Cereal?

Hmmm....not sure what I think about this, but I was a good girl trying.  Mom says she's going to let me try it a few times this month before I really get to start eating it all the time.  Ahhh, don't I look so big in my highchair?!?

Four Day Weeks Next Year!

It's official!  I've been approved to work 4 days a week next school year. Svea will only go to daycare three days a week!  I am soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo excited that I get to spend one more day at home with her and that she'll be with us more than at daycare!  Don't get me wrong, we have a wonderful daycare provider, it's just that I'd much rather be home with her!  8 more weeks of school!!!!

5 Months Old!

Svea Grace is 5 months old today.  I sit here looking at these pictures and am amazed at how much bigger she is from one month ago.  We're not sure how much she weighs but it's probably 14 lbs something!  Svea...here's what you've been up to!

-You rolled over this month from your back to your tummy.  Your not a big fan when you get there, but the process of getting there amuses you.  It happened on a snow day and Mom and Dad were both home with you to see it!
-You are wearing size 3-6 month clothes, size 2 diaper, and a smile that could light up anyone's heart
-You are still a cat napper taking 4 naps a day 30-45 minutes each.  You fight taking a nap as well.  We think you don't want to miss out on anything.
-We had you try rice cereal today for the first time.  You didn't make any "icky" faces and kept opening up to try more, although you might have tasted it, but most if landed right back on your bib.  We'll try this maybe once a week and then really pick it up in a month
-You now are noticing Riker and Meeko and will follow their movements across the room
-You can sit with us assisting you.  If we don't give you as much help you can do it, but you fall forward in a very awkward position
-You continue to make raspberries, especially all over mommy's face in the morning when I snuggle you in bed for a few minutes waiting for my eyes to open
-You found your thumb!  You're not consistent yet, but we can see where it might become one of your favorites
-You love to stand with out help...you continue to amaze us with how strong you are
-You laughed like crazy at Grandma ripping paper, but after she left you haven't done it again.  You are very selective in what you like to giggle at, although you give smiles out like crazy
-Your hair is starting to really grow...Mom got rid of your cradle cap with a comb and it's taking off!
-As a favor to your Dad you'll blow out your diaper almost every time he feeds you a bottle
-Your favorite toys are "Sophie" the giraffe, baby paper (crackle paper), and your little bunny blanket.  I'll take a picture of you soon with your three favorites
-Your legs are like little jackhammers....we don't understand how you aren't bruising your heels, but you don't seem to mind
-We love you Svea!  We love interacting with you and watching you grow.  We are so blessed to be your parents and love every minute with you. 

We Would Agree

Thank you for the cute onsie Grandma Beth:)

Ipad

We think we need one (an ipad) and Svea agrees as she's enjoying a book with Grandma on it this past weekend.  My Mom got an ipad through her work so we spent the weekend checking out fun apps.  We are so jealous!

*Update* I went to work this week and told my boss about my mom's ipod....I am now ordering one for myself at school and looking at getting quite a few for my program next year.  I am so motivated and excited.  My boss is so innovative and supportive of my program....it makes my job much easier and fun!

Snow Day!

Can you believe it's March 23rd and we are still having a snow day!  Spring just doesn't want to come this year.  Mommy gets to stay home with her baby and I am so relieved and happy to get another day home with her:)  Who wouldn't want to stay home and play with this cute little face!

Balloon Fun

Svea has had fun playing with this balloon for the past two weeks.  She tracks it like crazy.  We might need to purchase a helium tank to provide endless hours of fun:)

 

Sunday Dress

 Julie from church along with her daughter Kayla went to Honduras this spring and brought Svea back this little green dress.  If you look really close you can see "Honduras" embroidered on it.  I think I'll also have her wear it next Saturday for my cousin's wedding in Rochester.

 We found a new trick this weekend.  My Mom is here and she just happened to rip a piece of paper in front of her.  She got this wide eyed look on her face so Mom kept doing it, until finally she started belly laughing over and over.  It was her first time.  We tried it again later and it worked then too.  Today we skyped with Dean and Kathy and tried it again and she giggled and laughed for them too.  Who knew paper could be so entertaining.

