Half of a year

6 short months ago Hibdon and I moved into the twighlight zone. Life as we knew it is gone. Our days of freedom, 12 hours sleeping, daytime naps, leisurely eating, clean clothes...it all over. 

That's a bit dramatic, but yes it's been 6 months since the Bella Dozer blessed our lives. We are tired most days, but we would not trade one minute for the world. We are so in love with our giggily, wiggly, wild woman. She's our sweet angel baby. She melts our hearts when she uses her soft happy baby voice to chat, especially when it sounds like she's saying "hiiii" or "heeeey". 

Our lives are brighter with her giggles, structured with her eating, napping and sleeping schedules. When we travel we are sure to take little Lamby (yes he's still around) and big Lamby (her new stuffed lovey). She loves stuffed animals. She also loves books. When we travel in the car she gets her paci and a book to occupy her attention. 

She's a big wiggly mess most of the time. She needs to stand or jump when you hold her. When she's on the ground playing she starts out upright, moves to the crawl position, flops to her belly and then rolls to every toy around. We aren't crawling yet, but I'm sure it will be soon. Then my life will be flipped upside down. 

I've started trying this "no" word. Just taking it for a spin. See how we like it. It doesn't phase her. She looks at me and grins. Just like her Daddy. Great news. 

We've had several foods under our belt. Momma has been redeemed. We have adjusted to carrots in rice cereal. We love apples, bananas, and butternut squash. 

We had the stomach bug this month. Yeah that was awful. We lived off pedialyte for 4 days. It was hard on Momma and Daddy. Probably worse on Daddy because Momma caught it later. During this time ABJ was a little whiny, with good reason. However her whiny-ness led to "mmmummmmma". Yep, my name came first. Now I know it's not real talking, but when you smell like throw up for 3 straight days you get to claim whatever you want. 

Oh these past 6 months have been glorious. I mean that though. The best 6 months of my life. I'm shocked and saddened they have went by so fast. Every month I want to freeze my baby. I want her back in her new born diapers. It's fun, but it's going too fast. I don't care how cliche that sounds! 

Here's our Q&A sesh...  

Daddy-

1) What's your favorite thing to do with AnnaBella? Saying "hiiii"

2) What's your favorite memory from this month? Taking her to daycare in her pretty new pink coat.

3) What big thing did AnnaBella accomplish this month?

She can almost crawl. 

4) What are you looking forward to next month? She's going to crawl! 

This is what I said....

1) What's your favorite thing to do with AnnaBella? Play in the floor. I pick up a toy and she takes it out of my hand. 

2) What's your favorite memory from this month? When I walk into her class and she flaps her arms excited to see me. 

3) What big thing did AnnaBella accomplish this month?

She dominates the jumper now.

4) What are you looking forward to next month? Our first Christmas! 

Momma's Cookin'

You always hear people talk about their Momma's cookin'. They love it, there's nothing like it, and they miss it when it's not there every day. I remember wanting my mom's spaghetti all the time after I left home. That's the way I make my spaghetti now. When you think of Momma's cookin', you think of fondness. Well, not my kid.

Bella Dozer had her first vegetable. Now let me tell you I've been EAGERLY awaiting this day. I was truly excited to make her baby food. Hibdon always jokes that he married me for my cooking. So, naturally I was excited to give my baby the same happiness. Yeah, not exactly how it happened.

I purchased this awesome baby food processor by cusineart. (Highly recommend, A+++. It's easy and works great.) I made a full batch of carrots, thinking she will love carrots. They are a sweeter veggie. My mommy dreams were crushed. She literally acted like she was gagging. She left the carrots on the tip of her tongue, hack and gagged. Slightly on the dramatic side. We tried for quite some time to get the down. Didn't work so well. We've tried them 4 days now. She's getting to be okay with them. That's it though. Not excited. Some people are hard to please. 

I'm not going to let it drive me too crazy because what really does this kid know about food? She's only had milk. Yeah, that's right. I can still be the Pioneer Woman of the Hibdon house. Right? Please say yes. I'm a mom this really is about all I have. 

Aunt Randi

On October 26th, Aunt Randi became Aunt Randi officially. ABJ, we are thrilled. 

We love Aunt Randi. She's the peanut butter to our jelly, the Mac to our cheese, she's the last piece of our family. Oh yeah, she's pretty darn good to Uncle Wil. 

