Funny times...

Such little things bring us so much joy! Anna Claire is not being reserved about rolling over nowadays! She conquers a task and two days later she's doing it everywhere! :) I put her on her playmat (it lives in front of the coffee table) and within a minute, Andy called out to me to "look at your baby"...she had rolled over one and a half times and was laying under the coffee table, content as could be! :) I'm just thankful she didn't hit her head on the metal legs!

But now she seems to love being on the floor - I will have to improve at keeping the floors clean, which is no small undertaking with two indoor dogs!

Getting ready to go to Atlanta this weekend for the Passion Conference. I know it will be great, even if I don't get to go to many of the sessions. I am just a little nervous about the ride to and from, since Andy won't be able to ride with me.....:(

Oh yeah, we went to Longhorn today with a gift card we got for Christmas. We sat near some old women who just talked to her constantly. Anna Claire was so funny though - she just jabbered and squealed, which was adorable, but very loud!! Andy said that of course she wouldn't talk when WE want her to, but when we DON'T, then she wants to talk away!!

Anna Claire sings during our supper! 12-29-10

Today we went to Ritchie B's for lunch - it was delicious! I could eat there regularly (and probably will from now on!). Anna Claire did great today - she rode well in her carseat and was in a great mood during lunch. She babbled and cooed and sang the whole time we ate. Hopefully my video from my phone will transfer well. (other than the fact that I recorded it sideways! oops!)

12-29-10 - Daddy babysits at church for first time

Anna Claire rolls over! Yay!

Today is another first! Today, 12-28-10, Anna Claire started the trek towards mobility! She rolled over! It was so exciting! I didn't get it on video because she did it all by herself unexpectedly while i was washing dishes! She did it and I yelled (with joy of course!!) haha :)

The Rules of This House by Gregg Harris

I LOVE IT!

The Rules of this House by Gregg Harris (parent of Joshua Harris of I Kissed Dating Goodbye)

In this house...

1. We obey our Lord Jesus Christ.
2. We love, honor and pray for one another.
3. We tell the truth.
4. We consider another's interests ahead of our own.
5. We speak quietly and respectfully with one another.
6. We do not hurt one another with unkind words or deeds.
7. When someone needs correction, we correct him in love.
8. When someone is sorry, we forgive him.
9. When someone is sad, we comfort him.
10. When someone is happy, we rejoice with him.
11. When we have something nice to share, we share it.
12. When we have work to do, we do it without complaining.
13. We take good care of everything God has given us.
14. We do not create unnecessary work for others.
15. When we open something, we close it.
16. When we turn something on, we turn it off.
17. When we take something out, we put it away.
18. When we make a mess, we clean it up.
19. When we do not know what to do, we ask.
20. When we go out, we act just as if we were in this houe.
21. When we disobey or forget any of the 'Rules of this House' we accept the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

12-27-10 - First time playing the piano

So much cute in one little baby!  She's doing something new all the time! :)

Today, rather than sit in her bumbo seat properly, this is how Anna Claire chose to sit (apparently so she could gnaw on the side of the chair!)

Later, Daddy came home and we got to play the piano for the first time!

Then I got a few minutes alone to take a bath in the jacuzzi tub.....which was very relaxing until Andy came in with a fussy baby!  So we opted to put her in the bath with me.  But then I realized that I could bath her one handed and there was no way to sit her down properly so I could wash her.  Soooo.....then Daddy had to come in and join us so that one could hold her, the other bathe her!  It was fun!  We have to enjoy these times, because it won't be very long at all, that we can't do that anymore.  Right now, there is so much freedom and innocence.  What a blessing!

Christmas 2010

Had a wonderful first Christmas with Anna Claire.  Even though we haven't started our family traditions yet, it was such a joy to reflect on our greatest gift this year - our sweet girl!  Andy and I didn't buy for each other, so there weren't any presents to open (although my parents did give us a couple of gifts), but we had a great season nonetheless.  I anticipate future Christmases with traditions, presents, a "normal" tree (not a tabletop like this years!) and more decorations inside the house (wasn't able to do much this year). 

She was fun to dress up though - I took advantage of the season to dress her accordingly!  :)  ("Who Needs Santa When I Have Grandma?" onesie)

Phillip and Janet Hunter gave us a "Baby's first Christmas ornament for Anna Claire's handprint.  It turned out so cute, but she wailed!  She HATES to be restrained or constrained to do something!  :)  Strong will for such a small baby girl!  Here's the ornament:

12-23-10 - Dinner with friends

I am so grateful to my sweet husband for watching Anna Claire and letting me have some much needed time out with friends. It was great to see Julie Hodge and Christal Robertson today! Oh - and it was my first good experience at Mexican Connection. ;)

12-22-10 - Family Christmas Service

She just becomes more and more precious! Tonight we attended our church's Family Christmas Service - a lot of music mostly with some readings. Andy and the rest of the staff surprised the church by doing "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" with the handbells and wearing Santa hats! This was so fun! (Personally, my favorite part about it was that I know how ridiculous Andy felt in the hat, so that made it all the funnier!) I hope I can get a video or picture of it to keep.

