Happy Easter

Easter started early in the Hanson household, as Lauren decided to wake up around 5am! She has a little cold, so we are not sure if that was bothering her or if her teeth were hurting. Lauren doesn't have any teeth yet, but she seems to be teething, and for the most part, is handling it very well. Anyway, she fell back asleep on my shoulder around 5:30 until 7. Check out the photos below for a recap of our day.

Yum! A great meal of rice cereal to start the day!


Lauren's first Easter basket was filled with baby food, teething biscuits, onesies, a new swimsuit, a teething book, and some swim diapers. No candy yet!


We celebrated Easter at our friends Derek, Jillian, and London's house. Derek made a great meal and it was wonderful to spend some time together. London loved giving Lauren hugs! Lauren, on the other hand, wasn't so sure.

Lauren just loves her sweet potatoes! After a quick meal, the tired little girl was off to bed.

Cousin Shelby's Shower

Aunt Sarah, Aunt Stephie, Shelby (the bride), Kate, Lauren and Grammie Sue.

Last Saturday Lauren, Aunt Stephie, Grammie and I went to Shelby's wedding shower. It was a beautiful day and we really enjoyed our time spent with family.


Lauren was so busy with all of the extra special attention that she tired right out and fell asleep in Brenda's arms and then slept on the stairs in Jennifer's arms. She was such a trooper the entire weekend meeting many new people and traveling all over.


Lauren has really become fascinated with books. Grandpa was trying to read her a book about baby animals that he got from a local children's store, but Lauren kept grabbing for it and trying to turn the pages herself. Can you tell her mom is a reading teacher?

Spring Break

When we were in elementary school, Steph and I would always spend our Spring Breaks with our Grandpa and Grandma Spindler. Geoff and I decided to start that tradition very early with Lauren. She spent a few days last week with Grandpa and Grandma Hanson and then a few days with Grandpa Paul and Grammie Sue, while Geoff surprised me with a wonderful trip to South Beach. We enjoyed the warm weather, relaxing on the beach, fabulous dinners, and a few days of time just the two of us. Check out the picture of relaxed Geoff below.




Lauren stayed busy checking out the butterflies at the Meijer Gardens with Grandpa and Grandma Hanson and going with Grammie Sue to get her 6 month pictures taken.

If you have a chance, check out Lauren's photos! Go to www.trudyholtzphotography.com Click on Wedding and Client Proof site, then click on Clients and enter Lauren as the password. Feel free to let us know which photos you think we should select. This is going to be a tough decision!

After we arrived back home this past weekend, Geoff brought Lauren's jump-a-roo up from the basement and we made room for it in our "dollhouse" living room. Lauren just LOVES playing in this now!


Thanks again to our parents for watching Lauren last week. Geoff and I enjoyed our time without responsibilities and we know Lauren loved spending time with her grandparents.

Family walk

This afternoon Geoff, Lauren, Scarlett and I went on our first family walk of the spring. What a beautiful day it was.


Lauren rode in her big girl stroller, the Quinny.

Lauren had her 6 month check-up yesterday. Dr. Siegel was very pleased with her progress. She is up to 15 lbs and 25 inches long, which means she is in the 50 percentile for height and weight. Her head circumference is still near the 90th percentile.

After feeding Lauren yesterday afternoon, I put her on the couch for one second to get something. I turned around to find her in this position. She was so proud of herself, I just couldn't resist a photo. This was after Lauren rolled from her back to her stomach for the first time. She has started sitting up on her own as well. She doesn't last for long, but will get there soon. What a big day it was for Lauren yesterday!



Lauren celebrated her first St. Patrick's Day by spending some time with Aunt Stephie and Uncle Jon before the adults went out to celebrate. Aunt Stephie and I took Lauren to the park for some time on the swings. I forgot the camera then, but took a shot of Aunt Stephie and Lauren wearing their green outfits before we left.

Such a Happy Baby Girl!

We are so fortunate to have such a happy baby girl!



Every day on our drive to daycare I sing two songs to Lauren. One song goes through all the colors of the rainbow, but I am not sure the title. We learned it in music class at Sprouts. The other song is The Wheels on the Bus. For the first few weeks I would sing and then turn on the radio for the remainder of the trip. Then about two weeks ago, after I stopped singing, Lauren would babble away the remainder of the drive, so I would leave the radio off and just listen to her. Listening to her little voice is such a wonderful way to begin each day. Lauren's babbles turned into little squeals this past week. I can't help but smile every time I hear her squeal. This evening I had to leave the main part of church, as she was squealing so much. I don't think most people minded and I couldn't help but smile, but I didn't want to upset anyone. Lauren was in such a good mood when we got home so I took her downstairs and let her play in the jump-a-roo from cousin Shelby. Lauren was having the time of her life! She then splashed away in the bath for about 10 minutes, ate and then fell right asleep. Such a happy little girl!




Lauren has also started posing for the camera. Does that mean I take too many photos? :)

Pinching Daddy's Cheeks

Uncle Jon and Daddy always pinch Lauren's cheeks. They just love teasing her that way. This afternoon, Geoff was getting ready to change Lauren's diaper and she started pinching his cheek, as he was pinching hers. Looks like she is already learning from Daddy.

Lauren and Uncle Jon were busy playing together Saturday afternoon. He was tickling her and she started giggling. Check out the video below. She has been laughing more often and it's just so cute!



My cousin, Shelby came to stay with us for a few days. Lauren loved staying home with her all day on Friday. When Shelby first arrived on Thursday afternoon, Lauren used her hands to feel Shelby's entire face. It was like she was trying to remember Shelby from Thanksgiving. Lauren has been really into her hands lately. She touches and grabs at everything.



Last weekend Lauren visited both sets of grandparents. She stayed with Aunt Stephie, Uncle Jon, Grammie and Grandpa while Geoff and I had fun up north with our friends. On Sunday we visited Grandpa and Grandma Hanson. Grandpa took the great picture of Lauren on her belly. Aunt Stephie took the photo of Lauren with her crazy hair after church last Saturday evening.

Fun in the bath

The Hansons are still adjusting to this new lifestyle. Geoff has been a great help by going grocery shopping, helping with Lauren in the early morning, and cleaning up after dinner. Lauren has been having some difficulties adjusting to her eating schedule at daycare. When she sees all the other little kids eating, she feels the need to eat as well. So Mariah (Lauren's daycare provider) has started giving Lauren cereal when the other kids eat breakfast and lunch. One of the biggest changes for me has been the limited amount of time I have to sit down in the evenings. For example, I just sat down as the clock struck 9pm.


Looks like I am not the only tired one!

I am also really enjoying teaching, but the emotional pull of working and everything that comes with being a mom is challenging. I worry about Lauren and hope she is having great times at daycare, while still trying to figure out the best schedule and plan for our family, as well as spending as much quality time with Lauren as possible.

Last Sunday Geoff and I were giving Lauren a bath and there were a few cute photo opportunities, so Geoff ran downstairs and grabbed the camera. The mohawk picture is for you, Uncle Jon!





Check out this bathing beauty! The suds look like Lauren has a boa around her neck.