Trip to the Museum of Science and Industry

Yesterday Lauren and I traveled to the Museum of Science and Industry to see the Christmas Trees from Around the World exhibit. We had a great time. Lauren was awake the entire time with eyes wide in wonder. She LOVED watching and listening to all of the other children. I showed her the hatching baby chicks and model train exhibit and she enjoyed both of them very much. All of the lights on the Christmas trees amazed her as well. She was not only looking all around, but kicking her feet and cooing like crazy. She may have enjoyed herself more than I did!

Lauren's First Thanksgiving

4 Generations


The Hanson Family


Lauren with cousin Will and Aunt Kath.


What a wonderful Thanksgiving week we had! Geoff, Lauren, and I left for Michigan on Tuesday afternoon. We spent Tuesday evening walking around Rockford with Grandpa Paul and Grammie Sue and then enjoyed dinner at the Corner Bar (a Rockford tradition). We celebrated Thanksgiving at Great Gram's and Papa Bruce's house Wednesday evening. It was great to be together with the entire family. Lauren loved being passed around to all the family members who just love her so much. Even cousin Will was brave enough to hold Lauren. (See picture above) On Thanksgiving Day we went to Aunt Sarah's house and celebrated with 44 members of Grandpa Paul's family. It was great catching up with everyone. Then on Thursday evening, we celebrated Christmas back at Great Gram's house. Friday was Geoff's day with Lauren, as I went shopping with all my female relatives. Then, Friday evening Grammie Sue and Grandpa Paul were kind enough to watch Lauren, while Geoff and I went out with our college friends. It was great to catch up with them and enjoy a night out in Grand Rapids. Saturday was another busy day, as we had lunch with Joe, a friend from high school and college and then went out with the fam to celebrate Dad and Geoff's birthdays. Laura and her family were kind enough to watch Lauren so we could go bowling and to dinner. That was after Lauren had her first experience in the cry room at church. She was really interested in the other little baby that was just a few weeks younger than her. Sunday morning started with a wonderful breakfast made by Grammie Sue, then a visit to Grandma and Grandpa Hanson's house before we braved the snowy roads to head home to Highwood.

Overall, we had a fantastic time with our family! We have so much to be thankful for. Of course first on our list is Little Lauren, but the time with family, and having Aunt Stephie and Uncle Jon live with us top our list as well. I am also so thankful for the ability to stay home with Lauren for 20 full weeks! She is growing up so much each day and I just love being here for it all. Traveling and visiting family with a little one sure is different and I am still trying to get the hang of it all, but I wouldn't change anything!

A Day of Firsts

This picture has nothing to do with our day, but I couldn't resist posting it.

Lauren had her two month check-up with Dr. Siegel today and she is doing very well. She weighs 11 pounds and is 23 inches long. At the end of her appointment, she was given her first vaccinations which was a traumatic experience for Lauren, Geoff, and myself. She is all smiles now, but has been upset on and off all day. After her appointment, we went down to the Chicago History Museum. It was Lauren's first time in the city. We spent a few hours at the museum and only made it through some of the exhibits. I guess we will have to go again when Lauren is older. She slept through this entire trip! :)

PS...I forgot to mention Geoff showed Lauren her first snowfall today as well. There was a light dusting when we woke up this morning. Because Geoff has an awesome paternity leave policy, he was able to be home with us and go to Lauren's appointment today. I heard him showing Lauren the snow outside her bedroom window as he was getting her dressed this morning. It was really cute!

All Smiles

Aunt Stephie helps out with story time too!

Brrrrrrr...it's cold outside!

Lots of play time this week

Lauren has discovered herself in the mirror this week. She loves to sit in her swing and watch herself in the little mirror that's attached on the front. She has also really enjoyed her play mat the past few weeks. We are just having too much fun at home each day!

Such a big girl! She was holding the bottle all by herself.


Busy playing


Too appropriate!

Cute photos from the week

What a fantastic week this has been! Aunt Steph and Uncle Jon are official residents of the Hanson household and we LOVE having them here. Lauren and I enjoyed the beautiful weather by taking many walks and playing in the leaves. Tonight Geoff and I have our baptism preparation class while Aunt Steph and Uncle Jon babysit little Lauren. Tomorrow Lauren and I are headed back to Rockford to celebrate Great Gram's birthday with family.

Playing in the leaves



Cute hat from Lisa. Lauren wore it voting and received many compliments from the ladies.


Tuesday wasn't a great day to be a Republican, but it was a wonderful day for America.


Just hanging out with Grandpa

What a beautiful day!

WOW...how can anyone complain when the date is November 3 and the temperature is 75 degrees. Needless to say, Lauren and I had a wonderful day together. We woke up in time to see Uncle Jon, Aunt Stephie, and Daddy off to work. After that Lauren was all smiles. She even discovered her reflection in the little mirror on her swing. Then, while I went to have my 6 week postpartum appointment with Dr. Forbes, Geoff's aunt was kind enough to watch Lauren. She said Lauren slept almost the entire visit. After I picked Lauren up we went on a long walk in a local forest preserve and would you believe we saw a 6 or 8 point buck and a doe. The entire visit to the preserve was fantastic, including the fact that it was so warm I could wear shorts. There wasn't a cloud in the sky and the sounds of leaves crunching beneath my feet made the trip very relaxing. Now we are waiting for everyone to arrive back at home and then we are going out to dinner to celebrate Steph and Jon's first days at work here in Chi-town.

So much more has happened since my last update. Here are a few more photos with captions to document Lauren's past week.

A few weeks ago, Geoff was able to feed Lauren for the first time.

Grandma Hanson spent last week with us and read many books to Lauren.


Lauren's first trip to the Chicago Botanic Garden.


Lauren's first pumpkin, carved by Grandma Hanson.



Our little peapod

Can you tell I love buying Halloween clothes?




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