Did you know that babies are small? Because they totally are.

It's true.

Babies are small.

This is a scientific fact discovered by Galileo in 1607, when he also coincidentally found that ice is cold and you can't breathe water.

But all kidding aside, it's easy to lose a sense of size when you see pictures of Alma, so I thought I'd post this one up. It's pretty amazing to think that this little person's head can fit in my hand, that her forearm is smaller than my finger.

Daddy's Little Piggy

Alma's a little stuffed up so she's making some funny snorts.

First Bottle

Since this is my second post in one day it will be a short one but I couldn't let the day go by without posting something about Matt getting to feed Alma for the first time. Alma had her first bottle and Papa handled it like a pro.

One Month Old

We knew that this would happen. Everyone was even very quick to warn us of how fast the time actually goes, but really? Can it be that Alma is already one month old? In so many ways I feel like I have known her forever and in others I feel like I have so much to learn.

Alma had her one month doctor visit yesterday with our pediatrician. She has successfully put on one pound and she grew 3/4 of an inch since we were in the office last. The doctor says with the utmost confidence that she is a very healthy baby.

I searched for the perfect picture to post of our little darling for her one month post and finally decided on a mini-photo shoot that I took in Alma's favorite spot - the changing table. She seems to love being here. We can't decide if it's the window that she can see out of or if it's the fact that she gets a clean diaper every time she is there. But whatever the reason this kiddo always gives us her widest smiles and loudest giggles on the changing table so we thought we would share some with you (some of these may be a bit blurry as we are still mastering infant photography - they tend not to sit still).

Alma's Birth Story

 As most of you know, Alma was born on a Monday night, March 21st to be exact. However there is so much more to the story. We thought you all might like to hear more details of how our baby came into the world. Below we have included Alma's birth story as written by our beloved Doula, Dayna O'Gorman.

The Birth Story of Alma Schmidt

Carla and Matt Schmidt were very excited when they discovered they were expecting their first child.  They had waited a long time to start their family and were looking forward to the day they got to meet their baby.  After a change in cities, doctors and lots of preparation, that day finally arrived. 

Before: The Schmidt family arrives at the hospital anxious and hopeful.

Carla had been dilated to 3 cm for a few weeks when her doctor, Dr Eric Peck, decided to break her water a few days prior to her due date.  The couple arrived at Olathe Medical Center at 10:00 am on Monday, March 21^st 2011.  Dr Peck informed them he had an emergency dental appointment and wouldn’t be able to break her water till around noon.  After eating some lunch and walking a bit,  Dr Peck returned and broke Carla’s water.  Carla, Matt and their doula, Dayna, walked the halls.  Carla started to contract quickly with regularity.  Her nurse, Heather, would occasionally check in on the couple but for the most part let them enjoy the calm and undisturbed labor they wanted.  Using walking, the birth ball, the whirlpool tub and the rocking chair, Carla progressed from 3 cm dilated to 9 cm dilated by 6:50 pm.  Withing the next 45 mins, she was ready to begin pushing.  Their new nurse, Monica, was helpful with the many pushing positions used and Carla was very strong, giving each push her all.  Matt was by her side the entire time, encouraging Carla to keep going.  Finally after 2 ½ hours of pushing, Carla and Matt’s daughter Alma was born.

After: 10 hours later, little miss Alma arrives to happy, but tired parents

Hello world. I think I'll sleep now. KTHX BYE.

Alma Schmidt was born at 9:54 pm on Monday, March 21^st 2011.  She weighed 7 lbs 2 oz and was 19” long.  Attending the delivery were her parents, Dr Eric Peck, nurses Monica, Wanda and Brianna, and doula Dayna O’Gorman.  It was a beautiful birth, full of love, excitement and the beginning of a great family.  

Alma Schmidt: 7lbs, 2oz, 19 inches, 100% awesome

The Schmidts, party of three.

 By the way we couldn't complete Alma's birth story without mentioning her first visitor. Aunt Amanda was anxiously awaiting the call at our house in Overland Park. She was at the hospital within the hour to meet Ms. Alma. 

Aunt Amanda gets in on some Alma lovin' at the hospital.

First Post!

Today's post is by papa.

As I sit here pecking at my keyboard with one hand, Alma is in my other arm grunting and generally being adorable. When Carla handed her to me today, we were both astonished at how much she's grown in a single month. The clothes we took her home from the hospital in hung on her like curtains a mere four weeks ago. Today hey fit her like a glove.

With so much change happening in our lives and such rapid change happening with Alma, it is high time that we create a journal to document her (and our) growth. That's really the purpose of this blog, more or less. Let's all watch Alma grow up together.

Oh, yes, nearly forgot. I rock apparently.