Happy Baby-5 Weeks Old

We may  be biased, but is she not the cutest little thing =) Nana and I had tried to capture her smiling and we had no success...then after a nap, Nana was able to capture Amaya smiling. Now we can share her happiness with you.

Pictures at the Parthenon

We celebrated Amaya's addition to our family with pictures at the Parthenon in Nashville-aka The Athens of the South.  It was fun getting the family together, but we found it very difficult to get good shots of Amaya and Panama.  Panama is now almost 18 months!!! She is always surprising us with something new. It is amazing to watch her learn and grow.

The Brown Family Visit

Amaya enjoyed a full week with Erica's long time friend-Jodie. They have been friends since they were ten years old. It was amazing to have her here for a week and experience a part of Amaya's life. Momma and Daddy Brown came to visit as well. We all had a great time passing Amaya around. She is definitely getting spoiled with love!

Grandma Juim Arrives!

Grandma Juim arrived to help celebrate Amaya's third week here. She flew in from Henderson, NV (right outside of Las Vegas) and spent a week. We had a wonderful time with her here. Amaya loves when Juim holds her and is especially drawn to her voice. We all ate wonderful food and will miss having fewer diapers to change =) Amaya loved having 'explosions' right after grandma Juim put a brand new diaper on...since we're going organic...our monies are exploding left and right as well...sorry dad, I guess that's what daughters do (make you broke). =)

We celebrated Juim being here and the sale of the rental by taking everyone to dinner at Patti's 1880's Settlement, which is a yummy restaurant in BoonTown, KY...it's not actually in BoonTown, but it is pretty out there. We had a great time and enjoyed excellent food.

Second Week Home

Amaya has had a busy week. She has officially gained 1 pound!!! Which is quite impressive given that most breastfed babies are only back up to their birth weight by two weeks. The Cleveland family also sold their final rental property this week...which means a huge goal has been accomplished for Amaya's mommy and daddy! Go Team Cleveland!!!

First Week Home

We are so lucky to have such a healthy, happy baby girl. Amaya is an excellent eater-we all know where that came from =) In the first two days out of the hospital, she has gained 10oz!!! Either she is packing on the oz or full of **** (sweetness, of course!). Mom is doing great (however, I have come to the realization that no one really cares-as long as baby is great). We are all adjusting to our new life. Amaya eats every two hours, and is quite vocal if you try and make her wait...she is already the ruler of our castle. She does sleep alot though, which is weird because no one else feels as though they do. It is amazing how quickly the two hours of her sleeping passes by.

Nana (Carol) and Grandpa (Doug) are enjoying every minute of grandparenting. Between Panama (who keeps us all running-and laughing) and Amaya (who is still a blob) they are in hog heaven. Panama is as cute as can be and loves her cousin-who she calls 'babybaby' or 'Mona'...

Neighborhood Stroll...

As soon and we arrived home, Kasey and Lani (our dog and cat) were introduced to our little bundle of joy.  Neither animal knew really what to think.  Kasey loved it because he got to go for a klaw (he has figured out the word 'walk') right away.  Erica-having been locked up in the hospital for 3 days, could not resist getting out for a walk...the weather was great...and she had been waiting to use the stroller for months now =)

Leaving for Home!!

Megan, Panama, Grandpa, Nana, and Michael were all there for Amaya's birth.  Nana and Michael were able to enjoy the whole experience along side Erica.  Overall the delivery was very quick...at least I say that now =)  Amaya and momma enjoyed the company at the hospital and were able to leave for home on Monday.  Amaya's first car ride was a slow and steady one with dad driving.  Amaya left the hospital on a beautiful Tennessee afternoon. 

Amaya's Arrival!!!

Birthday: February 21, 2009

Place: Gateway Medical Hospital

Time: 10:44am

Weight: 7lbs. 15oz.

Length: 21 inches

We headed to the hospital at 5:30am after about 3 hours of steady contractions. Erica was admitted and by 10:44am we had a beautiful baby girl. Everything happened so quickly. Erica did NOT have time to get the epidural...therefore, Amaya's birth was all natural. The pain was well worth it once Amaya arrived. We are so fortunate to have a healthy, happy baby girl!!!

Loving Pregnancy!

We were very fortunate that my pregnancy was a happy one...Michael sure is a lucky man...hee...hee

Four Days Before Delivery!!!

Michael and I decided that we would take some time for us before the arrival of our precious baby girl.  We headed out to Ashland City and hiked 8 miles on the Rails to Trails.  Michael was scared I may deliver and packed a backpack full of supplies.  How would we look if we had delivered on the trail...it would have been a "You know your a redneck if..."moment =)