Memorial Day

What a fun year! Annabelle has had so many first already and we have sooooo many to go as we have just made half way through 2012. This was Annabelle's first Memorial Day and her first visit to the Lake Martin. We had a relaxed, low-key Memorial Day this year. We spent the day at the lake on Saturday. Annabelle stayed inside most of the time where it was cool and she could nap. I brought her out long enough to take a few pictures. Well lots of pictures......It was hard to choose!

Me and Annabelle match! This was not planned.....

It's only acceptable to show off your tummy when you are a baby!

What a sweetie pie......

Honey loves swimming and was in time out so that she could rest (and Rhonda too!).

On Monday we went back to the cabin to get the boat out of the water and, of course, the photogs were out again...... ;-) Annabelle liked sitting on the steps in the shade looking at the water. It must have been soothing or either she was trying to figure what what in the heck she was looking at........Either way she seemed to enjoy herself.

Where's your hair AB? ;-)

So relaxed.......ahhhhhhh

Annabelle really liked looking at the water.

What a beautiful face.....

I love this little girl more than anything in the world! She has to best laugh I have ever heard!

Clearly, I have a small obsession. I can't help myself! Can you? She is such a sweetheart and a truly happy baby. I sure do love this baby girl and I look forward to many more first in her future. She is growing so very fast and learning more and more every day. Here's to looking forward to what the future brings! I can't wait......XOXO!

Mother's Day and 4 Months

Mother's Day. My very first! I am so incredibly lucky to be Annabelle's mother and so proud to have been blessed with the sweetest little girl. Annabelle is surely my world! We had a great Mother's Day this year. It got started with a brunch at Joice's house on Saturday hosted by Hannah. What a sweet thing to do for all of us mothers. Thanks so much Hannah! It was delicious!

I had been wanting to try these yummy cinnamon rolls! 

We started out our day Sunday spending the morning with Annabelle at home, then off to my grandmother's house for a joint birthday/Mother's Day party and finally we visited Rhonda. It was a lot of excitement for Miss Annabelle, but she was such a good girl. I received my first homemade gift from Annabelle courtesy of Providence Daycare. Annabelle also got Mommy a Kitchen Aid Mixer with instructions from Daddy to bake something......LOL! I will have to get on that.....

Today my sweet baby girl is 4 months old! I can't believe it has been that long. It seems like we have always had Annabelle. It is hard to believe that 4 months ago this little 5 pound baby girl was born. She was so tiny and now she has gotten so big. Annabelle has figured out how to roll over both ways, smiles all the time and has started talking to me on a regular basis. She is growing so fast.

I sure do love this little girl!

Just for fun......

Until next time......XOXO

Daycare

Last Monday, April 30th, my little baby girl started daycare. Bless her heart, the first day was rough! She only sleep for two 15 minute naps the entire day. Annabelle was so tired when I went to pick her up that I'm not even sure she noticed I was there. She was so drowsy that she barely opened her eyes to look at me. When we got home I was only able to get two ounces of milk down her and she was out. For the night. I went and carefully changed her diaper and feed her around 10:00 and then she was back to sleep. Needless to say, Annabelle is not used to noise when she sleeps other than her Sleep Sheep. This was not intentional, but it happens. As the week went on she got better and better at sleeping each day. However, she has really become a thumb sucker in the last week. Maybe it is to comfort herself during this big change. One day she is with mommy and the next strangers. The teacher told me Friday that she has adjusted really quickly. This makes a momma happy! They all tell me every day how sweet my girl is and how much they just love Annabelle. Annabelle is the only infant at this time so she gets lots of attention. They say she is a really good girl. Sadly, after one week she has contracted a cold. Now I have a sore throat. This could get rough! I need to find a way to boost my immune system so I don't get sick everytime Annabelle gets sick. At least she is building up her immune system. Right?!?!? XOXO

At least I got a smirk! What a doll!!!!!!!

Being Thankful

Often, we get so busy with our day to day lives and forget to give thanks for all the we have been blessed with in our lives. I know how blessed it am, and I try to remember to thank God everyday. I say a prayer every morning and every night for God to protect Annabelle and keep her healthy, safe and happy. I recently discovered a blog by the name of "Avery's Bucket List" that broke my heart. It is about a 5 month old baby girl named Avery that had Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). Avery passed away Sunday, April 29th. As thankful as I am to have a beautiful, healthy baby girl this made me want to hold her even closer. This story broke my heart. The parents of this little girl are amazing. I love that they did so much to make Avery's life all it could be in the short time she was on this earth. I can't imagine their pain! Their strength. Please take the time to read this entire blog.Be prepared. I cried the entire time I was reading. It puts life into perspective and introduces a disease that most people are not aware of. I have never heard of SMA myself. I am so thankful for Annabelle and I plan to make the most of every moment I spend with her. Please say a special prayer for this family and let's help them spread the word about SMA.

"We are all born pure & innocent.  We can let the world change us, or we can change the world."
 -Avery's Dad