Okay, so I confess, I have not been following what has been going on with the government and politics lately. Something about having a baby has kept me otherwise occupied... Occasionally I will have a few precious minutes and I will read some news headlines and think what in the world is going on? What a mess lately, no? Rove, Snowe, and Gonzales stepping down, and now this Senator Craig business! While many would turn from politics with disgust, it actually makes me wish I was back on the Hill, I am sure things are really buzzing. :) I am looking forward to seeing some of my old work friends next weekend; they will be sure to have some good stories. It is sad though that it is the mess-ups that make all the headlines and not the people who manage to do their jobs and remain above reproach. That's the news media for you I suppose.

and because I am a mommy and I can't resist--Aubrey started smiling this week. I tried to get a picture, but because she was so close to me and moving it came out a bit blurry.

Three Weeks Old

Aubrey is now three weeks old, and things are going well. Having a newborn takes some adjusting, but things are starting to fall into place. I still am only getting about four hours (non-consecutive) of sleep a night, but I think my body is acclimating to being a sleep deprived mommy. :)

We had a visit from her uncle John and aunt Alisa and they brought her the very cute frog in the picture. :) The five of us went to church for Aubrey's first time and she did very well. Of course it helps that MBC has a nursing mothers room and a soundproof family seating area in the sanctuary.

I can't believe she will be one month old at the end of this week! We are back to the pediatrician to see how much weight she has gained. I can tell she is starting to fill out because she has dimples on her knuckles and creases around her knees and elbows. Baby fat--so cute!

She has arrived!

Aubrey Abigail Crane was born at 7:52 am on Sunday, July 29, 2007.

Bill and I went for about an hour long walk Saturday morning in Manassas National Battlefield Park with Dexter. Contractions started rather irregularly in the middle of the day so I guess what they say about walking really is true! As we were watching a movie after dinner I started timing contractions but didn't really think it was the real thing because they weren't painful yet. They were coming every three minutes for about 2 hours when we headed to the hospital around 8:30pm. Twelve hours of active labor including two hours of pushing later she arrived! We recovered in the hospital until Tuesday afternoon and then headed home. We are all a little tired, but are loving every minute of being a family.