The burrito

Daddy learned in the hospital from the nurses how to do the perfect swaddle, which helped us all get sleep in the first couple of weeks. I almost gave up on it, but Cody persisted after we watched "The Happiest Baby on the Block," and thank goodness. She is so cute when she wakes up and stretches so I tried to capture it on video. I got more than I bargained for :) (make sure you have sound when you watch the video)

I'm a fish!

Dylan has loved swimming in the pool! We got her a new umbrella so she could stay out of the sun. We take turns holding her in the pool and she seems to be so relaxed in the water. It looks like we are going to have a little water baby on our hands. Look at her little swimsuit. Later that night we went on a family date to Fonda San Miguel. It was a great Saturday!

My Ray J, JJ and Auntie Ash

We are lucky to have Cody's parents and sister in Austin so they can be close to Dylan as she is growing up...Which, is happening so fast already!! They come over for family dinner and Dylan sits in her boppy lounger on the table so she can be part of the scene. Her Ray J stares at her the whole time and talks to her about how pretty she is. She loves it! And, last time her Auntie Ash brought her guitar and played some songs she wrote for her new country band. Dylan could not stop staring at her. It was great! I think it's so cool that Dylan will get to have Ashleigh as an aunt growing up. Hopefully some of that creativity will rub off on her!

My cousin and BFF, Minnie

"The girls," as their Lolli calls them, are destined to grow up to be best friends. And, it's yet to be seen, but we are all betting that Dylan will end up being a prissy little thing since it's the opposite of how I picture her. Her fabulous cousin, Minnie, will be teaching her all about fashion and other girly things. Meanwhile, her mommy won't even put a bow in her hair. Needless to say, they are going to be two little partners in crime. Look at their parents! :) We're excited to watch them grow up together and so thankful for both precious girls! Watch out!

First date?

Of course I had to take a picture of her first date. She met her boyfriend, Luke Michael Vadala, when she was 6 weeks old. My best friend growing up, Scott, and his wife Leigh Ann, another really close friend had Luke 6 weeks before Dylan was born. Scott and I literally grew up together from the beginning. It's a big joke that Dylan and Luke are going to get married, but I'm afraid she might be too tall for him! ;) Leigh Ann said Luke was nervous about meeting her because he is losing his hair, and Dylan was embarrassed over her baby acne, but I think it was definitely a love connection...Or, they'll be best friends :)

I'm off the charts!

We call it "tall" and "long," not "big" or "fat." :) At her two month appointment Dylan was measured at 24 and a quarter inches long. She is literally off the charts! Greater than 100%! We had lunch today with her friends, Baby boy Dylan McManus and 2 week old Finley Gallery. It is ridiculous to think that just 8 weeks ago Dylan was about the same size as Finley, in the middle. And, only 3 pounds lighter than Mr. Dylan who is 4 months older than she is. But, that height will help when she is training, as her Daddy has already predicted her to be the first girl to win both US Opens, golf and tennis! That isn't her best angle :) But, here you can see her in her crib and how "lengthy" she is. Her Pop is going to have a lot to work with when the golf lessons start...she's going to be a natural!

Me and my Lolli

Not only were we lucky that Lolli stuck around after Dylan was born, but we needed her during the delivery! I'm not so sure the almost 10 pound baby would have made it here if her Daddy and her Lolli weren't in the delivery room. But, WE did it! Lolli also helped with her very early development. When Daddy was out of town for a wedding and Dylan and I headed to The Woodlands for the weekend, since we had not spent nights alone yet, Cody said Dylan came home a new baby. She was so alert and had the desire to communicate and she was just 6 weeks old! She had been loved on and talked to all weekend long. And, it hasn't happened yet, but Mommy and Daddy have planned some trips away from the baby and guess who will be babysitting?? Lolli and Pop :)

Dylan's first week

Even though Mommy doesn't remember all the details of the first week, for lack of sleep or anything close to it, I know we were surrounded by all the people we love and that loved Dylan before she even existed. What a lucky girl! Lucky for us, her Lolli stuck around to help us out for a little while. Although everything runs together, what I do remember are those incredible moments where all was quiet and Dylan would fall asleep on my chest, so content. It really is amazing how even though we had just met we had known each other forever.

Welcome, Dylan Reilly Daniel!

On June 16, 2010 at 5:18pm after 12 hours of labor Cody and I welcomed Dylan Reilly Daniel into our family! She is the most amazing thing that has ever happened to us. It is stunning how one minute you are wondering how your life is going to change and can't imagine actually having a baby, and then in one instant, the minute I held her for the first time, I couldn't even come close to imagining my life without her. It is a bit blurry, but I just remember they handed her to me and I could feel her little body in my hands and we were literally connected for life. She was so soft and delicate. All the pain dissipated for that one second when she felt me too and knew that I was her mommy and she was safely a part of this world. :)