News Flash!

This just in.....Gwen can laugh! Gwen laughed for the first time yesterday after school when I went to pick her up from Gram's. I was playing with her feet and being extra goofy and then she laughed! I have never been so excited that someone was laughing at me in all my life! To think that I would ever want someone to laugh AT me is crazy, but when she did it...I loved it! Brad tried to get her to do it again most of last night without success. We will be working on the video deput as soon as we can catch it! Just wanted to let you all in an Gwen's exciting event!

Some funnies from today

Happy Mother's Day!

Today was another fun day at the Tempel household! Gwen spent her first day with a babysitter that wasn't Gram, and when she came home she hung out outside since it was so nice! She is even taking a nap sitting up against me as I type this because she is soooo tired!

Gwen has started cooing and we finally caught it on tape! Listen to her--ignore me...I was just trying to get her to talk!

Pooka has watched Peter Pan once and already wants to be just like Nana

She is even sharing her toys when she thinks we aren't looking, and Gwen gladly accepts

I'm 2 months old!

Look at my huge smile!

Guess what? 
I'm 2 months old! I am getting bigger every day too! I now am 22.5 inches long, and weigh 12 lbs. 2 ounces! Amazing how much I have grown, huh? That is what Mommy and Daddy say too! I am doing so much now. I am cooing and telling all sorts of exciting stories (my personal favorite is telling Daddy about my trip to Chicago), I am getting stronger and tolerating tummy time more, and I am smiling like crazy! I am even learning how to play some games like peek-a-boo, patty cake, and where's Mommy. My days are so exciting! I even had some visitors this weekend. Mommy's friends Kiki and Meg came all the way from Chicago to see me! They are so nice. I loved the visit and I think Mommy did too!

Kiki and Me! 

Hello Meg!

This week I started hanging out with Gram while Mommy is at work--Monday was rough but I think she will make it to the end of the year (which was just extended until the May 27th because of snow days). I have fun over here, things are much like when I am home, but I don't have to push Pooka out of my face all day. That's a bonus! I have been looking forward to nighttime when Mommy and Daddy are with me and we play until bed. It's a blast! Here are some fun pictures and a video of what life with 2 month old me is like:
I am a Daddy's girl already!

Look out Michael Flatley...Here comes the Lady of the Dance!

Daddy's pretty ladies!

Gwen's trip to Chicago

                     Ready to hit the road (or stroller)!

April could be described as month of adventures. I got to go see where Mommy works a couple times as she ran errands and attended conferences, I got to spend time at the Honda dealership while our SUV got work done, I survived an earthquake and its aftershocks...AND I traveled all the way to Chicago to visit many of you! Although it was a busy month, I had a lot of fun. I think my favorite part was the Chicago trip (but the earthquake is a close second!)! I was there between April 22-25 and Gammy had tons of people over to meet me! I can't believe all the family I have and everyone is sooooooo nice! I am so lucky! I think I have a picture with pretty much everyone, but there isn't enough memory on this blog for me to put all of them on (if you want a copy of a picture let my mommy know). While I was in Chicago they did let me sleep, but I went to Godmama Erin's school, I met my Great Grandma Delores, went to Dude's office, then to his favorite lunch place---Chuck's, then to Mommy's favorite ice cream place ---Rainbow Cone (YUMMY!), then back to Great Grandma Delores's house, and back to Gammy and Dude's for visiting and dinner....and the was just Wednesday! Thursday was a little quieter, but I still had visitors which was nice. Auntie Kelley even came in town to see me (okay not just for me, but I like to think so). It was an amazing trip! I can't wait to do it again! Love you all and thank you for coming to meet me and all the wonderful gifts!
             I love my Gammy!

        Rainbow Cone...The best stuff on Earth!
           My Aunts and me

I think I made Great Grandma Delores's day!
   Kelley held me for the very first time!

Look who is soooo cute!

We have been very busy these last couple weeks, so I apologize for not posting more. I have one more week at home with Gwen until I head back to work, so I am going to try to make every waking moment count! Gwenie is now 7 weeks old and is learning new tricks like crazy! She is now smiling every chance she gets, cooing (she even said what sounded like "poop" yesterday!), and found her hands and feet. She is amazing! Here are some pictures from Miss Gwen's last photo shoot with her personal photographer. More pictures to come!
Peek-a-boo!
Look what I can do!
Picture perfect!

Gwen is 1 month old!

Gwen is 1 month old!

Gwen is now 1 month old, which means that I have been a mom for 1 month now! Crazy as it is, I can't imagine life without her and me in any other role. I have adjusted well to the decreased sleep, although I think I am sleeping better now than when I was pregnant in the last couple months because I am not tossing and turning to get comfortable. I am really enjoying getting to know Gwen and all the amazing things she is able to do from day to day. It is unbelievable to think that just a couple months ago, she wasn't here yet and we could only day dream about what she would be like, look like, and how she would change our family. She definitely has changed our family too! Brad and I were discussing just the other night that now we truly are a family; not just a married couple.
As I slowly get back to work, I am going in for some conferences during this month but I go back full time May 5th, I am trying to take advantage of the time I have with Gwen as much as possible. Our days are spent on walks (since it is now in the low 70's here it is great walking weather), playing in the living room, looking around at everything, napping...etc. Although I am sure these times are not as eventful as those to come, it is amazing just to see her starting to focus on things, attempting to smile for a reason, and to watch how strong she is getting already. Today's big event...the bouncy seat! She discovered the toys that hang above the seat today and is mesmerized by them! Who knew a little bug could be so interesting! Who knows what tomorrow will bring, but I am certain it will be exciting!

Almost a month!

Daddy giving me a bottle--He is catching on to this Daddy thing fast!

I know you are all dying to find out how my doctor's appointment went Monday, so here is the scoop... I am as healthy as can be! I now weigh 9 lbs. 10.5 oz--I know I have gained weight, but it is all baby fat which is cute so it's okay. I obviously am not having any trouble eating, so the doctor says I am perfect! I am "filling out" (as Mommy puts it) quickly and starting not to fit into some clothes. But, you know what that means? I get to go shopping in my closet for more clothes! Very exciting! Other than the weight thing, my appointment with the doctor was pretty uneventful. Mommy is just doing such a fabulous job! The doctor is recommending that she take off 8 weeks from work to be with me, which I am definitely not arguing about, so we still have 4 weeks of fun ahead 24/7! Mommy says that she will let her sub finish out therapy for the school year, and then go back in May to do conferences (whatever that means) and wrap things up for the year. By the end of the month (March 23rd to be exact) she will be back home with me for the whole summer! It will be nice for her to go back to work and see all the kids, but I am going to miss hanging out all day with her. In preparation for Mommy's return to work, she had to start letting me have a bottle (not an easy thing for her to do this soon). So, now Daddy gets to feed me my dinners! He needed help at first to know how to hold me, how to juggle the bottle, etc. But, with 2 bottles under his belt now, I think we will be just fine. Oh, and get your party hats on because tomorrow is my 4 week birthday!

Yeah!!! Tomorrow I am 4 weeks!