gratitude.

people are really nice.  i have been consistently overwhelmed by the love and support we've received since we found out we were expecting, and it's just gotten more incredible since emme was born.  people have brought food and sent amazing gifts and we just feel so blessed and loved.  i can't say that i'm surprised at all - we have some really amazing family and friends - but i am just completely humbled.

emme cakes....every day you are more alert and interactive with your environment.  fortunately, this is happening in small bits because i am very very happy spending hours on end in a little cocoon nursing and napping with you.  i don't know if i've written about this yet, but when you're hungry, you bob your little head and root around on whomever is holding you and make the cutest little "eh" sound.  it's very adorable and it cracks me and your dad up, especially when you do it to him.  it's ultra sweet for us with nighttime feedings because you don't cry and wake up dad - you just make your little squeaks enough for me to wake up and feed you.  our baby books say that you have periods of sleep, quiet alertness, and active alertness now.  we are definitely noticing this.  there are several times a day where you like to chill in your bouncy chair or on mom or dad and just look around.

thursday night, ashley and laurie brought dinner and mike came over to help daddy put up some shelves.  it was fun to catch up and introduce you to some good friends you hadn't met yet, and the spaghetti pie was super tasty.  friday, we went for a nice stroll with the dogs and everything.  the dogs are behaving so unbelievably well.  they have had to deal with a lot of change including no longer being allowed in certain rooms of the house (we're trying to keep the dog hair to a minimum in the bedrooms), but they totally love you and are so so sweet.  they both like to give your feet quick kisses when they can get close enough and they always check to see where you are and make sure you're ok when they come back inside from being outside playing.  here are a couple of pics of them on their beds - i don't think their lives are too rough with your arrival....(most of the pics from this post were taken with my phone, so i apologize for the quality)

friday night, derek came to visit, and the neighbors stopped by for a few minutes as well.  dad grilled steaks and derek made some delicious potatoes.  we are certainly not lacking for delicious meals these days and you seem to be just fine with everything i've eaten so far.  you're still loving your bath, and here's another pic of you in the cute monkey towel a work friend gave you.

saturday was another great day.  it was super warm outside, so you wore your first dress that our friends mike and kim brought you on the day you were born.  we have some mary jane socks that match the dress perfectly.  there are pants that go with this outfit and make it a little more modest, but they are still kind of big for you and i think your little thighs are too cute to cover up when it's warm enough outside.  i didn't get a great picture, but i think you can tell how sweet you looked... (by the way, you were in your crib for like 20 minutes yesterday.  not interested in being there at all...).

finally, i have to post a few pictures of the ridiculous quilt and pillow that aunt denise and my cousin lindsay sent to you.  i could not have picked cuter fabrics.  they have so much talent, it is insane, and these items will be treasured forever i'm sure.  i also love that you're getting sweet little girly accents in your room.

today you are two weeks old and i cannot believe it's only been two weeks since we met you.  we'll take some 2-week portraits tonight and post those.  we also have your two-week doctor's appointment tomorrow and i can't wait to see how big you've gotten...