Otherwise, Andy sang "Sweet Little Jesus Boy" and did a marvelous job! :) Rebecca Malphurs calls that song "an English major's nightmare" and she's probably right, but it was masterfully performed! (Yes, I'm probably biased, but he really did do great!) Andy's been going around the house singing it for a month now, so I'm a little glad it's behind him! ;)

Anyway, Anna Claire stayed in the service with us because there was no nursery last night. She was doing wonderfully sitting on my lap, playing with her rings and blanket doll, and then Andy went up to the stage to sing.....the minute he started singing she STOPPED playing with her toys and started arching her back, wiggling and SPITTING!! (BTW - if I haven't mentioned it earlier, Andy taught her to blow her lips and spit over a month ago and she totally associates spitting with her daddy.....she does it almost daily when he gets home!) Anyway, realizing that she recognized his voice and reacted so strongly to it is just another special memory for me. That's why I want to keep this blog - I don't want to forget anything, and my memory is just dreadful.

After the service, Andy was in the mood to sing some more - so off to myspace karaoke he went. Anna Claire decided to sing along - it was their first "duet!"

12-20-2010 - Anna Claire can squeal!

Baby girl just continues to grow and change! Every new phase is a delight! She's been laughing out loud (just a verrryyy little), but she likes it when you take her shirt off - she thinks that's funny. That's also the only time consequently that she will laugh out loud for me. I discovered that she is ticklish. So, if I combine taking her shirt off and tickling her, she thinks it's funny and will cackle a bit for me! :) Today she got a little EXTRA-excited and started squealing. She was evidently impressed with herself, bc she continued to do it, and I was lucky and got a very small bit on audio. 

12-18-2010 - Drinking bathwater

So.....another something to prevent her from doing (while laughing internally).....Anna Claire is learning that she likes to drink the bathwater.  Gross!  She'll lean over on her side and try to lap it like a puppy.  Yuck, I know! 

12-17-10 - Visit with the Claytons in PCB

12-12-10 - Eating at Rodeo's on Sunday

One thing that Anna Claire better learn to like is Mexican food.  That's not optional in our family!  We eat Mexican at LEAST twice a week, but usually more!  Every single Sunday we eat at Rodeo Mexican Restaurant because it's delicious, it's fast and we can get in and out in a hurry to enjoy our afternoon nap.  (Well, we used to have an afternoon nap, but then we had a baby!)

We even have a cute little bib that says, "Quiero A Mi Papi" which I think means, I love my Daddy in Spanish.  That's her Sunday lunch bib!  The waiters and waitresses get a kick out of it.  (We try to reach out to them and build relationships with them so we can talk to them about Jesus. They're nice folks.)

Here's a photo from lunch - sitting like a big girl next to Daddy!

12-09-10

Had a great birthday! We went out and when we picked Anna Claire from Kim's, she was so excited to see me....makes me feel so loved! She had been fussing a great deal and the minute I took her she calmed right down!

She is such a sweet baby. On Tuesday nights Andy rushes to get home because he doesn't want her to be asleep and not get to see her!

12-08-10 - Alfalfa hair!

Every baby needs a bad hair pic!  (Frankly, I have about a million of myself, due to my parent's COMPLETE lack of restraint.....for evidence please see myriad of "Rhonda Mohawk Pics"!)  Well, here's one that Anna Claire will hate when she's a preteen, but I just think she's adorable!!

Mental note though - Until she is older, I will never try to put Anna Claire to bed early again. It's not worth what she puts me through when she wakes up. :( ugh...

12-04-10

We FINALLY got our Christmas tree up tonight.....wimpy though it is.  This year with having a new baby in the house and having rearranged furniture so that my spot for the tree was taken, we decided to make life easy and do a tabletop tree.  It's cute - small, but cute.  Anna Claire likes to look at the lights. 

When we got it up tonight, Andy lifted her up and walked her over by the table - he started to sing, "O Christmas Tree" and I joined in.  The song went something like this, "O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, da da da da da da da" (to the tune)!  What made it so funny is that we each expected the other to actually KNOW the second line, so when we BOTH started doing da da's in place of words it was hilarious.  Special memory.  :)

12-03-10

I am so convicted about my bible study habits, yet, I am not sure how to improve!  I want to be the woman that Anna Claire can mimic in her relationship with Christ, yet my own walk is so lacking!  I pray more, but my overall devotion and personal time is minimal!  I know that's wrong, but I don't know exactly how to rectify it!  There is so incredibly much to be done at any moment - not only housework (which is exhaustive in itself) but calls to be made, appointments to set, errands to run, pumping breastmilk, on and on and on.  No excuse I know, but I don't know how to pull out of that to have time alone.  :(  I have no doubt that I can do nothing - including being a good mom - apart from the vine though.....

