Toys

It's been a pretty quiet week around here, which has been really nice. During our quiet afternoons I've been trying to engage Rebecca a little bit more with her toys and books. But I finally gave in and decided it would be more fun to take pictures of her with her toys and books.

Rebecca's latest craze is trying to fit her whole fist into her mouth. It's pretty cute except that she makes a slobbery mess of herself. I don't know what it is about cold slobbery hands and cheeks, but I just can't deal with it. I'd take the dirtiest diaper over massive drool any day.

All Smiles

Happy Birthday Dan! Since meeting Dan, I've had to share my birthday celebrations with him since mine was 2 days ago. Normally this wouldn't be that big of a deal except that I love birthdays and Dan is a little "ho-hum" about them. He usually rains on my parade a little. This year, with our new little addition to the family, everything is different - even birthdays. I always loved a little birthday flare to make my day special, but after having Rebecca you realize quickly that everything in your life becomes secondary to everything in theirs. That's the order of things I guess and I wouldn't change it for the world!

Here are a few pictures to keep you updated. Rebecca is smiling all the time now and almost on command. Just make sure she is in a good mood, usually after eating, and give her a big smile and she will smile right back!

This past weekend we drove up to Orange City to visit my parents. This was Rebecca's first road trip and she did really well in the car. Both on the way there and on the way back she slept soundly. It messed up her sleep schedule a little, but she got back on track soon enough. We had a great visit and Grandpa loved sitting and reading to his two youngest grandkids.

Thanks to two of my fellow ISU grads - Jen and Beth, Rebecca is decked out in her ISU gear ready to cheer on the Cyclones to another win. She makes a pretty cute fan!

Li'l Chicken

Can't get much cuter than that! Since Trick-or-treating isn't on our "to do" list, I almost forgot that my sister had given me this costume. My mom is actually the one that got it for my sister's kids. So thanks Grandma Pontier for this super cute look!

Mommy's little chicken!

Just for Fun

Here are some adorable pictures of Rebecca just because I love to capture precious moment of her on camera. And here's what Rebecca must be thinking about it all.

Just hanging out in my swing. Can someone please get me the remote?

Mom has been working really hard at getting me to smile - sometimes I cooperate.

I can sleep just about anywhere and any time.

This is my new big toy except I have no idea how to use it. My feet don't touch the bottom and my arms don't even reach the toys. I think mom just likes to spin me around and laugh at me.

Stop with the pictures already would you!?!

Just a note to all my fans: I'm almost 2 months old now. I weigh 11 pounds and 7 ounces. I'm 21 inches long. And I only cried a little when I got my shots...ok...I cried a lot, with a little screaming.

Lazy Days

I haven't been completely lazy since being on maternity leave, but I do enjoy the quiet afternoons to scrapbook or watch a movie or blog. But my favorite thing to do is settle in on the couch with Rebecca and enjoy a good book.

Tummy time is not Rebecca's favorite time of the day, but I love to see how strong she is getting and how much she can turn and hold her head up. She likes to be on her boppy pillow more than just flat on the floor. What beautiful eyes!

Hairy Days

I know the saying goes, "Blondes have more fun." Well I would like to suggest that babies with hair have more fun too. Or at least moms of babies with hair have more fun - especially at bath time.On a different note. Here is a beautiful rose Dan picked from our back yard. Two years ago I got a free (after mail-in rebate) rose bush from Menards and have been patiently waiting for some great roses. It was worth the wait.

Covenant Blessings

This past weekend was very busy, but joyous at the same time. My family all came to visit and see Rebecca for the first time. My parents and brother Jon came from Orange City, my brother David and Andrea came from Chicago, and my sister Grace and Doug and their five kids came from Minnesota. We had a full house, but could have squeezed in one more important person - my younger sister Rachel, but we will have to wait until Thankgiving for her to fly home from Nicaragua. We love and miss you Rachel!

On Saturday we had a baby shower for Rebecca with family and friends. Us ladies had a great time opening presents and decorating/personalizing onesies, bibs, and burp clothes for Rebecca.

The men stayed busy on the farm ATVing, seeing the cows and calves, and enjoying the big machinary. My nephews even got to ride in the combine.

The main event for the weekend was Rebecca's baptism at our church on Sunday night. My dad, who is a minister and also baptized me, was able to baptize Rebecca. It was a significant family time, but more importantly a time to signify that Rebecca is a member of God's covenant and one of his children.

The baptismal gown that Rebecca is wearing was made by my dad's grandmother. It is 61 years old, wore by my father and myself. Rebecca is 15th child to wear it. What an amazing family tradition to show that our God is a God to us and our children after us and throughout all generations.
The Pontier family (except for Rachel of course).The De Vries family.