So, when we heard the news, the date was set, we all thought "it's about time". We were so excited as the day approached. It was your first time to stay in a hotel, you loved it. We made the drive Friday night for the rehearsal dinner. Delightful food & meeting loads of people. You finally got to love on Shirley & David Joe. They've been waiting on that one. That bought you the most perfect outfit & peacoat. You love it! 

Saturday morning we were up & getting ready pretty early. You chilled in the hotel room with Daddy & Papa. Then we got you all gorgeous and made it just in time for pictures. Everything was perfect. The wedding, you and the lovely couple. 

Great job on being a charmer, not throwing a fit and keeping Aunt Randi calm moments before she walked out. Oh how I love, love.

5 Months of ABJ

So remember last month when I said it was my favorite? Well, I have a new favorite. This month!!! 

5 whole months. It's so crazy that we are quickly approaching the half year mark. AnnaBella Jane you are without a doubt the light of our lives. We call you "angel baby" often. You are so sweet to us. You love to snuggle. Our routine every night is rice cereal, in which you eat every bite and making sounds that are pretty similar to mmmmm. I swear to this, I have witnesses to prove it. Who knows where you could have picked that one up. Then you get a bath. You love to hang your legs off the chair & kick them for a big splash. After that we lotion you down & sing songs. We head down stairs for a little play time and book reading. You eventually get tired. You save the best for last. You want your Momma, your blanket, your lamby, your bottle & a good snuggle session. Usually within 5 minutes you are out. You will sleep on Momma as long as I like. This usually results in me staying up later just for extra snuggles. 

You are almost always happy, happy, happy (this is a Duck Dynasty reference, it's a big show right now)  in the morning. You are chatty, smiley and giggley. You love school & do very well. This month you are getting bumped up to the next class. Momma was proud of you, Daddy was broken hearted. 

When you are at home your play consists of a rotation of your jumper, walker, bouncer, tummy time in which you play your little piano & reading with Momma. You love your puppy that sings with you, still get sucked into Daddy's guitar and are taking more of an interest in Maddy. 

As always here's what Daddy thinks about you....

1) What's your favorite thing to do with AnnaBella? Feeling your new teeth!

2) What's your favorite memory from this month? The way she kicks back when she takes a bath.

3) What big thing did AnnaBella accomplish this month?

Being able to sit up all by herself. 

4) What are you looking forward to next month? She's going to the bear class at daycare

This is what I said....

1) What's your favorite thing to do with AnnaBella? Snuggle & read. It's our special time. 

2) What's your favorite memory from this month? Last Sunday, we were snuggling on the couch. AB let me read several books. It was so sweet. 

3) What big thing did AnnaBella accomplish this month?

She can sit up without any assistance to play & she got two teeth! 

4) What are you looking forward to next month? Time to try baby food! 

Oh how he loves us...

Dear AnnaBella,

It's 1:39 in the morning, I have bronchitis, you were just crying in the middle of the night. You are a very good sleeper, but tend to have nights here & there in which you wake up. Most nights we wait for you to soothe yourself, sometimes we fix your blanket & give you your paci and others you may actually need rocked. 

I won't lie to you, we don't always seem happy about these early wake ups. Especially, on the nights I am not feeling well. Tonight, it's different. Tonight I was overcome by the love and blessings from God, tonight I just wanted to hold you.

We read "In Case you Ever Wonder", by Max Lucado. It has become a favorite of mine. I hope when you are a little older it will be a favorite of yours. The book talks about the love Momma and Daddy have for you, but most importantly the love God has for you.

Tonight on my night of your fussiness, my bronchitis, I felt the power of God's love for me. He loves me so much he gave me you. For the first time I felt loved that you are growing so fast. (Usually it breaks my heart) As I stood, rocking you, your feet were dangling near my legs in your 12M pjs, your head was on my shoulder and all that was going through my head was the song "Oh how he loves us". I had just been dead asleep. Not sure I had even heard that song today, but it was playing in my head as I rocked you.

I hope you always know, feel and honor how God loves you. I pray in your times of restlessness you seek him. He will give you rest, strength and healing. Just in case you ever wonder of his love, seek him. In the middle of the night, early morning, in sickness, you will find him. Just seek him. I was overcome with his love one night as I rocked you, my growing little angel. I pray you have this feeling often, you know it's him and you really never have to wonder how Momma loves you, Daddy loves you, but most importantly God loves you. 

