A Trip to Baltimore

We had an amazing weekend in Baltimore with Nate's family.  Everyone was there - Louise, Doug, Bob, Susan, Chris, Caroline, Hannah and Grace.  We shared stories, food, and turns passing Zadie around.  She loves to be held and didn't mind being the star of the weekend.

We took a few walks down to the Inner Harbor.  The weather was gorgeous.  Clear blue skies and low humidity. 

The next morning, Bob and Susan came over for coffee and more Zadie time.  Nate captured a few good shots of Zadie and Susan.

Our trip to Baltimore wasn't complete until we visited my grandparents in Towson.  They were so thrilled to meet their great granddaughter.  Zadie was thrilled too.  She smiled at her great grandmother.  It was a truly beautiful moment.

Smiles!

Zadie started smiling at us last week!  We thought it may have been a fluke smile fit, but it wasn't.  She continues to smile more and more every day.  What a good girl! 

Zadie Gaga

Dear Zadie, you are so adorable in your little headband.  I love you with all my heart!  

Love, Mama

Baby Bjorn

I took Zadie out in the baby Bjorn again today.  This time I accompanied my friend Ashley (she's 18 weeks pregnant) to the store to buy chocolate covered pretzels.  Next time I promise to document our excursion with a photo.  Zadie did better than I did.  She fell asleep and rested her little head against my chest.  Me being the worried Mama I am, kept checking to make sure her nose wasn't too squashed.  She was fine, but I continued to check every few minutes which didn't make the trip too enjoyable for me.  But, the important thing is that she was okay and that I was able to get my pretzel fix.  Happy Zadie, Happy Mama.

1 Month Old

She's growing up so fast already.  Happy one month birthday Zadie Jones!

Pretty Zadie

Pretty Zadie, we love you!

Hosted our first Dinner

Nate and I successfully hosted our first dinner with friends last night.  Nate cooked an amazing pork tenderloin with mango dressing, asparagus, and couscous.  It was delicious!  Zadie was very well behaved, but dinner took a bit longer than planned and I had to feed her right as the pork was ready to be served.  It all worked out though.  She fell asleep in my arms after her feeding and Nate cut my food for me so I could eat with one hand.  We even had time to have dessert before the fussing began.

The success inspired me, along with a fellow 'new mom' blogger, Georgie Girl.  This amazing woman is fearless and possibly insane.  She is currently traveling through the south of France with her 4 month old and her dog.  If she can do it, so can we.  Nate, Zadie and I are going to plan a little vacation for early next year.  Suggestions of where to go are welcome!

Meeting the Grandparents Part 2

Grandmom and Granddad came all the way from Houston, TX to meet little Zadie.  It was so wonderful having them in Brooklyn for four days.  We ate delicious New York pizza, chowed down on Italian cookies (Granddad's favorite!), and even managed to have a few authentic egg creams at Brooklyn Pharmacy and Soda Fountain (Joanne's new favorite place).  As always, the time went by too quickly and we miss them already. 

Zadie takes her first sponge bath

These are from July 30th

Chillin' in Brooklyn

Zadie loves the Brooklyn life.  Here she is hanging out on Mom's lap while Dad snacks on some Jersey tomatoes.

And here she is sitting in the stroller for the first time.  Check out those long legs!

 
We had some visitors.  Zadie got to meet her Nanni Susan.

Eugenia, daughter to our dear friends Chris and Laura, stopped by for some lunch but decided to nap next to Zadie instead. 

And she met some of her Mom's best friends.  Lisa and Lisa. 

Welcome Home Zadie!

The Joneses went out of their way to give Zadie a special warm welcome home.  Hannah and Grace put their artistic skills to use and created the cutest welcome home banner. 

Zadie had no trouble adjusting to her new surroundings.  She passed out in her infant car seat while we all gathered around to watch her sleep.  Gazing at Zadie has become a daily, if not hourly, activity.  We call it ZTV. Here she is being as cute as cute can be.  

Zadie loves to kick.  This isn't news to me.  She started kicking up a storm during the last few months of my pregnancy.  We kept thinking, this girl is going to be one heck of a soccer player.   

Or maybe she'll be a dancer?

Or a yogi?  Look at that tree pose!

Our little angel

Some of our favorite photos from Zadie's first days... 

Bonding time with Mommy & Daddy

Nate and I instantly fell in love with our little girl the second she was born.  It's amazing how suddenly all these powerful feelings hit you.  We were in love.  Beyond in love!  It is a love that neither of us had ever experienced before.  The kind of love that sucks the breath right out of you the moment you set eyes on her.  The kind of love you'll do ANYTHING for.  It feels good, great, magnificent!!!  We are so happy to be blessed with this little angel. 

Meeting the Grandparents

Zadie feels right at home in Memere's arms 

Pops and Zadie getting acquainted

 PJ and Zadie.  Look at that big smile!  I think someone's in love with his granddaughter.

Day 1

Here I am before the contractions started getting really painful.  Notice I'm smiling.  This wasn't the case an hour after this was taken, I assure you.  I labored for 12 hours, but my pelvis refused to open up.  At 1:02 AM on July 21st, our daughter, Zadie May Jones, was born via cesarean.

Nate and Zadie - first photo!

Here are some photos my friend Niabi took as Nate broke the news to everyone. 

I'm so happy she captured the moment!