Anna Claire was sweet today though - well, some of the day!  She absolutely LOVES her bath.  She played and kicked and splashed for probably thirty minutes today.  Smiling as wide as she could! I thinks she wore herself out because she is fast asleep right now in her crib.  Tonight is the first night we are trying to let her sleep in her own room.....we'll see if it works.  I kind of sit on the fence - 50/50 as to whether it will work or not.  She doesn't nap well in there, but then again, maybe she is tired enough and has become used enough to the crib for it to work. I'll let you know. ;)

Another last night - this is the last night she'll be able to wear my old terry cloth sleeper from when I was a baby - the pink one.  (She's already outgrown the teal one.)  Another milestone.  As much as I look forward to her growing and changing, I don't want it to happen too fast.  I guess maybe I'm a little melancholy about these things, but I am aware that as she grows I am one step closer to losing her to adulthood....I know that's stupid.  My mom hasn't lost me - in fact, we're super close (which is a miracle considering how different we are!)  I just wish I had some kind of absolute assurance that Anna Claire would grow up to love God and serve Him and to love us and stay close to us.  But as we have daily proof, there are no guarantees and she will certainly grow to have a will of her own.  Then again, I do have to remind myself that if we love her unconditionally and raise her to know God, then it's in His hands....and regardless of the fact that I struggle with my daily quiet time, I DO pray for her - regularly.....like I've never prayed for anyone before, ever. I am truly desperate that God always be at work in her life. 

Like I said, we had to go to Graceville, well coming home was atrocious.  She HATES her carseat all of a sudden (well since Thanksgiving really) and she screamed all the way home.  It was awful.  Andy handles screaming much better than I do - my nerves can't take it.  Even he was getting stressed out though.

12-3-10 - Daddy dresses daughter

Andy is so willing to help - and I'm so grateful!  Unfortunately, he's not always the most attentive to details! (Notice the bow on the BACK!)

12-02-10 - Date nights are great!

My assessment of Ruby Tuesdays.....overpriced and mediocre. Same assessment I had the last time I went there probably two years ago. Garlic biscuits couldn't compete with Red Lobster's, ribs couldn't compete with Chili's, Applebees OR Longhorn's, asparagus was good though! And the company was the best! ;) LOVE my date nights with my sweet husband!

12-1-10

Today started out pretty rough - we were supposed to have Anna Claire's three month pictures made (and our Christmas pictures).  Well, I had a feeling that she wasn't going to be her normal happy, smiley self.  I was right.  :(  Made it through the Christmas pics, but had to reschedule the 3 month set to next Thursday.  I suspect she may be starting to teethe.  Drooling a lot, eating her fist, etc.  Plus, she's been spitting up like a fountain for two days straight.  :(

11-30-10

Tonight I had dinner with Julie Hodge, who just found out she is pregnant.  She's probably the closest thing I have to a "real" friend.....wish she lived closer.  :(  Had a great time though!

In the middle of dinner, I got a wonderful call from my husband....bragging away because our sweet Anna Claire had LAUGHED out loud for him.....for ten straight seconds!!  Just cackled away at him as he sang "Sweet Little Jesus Boy" (he's been singing it constantly because he's supposed to sing it at our church Christmas Eve service).  Anyway, he sang it at her in the voice of the 90 year old  black lady who used to sing it at Bethel.....Evidently she thought it was funny, because he said it was like a cute baby laugh in the movies....gutteral sounding.  :D  What a joy!  He said it made his week, and I'm certain that it did!  I'm just pouting that I missed it!

11-29-10

Well, Thanksgiving is over (whew!) and now we are on to Christmas! :)  Thankfully (no pun intended), we are not traveling for Christmas, so we can enjoy it more and relax a little.  Next year holidays will be much more involved, but this year we just want to chill.  We aren't big gift buyers anyway (being broke when we were newly married helped us get off that train!), so we know Christmas can be fun without having a lot of "stuff."

Thanksgiving went as well as could possibly be expected with our families.

I absolutely LOVE my new phone - it's great!  I can take nice pictures with the 5 mp camera, which is nice with a new baby around! Plus, I love having my to-do list, the weather, etc. so easily accessed!  The best app I've found so far is Baby ESP - which tracks her sleep, eating, diapers, etc.  Very helpful considering my brain seems to be shot - I can't remember anything!  It's really nice to be able to say, "she ate 2 hours and 12 minutes ago, so she's probably hungry..."  Very helpful.  Pair that with the Babywise book and I've gained a tremendous amount of confidence - thanks to the Lord.

Speaking of Him, I have not been doing well with my quiet time....ESPECIALLY for the last week with us preparing to travel and then traveling.  I must keep in mind the John 15 - vine and the branches principle - that I can do NOTHING apart from him......including being a good mom and a good wife.  Considering there is nothing more important to me than doing those two things well, then I must re-prioritize my time.....God, please help me to love you enough to make time with you a priority.  Help me to remember that without being connected to you that I can do nothing.  Please do not let me fail my family by trying to live in my own strength.

