Newborn Pictures

I was so happy when I found this photographer about a month before I was due. 

She was just what I was looking for and best of all super affordable.

She's a stay at home mommy starting up a new photography business and she was offering a discount for newborn pictures to expand her portfolio so it was a win-win for both of us.

Adalyn was 6 days old when these were taken. She came to our house with tons of props and a vision {which is so important!}

She knew what she wanted, she knew what we wanted and she totally made it happen!

There were over 60 pictures and we had to narrow it down to 20-it was so hard!

This is the style baby photos I used to drool over. 

I was always obsessed with Anne Geddes and it was seriously a dream come true to have pictures like this of my very own baby. 

So amazing.

Such a blessing. 

And so crazy to think that just days after this photoshoot she didn't even look like that same baby any more. 

She has grown so quickly and I am so happy to have these photos of her. 

Pictures that will be cherished forever. 

Funny and Fitness

While I continue to play catch up here's a funny video of Mr. B trying to keep Adalyn awake. 

Which is nearly impossible by the way. 

When girlfriend is tired she is going to sleep and there's nothing you can do about it.

For a while she was sleeping most of the day and then decide to be all awake and smiley from like 9:45-1ish. 

This mama is tired at that point. Let me remind you that my bedtime pre-baby was around 9:30/10 so all this partying til 1 in the morning was a problem.

As much as I loved seeing these bright eyes and smiles, I'd prefer to see them in the day time!

So I decided we have to try and keep her up at least from 7-9:30. 

So we strip her down, we bounce her, play with her, talk to her etc etc and this is what we get. 

Operation "Stay awake it's not bedtime yet" didn't quite go as planned. 

Since then we have a new bedtime routine that seems to be working well. 

She even slept through the night for the first time on Saturday night!
And now I see this face at reasonable hours during the day

Now, onto the fitness...

I have joined the bandwagon and joined my fitness pal. 

So if you're on it send me a request: jpsmelser is my username.

I always go over my calories and I haven't worked out yet- but I'm a great encourager :) 

I've also lost 4 pounds so far! 

So if you're on there- friend me, if not check it out and join! 

It's free, they have apps for the iPad and iPhone and probably the other smart phones too

AND

the coolest feature ever: it has a barcode scan so you just scan the food you're going to eat and it plugs it all in for you! 

Welcoming Adalyn Faith

We kept Adalyn in our room until about 1 in the morning and then {sadly} sent her to the nursery for a few hours so we could get some sleep since it had been such a long day.

It was a very painful night of sleep, but I did end up getting an hour or two.

I'm pretty sure Mr. B slept like a rock...but that's no surprise. 

That guy's got some crazy sleeping skills. 

I am so thankful that Mr. B was able to stay the night. I don't know how I would've made it through without him there those few days. He was such a trooper helping me move around and all that other fun stuff that comes with having a baby.  This is where I saw the new side to him, he was so so helpful and I know it stretched his limits too. After seeing what I had just been through I think he thought helping me go to the bathroom was the least he could do!

Thankfully, I never ended up taking any strong medicine-just Motrin every 6 hours and that was enough to help take off the edge. 

Because Adalyn was born late at night we didn't have any visitors until the following day. 

We were happy to have her back after a few hours in the nursery! 

I wasn't a fan of not having her in my belly or my arms!

I was able to shower and get ready before showing of my new little beauty. 

The kids were so excited they got to skip school to come and visit their new niece. 

The girls even made a dance video the night before- if I can find it I'll post it later. 

Uncle C even pulled his tie for this special event- it was really cute. 

Auntie A and Uncle C holding their first niece for the first time.

Auntie O and Auntie J holding little Miss Adalyn.

Meeting some of her great-grandparents

My grandpa brought in a picture that he had of him and I from when I was first born. He was so proud.

{me on the left, Adalyn on the right}

Cousins- only 6 months apart! Too bad they're also many states apart! 

More snuggles from Mimi

Spoiled by our family and friends

That night the hospital gives us a special celebratory dinner. It was delicious and way more than we were able to eat! We had filet mignon, potatoes, asparagus, salad and cheesecake with strawberries and whipped cream. Our first meal as a family of three!

I gave her her first manicure that night. The night before she came back from the nursery with a scratch on her face and I didn't want that to happen again. I was too nervous to cut them {I've still yet to cut them!}, plus they were still flimsy so I just filed them down. 

Wednesday morning we waited for the pediatrician to check her and then we were free to go home!

Ready to go!

We live literally 2 minutes from the hospital so it was a safe and uneventful drive. 

She was happy to be home

We also enjoy snuggles at home much better than the hospital

We also met our mountain man Uncle R on our first day home

{He has since got a hair cut. Praise the Lord!!}

And of course got more snuggles from the rest of the fam too!

We were able to relax at home and rest up for Thanksgiving {and meet Roxie!} the following day!

And I couldn't decide which one to choose, but here's a comparison of me as a baby