Trip to AZ!

Mila finally met Auntie Jaclyn in AZ!!

These pictures are long overdue but here are some favorites from our trip to AZ! My mom, Mila and I went to Scottsdale for a few days to visit friends and SHOP of course. Mila did great for the most part! Sleep was not a big part of the week but we made it through:) Such a good baby! Here is a video of how she spent most of her time on the airplane.

Such a good Aunty!

Mila and Eric

with Heidi

Had such a fun time with Grandma!

Lunch time!

HAPPY Valentine's Day!!!

Mila loves her Baby Bjorn! 

My happy little snuggle bug :)

All dressed up for a night on the town in Scottsdale

Pretty Girl 

Happy Baby

After a long day (which included work with a baby who woke up at 5:45am and refused to nap allllll day) this was the perfect ending! Nothing makes me happier than hearing our baby girl giggle.

Creepy Crawler

Mila is getting on all fours into crawl position! She has been doing this for a couple weeks....
Patrick and I are holding our breaths....mobile already NOOOOOO :)

Happy 5 months Mila!

4-Month Checkup

Mila finally had her 4-month check-up at the doctor's office. Her immunizations were painful (for both mom and baby) but she was a brave little girl! As expected she had a fever for about 24 hrs. but after a little baby tylenol and a lonnng night, she was fine! Here are her stats:

Height: 25 inches (63rd percentile)
Weight: 12 pounds, 13 ounces (19th percentile)
Head Circ: 15.75 inches (13th percentile)

As you can see her percentiles are a little bit across the board but I personally believe that percentiles were invented to scare parents :) She is doing beautifully though and was even laughing and playing with Dr. Riordan!

This month we started Mila on rice cereal! She is taking to it so well we have already doubled the serving size and are now giving it to her both in the afternoon and in the evening. We will be starting veggies soon! Mila is laughing more, rolling all over the place and is gaining more of a personality every day! She is super alert (as she has always been) and loves new faces and just looking around and taking things in. We have been having fun taking her OUT now that she tolerates her car seat and has a more predictable schedule.



4 1/2 Month Beauty!



Nom Nom Nom - Rice Cereal! More on her face than in her mouth! Cannot wait for the "peas" picture!

All laughs with Lisa! They share a bday - 9/9

Mila finally starting to notice Lola (she doesn' t move around much so she's not super eye-catching:)

Mila at sleep at work with Mom! Yes - I have gone back to work and yes - Mila is working with me and YES - I am EXHAUSTED but it is totally worth it!!

Pretty new outfit from Aunty Alessa!

Smiles! Where did she get those dimples??!!

Mila has discovered her feet and they are always in her mouth..yum :)

Watching the KU game with Dad!

Mila's play date with Ruby Mae! Ruby was born on 9/10/11 at the same hospital. Her mom went to Lawrence High School with me! It was fun to see a baby almost exactly the same age as Mila. Ruby is 14 pounds but about the same length as Mila.

Fun Videos!

One of Mila's first tummy to back rolls (not a great video but isn't she cute ?! :)

First giggles! Such a happy baby!

Happy 4-Months, Mila!

Mila is 4-months old today! My how time flies (I know, I know, I say that every month). I think we saw the most change in our little lady during her 4th month. She is finally starting to turn away from the "colic" phase and is becoming a happier baby! Her personality is also starting to shine through more and more each day - Patrick and I are having so much fun! Mila is now rolling from tummy to back AND back to tummy. Gone are the days of leaving her in a safe place while I finish some laundry or take a shower - there are no longer "safe" places for our mobile little 4 monther and I know it will continue to get harder. Yikes! Also, while Mila belly laughs are still few and far between, they do exist and every time I hear one..I cry!

Out to Sunday brunch with Mom & Dad

Look at that dimple!

Beautiful baby blues

Enjoying the 60 degree weather in January and her new BOB stroller!!

EVERYTHING Mila touches goes into her mouth.

Baby's First Christmas

Well we made the long anticipated trip to Florida for Mila's first Christmas and everything from the plane rides to the car rides to sleeping in a new place went off without a hitch! Mila was wonderful...so much so that we have started lovingly referring to her as Floridian Mila when she is in a good mood. She was a joy and seemed to like Florida better than Kansas! Is it possible for a 4-month old to have Seasonal Affective Disorder? I was dreading the first plane ride and it was so easy! The worst thing that happened (which was actually more funny than bad) was when Mila had a blow out poop right before the fasten seat belt sign illuminated for about 45 minutes. Our fellow passengers had to deal with the smell but at least she was happy and quiet :) As we were deplaning, a flight attendant even asked me what my secret was for such a joyful traveler (HA)!

Here are some pictures from our trip. It was a blast and the temperature was in the 90s all week! Also, Mila conquered several of her "firsts" - first plane ride, first long car ride (2 hours - she only cried for about 30-40 minutes :) ), first Christmas, first church visit (she slept :) and we heard some of her first belly laughs! Such a wonderful sound!

Mila with her crazy Koester uncles and Grandpa Koester

The Koesters!

Mila with Grandma Koester

We gave up trying to get a "non-crying" picture and actually  LOVE this one . It captures the moment :)   This is Mila after her first church visit in her Christmas dress and tights.

The entire Koester family on Christmas Eve

Mila looking pissed, annoyed, confused? I promise she really was happy the entire trip just not a good picture taker apparently?!

Our little family on Christmas Eve

Mila with her cousin Ethan. He was so cute with her!

Mila and Grandma Koester; Christmas Eve

The Koesters have a great Christmas Eve Tradition that involves the telling of the Christmas story (Christmas Creche) and singing Christmas carols. Mila LOVED this part of the evening. The singing made her laugh and smile. 

Mila during the Koester Christmas Creche

Our Floridian Mila!

Here is the first of many "car seat pictures." The first time she smiled at me in her car seat (in Florida) I started crying. Seriously. Tears of joy streamed down my face. Our little Mila is growing up and starting to hate her car seat less and less! Yippee!!!

Yawns in church :) 

Christmas night at a family friend's house in Tampa, Florida. 

Mila in her Christmas Eve best!

First time her little toes felt grass!

First plane ride.  Such a good baby (these are smiles of relief).

Our Christmas tree in Kansas.