Tooth #11 & 12

Abby cut teeth #11 & 12 today. She's been fussy off and on the last few weeks with all FIVE of these teeth popping through! She just got her lower left molar and the final bottom left tooth next to the front ones. So she's got four front top, four front bottom, and four molars. And she's adorable! Thankfully she's not biting often anymore, but still gets Aidan once in a while.

15 Months

{15 month visit~took all three shots without a single whimper but wanted those bandaids off ASAP}

Abby is:

20lbs, 6oz. {14th %ile}
30in. {36th %ile}
18.3in. head circumference {68th %ile}

What a little peanut!!! She's so stinking adorable and smart and funny and so much more. She is willing to do and try anything to be just like her big brother, Aidan. She's got a little attitude and knows what she wants. She has Aidan beat on temper tantrums and I try my best not to laugh at her. I'm pretty sure she thinks she is much older than 1. Here's a little peek into her world:

• Wearing 12-18 month (pants), 18/18-24 month clothes
• Still in size 3 diapers
• Shoes are around a 5
• loves to snack, especially on goldfish and puffs
• eating mostly table foods, but still getting some veggie purees
• nursing 2-3 times a day (wake-up, after work, bed time)
• loves cuddling with Toby and giving him treats
• feeds her babies and rocks them
• will try climbing anything in her way
• enjoys cuddling with Daddy the most
• always on the go

We're very blessed to have two amazing kids that make us smile every day. Abby makes so many people smile besides just us too. And I can't even count the number of people who say how beautiful she is. But, we already know that. She's both beautiful and smart. And she's our little Abby girl. 

My thoughts on life right now:

I can't believe it's been 15 months that she's been out of my belly! 

Some days it feels like she's still an infant and others that she's turning into a little girl. 

Happy 1st Birthday Abigail Rose!

I truly can't believe my sweet baby girl is one today! One whole year old!

Abby girl, At 10:40am on August 25, 2011 you entered this great big world and have brought joy to everyone you have met since then. This past year has been the fastest year ever. It has also been one of the hardest, yet most rewarding as well. You might wear me out most days with your running around and getting into things, but you make me smile every day. You are one silly girl who knows when and what to do to make us laugh, especially at dinner time when it's fairly quiet. Somehow that's always when you decide to crack up laughing to get all the attention just because, and then we always join in because you are just too cute and funny not to laugh with. You make us all so incredibly happy.

{Love at first sight for Daddy}

{Mommy was happy you were finally here}

{Our last monthly picture}

Wow. The last monthly picture. Yup, at this point the screen is so blurry from my tears I'm not even sure I can write this post. Whew. Deep breaths. Seriously, one? How did this happen so fast? I'm pretty sure I still remember having you in my belly and feeling all those kicks, though it does seem so long ago we were dealing with every two hour feedings, newborn cries, and holding and changing you so delicately because we were afraid to hurt you. Now it's every three hour feedings with some sleeping through the night happening lately, toddler whines, and wrestling you to the floor to change you. You are so cute and so funny though it's hard to get frustrated with you. 

Here's a little peek into your great big toddler world:

• practically running around the house now
• can climb up steps, and even come down one or two
• keep trying new foods with you even though most of the time you try to hand them back after chewing a bit
• cheerios are a big hit
• enjoying your baby dolls
• love to pet Toby and always call for "woof"
• chatting up a storm and trying new words all the time
• love the bath and pool
• swinging and going for wagon rides are outside favorites
• Aidan is your best bud and you want to do everything he is doing
• you give lots of kisses and hugs now
• still nursing, though I'm trying to cut back to just wake-up and bedtime
• drink whole milk, though it usually has to be warmed
• wearing size 12 months clothes
• wearing size 3 diapers
• probably a size 4.5 shoe right now
• and I'll update your growth stats after the appointment

So baby girl, I'm not sure how the past year flew by so quickly, but I do know that it was one of the best years of my life. We were blessed with an amazing daughter who is the perfect sibling for Aidan. You make us laugh and smile and appreciate so many of the littler things in life. Love you SOOO much!

My thoughts on life right now:

I need more tissues.

Best year ever. 

So blessed. 

