6 weeks

Lelu brings us so much joy. She's 6 weeks old now and growing fast. She weighs just over 10 pounds according to our scale. Tomorrow is her 6 week check up, so we'll get the official weight then. She's outgrown all of her newborn clothes and wearing 0-3 month or 3 months now. She is starting to smile a lot more frequently these days and every time it happens it just melts your heart.

Luka is really sweet with his baby sister and often wants to hold her and help out whenever he can. I think his favorite ways of helping are rocking her in the car seat and pouring water over her during bath time. He just transitioned into the "Pre-K" room at his preschool this week. He is with older kids now and has a different schedule. It is another transition for him, but each day is getting better and better!

Tim goes back to work tomorrow, which means I will be taking Luka to school every morning with Lelu from now on. It will be an interesting adjustment for all of us! I just started a Mommy's group for other Mom's with babies in Alameda. It's been a great way to meet other mommas close by and for Lelu to make some friends. :)

Lelu's first tutu

This picture says it all...

3 weeks old

Lelu is now three weeks old! She is starting to smile more frequently (not just when she has gas or is pooping), which just melts your heart. Gogo Anna (Tajalli's Mother) is visiting now and spending a couple weeks with us since Tim went back to work.

Lelu has been a champ all around. She's been out for daily walks, trips to the farmers market & grocery store, and even to her first movie (Step Up Revolution--bad acting, but amazing dancing) with Mommy, Gogo Anna and Auntie Johannah.

We've been trying to give Luka as much one on one attention as possible to help with the transition. He is definitely a very spirited child and keeps us all on our toes. :) He recently had a fun play date with his friend Tommy at the park (see pic below).

Gogo Anna leaves Thursday and then Tim has an additional two weeks off of work. We are so lucky.

Sending love to you all.

Lelu's first bath

Lelu is already 11 days old. Time is flying by quickly already! Today, Tim and I gave Lelu her first bath and she seemed to enjoy it quite a bit. Here is a pic from bath time and post bath where she is slowly drifting off to sleep.

Tim has taken on some home projects in addition to taking care of me and Luka, cooking, running errands, etc. He's been a super Dad for sure! He just reorganized our garage and we are almost done painting Lelu's bookshelf. Next up: start our first vegetable garden.

Sending love, -The Horvats

In love

We are so in love with our daughter Lelu. She is such a sweetheart. Time is already flying by quickly. She has been sleeping as long as 3 1/2 hrs at a time and as short as 1 hour. She's also sleeping in her co-sleeper and crib! My recollection of Luka was that he would only sleep in bed next to me or in his bouncy chair. This has allowed me to get pretty good sleep each night so far.

When she is awake, she is very alert. She seems happy hangin out pretty much anywhere and we often are listening to music just staring at each other. :) Mommy's milk came in on day 4 and Lelu is breastfeeding well. She lost about 6 oz this week, but now that my milk is in, I am pretty confident we'll plump her right up.

She seems to only really cry when she is hungry and it doesn't last long.

Today we went for our first walk. The weather was perfect...sunny, 60s with a little wind. Lelu slept the entire time. Even though I was walking as slow as a turtle, I feel that my body is healing and starting to feel like normal. The motrin is helping too, but I'm hoping to stop taking that after week 1.

There have been some nice moments between Luka and Lelu so far: story time, Luka rushing through the door asking to see his baby sister when he gets home from preschool, Luka helping change her diaper, and Luka requesting to have a birthday party for his baby sister. Otherwise drop off at preschool in the morning and bedtime in the evening have been quite challenging. Tim and I are trying to remain patient and optimistic reminding ourselves that he is going through a lot and it will all get better soon.

At home

Welcome Lelu Mae Horvat!

We are thrilled to introduce our new daughter, Lelu Mae Horvat ("Lee-loo")! She was born on July 14, 2012 at 9:44pm. She is 7lbs 14 oz and 19 inches long. Luka was the same weight, but beat her on height at 20 1/2 inches. She is perfect! She is a very sweet and alert baby and we can't wait for you to meet her. Her birthday is extra special since she shares it with Tajalli's grandfather, Gramps.

Mommy and baby are doing great after 3 1/2 hrs of intense, natural labor. Luka is very excited to be a big brother. We will becoming home from the hospital tomorrow. Feel free to check out our family blog: http://horvatfamily.blogspot.com/ for more regular updates. If you are not yet subscribed, just let me know and we'll add you.

The hospital had a resident professional photographer who took some pictures of Lelu and us when she was 1 day old. Click here to see a quick slide show (note if you are accessing via smart phone, it may not work). http://www.our365.com/NewbornPortraits/BabyDetail.aspx?birthid=b6e0f9c7-03e0-421b-b6f9-82086a8c463d&utm_source=wnshare&utm_medium=email&utm_content=wnshare_mom_babylink&utm_campaign=wnshare_button

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Thank you for all of your prayers and support.