensive wardrobe already - more clothes than both Craig and I - amazing! This little number is courtesy of my friend Lauren and we put in on yesterday morning hoping it would have some influence over the day and Fin's refusal to take a pacifier. My boobs and Craig's pinky could sure use a break. We have a million different pacifiers, tried them all and she is not havin' it. At least she looked cute trying...
This one's for you Annie -
Some of the pacifiers she hates.
"Hi, I'm too cute."

Little by Little

Things are getting better/easier. As most of you know, the labor was difficult and the past 2 weeks have been more than a challenge with breastfeeding, recovery and sleep issues. Another learning curve has been with the sling - Craig is better at it than I at the moment. Thanks again for the great slings, Annie and Sandy! Soon we will be slingin' this baby around like hash browns at a diner.

I love her little hand clutching Craig's shirt.

Finley Photobooth

We love to look at our baby....she has many faces.....like a doppleganger.

Two-Week Old Finley

Cross-Eyed Baby

Another name we have for her that can be sung to any tune. Craig prefers Jethro Tull's "Cross-Eyed Mary." I make up my own.

Oh, and another Sucky Baby photo.

First Baby Video!

Buba-Finley Joyous Dreyer

She is so cute I can't take it!!!
-craig

Poo

Oh yeah, we are going there;
the stark, awesome reality of poo...

We were very worried because it took her 4 days to poop the first time so we were very excited for this, the first poo (forgive us for posting the pic.)
We cheered for this.
We have become what we most feared.

I'M SPEECHLESS

Mostly because I haven't been able to find 2 minutes to do anything not baby related. I am also exhausted, sore and tore up in all my girl parts (sorry if that's too much information:), and tired - did I mention that already? But mostly, I am ridiculously happy and in total awe of this little being. Thank you so much for all the support here in the blogosphere - especially over at the Plump Otter.

This is my favorite birth picture.
Craig and Finley and her first doctor's visit. Lookit that little FACE!!!