Miss you too Cara but it's all good knowing what a joy you've got keeping you busy over there. I had to post today to tell you I just got my first skein of socks that rock in the mail today! I got them after reading your blog and deciding I was missing out. (and Cara, if you want to see another cutest baby my sister just had her baby boy and there are photos on my blog!)

You sound so happy! I'm so glad for you and your beautiful family! I miss you posting but you definitely need to experience all those firsts more than posting.

What a beautiful baby! I get what you're saying about the crazies being gone. It took us three years to have our first. Once she was born, I felt like I had the world by the tail. Now we have five kids and they have me by the tail!!!

You were just meant to be a mom!

Oh my, but she is getting big! She does look adorable, Cara, and so calm in the photos with Mom and Dad.

It is good to hear from you again, and sounding so well and happy. Congratulations on getting away on your trip with her!

Take care.

That was such a lovely post! I'm a (relatively) new mama myself (Ben is 21 months old now... wow!) and I remember those early days of firsts and when I finally got around to missing the things I "used to do... just a little". :) You just keep savoring those firsts - we'll be here waiting for you. And a little co-inky-dink that made me love this post even more... we just got a new car, too! Breathe deeply, my friend. That's new car smell! :)

It is surprising, sometimes, how becoming a mom can change you. I had a similar experience with bits of craziness disappearing after my daughter was born (27.5 years ago). I didn't notice it at the time, but looking back, I did. I wouldn't presume to explain it, but I wonder if it's the way being a mom grounds you, or maybe it's just the way your priorities shift.

And yes, that is one beautiful little girl you have there. All the best to you.

What an adorable post! Enjoy these days and savor every moment. I can't wait to see the baby sweater.

She is very cute indeed!

Just on the panic/anxiety stuff I know exactly what you mean...I'm not sure if it's because I'm in my 30's rather than my 20's or what, but with 2.5 kids I don't have time for panic attacks anymore - I just seemed to get over it somehow.

Glad you had a good trip.

She's so cute she makes me cry and smile at the same time.
xoxo to you both!

Such a treat to see a post from you this morning! Thank you for sharing your beautiful family with us.

She is just the cutest thing ever! Your pictures are all great but the deep seated daddy's girl in me loves the picture of G and Meli where she's got her head tucked up under his chin. Makes me miss my Daddy...

What a wonderful post. You sound so happy. Meli is so cute.

She is, indeed, the cutest thing. And yes, I do indeed want to eat her up!

Or at the very least snorgle her widdle toes.

I eloped in Vermont too! I highly recommend it. We spent $300 on our wedding, including two nights at the hotel, two four course meals, and the trip to Canada for an afternoon latte.

Meli is a doll! I have been reading your blog since just before she was born. Glad she has affected your life in so many positive ways. You will love your Passat wagon. I bought mine new 6 years ago, getting rid of the dreaded minivan when the last child went off to college. I knew that I wanted a wagon. I had an 1988 Corolla wagon before the minivan and was disappointed to find that the Japanese carmakers didn't import them any longer...except Subaru, and they looked too much like an SUV for my taste and the Volvos were a bit too pricey. I know what you mean about the fast part :-)

Just found your blog and I'm loving it. You have a very sweet baby girl. I have two girls and they are all grown up now but we are still having firsts. I'm living with one right now while we build a new home around the corner from her. And we spead every day together and now she has a sweet little boy that I just adore.

Awwww! When I need a little sunshine in my day, I come to your blog to look at that sweet face. Adorable!

Ohhh she's so adorable! You guys look so lovely together, I am glad you are all doing well, and it's great to hear from you on your blog again!

This is an incredible post. Absolutely incredible. I can totally appreciate how far you've come and where you are - isn't it great?! The best part - it only gets better. You are at the hardest part right now. ;)

All together now -- Awwwww, howwww cuuuuute! And that goes for all 3 of you, plus the new car. Good for you on the documentation of all the Firsts. I wasn't quite so good about it, and have forgotten much. Enjoy all the Firsts as they occur!

Such a BEAUTIFUL family! I couldn't be happier for you all. And yes, Meli is beyond cute, and totally edible. I look forward to getting to meet her in person.

What a beautiful baby .. reading your blog brings my daughter's babyhood back to me so clearly. Keep enjoying these days!

I'm only commenting to say one thing though - don't give up on the train as Meli gets older. I have certainly seen kids for whom train travel is probably not a great idea, but I think they're really in the minority. We used to take our daughter on the NJT train all the time when she was a toddler, with no incidents of any kind. Usually to go on some kind of fun trip into NYC (Natural History Museum!), so threats of going back home kept her in line. On the way back, she was exhausted and fell asleep. The biggest pain was the stroller - but with an umbrella stroller & two adults, we managed. And on our line (Morris & Essex) people are generally pretty nice to people with little kids.

If there is a happier mommy and daddy on the face of the planet .... well let's just say the giddiness leaps out of the pics! Lucky Meli!

She really is too adorable!

