First Photo Shoot!

When scoping out suitable photographers for Kendall's first photo session, I found the best right at our church! We had Lyndsey from On3Design visit our home to snap a few shots of the babe (3 weeks old) and, well, they turned out amazing! Check out a few of the faves at the On3Design blog, or delve in to the whole gallery! (Instructions below)


To view or order pictures:

1. Go to http://on3design.org
2. Click "Ordering" on the top bar.
3. Type in password "KendallS"
4. Order by clicking on thumbnail and entering size.

Getting To Know You

We've been living with this tiny person now for one month, and have yet to experience the full realm of her personality. However, we have been taking note of little quirks that surface from time to time, and love getting to know our baby girl! Just a few observations at this point in time:

*Fascinated by light. Will fall asleep staring at the bright window.

*Mesmerized by the blueberry wreath above her changing table...and does not like being disturbed while in this blueberry trance!

*Always has her little feet crossed. Cuteness.

*As seen in the video, has a bit of trouble keeping her eyes closed when she's sleepy...

*Must be a Niner fan, as she pooped all over my Vikings shirt ON game day.

*Finds burp rags a personal challenge- will avoid at all costs. This usually means the last minute head-turn or (my personal favorite) the over-the-burp-rag spew. Bonus points if she spits up all over mommy at church.

*Formula for instant sleep: A full tummy, a binky, and mom or dad's chest to rest against.

*Looks like she's going to be a water bug...she enjoys bath time with daddy!

*Becomes a human squeak-toy when hiccups come...and they come often!


I got Kendall out of bed to feed her a few nights ago, and she looked up and smiled at me. I'm not convinced this was intentional, but it gave me a glimpse of what is to come, and I can't wait!

Happy one month birthday, my sweetie!

It's Never Too Early...

...for a Starbucks date with mom! I don't know how many times in the last week I have sat down to blog these pictures, but here they are- a little late. Little Miss K visited St. Arbucks twice in her first 20 days. Lucky mommy!

Our first trip was with my wonderful Irish gal pal, Edeanne.

Crazy Sleepy Eyes

Yes, I guess I'm going to be one of those moms who posts embarrassing videos of her kids. This one features Kendall's (somewhat freakish) sleepy-eyed wake up routine. I think it's the sweetest- and captures a couple cameo smiles.

Dear Derek,

Dear Derek,

I miss you. Our family just isn't the same without you. We talk about you often, and are determined to keep you as a big part of our lives, even in the midst of your physical absence. We trust that God is passing along the hugs we send up daily, and that you are smiling down upon all the new joys we are experiencing here.

Your niece is beautiful. Kendall is a big girl with a wonderfully calm demeanor, something we prayed would be much like her Uncle Dizzle. She reminds me of you from time to time...the way she looks at me with funky eyes, the hiccups that she gets, the way she purses her lips when she's concentrating...

The holidays have come and gone, and it's odd beginning a new year without you. As I look ahead, I wonder who I'll call for the latest movie review, or who will hook me up with the latest music and technology. I'll miss calling you to debrief the last episode of "Idol" or "24", and miss the updates on Crosswalk each Sunday. I know your absence has left a mark on that congregation as well.

I just wanted to write a simple note to let you know that you are missed, and definitely not forgotten. I will be working hard to make memories of you come alive for our little girl, and to remind us of what a great blessing you were in our lives. You still make me smile.

Love,
Your proud sister.

Baby Face

Wonderment.

Apprehension.

Hunger.

Inquisitive.

Done.

A New Season...of Television!

Don't know how the mom's of yesteryear endured all their midnight feedings without the luxury of the television or iPhone for entertainment! I also can't imagine enduring a long winter indoors without some good programming to view. While the baby's on the boob, this mom enjoys the boob tube...and January is going to supply some good entertainment (finally! It's been a long hiatis!).

Here are some programs we are looking forward to at the Stavenger home:

American Idol. This is a favorite in the Petersen family- Chris and I watched our first season together this past year. Introducing Ellen as judge #4 will be an interesting (and likely entertaining) twist this season! The downside of this show: fear that it may produce another Adam Lambert.

