6 Weeks Old

Our baby girl is a month and half old today!  And she is definitely looking more and more like a little baby and less like an infant.  She is absolutely wonderful!!

Her facial expressions are still developing, but she is using them more and more everyday.  We are even hearing her giggle on occasion now!  It is the cutest sound ever, especially when it comes along with her precious smile.  She is also gaining more eye focus.  She loves to watch the fans in the living room.  We can lay her on her back or put her in the swing or bouncer and she will just stare up at the fans with a big smile.  She also looks at us more... when we are changing her diaper or just playing with her; she will make eye contact with us and it is the best feeling ever to see her eyes looking into ours.

The only thing that is still tough right now is sleep.  To get more sleep we decided to try supplementing formula as needed at night; however, it has yet to gain us anymore sleep.  She has only had formula 3 times.  She takes it pretty well, but I do think she likes my milk much better.  We are trying to get her used to the formula though because when she goes into KinderCare, I want to make sure she has enough to eat between my milk and the formula.  I am having a hard time getting the stock of milk up; so we just would rather be safe than sorry.  Needless to say, she will stay on milk as long as we are able though.

With Grace getting older, more alert, and taking the bottle; Garrett and I decided that it was time for us to have a proper date night with just the two of us.  So, Friday evening Garrett and I dropped Grace off at Nana and Papi's house and then went out to Bonefish.  To say the least, they were very excited to babysit and we were very excited to have them babysit.  We were pretty tired because we still aren't getting much sleep at all, but the date was very worth it and I know I definitely enjoyed every minute of it and can't wait for our next date night out.

Nana babysitting

Prior to our date, Garrett and I went car shopping... yep, we decided that we needed a larger vehicle now with a baby and all that comes with a baby (car seat, stroller, etc.).  On top of this we would need room for luggage (for traveling), passengers, etc.  Garrett also wanted something with a larger towing capability so he can pull the trailer and all the things he needs for around the property.  We decided on a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee and we absolutely love it!!  It is much larger than my car and so much more practical all around.  Garrett still has his beater car to use around the house though and he will use my Caliber on a daily use to and from work.  Lucky me; I will get to use the Cherokee!

5 Weeks Old

Can't believe Grace is now 5 weeks old.  She had her month-old appointment last week and is absolutely perfect!  She weighed in at 9lb 4oz, 21.25 inches long, with a head circumference of 36.5.  She is in the 50th percentile in every category with each of those numbers.  She also received some topical cream to help with her baby acne and had a follow up appointment on Monday.  I am happy to say that her acne is now gone and that she gained about 8 more ounces in just those few days.  Our little girl is getting close to that 10lb mark.  I can't believe she is more than 3lbs heavier than at birth... wow does the time fly and is she growing fast.  I just love seeing how much she is changing... she is looking more and more like a little baby and less like a newborn.  I may be biased, but I believe she is beautiful!!

This last weekend Garrett had to go out of town again; this time for Bryan's wedding.  I must say I am pretty disappointed that I couldn't go, but Grace is still much too young to expect her to behave at a wedding and I definitely did not want to spoil Bryan and Sara's big day with a fussy baby.  Garrett was one of the groomsman and had an absolute wonderful time with the guys this weekend and said the wedding was wonderful (which I didn't doubt for a second!).  We are sooo happy for the newly married couple.  This has been a ways coming and we couldn't be more excited that their big day finally arrived.  Congratulations to you both!!!  Love you guys!

While Garrett was out of town, I spent much of the weekend with my family.  My mom, sister, and I spent Saturday together getting pedicures and lunch.  Then that evening we met up with my dad and all got dinner together and did a little shopping.  It was such a wonderful day!  Then Sunday, I went to church with my family and we were able to meet Garrett on his way home for lunch.  I couldn't have asked for a better time!  Also, my sister was able to come stay the night a couple nights and go with me to Grace's appointments since she is out of school right now.  She is definitely one incredible Aunt.  I know Grace is going to love her more and more as she grows up with her love :)

Boo (aka Aunt Goober to Grace) with Grace Lynn

Last night, we finally gave Grace a bottle for the first time and she did wonderful!  She had no hesitation whatsoever and took the bottle immediately.  That is great because now we can let Nana and Papi babysit while we have a date night or better yet, Garrett can feed her on occasion.  We are still going to keep up breastfeeding too though.  I just hope I can supply enough and get up a decent stock for when she goes to KinderCare.  We'll see... worst case, we mix in some formula if need be... hoping we don't have to do that too much though; would rather use the free food :)

She is doing great though and mommy is doing wonderful as well.  Grace is much more alert and has much better head control; so it is so great to actually spend time with her during the day and watch her personality develop.  I love it!!!  She definitely has a cute one too :)

Good Morning :) from my girl and I

4 Weeks Old

Today Grace is 4 weeks old... just about a month; where has the time gone?

