Playtime with Daddy

It is beyond comprehension. I spend almost every minute of every day with my sweet little girl. I feed her, I tickle her, I read to her and I shower her with a ridiculous amount of kisses. I'm the person who lovingly cleans the earwax out of her ears and the boogers out of her nose.

Why is it then that every time Daddy walks through the door, Bryn's face just glows! She cracks a huge grin (sometimes even an audible laugh) and looks at him as if to say, "Daddy, I'm so happy you're home. This wicked witch has been torturing me all day. Don't ever leave me again."

I'm certainly in trouble ... because Daddy is starting to like her as much as she likes him.

Bryn and Daddy enjoying some Chopin together

Beefing up on baseball highlights

Perusing Politico and Drudge

A Week of Firsts

It was a week of "firsts" for Ms. Bryn; first Easter, first baseball game, first time sleeping through the night and most importantly, first Red Sox win against the Yankees! We'll recount them in order of importance to her mommy.

First Red Sox Win Against the Yankees!

Bryn awoke early Monday morning to good news ... the Red Sox had won their first game against the Evil Empire, the Yankees. While she hasn't yet pledged her allegiance to any one team, she tells us that both the Padres and the Red Sox are in the running. Uncle Matt and Grandpa Steve are lobbying hard on behalf of the Sox and she does look really good in red.

First time sleeping through the night ...

Yep, it's true! Our 8 week old girl is sleeping through the night! I awoke on Tuesday morning feeling very well rested and ran into Bryn's room to make sure our little one was still alive. And there she was ... sound asleep in her crib. With one exception, she's continued to sleep through the night this entire week. Bliss.

First baseball game

Bryn enjoyed her first baseball game at Nationals Park this week. The Red Sox played only one game in Washington this year and we were there to witness the win. Bryn slept through most of it but she cracked a sleepy little grin as Kevin Youkilis hit a home run in the first inning.

First Easter

And last, but not least, Bryn's celebrated her first Easter. Gifts from Nana and Lee Lee, an Easter basket, a visit from Uncle Matt and a new dress from her Daddy made it a special event. We celebrated with the Sandgren and Brady families and had a wonderful day!

Bryn's First Week

It is hard to believe that a week has passed since Bryn was born. What an eventful week it was! Lee Lee and Grandpa Steve came for a visit, a huge snowstorm dumped about 2 feet of snow in DC and JC and I found joy in analyzing poop.

Bryn is such a sweet baby. She is a great eater and a good sleeper. We've heard that the first week is the honeymoon period, but I can't believe that our little lady would ever be one of those cranky, fussy babies. Famous last words ...

Here are a few more pictures of our girl.

Bryn Taylor Sandberg

Bryn Taylor Sandberg arrived on February 2, 2010, at 11:48 PM. A petite girl, she weighed 8 lbs, 8 oz. and measured 21.25 inches long at birth. Mom and baby are doing well, and we hope to bring them home tomorrow. Lauren was a true warrior, successfully navigating a very long, difficult labor while avoiding a C-section.

More later, but many have asked for pictures so I am posting a few tonight.

Many thanks to all for their kind wishes, prayers, and offers of help.

Who knew these babies came without instructions?

Arriving at the hospital at 1 AM on February 2nd.

Between contractions waiting for epidural at 4 PM on February 2nd.

The morning after.

The finished product (or fruit of Lauren's labor).

Christmas in Yuma, Birthday at Disneyland

The Sandberg Family spent Christmas in Yuma this year. Yuma was in the midst of a bit of a cold spell, but 60 degrees felt a whole lot better than the 20 degrees it was in Washington!

Highlights of the week included a trip to Chili Pepper, setting up luminaries, a tearful Christmas morning scavenger hunt and a trip to Disneyland!

Nana treated all of us kids, young and old, to a post-Christmas trip to the Magic Kingdom! We all had a great time meeting the characters and riding the rides. We even got to see Disney's newest Princess! Alexis loves her some princess, so she was pretty psyched. Baby Sandberg enjoyed her first trip to the park, especially since Mommy stayed off from the rollarcoasters. Daddy rode enough for the both of them though!

Can't wait to meet this little one in a week!

This montage of photos truly captures the essence of our trip.

As does this one. Alexis was fascinated by my belly, especially my belly button. "When the baby gonna come out?" she'd ask.

Three Weeks and Counting!

I'm working to get Christmas photos up on the blog, but JC and I are still trying to figure out our new camera. So, in the meantime, I thought I would share pictures from my fabulous baby shower this weekend!

Friends Teri, Carrie and Heidi threw an amazing party to celebrate the impending arrival of our little one. I was so overwhelmed by the efforts they undertook to make this a such special day for me; one that I will never forget.

It would be hard to express how much JC and I appreciate the love, support and excitement we have received from our friends and family during this special time. We feel so lucky to have such kind and thoughtful people in our lives and are happy that our daughter will be surrounded by such wonderful influences.

Southern Thanksgiving

This year General Lee (my mom) relinquished her command and agreed to a southern Thanksgiving celebration! JC and I didn't really know how much work we were in for when we proposed the idea. Now I know why Mom was so willing to travel! Luckily, my husband can cook and my brother can clean - so we made out okay. Actually, I think that everyone had a good time. Then again, Thanksgiving is a holiday solely about eating ... who wouldn't have a good time?

JC and Matt preparing our 24 lb. bird

Matt posing with the gizzards

The crew waiting to be fed

The Jones/Sandberg/Buchanan Family

Mom and JC making the gravy

Dinnertime

Thanks to tips from my friends Amy and Megan, I finally mastered the art of dinner rolls. I think even JC was impressed; he said something to the effect of "this is what I remember from my childhood."