Love,

Momma

You can't put a size on pretty.

Well Bells,

I'd like to say that having a conversation about your size would be this heart-to-heart, mother-daughter break through. I would tell you, you are beautiful the way you are. Don't let a number define you. I totally agree with all of this. I hope you are never defined by your size. 

The reality of our life is, you are a 4 month old that wears 12 month clothes. I hope you will forgive me when I tell you it's down right hilarious. You have rolls on your legs, a chubby double chin and cheeks that look as if they are stuffed with something. I couldn't love your chubbiness more. You make it easy to snuggle and kiss all over your cheeks. 

You don't make it easy to shop for though. Poor Hon has picked out some cute outfits, only for you to out grow them. She bought a cute Halloween outfit. We got you in it, but there would be no room for activities. 

Last time we were at Hon and GPa's late we had the bright idea that we would put you in your pjs before we left. That way we didn't have to wake you to change once we got home. Hon only had one set of pjs. Your size 9 month Christmas pjs. Those aren't really fitting right now. 

You're a chunk. I love it. I hope you don't mind. 

Christmas in September. 

Number 4

Dear ABJ,

The number 4 was my softball number and it was also in my basketball number (14). I had about a bazillion passwords including 4. If asked to pick any number 1-5 or 1-10 or 1-20, I pick 4. 

If asked to pick my favorite month with you thus far, 4. The 4th month, the number 4 has been pretty fantastic. You are just a hoot. You love to hear your voice. You will give a screech and follow it up with a giggle. You love to play a game with Daddy of "give me kisses". He gives you a high pitch "give me kisses", you screech, open your mouth and slobber all over. I love to play head bump. When I pick you up from school, I lean my forehead into yours and you grab as tight as you can to whatever you get your hands on. Usually it's my hair. (BTW nothing used to make me more angry than a hair pull. You my little girl, I just laugh.) 

This month you have mastered giggling, grabbing anything and everything with your hands, rolling from tummy to back, back to tummy, started rice cereal and gained a bigger interest in books. Your little legs are getting pretty froggy and you like to jump when I hold you. You also love to stand. You prefer this position.

 Your favorite toys are are attached to your play gym. You love to bat the animals hanging down then you roll all over until you are almost not on the mat. Then you love to stare at yourself in the mirror. You think that baby is pretty funny. 

Oh baby girl you are just too cute, too funny, and too silly. You've had your bouts of sickness in which you and I are a complete hot mess. You sleep pretty well, when you are healthy it's a 12 hour night no wake-ups. When you aren't well, you suck at sleeping. This makes me exhausted. So, I may or may not call in reserves. Nana-Great does some good rockin while I nap. 

You grew pretty quickly this month. 

Height- 26" 98%

Weight- 18.4 lbs 98%

HC- 43.3 cm 100% 

We like to say you are completely in proportion!

As always here's what Daddy thinks about you....

1) What's your favorite thing to do with AnnaBella? Put you in you chair and play the guitar. I especially like when she sings along. 

2) What's your favorite memory from this month? When we stayed by ourselves for two nights. 

3) What big thing did AnnaBella accomplish this month?

She wears 12 month clothes. She outgrew her Christmas pjs and Halloween costume.

4) What are you looking forward to next month? Maybe she will crawl. 

This is what I said....

1) What's your favorite thing to do with AnnaBella? Read to her. In the mornings after her bottle I like to read one regular book and one bible story before we get ready. I also like to read a couple books when I get home from work. Sometimes we get a bedtime book in. 

2) What's your favorite memory from this month? Laying her on the couch, tickling her and listening to her giggle. Can't get enough of it. 

3) What big thing did AnnaBella accomplish this month?

She takes her paci in and out of her mouth. 

4) What are you looking forward to next month? Celebrating my birthday with ABJ! 

We love you pretty girl. We love you to the moon and back. Keep growing and giggling and yelling and smiling and rolling and learning and becoming you. 

Absence makes the heart grow fonder

So this week marked a few firsts.

1) the first time Hibdon and I stayed away from Bells.

2) the first time I stayed away from Bells on my own.

3) Bells' first ear infection

Rough week, huh?

