Months 5- 7...I'm waaaaay behind!

Well, I said I wouldn't get behind, and look at me...I am WAY behind! Honestly, I have too much fun playing with this sweet baby girl all day to even think about blogging! Things have been going so well with us, and our Annie Louise couldn't be sweeter! She is the best baby, and we are just so blessed! I have really enjoyed getting to spend so much time with her these first few months of her life...things may change in that department, but for now, I am just sending us big praises (and lots of big prayers)! Anyways, enjoy reading about our doodlebug for the past few months...

5 months old...

Annie Louise,

I know I say it everyday, but you are the BEST baby! Everyone always comments on how happy and sweet you are - you are just a joy to everyone! This month, you have been smiling a lot more (especially when someone smiles at you), you talk constantly - I mean all. the. time - it's adorable, and you LOVE bouncing in your bouncing seat. It's so funny to watch you bounce in that thing, it looks like you are going to shoot out of it! We are loving getting to watch you grow and grow, and we are so blessed to be your parents!

No height and weight check-up this month!

Sleeping patterns:

You are still sleeping through the night, but you have started waking up a little earlier in the mornings (like 4:30 a.m.!!!!), so we may start rice cereal soon!

Eating habits:

Still eating 6 times a day - every 3-4 hours!

Discoveries and accomplishments:

You roll over a lot - you can roll from your back to your belly, but then it's like you get stuck. And man, do you get mad! With our help, you can pull up from lying down...you are really starting to notice everything around you, too, and this makes mommy nervous!!!!

Highlights:

Hearing you babble more and more...I have a feeling you are going to be a talker, like mommy! You are really smiling, too - you'll smile anytime someone smiles at you! Such a happy baby! You also have discovered that you can hold your own bottle, and you no longer want someone to hold it for you...such an independent girl!

6 months old...

Annie Louise,

Well, this month hasn't started off so great! You have been sick for the first time! You have an awful stuffy (and runny) nose, and you have been quite fussy! We took you to the doctor for your first "sick visit" - Dr. Rosser said your ears and nose looked perfect, you just may have a runny nose! You had your first ever fever, and mommy went nuts! Thank goodness SheShe was there to talk me through everything, or mommy probably would have gone bananas! Oh goodness, I guess this is just the first of many illnesses for you...what is mommy going to do!?!

Weight: 15 pounds, 8 ounces

Height: 26 1/2 inches

*Dr. Rosser says you are a little on the lower-end for weight, but he says "not to worry" because you are probably going to be a lean girl...but you are in the 90th percentile for height!!!

Sleeping patterns:

All night long, baby! You are such a good sleeper! And you have a nice, long nap in the mornings and another nap in the late afternoons!

Eating habits:

We started rice cereal!!!! So, you are eating rice cereal a couple of times during the day, always after you nurse! You are still nursing/having a bottle six times day!

Discoveries and accomplishments:

You have learned to say new consonant sounds, including DA DA. And your daddy, he is over the moon with joy! You say da da allllllll day long. It actually makes your mommy kinda jealous. You also have 2 teeth! They popped through on the bottom, and they are so stinkin' cute! AND, you are sitting up now!!!!

Highlights:

You went to your first birthday party for your cousin, Grant! PopPop dressed up as a clown, and you LOVED it! You love to be the center of attention!

7 months old...

Annie Louise,

WOW, I can't believe you are 7 months old! You are getting to be such a big girl!!!!! You are into everything now - it's like you have discovered that you can reach for things, and you are always reaching for something. The remote control, the phone, pillows, ANYTHING you can get your little hands on is fair game! Is this only a sign of what's to come?! You have still been battling a runny nose, so mommy took you to the doctor (again!), but they said you were perfectly healthy! I love you so much, doodlebug, you make my life complete!

No height and weight check-up this month, although I KNOW you have gained since we have started SOLIDS!

Sleeping patterns:

You definitely have a nighttime routine down - usually go to bed around 9 p.m. and sleep until 6:30 a.m. or later. You are officially sleeping in your own crib - mommy was a nervous wreck for a few days, but you are just fine in there!

