Vera's 3 Month Photos

Vera is growing by leaps and bounds everyday. It really seems like a long time ago that we were making trips to the NICU to visit our 3 lb 11ounce baby. Time certainly does fly and here we are at 3 months and over ten pounds. I just wish she could stay tiny for a bit longer. Check out all her pictures by clicking on the link below.

http://video214.com/play/uK01oY1ViPdf80njcPAsYQ/s/dark

Guga and Cousin Luke

Today we packed the car up and headed North so Vera could visit her newest cousin, Luke. They both put on their sock monkey outfits and got ready for pictures galore! Here Vera is in her pink party hat waiting to go. She tolerates most hats and bows, but I know she doesn't really like them.

Future best friends just hanging out. They both weigh about the same, but Vera seems to dwarf little Luke. I have a feeling that won't last for long. Vera seemed to be more interested in the ceiling fan then Luke, but we did manage to capture a smile.

Viking Jackson peeking over the edge. Please note the plastic axe he has placed over the side of the pack-n-play. I have a feeling these two are gonna be in for it.

Just monkeying around!

Guga and me with the babies. Luke has so much hair. With four kids under the age of four, it was a zoo over there. It was so much fun, tiring, but fun. I can't wait to see these two grow up together.

Guga snuggling Vera. It was a short but nice visit, and I can't wait for Guga to come back again.

Who does Vera look like?

I was warned when I was engaged to Holly to prepare for the Wedding Day question of, "Are you nervous?" I was told it would be asked of me several times throughout the day. They were right, but I had a response ready. "Not at all. I've never been more certain of anything in my life." As you can guess, that reply went over pretty well.

Now with the arrival of our first child, there is another common question that apparently comes with the arrival of each baby in to the world. "Who does she look like?"

I have to admit, I wasn't as prepared for this one as I didn't see how you could compare a baby to a grown person. My answer was usually, "I can't tell yet" because neither one of us was 19" tall and nearly bald.

I've now come to understand that we are allowed to use our old baby pictures in answering the question. This makes more sense to me. Anyone want to weigh in on this?

Here is sweet baby Vera:

Sleeping


Couch Potato


Close Up




And now sweet baby Holly

And last but not least, me. . .



















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Katie's Visit

This past weekend my good friend Katie came all the way from Indiana to visit us and meet baby Vera. It was so nice to see her; I forget just how much fun it is to have her in the same city, even if it is only for a few days. Here she is helping me out and giving Vera her evening bottle. We headed out and about and even found time to get pedicures. Unfortunately, Vera got a touch of the tummy troubles, and was not her super sweet self. Actually, she cried constantly, sorry Katie. We have since purchased a swing which seems to stop all forms of baby crying in their tracks. I can't wait for this summer and my trip home so we can all hang out again.



Because of all that crazy crying, Matthew and I took Vera to the pediatrician just to be sure that all was as it should be. Her she is in her pink fur coat, all bundled up and ready to go. The nurses loved her in this, and so do I. Everything was alright; she just had severe gas and tummy pains. I think this means that she will just have to have Aunt Katie come back soon so she can be sweet.

Welcome Cousin Luke!

This afternoon, at around 3 o'clock, my newest nephew, and Vera's closest cousin, was born...Luke Daniel Elseroad. He weighs in at an amazing nine pounds. Most of that weight comes from his full head of jet black, curly hair, just like his mom. Here he is sleeping peacefully before I snatched him out of his crib for a snuggle. I think he looks like our side of the family, with the exception of his nose, which is just like his daddy's.




Here I am holding him. He is almost the exact same size as Vera is now; she is a smidgen bigger for the moment. I immediately ran and got an "I'm an Aunt" button; it is now being proudly displayed on my purse.








Sleeping on mommy's tummy.








Snuggling with Aunt Holly, and wishing I was back in mom's arms.









The proud daddy. Both mommy and Luke are doing well. I can't wait for Vera to meet her newest cousin.

While Matthew's Away...

