{Newborn Photos}

I am so happy to share with you the photos from Claire's newborn session! Sarah Dawson has outdone herself once again and captured the most amazing shots of our little girl that we will cherish forever. These were done when she was just 6 days old-and my goodness how she has changed already! Enjoy!!

(Beware: Baby fever likely to occur:)

Claire Elizabeth {1 Month}

  

Happy one month, Baby Girl! I feel like we blinked and the month passed before our eyes! But these past four weeks have by far been the most incredible, rewarding and unbelievably precious weeks of our lives. You are such a blessing to Mama and Daddy (and so many other who love you!) and we simply can't imagine life without you in it.

Claire, you are such a doll; perfect in every way! We thank Jesus for you every day and are trusting that He will help us to raise you with grace, truth and love. We are so thankful to have you here for the Christmas season. You have opened our eyes to what the season is really about and we couldn't ask for a more incredible earthly gift!

Sweet girl, while this past month has consisted mostly of you sleeping, eating and pooping, we have passed the days by fawning over you! It's incredible how little we can get accomplished because all we want to do is stare at you:)  Though this past week and a half, you have been more awake and alert during the day, which has got you in a lovely sleep pattern! Thank you for that, baby girl!!

As we enter your second month of life, I am trying my best not to be sad that you are growing right before my eyes! And instead reminding myself how grateful we are that you are healthy! Darling girl, you have already brought us more joy than we have ever known and we love you to the moon (and back)!

All my love xoxo,
Mom

Soon and Very Soon!

I realize I have only posted twice this past month. Yikes! Not to worry friends, I've been cooking up some ideas for upcoming posts! And I promise, my blog won't turn solely into pictures of Claire:) I expect to get back to regular posts at the beginning of the year, as well as some irregular updates here and there the next few weeks (including our birth story)! Thanks for hanging in there with me while I get adjusted to being a Mama! Hope you're enjoying the Christmas season! Be back soon!

Kate

Two Weeks!

Hi there, friends! Wow, a few weeks away from blog land and you feel like there is a lifetime of fun stuff to share! Clearly, Claire has consumed my every waking moment (mainly because I can't take my eyes off of her!). Chris and I are completely, utterly, positively in love with our sweet girl!

As she is two weeks old today (how can that be?!) I just wanted to share some pictures of our first two weeks with her. And I promise to get back into my blogging groove soon, starting with our birth story tomorrow (fingers crossed)!

Claire, 1 day old!

Proud Daddy!

 

My sweet pea:)

  

First Raiders game :)

1 week old:)

First bath at home

 

Our first Thanksgiving as a family of 3:)

Happy girl at 2 weeks old!

Now can you see why bringing myself to blog has been so very difficult?! We just love her to pieces!!

{Introducing...}

Claire Elizabeth Hansen

Born 11.14.11 at 11:01 pm 

8 lbs. 10 oz. 20 1/4 inches long 

I am so excited to share that our beautiful baby girl has arrived! So many happy details to share, but for now I just wanted to officially introduce her to everyone! We are going home today and getting settled into our new routine as a family of three!! More details, and of course pictures, to come soon:)

Love Bug

Apparently, Abby is very fond of my belly! Poor girl doesn't know what's coming...or maybe she does! We're still trying to figure out if she can sense that a big change is coming. Though one thing is for sure, she LOVES having her very own pillow (even if it does occasionally kick her in the face:)!

Happy Friday!

{BabyBump} Week 37

Hello Full-Term!!

Baby can now safely arrive at any time! And by the looks of it, she just might! At my doctors appointment last Monday, I was already dilated 3 cm and 70% effaced. Baby is engaged in my pelvis and I am having every pre-labor sign in the book. Of course, this doesn't necessarily mean that labor is imminent, but it's a good indicator that she could be earlier than expected! My doctor seems fairly confident it could happen within the next week or two. But as we are well aware, there is no way to really know when labor will begin. So we're hopeful and completely giddy, but confident that Baby Girl will come when it's her time!

From here on out, it's just a waiting game:)

Giving Thanks

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, it's an opportune time to be a little more mindful of our bountiful blessings!

