June 2013

This month was all about baby. Adjusting to the arrival of our new family member took up the vast majority of our time. There were highs and lows as sleep patterns and colicky crying waxed and waned, but an overall sense of awe at the new change in our lives was the most prominent emotion we felt. Pictures and stories about moments with the baby are detailed in her blog: http://littlebabyhoody.blogspot.com/

A few select photos:

 

We enjoyed visits from both sets of new grandparents in the two weeks after Quinn's birth, including extremely helpful extended visits by the Grandmas (Gram and Nana) to help with adjustment. Megan's Aunt Mary also happened to be in town one weekend, so Quinn got to meet some of her extended family. We also celebrated Ryan's first Father's Day (for his human kids, at least), and Quinn practiced her sign language for his card, given her poor language skills. 

Many nights in June included tense game watches during the Stanley Cup. Luckily for the family, the Blackhawks ended up taking the Cup (!!!), making Ryan a very happy guy.

Also, Ryan completed his final graduation (ever!)- we are so proud of him!

May 2013

May was a big month in our family's life, the biggest yet in fact. This month we welcomed a new member to our little family, and our lives are forever changed. 

The month started with Megan wrapping up work to begin maternity leave and Ryan flying up to Chicago to escort his big-bellied (8 1/2 months pregnant) wife and dogs down to Houston for the summer. We got to catch up with the Contes, Winters, and Endrizzi-Kramers the day before we left (within one year these couples had gone from being 4 childless pairs to two having infants and two having babies on the way, it's quite the trend!). The road trip to Houston went well, with stops in Kansas City to see the Markeys and in Ft Worth to catch up with college friend Theresa. 

One way to tell you are staying at a Texas hotel is by the food:

We arrived in Houston on Cinco de Mayo, so our first stop was naturally for Mexican food (we proceeded to celebrate this holiday in this way for the whole month).

As we (somewhat patiently) awaited the arrival our new family member, we spent time enjoying Houston food, hanging out with Ryan's Texas Heart friends, bonding with the dogs, and cheering for the Chicago Blackhawks (who Ryan had followed all year all the way down in Texas).

As the end of the month approached, our due date came and went. We had accepted that we would likely end up being induced and then Megan's water suddenly broke on Saturday May 25th, three days after the original due date. We'll spare you most of the details of the labor, though a play by play of sorts was documented in a blog that Ryan began as we arrived at the hospital: http://littlebabyhoody.blogspot.com/

Quinn Marie Hood was born at 1:09 am on Sunday May 26th, weighing 6 lbs 10 oz and stealing her parents hearts.. 

I'll reference people to the above noted blog for more details on the first days of Quinn's life (and pretty much every day after that), but needless to say 

they were filled with lots of wonderful emotions and very little sleep. Ryan's mom arrived from Maine late in the 

day to celebrate the new arrival and provide much appreciated help throughout Quinn's first week.

The Hood family blog is now growing a little bit fuller, in the most wonderful of ways!