8 Week Stats

This morning we had the dreaded 2 month check-up. I say dreaded because there are shots involved in this appointment. It was definitely more traumatic for me and Greg than it was for Kennedy. She did pretty well and I am hoping she won't be terribly fussy this evening. We were anxious to put her on the baby scale and see how much weight she has gained. The last time we were at the doctor she weighed just over 6 lbs.

Kennedy's 8 week stats:

Length: 22 3/4 inches, 83rd percentile

Weight: 9 lbs, 20th percentile

We thought it was pretty funny that she in the 83 percentile for height and also only in the 3% for head circumference. Clearly she did not get these traits from me, as I am quite short and have a large head (not unlike my brothers). Hence, why my husband affectionately calls me Peanut...because he thinks I look like a Peanuts character.

Perfect Friday Night

Since having a baby, our definition of a "perfect Friday night" has changed drastically. And when we wake up in the mornings, our rehashing stories that start with "can you believe that happened!" have changed as well.

Well last night was the new definition of a Perfect Friday Night - in bed by 9 (the time we used to leave the house for dinner) and Kennedy slept 7 straight hours. Which means mom and dad slept 7 straight hours. We were thrilled with the much needed uninterrupted sleep, but then something even better happened...she laughed.

I knew we were getting close to a laugh because she has been squealing when she smiled, but this morning she let out a few real giggles. Such an adorable sound and I can't wait for her to laugh more!

Wipeout

Summer nights have taken on a whole new meaning now that we live in Dallas. The past few summers we have been in NY, and summer nights there meant one thing: patio drinking and dining. Greg and I enjoyed more than our fair share of summer evenings from dinners in the Slope to drinks at the Frying Pan. That's because you could enjoy being outside at 9:00 at night with out feeling like you were in a steam bath.

The Frying Pan. It's a boat. It's a bar. What's not to love?

This summer, things are different for the Hunters. For starters, we have a baby, so squeezing into a table for 2 is not really an option. But the weather here has just been too muggy to even enjoy a glass of Sauv Blanc on our patio. So we have resorted to more baby friendly activities in our air conditioned house, and while summer TV leaves much to be desired, but we definitely look forward to watching Wipeout on Tuesday nights. Kennedy loves her walks in the evenings, but last night she seemed content to stay in and hang out on the couch.

The Inbetween

Between sizes...its an unfortunate stage Kennedy and I are both smack in the middle of. I'm not in maternity clothes any more but don't quite fit in all my pre-pregnancy clothes just yet. Its too hot to wear anything but dresses in Dallas, so I am able to sort of hide the little post baby pooch with a loose dress. But for Kennedy, she is stuck somewhere between Newborn and Size 1 diapers.

Unfortunately, the newborn diapers give her an unsightly (and I'd imagine uncomfortable) muffin top. So we had to move her up a size. The problem is the new diapers are HUGE! They go almost all the way up to her arm pits and don't feel very secure. There is just too much extra diaper and Im afraid we're begging for a blow out to happen at the most inopportune time. I guess its time I pack a few extra changes of clothes for Kennedy (and myself) in the diaper bag just incase!

A close up of the paci.

Kennedy likes to whine, mommy likes all kinds of wine. Its a baby pun we can all get behind.

Kennedy is 7 weeks old today and has been growing and changing so much. Her overall cuteness continues to increase by the day, but specific changes to note are: lots more intentional smiles (as well as sleep smiles and gassy smiles), cooing and gurgling, sleeping long stretches at night, increased head and neck control, tracking objects with her eyes and batting at them and entertaining herself on her play mat.

Kennedy's morning work out - head lifts on the Boppy pillow.

Kick Kick Kick

It's pretty fun watching Kennedy become more social and active. Last night we were doing some of the exercises out of our Gymboree book, which is an awesome book from the Hinckles with play time exercises for baby. She had been batting and grabbing at the rattle with her hands, so we held it over her feet. After the first time she kicked it and heard the noise, she paused for a second, and then just went to town kicking her little legs. This lasted for almost an hour!

But don't worry, the video is only a minute.

