Our first trip to the ER

Abby turns 6 weeks old today and has had many "firsts" in her little life so far. This was a "first" that I NEVER want to repeat.

We had two rough nights in a row and she was so cranky. At first, I thought it was just that she was so extremely tired she couldn't function. But then early early Saturday morning I started noticing the pattern. Eat, poop, change her...Eat, poop, change her...There was no sleep time between and no "I want to play with you" time. She was strictly focused on eating and pooping. The cycle lasted at the most 45 minutes, then it would start over. I started to get a little nervous. So I called the dr.

Well, long story short, because of the number of diarrhea diapers she had, they said for us to take her straight to the ER. She was more than likely dehydrated causing her to want to eat every 30 minutes and she would probably need an IV. I was so scared.

Then it gets worse when we get to the ER. She has to have blood taken and an IV. The ER nurses try and take blood from her little arm and miss the vein. They have to call the NICU nurses to come down and help. The NICU nurses go for a vein in her head that they were hoping they could do it all. But they missed that vein as well.

Finally they put an IV in her hand and stick her foot for the blood they needed. It was AWFUL!! A couple hours later Abby was diagnosed with the stomach flu and sent home. My poor baby.

We got good rest last night and I think she's feeling somewhat better today. Say a little prayer for us. Here's a picture I took of her battle wounds. She looks so sad. :(

Thankful Thanksgiving

Abby's first Thanksgiving was great! It started out by her staying up all night the night before. I think she was so excited to make her first of many trips to Nana and Pops house that she couldn't sleep. Mommy and Abby took a nap from 7:30am - 9:30am, then we were off to Greenville for a Thankful day full of food and pictures.

Our Sweet Family Everyone had their picture taken with Abby. The last time they all saw her she wouldn't stay awake long enough for a picture. I love how she has a different face for everyone.

Andrea - "What are you going to buy me?"
Nana - "I'm so relaxed when you hold me."

Drew - "I've GOT to go to the bathroom."

Caden - "Seriously Caden, are you big enough to hold me?"

Pops - "Ohhh...nice glasses."

David - "I know I'm your favorite niece."

"Watcha talkin' bout Willis?"

"Please pick me up."

Cake anyone??

I've been wanting to post some videos of Abby as she learns new things, but I didn't know how. After my lesson with Niki (Video uploading 101), I've learned how.

Here's a video that I practiced my new uploading skills with. It's priceless!! This is Mackenzie Grace at her 1 yr Bday party enjoying some yummy chocolate cake!! She's almost 2 1/2 now, but this video completely captures her little spunky personality. We love you Mackenzie!!

Stroll around the neighborhood

The weather was really nice outside today so we went for a stroll in our stroller for the first time. I realized that my walks outside will forever be different now. I used to not care about the bumps in the sidewalk, the direction of the sun or wind, or the occasional car driving by. Now, these things were the only things that I thought about the entire trip. Here's to more strolls!!

She enjoyed the ride, but refused to open her eyes due to the sunlight. I would find myself pushing the stroller with one hand and using the other hand to make a shadow for her eyes.

After begging her to open her eyes, this was all I got!

She's 5 weeks old!

UGH....I can't believe it! I feel like I say the same things over and over, but seriously....time is going by way too fast.

We took Abby to the dr on Friday for her 1 month check-up. She got an A+. She has grown quite a bit since our last visit. Abby now weighs 6lbs and 13oz (up from 5lbs and 10oz two weeks ago) and grew 1/2 an inch and is now 20 inches long. In her weight, she is in the 5th percentile, but she is in the 25th percentile in her length. Oh, and her little head is 13.5 inches around, which is only in the 5th percentile. Folks, we still have ourselves a "little" baby. She's so tiny.

Abby can now ride in her car seat, instead of the car bed. But she must be supervised in the back seat for the next month. Which means I still can't take her anywhere by myself.

Funny story......as the dr was talking about Abby's measurements and how little she was, he said, "Abby is still only in the 5th percentile. She's gonna be really petite, like her Mama."

WHAT?!!! I almost laughed out loud as he said, "like her Mama." Did he understand that I'm her Mama? We didn't adopt this angel. She's mine. I'm her Mama! And I wouldn't consider myself petite. I'm still laughing about it. At the time I didn't know whether to laugh hysterically or hug him. All I know is after that comment, I couldn't pay attention for the next 5 minutes.

The dr went on to answer all of my questions, then it was time for the shot. It was awful. Abby was mad at us all night over it. Stan kept telling her that he didn't give her the shot, but she wasn't listening. We are all doing better today.

Musical Gym

We tried something new today. We played in our Musical Gym that Aunt Jenny and Mackenzie gave us! So much fun. Abby was mesmerized by all the colors and sounds.

Eventually all those colors will make anyone go cross eyed!

Then we tried some two-for-one fun and worked on our Tummy time in the musical gym. I laid Abby in front of the mirror that magnifies everything by 1000!

Then Tummy time ended as it normally does with a big huge yawn.

The musical gym was fun, but here she is telling me that she's over it!

