playdates and mobiles and laughs, oh my

margaretann (it's fun for me to say it like they're one word) will be 8 weeks on tuesday, which is crazy. she's sprouting lengthwise, is starting to fill out and look 'babyfied', and has officially grown out of her newborn onesies. we're also into playdates now... truth be told, I think it's more about me getting to hang out with write softly than our babies getting their play on, but hey, they're totally socializing while their mama's enjoy each other's company!

I'm so thankful for our time together, friend. you're just lovely, that's all.


our baby's had a much better 7th week than 6th week, if we're talking cry to wake to sleep ratios and general good humor, and I'm pretty convinced she's been going through a growth spurt. she actually almost slept 6 consecutive hours last night! not that we're overly concerned about how long she sleeps at 7 weeks, it was just like 'wow, she hasn't woken up yet! that dinner really packed a punch!' we'll be headed to the pediatrician a week from tomorrow, and I'm curious to see how much she's grown. she still eats like a cute little baby lumberjack. I pumped the other day and was proud to easily get four ounces... we've been slowly building up, and it's very gratifying to know my body and the baby seem to be working well together to give/get what they need.

the catch to all of her new development is that I'm sometimes a little slow picking up her cues, but I'm fast learning that this is just how it goes. some days seem to work like semi-clockwork, others it's a feeding frenzy interspersed with hasty and unsatisfying bits of sleep and frustrated tummy time and floor flailings, and we both seem to end up feeling generally sweaty and off-kilter. today's been one of those days, actually - after all that good sleep last night and our somewhat stable week, we had a weirdly-timed morning, spent much of bible class/church in the nursery eating/changing/crying, emotionally yo-yoed through the afternoon and evening, and after a good second dinner she sweetly fell asleep on me and is now sacked out in her pack 'n play for the night (hopefully). even when I feel about to the end of my momentary rope, a few seconds later I look at her face and want to laugh and cry and pull her as close to me as I can. I'm so thankful for her, and so thankful for this family. it really was my heart's desire, and God has been so gracious to me.

this week we're all about the smiling and laughing and for those who seem to only be around when she's fussy, here's proof!

we're also about pacifying ourselves with our hands:

and interacting with toys and mobiles:

this photo slays me.

this afternoon with daddy.

almost too much for my heart to take.

great-grandma sent us tons of new clothes with SuSu... here's us trying on what I'm referring to as the Betsy Ross cap:

I'm sure we'll grow into it.

a shout out to my family tonight... I'm suddenly missing and loving you all a lot. happy birthday, daddy - I hope you had a wonderful party!

-m.y.