Eating habits:

We have started solids, and you are in heaven! You are such a good eater! You especially love squash and sweet potatoes, not to mention bananas! We eat solids 3 times a day (breakfast, lunch and dinner), but we always nurse before we eat. So, you are still nursing/taking a bottle 6 times a day! (This helps keep mommy's milk production up)

Discoveries and accomplishments:

You are really "playing" now - you LOVE your Baby Einstein exer-saucer! You love to watch the lights and listen to the music - and you have discovered that you can pull things off the little rings! You like to play with your little kitchen, too! Mommy and Daddy know all the words to the songs, ha! You are now grabbing a hold of things and pulling up! Time for us to start thinking about baby-proofing everything!

Highlights:

We have just loved watching you discover this great big world around you! You are such a flirt, too - you are always smiling at everyone! And now, you have started laughing! It's the cutest sound I have ever heard, and I try to tickle you as much as possible so I can hear that sweet giggle! We are trying to teach you to say "hi!" and wave, and I have a feeling you are going to be waving soon!

4 months old!

Annie Louise,

You are FOUR months old. I know I say it all the time, but you are growing up way too fast! I wish I could make time slow down so I can be sure that I am enjoying every single second with you! We survived the Christmas season, and everyone loved getting a chance to see you...for many, it was the first time they had ever seen you! And of course, you were no disappointment! Your personality is really starting to show, and I can already tell that you are going to be a ham! We made the big change to cloth diapers after the first of the New Year - we were tired of diaper blowouts and leaks, and frankly, I just felt bad throwing away all of those diapers each day. That's the thing, Annie Louise, I want to leave this world perfect for you. And if that means that I use cloth diapers, recycle more, etc., then that's what I am going to do! Every decision I make is for you, baby girl!

Height: 25.5 inches

Weight: 13 pounds, 8 ounces

Sleeping patterns:

You sleep through the night, and you usually take 2 good naps during the day, plus a couple "cat naps" between feedings.

Eating habits:

Still eating 6 times a day - every 3 hours!

Discoveries and accomplishments:

You FINALLY found your thumb, and you suck it all the time! You will not even touch a pacifier anymore! Such a self-soother! And you found your feet...you are constantly pulling them up to your face, and sometimes, you try to suck on your toes!

Highlights:

We love listening to you "talk," and sometimes you stand up (while we're holding you), and you look like such a BIG girl!

Growing and growing...month by month!

I have been SO bad at updating our blog! I thought about making that my New Year's Resolution, you know, to update more often. But then, I thought, "who am I kidding?"

Anyways, Annie Louise is growing like crazy! I have been very good about keeping up with her growth by taking a picture each month, as well as writing in her baby book, too! So, here are her pictures from the past couple of months, as well as some highlights about her and a short letter I write to her each month! I am going to try and make it a habit to do it each month!

ONE MONTH OLD....

Annie Louise,

You have officially been with us on this Earth for one month. And we can't believe it. The days go by so fast...everyone said they would, and they are so right! Sometimes I feel like I have NO idea what I am doing, but I just try to make the best of each day and enjoy every moment with you. You are such a blessing, and I could not be prouder to be your mama.

Love you, baby girl!

Height: 22 inches

Weight: 10 pounds, 10 ounces

Sleeping patterns:

You sleep fairly well - you wake up every 4 or so hours to feed.

Eating habits:

We are breastfeeding, and you have feedings every 3 or so hours during the day.

Discoveries and accomplishments:

You are starting to "follow" us with your eyes, and sometimes you let out a little coo, too!

Highlights:

You have a "rooster tail" - your hair sticks straight up in the back, so we call you "rooster"!

TWO MONTHS OLD...

Annie Louise,

We are starting to finally get into a "groove," and I feel more confident with you! We have definitely adjusted to one another; although, I still cannot believe that you are my sweet baby girl! Sometimes, I feel like I am in a dream, and you are the best part of it. You are such a good baby, and I am loving being a mommy!

Height: 23.5 inches

Weight: 12 pounds, 2 ounces

Sleeping patterns:

Not sleeping through the night yet, sleeping for a bit between each feeding.

Eating habits:

You have feedings every 2 1/2 - 3 hours, and you eat WELL.

Discoveries and accomplishments:

You have started to smile a little bit - we don't know if it's just gas, but it's so stinkin' adorable!

Highlights:

Getting more acquainted with each other, and we are enjoying each day with you!