Having dinner with Julie tomorrow night - oh, yeah - forgot that I haven't mentioned yet that she's pregnant! I worry for her because I know things have been tough for her and Chris the past year or so since they've moved to Troy.  I know they love each other though, but his job is just wearing on her.  Knowing how much my life has changed as a result of having Anna Claire (no doubt for the better, but changed no less), then I hope that they can go ahead and work things out so that the baby doesn't further stress their marriage.  I know in my heart that if they could work out the spiritual side of things - find a church, Chris begin to lead their family, that things would fall into place.  I really miss Julie being around - I had high hopes of her becoming a "best friend" of sorts - as silly as that sounds.  Somebody that I could really be close to and confide in.  I wish she could move back to Dothan. :(  But anyway, tomorrow will be fun and I hope to have time to get her a small congratulations gift.  I'd like to get her a Belly Book scrapbook like I had, along with a copy of Babywise.  Of course, I'd like to do more for her, but our resources are limited unfortunately.

Reading (ahem...listening to) John Grisham's new book, The Confession.  Andy is a little farther than I am, and he says that it is really making him reconsider his opinion on the death penalty.  I'm curious what I will think about that particular issue when I'm done.

Well, that's that for tonight, I suppose.  I love my husband and I love my baby girl.  God is so good and I am so thankful that He chooses to bless us as He has.  I want to serve Him more faithfully.

11-26-10

Day after Thanksgiving we spent a good bit of time at my parent's house.  Thankfully, this was the smoothest visit we've had to date.  Of course it helps that my dad has cool man-toys.  Andy decided to take the four wheeler out in the woods.  I chose to opt out.  :)  I think I made a good decision (see pics below for obvious explanation why!)


FILTHY!!

11-23-10 - Anna Claire is weighed - 13 lbs 4 oz.

My girl is getting so big! She weighs 13 lbs 4 oz as of today! She's also dealing with the getting weighed thing a little better too! ;)

11-21-10

My silly girl is so funny!  She has laughed out loud VERY few times - but she has started to giggle in her sleep!  That laugh is absolutely the most precious thing.....it just makes the day for me and Andy. 

Something else that she is doing is starting to poop in the tub!  I don't know what I'm doing wrong - bad timing I guess - but she has done it several times in a row!  She gets so serious and stops kicking - then next thing I know I see brown (or green) smoke issuing from her behind! YUCK!  Doesn't bother her though! :)  She always wants to kick and play afterwards!

11-20-10

My darling girl has been so sweet today, which is a nice change from yesterday! Wish the green poop was gone but oh well!  Funny stuff though - Andy fed her tonight and let me take a nice long bath, and she had a messy diaper and we thought she was done.....nope.....waited until she was in the bath and then she decided to finish!.....and finish!......and finish!  Before she was done, the water was green!  YUCK!  :) 

She's so precious though - I love how she is beginning to just really know us.  Tuesday night when Kim kept her, when I walked in to pick her up, she was laying on Kim away from me and when I started talking she spun her eyes around to find me.  Nothing could possibly warm my heart more.  Oh, how I love her!

On a different note, I am really liking my new phone - there's really an app for almost anything....including posting on this blog.  It's a little bulky to try to type anything long on it, but it will service for quick notes and things I want to remember....and that's the important thing!  But I've spent literally, most of the day piddlefarting with it, and I think I finally have everything ready to go.  I think it's going to be so unbelievably helpful - between the improved to-do lists, banking, Calvin & Hobbes app, better camera, improved social networking, ability to blog on the telephone, weather, etc.  I just really, really like it.  God has blessed us over and above again and again.  This is just another blessing - a brand new phone for free!

11-19-10

We are getting our new AT&T phones today!  Yay!!  I'm so excited to try out my new HTC Aria - it has a 5.0 mp camera on it, which should be great for taking quick pics and texting them to family!

Anna Claire woke up in the middle of the night to eat and then again around 6, so that's not too bad.  I think she's in the middle of a growth spurt, so it will pass.  Plus, I did put her to bed awfully early last night....

But she wakes up soooooo sweet.  She nurses in the bed with me, just cuddled right up next to me, and then will fall back asleep.  It's one of my most precious times with her and a treasured memory. 

11-18-10

Today was a great day too! Kim got a new acct so she took us to Longhorn to celebrate-yum! Anna Claire took her first long nap in her crib-two hours! Yay! She's doing so well on her schedule, I just hate that we are going to mess her up so badly next week when we travel. Maybe it won't be too bad. Just not sure how she will do sleeping in her pack-n-play.

As far as going to bed at night though, she's really been marvelous with that...maybe she's just one of those babies that need a routine, but ever since we started feeding her, bathing her, read her a story and off to bed, she's went straight to sleep and slept all night. Last night she slept from 9 until 7! Well see about tonight...I put her to bed at 8:10 so I'm not sure how she will react. Whatever her reaction, it will be fine. She's the best baby in the world!

