Photo OVERLOAD!!!

(posted by Daddy)

Hi everybody! Prepare yourselves for the largest blog entry ever! We just had too many good photos to choose from this week. After hours of deliberations we were able to narrow it down to 25 photos. We knew we needed to get these uploaded before the stock market opened on Monday, so we worked through the weekend and came up with a bipartisan agreement on Mataya's best photos of the week! 

Ok. This is easily one of the cutest photographs ever taken in the history of the world. Mataya is getting geared up for a stroll around the neighborhood. We got her this hat to help with the sun, not realizing it was going to be about 4 sizes too big for her. She doesn't mind though, and neither do we! It's adorable!

Cute, oversized hat: check. Big, bright, beautiful eyes: check. "daddy loves me" shirt: check! Most adorable baby ever: CHECK!

Here we're catching Mataya in the middle of a feeding. She just got a few burps out and is staring happily at mommy to show her appreciation. Mataya LOVES her mommy. 

I'm only on caption number four and I'm already having a hard time thinking of synonyms for cute and adorable. I might be in trouble here.

This turned into a hefty photoshoot. Mataya was practicing sitting in an upright position. In this photo she was just checking with me before she started to make sure I would be documenting the event. 

She's pretty great at stabilizing herself while she's sitting up. In this photo, gravity starts to win but mommy is there to catch her. Mataya thinks it's pretty funny!

Don't worry, Mataya! I'm taking photos of everything!

She is such a little sweetheart. Such a beautiful smile. This went on for quite a while, and we have the photos to prove it!!! Enjoy a couple of photos caption-free...

This one needs a caption a for sure. We have no idea where this look came from. It's the only time she's ever smiled like this. We think it is hilarious. If you just look at her mouth, it's almost like she's giving us a fake driver's license smile. Hah! She's probably just experimenting with different smiles, because her eyes  are so full of love. ; )

Towards the end of the photoshoot, she remembered that she was in the middle of eating and let daddy know that it was ok to stop taking pictures now so that she and mommy could get back to business.

Here's Mataya chillin on daddy's lap in what mommy calls her "Strawberry Shortcake" outfit. Such a happy baby! Below are a few more photos from this shoot.

Mommy snapped this picture during one of Mataya's dinner feedings. We were impressed by the level of focus she's showing right here. She takes her bottle feeding very seriously.

Ahhhh yes! One of my favorite photoshoots ever!

One of Mataya's new playtime activities involves standing on daddy's chest. It also involves laughing, smiling, kisses, and heart-melting cuteness. 

Seriously. Is it possible to be more adorable than this?! 

Here, mommy distracts her for a second with the camera...

...but soon she's locked back into playtime with daddy. She's got some eyebrow raising action going on here. I like it!

Mommy is getting getting tricky with the camera here, making sure that we're documenting the moment from every angle. Great job!

Oh, I forgot to mention all the cute noises that take place during this kind of playtime. I think this one might've sounded like "blblblblbbbblllllllll" or "aaagiihhhhhhhhhhh" ; )

If it were up to me, I'd be hugging and kissing this little one 24/7. She is the most precious thing ever. 

Mataya got to meet some more of our friends this morning at church. She was so well behaved and seemed to enjoy the music and lights. We sat at the back so we could make a dash for the door if she started crying, but she was just relaxing the whole time. Great job baby girl!

I also have to brag about the great nap we had today. It's a rare occasion that she falls asleep on my chest for an extended period of time. Her face was resting on my neck so I could feel her little breaths. So amazing. I absolutely LOVE being her daddy. 

Oh, lastly I'm supposed to mention her doctor's visit this week. She's super healthy. A little over 9 pounds 9 ounces and about 22.5 inches tall. Still a little peanut for sure. ; ) Her doctor is amazed at how physically strong she is already. Yay! 

That was a marathon posting. I'm gonna have to take the day off of work tomorrow to catch up on rest. ; )