11 months

Seriously, where has the time gone? I've procrastinated big time on writing this post but you didn't know that since I backdated :). The fact that my little Abby girl turns one in a month makes me want to cry, but at the same time, it's so exciting. So here's a peek into Abby girl's world:

• walking! All over the place!
• can climb steps, and has learned how to come down the step from the kitchen to the family room
• gives her stuffed animals hugs, and Aidan & Mommy & Daddy too
• gives great big open mouth kisses and says "mmmmmah"
• blows kisses, but sort of pats her mouth and makes noise
• waves 
• loves "pattycake" and "itsy bitsy spider"
• loves sitting on laps and reading books and already wants to be the page turner
• pretends to talk on the phone remote or anything else that can be a phone and will put her hand to her ear when the phone rings
• points and yells at the pantry door when she wants something other than what's on her tray
• can scribble with a crayon or the travel magna doodle
• shakes her head no, and will sometimes say "mo"
• drinks from sippy cup and straw cup and wants any cup that isn't her's
• loves chicken nuggets
• will try any food from someone else's plate
• enjoys playing with the play kitchen
• wearing 12 months clothes, size 3 diapers
• still nursing, and since she brought me the boppy today I think weaning will be harder than expected...heck, I never thought I'd make it this far and for that to be my biggest problem is nothing!
• waking up at least once a night for some nursing and cuddle time with me
• doing anything she can to keep up with Aidan
• loves, loves, loves Toby...she pets him at any chance she can and he's been great with her
• Pretty chatty and can say: mom, da, pop-pop, puff, woof, ball, up
• Some words she attempts: bear & bird (bah), Aidan, Landon, dog (gog), boob yes, for real, hello

So, that's a peek into the world of Abby girl. And much too soon I'll be writing her 1st birthday post. And I should probably be working on her party stuff but part of me is in denial and sad and the other part is just plain exhausted. 

My thoughts on life right now:

We are so incredibly blessed with two amazing children. 

I can't believe that a year ago Abby was snuggled in my belly still. 

10 months

Oh my goodness, I keep telling myself I'm not really sitting down to write this 10 month blog post. Maybe that's why I skipped the 9 month one. Maybe, just maybe, I'm in denial that my baby is so close to turning a year old. And that, folks, I'm a little sad about. I know with Aidan I was excited to get to all the milestones, partly because they were new, and partly because it was exciting and fun. With Abby though, it's only new to her, and knowing that she may be my last baby I want time to slow down to a crawl. I want those milestones to happen, but at a much slower pace. And guess what? They are happening sooner with her than with him. As much as I want her to be that wonderful smelling newborn, she is an amazing little almost toddler baby girl. So, enough of my sob story about how I'm not ready for her to grow up so fast and on to what this little cutie is up to lately:

• crawling super fast, especially when you chase her or tell her no
• can pull herself to standing, and sometimes lets go
• walks behind "Rocket" walking toy 
• can climb steps
• has 5 teeth (as of 7/3) middle bottom and top two and right top
• says mama, gaga (for dada and most things), gog (for dog), and makes a whole lot of other noise
• loves to squeal, especially if Aidan is playing around with her
• has the most adorable little giggle ever, seriously
• loves to go for walks in the wagon and stroller
• has had a few tastes of vanilla ice cream, and loves it!
• still wearing size 3 diapers
• wearing 12 months clothes
• still nursing (yay! and sooo much cheaper than formula)
• likes most baby foods, but isn't so happy with finger foods
• loves puffs, sometimes likes baby goldfish crackers, likes graham crackers   
• tries to blow kisses, but usually just pats her mouth and hums at the same time
• gives lots of open mouth slobbery kisses
• hugs, and will sometimes even pat you on the back if you pat her back first
• requires a baby gate system unlike Aidan so she doesn't get into everything, especially the tv

So, that's a little about our baby girl. Oh, one more thing, a few months ago I was so excited to be "pinning" all kinds of ideas and things to do/make/have for her birthday party. Now, nothing. I'm in complete denial that it's happening so soon. I have this dream party in my head that could have been accomplished if I started working on it before vacation, but I didn't, and I'm a little mad at myself but also sad that she'll be one so soon. Oh well, it'll be great and she'll be one and we'll continue to love and adore her as much and even more than we do now.

My thoughts on life right now:

Really? 10 months already?

She makes me SO happy.

Seeing her and Aidan together is the best ever.