THREE MONTHS OLD...

Annie Louise,

I cannot believe that you are THREE months old! Time needs to seriously slow down! You have changed so much in the past month, and we are gearing up for the Christmas season! Everyone is DYING to see you, and I am going to have to share you lots and lots with family members! You are still the best baby, and I thank God every single day for blessing my life with your precious life!

No height and weight check-up this month!

Sleeping patterns:

You have started sleeping through the night! THANK YOU, JESUS!!!!

Eating habits:

You eat 6 times a day - usually every 3 hours!

Discoveries and accomplishments:

You are a "talker" - FOR SURE! And you can roll from your back to your belly!

Highlights:

You smile ALL the time - especially when you see us, or if someone talks to you sweetly! You have the cutest little grin, and we cannot get enough of it!

The birth story.

FINALLY...I FINISHED! I know most people won't care much about all of this, but I don't want to forget a single detail of Annie Louise's birth, so I am going to write about it!

Due Date - September 8th, 2010

Well, I woke up around 4 a.m. on the morning of my due date because I was having some irregular contractions...FINALLY! Never before had I been so excited to be in some pain! Ha! We had a doctor's appointment that morning, so we got ready (with lots of nervous jitters). When we got to the doctor's office, they hooked me up to a fetal/contraction monitor - they told me to relax and see what happens. So, B and I had a "talk" with Annie Louise - we told her to start doing her thing....and BAM! A BIG contraction popped up on the monitor. And then, there were a few more! I was hooked up to the monitor for about 45 minutes, and it was able to record several more contractions, and Annie Louise's heartrate looked great! My doctor examined me, and guess what? Not really dilated...so disappointed! She did a few other things to help "jump start" labor, and then she told us she wanted us to have an ultrasound to make sure that the amniotic fluid was okay. If the ultrasound came back okay, then we would come back for another appointment on Friday. If not, we would be admitted for induction. When the ultrasound tech got a good, clear picture, the first thing she said was, "This baby has a TON of hair!" And sure enough, you could see all of these little "lines" of hair just floating around...it was the cutest thing. I definitely shed a few tears! Her ultrasound came back perfectly, so our doctor told us to come back on Friday. She told us if my water broke, or if I started having contractions 5 minutes or less apart for about an hour, then to come on to the hospital. So, we went home!

Later that night, I started having major contractions, and I couldn't sleep. I got a pad, pen and B's stopwatch. And I timed all of my contractions and wrote them down....while watching episode after episode of Gilmore Girls :) They got to be about 7 minutes apart, but never closer than that. I really only got a couple hours of sleep that night, which looking back, wasn't such a good idea, I should have gotten my sleep! Duh!

Thursday, September 9, 2010

B got up for work that morning, and I told him to keep his phone close by, because today could really be the day. I alerted most of our family and friends, and made my spot on the couch for the day. My mom came over later that afternoon, and we decided to make a big meal for that night. By then, my contractions had sort of slowed down to 10 minutes apart. We went to the grocery store and actually came home and snapped some beans! Ha! Well, my dad and B got to the house to eat, and no sooner did I get a few bites in, that the contractions started speeding up. I let everyone else eat while I did some "laps" around the house. B followed me with the stopwatch, and sure enough, they were between 3-4 minutes apart. We timed them for an hour, and then loaded up the car! The time was here...HOPEFULLY! My mom rode with us to the hospital, and I don't think any of us said anything. I prayed the whole time that I would be dilated so they would admit me. We got to the hospital sometime between 8 and 9 p.m. - a nurse checked me into triage and did an examination. Then, she said those magic words, "You are dilated to a 4, so we are going to keep you!" I let out a big, ole PRAISE JESUS! (no lie) - and my mom and B began the phone tree calling/texting. They put me into a delivery room and got me all set up. The contractions were coming on pretty strong still, and since I hadn't slept for the past couple of nights, I discussed getting the epidural with my nurse. I had really wanted to go natural with the labor, but after basically 2 nights of no sleep and lots of labor pains, I wanted to be prepared in case I did decide to get the epidural. We decided to wait for a while, and I tried to work through contractions.

