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!

Look who is getting bigger!

I refused to wake up, but I was celebrating inside!

Another big week in my life has gone by...I am now 3 weeks old and "filling out" as Mommy says. I guess that is a nice way saying I am gaining weigh and baby fat, but I can't help it! I still sleep a lot, but I have been eating a lot too. I am awake more and checking everything out around me. Auntie Erin and Gammy came to stay with us this week to hang out with me and help Mommy out. It was so much fun! I attended my first tea party--they wouldn't let me have any, but I was allowed in the dining room in my swing. We mostly just stayed around the house and everyone took turns cuddling with me. It's a hard life being a baby! It was very sad to see them leave to go home, but we know that they will be back to see us soon. This week my plan is to grow some more and I have a doctors appointment to attend on Monday morning. I will let you know how that goes!

Sleeping beauties

I'm 2 weeks old!

I am getting so big, and now I am 2 weeks old!
I am currently enjoying Wayne's World with Mommy and Daddy! Party time!!! Excellent!!! I am adjusting very well to life at home, my furry friends, and that thing they call a "stroller". I went shopping for the very first time yesterday; I slept through most of it, which Daddy said was a very good thing. While out and about I had 2 people call me a boy, can you believe that! With this face?!? Well, I guess I will just have to make sure I wear something in my hair at all times in public from now on. My Auntie Ashley can to see me this week during her spring break, which is great because this is the first time I have gotten to see her. We have a very busy weekend planned because of Easter and all, but that just means that I get to spend all sorts of time with my family! I have more pictures to share with you, so enjoy!
The Easter Bunny came here?!?!? Really????
My Auntie A got to meet me for the very first time!
Aunt Kelley said there wasn't enough of Nimbus, so here he is at his favorite place (besides his food dish)

Happy St. Patty's Day!!!!!!

Happy St. Patty's Day! Do you like my headband?

Hello Everyone! Mommy said that now that I am here, I should be helping write my blog. So, here I go!

I may only be a quarter Irish, but I wear it well don't I? Mommy said that being Irish is a very special thing to be, and I think she is absolutely right! I have been very busy this week eating, sleeping, and...well...you know what follows. I am taking really good 3 hour naps during the day and night and I am awake enought to play at about 10 am, 2 pm, and 5 pm. I love to be held whether I am awake or sleeping, and I love my swing! I am meeting a lot of people and having a lot of fun doing so. Everyone is so nice and I can't wait to meet more! I also celebrated my 1 week birthday Thursday and had a photo shoot with Gramma T. I liked it in the beginning, but then I got a little fussy because I was getting tired-here are some of my best pics from the day.
Look Mommy I am sitting so nice for the picture! I am so big!
Is anyone else a bit chilly?
Oooo! That was a good story!
Pooka, no kisses please!
Hey Mommy, what is over there?
Look at the cool boots I got from Uncle Joey--I think they should fit by fall

I also realized that the Tempels haven't had their pictures on the blog with me yet. I know this was taken on my birthday, but here is Daddy's family.
Here I am with Gramma T-I am only a couple hours old here!

Grampa T holding me so nicely...before he started picking on me!
Uncle joey holding me like a pro!

Mommy should be napping, but...

"I'm the daddy"--his shirt says it all!

Well, where do I begin! Gwen is finally here, on time and everything! She is absolutely amazing and we couldn't have asked for a better baby. She is eating well, sleeping well, and is too cute for words! She is adjusting to life at home without any problems, checking things out every chance she gets. She loves being held and cuddled, motion of any kind (we introduced the swing yesterday which was a grand success), and food. We had our first check up yesterday and we passed with flying colors! We are already above birth weight at 6 lbs. 14 oz.; which apparently is typically accomplished at 4 weeks not 4 days. But we're not arguing! Gwen even had her first sponge bath with mommy and daddy last night and tolerated it very well. It is hard to imagine that just one week ago, she was a bump of a belly and not here in our arms! Brad and I are also doing well. I feel fantastic and have to keep reminding myself that I am in recovery! I definitely did not expect to have this much energy and be able to move so easily this early on. It is such a treat! Brad loves being a dad and hates having to leave her and I and go to work in the morning and go to bed in the evenings. He can't stop looking at her and smiling and forget trying to hold her when he has her...he rarely gives her up! We will continue blogging with the exciting events that are to come. Thank you all for the love and support you have given us throughout this pregnancy. We can't wait for all of you to meet our little piece of heaven!

Going home!
I got you Daddy and I'm keeping you!
Hey Dude!
I love my Gammy!
Gwen and the Casey girls--wish you were here Aunt Kelley!
I just made a mess on Mommy, don't tell!