Well, it's not all bad, but I did repeat a few sayings to myself on more than 19 occasions. "God won't bring me to something he can't get me through" "God didn't give me a spirit of fear, but of strength".

This weekend Hibdon and I took a day all to ourselves to enjoy each others company. We kind of missed an anniversary celebration due to work schedules. So my ABJ stayed with Hon and GPa while we drove to OKC. We started out with plans, but nixed them all when we stumbled upon a beautiful Oklahoma vineyard. We spent our morning there and then just enjoyed things around our hotel. This would be instance #1 of staying away from my baby. I'd say I did ok and tried my best not to drive GPa & Hon crazy with the check ins. Hon of course had a photo shoot. They claim AnnaBella is the best baby and slept really well. 

Gorgeous Greenfield Vineyard, we sipped wine, soaked up the view and listened to football.

Our little football babe on her pic session

Showing off her cute shoes Hon bought her.

So, the weekend went pretty great and then Monday hit with a bang...ear infection.  Poor Bells, she wasn't fussy, just not herself. Then I get a text from her teacher saying she was starting to have green mucus. Yucko! Thankfully Dr. C was readily available in the office. He worked her right in and we started the antibiotics. We were determined to kill those nasty infectious bugs. 

Well, Tuesday hit and I was feeling pretty crappy. I also had to leave my sweeties for Houston. No bueno. I will say Hibdon handled it like a pro. I openly admit I was a little worried he would get overwhelmed. Nope, not my guy. He didn't really solicit help. Just GPa picking her up one day that Hibdon couldn't get to school on time. He did good, very good. 

I held it together the best I could. I missed them both pretty bad, shed a few tears and used as much FaceTime as possible. When I flew home Thursday I went to see Dr. C. I had my first adult ear infection, a sinus infection and a fever. I must say, that did not help my broken heart either. I had my turn on the antibiotics. I did start feeling better fast, mainly because I could get some baby TLC. 

We spent the weekend recooporating and loving on each other. We survived. 

Beat the cold

After 7 full days, 1 bottle of Vicks, 1 bottle of saline solution, 1 nose sucker, 2 humidifiers, and one rock & play we have beat our first cold.

That nasty, mean, rotten, good for nothing cold entered into the Hibdon house. It rocked my baby girls world, broke this Mommas heart and wore her Daddy down. 

We ate as upright as possible, walked MILES in our house, paced the same track over and over, took several warm bathes a day, bounced and walked, sang and walked, swayed and walked, hummed and walked, we used the paci, we threw the paci, we rubbed our little eyes until they were red, we were as pitiful as they come. 

We survived though. AB still has a little congestion, but she is back to being my sweet little princess. She's giggling again, she's playing all the time & she doesn't need to be held/walked all over the house every second of the day. 

Things I am ready for now:

1) I want her to be able to tell me what's wrong.

2) I want her to be old enough for a decongestant.

3) I want her to be old enough for mass amounts of vitamin C

And for the love I want her to be able to blow her nose.

Hopefully we are out of the woods with this cold and we are building that little immunity day by day. 

Remember whens

What's the greatest chapter in your book? Mine would be you. 

I'm living the moments that I will look back on and say, "Remember when". 

Dear AnnaBella Jane,

I'm so incredibly in love with you little girl. Your giggles, your sweet snuggles, your silly smile, and your sleepy noises. They all melt my heart. 

You have been hitting some fun milestones of social development and each time we see just a glimpse into your personality. If I could pick two traits that are spot on AB, I would pick sweet & ornery. Now most people that know your parents are going to say that the sweet comes from me and ornery from Daddy. Well, I would agree with that. Not sure Daddy would though. He has been pretty sweet to both of us here lately. You've been sick with your first cold and Momma had to travel for work. Daddy held down the fort, supported Momma with her needs and gave you some major extra, super sized TLC. 

Something else that is sweet about Daddy is he provides for us. He has been working retail for quite some time to help provide a good lifestyle for you and I. (Lets just face it, we are expensive.)  After working the crazy long hours and the not so fun job, Daddy landed what could quite possibly be his dream job. Daddy will be working in Marketing and Sales. He's so good at this & will be putting that hard earned masters to use. We are thrilled with this change!! This means Daddy will be at home way more. We love our Daddy time.

This weekend you and I made Daddy's favorite cake, a big dinner and invited everyone over after church to celebrate Daddy. It was a great time with a full house.

