nice to meet you

The month of April began and ended in an exciting way for Merit. Matt and Nikki came to visit the first weekend, and Tanner, Paul, and Lori came this past weekend. Merit has now officially met all of her aunts and uncles! I don't think she has chosen any favorites yet, but is welcoming any sort of bribery they would like to send her way in order to win that "favorite" spot. 

With Paul and Lori came an extra special treat...her cousin Zoey, who is about 4 months older than Merit. We really, really missed cousin Macy, but look forward to meeting her next month in Abilene! (...along with second cousins McKinley, Davis, and Hudson---oooohh, so fun.)

lola and the trip

"What is a baby anyway? I must find out today what makes Jim Dear and Darling act this way..."

   ~Lady, Lady and the Tramp

Merit's Uncle Tanner came to Tennessee this weekend, so we headed to Jackson for Merit's first trip! Not only did she get to hang out with Tanner and grandparents, but she got to meet her pug Lola for the first time. I was nervous about this...Lola is a sweet pug, but she's a crazy pug. She LOVES people, but we didn't know how she would do with a little person. Turns out, Merit is Lola's new favorite person. She was extremely calm with Merit and wanted to be close to her at all times. I think she just might feel like all of us do about Miss Merit.

excited to head out of town...

...despite this.

Merit, Lola. Lola, Merit.

everywhere that Merit went...

Merit went...

Merit went...

everywhere that Merit went...

that pug...

...was sure to go.

i was curious, so i checked our iPhoto

Since March 22nd, we have taken approximately 444 pictures that involve Merit. That's right, Kim. 34 days...444 pics...one cutie baby. Here are some faves from the last couple of days...

she and i took a sunday nap on the couch. i am positive i didn't look this cute during our nap.

when I got her up from all that cute napping, this is what her hair looked like 

she loves chillin with her daddy

this is what she did when I told her we are going to Texas next month

more birthday wishes

Today is the birthday of one of my dearest friends, Lindsay Hall. I have known her since we were 8. Oh, if only I had time to tell the stories. Stories about gymnastics and bathing suits, overwatching any movie we remotely enjoyed, prom poses on stairs... She is near and dear to my heart and I wish her the greatest birthday ever!! Love you, Wancy!

Today is also the 2nd birthday of our lil pug, Lola! She is staying with Kev's parents right now, and has not yet met Merit, but Merit is dying to meet her BFF Lola! I posted this pic of her because I like to call her "Lola Bee". Yes, I am one of those pet owners who dresses up their pet. But only once a year. For like 5 minutes. Because that is all she can take. And, that's all she should take, right? Some other names we have for Lola include: Lolee, Loler, Losky, and LoskyBeBosky, among others. Miss you, Lola. Happy Birthday! Apparently, I am also one of those pet owners who wishes their pet a happy birthday on their blog...

Lastly, today is the actual birthday of my cousin Mindi's baby, Hudson!  I haven't heard if he is here yet, but he is on his way, and I cannot wait to see pics and to meet him next month when we go to Texas! Here is a pic taken back in November of myself and my 2 sweet cousins. Even though we didn't get to see each other much, I was so excited to be pregnant with the 2 of them!

Danna and baby Luke, Me and baby Merit, Mindi and baby Hudson

happy one month birthday, merit fey!

3.22.08 - 28 minutes old

4.22.08 - 44, 220 minutes old

3.22.08 - 3 hours old

4.22.08 - 744 hours old

3.22.08 - 1/2 a day old

4.22.08 - 31 days old

I know, baby girl, time IS passing way too quickly!!

I've heard that happens when you're having fun.

: )

Kevan and I laugh at each other all the time. He's funny. And I try. I try really hard to make him smile because he has the most delightful dimples. And sometimes, he smiles this really great smile that I've only seen during times like when he proposed to me and when Merit was born and when I actually cook him dinner. It is the smile that gives me butterflies when I see it. Did I mention that Kev has these great dimples? Dimples that I beg to see and will make him say a certain word over and over or make a face again and again if I get to take a peek at them. Oh, this is not where I had intended this to go. This blog isn't about us anymore, is it? 

For the past 20 days of our lives, we have been giving it our all to get Merit to smile. She has given us a few...most of which are given while asleep. Hmm. Sweet dreams? If she happens to be awake, I tell her jokes and tickle her tummy and kiss her face and make all sorts of cartoon-voiced, silly noises and...

I'll get this look...

or this...

and sometimes, this...

...but today, I got this! 

All I had to do was clap my hands while telling her she was cute! 

So, of course, I did this over and over, but we were back to this...

Merit was like, sooo over it.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Now, an effort to make YOU smile...

thanks, mamas!

We were blessed to have my mom, Merit's Nina, with us for several days after coming home from the hospital, and Kevan's mom, Merit's grandmother whose grandmother name is yet to be determined, with us for several days after my mom left. They were both a HUGE, ginormous, gargantuan, fantastic help. We cannot thank them enough for not only loving on our daughter like only her grandmothers can, but also for taking care of things around the house so that we could spend as much time as possible getting to know our sweet daughter. They also took care of me so well that my recovery from the surgery was a breeze. Thank you, Mama and Janice, for all you did for Merit and for us. We are so grateful that you two were able to witness Merit's first days with us. We love you!!

merit's first...

When you're hanging out with a 3 week old, the phrase, "There's a first time for everything", has never had a more true or literal meaning. It is oh, so fun to go throughout my days with this little person who is constantly experiencing and learning new things. I can't help but watch her all day and wonder what she is thinking as she meets yet another new face, or how she is feeling as she hears rain and thunder outside the window for the first time. It is exciting and, in a way, inspiring to witness all of Merit's "firsts". I can't help but feel overwhelmed when I try to think about myself having to learn so many new things everyday. But, that Merit...she is handling it like a champ. 

random first moments from the last 3 weeks...

3.24.08  first photo shoot (of the "professional" kind...I am pretty sure she thinks it is normal for cameras to be flashing in your face all day, everyday...)

3.28.08  first doctor's visit

3.28.08  first restaurant, Tossed, in Franklin

3.28.08  first online video chat with cousins Macy and Zoey in Texas

4.1.08  first trip to Sam's...this makes the Wallace side of her family very proud

4.2.08  first walk in the park, Centennial Park

4.5.08   first "put your face through the cut-out" funny pic (with aunt Nikki!)

4.6.08  first Sunday to go to church

4.7.08   first picnic, Centennial Park

4.11.08   first time to go to a movie at the theater

You would think she has already done some of these things, because, as you may have noticed, she slept through most of them! I guess we'll have to try a little harder to make things more exciting for Miss Merit...