Laugh Out Loud

I know Heth already posted today but I had to write about Abby's first laugh tonight. We were putting her in her car seat to take her to grandma and grandpas for a few hours and as we were talking with her she started smiling and then came the sweetest little laugh. She was smiling from ear to ear and letting out these sweet little baby laughs. Heth and I were so excited and it was so special that we both were able to share in the moment together. We were like two giddy little children watching her and laughing with her. Our sweet little Abby, she brings us so much joy as we watch her grow and learn new things everyday. I hope all of her days will be filled with laughter and happiness.

Abby is the greatest baby ever

Cindy and I have the greatest baby ever. In the past 10 weeks I have seen her grow and change so much. I love to see her little smile and the way she likes to try and eat her hands. She has started to slobber and drool a bit but I think it is the best mess I've ever seen. Her poots and poops are starting to stink a bit more but changing diapers isn't so bad when it's Abby. She and I like to spend some time on Saturday mornings together while Cindy sleeps and talk about what's going on in Abby's world. She likes to have her diaper off and kick her legs wildly when I talk to her. Her hair is usually a mess and sticks up everywhere, espically when she wakes up. Cindy laughs at us on Saturday mornings since our hair looks similar in style. She has to take medicine for acid reflux but she really loves to take it since she gets and ounce of apple juice with it. I've found my back doesn't hurt or get as tight as it once did when I hold her. Now I feel like I can hold here and play for hours. She's still little, but it's funny when the clothes she wore a few weeks ago do not fit anymore. I still like for her to fall asleep on my chest or in my arms. There's something comforting about knowing she feels comfortable enough to fall asleep with me. I love that she still gets the hiccups, but it's not as fun at 3am when she can't go back to sleep. I love that she still likes to grab one of my fingers when she takes a bottle. I love the smell of her after a bath when Cindy puts her apricot lotion on her. I still call her Possum, Turkey and Tater but I'll stop when she knows what they are. I still hate the bird at the window. But most of all, I still love being married to Cindy and having a great family to come home to everyday!

More Easter Pictures

Here is Abby playing with her cousin Stephanie on Easter Sunday.

First Roadtrip for Abby

Today was Abby's first road trip as we visited my grandfather for Easter. Doesn't she look adorable in her purple Easter dress? She even wore her little pearl bracelet today! She did look adorable. We left this morning around 7:30 and stopped at grandma and grandpas to eat breakfast and then hit the road. She did great sleeping almost the entire trip in her car seat. When we stopped to feed her and change her into her Easter clothes she seemed as happy as can be. Then.... we left to head to the church and she started screaming. She went into her ugly cry, the one that where she gets so mad that she holds her breath and I have to blow in her face. And yes, it scares me when she does this. I yelled for Heth to pullover and made her another bottle, she took another ounce and went right back to sleep. This girl knows what she wants, and if she's hungry you'd better feed this baby. She then slept through church and made it to my grandfather's house where she ate again, played and smiled at everyone for most of the afternoon. We left around 5 and she slept the entire trip home, only waking up when we were almost to grandma and grandpas house. I was so glad that she handled the day so well. In fact when we got home she let me rock and went right to sleep. She seems to be doing great since she started taking her medicine for acid reflux. I really think it has settled her tummy and she is not spitting up as much and less fussy after she eats. She really has been a great baby. More importantly she was able to spend time with her family; great grandpa, uncle Paul, cousins Matthew, Andrew, Steven, and Stephanie, Uncle Squat(Mack), Aunt Beth, and got to meet Naomi and Elaine this afternoon. It turned out to be a great first road trip for her. Next year this time we'll be dying eggs and going on Easter egg hunts. I can't wait!! There are so many things I look forward to doing with Abby and just being there to watch her have fun and see the excitement on her face. I already ordered her a monogrammed stocking for her first Christmas. I know its early but I can't wait to watch her open presents for the first time. Well its getting late and I am pretty tired myself.

