Dec 31: Eve of a new year

Our 16-day-old Scarlett is about to usher in a new year, and what a great year it will be.

While the pack is fast becoming close friends,

Arley spontaneously pulls a natural "Archer" pose... supposedly it is an early indicator of handedness... could it be? Lefties around the world celebrate!

Have a happy new year!

Dec 30: Weights and measures

15 days- unofficial weight 7lb 2oz; 180 diapers, 320 wipes used so far.

Here Scarlett dances with her mobile animal friends, despite
our first Costco run that demonstrated while Arley still loves (to sleep in) the car, our Costco apparently doesn't stock newborn diapers... luckily we can get free shipping over Amazon... though I'm sure we will still be spurned to be driving Miss Scarlett.

Dec 29: Birthday bath

2 weeks old today!

Fresh off a great checkup yesterday, Arley had her first real bath at home. No fussing; she actually seemed to enjoy it! Then, all curled up in her towel, we celebrated her 2 week birthday.

Dec 28: All checked out

13 days: Officially 6lb 12oz, +0.25" length, +0.5cm head

Our trip to the doctor was successful. Arley was calm and took all the poking in stride. It turns out she was up over 8oz from her last visit, so she's gaining well over an ounce a day, though it certainly seems like a lot more to us. The doctor said she's perfect... but we already knew that!

We also managed to capture one of her turtles last night:

All and all, Arley is a great little girl, who only seems to cry when she is hungry or needs a diaper change, and even then, we are getting better at detecting those states and being proactive before the crying starts.

Finally, we've discovered the joys of swaddling... the warmth and security simulates the womb; a wrapped up little Arley is a happy Arley.

Dec 27: Tranquility base

Day 12: All quiet on the western front.

One of Arley's favorite things to do is stare out the window. Here, she quietly gazes out, day dreaming about milk, I'm guessing.


Great Auntee Lee is heading over to bring us dinner tonight.

Dec 26: Heavyweight

11 days: 6lb 14oz!

While not 'official', at least on our scale, little Arley has by-passed her birth weight and is charging towards 7lbs! I guess the answer to the age old question, "Got Milk?" is a definitive yes!

Arley is also sleeping and eating much longer, more consistently, more soundly, and occassionally, actually staying asleep in her crib. This makes her parents very proud, if not more cheerful and well-rested.

On tap this week: Pediatrician redux for the 'official' weigh-in on Wednesday.

Dec 25: Xmas day

We had a great xmas with assorted northern family at Sandra & Bruce's.

Mom and dad and Scarlett were showered with gifts. Mom & dad got Arley a silver rattle and spoon.

Here mom reads Scarlett a story while opening packages.

LAND FILL: 10 days in and we've already been through over 80 diapers and 160 baby wipes! Costco here we come!

Dec 24: Xmas eve

9 days old

Right after Arley's Christmas eve bath.

HANDS ON: we are seeing a definite increase in her dexterity and coordination. She is stretching both arms in unison, moving her thumb and fingers in a proper grasping motion, and generally, seeming very person like, performing physical motor tasks that she couldn't do just 1 or 2 days ago. They grow up so fast!

Dec 22: One week old

Dec 22, 7 days old

What a ham! One of her favorite games is pulling her hat over her eyes to do her best barrio baby imitation.

We celebrated her 1 week birthday with a poorly harmonized version of happy birthday.

Dec 21: Priceless

6 days...

A picture is worth 1e6 words:
... what a smile!

We also caught a glipse of her elusive 'turtle-pose' during one of her rare fussy faces:

Dec 19: Check up

4 days: 6lb 2oz

We bundled Arley up and took her to her first checkup outside the hospital.

It is common for breastfed babies to lose 8-14 oz after birth, so she is right on schedule... given her voracious appetite and the fact Mom's milk has come in, we don't expect Arley's weight to be gone too long.

THUMBS UP: We also managed to catch a first... Arley sucking her thumb!

Dec 16: Day one

A day of photos, crying, and tests for a one-day-old Scarlett. She's all tuckered out!

Other fun included rocking out to a hearing test & catching a nap with dad...

Dec 15: It's a girl!

After 12 hours of labor and only 30 minutes of pushing, Scarlett Sophia joined the world, happy and healthy...


with huge feet...




and an uncertainty for mini-hot tubs...

Dec 14: Off to the hospital

Our family on the way to the hospital

Arley, the early days

Here is Arley from a July 29 (20 weeks) ultrasound, facing us, laying on her right ear (down), forehead left and chin right.... I swear it still looks like her.






Also, here is Arley growing up from the outside!