Preparing for Christmas

Lauren and I have been very busy preparing for Christmas. She visited Santa, frosted Christmas cookies on Aunt Stephie's lap, and helped decorate the Christmas tree. We also celebrated Geoff's 29th birthday.

This week we visited the train exhibit at the Chicago Botanic Garden and she had her 3 month check-up. She weighs just over 12 pounds and is now 23 1/2 inches long. While visiting with Dr. Siegel, she decided to show him everything she can do. She smiled, babbled, burped, spit up, had gas, and dirtied a diaper. It was an eventful trip, not even including the crazy snow we had to drive through to get there.

Merry Christmas!

Our Little Chatterbox

As stated by Geoff yesterday, "Lauren it sounds like you have your mother's gift of gab."

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!