Analiese and The Fam!

The addition of a brand new baby in a household means that people have a sudden interest in visiting. I've never felt so popular! But wait...it's not me who is popular. It's (no surprise) our Analiese who has inspired this influx of guests! I am gradually growing accustomed to greeting my favorite family and friends - noticing that their gaze doesn't come anywhere near to meeting mine. They have a glazed adoring look in their eyes, their arms are already slightly outstretched in anticipation, and they begin speaking several octaves above their normal tones. Ah! They connect with the target, take her out of my arms, and then remember that there was someone else they were here to visit...."Oh! Hello Carrie. She is beauuuutiful..." and then it's right back to Analiese.

But that's okay. That is as it should be. Babies are like magnets. Who can stay away? So here are some pictures from family visits.

Here is the first day of Analiese's life. She was visited by Uncle Jared, Great Nana Norma, Grandma (still waiting for official title) Nancy, Tia Alejandra & Tio Adam.

Here is Uncle Jared holding his first Niece.

Uncle (Tio) Adam & Aunt (Tia) Alejandra have had lots of Analiese time...as they live about 1 mile away!

My Grandfather, Analiese's Great Grandfather, lives in Sun City, California. He is not doing as well as we would like these days so we headed down there last week to pay him a visit. It was very special to see Analiese in the arms of her adoring Great Grandpa. Adam and Alejandra drove us down there so that Analiese didn't have to be by herself in the back seat of the car for her first 3 hour-long drive. Rear facing car seats, in hot desert weather, are decidedly not our friends!

Here are Marci, Tobey (the guard dog), Analiese, Carrie, Adam and Alejandra

As my grandfather and Marci live a little more than an hour away from La Quinta, Kevin was able to pick us up and we spent the rest of the week in our soon-to-be new home. It was so nice to spend some more solid time with him. We can't wait to be moved down there and get back to normal life!


That same weekend, our Aunt Kathy and cousins arrived from Texas to visit Grandpa as well. They drove all the way to Tehachapi to spend a very fun day with the rest of us. We always have a great time when they are around. We laughed, ate, drank, and reenacted favorite SNL skits into the late hours of the night. Analiese was a trooper and was held by everyone, even Clayton! We look forward to when we can all hang out again.

Here we are with our Texas Cousins. Unfortunately Aunt Kathy is the photographer so she didn't make the picture with Clayton, Austin, Adam, Analiese, Carrie and Jennifer Rose.

And the winner of the "Who Visits Analiese the Most?" contest is....(drum roll please)

...my mom. Thank goodness for retirement. Her last day of work happened to be the very day that Analiese was born. She has been so helpful, especially in Kevin's absence, by coming over whenever I need a couple of hours to get stuff done!

And honestly, there is one more member of our family that is always a presence from dusk until dawn (and even next to us as we sleep at night)...the ever loyal and devoted Marshall. He has adjusted well to the new addition (or is it just that he is in denial??)

We are so lucky to have such a wonderfully supportive, fun, and loving family. It has been special to have so many of them living close by during this unique "newborn" phase. However, we miss our Kentucky family very much. I can't wait for the future blog post that will include pictures of our upcoming visits with them.