Matthew had to go to Chicago this week, and between that and all the snow and ice, Vera and I have been on our own. I have to admit I was a little nervous at first, but we had a great time! I gave her my first solo bath, that is usually Matthew's job. She didn't cry for a single second, but I could tell by the look in her eyes that I was not up to Matthew's bath standards. We had lots of snuggle and tummy time too. My favorite thing was that Vera now smiles when you tickle her cheek. (I tested it out multiple times to be sure it wasn't just gas) I snapped a picture of her first smile with my phone. I got to take naps and just be lazy with her; I loved my girl time! Here she is taking a nap on my lap in her Clemson outfit. About thirty minutes later we had a diaper blowout that could rival the Chernobyl explosion. But you just can't help but laugh and smile when she looks up at you with those big blue eyes and that smile. It was a great week.

Vera's Two Months Old

Vera turned two months old today and we headed to the doctor for her check-up. I love taking her to visit our pediatrician; she always makes us feel like Vera is right where she needs to be. She weighed in at 8 lbs 6 ounces, which puts her in the fourth percentile of all babies her age. I still am amazed that she once weighed 3 lbs 8 ounces. We did find out the she has acid reflux and needs medicine to be able to lie down without spitting up. This explains why she hasn't been a big fan of her swing or bouncy. We've been practicing with both in anticipation for her upcoming days in daycare. Hopefully she will continue to grow at a fabulous pace.

Happy Birthday Daddy

Today is Matthew's birthday, and even though Vera couldn't spend all day celebrating with him at work, she came up with a way to express her feelings. We'll continue the party when daddy gets home tonight. Until then, we love you and are thinking of you on your big day. Happy Birthday!

Matthew Goes Back to Work

Matthew went back to work today after being off with us girls for awhile. I don't think Vera is sleeping as well without her daddy here to scoop her up when she whimpers. Here is our little angel sleeping soundly on her daddy's chest once he came home from work today; he needed some snuggle time with his baby girl. Too bad I haven't won the lottery so that we could both stay at home and be independently wealthy and fabulous. Until that day, we'll just miss daddy when he's working.

SNOW!

We were all very surprised to get snow on Christmas this year. Here is our nephew Reece showing his surprise at the Christmas snow.















Grandma Guga and our other nephew Jackson made some snow balls.















No surprise what Jackson was going to do with his snow ball.















I think he forgot that Guga is from Indiana and never loses a snow ball fight. She chased him down to ensure she hit the perfect spot right on the back of his neck so it went down his back. Don't mess with Guga.

Final Round of Christmas

My family was unable to make the Christmas trip on 12/26 due to the snow, so they all came this past weekend. We had a great time and everyone got a chance to hold baby Vera. She loves being held, so that was the best gift she could have received from them. Of course, she got a ton of other stuff and we greatly appreciate all the gifts.

Here is Vera with her great grandmother Mama Lucy. She is the family baby expert and can quiet any fussy baby in seconds. It's pretty amazing.















Aunt Kimberly couldn't wait to get her hands on little Vera either. She is 18 weeks along with her second child. Vera can't wait to have another cousin!




















Here is Uncle Richard watching the Clemson game. He also got in some Vera time though.
















Grandma Ruthie also got in on the action. She also got up at 6am to take care of her so Holly and I could get a couple extra hours of sleep. Priceless.



















Vera got her first barbie doll. It was a reproduction of Holly's favorite barbie from 1985 (Peaches & Cream). Holly swears she is going to leave it in the box until Vera is older, but I have my doubts.















Here is Aunt Kathy with Vera. Aunt Kathy and Uncle Jim are very good to our little family. We are very blessed to have them in our lives.





















We got a ton of great gifts from everyone, but I didn't get many pictures. Aunt Kimberly did a much better job snapping some pictures, so check out their blog for additional pictures:

http://kamdynlucy.blogspot.com/2010/12/christmas-in-atlanta.html

Twenty Polka Dots Long

We didn't get an official length from the doctor at the last visit, but Vera is really growing. She's taking up about two-thirds of the bassinet now or about twenty polka dots.











Here is an earlier bassinet picture right after she came home from the hospital. It is a little misleading because of her long sleep sack, but gives a nice comparison.

Back To Work

I'm headed back to work tomorrow, but luckily, Holly gets to stay home with Vera for about another 7 weeks. Here I am trying to explain this to Vera on the couch this afternoon. I'm not sure what she thought about the idea. She kinda gave me the silent treatment.