Back to Work :(

Who would want to leave this sweet little face to go back to work?? Yesterday morning it was so hard for me to leave little Abby. I did shed a few tears when I woke up and thought about how much I was going to miss her after spending so much time with her over the past nine weeks. I love her so much and can't begin to describe the joy she has brought me since she arrived that sweet January day. I am however so glad to know that grandma is looking after her and I don't have to worry at all about her during the day. My first day back went well. I have some great Anatomy students this semester and I honestly think they were glad to have me back after hearing all of the stories about the sub that was filling in for me. In a few weeks they may change their mind and wish the other guy was back ;) Today I was a little more tired than yesterday as I am trying to get used to getting up and working all day and then coming home and making sure Abby is taken care of and getting everything ready for the next day. My house is definitely not as neat and clean as it used to be. My mom has actually done most of the cleaning that has gotten done since Abby was born. She now takes priority over everything else.
Heth has been trying to fight off sickness over the weekend and finally today came home from work early to go to the doctor. I was convinced he was getting the flu but the doctor thinks it is just a bad sinus infection. He has had a fever and been very congested for several days now. The doc gave him some antibiotics and other meds so hopefully he'll be back to normal soon. Luckily the doc doesn't think it is anything contagious that Abby could get.

2-Month Check-up

Abby had her two month doctor visit today. She did great considering she was given 3 immunizations and one oral. It was so pitiful to watch her scream when the shots were given but she quickly seemed to settle down and so far has done great today. She is weighing in at 11 lbs and 12 oz. now and was 22 and 1/2 inches long. This put her in the 75% for both height and weight. So, with that being said she is a happy and healthy baby and I am so thankful. She also continues to sleep well at night with last night setting her record for consecutive hours of sleep to an all time high- 8 hours! I hope she continues as I go back to work next week :)

A Smooth Spring Forward for Abby

I was worried about springing forward this weekend and Abby's little Biological rhythm being thrown off but she actually did great. She went to sleep last night around 7:45 and slept until 3 AM! That's right- a full seven hours of consecutive sleep. And last night she didn't have one of her major fussing spells as she knew she approached sleeping hour. I can't believe that she will be 8 weeks old on Weds., time is just going by so fast. As I was taking pictures of her this morning I was thinking about how hard it will be for me to return to work next week. I started worrying about all of the little things I would miss during the day. The new sounds she'll make and all the firsts that I might not be there for. It really made me sad. Then after she went to sleep for her morning nap I started praying about it and God sent me to a verse He has shown me for a second time since Abby was born,
Matthew 6:30-34. It reads, " O you of little faith, So do not worry saying, "What shall we eat?" or "What shall we drink?" or "What shall we wear?" For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
After reading these verses again it made me realize that He will take care of everything when I go back to work. I'm sure that first day will be hard but I need to learn to live for today and not worry about all of the tomorrows. I also remind myself that I want to be a living example for Abby. I never want her to worry about things but trust in God and live for each day. More importantly, I have learned so much about how selfish I really am by having this sweet little girl now. God has spoken to me and shown me so many of my own flaws through giving me this perfect innocent little girl. Its amazing how His hand is always working and weaving the threads of our lives. I try and remember to thank Him everyday for Abby as I waited and prayed for her for so long. Now I will pray that I can live for everyday and not the worries of tomorrow.

Six Hour Sleepy Slumber

Last night Abby set a record time sleeping! Six consecutive hours of sleep! Even though she slept that long I kept waking up and looking at the monitor to make sure she was okay. Hopefully she will continue this trend tonight. Sleep is soooo gooood!!

Abby in her Peanut Shell

Okay, she doesn't look too happy initially in her little baby carrier, but I got her settled in it and she loved it! She went to sleep and slept for over four hours! She looked so comfy and cozy all bundled up in it. It's great for me because it makes it so much easier to carry her around and have my hands free. I love it so far.