All ready for church!

Mastering Tummy Time

Remember that picture from a couple of months ago where Svea fell asleep on her boppy during tummy time?  Well, as you can see she doing much better!  One crazy thing we've noticed while Svea is on her tummy is she's starting to already pull up her legs up under herself.  We're wondering if this is normal, or she's just a strong little girl?

The Star of the Show

You can't read all of the bib, but can you figure it out?  Yep, she's the star of this blog wouldn't you say?  Dan saw this bib at Target and since we needed more bibs (she's going through 4 or 5 a day) we snatched it up:)

A Day That Changed Our Lives Forever

It was one year ago on this day that we found out we were pregnant with Svea. I was in Bismarck visiting my cousin Jill and Dan was home for the weekend. I was feeling really calm about the outcome either way and even got a negative test the night before. I was out with friends and my girlfriend was very sympathetic and I said thank you, but I'm really ok. I really was at peace with it, but then the next morning I took one more test just make sure as I was going out again with my family and lo and behold.......there sat a postive test. My knees buckled and it will forever be a strong memory in my mind.  in seven and a half short months we got to meet our sweet baby girl!

Svea...you have brought so much joy to our lives.  We've commented often how much you've added to our lives in such a wonderful way.  We look forward to everyday with you!  You are such an amazing little girl!

Daddy Makes Me Laugh

One of the best parts of Dan's day....

would be the time he gets to spend with this little girl....

every morning after I go to work!

I am so thankful that they get this time together, especially since it means that she spends much less time at daycare and more time at home with her parents!  That is one blessing of Dan being a pastor and me being a teacher.  She goes to daycare late and I can pick her up earlier than if I had a 9 to 5 job.  She's a happy, happy little girl:)

My Jumperoo

Svea is in LOVE with her Jumperoo.  In the last week we have started putting her in it to try it out.  She holds her head up 100%, although we need to put a blanket behind her.  If you look closely she has the tendency to slip her arms down by her legs.  The first time I put her in it her eyes got so big.  She loved the lights and now she usually laughs and smiles.  Right now this is one of our favorite things to do with her.  Thank you Grandma and Grandpa Dornfeld!!!

Hats!

Svea and I had a little photo shoot the other day with a few of her hats.  I thought I needed to see them on her in pictures before she outgrew them.  She was in a pensive mood, but still cute all the same:)  She is getting SO big...she's not so little anymore:(

Little Miss Blue Eyes

Yep, they're still blue.....and we wait to see if they'll change or stay.  Either way she has beautiful eyes, we  think:)

Heaven is For Real!

My mom recommended this book to me and I couldn't wait until she was done reading it so that I could.  Can you believe I read a book as a new mom!  Ha!  I started it at my student's math meet this past thursday, read for a few minutes before bed last night when I could barely keep my eyes open, and finished it this afternoon while Svea napped.  Oh, I just love this book.  It was so unbelievably comforting and I love stories that illustrate the faith of a child.  It made me feel closer to God and know that I am being taken care of every moment of everyday. It made me think about the two babies that we've lost and know that they are safe sitting on Jesus's lap and someday we will get to meet them.  It made fear death just a little less (I fear it, I do even though I know it is undescribably a better place than here).  Anyway, you MUST read this book and then tell me what you think!

Winter Snowgirl

So I finally found the perfect outfit from my Mom to go with these boots from my Dad and Lynn....aren't they so incredibly adorable!!  This is what Svea wore to church last week.  She had just eaten before we went so the whole hour she sat wide awake looking around.  She's so good!  We'll take it while it lasts since we know it won't for too much longer:) I know I've said it before, but I love the fact that we actually have somewhere to go to dress her up so cute!

Outfit From Auntie Kristin

 She finally fits in this outfit:)  I kept trying every couple of weeks and it finally does!  It's gorgeous and thank you Kristin, Shane, Ashlyn and Shay!  She'll wear it to church next Sunday!