I think pregnancy does amazing things. I had severe vertigo on staircases that improved immeasurably after my first pregnancy.

what a huge update! it's great to hear from you! meli is so cute. i love her little bathing suit. it sounds like you're all having a great time. i'm excited to hear about all of meli's "firsts". xoxo

What a wonderful update, it's so nice to see you!

She's really, really a gem.

We are having car seat issues not fitting in our car (2 door Honda Accord) too. Do you mind telling me what car you had the issue with (so we can stay clear of it)?

Yes I want to eat her up!!!!!!

I'M hungry, please send over more edible baby photos.

We eloped too--best way to be married in my books.

Miss Meli IS the cutest baby ever! (after my own 3 kidlets of course) Thanks for sharing pictures of her and your family, she is just a doll.

y'all are all just too cute! thanks for sharing.

There's your smiling face! What a beautiful girl! Enjoy every minute.

I loved all the baby knitting I did for new grandson. Things go fast and they are so sweet to see done up. You have been missed.. I look each day for a new post.

I've always come here (in part) for your enthusiasm -- but it was always for knitting. Seeing your enthusiasm for your new life is even better. I love it. And I love the pictures. Your daughter is so beautiful and your husband very handsome -- just a lovely family. And best of all was what you said about the anxiety & panic attacks. Congratulations on that major leap!

You sound so happy and content! How wonderful for you and your beautiful family! I have to tell you that I remember after having my first child (now 19...)that I felt as though I had just shed an old skin and now was all new and fresh and alive and tingly. Two recommendations for you: First - Madonna's "Ray of Light". No, I'm not a huge Madonna fan, but this song captures that feeling of just having a child and how it so changes you (she had just had her first child when she wrote this song). I love the line in the song, "...and I feel like I just got home". Second - A poem entitled, "Seeing the Earth from the Moon" by Maureen O'Brien. It's a great poem about being in labor and that first moment when you see your child for the first time how that moment changes your perspective so drastically. It must be what it's like for the astronauts to see the Earth for the very first time while standing on the moon. Suddenly, everything is different (this poem can be found in a book of poems entitled, "I Am Becoming the Woman I've Wanted" - if you're interested).

I think you're cured too. You are so in love with that baby you can't even think about stressing. :) It's lovely to "see". I'm pretty sure you've eaten up so much of her there wouldn't be any left for us!

Great post! Speaking of sweaters, when can I see you and give Meli her purple cotton summer sweater?

xo Kay

Meli gets cuter by the day! It's amazing how children fill our lives so much isn't it?

Have fun with all of her firsts :-)

Your pictures are adorable. I think we have the same picture of our daughter at the same age in the pool at my sister's. But then we also got a VW Passat wagon for her. Mine is 8 now, and I've become a soccer mom.
I really appreciated your thoughts about being a mom and recognizing that the anxieties were a luxury. There were all kinds of things I just magically "got over" when my children were born.

Boy a whole lotta first's for Meli in this post! It was great seeing you and your cutie at the guild meeting last week!

Congrats on the car! I cant say enough about VW's. We've only a bunch of them by me! That and my German Shepherd pup whose name is Jetta. With my hubby there is no escaping it!

LOVE the bathing attire! Too cute. Glad you are having so much fun with miss meli!

Boy a whole lotta first's for Meli in this post! It was great seeing you and your cutie at the guild meeting last week!

Congrats on the car! I cant say enough about VW's. We've only a bunch of them by me! That and my German Shepherd pup whose name is Jetta. With my hubby there is no escaping it!

Yes, she is the cutest, and yes, I do want to just eat her up. TOO adorable. All three of you, actually. What a laid-back little girl she seems to be (at least in the pics). And motherhood clearly suits you. I don't think I've ever seen you more beautiful than in the pictures with your daughter.

I know Newfane! My husband took me there (to the Four Column Inn) on a get away weekend, while I was awaiting some test results. All ended fine -- it's gorgeous there! Interestingly, I'm a lot calmer now than before I had kids --

Visit http://saveonanycars.blogspot.com now to find out how you can save up to 90% off on any cars you want!

I hear you on the firsts - we keep celebrating them, too. This week was our first visit to our great-grandparents (both sides - lots of 4 generation photos!).
OK, how do you get to ride in the front seat? We just took our first road trip (an ambitious 10 hour drive) but I had to sit in the back the entire way to be on pacifier duty... if she started getting fussy, the paci went back in!
Love the new car! Have fun with it!
Also, love the sun hats! Where did you get them small enough to fit? All of Raley's go down over her eyes (cute, but not too effective, and she's not fond of it!) :).
Glad to hear that you're doing well!!!

What a darling baby! I'm happy for your happy family!

Hey, I'm delurking to say thanks for what you said about the panic attacks and anxiety. Interesting that you get them in the car; for me, it's the PATH train coming into Manhattan. I'd like to have a child soon, but of course, I'm scared to death about the pregnancy (what if I have the panic attacks and can't take anything for them?). I'm reassured to hear that you're focused elsewhere. Congratulations on your beautiful little lady.