Saturday BBQ

We hosted a BBQ yesterday for Pete, Tiffany, GrandPops, James and the kids. Stasa was good for the majority of the day and took a couple of cat naps. We had a TON of food thanks to Mrs. Sinai's freezer. I managed to snap a few pictures in between all of Stasa's feedings.

"Where's my food, woman?"

"My hands are sooo tasty."

Stasa and Daddy

Stasa and GrandPops

Stasa with Uncle Pete and Aunt Tiffany

Uncle Pete trying to soothe the Stasa Monster

Uncle Pete, Daddy and Stasa - 3 Merkel weirdos

A visit with Uncle Cousin Peter

Stasa and I went to visit Uncle Cousin Peter yesterday since he's home for Spring Break. Peter has a habit of stealing my camera and taking multiple self portraits with it. Unfortunately for him, he can't do this with my new camera and telephoto lens. I took pity on him and took a few close ups to make him feel better.

Stasa was a perfect angel while we were there - she napped for a good 2 hours and sat happily the rest of the time. She only got fussy when I put her back in her carseat to go home. Peter and I worked on the puzzle we started on Saturday - we're so close to being finished. I got tired of trying to match up pieces of sky and took a little snooze in front of the fire (and snored according to Peter). Peter obsessively checked his grades online, as if his professors would post them within the 5 minutes he last checked. Loon.

Here are some pictures from yesterday.
Peter's close-up

Stasa snoozing like an angel


Evil Peter

My Sunday Night, a story in pictures

I really need to poop. Can you help me, Grandpops?

You're doin' it wrong!

Oops. I think I pooped my pants.

I don't need a bath, that's the cat you smell.

Crap.

Well, if you must...make sure you get my butt!

Hey! Where are my PJs? It's cold being naked.

I think you need a bath, mom.

Man, lockdown already?!?

Fine. Goodnight!

The Queen of Fussiness

Proof that Stasa can be the Queen of Fussiness when she wants:


Although who knows? It could just be crazy Uncle Peter making her that way. Haha! And here's Stasa sitting in her new big girl chair that Aunt Peggy got for her.

Aunt Peggy and I went to a consignment sale yesterday and got some great stuff. I bought a couple of clothes and some toys and only spent $11. Pretty good, right? Plus I got some toys that I LOVED as a kid which I consider a bonus. Then we went to G Street Fabrics to get some stuff for a shawl for Aunt Peggy. I picked up a pretty fabric and some fun buttons to make another dress for Stasa. Today we're having GrandPops Merkel over for dinner. Stasa's taking her second nap of the day so she can be refreshed for dinner time.

Happy Friday!

Peter comes home today and will get to meet Stasa for the first time tomorrow! Aunt Peggy and I are going to a consignment sale tomorrow morning and I'm hoping to get some good baby stuff.

Today Stasa and I are off to Rockville to shoot some pictures of Helen and Landon. Stasa seems to be in a good mood so my fingers are crossed that she stays that way today.

Theos Peter and Spiro

Theo Peter and Theo Spiro came by yesterday for a visit. Spiro came to install a new humidifier, thermostat and to fix our heater (we've been running off of emergency heat and not the heat pump). Pete came by to see Spiro for some stuff for his house.

Stasa had fun hanging out in Theo Peter's arms, but she didn't listen to me when I told her to let 'em rip so he could feel her farts. She then passed out for the night around 9:00 PM and slept until 3:30 AM. Then went back down for good around 7:00 AM. So all in all, a pretty decent night.

Aunt Jennifer and Aunt Kelly come to visit!

Yesterday I was given another birthday present - a visit from Aunt Jennifer! And then Aunt Kelly came to visit with Stasa, too. Here are some pictures from yesterday and today.

Aunt Kelly and Stasa

Aunt Kelly helping Stasa hold her new lovey

Stasa gripping her lovey

Aunt Jennifer's first diaper change ever

Aunt Jennifer trying to comfort the Stasa Monster (she calmed down the minute Aunt Kelly held her)

Aunt Jennifer and Stasa photo shoot

I call this "The Poop Series" - you can tell Stasa is pooping - just look at their faces!

Thea Loula

Stasa met her Thea Loula last night. She can't wait to meet Crazy Uncle Matt, Andreas and Alex.

Aunt Kelly

Aunt Kelly came to visit Stasa today and the two of them hit it off right away. Kelly's a natural with babies and Stasa loved being held by her. Next time we'll hang out together at the mall- we've got to start Stasa off young.

Meeting some of the cousins

Pete and Tiffany brought Luke and Mariah by to meet their new little cousin. Stasa was very well behaved and sat peacefully in her cousins' arms. We still need to get some pictures of Stasa with her Aunt Tiffany and Uncle Pete.

A few more pictures

So so tired - Stasa looks awake in this picture, but she does this a lot in her sleep. She loves sucking on her fingers and moving her head around.

The yummy ice cream cake from Uncle Pat and Aunt Peggy - I can't wait to eat more of it!

Tom, Stasa and the new Great-Grandma

Grandma was so great with Stasa - gentle and calmed her down - I loved seeing her hold her and talk to her.

Back at the hospital for the bilirubin phototherapy - poor Tom looks exhausted. He let me do most of the sleeping today and didn't really get to take his own nap.