{enjoying vacation in NWW}

PS- If someone can help me make it so behind the words is not white that would be great. It's ultra-annoying to me but I have no idea how to fix it. One of these days I'm going to take a class on how to make my blog better. Maybe right after I take the class to learn how to use my DSLR on something besides auto. ;)

8 months

What a busy month for you little girl! You celebrated your first Easter, and shortly after got your first tooth. It is the lower left. Within a week the lower right was in also. Here's a little more that you've been up to:

• sleep is not your #1 priority, whether it be a nap or night time...mommy hopes this changes soon
• two teeth, and maybe more to arrive soon
• your bond with Aidan grows stronger every day
• you say "mama" and it melts my heart
• I think "gaga" is daddy, but he isn't so sure
• Aidan thinks you may have said his name a few times too, maybe not, but you sure try
• love to babble
• you hide your face in my chest or arm when you get shy
• roll all over the place
• trying so hard to crawl
• get on hands and feet with hiney in the air, but not really rocking on hands and knees
• can push yourself backwards when laying on your belly
• sit completely unsupported
• went to your first Phillies game
• wearing 9 months clothes, but will soon be in 12
• still in size 3 diaper (and 4 is a long way away, I hope)
• taking 1-2 bottles a day at while mommy is at work, and still nursing
• eating stage 2 foods, with a few stage 3's starting
• hate puffs still, but will gnaw on the biter biscuits
• no longer swaddled, sleep on your side at times, and rarely roll to sleep on your belly
• love to play with toys
• sometimes hold a phone or something to your ear which looks like you're talking on it
• love to be held
• enjoy being read to
• love taking walks and being an observer like Aidan

{1st tooth ~ 4.9.12}

{your new cousin Landon Cole}

{you share an amazing bond}

{1st Phillies game}

Oh Abby girl, we love you so so much. You have brought a love and light into our worlds that can not even be put into words. You give us such a full and complete feeling. That doesn't mean mommy has decided she's done having babies, that's God's choice and mommy doesn't quite feel done yet either. You continue to amaze us every day, bringing joy with every little smile and coo. Thank you for being you even when you don't sleep and being such a wonderful little girl. 

My thoughts on life right now:

8 months? Seriously? 

Where did the time go?

I've already starting thinking about her 1st birthday party.

Packing her too-small clothes away made me sad.

I'm excited for the memories to be made. 

7 months old

Yikes! This means you are officially closer to being a whopping 1 year old! Abby girl, slow down. Mommy loves that you are still a baby and I'm not quite ready to have a mobile, crawling, into everything little girl. You continue to amaze us every day and charm everyone with your beautiful smile. 

Here's a peek into your world right now:

• best, biggest smile
• still no teeth, even though a few weeks ago the doc assured us they would be in within a week
• babbling
• shrieking, especially at Aidan
• laughs, oh you have the best laugh, especially when we kiss your belly
• you sit without support, but love to throw yourself backwards so we still put the boppy or pillow behind you
• you have been moving onto your belly more from a sitting position, trying to get anything in sight
• you can straighten your arms now when on your belly...you'll be crawling before we're ready
• still nursing (who knew we'd make it this long?)
• eating stage 2 foods, and hate Gerber puffs, you gag every time
• waking once a night, sometimes twice, to eat and go right back to sleep
• taking at least two naps a day, sometimes a little cat nap around dinner time too
• love the pacifier especially to sleep and when in the car seat
• love the bath, and now that you have a bath seat you want to play with toys, but you also love to lay back when we hold you and kick, kick, kick---you'll be tons of fun in the pool this summer
• wearing size 3 diapers
• wearing 9 months clothes
• beginning to play with your left ear and hair more often
• constantly trying to get the dog
• everything goes in your mouth-toys, bib, fingers, and even toes
• love to be held
• always curious about what's going on around you
• Aidan is your best friend

{Love her smile}

My thoughts on life right now:

Hard to believe that 7 months ago you were born.

Even harder to imagine life without you.

You make us all so happy. 

So big!

{Time to put away the swing, Our little Abby girl isn't so little any more!}

6 months old

Wow! Time flies! I can't believe that Abby is 6 months old. In just 6 short months we'll be celebrating her first birthday. That kind of makes me sad. I wish I could hit a pause button and enjoy every little smile, giggle, cuddle, and moment with her even the 3am feeding. I've already started brainstorming ideas for her 1st birthday.