6 Weeks Old

Kennedy is 6 weeks old today, which means she is going through a growth spurt. Add to that the fact that its Monday, which typically is our most stressful day of the week. Additionally, I had my 6 week post partum check up with my doctor so it meant we both had to be fed, dressed and out of the house before 11 am. Clearly, I thought this was a recipe for disaster.

But I have been so pleasantly surprised! Kennedy ate like a champ this morning and slept while I got ready. Like, really ready with make up and my hair blown out. I even got to sit in peace at the computer while I ate my Chocolate Cheerios. We went through our familiar routine of putting on a cute outfit and then spitting up all over it, twice, before getting in the car. She was super sweet at the doctor and everyone just loved all her little squeaky noises. We got to go meet Greg for lunch at Jason's Deli and are having a quiet afternoon at home today.

Kennedy was such an easy baby this weekend which made Sat and Sun very relaxing. On Saturday we met a photographer for some family pics. It was beyond hot outside so I am glad we only scheduled a half hour. The Pfeiffers were there as well, so we had her snap a few pics of all of us together. After we had all sufficiently sweat enough at the park, we headed straight to the pool and spent the rest of the day relaxing and getting a break from the heat.

I am not sure when we will get all of the pictures, but heres a sneak peek.

Kennedy really loves going for walks - and I can't wait until it gets a little cooler so we can go on more during the day. Right now we have to wait until its just about dark outside, and even then, its still over 95 degrees.

Although she is about 9.5 lbs now, she is very petite and barely fits in the majority of her clothes. Her denim vest will be very cute when she grows into it. I have a feeling she will be wearing Gap Kids through high school...just like her mother. I was just admitting to Greg that most of my high school uniforms, even into my junior year, were from Gap Kids. Those grown up clothes were just so long!

Lots of Updates

Waking Up Happy

Such a little sweetie - Kennedy is starting to be more playful and expressive. Yesterday morning she was having fun making different faces at me.

Summer Baby

Sometimes I think having a baby during a Texas summer is about as hard as having a baby in a New York winter, since weather permits us from doing so many things outdoors. But today, Caroline, Lizzy and I were determined to get a little sun and relax by the pool. Caroline got Emily settled in her swing and I put Kennedy down in the bouncy chair. We expertly timed their feedings and naps to work with our desired pool time. It looked like both were going to be out for a couple hours - so we hurried outside with cold drinks, US Weekly and the baby monitor. Three minutes later we hear Emily squeaking, then Kennedy making noises...and then both girls crying. It got pretty cloudy so we brought them out for a bit. Emily got to go in the pool and Kennedy got to dip her toes from the side. We didn't get our tan on as planned, but we had fun with the babies (who were in pretty good moods today!) I am loving all Kennedy's little summer outfits and am excited that she is finally starting to fit in some of her clothes.

Teddy Bear Shirt

Not only is this a very cute little baby bear shirt, it is actually a shirt my mom made about 25 years ago for one of my cousins, Dominic. My aunt Linda held on to it and I was really excited to put it on Kennedy for some pictures.

The Hunter Girls (and their dads)

Last weekend Ross, Jennifer, Julia and Natalie came to stay with us. It was nice having all three of the Hunter grandbabies together and will be fun to watch them grow up together. Trying to get all three of them in a picture was definitely a challenge, but I like this picture of Greg and his brother and their daughters.

One Month Old

Today my little girl is one month old! We had a great night last night and even better day so far today. We were so excited to see that she now weighs 8lbs and is big enough for the Baby Bjorn.

Yesterday we went out to lunch with Rachel & Molly (6 months), Caroline & Emily (3 months) and Lizzy (baby Hadley due on Thanksgiving). Luckily they sat us off by ourselves because the babies definitely made their presence known. Each one of them took a turn either crying or napping - but no one in the restaurant seemed to mind and we had a great time. Kennedy was quiet as long as she was being held - and I am getting very good at eating with just one hand.

Everyday is still an adventure into the unknown with Kennedy. Today she is pretty calm and happy, earlier in the week she was extremely fussy, but we are just taking it one day at a time and enjoying it as much as we can.

8 lbs - officially big enough to go in the Bjorn.

The Ladies who Lunch (well, its their mommies who like to do the lunching) - Kennedy and Emily at Dream Cafe.