Meeting Malachi Plett

Monday was the last day of our very eventful long weekend. It's funny how what felt "normal" before now feels very busy. Even my days at home fly by and I hardly get anything done. I'd way rather just sit and hold Kalia than do housework. She is just so precious that I want to spend every moment with her during the day. When Scott is home, I usually like to give them a little time alone to bond, and so that's when I get stuff done. Anyway, Monday evening my Auntie Liz had a baby shower for Dale and Michelle's baby, Malachi, who is only 3 days older than Kalia. He was born on April 24th, and she on the 27th. It was fun to see how different two babies so close to the same age could be! Little Kalia was born at 6 pounds 15 ounces, while Malachi was almost 10 pounds! The difference in their size is quite significant and very obvious when you hold them. It was fun to meet him and see Dale and Michelle as parents. They seem to be doing well!

The happy new parents with their little babies

The three proud grandpas sitting in a row

Scott and I with Malachi
The three little second cousins. Hailey is just over 14 months old now. Soon they will all be able to play together!

Kalia's Baby Shower

Scott's Siemens side had a shower for Kalia and me on Sunday afternoon. We had a really nice time and came home with LOTS of fun presents. Everyone was very generous and it was fun to show Kalia off to the aunts and cousins who hadn't met her yet!

The youngest of the cousins that made it out to the shower was Holly, and she was very eager to "help" me open Kalia's gifts (even though she ended up doing more opening than me with lots of them)

Holly takes her turn after all of her hard work!

Brittany holding Kalia

Grandma Siemens holding her first great grandchild

Scott's cousin Tess
notice the cute flower arrangement put together by Scott's aunt Marlene. The little duck is even wearing a diaper with diaper pins.
Look how surprised she is at all of the gifts she got!!
Wow! Lots of gifts - and lots of pink!!!!

While the Boys Are Away the Girls Will Play!

This weekend Scott and Dad went to the cabin for two nights to fish and go golfing, and so I packed Kalia up and we went to spend the weekend with my Mom and Cristina. Saturday we took Kalia for her very first shopping trip and she loved it! She was a perfect angel and even bought herself a little sweater (hee hee). It was a really fun day and it was nice to get out and do something normal after I've been staying home so much more than usual.

Phew! Kalia lets out a big yawn - shopping is exhausting! And look at all of her purchases!

Kalia's First Walk

Scott and I packed Kalia up in her stroller and took her for a walk on Thursday evening last week. She was unimpressed at first, but once we got rolling she fell asleep and enjoyed the nice weather for the rest of the walk. It was a bit breezy, so we had to close up the canopies to keep the wind out as well as the bright sun. She's such a good girl - I'm looking foreward to many more walks this summer!

My First Mother's Day

Mother's day was very special for me, because not only did I have a daughter this year, but she also had Baby Dedication in church on Sunday. It was so special to be able to share my special day with God, showing that Scott and I desire for Him to be an important part of little Kalia's life and honoring Him by promising to raise her according to His will. Being a mommy also really made me appreciate my own moms! I never fully understood before the love of a parent to a child and now it just makes me feel so lucky to have such a special mom and mother-in-law. They show us in so many different ways that they love and support us, and have been very encouraging to me as I learn to be a good mommy to Kalia. My mom always made me feel like such a blessing to her as I was growing up and never like a burden or a chore. I hope that I can give Kalia that same comfort and tenderness in our relationship. I got a really sweet mother's day surprise from Kalia (and Scott) too! I walked into the living room to find Kalia holding a beautiful spring bouquet of flowers with her in her bassinet! So cute! And it had a little card in it that said "I love my mom!" I felt very blessed. On Mother's day, our families went to church for Kalia's baby dedication and then to my parent's place for lunch and the afternoon. It was a very special day spent with my two amazing families, as well as my own daugher and husband!

A picture of us with Pastor George and his wife Carla

Bernard and Heidi Schellenberg also dedicated their son Kai, as well as Dwight and Carol Loewen with their son Carter

Photo Shoot

My mom (Nana) and I have dressed Kalia up in some fun outfits when she is awake and happy for a few little photo shoots! It is so fun to dress up my little dolly!!

Look at me!

Look at me! I'm sitting all by myself on the couch!

After my first bath at home - I sure liked it more than at the hospital . . . I didn't cry at all!!

First time in my car seat - I didn't even wake up!

All ready in my "going home outfit"

Me and Daddy bonding in the hospital

Some Special Visits in the Hospital

Some of Kalia's Firsts

Hanging out with Daddy while Mommy tried to get some rest (but was way too excited to fall asleep!)
Kalia's very first diaper

And then of course, the first diaper change!

A little bit unhappy after having her first bath - she didn't like being unbundled from her warm soft blankets. What a cute little face, though!!Just hanging out on the bed - this is the first little outfit that we put on her that was all her own.Auntie Jenna put this cute little bow around Kalia for a mini photo shoot. What a little angel!Finally Mommy gets some rest with her precious baby in her arms.