I have a two month old!?!

I have a two month old today! Is it really possible that I've been a mommy for TWO months? No way! I feel kinda like I've been in this 'baby fog'...you get so immersed in baby's needs, her smiles and cries, and all the other mundane daily stuff that you don't realize how quickly this precious time together is passing. That said, we're doing great! I head back to work week after next which is only going to be okay because my fantastic mom is comming to stay with FC when I work this summer. The past two months have also surprised John and I by what we've learned in such a short amount of time regarding baby care....

1. I didn't know what tired was until now.

 

2. You can actually explode water in a microwave. Oh, and it's never a good idea to microwave a bottle of breastmilk, thinking it is the water - you'll get an even bigger explosion. Trust me.

3. Bathtime can almost always stop a fuss attack in its' tracks.

Aunt Ashley Time!

4. Pacifiers are NOT a bad thing. Crying IS a bad thing. Funny how being an SLP will warp your mind.

5. Boppy's are a great way to get a child to sleep. What...your's has THREE tags telling you NOT to let baby sleep in the boppy? Huh. Funny, mine doesn't. (She's sleeping, Mommy is watching, All is good.)

Murphy gaurds his little master.

 5. Family time is sacred. It comes in many different forms...but don't mess with our time together. Having a baby has made it crystal clear how special our time is together.

6. Some times will be bad, awful bad...(like driving in your pajamas at 11:00 at night in a desperate attempt to calm a baby that's been screaming for hours, like vacuuming your entire house three times with baby strapped to your chest because it's the only thing that will calm her).

Her outfit was so cute I couldn't resist...tears and all!

 BUT....it ALWAYS gets better. When times are good, they give you happiness beyond imagination.

Litle duck and her daddy. Melts  my heart.

7. A Father's hands snuggle way better than a swaddle sack.

8. There is really no wrong way to care for a baby when done with true thought and care. I'm the mommy and I get the final say on taking care of this sweet baby. As a good friend told me recently, "It's just love"- it won't hurt her. So I will continue to happily love my baby (hold her, sleep with her, feed her as I see fit, and the list goes on) - what a gift she has been to my life.

Happy Two Months Sweet FC!! Mommy and Daddy love you to no end.









We Love Family Time!

I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart;
I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.—Psalm 9:1

I am starting to like my Bumbo!

The past two months has been such an emotional journey full of blessings, milestones, and moments of sadness. My baby girl, FC, was born nearly two months ago...it is AMAZING how many wonderful changes our family has experienced in such a short amount of time. Early morning cuddling now includes three - and is typically more of a midnight to 4 am timeframe. We are now elated by simple milestones such as that first purposeful smile (at Daddy I might add), steady head control, and weight/height gains. I am warmed by my husband enjoying these early moments of fatherhood for the first time. He sings to FC, bounces her with love, and shows a level of concern for her wellbeing that I havent seen him show for anyone else, including himself. I give thanks to God for all that we have experienced - even the fussiness and colic - as I do believe it has tightened our family's bond that much more.



Daddy and FC love to snuggle - She won't sleep like this on my chest!

As I elluded to, we have also experienced sadness and grief as a family in the past couple of weeks. My dear grandfather passed away. While his death was not unexpected given his age, general health, and dementia, it was sudden. I think you can never be "prepared" for death...it is still a shock. It took my breath away and brought immediate heartache despite my mental prepartion for the "news". While we all deeply miss him, we also rejoice in knowing that he is free from pain and is no longer lost and confused...we will see him some day again in heaven. Praise the Lord! I give thanks to God for all the time I had with Pappa, for his full life, and for the legacy he passed on to his family. I look forward to taking FC to his farm in Arkansas this summer to meet Mammy for the first time and to experience some of the sights and smells of my childhood.

I was also blessed with the opportunity to spend an extended period of time with my family in Huntsville. My godmother, Miss Carol, was even able to come and spend part of the week with us as well! I am so very grateful for such a close-knit family - parents that continue to care for me despite my age, brothers and sister-in-laws to dote on my little one, and an extended family of brothers, sisters, and parent in-laws with whom I truly enjoy their company and friendship. FC has been snuggled by all!



Lula and Grammy on Memorial Day

John and RM - see the resemblance!

Pap and Nate teaching FC a little bit about basketball - Go Celtics!

FC likes her Uncle Nate - this picture was taken a week ago and it amazes me how quickly FC has grown!!

Aunt Carol could get FC to sleep when no one else could.

Nana just had to get a play mat for FC!



These pictures are just precious to me - My dad has taken to walking FC around the yard in the evenings. You can hear whispers of their conversations from the back porch - Im thankful I caught one of their sweet exchanges last night.

Snuggling with Pap.

Playtime is rough!