God is So Good

This is such a sweet and FUNNY memory, that I had to write about it so I don't forget. It is one of those, "had to be there" sort-of things, but it's still a funny story. Austin and I put AB to bed every night together. He gives her kisses and loves on her, then it's my turn. I usually always sing her "God is So Good" to get her relaxed and ready to sleep. I love this sweet little song. I used to sing it growing up. Austin usually leaves before I sing, so he's never heard it. Well, I lost my voice yesterday and so singing is not in the cards for me right now. So I told Austin he had to do it. Well, since he isn't in the room when I sing, he didn't know the tune, nor the words; and since I can't sing him the tune, he just had to create one. We were both cracking up because he was SO monotone and I was trying to squeak out a note for him, but it didn't work. In the meantime, AB is lying down looking at us with her eyes shifting from Austin to me wondering what the heck is going on. It was a sweet attempt by my sweet husband to sing my favorite childhood song to our daughter.

5 Months Old

Hey Sweet Love,
Happy five month!!! Five months? FIVE months?? Really?!?!? But just yesterday you were four months, it seems! Everyone told me this, but it's true. The time flies...it just cruises. I'm really missing your "newborn" days, but oh my, are you developing the sweetest and cutest personality. And, as you can tell from the picture, you are one HAPPY girl!

I think that is probably one of the best ways to describe you - happy. Grammy tells me all the time that she thinks you are the happiest baby she has ever seen. I agree. When we picked you up from Sunday School on Sunday morning, Ms. Charlotte - the preschool minister at FBCG - stopped me and said, "Annabelle just immediately lights up the room. Once she was in the nursery, it's like she just stole the show". That made mommy smile. You do, AB. You have a way of lighting up a room.

Your smile is contagious. I've never seen anyone catch a "case of the smiles" more often than your Daddy. All you have to do is give the slightest smile at him and his face lights up like I've never seen. It's then that he can't resist those smiling cheeks and usually runs right up to you and covers those sweet cheeks in kisses. It was just today he told you, "Daddy is going to kiss you as much as I can for as long as I can!" I think that's because we both know the day will eventually come when you are too cool for Mommy and Daddy kisses, but right now we're taking advantage of it!

I see a trend here in each of these monthly posts. From now on, I think I'll repeat the phrase, "I've seen more growth in you this month, than I have in the others." There really have been a lot of "firsts" this month. For starters, we put you on rice cereal in your bottle for your last feeding at night. You really seemed to enjoy it, until it started giving you some digestive issues, then we switched you to oatmeal cereal and that is working out great! As if you weren't before, but you are sleeping through the night almost 12 hours at a time. You are taking as much as 8 oz in one sitting. You love your bottle and are very serious about feeding time. When that bib goes on, you mean business. Speaking of bottle, almost immediately after you turned four months, you started taking the bottle, only. This was actually your decision. Nursing just wasn't enough to suffice and you wanted more. So, after much thought and tears, we transitioned you to formula only. This was a sad time for me, but am very thankful it wasn't a sad time for you. You actually wanting to quit nursing probably made it a ton easier on me than if it was my decision to stop. You can pretty much feed yourself and hold your bottle the whole time. You still have a hard time finding your mouth if it falls out, so Mommy and Daddy aren't far from you when you're eating.

As I mentioned before, you are now going to Sunday school and staying in the nursery while Daddy and I go to church. It actually wasn't hard for me to leave you because the first day we dropped you off you immediately took to Mr. Jacob. It's neat for me because I remember when he was little, himself. and running around the church. Now he's all grown up and taking care of you in the nursery. The second time we dropped you off at Sunday School, he opened the door and the second you saw him, you gave him the biggest smile and held out your arms! Wow! You hardly even do that for Mommy and Daddy. It was very sweet. I think it made Daddy a tad bit jealous, but he has nothing to worry about. You are CRAZY about your Daddy. It never fails, you save up the BIGGEST smiles for him.

You also have quite the vocals for such a tiny thing. You have never been a "screaming" baby, but you are a talker. Oh, you can just sit in the back in your carseat and we'll be driving along, and all of a sudden we hear you talking up a storm. We don't know what you're saying, but you do! You will also giggle or laugh out loud at something you think is humorous. This is my favorite! I could listen you laugh for hours on end and never want you to stop. It's music to my ears.

With all this growth, I've noticed your need for constant stimulation. I try and always have atleast two or three toys with you at all times. You have started this thing where you will pick up a toy with your left hand and shake it back and forth over and over. It's very cute. Recently, Daddy and I set up your little bouncy chair. I thought you may be just a little too small, but it didn't hurt to try. You love it...but as you can tell from the pictures below, it took you a few minutes to warm up. But I think you have the hang of it now. You were such a good sport, though.

