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!

The Funnies

One of my best memories of staying with my dad is his delightful breakfast in the morning. It would be accompanied with the morning paper. As a kid I typically grabbed the sports section and the comic section. We called it the funnies. For the past month I feel as if I have been living the funnies....

As a first time mom, baby of the family with a husband that is a first time dad & also baby of the family, we are clueless. Like this crap is brand spankin new. 

Now I agree with most, its amazing how natural things come to you, but it's still pretty foreign. I often text all of my mommy friends, call my mom, ask my SIL, call her doctor, and/or call my doctor...it seriously takes a village. 

For the past month we have done some pretty funny things. Here's some highlights..

1) About every day: get a cute outfit, show her off to Daddy, she pees on it & me. Wardrobe change!

2) I used to make Hibdon get out of bed to make sure she was breathing about 3 times a night. Now I threaten his life if he makes a sound that could  wake her. 

3) We used to set our alarms for every 3 hours in case she didn't wake up for a feeding time. Um yeah we were able to stop that pretty quickly.

4) I feel like I get breast milk on everything. In my sleep deprived state I don't get my nursing pads on correctly & soak through my shirt. She spits up most feedings. I'm still getting used to pumping & not feeling like I spray everywhere.

5) Did I mention I am no longer modest about the fact that I breast feed? Openly men with wives that breast feed ask me how it's going. As women we talk about our boobs like its no big deal. Everyone knows when I go to "nurse" her in a room alone my boobs are all out. 

6) I went to my hair appointment. We ran late, it was close to a feeding time. ABJ about had a heart attack & Hibdon about lost it. I was literally pulling my way out of the chair as she was finishing my trim (not smart). As we get home, I remind Hibdon that babies cry & she will be okay. Yeah that little motherly advice has been thrown back at my at least 5 times.

7) My baby has gas problems. She struggles to pass it. Gets red in the face & strains really hard. Makes me so sad. Then she screams bloody murder. We started supplementing gripe water & gas drops. No she freely passes gas. Anywhere & everywhere, no person is off limits. She's a classy one.

8) Car rides can be brutal. She hates her car seat. She falls asleep quickly, but you have about a 30 min window before she freaks the freak out. That's when I sing my best, loudest, change my pitch frequently of This Little Light of Mine.

9) Me: Can you take her downstairs?

Hibdon (waking from a slumber): ok, yeah, can't you?

Me: I can, but I have nursed her all night every two hours, I've been peed on twice, pooped on once, I'm starving & thirsty. I'm so exhausted & all I want to do is go pee...Yep the highlight of my motherhood.

10) After I feed her I pull her close & try to burp her. She always arches her back to stretch & puts both arms around my neck. It's like a mini Bella hug. It melts my heart. (Okay, not that funny, but it's still a highlight that I can't get enough of). 

She's the best gassy, peeing, pooping, screaming, grunting, milky...she's really the best. 

Daddy's Last Week

Dear AnnaBella,

At this very moment you are draped across my body sound asleep. Daddy is laying right next to us on the couch. One of you will grunt and the other snores. It's a little loud for such sweet sleepers. This has been the scene here and there in the Hibdon house for the past three weeks. Sadly, this will come to an end next Monday. Daddy goes back to work.

Let me tell you how lucky we are to have Daddy....

-In the hospital he changed all your diapers. You initiated him into fatherhood by day two. 

-Once we were home he kept us going. From still changing ever diaper, doing all the laundry, feeding Momma, making Momma green smoothies & taking care of the Maddy dog. 

-He has been at your every need.

-He takes the early shift with you. You snuggle in the recliner from 6-9 to let Momma sleep. 

-He painted the house with Gpa all weekend.

-He's been practicing songs to play on his guitar for you.

He's not ready to go back & we aren't ready for him to leave. We will miss our mid afternoon naps, early morning snuggles & constant serenades. He's a good Daddy & we should totally keep him around. 

Thankfully, he will have his first Father's Day at home with you. You bought him two braves hats, a new guitar pic that has been stamped "Daddy" & another big surprise that isn't ready to be public (just in case he reads this). 

So for the next 5 days soak up your Daddy time. Don't push away his whiskery kisses. Give him lots of smiles. Be good to him, he's our whole world. 

Baby Bell

Dear Baby Bell,

First off that is your nickname Daddy has been calling you, Baby Bell. Second off, this is the third night in a row you have been openly ready for bed at 9. Momma is a fan. Momma likes an early bedtime. 

While you are asleep, Momma is not. Why, you ask. Well, you makes the loudest, most bizarre noises when you are sleeping. First there's the deep breathing, a few squeaks, a little grunt, then a series of incredibly loud grunts. You also make a delayed grunt that sounds similar to a baby lamb. You then make swallowing noises & a few spit up sounds. I always fear you are spitting up & choking on it...nope...dry as a bone. 

I have plans to video this strange sound. Maybe someday Ill share it with you. I can't help but giggle thinking about the saying "sugar & spice & everything nice". Not that you aren't as sweet as can be & your kisses are perfect, but you do sound like a wounded animal when you sleep. A large animal at that, maybe a bear. That's the second nickname Daddy has for you Baby Bear. He likes to watch Nat Geo when he is up at 5:00 with you. He gets into a bear show & swears you give him a little Baby Bear grunt when it comes on.

You've been in this world 17 days. We've learned so much about you. You have cold feet & hands, but hate to be hot. You kick most blankets off. You love to be held, rocked, walked & sang too. You love the outside. When you get too fussy to calm down, I step outside & instantly you are fine. You aren't a big fan of tummy time, but you work it like a champ. 

Momma sings to you often. Most of the time you become quiet & still. It's like you enjoy listening to me. I'm shocked because Momma can't carry a tune. I sing This Little Light of Mine, You are my sunshine, ABCs, Jesus Loves Me, Jesus Love the Little Children & The Itsy Bitsy Spider...over & over & over & over. One fussy day I threw in the theme song to Fresh Prince of Bellaire. You also like for Nana-Great to sing to you. Her songs are on lockdown & her time with you is precious. 

All your grandparents come see you often. They tell us how perfect you are. I love ya kid, but after hearing you scream bloody murder, I know you are not perfect. Aunt Aub loves to hold you, E gets a little jealous, but he loves you too. He's working on your name, but for now in his sweetest voice he calls you baby. 

17 days in & you're doing alright. We love you Baby Bell & are looking forward to the rest of our days together.

Kisses,

Momma