I told your Daddy someday Ill look back and say, "Remeber when you got this job, Bella was just a baby & we were so blessed to celebrate with our family". 

I have tried to mentally capture all of the remember whens with you. You are going so fast, I want to press pause!!

Bella Belly Laughs

We reached a new milestone in Hibdon house. This one may be the best yet. 

AnnaBella gave us the surprise of our parenthood Friday night. As I am getting her into her jammies, I start my ritual of kissing her chubby cheeks. Then I rapidly kiss on her neck, then her belly. Spontaneously I blow on her belly. What does she do? Full on belly laugh, deep, big girl belly laugh. I mean loud, melt your heart, make you laugh out loud belly laugh. 

I was shocked! I laughed & quickly did it again. Then again. Then one more time before I yelled at Hibdon to hurry upstairs. He ran up thinking something might be wrong. As he walked into the door I gave a big belly blow and ABJ gave a big belly laugh. Daddy LOVED it. He made me do it again and again before we decided we better document this one. 

He videoed several more deep Bella belly laughs and he quickly sent it to anyone on his contacts list. If you got the video, I'm assuming your day was instantly better. If it wasn't then your heart is made of stone. 

It was just a perfect moment that I wish I could experience for the first time everyday. If this could be my ground hog day and I could be Bill Murray, I would assume it was heaven. 

Family Pictures

Hibdon proposed to me in such a special way. He knew it would sweep me off my feet. What he didn't know is that he would spend every anniversary reliving it. 

He proposed during a picture session at the Gilcrease Museum. So every anniversary we go back for pictures. This year was so special. ABJ joined us. She was about as excited as her Daddy is to take pics, but she looked adorable. Angry face and all. 

Three times the fun

ABJ! You are 3 months!!! 

We are so excited for you. You are plunging right into this month with such spunk. You are really holding your head up now. Every now & then I have to give you a little support, but you are really doing great. You have started grabbing at things. You love to grab the toys on your play gym, your toy on your car seat and any book we put in front of you. Of course you try to put everything in your mouth. 

I think you are mainly doing this because you are teething. You drool like crazy, love to naw on your chubby little hands, and at times you getting incredibly fussy. 

Outside of the teething you have been a big ball of joy this month. You are silly with your little giggles and chatter to us. You smile at most people and then burry your head in my chest, as if you are bashful. We love to play and play with you. 

Something great you have been doing this month is sleeping. You are down pretty early at night and sleep until morning when I wake in the morning. 

You didn't have a doctors appointment this month, but I did weigh you. 16lbs sister!! You are wearing 9 month clothes. We've stored away all of your newborn, 3 months and now 6 months clothes. It was a heart breaker for me. 

You are growing like a weed, developing like crazy and we are loving every minute. 

Here's what Daddy says about you...

1) What's your favorite thing to do with AnnaBella? Pick her up over my head and ask for Daddy kisses.

2) What's your favorite memory from this month? When I play the guitar and she yells along.

3) What big thing did AnnaBella accomplish this month?

She rolled over.

4) What are you looking forward to next month? 

Looking forward to our first overnight stay with just AnnaBella and Daddy. (Momma has to go to Houston)

My answers are.:

1) What's your favorite thing to do with AnnaBella? Snuggle in our rocking chair, rock and sing. 

2) What's your favorite memory from this month? When you really started opening your mouth when we kiss you.

3) What big thing did AnnaBella accomplish this month?

She rolled over. I agree with Daddy this was exciting. 

4) What are you looking forward to next month? Trying real food. I think you are going to stay full!! 

As always Hon took your picture. You smiled! She was very happy about it. Happy 3 months Baby Girl. Momma & Daddy love you like crazy. 

Just roll with it.

There comes a point when you realize how much you are a parent. How you have become the person that only talks about their kid. Especially with all the picture showing and raving about milestones. I always figured I would be that person, but in my mind I would be cognizant enough to know the appropriate party for my baby blabber.

Well this Saturday was a doozie of a milestone and Hibdon's bachelorest of all bachelor friends was there to witness my crazy mothering enthusiasm. Walker comes in town about once a month, he's a gypsy soul that likes to work on the road. Not only has Walker never had a serious woman in his life, he's spent most of his life as an only child with little babies. He is as far removed from parenthood as one could be. 