I'm so excited because I can already tell you are a shopper. On my birthday, Grammy took you and I to one of my favorite restaurants, Maggiano's. Afterwards we spent the entire and I mean ENTIRE day at the mall. We walked all over the place looking for Mommy some shoes and Grammy some shoes. Grammy also bought some make-up and when we handed the lip gloss to you, you already knew what to do with it. I tell you, AB, you're a girl after my own heart!

Your naps have become a little more consistent, too. One of my MOST favorite things in the whole world is when I lay you down beside me on the bed and you take a nap with me. You are awesome, AB, because you will always nap with me on the bed. I love it! It's one of my most favorite times with you because we get to snuggle. You are pretty much on a two a day nap schedule. You may squeeze in a little afternoon power nap here and there, but for the most part you have a morning and late afternoon nap. This month was quite an adjustment for me as far as your sleeping goes. We transitioned you to your room and your crib. Although this is a good thing, I have a very hard time with it. I just stare at the video monitor making sure you are still in your own bed. I am finding any excuse to have you in my room. You are actually asleep right next to me in your pack and play now. Reason for this: because I want to! We've also cut out using the wedge and swaddling you. The no swaddling was really hard at first. I felt you needed that, but we cut out swaddling when you napped. You eventually just got to where you did't need it for nap or night time. You eat by 7:30 or 8:00 and you're out for the night....and when I say, "out" I mean, OUT!

Oh, AB! I don't think you will ever know how much I love you. I can't even begin to put it into words. You are getting to be at such a fun age. You make me laugh all the time, and you don't even try. Everyone tells me to savor every single moment of this stage in your life. I know that I'm super guilty of thinking you'll stay this age forever. It's hard to not live in the now and think about how things are going to change, when I don't even know what they'd be like. I am, though. I am taking in every single second of your life. I absolutely love it! I love being a mommy and I love being your mommy. I know that you are so much more aware of that now. The other night we went over to Ms. Amy's and Anna's house to have a fun girl's night. We did have a lot of fun! However, when we first got there, Ms. Amy was holding you and out of nowhere, you burst into tears and only wanted me. The second that I took you back in my arms you stopped fussing and were just fine. I felt like this was a huge step. It's almost like the final initiation to being a mommy. It was your first case of separation anxiety. As much as it flattered Mommy to have you want to be back in my arms and lay your sweet head down on my shoulder to let everyone know that, "Hey! This is my Mommy!", I was a little sad because I want people to go on loving on you and enjoying you. I realize it's a phase, but I wonder how long it will last. I hate to see you sad, but it made me feel good to be wanted. I love every single second I spend with you. I'm just amazed how much you're growing and what all you are starting to do. You are such a blessing, Annabelle. Mommy and Daddy think you are the greatest thing ever. I couldn't ask for anything more. Thank you for making Mommy and Daddy so happy! I love you, baby girl!

The Bane of my Existence

This, supposedly, wonderful invention to keep mothers from worrying about their kids being in their rooms by themselves and knowing what they are doing and how they are doing at all times, is causing me quite a bit of grief. We've recently moved AB into her own room in the last couple of weeks. I HATE it! I hate it because of this wonderful piece of technology that I should be grateful for; and don't get me wrong - I am grateful that my wonderful Grandmother purchased it for me, but I'm obsessed with it!! I find myself waking up continuously through the night just to stare at it to make sure AB is still in her bed. This monitor has an awesome microphone attached to the camera, and literally, if Annabelle lets out a sigh or a slight whimper, I can hear it. I can also hear EVERY move she makes. When her little arms and legs move across her sheets, it makes a noise. This thing rocks...but I hate it. All of those irrational "mommy" fears come into play and I find myself waking up several times a night to make sure she's still in her bed, and that the sounds I'm hearing isn't someone coming to take her out of her bed. I miss her sleeping next to me in her pack-n-play. I've found several excuses the last couple of nights to keep her in our room. I have to stop this. It's just hard. Now Austin and I sleep with our bedroom door wide open and her bedroom door wide open, so I can rush in there in a split second if I have to. Oh, maybe I'll get over it one of these days. I just hope she's not a teenager before I do.

Confessions of a Working Mom - Part IV: Just when I thought it was getting easier...