The picture on the left was taken on Thursday. I took this for her Aunt Beth to see that she was right about purple being one of Abby's best colors. She also has a beautiful purple blanket that Kimberly sent us (Thanks Elaine and Kimberly for the package!). Anyhow, last weekend her aunt Beth, Cousins Stephanie and Steven, and Mrs. Wilson all came to visit her. Abby already loves her family. She let out the biggest smile when Stephanie was holding her. I am glad that they were able to visit with her even if it was a quick trip.

Furthermore, there were several "firsts" for Abby this week. She made her first trip to church last Sunday and did great. I was not ready to drop her off in the nursery with all of the flu and colds going around, so we took her into Sunday School and Service with us. She slept right through Sunday School but woke up in service because it was time for her to eat. Luckily our church has TV's set up with seating so that I could feed her and still watch the service. Hopefully she'll do great again this Sunday. The other first for Abby was yesterday when Grandma and I took her to Southpark mall. We were not out too long but she slept in her stroller and then loved looking at all the lights on the ceiling in the store. She has done great on the days I have taken her out, and once she gets settled in her car seat almost always snoozes away while we're riding. I'm sure I'll have many more first time moments over the next few years and I can't wait!

BIRD is a four letter word

So a few weeks later and still this stupid bird pecks at our window each morning and each afternoon. It figured out the snake was not real and threw it off the window sill a few times before we gave up on that solution. The next option will be moth balls. I have also thought of putting a fake owl up there to see if that works. Needless to say, our patience is growing thin and its time in this world is getting shorter each day that goes by...

No more pumping!!

Yesterday I decided to start weaning Abby. I have not really enjoyed the breastfeeding experience and had planned to wean her before I head back to work in March. Since I have enough breast milk frozen to last another week or so I went ahead and stopped yesterday after talking with my doctor at my six week postpartum check up. Dr. DeHoff made me feel a little less guilty by reassuring me that she has already benfited tremendously from the breast milk that she received these first few months. Furthermore, I just could not see myself at work pumping and staying on the same schedule. Little did I know it would be so extremely painful for me to stop the feeding and pumping. I was up most of the night agonizing and taking ibuprofen for the pain. In fact I looked at Heth at one point and said I'd rather birth a child right now. It felt like someone was cutting into me and poking me with pins and needles. Thank heavens the pain was finally bearable this morning and has continued to subside. I can't tell you the freedom I already feel not having to breastfeed or pump. More power to those that can keep it up, it just was not for me. If we end up having another child he or she will probably be lucky if I breastfeed for the first few weeks. It's amazing how obsessed I was with the feeding and pumping and now I feel totally liberated.
Last night Abby had one of her fussy nights. Its as though nothing was going to make her happy for about an hour and half. Heth stayed up with her and she finally went to sleep after 11 or so. She is such a happy baby during the day and sometimes at night she turns into what we call the wildwoman. Crying and screaming regardless of what you do. Everything I've read says that their nighttime fussiness peaks at around six weeks, so hopefully she will be over this phase soon. She continues to smile and make new sounds everyday now. She is especially alert in the early morning when she seems to smile the most. Every day I look at her and she is just growing so fast I can't believe it. She has this little adorable round face now with little pudgy baby legs and belly. I need to take some pictures tomorrow to add to the blog so you can see how much she is growing. I have only two weeks left with her until I return to work. However I am so excited that my mom decided to quit work and keep her for us full time this year and next year. I can't imagine leaving my sweet girl in the hands of a stranger and so thankful that my mom will be able to care for her. Abby loves her grandma already!

