Brandon and Rachel

Monday, July 10, 2006

Settling In

It's been nice to settle into a routine. Each day, mothering gets a little bit easier as Anali and I get to know each other a bit better. It's fun to realize that I am able to sense her needs much of the time, rather than blindly guess, "What on earth could it be?"

Brandon is a wonderful father - I enjoy watching him coo and cuddle her - and loves to hold Anali and get her to smile or pass gas. I can't tell which amuses him more.

She's a delight to us both, and we're convinced her smiles are geniune. Reflex schmeflex. This girl has the sparkly eyes that are so familiar from her father's childhood photos.

Yesterday, we braved the drive to Seattle and visited the Fremont Sunday Market with Brandon's parents and later walked along Alki Beach. It was so nice to get out as a family and begin to explore the summer together. Anali did great with all we threw at her, revealing more and more of that temperment we love so much. She truly is gracious, as her name means.

Monday, July 03, 2006

The first bath was traumatic.
Let's just say we had to bathe her twice...and then bathe ourselves and the carpet. By the second bath, we were both more prepared, and found that this may be an enjoyable bonding time.

Plans for the Fourth?

People keep asking us, "So what are your plans for the Fourth of July?" Then, they laugh, remembering that we have a twelve-day-old baby at home. I'm pretty sure I'll be hiding Anali in the hall closet with ear muffs over her ears. Brandon will probably spend five minutes in the driveway throwing Pop-Its on the cement until he wears himself out and comes inside to watch the Mariners. Typical 4th for us.

Anali visited church for the first time yesterday. To her mother's relief, she slept through the entire trip. She can only get away with sleeping through the sermons for so long...better take advantage of it now!

Anali, in her Sunday best, is letting us know she's interested in Ballet. She has the funniest startle reflex poses!

Friday, June 30, 2006

Happy Days at Home

Rachel and Anali at Home

Brandon and Anali at Barbeque at Bradley Park

Eight Days Old

She's got her Aunt Bryn's lips!

"I'm not so sure about all of this!"

I hope my computer has a lot of memory, because it's holding precious memories. I've quickly become a baby picture junkie, compulsive counter (how many days old, how many wet diapers, how many minutes feeding/sleeping/waking), laundry apprentice, and obsessive list maker. I love being at home with Anali. "Back to School" commercials are going to traumatize me this year...September is not far enough away.

After spending the first few days of her life in the Nursery of Good Samaritan Hospital undergoing heart, blood, and respiration monitoring and tests, we were allowed to bring Anali home safely with us on Sunday, June 25th. Together, at home, our little family is doing remarkably well.

As every mother dreams her little girl to be, she's perfect. Healthy and beautiful in every way. Praise God! Spending the first five days in the hospital was a test of our faith, hope, and trust in the Lord, but we confidently gave him our worries and our fears, and as a result have immersed ourselves into an even deeper understanding of His perfect love. I wouldn't change a thing! As you know, His ways are perfect, anyway.

Can't wait to introduce you to her.

Wednesday, June 28, 2006

Beautiful Baby

We could tell you how beautiful she is, but you're just going to have to take a gander for yourselves:

Our Sweet Anali is Born

Here comes the sun...

On the first day of summer 2006, our sweet daughter Anali Elisabeth Johnson was born at 10:35 a.m. at Good Samaritan Hospital in Puyallup, Washington, weighing in at 8 pounds, 9 ounces and measuring 21.25 inches. After only a week, it's hard to imagine who we were before we were her parents. Life just doesn't get any sweeter than this!