Survivor- Heroes and Villains. We don't usually watch Survivor, but my parents continue to tune in every season with friends. We watched the last couple episodes with them here in Duluth, and were enthralled with one of the characters. Since he will be making an encore appearance in next season's game, we may have to tune in! Downside: Just one more show to TiVo on Thursday nights....sigh....

The Bachelor. I wasn't religious about tuning in the past few seasons, but tuned in enough last season's "The Bachelorette" to know that I really liked Jake, the pilot. Now, Jake is in the "pilot's seat" as the new bachelor, and so far he seems to be a nice guy. The downside of this show: hottubs and skimpy suits abound needlessly.

24. Why this is so far down on my list, I don't know. Of course, it's the most highly anticipated around here. And with rumors swirling that this is the final season, we're intrigued. Jack Bauer was on his death bed at the end of last season...yet he looks just fine in the previews. We may have to make some pork butt for dinner to remember Derek and kick off the new season! There is no downside to Jack Bauer.

Brace for Impact. TLC's special this Sunday night is about the airplane incident in the Hudson river, narrated by Harrison Ford and honoring Chris' man-crush, Captain Sully. It's been on our calendar for a while now.

How about you? Any favorites we should check out?

Have a Cuddly New Year!

It's a new year, and I've spent most of it either a) at the doctor's office, or b) in my comfy home with my comfy blankets, comfy slippers, warm hot chocolate and cuddly baby. Trips out have been sparse (thank you, subzero weather!), so it's important that home is a cozy place to hang out all day. Prior to Christmas, I discovered Restoration Hardware Baby & Child (via Catalog...we don't get cool stores like that in Minnesota). Having always been a big fan of the Restoration Hardware store, the Baby & Child version was like a wonderland to me! I went a little crazy, first ordering the sweet cuddle plush rocker (above) for Kendall's first Christmas present. When it arrived, it was SO much softer than I could have imagined! So soft, in fact, that we collected several more items from the cuddle plush collection.

So often with baby toys/clothing we say to ourselves, "I wish they made those for grown-ups"...well, in this case, I got lucky! For Christmas, my mom (who was fortunate enough to visit the actual store in Sacramento) surprised me with cuddle plush SLIPPERS. I have worn them EVERY night during late night feedings, and they are magical.

Enough gushing...check out the sites for yourselves!
Restoration Hardware
Restoration Hardware Baby & Child

Kendall's rabbit accompanied me during labor.

Her cute playmat is fuzzy soft, and does NOT say "Morgan".

These slippers are amazing...and on sale right now!

That's Not Mommy.

Desperate times call for desperate measures...that is, when you're a hungry infant, you'll latch on to just about anything. Case in point, this is what happened when Daddy went to give K-bear kisses...


Yum!

Virtual Hugs

Technology- can't live with it, can't live without it. The latter has been more true for us lately, relying on SKYPE to keep in touch with distant friends and family, and the iPhone to keep me busy during those late night feedings. I'm so glad we live in a day and age where this kind of communication is possible...it makes the distance a LITTLE more bearable (although it's quite a teaser when this baby is so huggable!). We checked in with the New Years Eve party going on in Stockton, and they snapped a couple screenshots of us. :)

Kendall is a Skype pro already.

Cheers!

I'll Be Home For Christmas

Our Christmas plans to travel to Moorhead were thwarted by Kendall's late arrival, so in a whirlwind change of plans, Moorhead came to us! Chris' mom, Marcia, and sister, Carrie, arrived in time for all the hospital action, while dad, Jeff, and brother, Eric, dropped by to visit day-old Kendall. We were discharged from the hospital around noon on Christmas day, in time for Kendall to spend her first Christmas at home. The moms put together a delicious dinner and we enjoyed a time of gift opening and spiced cider. A memorable Christmas, if I do say so myself!

All kinds of sweetness!

Petersen grandparents

Aunt Carrie and Kendall

Stavenger grandparents

Christmas kisses from mommy and daddy!