I'm constantly amazed at how much you can love your child...it almost hurts-in a good way!!

Super excited about our date to see Harry Potter 7 and dinner tomorrow! We are halfway watching 6 tonight to get in the swing of things but I'm writing this and he's on his computer playing Kingdoms of Camelot so neither of us are paying total attention. That's okay though, I can quote it almost! Love, love, love Harry Potter!

11-16-10

Today was a fun day...Andy got his braces off (yay!) and then we had to run to sams for an errand. Afterwards when I took him back to the church, little miss Anna Claire wa in a wonderful mood! Bro Ricky came out and started talking to her and moving his fingers at her and she just thought that was the greatest...and laughed out loud...twice! This was the first out loud laugh...and it wasn't even at her mommy or daddy!! Haha. Kim says that anybody would laugh when they see bro Ricky! Haha


Andy looks great without his braces though - Anna Claire gave him a big grin when she saw him.  I'm sure she doesn't realize there's a difference, but it was cute, nonetheless!  (Most everything she does is cute - minus the cranky crying!)  :D  Now, he has to learn how to play his trumpet all over again - that will be a challenge, I'm sure!

Nap in the crib....

(I don't know when I originally wrote this, but I failed to put the proper date. :( sad. ) 

Anna Claire is asleep in her crib for the very first nap! I took the sound machine and put it in there.....that thing is a lifesaver! The new one doesn't make the same sound and she paid it no mind. Put the old one in, and BAM - asleep! :) (Probably not good that she is so accustomed to it, but hey....) I may run to Target and exchange the new one for a second one of the old one - one that can be for the other room OR as a backup if necessary!! hahaha!!!

11-11-10

I saw a book that I am interested in reading called, Building the Christian Family You Never Had. I feel guilty even saying that I'd like to read it, knowing that my parents did the best that they could to raise me to know Christ. I just want our spiritual lives to play out more for Anna Claire to see - for us to be vulnerable in front of her about our walk with Christ. I think that may help it become real to her. Father, may it be so! We need grace even to WANT to know You more and to walk more closely with You!

Andy and I are both working on scripture memory verses in our own way. He's made himself fancy cards and a CD of a person speaking the verses. I've downloaded seventeen verses set to music by Mark Altrogge and I'm going to have Andy make corresponding cards. I love my CD - it's been so helpful. Only thing is that I'm having trouble remembering the references without the music....

Andy did a great job last night speaking in the youth service. Or rather, God showed up. About halfway through, you could almost sense a visible change in Andy's demeanor as he spoke, and it was powerful. He was talking about spiritual warfare and using Ephesians 6 as the text. It was all good, but the idea that I want to carry away - the item that God really emphasized to me - was that I pray all the time for my physical needs regarding a body that decays and a temporary physical life, but how often do I pray about my (and others) spiritual needs? He showed at the end of chapter 6, that although Paul was in chains, he didn't pray for freedom, for healing for the marks that no doubt covered his body from his imprisonment, etc.....he requested prayer from the believers for the words to speak and boldness to proclaim the message. Wow. I mean, I pray for my dad pretty frequently, albeit without the passion that should mark prayers for his salvation. (I guess it is just a common prayer now, but it is still the cry of my heart!) But other than praying for Dad, and praying for Anna Claire to know Christ and that me and Andy would be godly parents, I don't spend a lot of time asking for God to meet my spiritual needs. I need to rectify this.

Last night we had the most fun in the tub! Anna Claire was just a "talking" to her Daddy! She's becoming so responsive! It sounded just like she was imitating his "hello's!" I've been trying to start a habit of giving her a bath before bed - she likes to splash so much that she seems to wear herself out and be good and ready for bed afterwards! We've also been reading from a sweet little children's bible story book. I like it a lot - it tells the bible stories, but then shows how Jesus is in the theme of them all. Very sweet. I know she can't understand yet, but I want her to grow up familiar with the name of Jesus and knowing of God's love even before she can understand the words.



All kidding aside, however, I think that a black and white striped HAIRY spider on the outside on my drivers side window is a good way to get me KILLED while driving......can we say hyperventilate!!! Thanks be to the little Indian man who runs the gas station for killing him, otherwise I would still be sitting at the gas station OUTSIDE of the vehicle where I could keep my eyes on the nasty critter.

11-10-2010

Went grocery shopping today - obviously Anna Claire agrees that shopping at Publix is "a pleasure!" She is such a good baby. Then we had a nice lunch with Daddy - he held her at Rodeo's and she just was so content. Thankfully the waitresses contented themselves with just talking to her and not touching her hands today! :) Too bad I forgot her new Spanish bib though! Oh, well - next time!

Having trouble with the motorcycle......again. I know - shocker huh? Dad mentioned that he would consider buying a Nomad and giving us his Vulcan and using our Goldwing as a trade-in.....I really, really, really hope it works out! If not though, I am reminding myself that we are incredibly blessed! God continues to meet our needs time and time and time again!