So as Walker and I are chatting and ABJ is loving some tummy time we notice her starting to get her wieght working in one direction. All of the sudden we realize she is trying to roll over. Before we know it, she did!!!! She totally looked like a Rollie pollie as she rocked her chubby body back and forth. Of course we cheered her on I celebrated like crazy when she made the move. It was so exciting!! 

Now I'll give it to Walker, he cheered on by yelling "Kick, Kick!" He didn't understand my need to video it and send it to everyone, but he did his best to be excited. Hibdon and I however were those crazy parent freaks. We blew up family and friends phones with our exciting news. I told my coworkers this morning. I'm one of THOSE people, but she's so darn cute I really don't care.

2 month report

ABJ had her 2 month check up a few weeks ago. I keep forgetting to document her stats.

She tipped the scales at a whopping 14 lbs. This is in the 98th percentile. We seriously like to eat around here.

She is 25.5" long, that's in the 95th percentile. Her Daddy is 6'2" and I am 5'8", she may be a little ball player after all.

Poor girl has a melon on her! Her chubby head had a 16" circumference. That would also be the 98th percentile. 

So we like to eat, are growing out of our clothes and are doing our best to keep that fat head stable. 

The bad part about the visit were the shots. Talk about heart breaker. After they stuck my baby and I held back tears, I gave her a bottle (I hope this doesn't give her emotional eating) and snuggled her the whole night. 

Turning two months can be tough! We sure look cute doing it though. 

Happenings with Hon

As I went back to work this week, I worried less about ABJ and more about me. Why? Well, because Hon, Nana-Great and GPa are on Bells duty. She is getting some serious grandparent attention. She is spending her days in front of the camera, eating at the slightest whimper and rocking away to some "Jesus Loves Me". She's in great hands and Hibdon and I are getting SPOILED. 

Bella does great all day from what they tell me. She eats, plays and sleeps like clock work. Occasionally she will through in some cooing, laughing and photo shoots. Too bad she can't remember this one day. I bet she is having the time of her life. 

Working Girl

Hi Sweetie Pie,

I went back to work this week. It's was fun and awful. I enjoy my job very much, but missed you every minute. Unfortantely, I don't think I will ever be happy now. I love my job, coworkers & the company. I'm truly happy to be there.  However, I miss you, all day-every day. I am surrounded by your pictures and stop to stare at your chubby little cheeks. I hope that someday you know how hard it is on Momma to not be there, right beside you every single day. It's so hard. I also hope you understand a few things about my personal decision. 

1) Honestly, we could afford for me to stay home. It would be tight and there could be things that the whole family misses out on. BUT I don't believe we work for things, objects or a lifestyle. I believe we work for something more internal. I pray you understand that two salaries don't  buy happiness. 

2) I'm in my third job post graduation. I was pretty unhappy with my first two. I am in love with this job. I felt so blessed to start this job, work with great people & have an amazing boss. Turning this away feels wrong to me. I pray you are blessed enough to love your career,but have enough obstacles to keep you humble.

3) This is a personal choice. Daddy isn't making me go. Daddy isn't begging for me to stay. This is my choice to still be Bri. Not Momma, not a wife to Daddy, not a daughter to Papa and CC,  not a sister to Uncle Wil. Just Bri. I feel as if sometimes as girls/women we are too caught up in looking a certain way or being a certain person for our significant other. We try to become something for the group of women we want to be around. We make decisions off of our parents advice. This decision for me to go to work every day is mine.  I pray you are never forced into a situation that you would choose otherwise. I pray your right to be who you are and who you want to be is always there. 

4) I have worked hard for my education & to be in this career. I pray this gives you the example to be a strong independent woman. I pray you value your education, you seek it out and you never stop learning.

5) Being a working mom doesn't make me smarter, better or more successful than stay-at-home moms. Stay-at-home moms don't love their babies more than working moms either. I pray you understand every mom, baby girl, family, woman, and child are different, unique. None are greater and none are less than us. 

I hope someday when you read this you can see my heart. You will know I want to best of both worlds. I hope all of your life you get to have your cake and eat it too! 

Love you,

Momma

2 month/60days/1460hours/87658 min

Dear ABJ, 

Today you are 2 months old. You have been with us for 60 whole days. We have loved on you for 1460 hours. We have cherished every minute, all 87658 of them.  

