One Month Old

Wow, I can't believe my baby girl is a month old!  Milestones so far:

• She's smiling and cooing more and more everyday.  It's the absolute best!
• ...except for the day she giggled in her sleep!  So. Freaking. CUTE!!
• She's going 3-4 hours between feedings.  The other night, she went 5 hours!  I was in heaven!!
• She's playing by herself for about 10 minutes at a time.  She loves her play mat with toys that hang down and sitting in her Bumbo seat.
• Baby acne has reared its ugly head. I am afraid that she will have to contend with these types of skin issues much of her life, if her parents are any indication.
• She loves watching Wilma, our red Miniature Pinscher.  I have a few theories as to why she prefers looking at Wilma over Betty: a.) Wilma is very interested in her.  b.) Wilma is more active (Betty's kind of a bump on a log.) or c.) Wilma barks at her.  (She doesn't understand why this weird looking creature won't just get up and play with her already!!)

I'm working on getting Abbi used to sleeping in her own crib so that I can start sleep training shortly.  We're already taking baby steps to get ready, like starting a bedtime routine and only letting her nurse to sleep at night.  I'm researching options for sleep training now...it's very overwhelming.  I will probably combine a few different methods to find what works best for us.

In other news, the hubby left this week for 6 months and we moved to be closer to family.  It's been a crazy, emotional time but God has been faithful.  We're here at this time because He planned it that way (we certainly didn't!) so we're trusting that He'll get us through.  In any case, we're taking everything one day at a time and enjoying watching our little one grow!

 Not a great picture, but it gives perspective.  Granted, it's kind of a small recliner but still...she's about 21 inches long!! (We'll find out for sure next week.)

Abbi's first time at the beach!  Looks like she's enjoying herself, doesn't it?

Thanks for all of your love and prayers during this time of transition for us!

2 Weeks Later...

A few things I've learned:

• The puppies are doing GREAT with Abbi!  Wilma really wants to play with her...she'll crouch down and wag her tail and bark.  She just wants Abbi to chase her around!! Geez, why can't she MOVE yet?!?!
• Witch Hazel is a girl's best friend!  Helps take down swelling when applied topically.  It rocks!!
• I kinda feel like a heel asking Wilson to get up and change her diapers at night.  But then I remember that I'm up by myself doing everything when he has duty or underways and I get over it.  =)
• My girl is growing fast!  Her little feet are already to to the ends of her newborn sleep and play outfits.  Crazy!
• Cloth diapers + newborn = a whole lot of extra work.  We'll be putting those away until she's a bit older and can fit into the one-size-fits-all diapers.  We were having to change her diapers every 2 hours around the clock and she was getting rashy.  Like I said...we'll try again later.
• I never thought a little person could have so much personality.  I find myself laughing the faces she makes every day.
• All in all, we're having a blast with this new phase of life and our newest little addition!

 God is gracious!

Birthday Pictures!

 Just a few pictures from little Abbi's birthday!

Daddy holding his girl for the first time...so sweet!

Please don't judge...someone had already put my hairbrush in the car.  :-/

Admiring our beautiful girl

I just love this picture!  She's so sweet!

Ok, the whole reason for this picture is the looks on mine and Wilson's faces.  Haha, we were so excited!!

Pretty dress!

Us with the midwife who delivered Abbi.  Her name is Ashley and she was WONDERFUL!!

Stay tuned for the actual birth story...It's coming, I promise.  But no pictures unfortunately.  Everything went so fast we actually left the camera in the car! All of these pictures are from my mom's camera!!  =)

*Update*: The birth story us up!  Start here.