On a side note - I can't believe how much better my phone pics are since I cleaned the lens with alcohol! (See above as an example!)

Well, I hear AC waking up in her crib.....she really doesn't sleep well there for whatever reason. Oh well, she'll get accustomed to it at some point!

11-9-2010

Today was a good day - Anna Claire is such a joy! We are still working hard on establishing the Babywise schedule, but overall, she's doing great. Her naps aren't as long as I would prefer, but hey....

Also, I am trying to help her get accustomed to her crib....she seems to wake up scared. At least at night. She did okay yesterday in there for a nap in themorning, but woke up early, so I moved her to the bassinet to finish her nap b/c she was getting super upset. Last night we laid her down around 7:30 or so and she made it about an hour, but she woke up unglued. Had to feed her to calm her down - just hysterical nearly. Same thing at 9:30 - did okay at first, but woke up extremely upset.....wayyyyy more so than just a cranky wake-up. Funny thing is that the minute we took her from crib crying, and laid her in the bassinet, she calmed right down and went straight to sleep. I think it's just going to take some time and persistence taking short naps in the crib to get her used to it. Oh well, there's really no huge hurry.....she's just outgrowing her bassinet, but that doesn't seem to bother her! :) haha

Every day though Anna Claire seems to be more responsive, more interactive - what a joy she is!

I talked with another Minister's wife tonight - it was disturbing to me.....the verse about young widows should marry so that they do not become idle gossips and busybodies kept ringing in my ears. Although I know her heart was to protect her husband, I was reminded anew that GOD has to protect my husband. Made me think that there is no way that I would want her as a staff wife where we serve.....and that's not something I'd ever want something to think about me. God may it never be true of me.....

11-7-10

Well, it would work out that on the night when I should be getting an EXTRA hour of sleep, Anna Claire has decided to want to have playtime at 2:45 a.m. :) haha. Especially ironic considering that she has slept all night all the past three nights. Something is working against me. :)

11-4-10

I am very tired, but so thankful that Anna Claire's hip ultrasound came back normal. (Frank breech babies are at a greater risk of hip problems.)  I never cease to be amazed at how God continually takes care of us!

11-3-10

I enjoyed visiting with my old co-workers this morning. (Can't say that I miss the place though....)  Getting the dogs groomed today! (YAY!) Still have a few errands to run this afternoon. Almost finished with Babywise, now if I can just successfully implement it. That's the fun part! :)

Alas, long time no see....

As usual, I have taken another hiatus from journaling/blogging. Now that we have welcomed our beautiful baby girl I need to make it a priority to record my thoughts and what she is doing, what she means to us and so on.

Today she is sick - not bad, but just puny. This is a first and I'm not enjoying it at all. She's congested, sleeping a lot but not eating much. Still sweet though, and has wanted to cuddle a lot today. I hope so much that she feels better tomorrow!

I talked with the Pediatrician's office today though and they assured me that if she wants to eat 4 ounces from a bottle that it is okay - even though Keitha had made it clear that she should eat only 1 ounce per month, which would only put her at 2.5 ounces currently.

10-25-10 - Louie in pool! / Dr. Visit

I walked outside and called for the dogs to come in.....here comes Joey, but no Louie! I start to panic, and then notice something in the pool! It's Louie and he's petrified! He stood just like this and would NOT swim to the stairs! HAHA! Andy had to literally pick him up out of the pool because he had just "shut down", so to speak. Funny!



We had a doctor's appointment today though...ugh...shots are worse to watch than to get. :(We really like Dr. Blaxton though.)

10-17-10 - Ashley and Burrito's wedding

I can honestly say that until today I've never been to a wedding where the pastor said to the man, "will you take Kimberly....I mean Ashley to be your lawfully wedded wife?" hahahaha!!!!! it was a sweet ceremony despite it though! :)  Anna Claire behaved well during her first wedding!

10-16-10

I really, really, reallly, really, really, really, really, really, really, really wish Anna Claire would stop crying and go to sleep. ::sigh::

Awesome Stuff God Has Done - Sept/Oct 2010

Sept/Oct. 2010: So many little things God does regularly to remind me that HE is still in charge and I shouldn't worry about money.....

September: 
1) Needed ink cartridge refill - cost $13 - took it to Walgreens and when I came to pick it up they said I owed them nothing because it didn't pass the print test. When I brought it home and tried it (like they suggested I do) it worked perfectly!

2) free new cell phones b/c AT&T bought out Alltel!

3) free getaway to go to the Youth Pastor's Conference in Birmingham - church paid for two nights in a hotel and mileage, which worked out marvelously! We had a great time!

4) Mom!! She unexpectedly gave us $1000 to use however we pleased, (which paid off the money we owed on taxes this year), bought us over $100 worth of groceries TWICE, and bought me new shirts to accomodate this changed figure!

5) we wanted a travel swing for Anna Claire because she loves hers so much, but they are about $75 or so. I found one on craigslist for $35, but when I called about it, it turned out to belong to a previous client of pat's (Kerry Egana) and they were so sweet and GAVE it to us!

