SHE DID IT !!!

Hi Everyone! It's been a week and beside her being able to hold her head up on her own now, Mariel is learning to SCREAM! She can hear herself and it's absolutely the cutest thing to see her scream and smile. She loves it!

NOW ARE YOU READY FOR THE BIGGEST NEWS???

Mariel rolled over from her belly to her back last night!!!!

We're so proud of her and how well she is doing. It was awesome, and unfortunately we missed it with the video. But none the less she did it, and we were both there to see it. Whew! We tried for two times, but she was tired. It takes a lot of energy for her to get up the strength. So now we're doing more tummy time, and seeing what happens! Wish her luck!

Blowing bubbles and kicking... she's now started drooling (teething has commenced perhaps?) We think she looks like a little blue blueberry... 

Caught her in a giggle... :) 

Mariel, June 16...she's almost three months old already!!! I loved this outfit, and was talking to my Grandma on the phone... I told her I'd post a recent picture.. sorry it's been awhile!  

THE "SUPERS" inspired from "The Incredibles" :)

This is quite possibly the funniest and coolest thing that Gary has done for us! Our friend Gary is a "computer GENIUS" and knows Photoshop all too well. It's so great what a little imagination can do! Thanks so much Gary!!!!

Another pound down...

You won't believe this... but she's another pound heavier! 13 lbs. 10 oz. The doctor is going to think that I'm bringing her in just to weigh her... but we had to go back , again, to see Dr. Garza. Mariel's had a stomach bug the last few days, and was not herself at all. She slept more than 24 hours, pretty much straight on, and was getting mom a little worried. But this morning, right before her appointment, she woke up and was all smiles. So whatever it is she had... is going away. Which makes me really happy to see her happy again. So my baby is growing, and growing faster than my arms will allow. She's so heavy, and I find myself having to put her in her swing just to give my jiggle arms a rest. I'm going to have to start bench pressing her just to get these arms in shape!!! Anyway, it's been a week since I last posted anything, so I just thought I'd so the 'what's happening'...
She's also learning to sit up a little bit on her own. Her crunches are becoming more controlled, and she rolled over the other night and scared me to death! She was on the bed, propped with a pillow and managed to tumble right over. It was awesome!!! She's also really starting to show that she recognizes mom & dad. Whenever I come in the room, if she's in her crib and fussing, all I have to do is say her name and she starts smiling!!!
This baby stuff is so incredible!!! I LOVE IT!!! Hope you all are enjoying her pictures too! We'll get some more this week, now that she's feeling a little better.

Mommy and Mariel again... dont' you think she looks at least a little like me?!?!?! 

Finally! A picture of Mom (Allison) and Mariel together... 

Another tender moment...I don't know what it is, but there is something so absolutely adorable about seeing Eric and Mariel sleeping so soundly together.  

SUPER BABY ! ! ! If only she was wearing a cape! 

I just love this little outfit... I could probably take a picture of her in everything she wears because it all looks so cute on her!  

An "Ansel Adams" inspired photo of our happy baby!  

Our Li'l Chubbers

We are now officially at 12 lbs. 10 oz....UNBELIEVABLE!

We had quite the day yesterday... Mariel went to her first "birthday party". We went to a picnic/birthday party in Tumalo State Park. Mariel got a little bead bracelet and got to meet some other babies / kids her age. One of which was a baby that was born the month before her, and was in our Lamaze class! It was a very exciting day, and the weather was great.

Mariel also went to the pediatrician again on Friday... she has a little bit of the stuffy nose in the mornings, and of course Mom is panicking. Doctor says she's fine,no allergies that she can tell, just a small nasal passage that will hopefully grow as she gets older. WHEW!
So we have to suction her nose in the mornings when she's really stuffy... but usually it goes away by mid-morning / afternoon. I guess it's just something we'll have to deal with. She also had a little cradle cap, but that is getter better with a little TLC.

Overall Mariel's in great health, and starting to sleep in her crib. Last night she spent the entire night in her crib... she didn't jump into bed with us until 7:30 this morning!!! It was awesome, because Mom slept not having to worry about her, and worry about smooshing her. She's sleeping in good 5 hour sessions too, and getting a little more routing with her "sleepy times". All in all, things are looking up and up and I couldn't be more happy.

Just thought I would put our favorite other "baby" in here too.. :) Maya deserves a little fame and attention, she's being a very good dog around Mariel. She's now taken on the role as "protector" and never fails to let us know when there's someone walking by the house. She especially likes to let us know the mailman is here!...i.e. she barks. But overall, she's a beautiful girl and I know her and Mariel are going to be great pals when she gets older. 

This is the Naked Baby shot that I'm preserving for when she turns 16 and goes out on her first date! I'm cruel, I know. :) 

Okay, another cute moment that I just had to capture and put on the blog. This is my favorite time with her... she giggles and her little chub arms just wave around. Did I mention what a squirmer she is?  

Li'l Chubbers

I still think she should be the next "Gerber" baby!
Mariel is turning 2 months tomorrow! The time is going by so fast... everyone said it would and now I truly believe them. She's such a cutie.. She's learning to hold her head up, and now she's doing "crunches". She likes to sit on my lap and use her ab muscles to lean forward. Strong little thing...

Tippin' the Scale!

Mariel went to the Pediatrician today!

11 lbs. 7 oz. and 22 " long!

Need I even say any more? She's chubbin' and her legs are little sausages. You could just slap em on a bun with a dab of ketchup and chomp away. She's that cute... :)
I'll be taking some more pictures of her tomorrow.
She had to get her first vaccinations today and man, oh man, her vocal chords got a workout. So I'm letter her get a little beauty rest. Boy did she scream though... and needless to say, I couldn't watch. Eric had to hold her hands because the sight of them putting a needle in her leg just killed me. What am I going to do if she ever gets hurt? I don't think I can stand the thought... What a softie I'm turning out to be.
Anyway, she survived it, and is now comatose in pacifier heaven. Hopefully she'll forget about the whole experience before she goes in again in July.

Going to the doctor on Friday!

Well, Eric and I are still struggling with the night time. Mariel has decided to stay up until 11:00, sometimes even 1:00 in the morning, fighting sleep all the way. Last night was the best yet. She was up until 11:00, ate and then decided to get a second wind. Bless Eric's heart, he stayed up with her until 1:00 when she finally decided to crash. Then she was bright eyed, and bushy tailed at a ripe 6:30 this morning! Will her sleep schedule ever get better???
Please, does anyone have any suggestions? We try putting her down at 9:00 each night, yet no success.
Anyway, she's still growing and officially has the chub. She makes a fist and still manages to have dimples on her knuckles. It's really cute though, especially those thighs. We go to the doctor on Friday May 6 for the first round of vaccinations, weigh in and measurements. I'm so anxious to see how much she has grown! Wish us luck and keep your fingers crossed for a calm experience...

We think it's really cute the way she loves to sleep on her side. She tucks her arm under her head to hold it up. This is something she has completely developed on her own.