One Month Old

Our sweet angel is One month old today!! It's crazy to think that today was my official due date. At this time a month ago, I was staring into her eyes wondering how we became so lucky. And still today, I stare at her and think the same thing. Here's her one month shot. We'll take her picture each month next to her Teddy Bear that Britt gave her so that you can see how much she is growing.


Here are some outtakes from the day. Stan stayed home with us because I was very sick and took these pictures for me. It was rather difficult to get her to sit up and not fall over or slide down. And forget looking into the camera and smiling, that wasn't going to happen! :)

3:30 am....anyone else awake?

We're not fussy, just awake. WIDE awake. We've been awake since 11pm. Which is 4 1/2 hours if anyone is counting. I mean, I'm all about setting records, but the only record I want to set at night is the "how long can she sleep" record.

All in all, if you need us tomorrow, we'll probably be asleep!

New Sleeper from Nana

Thanks Nana for our new little "newborn" sleeper. We've definitely outgrown the preemie sleepers. They are all way too short. She even ripped holes in the shoulders of one of them from stretching her legs out!

Dear Abby.....

I can't believe how time is flying by. You are almost 4 weeks old, 3 weeks and 5 days to be exact. You are growing so much. Your daddy swears you are 3 feet long now, which would be 36 inches. You're not, but it's amazing how much you are growing.

I'm so sorry that you are having to battle this whole colic issue. My heart breaks for you when you have a spell. You are so uncomfortable, it's just awful. I cry with you some times and your daddy has to hold both of us to get everyone in the house to calm down. I pray that your digestive system quickly heal itself. After a spell I can see it in your face how exhausted you are. I'm so sorry and am willing to do anything to make you feel better. We didn't have a great night last night, but you were able to find some rest throughout today and I took pictures to remind myself that you will sleep, eventually!

Here you are sleeping this morning after Daddy left for work. I love it how you sleep on your side with your little hand by your face. It's the most precious thing I've seen.

Today is a historic day for you........you took a nap in your crib for the first time! I'm so proud of you!! Lately because you haven't felt good, you would only fall asleep in our arms or in the boppy. And then we would have to wait until you were good and asleep (I mean really good and asleep) before we laid you down. Even then, laying you in your cradle still seems to make you cry.

I had just fed you and gently rocked you to ease your little belly. I laid you in your crib to go and check on the laundry, knowing you would cry and I would quickly return to hold you again. When I returned look what I found.........

A sleeping angel

This is a picture that I took of you yesterday wearing your "My heart belongs to Daddy" outfit. It is a preemie outfit and already the arms are way too short and the body is a little snug. You are outgrowing your preemie outfits, although you are still in preemie diapers. I will say that it does make me a little sad to see you grow so fast.

Oh how we love you sweet girl. Thank you for being such a good baby! love you big time! - your Momma

Jordan meets Abby

Jordan came by yesterday to meet and hold Miss Abby. Sorry Jordan that we were a little fussy. We are all hoping to grow out of this colic phase ASAP! Love ya girl!

All in a matter of seconds

I was working on my thank you cards this afternoon and had Abby propped up in the boppy on the couch with me. She was enjoying herself until I broke out the camera. I think I have found a new way to put her to sleep!

"Why are you taking my picture?"

"That flash is too bright."

"Stop it Momma!"

"Maybe I'll just go to sleep."

"Yep, I'm out!"

Melissa meets Abby

After Jessica's shower on Saturday, Melissa came by to meet little Abby. She lives in Kansas City now, so it was a real treat to get to see her. I miss her so much. Melissa and I could have sat there and talked for hours upon hours.

MELISSA!!!! Thank you so much for coming to see Abby and me. You look amazing as always! I can't wait as Abby gets older to start telling her all of our running stories. She may have to call you one day. She'll probably NEVER believe that I have ran in 3 marathons and actually finished 2 of them. You'll have to confirm it for her. Heck, these days, I don't even believe it! I'm glad you were there for it all. Those were such good times. love ya girl!!! Miss you!

"My" Jessica's Baby Shower!!!

Saturday was "My" Jessica's Baby Shower for Baby Christopher. I say "my" Jessica because Niki and I both have best friends that are named Jessica and we always refer to "my" and "your" Jessica when we address them to each other. So, this is in case Niki doesn't know who's baby shower I was at on Saturday! ;)

It was such a great day. Brittney decorated her house perfectly for the shower. She used some of her dad's old toys that he used to play with when he was little.

Jessica got so many presents! It was so fun to watch her open them all. I shouldn't have given Jess such a hard time at my shower for not paying attention to all the gifts that I was receiving as she was writing them down for me. It's a lot harder than I thought! Sorry Jess.

Seriously? My face. Seriously.

Here's Jess with two of her sisters, Jaelan and Jordan, and her mom, aka Rita. We missed you Jasmine!!

Here we are! It's been so fun going through all this baby stuff with each other. I'm glad God worked it out that way.

This is Kelley, aka mother of the Triplets that I've been talking about in my blog. It was so good to see her there!

Jess!!! You looked GREAT at your shower! I had a blast helping with the hosting of it. We can't wait to meet little Christopher!