At her check up, she was:
16 pounds {50th percentile}
25.75 inches {50th percentile}
42cm head (I think) {58th percentile}
She checked out as healthy as can be again and we feel very blessed about that.

Here's what she's been up to in the past month:

• ticklish~especially on her belly and neck
• sits supported, usually falls to right side
• yells, laughs, babbles
• eats cereal
• first veggies were peas and sweet potatoes, she prefers cereal
• tries to grab Toby at all opportunities
• gives us great big open mouth kisses
• holds out her arms to reach for us
• still nursing, and weaning might be harder than continuing at this point
• getting up around 3am to nurse, but then goes right back to sleep
• loves the Jumperoo
• tries to grab everything nearby
• always smiling

My thoughts on life right now:

I seriously can't believe she's 6 months old. Wow.

I really, really need to take some time and get pictures uploading. I've got loads of blogs to fill with pictures! 

5 months

5 months old...and Mommy's been slacking on pictures and blogging. Oh, and have I mentioned that the baby book doesn't have a single thing written in it? Yes Abby, you already have second child syndrome and you aren't even a year old yet. I'm sorry. I've got lots of guilt and not a lot of time for those things. But, trust me when I say that time spent with you is amazing. You light up not only my life, but Daddy and Aidan's too. You complete our family and we love you so incredibly much.

Here's what Abby is up to:

• giggles, especially at Aidan's silly antics
• loves to be held
• sort of attached to mommy
• transitioned to mommy going back to work pretty well; mom-mom is working on a routine and it will happen soon enough
• rolls from belly to back almost immediately
• scoots on her back by pushing with her feet
• puts everything in her mouth
• loves cereal! 
• still breast fed, getting bottles in the daytime and nursing on demand when mommy is around (mommy is proud to have made it this long)
• wakes up once a night every once in a while
• wearing 6 months/6-9 months clothes
• wearing size 2 diapers
• loves to be on the go
• enjoys being at Aunt Cait's basketball games
• still a happy baby

At her January 11th appointment she was:

13 pounds, 14 ounces {43rd percentile}

24 inches {26th percentile}

16.24 inches head size {47th percentile}

And she was super healthy. :)

{1st taste of rice cereal}

{loves giving kisses}

{1st veggie-peas}

My thoughts on life right now:

I can't believe my little baby girl is five months old already. 

Time has flown by, and it makes me sad.

I really wish I would upload pics and blog more often. 

Merry Christmas & a Happy 4 Months!

Wow. Four glorious months have gone by since our Abigail Rose entered this great big world. And we couldn't be happier. We woke up this morning as a happy family of four and it's great. Here's a little about Abby now:

• rolls from back to belly!!!
• giggles when we kiss her cheeks or neck, and is starting to get a little ticklish on her sides and underarms
• loves to smile
• loves watching Aidan and almost seems to want his attention already
• can pick up a toy
• can transfer a toy from one hand to the other
• can bring toys (and anything else) to her mouth
• sits in the bumbo
• still doesn't love belly time, but tolerates it longer than Aidan ever did
• still loves to cuddle on the boppy with mommy after nursing
• yup, still nursing! {made it past my 3 month goal...now let's see how returning to work goes}
• sleeps great through the night and on most car rides
• is generally pleasant 95% of the day
• loves to be held {it's not spoiling...they're only little for so long and if she's my last baby then I'll hold her all day}
• continues to make us the happiest family

Now, a little about Christmas morning. Abby was up first, so I fed her upstairs and brought her into our bed to share some "happy Abby morning smiles" with Sean figuring Aidan would be up at any moment. When Aidan finally woke up, around 9am, he was happy to see all of us. He was cuddling next to Abby so I took an adorable pic of the two of them in their Christmas jammies. Sean asked him why I was taking a picture of them, with their matching jammies, and what was special about them. Right away he realized it was Christmas morning and told us he was ready to go downstairs. It was so cute. So we went downstairs and he insisted he open all of Abby's gifts for her first before even getting into his...what a good big brother. Then he opened his and loved them all, even the clothes. This year we bought him a kitchen. Now I now I'll hear and have heard he should have gotten a workbench, but honestly there wasn't any I loved and I figure he loves the kitchen at preschool and Abby can have it in a year when Aidan's bored of it. Plus, I'm training him to be a great husband one day. Anyway, the kitchen was covered by a blanket. I asked him to get it so I could lay Abby on it and when he pulled it off he was so surprised. So far it's turned out to be a good gift.

