October Full of "Fun Firsts"

October has come and gone very quickly for us. We still don't have a finished kitchen but we are full of fun memories from October. 

Our first trip to the Farmer's Market (this was our first "outing" taking the boys as well... they have been to the FM many a time but now we have another member to tote along!)

October 16

Athea's first Trader Joe's experience (this was the first attempt at taking her to a store and really the first indoor experience with a crowd... we really needed groceries and Ben was working... couldn't really get much because her car seat took up the whole cart... but at least no one could touch her!)

October 17

Athea's first amateur mini photo shoot. After talking to Aunt Malia about taking baby pictures, I was inspired and did an impromptu "photo shoot." Love all of her faces!

October 19

Our first trip to Brian and Kelly's Pumpkin Patch (this is a great place to get pumpkins and trees... we met up with another family that was in our centering class and got some great pics)

 October 22

First time sitting in the bumbo (on a whim one night we decided to see if she could "sit" and she "sat" for a short time)... it's hysterical to see the many faces that she makes!

October 24

Athea's first time in a soft structured carrier (this was actually given to us by another neighbor who has two little girls... they actually were the very first to welcome us into the "hood" when we moved into our house over 3 years ago). Athea did ok with her legs dangling out for the first time. Up until this point she's been carried in the moby wrap with her legs inside.

October 26

Our first walk around the neighborhood (in true fashion, we chit chatted with our neighbors who spotted us walking... some of them met Athea for the first time... ironically the men neighbors had met Athea much earlier than the women since they were helping us on the house!)

October 26

Athea's first time joining us for dinner!

October 26

This is not our first story time with Athea but it is the first picture we have of it! I thought it was too precious to not show.

October 27

To end the month of October... our first HALLOWEEN! We all dressed up and even the boys were good sports about it all. It was Ben's idea to be a family of gnomes! I had fun putting the costumes together... felt is a wonderful invention! You can make anything out of felt.

October 31

Unexpected Work on the Kitchen

One evening Ben noticed a leak in the bathroom wall. After a few visits from the plumbers, it was confirmed that our pipes would need to be replaced... so here we are with no countertop, a temporary sink and dirt galore! Not exactly the best combination with a premature baby in the house! Every day is a "cleaning" day just to keep all the dirt/dust under control. Crazy! 

Here is a picture that Daddy absolutely loves!

Athea is 2 months old!

Athea is now two months old and the doctor was quite impressed with how much she has grown. 

Here are her stats:

8 weeks, 5 days (actual age)... 3 weeks, 1 day (adjusted age)

7 lbs, 14 oz (2nd percentile for actual age, 25th for adjusted age)

20 inches long (1st percentile for actual, 25th for adjusted)

36 cm head (3rd percentile for actual, 25th for adjusted)

She also received two vaccinations and she was a big trooper!

We have decided to start a "tradition" with her monthly photo shoot by taking it with a Chipotle burrito. She has grown since her one month... see how she looks next to the burrito! Plus... we don't have to think about what to make for dinner!

There are too many to pick just one favorite! Enjoy!

Daddy-Daughter time!

Now that Daddy is back to work... time together is even more precious!

The Big Girl Bathtub!

Tonight was our first time using our "big girl bathtub!" Athea has grown out of her hospital tub (mommy was sad for some reason... time to let go of the NICU) so we upgraded her to the big girl tub. She actually really enjoys bath time which is a wonderful relief for us! 

Our First Family Outing and Visit

Up until now, we have been very cautious about taking Athea out in public. She has been to doctor's appointments for herself and for mommy but that is about it. Every medical person that we have talked to has impressed upon us the importance of staying away from large crowds (stores, church, malls) and keeping Athea away from the opportunity to get sick. SO, Ben and I have been taking turns staying at home when errands need to be accomplished. She has yet to be at a grocery store or even to our work places to "show her off." We haven't had any visitors due to being cautious. Sometimes it feels like we are over doing the "cautious" thing but we are trying to avoid any hospital trips/stays! Our goal is to get her through this winter without being sick... that is quite a challenge!

Anyway, our good friends just opened up their very own fresh water fish store (Arizona Nature Aquatics) which just happens to be less than 5 minutes of a drive from our house. Their grand opening was today and we thought we would make it as soon as the store opened to avoid any crowns. That way, we could take Athea out, support our friends but avoid the crowds. Since we were already out (it takes a lot of planning to get out) we thought we would stop across the street for breakfast. We popped her car seat in the snap-n-go and kept a blanket over her the entire time. If it hadn't been for her crying, people wouldn't have known she existed! Our very first family outing was a success!

It was such a nice feeling to be out together!

Athea is hanging out with the ladies! Notice the nice large aquarium behind us. Marche owns the store with her husband.

When we arrived home, Athea took a nap and then we busted out the activity mat for the first time (Thanks Uncle Nick and Aunt Devan). Check out the 2nd picture of Moon Doggie checking it out.

Later that day, a friend of ours stopped by with the coolest gift ever! Check out the pictures! Apparently, she knew we were pregnant before we told people. She said she noticed my bump but didn't say anything! She's been collecting items ever since... Athea is already wearing an outfit from the clothesline! Notice that the clothes get bigger as you move up the line!

We had a wonderful day filled with many exciting memories... and we were all exhausted!