all good things must come to an end...

While it's customary to post pictures of happy babies, truth be told Whitney is a little blue today. Grandma Carlson had to go home yesterday after her week long visit. Thank you so much for spending all of that time with us, we already miss you.

Aside from that, things continue to go well. Mommy passed a milestone yesterday - her first car trip alone with Whitney in Chicago traffic. While I never considered myself an overly aggressive driver, I realized that now I'm perfectly content with life in the far right lane. There's nothing like some precious cargo to put things in perspective.

bath time!

Whitney is not quite sure what to make of bath time yet, but she sure does love her cozy robe from cousin Elizabeth!

Whitney is continuing to enjoy her special time with Grandma Carlson. Unfortunately (especially for mommy!) she has to leave tomorrow.

I thought I should get a picture of how small Whitney looks in her crib before the time comes when she outgrows it :(

a day in the life...

Sunday Visitors

Whitney had a big day on Sunday with lots of special visitors. Nana and Papa (Grandma and Grandpa Kelly) came down with cousin Elizabeth. Whitney also had her first visit with Aunt Colleen, Uncle Jim, and cousins Patrick, Claire, and Bridget. Grandma Carlson is also visiting through the week. Whitney was spoiled with all sorts of love and cute gifts, including her very first pair of sunglasses!

Baby well check #1 - check!

Whitney had her first appointment with the pediatrician on Thursday. She is maintaining her weight nicely, showing no signs of jaundice, and is in overall great health.

Later in the afternoon Whitney had some very special visitors... Grandma and Grandpa Carlson.

While sporting a vintage bonnet and blanket (which were her mothers), we all went on our first stroller ride through the neighborhood.

the red latch

A couple of amusing stories from moving day...

1) They should post signs about the dangers of texting in hospitals. On the way back from getting some coffee tuesday morning, I was killing 2 birds with one stone and sending some texts while riding the elevator. Myopically focused on my communication I hopped off the elevator, through the secured doors, down the hallway and into... someone else's room. Yeah I walked all the way in still knee deep in my text message only to find another mother holding another baby. Yikes. You can find a lot of dicey things in a hospital room but fortunately for all involved, that wasn't the case here. Immediately recognizing my mistake I apologized and removed myself. Good thing we were leaving that day.

2) So I go to retrieve the car seat to bring Whitney home only to be COMPLETELY baffled by the mechanism for actually removing the car seat from the base. 80 minutes in and bags were strewn, words were had, the seat was upside down and had I possessed a scissors or knife, the seat belt would have been cut. I was positive the folks at Graco had sold me a dud and was already formulating my letter to the company president. Surely there would be a sizeable settlement that would at least cover a nice vacation. And then.... I discovered the red latch. And as it turns out, well, the red latch is all you need. Pull it up and you're all good to go. Ignore it and you're... probably purchasing a new car seat.

Unfortunately in the midst of this calamity I neglected to take a step back and realize how great pictures of this meltdown would be so you'll just have to get by with your own visualization of the moment. But honestly, it was even more absurd than you're imagining.

Aside from all that, here are a few more prized moments from the last few days...

Daddy's Little Girl

This is one of my absolute favorite pictures to date. Watching Whitney be completely mesmerized by daddy playing guitar to her was something I will not forget anytime soon.

Homecoming Day!

After what can only be described as the most amazing 3 days of our lives, the time came for us to bring our angel home. On one hand we weren't in a hurry to leave the comforts of the hospital, but at the same time we were ready to start our life at home with our baby girl. Whitney continues to be a great eater and sleeper, with a relaxed temperament similar to her daddy.

Daddy surprised Whitney with a beautiful dress to go home from the hospital in. Since we didn't know we were having a girl, this is Whitney's very first dress :)

Whitney loved the car ride home and as you can see by the last photo, we were all tuckered out after our big day!

And we will make a family band...

so who knew that changing diapers could be so much fun? or that staying in a hospital could be so enjoyable? the ol' camera's been getting quite a workout, here are some more...

Whitney Anne Kelly

Wow... I don't even know what to say, where to begin... or how to express the events of today. So rather than even trying to put this most amazing experience into words, we'll let the pictures convey the day.