The Time Has Come......

TO WORK, WORK, WORK! I have been so blessed to be able to stay home with Annabelle for 3 months. But, today is the sad, sad day that I had to return to work and Annabelle started daycare. I sobbed for hours last night and woke up with swollen eyes. I told myself that I would not cry this morning, but I did anyway. I kept telling myself that it is just daycare not the end of the world. Logically, I know this and I know that I will get used to the new routine as will Annabelle. However, convincing my heart of this is another story. I just love that little girl so much that it hurts to be away from her. I just don't want to miss a moment of her life!

I will say that after being at work for a day it is not that bad. I do have a little time for myself and to have adult conversations. I actually got to eat lunch today without having to rush and eat the whole meal! Wowzers! It is nice to not be in baby mode the entire day. This will just make me appreciate and cherish every moment I have with Annabelle even more that I already do. So here hoping that she and I both adjust to this new life with ease! XOXO

First Beach Trip & 3 months

This past weekend we took our annual trip to Destin. This year was a bit different since we have Annabelle. This was her very first trip to the beach! Wow, it sure does take a lot of packing and planning to take a little one on a trip! We did not actually make it to the beach. Annabelle is a little to young to be out in the sun, but it was mostly because she was sleeping. You know what they say........"Never wake a sleeping baby." We did make it to the a park that Cameron and I found last year. Annabelle is so funny. When she gets out in the sun she closes her eyes the whole time. The sun, we discovered, also makes her sneeze. Here are some of the pictures from our trip to the park.

Jerry and Hank on the swings.

Kasi jumping off the swing. Oh, to be kid again.....those were the days!

Hank entertaining Henry

I love this picture. I think it is so very sweet!

Me and my sweet

And last, but not least......my beautiful Annabelle. How I precious is this baby girl?!?!?!

Of course, we had to visit Dewey Destin for some grub. Yum!

Annabelle enjoying the sunlight while we ate.

We also hit up The Back Porch, but no food pics......

Henry sure does look like his Mama!

Ronnie and Annabelle



On Friday, April 20th, Miss Annabelle turned 3 months old. She is changing so much every day. I am thankful that I have the ability to document her growth in pictures. She has one tooth already coming through and another on its way. This makes for an ill baby! Annabelle is now sitting up in her Bumbo seat like a big girl and holding her head up so well on her own. When we lay her on her belly she scoots all the way to the top her her crib. Annabelle has also found her hands. She started out trying to suck her entire hand and has now figured out that she has a thumb! The is very proficient at finding and sucking her thumb. I truly hope that this is just a faze and she does not become a thumb sucker. She only does it when she is sleeping and she looses her binky. Our girl is growing so fast! Don't blink because you are sure to miss a lot! Now if she could just get some hair!

"Stop taking pictures of me, lady!"

Well, that is all folks! Until next time anyway......XOXO!

Easter 2012

Easter Sunday was fully loaded this year. We usually do the same routine every Easter, but this year was a little more labored since we have a baby. This was Annabelle's very first Easter. To get things kicked off we went to church to hear Rhonda and Jerry sing with the choir. As soon as we got seated (we were a little late) Annabelle started crying. The music was just to loud for her to handle. Annabelle and I ended up in the nursery. She had missed her morning nap and she was not happy! After church we had lunch with Rhonda and Jerry and had the opportunity to take a few pictures.

Our first Easter picture as a family!

What a sweet girl!

 Such a pretty thing!

After our photo session we all had lunch and then Cameron, Annabelle and I headed to my parents for an Easter egg hunt. Annabelle was way to tired and cranky to go outside. Unfortunately, she was unable to sleep. This made for a really unhappy baby. By the time we headed home Annabelle had missed three naps and had not eaten well because of her crankiness. She was exhausted! I put her down at 7:30pm and she did not wake until 2:30am to eat and then back down until about 8:45am. I love that she slept well, but I hate that it was because she was so tired and ill. What may seem simple to us is a lot on a baby. However, we did have a great Easter and we got to spend time with both family's. I am so grateful to be blessed with such great families. Easter is a special time of year for so many reasons. I am glad we are able to share such wonderful memories with the ones we love. Here's to many, many more memories to come........XOXO

Milestones!

   There is a part of me wants Annabelle to stay this sweet little baby that loves to cuddle with her mommy. I love to hold her and watch her sleep. She makes the cutest faces, smiles and laughs. I love every moment! On the other hand I am so thrilled to watch her grow and reach milestones. Annabelle had a doctor visit on March 28th and got her two month shots. She weighed 9 lbs 3 oz, was 22 inches long and her head measured 15 inches. The doctor gave her a great review. Everything checks out great! It is good to know that I am doing a good job. That is always a concern! New mothers often worry that they are not doing everything right.

   As much as I resisted it I decided to move Annabelle to the nursery. Cameron and I were tip toeing around her at night and in the mornings trying not to wake her. So I decided it was best that she has her own space. On March 29th Annabelle slept in her room all by herself for the first time. Of course, she did not mind. It was really no different in her world! She is still sleeping swaddled in her cradle. She slept like a champ!

   Annabelle had gotten to the point that she was not napping well so I decided to try something different. I tried laying her in her crib on her stomach for daytime naps and it worked! Annabelle likes laying on her tummy. I have also noticed that she has started moving around more or squirming, as I call it. Yesterday, April 3rd, I laid her down in her crib for her morning nap. I just happened to be watching her on the monitor and OMG she rolled over! She was on her tummy, rolled to her side and then onto her back! I couldn't believe mt eyes! My baby girl rolled over for the first time! Thank goodness I was looking at the monitor! These things are just the start of many milestones to come. I am both sad and excited! Soon I will be going back to work. Annabelle will be switched to formula. Our daytime's shared will be gone (except for the weekends). It is going to break my heart! Annabelle will hopefully not miss a beat. I hope she adjust to daycare smoothly. We have four more weeks together so I am going to enjoy every moment! Mommy and Annabelle signing off! Until next time! XOXO