Dr. Brouwer is really happy with how I'm growing.  She's impressed with how strong I am.  I wasn't so happy with the shots I got this day, or that I have to come back in September for one they didn't have today.

Dr. Brouwer is very happy with Hope's growth.  She's in the mid-percentile for all of her measures, and is right on target for a baby of her birth size.  She was quite the wiggle-worm, and though she of course cried during her very first vaccination shots, she was quick to settle down and enjoy a bottle in the waiting room after our appointment.

Mom bought a scale so we can now weigh ourselves with and without Hope in our arms and figure out her approximate weight.  She's come a long way from her 5 pounds, 15 ounces.

I really wish I'd asked Dr. Brouwer to measure you, but we were more focused on getting answers to questions about your eating/sleep schedule (namely... "If she eats and sleeps so well, should we let her snooze for more than three hours at a time?") and checking out the funny little crease of skin above your bottom.  We're still amazed at how big you've grown!

It turned out the ultrasound measurements were just slightly off, unless Hope lost a little weight during the last couple of weeks in Melanie's tummy.  Still, she's born thin and long, as anticipated.

Hope measured "over 20 inches" during last week's appointment, but only a little over 6 pounds.  We called her "Jumping Bean" in December, but have now taken to calling her our little "String Bean."

Daddy thought he saw and felt teeth for a few days before Ms. Pam confirmed it during Aunt Heidi and Uncle TJ's gift opening. 

She was really excited by her "faceplant bee" hanging in front of her from the dining room lights, but let loose with one laugh after another when dad started dimming and brightening the lights.  See it here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylG5fMPVzKc

Although they were pretty dark at birth, her eyes are now a more definite, beautiful blue.

Hope surprised us by going to bed at 8 p.m. and then waking up at 6:30 a.m. the next morning.  Not bad for a 6-week-old!  Since she did mostly the same through the rest of the week, it seems that it's now going to be her new routine.

She smiled in the morning while dad had her butterfly rattle flying around her, and later in the day while with mom.  In the week that followed, though, she was mostly her usual serious self.

After a little bit of fussing when we dressed you at the doctor's office, you settled in again for a couple of hours while we had lunch at Olga's (you're going to love their Snackers and Orange Cream Coolers someday) at Rivertown Crossings Mall, and then took your first ride on an elevator up to Kohls to buy you a few more 0-3 month zippered sleepers.  So, in addition to the "I love mommy" and "I love daddy" outfits you had in that style, you now have a "monkey", "zebra", "giraffe", and another that says "I love you."  That last one is yellow; we forgot that you already had one that is pink with kitties on it.  The best thing about these sleepers: they have cute animals sewn into the chest and into the spot where your long tootsies go.

Although she'd had a several sponge baths before, tonight we gave Hope her first bath in her fancy new baby tub.  Just after stripping her down, dad thought to put a diaper under her before bringing her into the tub net... and a second later, she wet that back-up diaper. 

Once inside the tub, she screamed herself red and continued for the full 3 or so minutes of the bath.  As soon as mom wrapped her in a towel and scooped her up close, she was cooing like a bird and still as can be except for her blinking eyes.

Hope Catherine Anderson was born two weeks earlier than expected--already full or surprises.

Melanie's contractions began around 3 a.m. on Friday, March 14th.  We did much of the laboring at home through that evening and the next morning.  By the time we arrived at the hospital, Melanie was dilated to 7 centimeters!  We were both very thankful that she was still able to receive medicine to decrease the pain and anxiety that comes with childbirth. 

We think that baby just wanted to be around to celebrate St. Patrick's Day and Easter with us.

While camping with her family at Ludington State Park, and walking along the Sable River at sunset, Melanie whispered to Kyle, "I think I'm finally ready... to have a baby."

Three days later, we were pregnant!