Pictures of Play Time

If I don't post something every week my Mom calls and asks for a new post with more pictures. She just can't get enough of her grand-daughter, so her are some pictures of playtime with Emma.

Uncle Daniel and Aunt Hannah stopped by to play one night.

Play time with Dad.

Playtime turned into nap time in her bouncy seat.

Cousin Sarah loves to play with Emma.

Tummy Time!

Emma's new chair that helps her sit up.

Emma loves her baby gym that lights up and plays music when she kicks her legs.

Happy Baby!

Thoughts on Fatherhood

Hello all -- sorry to bombard you with two new posts in two days. It's all the Lavender news you can handle!!

I'm no Bill Cosby, but I just wanted to share some random thoughts on fatherhood. I've been a father for lo, these past 7 weeks now, and I've got more questions than answers. If any of you can enlighten me, please do so.

Also, these will be funnier if you say them out loud in your best Seinfeld voice.

What's the deal with baby poop? The formula is always white, the water is always clear, so why is each baby poop different than the one before it? What's the deal with that?

What's the deal with babies sleeping? They can sleep backwards and upside down lying across someone's kneecap with both arms pinned behind them but the second you lay them on something comfy -- like a mattress -- they wake up? What's the deal with that?

What's the deal with baby gas? They get a couple of air bubbles in them and you'd think they were going to explode. There's apparently enough air in 5 ounces of formula to cause a baby to start writhing, her legs kicking wildly, until you'd think she's got enough pressure in her intestine to launch a space shuttle. Oh, and then when it's all over, she smiles like it has been the most enjoyable experience of her young little life. What's the deal with that?

I guess that's it for now. Please be sure to read LLL's post from yesterday if you haven't already. In the interest of not posting without a picture, here's a picture of a funny monkey for everyone to enjoy:

Our First Outing!

Well the new year is hear. Quinn and I decided to just stay home and relax that day. I didn't even make it awake till midnight. Oh well, sleep was more important to me that night. Emma has finally started smiling when you talk to her. She has been smiling in her sleep and when she passes gas for a while now. I'm trying to get some pictures because she is so cute but, we all know what happens when you pull out the camera.

On Saturday Jan. 12th the community choir in Ogden that my Dad belongs to got invited to sing at the Utah State Capital open house. So we headed to Salt Lake for the day. In the afternoon Quinn and I went sledding with Anne, Taylor, and Hannah (Daniels wife). Daniel could not come because he was off interviewing to medical schools back east. We went to Sugar House Park and had so much fun. Quinn and I could not even remember the last time we went sledding, it was probably back in Middle School. Emma stayed with Grandma and Grandpa Van Bibber and Great-Grandma and Great-Grandpa Zundel where she smiled all afternoon for them.

After sledding we headed to the Capital for the concert. This was Emma's first outing with Mom and Dad besides to see family and the grocery store. The choir did really well. After that we walked around to see all the changes and improvements that had been made. Emma basically slept the whole time in her snugly pack, until it was time to eat. Once she did open her eyes she kept them open wide as she looked around at the big rotunda we were sitting in. I would say it was a successful outing.

Here is Emma on New Year's Day playing video games with Dad!

Smile!

The Choir!

The Grandparents!

Future Governor!

Christmas

Christmas Eve this year was spent with the Lavender's. We ate, played games and read a Christmas story. On Christmas day Quinn and I got up as late as Emma would let us. Once she was fed she went back to sleep and Quinn and I opened presents. We are hoping for more excitement from her next year. Then we packed up and headed to Ogden to spend Christmas day with the Van Bibbers. We had great time and everyone fought over Emma. She missed more excitement as we played a game of pictionary that got quite loud at times. Then the day after Christmas we got together with the Lavender's. This worked out very well because we were able to spend a day with each family and not feel rushed to get to the next place. After more food and more presents we played Loren and Tanner's new Nintendo Wii. It is really fun and once again Emma was fought over and slept through all the excitement (noise). I am very proud to say that I, Lauralee, am the boxing champ of the family. I beat Quinn, Kyle, Tanner and Loren. I now have to retire because it will probably never happen again and my arms are still sore!

All in all it was a great Christmas. Quinn and I got ourselves a video camera. It came in November so we could have it for Emma's birth. That was basically our Christmas. Emma only got a few things because she pretty much had everything she needed. She did get some toys and an umbrella stroller. If it ever warms up again we are set for a walk and I can't wait.

Emma and her Cousin Nicole on Christmas Eve

Emma and her presents from her stocking

Emma enjoying the rest of her gifts

Quinn showing off our new video camera

Emma in her Christmas Dress

The Van Bibber Family

Me and Emma the day after Christmas

Birth Announcement Photos

When Emma was three weeks old we took her to Target for her first real pictures. I prepared myself for a horrible experience with a screaming baby who would not cooperate. I was wrong thank goodness. She was wonderful. She was awake for the first few pictures and put up with what we were doing to her and then she just feel asleep. Even when I took her dress off she protested for only a minute and then went back to sleep. The lady that took the pictures was great and took so many good shots it was so hard to choose. She even asked if we would sign a release form so she could use the pictures in her own portfolio because they were so cute. I'm not bragging of anything though. :) So, here are the favorites of our little girl.

So here is the birth announcement that we will be sending out.

1 Month Old!

Well, our baby is 1 month old today. I can't believe it. She now weighs in at 10 lbs. 3 oz. What a chunk. She has even started to grow out of some of her newborn clothes. Grandma Van Bibber is always asking for more pictures so her are some new ones.

Emma in her first Sunday dress.

Emma and Momma napping.

Quinn's co-worker gave us this cute winter hat, it's still a little big.

Emma's favorite sleeping position.

The four generations on the Van Bibber side.

Life with a Newborn

Quinn and I are still alive but I don't know just how awake we are. Emma continues to stay up very late at night, ready to play. Quinn is back at work and so its just me and Emma all week. She is still just a cute as ever.

She has has her first outings. On Sunday Dec. 9th we attended her Uncle Taylor's eagle court of honor. We sat in the back in case she was fussy and boy was she. She also proceeded to spit up all over me, herself, and the floor. Her next outing was much better. On Saturday the 15th we went to Great-Grandma Moore's Christmas party.
Here we made it through in just the one outfit. Also at the party was My cousin Sheila's little girl who was born at the end of August. Her name is Abigail and at 3 1/2 months she looks so big next to Emma. It's hard to imagine that Emma will soon be that big.

Trying to hold my head up.


Getting one of my sponge baths. I love getting my hair washed.
I'm not so sure about the rest of me.

The Moore Christmas party, in my new dress with cousin Abigail.