Today I am thankful that Baby Girl is full-term and could potentially come at any time! I am thankful that all looks well and baby is healthy and exactly in the position she needs to be. I am thankful for an incredible husband who has been beyond wonderful throughout my pregnancy and is ecstatic about becoming a father. And I am thankful for a family who couldn't be more supportive and gracious to us as we are about to make the transition to parenthood. Just to name a few!!

What are you thankful for today?

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Paula Deen Sans the Butter

There are countless reasons I love Pinterest, one being the overwhelming collection of recipes I have saved to try for later! This particular soup has been tempting me with it's deliciousness for a couple of weeks and I was determined to try it out last week. Who even knew that Paula Deen's boys had such a knack for cooking?

Let me just say that it just may be my favorite way to eat lasagna-EVER! It oozes flavor, and a plus, is much healthier than anything I've ever seen Paula make:)  I wouldn't change a single thing about this recipe, and that is saying a lot!! And please, whatever you do-DO NOT skip the fresh basil, as it makes all the difference for this recipe!

Bobby's Lighter Tastes Like Lasagna Soup
Recipe from Deen Bros.

2 teaspoons olive oil
1 pound Italian turkey sausage, casings removed
1 onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 (32-ounce) container chicken broth
1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
1 (14 1/2-ounce) can petite diced tomatoes
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
4 ounces broken whole-wheat lasagna noodles (about 4 noodles)
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
3 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
1/2 cup reduced-fat shredded mozzarella cheese
8 Whole-wheat breadsticks or grissini (optional)

Heat the oil over medium-high heat in a large nonstick saucepot or Dutch oven. Add the sausage, onion, bell pepper, and garlic. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until the sausage is crumbled and browned, 8 – 10 minutes.

Add the broth, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, salt, and crushed red pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the flavors are blended, about 20 minutes. Add the noodles; bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the soup thickens slightly and the noodles are tender, 10 – 12 minutes. Remove from the heat; stir in mozzarella, basil, and the Parmesan. Serve with the breadsticks, if using. (whole-wheat lasagna noodles take a little longer to cook.)

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Adventures in Apple Hill

This weekend we made our way up the hill for our annual trip to Apple Hill! But unlike the past two years we've gone, this weekend graced us with a beautiful, sunny afternoon! It was a great time, complete with apple doughnuts and a few fun pics in the pumpkin patch and may have ended with my husband purchasing an entire apple pie to take home...! Oh, how I heart Fall!

Happy Halloween!!

{BabyBump} Week 36

With less than a month to go, we're feeling giddiness and anticipation in a BIG way!

Things of note this week:

Practically everyone I come across is now asking me when I'm due, whether it be cashiers, people at the gym or the mailman (seriously) and I love telling them 4 weeks!

I suddenly have an uncontrollable addiction to Honey Bunches of Oats. I won't even bother admitting how quickly I finished off a box last week. And by box, I mean the double bag from Costco...

My doctor has confirmed that Baby Girl has definitely started to drop, which I suspected as I am starting to experience some major pressure in my pelvis. This picture is a bit deceiving, as my maternity jeans do a great job at propping my lower belly up a bit. Just take my word for it, she is getting low!

From here on out my preggo massages are WEEKLY until baby comes! I have honestly never felt so pampered in my entire life:)

 ...

Here's to hoping these  next 26 days (give or take a few) pass quickly! We can't wait to meet our little peanut!!

Thursday's Thought

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Because I'm Old School

Confession: I have a serious fetish with stationary. It likely stems from my deep love of receiving real mail, as opposed to an email or text. Either way, I always like to have an ample supply of pretty stationary in case, on a whim, I decide to write a friend a little note to say "Hello" or send a meaningful thank you. And until recently, I've had quite the over-supply. In fact, about a year ago I vowed to refrain from buying any more until I used up what I had. And finally, that supply has dwindled down to just a few cards, making me giddy to re-stock!

After browsing some of my favorite sites, I've landed on a few designs I am completely smitten with! Turns out, I'm really digging personalized cards right now! Who knew?

Here are some of my faves:

 

Anyone else love getting real mail? How about other suggestions on where to find great, unique stationary?  I would love to hear!

photos {here, here, here, here and here}