A little bit later Steph, Brian, and Darren came over, and then my mom and Mike. Shortly after that Sean's family came around. Meagan and Colby, Cait, and his parents brought half of the North Pole with them, but maybe it's because we all still exchange that it looks ridiculous. One of these years we'll cut back! It was a fabulous morning followed by a delicious dinner and good company at Sean's Aunt Sue's house with tons of family.

The Tuesday after Christmas we headed down to northern Virginia to visit Sean's aunts and grandparents. Grandmom is in a rehab facility recovering from surgery and a fall, but it was so great to be able to see her and for her to meet Abby. It was also great to see Grandmom's eyes have a little sparkle back to them when she held Abby. We have to treasure moments like those even if it's just for a short time.

Although this was another blessed and wonderful holiday, I can't help feel a little sad that it's passed. I always feel like there's something else we should have done, a photo opportunity missed, a craft I forgot, or just sad that time spent with family is coming to an end. But I have to remember to look at all the fun times we had and memories we made.

{happy}

{Abby's 1st Christmas}

{wow}

{the stockings were hung}

{a happy kiddo}

{worn out abby being protected by toby}

Roll over, roll over...

Yay! Our little Abby girl rolled over today! She was laying on her back rolling from side to side. I had to readjust her arm and laid her back down and she rolled right over from back to left side to belly. Sean thought maybe I gave her a little advantage due to the way I laid her down but she later rolled again on her own. Maybe it was the glow of the Christmas tree or wanting to get to her brother, either way, she went! So exciting.

*as of 1/10/12 she has rolled a few times the same direction, but still hasn't rolled from belly to back.

{I did it!}

Abby~3 months old

Oh sweet Abby girl. You're 3 months old. Time is flying by and that makes me sad! It feels like just yesterday I was in the hospital, but at the same time hard to remember life without you.

Here's a little peek into your great big world:

• happy 99% of the time
• love to smile, even at strangers who think you are beautiful, adorable, precious, etc.
• great napper, especially if we are on the go
• love to kick and wiggle during floor time
• love to lounge on the boppy in mommy's arms
• soothed by the pacifier, but not addicted to it
• will take a bottle which allows mommy some freedom {still nursing! yay!}
• little laughs when we kiss you on your neck
• some of your 3 months clothes are getting small, wearing 3-6 months and 6 months but those are still roomy
• wearing size 2 diapers now partly because mommy ran out of size 1 and had size 2 in the closet!
• not really enjoying belly time, but doing a great job at lifting your head
• still love to be swaddled, and will sometimes smile really big when being put into the SwaddleMe 
• love to be on the go...which is great since mommy has lots to do and Aunt Cait's basketball games will start soon

I can't believe you're three months old! I feel very lucky that I did not have to return to work at 12 weeks like most, but still very sad that I will have to leave you come January. You are growing so fast and I don't want to miss a moment with you. 

{1st time in the Bumbo & not a fan} 

{big brother always calms you down}

{discovering your feet}

My thoughts on life right now:

I can't believe it's been 3 months.

Perfect little family.

Can't wait to see the milestones to come.

2 months old

Beautiful Abby girl, it has been two wonderful months with you in our lives. We love you so much baby girl. You are growing so fast. Here's a snapshot into your little world:

• Weight: 11lbs. 5 oz. {64th percentile}
• 22.5 inches {56th percentile}
• 39cm head circumference {57th percentile}
• Perfectly healthy
• Wearing size 1 diapers, size 3 months clothes
• Swaddled at night, sometimes with left arm out
• Love to be cuddled, or snuggled in the Rock and Play with a blanket
• Soothed by a pacifier, but generally spits it out after falling asleep 
• Love morning cuddles with Aidan in Mommy and Daddy's bed...smiles, giggles, coos, and watch the fan
• Love your brother so much, and he loves you just as much
• Can roll to your side 
• Enjoy laying on the floor to stretch and kick your legs
• Good head control, can lift it when on your belly or being held upright
• Sometimes you get so happy and excited that you spit up or get the hiccups
• Lots of smiles, and the ones with your tongue out make us laugh
• Generally happy unless it is time to eat or you have the hiccups
• Two months of breastfeeding and still going strong
• You always clench the fist of whatever side you are laying on and put it near your eye and the other hand is usually grabbing hold of my shirt or opening and closing
• Enjoy the fresh air, whether it's a walk outside or at Aunt Cait's soccer games