Friday, September 10th, 2010

So, my dad had been saying since I was given my due date of September 8th, that Annie Louise was going to come on his birthday - September 10th. I fought and fought him on this - I wanted my sweet baby girl to have her own birthday, plus I just figured she would come early, because I'm always early. So, my mom and I joked in the delivery room as the time got closer and closer to midnight, and there was still no baby.

Anyways, I got my epidural sometime after 2 a.m., because the anesthesiologist was going to take a nap (I could tell a whole story on this...), and they didn't know how long it would be until I could get it. It wasn't bad at all, I was prepared for it - she actually had to do it a couple of times because she couldn't get it just right. B was holding my shoulders, and when they finally got it in okay, he stood up, and went WHITE. Here I am with this huge needle in my back, and B is laid up on the couch with 3 or 4 nurses tending to him, giving him cokes and crackers. What a joke! Ha! After I got the epidural, I tried to rest some. I may have slept for an hour or two, when I woke up in the early morning hours and looked down at my left leg...my dead leg. That's right, I could not move my left leg. It looked like a huge elephant leg! Thus began the turn the "epidural off, turn the epidural on" fiasco. And not to be a pitiful baby, but I think I threw up everything that was in my stomach that morning, which was not fun. Thank the Lord for my sweet momma, who just took such good care of me.

I wasn't progressing much after that, I think I was dilated to around a 6 or so, and man, I was getting tired. I couldn't get comfortable because of said "elephant leg," and I was just ready to get this show on the road. My nurse let me know that my doctor would be in sometime in the early morning to check on me - most likely to break my water and start pitocin. Well, we waited and waited and waited some more for my doctor. Turns out she had a c-section and other things pop up, so I had to wait. She finally came in sometime between 9-10 a.m., broke my water and started pitocin.

By this time, I had a NEW nurse, and I was absolutely starving. Everyone kept saying "she's probably going to be here by lunchtime!" And all I could think about was FOOD!!!! Time kept going by, and they kept messing with the epidural (I was worried I wouldn't be able to push since I couldn't even move my leg). I turned over and laid on my right side for a bit, hoping to speed things up. Nothing. I could feel the contractions getting stronger, but I was only around a 7 when my nurse would check me. So, I stayed on my right side for a bit, and then I switched to my left side. And this is where the action begins.

MAN OH MAN. I could feel E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G!!!! I didn't have any back labor until this point. And I thought I was dying. I cried and cried. I told B and my mom that I never wanted to do this again. I yelled at my sister when she came in the delivery room to tell me (with the sweetest look on her face) that my granny and papa were there! This was my reaction - "Well isn't that just GREAT!" I felt bad because so many of my family members were there, and they had been there for HOURS - waiting on me. Lots of pressure for a gal.

Anyways, I knew it was time. I wanted to push and push RIGHT NOW. So, we called for the nurse - more like I called out in severe pain and anguish for her. She came and checked me and....I WAS A 10!!!!!! Again, I think I let out a big "PRAISE JESUS!"

I was crying, my mom was crying and B was crying. We were all exhausted and ready to meet this baby girl.

My nurse called my doctor to let her know that I was ready to push. There was a nursing student with my nurse that day, so she held my left leg, mom held the "dead leg," (mom later told me that the next day, her arm hurt so badly from holding my 50 lb. leg! ha!) and B stayed up by my head to give me support. I started pushing at 12:52. It was the hardest I have ever worked for something. I was so focused on my baby - I was only concentrating on her. There was so much going on around me, but I didn't even notice. Right when my doctor arrived, I knew I was getting close. I never knew I would push for so long, and everyone around me seemed to be focusing on other things - like my husband's hair.... "HELLO? I don't care if my husband looks like JFK, Jr.! Can I push or not!?!???"

At 2:01 p.m., our Annie Louise came out - with her hand by her head, no less! It was absolutely the most beautiful moment of my life. She made one little cry when she came out, and she was just so quiet after that. They placed her on my chest, and I will still remember those big, eyes looking up at me, and I was just a blubbering mess!

They took her away to do all the measurements and whatnot, and I was just DYING to know how much she weighed. My doctor guessed around 8 pounds, and we all were so shocked when they said nine pounds, two ounces!

Holy moly! I could NOT believe I just delivered a nine pound baby! No wonder it took so long! In fact, her measurements were the exact same as my nephew's - how crazy!