6) mom got a jogging stroller, another dream item of ours, from a yard sale for $20! Brand new!

October 2010:
1) Got free getaway overnight to Lawrenceville, GA (for Emily's back surgery) and church paid for Longhorn, two other small meals, hotel and two tanks of gas!  Then we were able to have a quick jaunt to Chattanooga to see the fam with very little added expense!

2) Been paying $90 a month for internet and phone ONLY, and then we became aware of a new bundle that Knology was offering that was Internet, phone AND digital cable (basic plus digital premium) for THE SAME PRICE!
and so many more reminders!  Thank you, Lord!

10-14-10 - Anna Claire weighs 11 lb. 2 oz! / PROVISION - printer

Today Anna Claire weighs 11 lbs 2 oz! She wasn't particularly thrilled about posing for a picture though! :)

Today I went to Walmart to buy an ink cartridge for my seven year old printer...highway robbery at $39 each. Sooo I bought a brand new printer/scanner for $32!

I enjoyed my "date" with my husband as always - trip to BCF to get some books for his research paper, got a milkshake and watched Karate Kid.  Fun night!

10-09-10

Had a really nice unexpected getaway with my husband - he had to go to Lawrenceville, GA to visit a teenager from our group who is having back surgery.  Lawrenceville is only a couple hours south of Trenton, so we went up there for a couple days afterwards and got to see everyone.  It's great to see some relatives I don't see often. Finished unpacking now and ready to relax a little even though it's already late!

10-01-10

Today has been a fun day. Anna Claire and I had lunch with Andy and Josh Watford.  I sat in the backseat with her and got to enjoy listening to two very white rappers in the frontseat.....Lecrae may sound cool, but Andy and Josh are ten times better!  Hahaha!  Now I'm ready for some down time with my baby girl.  Later tonight we have Kids Market with Mom. Cool....

09-29-10

I am just not sure how I feel about Anna Claire getting four vaccinations at her next appt......

9-27-10 - Anna Claire is weighed!

09-25-10 - Matthew West concert - first night out - first bottle

Today was a big day for us - we left Anna Claire with Kim tonight for the first time.  It was very hard to be away from her, even though we know it's best for everyone!  I did enjoy being out with Andy alone tonight - enjoying the Matthew West concert, no less!  Kim texted us a couple of pictures of her, just to let us know she was okay.  That made it a little better, but I was super-tied to my phone and Andy was too!

When we got home, we took time to give Anna Claire her first bottle - Andy fed it to her - it was very special!  She just nudges up and loves on you after she eats.....he's never gotten to experience that before, so it was wonderful! (And maybe now I can get some extra sleep! haha!)

09-23-10

I think my husband is a saint-he soothed our fussy baby to sleep and gave me a much needed break.

09-20-10

Well, I'm thirty pounds down...more left to lose than I'd care to admit! :)

9-18-10

She is so sweet!  Changing her in the back of the Murano works great!  And that fold up changing pad is the BEST!!!

09-15-10 - First outing alone with Anna Claire

I am happy to say my first foray out with Anna Claire alone was a success! Yay! I was really nervous about it being just the two of us, but it went well! Oh, and add my Baby Bjorn to my "items that I love" list!

Anna Claire's first stroller ride

To the Ashford Harvest Day Festival! It was HOT! She was so cute though!

09-09-10

Just had to laugh at Andy - he got spit up on for the first time! :D I think he has been lucky to last this long!! haha!  Watching him be grossed out was priceless!

9-7-10 - 2 week old doctor appt.

Today was Anna Claire's two week check up.  We saw Dr. Blaxton, a relatively young, woman doctor.  Andy and I both immediately liked her.  Very gracious and personable.  Her nurse on the other hand - UGH!  Hopefully she was just having a bad day, but she seemed to be pitiless.

Weight today was 8 lbs, 2 oz. (43rd percentile), height: 20 inches (19th percentile) and head circumference: 36 cm. (49th percentile)

All on track!

09-06-10

We enjoyed a good dinner tonight thanks to our sweet church family! They've provided meals since Anna Claire has been born and it's been such a great blessing!  I've never been so inactive in all my life. Very hard to know that things need to be done, but not be able to do them. Very thankful for my sweet husband who has been so helpful with our beautiful baby!

09-04-10

I have been so incredibly grateful for my moms help since Anna Claire arrived. Hate to see her go home tomorrow. :( She's the best!

09-02-10

Sometimes I really wonder if it is normal for newborns to sleep literally ALL THE TIME. I thought she would at least wake up hungry. :)  I think I am overprotective already..... ;)

8-31-11 - Newborn pics taken

[written retroactively]

Anna Claire had her Newborn pictures taken on 8-31-11 by Wendy Jones.  It was a great experience!  She still sleeps almost all the time and she was just as moldable as a baby could be!  Wendy said she was "perfect!" and that she very rarely has babies be so cooperative!