You have been so energetic this month. We loved to watch you play on your play gym that Randy & Judy bought you. We have been practicing our vowels. "O" is your favorite and you use it often. Your appetite has increased dramatically, you eat 6 ounces a feeding now. You hold your head up pretty well, but you're still working on keeping it up all of the time. You will tolerate 5-10 minutes of tummy time here and there, sometimes I think you are just being a trooper for me. You don't like it, but you know I want you to do it. You love your swing, somedays that's the only way you will nap. 

We are loving your little 2 month old chubby cheeks, rolls in your thighs, Buddha belly that hangs over your SIZE 2 diapers, your adorable smile that you flash often, that precious giggle that you do in your sleep, your nighttime grunts, and your sweet little jabbering.

I asked your Daddy a few questions that I thought you might like to know about yourself at this age. Here are his answers.....

1) What's your favorite thing to dowith  AnnaBella?

Snuggle in my chair.

2) What is your favorite body part?

Her nose, we do Eskimo kisses

3) What is your favorite memory this month? 

Today: standing in front of the mirror asking her to stay this age forever.

4) What big thing do you think she accomplished this month? 

She started sleeping better

5) What are you looking forward to for next month? 

For her to start recognizing me more.

Here are my answers...

1) What's your favorite thing to do with AnnaBella?

I have a tie: rocking you at bedtime and sitting you on my lap while I say the vowels and you repeat your own version. 

2) What is your favorite body part?

Your cheeks, without a doubt, if you weren't sleeping right now I would kiss all over them. 

3) What is your favorite memory this month? 

There are tons, but tonight you woke yourself up because you were laughing loudly. That warms my heart for you to have such a happy soul. 

4) What big thing do you think she accomplished this month? 

Your jabbering is by far the most precious accomplishment in the world. 

5) What are you looking forward to for next month? 

I really want you to hold your head up with no assistance, all the time when I'm holding you. Sometimes I let my guard down and you get tired. It scares me every time.

 

You are doing so good little girl, growing too fast and making Daddy and I so very proud. It's been a fun 2 months. You make our lives whole, Baby Girl. 

Hiking and Hon's

Hibdon and I are always trying to find fun dates. 1) We are cheap skates. 2) we appreciate our time so much more when it's unique and memorable. We also like to do things that are outside. 

This weekend fit our date requirements to a "T". Friday after work we loaded Bells up and went West. Right down the pretty old drive to GPa & Hon's. We stayed the night and rose early for a hiking trip. While ABJ stayed to play with GPa, Hon & Nana-Great.

Hibdon & I packed our gear and went to Osage Hills State Park. It was gorgeous, the trails were well kept & even posed a nice challenge. Once we were finished we went back to have lunch and relax with everyone. 

What did we find? The most adorable pictures of our baby. Doesn't surprise me at all. Bella's first overnight trip to Hon's had to be documented. 

After gushing at the adorable pics and chowing on lunch, I came to the realization for the millionth time how precious family time is. How downright spoiled Hibdon & I are and thankful to call them ours. 

1) Nana-Great came over at 5am to rock Bella.

2) There was a delicious meal or snack always waiting on us.

3) I enjoyed, no make that relished in an uninterrupted, not a baby sound heard, nap!!! 

We had fun, she had fun...a trip sure to be repeated. 

Hibdon guiding me to the waterfalls.

Nice cool trail in the shade. 

At the top of Lookout tower.

Not a bad view for a picnic brunch.

Now for the pics that really matter. Hon & ABJ had fun! 

I'll Love You Forever

Dear Bells,

I can think of all the things that have stretched our limits in parenting these past few weeks. There's the times you woke up every two hours, in a not so pleasant mood, to nurse. There's the week that we determined you had witching hours, you were a real "witch" between 5pm-8pm. There's the times you have projectile pooed all over Daddy, the carpet & everything around. There have been many of nights that you are completely asleep, but Momma & Daddy can't sleep because you are grunting so loud. Lastly, there's the time Daddy slept in the floor of your nursery while you slept as you swung. 

I tell you all of this for a few reasons.

1) it's a little comical. I'm sure most is due to us being new parents, but we still look like we are in the funnies.

2) Someday when you are an extra bratty teenager (Oh Lord help me) I will remind you of how ornery you were as an infant. 