I know I am biased, but in those first few moments, all I could think about was how beautiful she was, how perfect she was, how blessed I was....

After going through a pregnancy, labor and delivery, I feel like I have joined some special club! I know there are a lot of women out there that are waiting to join "the club", and let me tell you, do not give up. God is faithful. The end. There were many days when I would just cry out to God and beg Him for a baby. And He knew it. I would like to say a special prayer for all of you who are waiting on something...be it a baby, or a husband or a job, whatever.

Don't lose your faith! Don't lose your hope! I will post this verse from Isaiah again because I love it so much....

"O LORD, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago" - Isaiah 25:1

Yes, we are THAT family!

I have decided that holidays, even the small ones, are so much more fun with a little one! And we're about to embark on some BIG holidays....Thanksgiving and Christmas! I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am about spending this special time with our Annie Louise!

When I found out Annie Louise would be making her arrival sometime in early September, I started thinking about Halloween. Always the planner, I guess! Anyways, I had several ideas for her costume, but didn't want to do anything until after she arrived since we wouldn't know her sizing and whatnot (good thing we waited). Then, she made her big arrival, and everything kind of went to the back burner, if you know what I mean. Having a newborn kind of puts everything in perspective! So, when my mom and I begin to think about what Annie Louise was going to be for Halloween, I was stumped. She can't sit up yet, so I wanted something that would be cute and practical. And I wanted B and myself to get in on the fun, too - so it had to be something for the whole family. My mom actually came up with the idea....

A family of scarecrows!

I can't believe my husband actually dressed up, too! I don't know if I'll ever be able to get him to do it again! It was definitely a hit, and we had so much fun! We went to our downtown "square" for a trick-or-treat event, and Annie Louise was definitely the star of the show :)

I mean, how stinkin cute is this sweet baby? I could just eat up those cheeks!

Stitched with love...

I only have a minute to post - Annie Louise is sleeping, and I am going to try and catch a few zzzz's before she wakes for her next feeding! I had to post this picture of our sweet doodlebug (that's one of her many nicknames) because I just think it's too cute for words...

After lots of rocking, patting and soothing, we finally got this angel to fall asleep during her newborn pictures. For some reason, my child would not fall asleep for her pictures, and I was just dying to get some of those "sleepy" baby shots. Thankfully, we had the most patient photographer, Joy Dement, and she was just so nice to stay with us until she finally gave it up!

Now for the story behind the picture...all of the quilts in the picture are very special to my family. Some of them were quilted by family members, and some of the squares in the quilts were put together by family members. Some of them were even quilted by Annie's namesake, my Great-Great Aunt Louise. The fabrics are very plain, nothing fancy - probably from old feed sacks, from an old shirt, some are probably from old dresses that weren't wearable anymore.

The very top quilt (the dutch doll) was quilted by my Great-Grandmother Harris, and I believe it was one of the last quilts she made. I still love to snuggle with that quilt, and the wear and tear on it shows. I had this "vision" of Annie Louise laying on the quilts because they are just so very sentimental to me. I am so thankful that Joy was able to capture it. I don't know why, but whenever I see these quilts (or wrap up with them), I am reminded of all the time and love that someone put into it. And it's beautiful. It's like our families - sometimes it's not easy, and we have to really put a lot of effort and work into our relationships, but it's all worth it when we have someone to snuggle up with. So, thank you, Joy, for capturing this all-too-beautiful picture for me. I will always treasure it.

She's here!

So, most of you that read this blog already know that our sweet baby girl FINALLY came, but for those of you that don't know...

Annie Louise

arrived on

Friday, September 10th

at 2:01 p.m. (after 18 hours and 25 minutes of labor)

weighing 9 pounds, 2 ounces

21 1/2 inches long

We are so over the moon with joy - and now you know why I haven't updated my blog in a while! Having a newborn is exhausting, but oh-so-worth-it! I can't believe our little doodlebug will be 7 weeks old tomorrow! They are so right when they say time flies! I am working on a blog post about Annie's "birth story" - if I ever finish it, I will put it up! Lots of details, but it's something I NEVER want to forget :)

After an hour of pushing, she finally made her appearance! This is one of the most special pictures I own - I was so exhausted, but seeing that sweet little face just changed my life!

Our first picture as a family of THREE :)