4 weeks = 1 month?

I decided to try to take a photoshoot the other day while Sarah was content to mark her 4 week birthday. I was so impressed with her patience between all the clothing changes. Maybe she's ment to be a model. We just love her to death and are so grateful for her. I finally went to church last Sunday and got to show her off to all our friends. We also spent the 4th of July with friends.. pictures to come. But first, Sarah's portfolio.

Oh, she doesn't like her arms swaddled, she always gets them out! Kurtis says it's because the Tuckers are 'slightly claustrophobic'

This is a classic picture too. She's taken off a sock and has her legs crossed. It's quite difficult to change her diaper with her strong legs crossed!

Our sockless wonder

She holds her head up so well!

Hotel Tucker

Welcome to Hotel Tucker! We were lucky enough to have lots of family stay with us this past month. After my mom left, my brother Mark and his wife Jana insisted on seeing Sarah as they drove to their new home in Missouri. It was exciting to have them here, as I haven't seen Mark since our wedding. Their 3-year-old Grant (who loves us by the way, ha!) was overjoyed to have plenty of sticks to play with. It was great to hang out with them even though Mark had a cold. We even went to the Rochesterfest parade and taught Grant how to beg for candy from the floats. He'd never seen a parade before, I think he's a fan now. Sarah slept right through it all! If anyone else wants to come.. we're all for it! Just beware of the nightly wake-up call. :)

'My stick is bigger than your stick!'

2 weeks old and definatly a girl

We've survived week 2! Sarah has had good days and bad days.. with corresponding good and bad nights. She's been pretty grumpy today.. maybe PMS starts as really early... she's still adorable though. I've lost count of how many times she's peed/pooed on me and on herself. I swear every time that I've got the new diaper under to catch anything but nooo... she finds a way. I was watching her sleep (when I should have been sleeping) but I couldn't help it. When I start getting overwhelmed I try to think of the country song "You're Going to Miss This" because I know I am going to miss her sweet little face and even her sweet cry. Well, maybe not at 3 AM.

My mom was here last week and organized and cleaned my house. I love my mom. It was wonderful to have her calming presence here. She gave me lots of reassuring advice. Thanks mom!

I've noticed that most of my words end in an "s" now like they're plural.. like poops, feets, burps, loves.. I can't help it. Here's some pictures from her first weeks.. notice she's blurry in some of them. She's not a good picture taker and I'm not a good photographer!

First time in the carseat! Coming home from the hospital.

Daddy and daughter catching up on some much needed sleep

My mom got her this adorable dress and even though it's still too big, she had to dress her in it and take a photo. Sarah was not too keen on the idea, but she did look adorable!

Three generations!

Grammy with grandbaby #10. I'm glad to see the love never ends for grandbabies! :)

I love watching her sleep..

I tried to do a photoshoot for father's day but Sarah didn't like the bright sun.. but I still love her little scrunched face!

2nd official family photo

My mom and I took Sarah for her first walk around the block and she sat in her carseat like this.. she slept the whole time

Things I know.. reflections on my first week of motherhood

Disclaimer: I will post new pictures ASAP.. but first I had some things I needed to write down, some things I know about my new role as a mother.

-I have a deep and newfound respect for my own mother. I know this will continue to grow with time. She is an amazing mother and has taught me so much. I can't thank her enough.
-I have the greatest husband in the world and I'm so grateful for that. He's so sweet with her and I love watching the two of them bond. Sometimes I think he's a better father then I am a mother.
-I love the smell of my baby. My favorite thing is to smell her hair and kiss her on the head.
-I think my baby knows how to smile. She does! She knows what she's doing and it's the sweetest face in the world.
-Breasfeeding hurts, don't let anyone tell you otherwise, and I'm pretty sure I'm doing it correctly. I don't think I would keep feeding her if she wasn't so beautiful and precious.
-As a biology teacher I've always been fascinated by the human body. I know it's a miraculous creation but I cannot believe what it's capable of. I don't know how I did it.. but I gave birth.
-Natural childbirth is overrated.. but I'm really impressed with myself that I did it.
-I'm still reeling from the idea that I just pushed (well, for 2 and a half hours) and all of a sudden there was a baby on my chest.
-I'm grateful to know that families are forever.
-I think I'm going to like being a mother, I know I'm going to like it. :)

Sarah Elaine Tucker - 6/11 @ 7:11

Julie and I went into the hospital at about 8:00 PM on Wednesday 6/10/09. Previous to this, we were watching the show "Wipeout", which happens to be the most hilarious show ever, and Julie's contractions were getting stronger and stronger. So we got our things together, hopped in the car, and drove over to Olmstead Medical Center.

Julie was so excited to meet Sarah that she couldn't help smiling despite the pain that accompanies early labor. I guess most girls give grave greetings at the hospital, because the nurses commented that usually the distressed damsels don’t display Julie’s delighted demeanor. Since Sarah is our first child, we didn't know what what to expect, and as it turned out we were in for a long night. But as the sun began to rise the next day the nurses delivered a priceless gift to our new family - Sarah Elaine Tucker.

Sarah Elaine Tucker: born on Thursday, 6/11/09 at 7:11 AM weighing 7 lbs. 9 oz.

Sarah cried for about half an hour while the nurses were doing their measurements and proceedures, but she soon calmed down after the commotion subsided. After an eventful and emotional night, everyone was tired and so we all got some well-needed rest.

Momma Tucker and Amelia also came Thursday morning and got to meet Sarah. Here are some pictures from Thursday and Friday.

Momma Tucker and Sarah

Amelia and Sarah

Julie the day after delivery

Kurtis and Sarah

Tucker Family