Several of the photos were taken without any clothes, to show off all those babies wrinkles and soft skin.  This makes for great photos, but Daddy ended up getting tee-tee'd on while taking this picture!! :)  Haha!  Good thing he was wearing black!

Another sweet moment was when Wendy was taking the Daddy/daughter set - Anna Claire woke up just briefly and reached up to touch Andy's face.  Talk about special!  Precious moment!

Our new sweet family!  I am so blessed...



8-30-11 - Dr. Visit

Had first doctor visit this morning.  What a new and exciting experience!  Of course, she slept most the entire time, but watching Andy be so gentle with her, and so interested means so much.  We were worried about her weight - they would want her to supplement if she hadn't gained enough back, but she did great!  She was up to 7 lbs. 12 oz!  Yay!  No supplementing.  I'm not so much worried about her taking formula, as I am NOT interested in introducing a bottle until she's nursing well.  Also, her jaundice had improved considerably, so that was a relief also.

Saw Dr. Williams - seems very thorough, fairly personable, but I've heard he isn't the biggest proponent of breastfeeding, so I have a little reservation about him.  I have also heard, however, that he is meticulous and if something is wrong, he's the guy you want!

Everyone has been sending loads of kind comments via Facebook and texts - we've really appreciated it! 

I am still moving extremely slow, but altogether doing quite well. We are very happy. :)

08-29-10

I am very peaceful... the past few days have been exhausting but so very joyful. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

8-27-10 - Bringing home baby

Today we came home from the hospital - I felt like I needed an extra day, just for the help and I am really glad that I did.  With the c-section, I am just moving very slowly.  Although, it is going much smoother than I expected - thank the Lord.

Baby girl took her first car ride and came home to her house today!

Now what do we do with her!!  :) 

The ladies from church have been fabulous though - they are going to provide two weeks worth of meals for us.  Lauren Malphurs was here this afternoon and made some delicious chicken salad with crescent rolls!  Yum!

8-26-10 - Hospital pics by Art Solomon

We are so incredibly blessed - words just can't express.

 

8-24-10 - The greatest blessing EVER

This will be short, for good reason.  After a day like today, words are insufficient!  Andy started the day off with flowers - card read, "To my two girls, I love you!"

Our beautiful baby girl was born today at 12:48 via c-section.  She weighed 8 lbs 7 ounces and was 20 inches long.  She has lots of really dark hair and her skin looks like it will be more like mine than Andy's.  She is absolutely gorgeous.  When she was born she screamed SO loud - even the doctors and nurses commented on her having strong lungs!  I said it was because her Daddy was a singer, and she would be a singer too! :)

First time I hold her....I am so amazed.  Today I walked into the hospital a woman, but I left the delivery room a mother.  There is a vast difference between the two.  I have never been more keenly aware of another person and anxious to know everything about them as I was when I heard her cries for the first time.  I don't know, maybe I can't explain it properly.....well, I know I can't explain it properly - it's astounding - you don't have to be prodded to love your baby, they offer nothing in return (at that moment), but God just does this miracle in your heart. 

Proud Daddy pushes her back to our room to meet everyone!

My Daddy loves me instantly!

08-23-10

Nothing like a car repair the day before having a baby, but I am thankful that it isn't any worse than what it is.......God is good and always provides.


Andy was on his way home from church and the car started to smoke and STINK.  Turned out to be just a transmission line - only $300 or so, but man, oh, man.....I was imaginining that the transmission had blown up. 


I guess this is an opportunity to remember who is in charge and not get so freaked out.....the whole Phil 4:6-7 - "be anxious for nothing...." should have been ringing in my ears, but I'm bullheaded. 

08-21-10

Two thoughts: I have never known a dog that will willingly walk into the shower to get a bath. Weird dog that Louie..... 2) I don't know what in the world Anna Claire is up to, but whatever it is it is UNCOMFORTABLE! :)

Anna Claire's Nursery is done!

We are so happy with Anna Claire's nursery! It is finally starting to seem real....sort of! But at least I feel a tiny bit more prepared having the nursery done! She can come anytime now - her room is done!

08-19-10

I have the best husband ever - how many guys will jump into the pool fully dressed just to lift your spirits! :D

08-16-10 - I am officially a domestic engineer!!

I thoroughly enjoyed my first day as a domestic engineer, even though I can't "overdo" it.....(who knows what that REALLY means)!! :D

8-13-10 - Maternity Pics!

Had maternity pictures taken today - weather wasn't too great, for my hair at least! :)  Very humid.  Usually people have maternity pics taken toward the end of the 7th month or so from what I understand....that way you aren't just MONSTROUS.  (Like I am currently!)

Andy did SO good, but I have to admit that it was fun watching him! :) I don't think [normal] guys are ever comfortable in photo situations....... haha! :)  When he had to kiss me, he lost his bravado and grinned! haha! 

Here's the best shots - we love our little baby girl so much already! I think Wendy captured that appropriately.