Wow. Two whole months already. That also means it's two whole months until Christmas, and closer to when I have to go back to work which is a major bummer. I love the time I get to spend with you and Aidan. But I know that you'll be taken care of when I go back, which gives me some peace.

{Morning cuddles with Aidan} 

{Silly Abby}

{Can't believe how big she's gotten!}

My thoughts on life right now:

I can't believe she's two months old already! 

Where has the time gone?

She's perfect. Just perfect. 

1 month old

I can't believe it! Our little Abby girl is one month old already. This has been one of the fastest months of my life. I thought time went fast with Aidan, now it seems like it's stuck in fast forward. SLOW down!

Abby is just wonderful. She's filled out a good amount-especially in her cheeks, but is still so tiny.

Here's a peek into her world:

• Had her first diaper rash already, not cool. We're trying out Pampers Sensitive diapers in hopes those clear it up. Little Miss just got into size 1s, what a peanut. 
• Wears size 3 months clothes and has quite an adorable wardrobe that seems to be much smaller than Aidan's when he was this little--time to shop I guess. ;-) 
• Great sleeper with the occasional night where she just wants to stare at me for an hour or so before going back to sleep.
• Nurses around 9pm, then again around 2am and 5am (or at least that's the way the past two nights have been). We both attempt to get back to sleep and wake around 7:30am. Usually she eats around every 3 hours. 
• Social smiles started today! She doesn't do it too often yet, but it's adorable.   
• Loves to cuddle 
• Losing some of the hair from the front of her head...still a decent amount in the back which makes her look like a middle-aged man
• Loves holding on to things-burp rag, blanket, inside of Swaddle-Me, my t-shirt/tank/bra strap while nursing
• Seems to like her baths now, which Aidan loves to help with
• Generally a really great perfect baby with the occasional gassy fussy time 
• Some nicknames: Abby, Abby-girl, Ab, Happy Girl, Little Miss, Beautiful

My thoughts on life right now:

one month...wow

I love being home with the kids, and wish I could be until they are both in school

Aidan is a great big brother

I need to lose weight, specifically at the belly

I really need a double stroller

Firsts

Abby's cord finally fell off which means she could get a much needed real bath. So with the help of big brother Aidan, and the fabulous photography skills by Sean, we set off to give Little Miss a bath. She wasn't so sure about it at all and would switch between crying and staring at us wondering what was going to happen next. She graciously thanked me for giving her a bath by promptly pooping when she was all snuggled in her warm towel. Lovely.

{help!}

{so tiny}

{Aidan loves to help}

{not so clean anymore, mommy}

{I can only hope they'll continue to love each other this much}

Aidan had his first day back to school on Tuesday. He's in the 3s class now. Unbelievable how fast time went. He was super excited to get back, but a little bummed that his best buddy from last year was in the other class. He seemed to enjoy his first day and I'm already getting the brief answers of what he did in school. Later we found out that he made a self-portrait when he was telling Aunt Cait all about his day. Funny kid.

{too sunny outside}

{he made me take the pic of Mickey}

{all ready to go}

My thoughts on life right now:

I forgot just how much a baby poops. 

My little man is 3. wow. He continues to amaze me. 

Happy Birthday Abigail Rose

On Tuesday, August 23rd I went into the hospital for my pre-op registration and blood work as our Little Miss was going to come by scheduled cesarean section two days later since that is how her brother made his big debut also and mommy was scared to push out a possibly 8 1/2 pound baby this time around. The nerves and reality hit me like a ton of bricks and even left a mark, well, maybe it was the blood draw that left a four inch bruise, but still. Later that afternoon we experienced an earthquake, which shook me less than the reality of soon becoming a mom of two. Being a mom of one was simple, at least at this point, how on earth would I be as a mom of two???