3) no matter how you stretch it, my limits will never be reached with you.

I think about your moments that wore me out, I get a little sad knowing that someday those moments can't be fixed by the simple things. Rocking, walking, singing, diaper change, lamby the paci, or even feeding won't work forever. I could hold you in a tight snuggle & smell your pretty little baby smell forever. When you sleep, I stare. When you smile, I melt.  When you jabber, I talk back. Every new or improved function is broadcaster to anyone who will listen. 

Since I told many stories that don't shed the best light on you as a baby, Ill share a good one.

As we are doing our bedtime routine & I'm reading,

 I'll Love You Forever. I begin the best part of the book. "I'll love you forever, I'll like you always, As long as I'm living my baby you will be". As I read this line I thought you would be sleeping. I look down & you are looking up at me with the biggest smile. I was ready to buy you a pony & a princess castle right then.

You are my world little girl. Those words could never be more true. I will love you forever, the unconditional, over the moon kind. I will like you always, no tantrum, witching hour, or sleepless night will change that. I promise you as long as I am living you will be my baby.

Starting to sweat

After my c-section I honestly thought I would never wear a bikini again, actually I wasn't sure if I would walk upright again. Those first few weeks were terrrrrrrible, turible (Barkely voice). 

My first two weeks after c-section, I couldn't walk upright, my feet were the size of watermelons, my belly looked like a balloon had been stuffed inside & my acne was that of a 13 year old boy. I was slightly depressed, exhausted & not confident. I would change when Hibdon couldn't see, nurse with a blanket so my belly was covered and I showered when there was no chance of a walk-in. (I once was a walk around with little to no clothes kind of girl).

So as I was adjusting to all of this I started to see some of the weight drop. I gained a total of 42, today I am 145 lbs. this weight is 15 lbs over my pregnancy weight. Something else I have to consider is that weight was a toned, runners body as well. I have a long road to get those 15 lbs off, but I am 6 weeks postpartum. I can no work out & begin to push myself. Today I started the couch to 5k app. I'm excited to get busy. Ill be sure to document my progress. 

ABJ the jet setter

This weekend we loaded up our Bell and took her eastbound to Bella Vista, AR. We spent a few days with Big Brother and Randi-Doll. They live on Lake Windsor with just a beautiful view. 

As we were preparing for our weekend away I started pacing things I didn't think we could llive without. Well, that made the Jeep crammed full. We couldn't have fit another person. I might be a slight over packer. Hey, I'm new to this mom stuff. I packed what I thought was a million diapers (we had to buy more), her swing because she can get a little rowdy without it, her pack & play to sleep in, books, all the diapering/feeding essentials,  about 55 onesies, pjs & swaddlers (for those just in case moments) and her tummy time mat. You know just the necessities. 

After a 2.5 hour ride in which my sweet angel slept, we made it safe & sound without the slightest cry. It was a vacation miracle. After enjoying the beautiful chilly evening we rested & rose early for a nice walk in the Ozarks, a morning of baking while the boys fished, girl time laying out while the boys played Daddy day care, then we finished the day with a shrimp boil. Just the best time ever. We topped the trip off with girls shopping & boys kayaking. 

The weekend was just great & ABJ was a rockstar with traveling. I hope this means our future ventures are bright. 

Hibdon's Mini Me

We are approaching week #6 of my little Bells. She's growing into a Hibdon-Baby and less of a Gerber Baby. Speaking of Hibdon, she looks JUST like him. She is his mini me. I never knew that rugged, whiskery faced, baseball playing, hunting, fishing, beer drinkin' man could also make a gorgeous little girl. He did they and she's just a pretty as can be. Sometimes as I am walking by her sleeping or playing on her tummy time mat, I am stopped in my tracks at how much I love that pretty little girl.

She is gorgeous & communicates very well. As in every wet/dirty diaper, hunger pains, overstimulation, understimulation, gas pain, cold chill or rise in temperature she lets out a cry. Some are soft whimpers & others are loud lung clearing whales. 

She has a million facial expressions, but my favorite is her cute little smile. She just started smiling & looking at me when I baby talk. Just melt my heart. 

I just can't get enough of her & take at least 10 pictures a day. Here's my photo dump for week 6. 

Sweeeeeeeet baby time 

Goodnes that grin!!!

Finding our tongue.

She looks like Unkie Wil here!