Smiles & Silly Faces

Here are a few cute photos of Karis that I took while trying to catch a smile! Who would have though it would be so hard to catch a baby smiling on camera?! As soon as I get the camera out she just stares at it mesmerized..so I had to work hard to get her attention back to me. She's about 6 1/2 weeks here.

Pool Time

We took Karis to the pool for the first time and had a blast. She seemed really relaxed in the water and didn't cry at all. We had to cut it short since the sun was setting and it started getting a little too chilly for her. I can't wait until she is 6 months and can have her first real swimming lessons!

Dunking her under water:

It's Blueberry Season!

A couple of weeks ago we went out to High Springs to a U-Pick Blueberry Farm to get some berries. WE ended up going at the perfect time that day...it poured right before we got there, we picked in breezy, overcast weather, and right after we weighed and paid for our berries another storm started rolling in. It was pouring by the time we were pulling out of the farm! It was my first time going to a u-pick (I have always wanted to go to one though) and I am hooked now! Not only is it a fun family event (Karis will have so much fun next year !) but you get to support your local farmers and get CHEAP, fresh fruit! I usually get my in-season produce at the farmers' markets, which is still pretty cheap and fresh, but it still doesn't compare to the price of pickin yourself. I think we ended up with 13 pounds of blueberries(yikes!) and I want to go back to get more in June. I usually freeze most of the berries so I can have them year round for smoothies, muffins, yogurt, jam, etc! Here are a couple of pics:

Blueberry Bushes at Bluebela Farm!

Kevin had fun, but he probably won't admit it :)

Family Pic

Karis and I pickin

LOTS of berries!!

Mother's Day and Baby Dedication

I just celebrated my first Mother's Day and what a wonderful day it was!! Not only did I get to celebrate the joy of being a mom but we also got to dedicate Karis to the Lord at church that day! It will definitely be a memorable day!

Mother's Day:
When I was a little kid I loved my mom to pieces, then I became a preteen and was embarrassed by her, followed by the teenage years of taking her for granted, then on to college when I started realizing just how much she did and how much she meant to me. Now that I'm a "real adult" (yes, I am an adult but I still feel like a kid!) and have a baby of my own I appreciate and respect my mom even more. She sacrificed so much for us when we were growing up, put our needs first, and loved us unconditionally. Being a mom isn't easy...it's pretty exhausting at times and your life is not just about you anymore. As a mom you have someone depending on you completely and you have to put their needs first, but it is the best experience ever and brings me so much Joy! I love my little Karis and am so thankful for having such a great mom who has done so much for me! Thank you, mom, for everything! I love you!

 

Baby Dedication:

Here are some pictures from Baby Dedication day at church! Kevin's family was able to make it that morning and it was extra special getting to dedicate Karis with four of our friends' babies!

Aunt Laura, Grandma, Karis and me after church

Karis with her Aunt and Uncle

Newborn Photo Shoot

Here are some pictures from Karis's first photo session! She did so great and looks adorable in these photos! Thanks to Tristan Kayley Photography for the pics :)

First Few Weeks

These are some pictures from Karis's first couple of weeks! I can't believe she is coming up on being a month old soon! The first week was actually the easiest even though my body was in its biggest state of recovery...she fell asleep(and stayed asleep) so easily! Then the 2nd week came and she started the fussing, screaming, and squirming, so it has been a lot more exhausting on me! She did finally get her days and nights switched around to normal and is sleeping well at night. So far it seems like her personality is a lot like mine...sensitive, emotional, hyperactive, easily overstimulated and stubborn! She is so stubborn that she fights sleep even when she is beyond exhausted. (I guess I am getting my payback now, haha).  She loves being snuggled right up next you and her favorite is being carried around in the Moby.  I can't wait until she is a little less helpless but at the same time I know I am going to really miss all of these moments as a newborn! Karis is such a cute, sweet and cuddly little baby, we love every minute with her and we love her so much!

 The many faces:

The Sunday School girls and babies:

This is before Stitch became scared of Karis

First bath

First cloth diaper!

 Easter:

wearing her in Moby while vacuuming to calm her down!:

A preview from her photo session: