Smiles

Madeline is starting to recognize people and things more and is starting to also react to them. We couldn't be more delighted. For example, today when Dave came home she very certainly smiled at him. A lot.

Family Self-portrait 1 month

July 20 was Madeline's 1-month birthday... we had a little fun on her play mat and got a funny self-portrait of us all.

But this one is centered much better...

More Story Time

Madeline and Dave share story time every night, and as you can see it's a special time for all (it's also a time for Rachel to get a little break and take adorable pictures).

We also couldn't resist taking a photo of Madeline reviewing the latest literature from Dave's pulmonary journal, CHEST.

Long Legs

Madeline already has some pretty long legs (95th percentile!:), and these pictures from NC show her winding up for a good curl and extension as she wakes up and stretches on Dave's lap...

Also, we got a little bouncer seat to use in NC and this shot shows how her legs already stretch to the bottom of it. And she's again holding that soothie. So sweet.

Holding Paci in Swing

So we love the soothing center and we love that Madeline often holds her own pacifier in, and this picture captures both. The straps, of course are supposed to go under her arms, but she was holding so tightly that I just stuck them over to get the shot. :)

Baptism

While we were in NC, Father Barry offered to do Madeline's Christening right at the Bell house. It was very personal and sweet and Madeline got to wear the gown that her great great grandmother (Dave's mother's mother's mother) made in 1907. It was gorgeous. Look how she holds her hands again - I just can't get over how precious this is.

Good long shot of the gown

With Dad and Aunt Adelaide getting dressed.

All the newly baptized babies in Fr. Barry's parish get little lambs. As you can see, Madeline was in a great mood during the occasion, which isn't surprising since we know she loves to get her hair wet.

Except, by the time this picture was taken, she'd kind of had it...

In NC

Some pictures of Madeline meeting the NC Bells (Granny and Grampa) for the first time...

And Aunt Adelaide down from Boston...

Big Trip

Last week we made a quick last-minute trip to visit Dave's parents in North Carolina. Traveling with a 3-week-old on a flight and 5+hr drive was a little daunting, but Madeline is a great person and handled the whole thing amazingly well and with very little fuss. This picture is in the SA airport getting soothed after diaper change and before getting on the flight.

More Clasping

This is another example of how cool it is to see Madeline clasp her hands to help soothe herself just like she did in utero. Amazing.

Clasping Hands

One of the most precious things we've ever seen is when Madeline clasps her hands. The last set of ultrasound images we got showed her clasping her hands right in front of her like this, which was already adorable enough...

...and, now that she's here, she does the same thing from time to time to help soothe herself. It's got to be the most amazing thing I've ever seen.

Holding own Paci

Madeline is so smart that she often helps out and holds her own pacifier in place to stay soothed. Here's another shot of her holding the soothie in place.

Beautiful Blue Eyes

Sometimes it's hard to capture Madeline's beautiful blue eyes, but in this picture, the light was perfect and she was alert enough to grant this great shot. This was taken on her 2-week birthday, July 4.

Waking up is hard to do...

If I have to be awake, then so do you!

Gearing up for the big performance...
Kicking the covers off makes the scene more impressive...
I asked you to turn out the lights!
Five more minutes, ok?
I just had this crazy dream!
See if you can look at me without yawning yourself!
There's lots to think about when you're only two weeks old!
Check out the hair! Like my Cindy Lou Who do?
Cozy and comfy sporting my colorful butterfly outfit

Rachel is convinced that Madeline takes after me when it comes to sleeping and waking up. I do like a good nap, and since Madeline takes about 9-10 naps a day we have plenty of time to see just how she does it!

Smiling? You decide!

Sure, it could be gas, but here's photographic proof that at some level little Madeline is learning what is sure to be a killer smile.

Story time

We've started a new nighttime ritual where we try to help Madeline unwind and get ready for bed. Of course, so far that only means sleeping for a 3-hour stretch until it's time to get up to eat again... But, she's the daughter of a sleep doc, so it's never too early to start establishing good sleep habits. The end of the ritual includes reading her a little bedtime story. As you can see, she seems to like it and especially likes her dad. Note also she's holding her hands again. More on this later too...

Good Consumer

Madeline's parents are good consumers and love to do as much research as possible before making major purchases. Here, Madeline watches intently as her dad gets some hands-on time with a new camera at Best Buy that he then went home to order online for a much better deal. She's learning so much already. Note she's holding her own pacifier in... more on that later.