Wednesday, August 24th brought me a day of more nerves, but enjoyment of the last day of being pregnant too. Heck, as I think of it now I get all teary eyed. I truly enjoy being pregnant, even if there are some ups, downs, aches, and pains along the way. I am growing a little miracle inside my belly and get to feel every little movement and hiccup. I could not stop touching my belly that day. It was the last time I would feel my little peanut like no one else could, the last time she would be totally protected from everything the outside world would bring upon her. Surprisingly I slept pretty well that night despite being a little scared of what would go on the following day.

Thursday, August 25 our second little blessing entered this great big world. The morning started off with the alarm going off, me holding my belly a little longer, showering, making sure everything was packed, and Aidan was set and ready to go to the grandparent's house. Once we arrived at the hospital and walked upstairs after telling them I was there for my c-section, we got shown to my room. My nurse, Jamie, was very informative and kind. She was also incredibly gentle when it came time for my first nerve-wracker, the IV. After what felt like hours my doctor finally came in to give me a quick run down of how things would go down. The anesthesiologist, Dr. V, also came in to explain the spinal, nerve-wracker #2. After a short time Jamie came back and said it was time to go. I said goodbye to Sean and walked myself to the freezing cold operating room right across the hall and got onto the table. That was weird. With Aidan I was so drugged up from the magnesium sulfate I barely remembered anything from the ride on my bed to the operating room to almost a day later. At that point my nerves were taking over and I felt like I was out of control of anything at this point.

The first thing to occur was the spinal anesthetic. I tried to relax, breathe, and think of the end result. Again, Jamie was fabulous and kept talking to me and keeping me calm through the procedure. It felt like forever, but within minutes I was laying down and unfortunately feeling a little less numb than I had expected. Dr. V sat by my head and kept asking how I felt, poking me with a needle in the arm so I knew the sensation that I should not feel when she poked my side. She would start down by my hip and work her way up to my ribs with that needle, and every time she got a couple of inches above my navel I could feel it too well. She kept reassuring me (not really, since my pulse was skyrocketing at this point) that I would not be able to feel the incision because it was lower than where I could feel her poking. She moved the bed so my head was lower and the numbness would travel higher up my sides, except that did not work.

At some point Sean came in and all I needed was for him to hold my hand and I knew that no matter how much I was going to feel I would be okay with him by my side. {Now is when this story gets a little more descriptive} Dr. V continued to poke and prod and I was still feeling more than I should. Then my doctor did the skin check where she pinched down by the incision area which I didn't feel except for pressure, and then she pinched about an inch above my belly button--ouch. I swear it felt like she pierced it. At this point Dr. V said I had two options, to deal with the pain of all the pressure I would feel or to be put under general anesthesia. Well there was no way in hell I was going to miss this baby being born so I put on my brave face and said I could do it. Holy moly, I had no idea what I was in for. I think I whined, cried, and moaned through the entire thing from the moment it began. I did not push out a baby but could feel my baby being pushed out of me. I felt her head, shoulders, and the relief once she was out. I felt all the pushing on my upper belly to get her out. When my doctor asked how I was doing between my groans I told her to hurry. I can't lie, it hurt, would I have missed it to avoid the pain? Absolutely not. Hearing our baby cry for the first time is something I would have endured anything for.

Once our little miracle entered the world I was able to be given some Xanax. This helped to bring down my pulse and bring me back to a calmer reality. Thankfully most of the pain was gone at this point and it was just time to get me cleaned and stitched back together. I just tried to take deep breaths at this point and listen to what was going on with the baby. Those cries, those glorious cries.

It wasn't long before I was wheeled out of that freezing cold room and back to my room where beautiful Abigail Rose was brought to me and our outside world bonding began. I fell in love immediately. My love and appreciation for Sean grew in that moment as well. Again we had been blessed with another miracle to love and cherish.

Abigail Rose

August25, 2011

10:40am

7 pounds, 9 ounces

19 inches

{tired, nervous, anxious}

{daddy's little girl}

{love at first sight}

{first bath}

{she's finally here}

{tired mommy, proud big brother, & baby sister}

My thoughts on life right now:

"cherish these moments, she won't be little for long"~touching advice from Sean

Babies are one of the greatest blessings.

So content.