One Month Check-up

Yesterday Abby had her one month check-up with Dr. Craig. She weighed in at 10lbs. and was 22 inches long. I can't believe how much she's grown already. She was in the 80th percentile for both height and weight- at least she's growing porpotionally :) I was also surprised that she didn't cry at all for Dr. Craig. He checked her out and he even commented on how alert she was for a 5 week old baby. Now her problem is not wanting to take naps in the afternoon. She really wants to stay awake and make sure she doesn't miss anything. Then she gets so exhausted by late afternoon that she starts sleeping longer stretches of time. I told Heth tonight that this is hopefully moving her into more nighttime sleep which translates into more sleep for us. I can't wait til the day that she is sleeping through the night. Most days I'm not too tired but it's just not the same if your sleep is interupted every three hours or so. Last night Heth let me sleep a little longer because I was so tired. He said I woke up at one point and heard her crying and said, "No, no, that's a good baby, shhh, shhh", and then went instantly back to sleep. I don't recall even hearing her or waking up. We both laughed because Heth did something similar several weeks ago. Now we have decided when you're talking crazy in your sleep like that you need some rest and we'll let the other person sleep.
Today my mom kept Abby for a few hours while I made an unsuccessful attempt at shopping for some clothes. I have next to nothing that will fit me right now. Yesterday I finally came to grips with the fact that it will take me longer than I thought to lose the pregnancy pounds. Those were nine glorious months of french fries, Chick-Fil-A sandwiches, cheerwine slushies, and milkshakes. Who says being pregnant is that bad? Now its back to Lean Cuisines, grilled chicken, veggies, salads, and a workout routine. Hopefully by the summer I'll be close to my prepregnancy weight. I have lost about 25 pounds and have at least 17-20 to go. So, with that being said, I need to buy a few things to hold me over until I shrink some more.

Play and Smile

I was finally able to catch Abby smiling while she was playing today. She has become more aware of her surroundings over the past week or so and likes to play and watch herself in the mirror on her play mat. She also loves to move her arms and legs around- I think she is going to be a very active little girl. Tomorrow she goes for her visit with Dr. Craig. Hopefully she doesn't have to get too many shots. We'll keep you updated on her visit.

The bird and the snake

Every day this week after I have left for work, Cindy has been awaken to the sound of pecking and scratching at the window. The first day it startled her since she knew I had left for work and no one else was, or should be, in the house. She quickly discovered the reason for the noise.

We had our front windows on the house treated a few years ago to help reduce the the amount of heat the was coming in from the afternoon sun. As a result, the windows now have a reflective quality, just like sunglasses have mirrored lenses. Apparently a robin has deceided that there is another bird who looks just like him or her and it does not like it. I finally got to see the bird in action this morning and let me tell you, it is quite annoying. At 7am this morning I was standing in my front yard in my pajamas, no shoes and my cowboy hat. I was waiting to throw the hat at the bird if it returned but after five minutes of freezing I headed inside. As soon as I was inside I heard "peck" and I looked up to see the bird once again at the window. The next solution was to throw tennis balls at the window in an attempt to scare the bird away. It worked for a while but the bird still returns.

Cindy and I had the idea to try and get rid of the bird for good. We went to Target today and bought a plastic snake. It's bright yellow and about two feet long. I used my golf ball retreiver to place it on the window sill in hopes of using the birds natural instincts to keep it away from the window. For his sake, we hope this works. The next step may be a more permanent solution, in the form of a pellet rifle.

"Opossum"

Abby is my little "Opossum." This is the nickname I have developed for her over the past few weeks. I know opossum are not very lovely creatures, but looks are not what gives her this nickname. She gets the nickname because she plays "opossum" with me quite frequently. Sometimes when Cindy or I feed her, she will drink one or two ounces of formula and then "go to sleep," only to wake up in a few minutes screaming at us for not continuing to feed her. Sometimes she likes to get in her swing or lay on our chest and play like she's asleep. I have found this usually this happens between midnight and 4am. Just about the time you think she is asleep and you try to place her in her crib, Miss Abby decides "It's not quite time to sleep." Other nicknames have come and gone over the past few weeks, including pumpkin, Driver 8 (when she is feeding and needs to burp I tell her to "Take a break Driver 8. I have no idea why) and angel but none have stuck like "Opossum." So, until she figures out what a opossum is and begins to resent me for calling her one, she will be our little "Opossum."