I had to go and have a wonderful two full weeks off and get totally accustomed to spending every waking moment with my baby. Then when school started again, it was back to the old grind and I started missing AB terribly. It did get super, duper easier there for a while. I was back in my teacher groove and how I do love, love teaching. It wasn't hard at all during the day. I would just pack up and head out as soon as 3:15 came around and AB and I had the rest of the afternoon to ourselves. This week has been a different story. It was so hard to drag myself away from my sweet girl on Monday. Luckily, I have amazing bosses and after the morning part of our professional development, it was just hanging out in our classrooms, so they let me bring Miss AB with me. That was fun having her there. It's such a conflicting, bittersweet thing for me. The first part of our staff development on Monday was at Wylie East and everyone in the district was there to see and hear the VERY entertaining and inspiring, the one and only Ron Clark. Man, did he start a fire in me to be the best teacher I can be. Believe it or not, even though I miss my baby girl every second of the day, I still feel like my passion for teaching is very strong and I still love it! It's just hard because when I'm at work, I'm guilty about leaving my sweet Annabelle and then when I think about leaving teaching and being with Annabelle, I feel guilty about that. Ugh. It's conflicting, but my heart is torn in two directions, but I'm pretty sure I know which one will win. Anyway, being a working mom did get easier. It's just that this break was a little bit of a set back, but like I always do...I'll get through it and go about my days. God is good and wants to bless me, I know this. I just wonder what He has in store for me next year.

Goodbye 2009, You Were the Best Year Ever!

2009 was the best year of my life! I found out on December 12, 2008 that I was going to have a baby. From this day on, I highly anticipated the year 2009 and all the love and joy it would bring. This whole year, practically, I watched my belly go from flat to big and round with each growing month. I don't think I've ever experienced this much excitment. I don't think I've ever prayed to God so much and thanked him for this blessing. I don't think I've ever been so excited. I don't think I'd ever been so scared at the same time. What would motherhood be like? How would I feel when I saw her for the first time? How would my marriage be after she got here? The answer to all of these questions is, amazing. She is amazing. Motherhood is amazing. My husband is amazing as a husband and a daddy. Yes, 2009 blessed me in so many ways. My lifelong wish of becoming a mommy was granted in 2009. It had been something I had wished for so bad when I was young and and as I got older. Sometimes, I stop and think how lucky I am that the ONE thing I've wanted more than anything my whole life, I have now. Of course, it wasn't 2009 who made all these things possible. It was by the love and grace of Christ that made me a mother. It just so happened that the year 2009 was when He planned this for me. I know I will always want to re-live this year because it was full of such joy and love. August 24, 2009, by far is the day I will remember the most. What a wonderful day it was. Farewell, 2009. I will continue to pray that 2010 will bring just as much love, joy and blessings to our family, but never will I have as much love for one thing as I do the gift that was given to us in 2009.

4 Month Check-Up

Today was Annabelle's four month check-up. I always enjoy taking AB to her pediatrician because I look at it as a learning opportunity as she grows. Never being a mom before, I have a lot to learn about what to expect with every new month and so I always come equipped with my list of questions in tow, ready to ask Dr. Straughn, and who else was there but our most FAVORITE nurse in the whole world:

We were so excited because at AB's two week check-up, Cousin Chana was on maternity leave. For her two month check-up, Chana was called into the Plano office. So, FINALLY Cousin Chana was there to give AB her shots and love on her a little bit. I trust anybody at that office, but it's so much more comforting when you know family and someone who loves your baby is tending to her. It was a fun visit, especially because that is what we spent a lot of our time doing - visiting and chatting! Chana gave AB her shots and she didn't cry as much as she did at her two month visit, but it still breaks her mommy's heart when she bursts into tears. Dr. Straughn said that AB looked great and he was pretty adamant that she shouldn't be swaddled anymore and I should stop using the wedge. However, after advice from several experienced mommies, I decided that I would continue swaddling AB for a while longer and slowly wean her off instead of quitting cold turkey. I knew this would make for a long night, and my wonderful baby who sleeps ten to twelve hours a night, would not continue to do this for a while. We've done away with the wedge, for the most part, but swaddling, we just can't give up completely yet. Annabelle was in the 25th percentile for weight, the 12th percentile for head circumfrence, and the 65th percentile for weight. So far it's looking like she's going to be a long, lean little thing. It was an overall very good visit. She was a very happy girl and "talked and sang" for the doctor the whole time. A good doctor's visit always makes mommy very happy.

Four Months Old - On Christmas Eve!

Happy Four Months, Sweet Angel,

Not only is it happy four months, but Merry Christmas Eve to you! Your four month fell on Christmas Eve! How fitting, because I can't think of a better Christmas gift than you! Mommy and Daddy are so excited about this Christmas because you are here, Love. Christmas shopping has been a piece of cake for you this year. I can just drop your Christmas presents in the shopping cart with you right there. How easy is that? I think this last month has definitely been the most fun of all the four. You have done a lot of growing and changing and your personality is definitely starting to show. You are becoming so aware of your surroundings and your family. Here is one person you absolutely adore. This picture says it all.

One of the things I live the most for is to see your smiling face. You smile 90% of your life. You even wake up that way. Daddy and I are amazed at that because we don't wake up smiling. You are definitely what I would call, a "happy baby". You are so content and easy-going, and I'm pretty sure you have this whole "taking pictures" thing figured out. You know to look at Mommy now when I take your picture, and most of the time I get the cutest faces from you.

