Why didn't anyone tell me?

I have moments where my heart is so full it's abounding with love for our son. Moments where I can't believe he's here and he's ours. I feel like I might explode with joy and happiness for this little guy... It's pretty great.



Sometimes he's angelic.



Sometimes serious and thoughtful.



And sometimes inquisitive...



I have to give a shout out to my sister Shaeny and brother Torrey who turned 22 on Saturday the 10th. I was thinking about birthdays, which really have new meaning to me now, and how I was there for their birth. It's an extremely vivid memory which I can recall in great detail, probably much more vividly than my mom. Daniel and I happened to sit outside on the front porch that evening (gotta love NW summer nights) after Julien had fallen asleep and talked about the birth...it was only a few months ago yet it feels like a world away.




Julien has been really into sucking on his hand as of late. I always wondered how kids became thumb-suckers, which I'm not sure he will be, apparently it's a self-soothing method. He get's like half his hand in his mouth at a time!




So, one of our afternoon activities is "tummy time". I bring out the awesome quilt grandma Couch made for him, lay him on his back and coo, talk to him, smile, take pictures and just adore him. Then he gets a few minutes on his stomach to strengthen his back and neck muscles. He has been pushing up on his arms, holding up his head and looking around. AND he recently realized he could roll himself over onto his back. I know, I know... every baby goes through this but I guess when it's your own everything he does seems amazing.



This past Sunday we went to our neighborhood block party. Let me just say--we have the BEST neighbors (mostly). I think we would both agree we would love to buy a house here if the opportunity arose. This photo is in the driveway of Tom and Mary's house, Mary is holding Julien in the middle. Julien was Mr. mellow and let anyone hold him. I know it's a while until they start getting anxious about strangers, but it's really nice to hand him off once and a while and let everyone adore him.


When our neighbor, Ava, was asked what she wanted face-painted on her, she said she wanted to be Daniel. AAahaha! She looks great--except, I think--she has a little too much hair.