You're starting to grow and change in so many ways, and I've noticed a lot of growth this month. One thing I've noticed is you are starting to look my way if I'm calling out your name. This makes me so happy. Mommy and Daddy put a lot of thought into your name, and you're finally responding to it! You will also respond to a, "hey" or a whistle, but still! I love you will look at me when I call you by name. You are really starting to notice people and become a little more aware who is not Mommy or Daddy. However, you aren't to the stage yet where you cry when someone else has you. I'm not looking forward to those days because a) I hate seeing you upset and b) I love it that you let other people enjoy you. Including Santa!

Last Saturday, we were at Cousin Carter's house for an early family Christmas. You reached two milestones that day. The first was, when we were changing your diaper, you grabbed both feet. This was the first time you found your feet and you held on and didn't let go. The next was, when Daddy was giving you a bottle, you put both hands around that bottle, held on and fed yourself. Way to go, AB! This makes feeding time just a little easier for Mommy and Daddy. Although, it makes me sad because you're growing. I'm going to miss the days when I could scoop you up in my lap and give you a bottle, but you're feeding yourself so well. This is also a bittersweet thing for me because I, pretty soon, will have to stop nursing completely. This last month has brought some challenges on the nursing front. I had to stop pumping during the day and would feed you in the morning and at night, now I'm lucky to get a morning feeding in. Any other time, you prefer a bottle and Mommy isn't producing enough when I pump to give you breastmilk in a bottle. I'm trying not to feel like an absolute failure (which I know this is not the truth), but it was such a special time with you, AB, and I hate that it will have to end sooner than expected. But girl, you love yourself a bottle, so I take comfort in that.

Oh goodness how you are such a happy girl! Don't get me wrong, you have your moments where you aren't the most pleasant to be around, but that definitely doesn't happen nearly as much as when you are happy. The other day we were in Target (which we have frequented a lot, lately) and I was frantically rushing around trying to finish up Christmas shopping, when I looked down at you, you were giving me the biggest smile completely unprovoked. Oh, how I live for that!

This Christmas is going to be such a fun one with you here, AB. It's already been fun doing Christmas-y things with you. Grammy bought you the most gorgeous dress from a darling dress boutique and you look so precious in it. We took your picture in it for our Christmas card. You LOVED having your picture taken by the tree and were particularly fascinated with the ornaments.

Your napping schedule has been that of an inconsistent one. Miss Andrea thinks you are the funniest thing, how you can thrive on 30 min to an hour of sleep a day! No joke. You are definitely a champion power napper. You may have one long nap a day, but other than that all you need is about 20 - 30 minutes and you're ready to roll. Mommy does NOT complain about this though, because you sleep through the night like a champ. This month you have started sleeping about 10-11 hours through the night. Mommy and Daddy LOVE this!!!! I have been off for Christmas vacation, so I'm allowing you to sleep through instead of waking you up at about 6 am to feed you. I've found that you can go the full 11 hours, but I'm still going to be selfish and wake you up in the mornings when I go back to work, as this time is extremely important to me and I need it. Probably more than you, but still...

This month has proven to be the one that I've noticed the most changes in you. You are definitely getting to be more fun and are developing this awesome sense of humor. You definitely get it when Mommy is playing with you and trying to get you to laugh. You used to just stare at me blankly, but now you are all smiles. Oh my, you are so much fun!!!

Even though you are growing and changing so much, we still haven't completely moved on past being a newborn. You still have the need to be swaddled at night. Otherwise, you are knocking your pacie out of your mouth and hitting yourself in the face. This makes you extremely frustrated...I can imagine why! You still sleep in the bassinet in Mommy and Daddy's room. Yes, yes I know. I've heard it from lots of people..."she should be in her own room by now." Well, easier said than done. Don't people know how far your room is from mine??? I'm just not comfortable with it yet. Yes, we have a video monitor, but it just doesn't suffice. One day Mommy will get the guts to do it...but not quite yet. Maybe in another three to four weeks. It isn't just me, Daddy feels the same way. We like knowing you are right beside us. I guess it better be soon, because you are slowly outgrowing that bassinet. Speaking of growing, you are four months, but still in 0-3 clothes and in some cases you can still wear newborn. You are a petite thing and all of your 3-6 months clothes are still too big. I'm hoping you will be able to wear them before it gets too warm because, girl, you have some darn cute winter outfits in the 3-6 month size.

After seeing all the growing you've done over this last month, I can't wait to see what the next month has in store. I really feel like things are starting to take off and you are becoming your own person. I can't wait to see who you become and what you'll be like. I'm already so proud of you. Thank you for making Mommy and Daddy so happy and giving us the best Christmas present we could ever ask for.

Love you,

Mommy