This last week has been pretty busy.  Thursday Grace made her first appearance at our Gospel Community Group and did great.  Saturday, we made our first somewhat long road trip down to Tampa and again she was such a little trooper.  We went to meet up with my Aunt Sherry and Uncle Sonny so Garrett could go through some tools and pick out what he wanted; he is so grateful to them for the trailer and truck full of stuff he got to come home with.  While there, we also met up with my family (they were there for a dance competition) and with favorite and Mike.  We all went out to lunch and just had a wonderful time!  It is always so great getting to see family when we can.  Here's my girl and I and also Nana with her favorite grandbaby.

Sunday was then Mother's day... yep, my first mother's day!  So exciting!  I was very happy to get my first mother's day gift from my wonderful mama a couple days early since I wouldn't be able to see her on Mother's Day.  She got me a wonderful picture collage of Baby Grace, as well as a key chain with Grace's picture.  I was very excited!!  On Sunday, we got up after a lazy morning laying in bed and got ourselves ready for church.  Yes, I got my first ever Church Mother's Day gift; a beautiful potted pink flower.  It is the little things that make me happy and that definitely made me happy.  After a great church service, we then headed over to Chuck and Sandy's to spend the afternoon with them and the family and had a wonderful time.



Sunday morning; Like daddy like daughter :)



My girl and I on Mother's Day!

Monday I had my postpartum doctor's appointment.  I can't believe it's that time already.  All went great and I lost about 23lbs, yep... still got a little more to go, but I was so happy to be back to a manageable weight and look more like my pre-pregnancy self.  Here are my girl and I this weekend, just prior to the appt.  I am back in some of my normal clothes, but still trying to get into more... I will get there :)

I am curious to see how much weight Grace has gained... I'm losing weight and she is gaining it.  She has her month-old appointment this Thursday; so we'll know then.

Finally, today Grace and I ventured out to Garrett's work to meet him for lunch and to introduce Grace to his co-workers for the first time.  After lunch, I then drove over to my office to introduce my co-workers to her while I was on that side of town.  It was so nice to finally have all of them see her in person, after only seeing pictures.

All in all, what a wonderful week it's been.  Grace is sleeping about 4 to 4.5 hours a night, which is great!  We have gotten her on a nightly routine, which I think is slowly helping her to realize when bedtime is.  We love this little girl more than words can express.  She makes so many of the goofiest faces and makes the cutest little sounds.  I just love to watch her, whether she is sleeping or awake... it is the absolute best!  Here are a couple pictures from one of her many baths, that she LOVES!  She takes after mama in that.  She loves her bath and does not like getting out because she is not fond of the cold.

3 Weeks Old

Grace Lynn is 3 weeks old today!  Love the first picture of her, she's like "yep, that's me!" hehe.

Last Wednesday we had her two week appointment and Dr. Chabon said she looks great and beautiful!  Her head circumference is a little bit bigger and she has grown half an inch to 20" since her first appointment when she 3 days old.  She also has way surpassed her birth weight.  She went from 7lb 1oz on her birth date to 6lb 13oz at 3 days old to a whopping 8lbs at her 2 week appointment.  I cannot believe she gained over a pound in less than two weeks, but she did and the doctor said that was great.  It just means she is eating and eating well.

Here is a sneak peak of some of her newborn pictures that Jackie did... I still have not picked out a favorite, but here a few I do really love; heck, I love them all!  You can see some of Jackie's favorite on her blog, HERE.

Since her doctors appointment, we have been doing well.  My mama (Nana) came over Thursday and Friday to help me out during the day while Garrett was at work.  Then Friday she went with me to take Garrett to the airport; yep Garrett was headed out of town.  Garrett was off to Kentucky for Bryan's bachelor party and let me just say I was a little jealous.  You probably guessed it, yep, he got to go to the Kentucky Derby!  He had a wonderful time and Grace and I did pretty good this weekend until Sunday morning.  Grace did not sleep well at all Saturday evening, which means I did not sleep well and she was up most the day Saturday, so I didn't get a chance to eat all that much.  To say the least, I woke up feeling pretty crummy and mom had to come to the rescue.  She came and helped me feed the animals Sunday morning and then we went back to my parents house, so I could rest.  I ended up with a 102 fever and crazy headache.  Luckily, with my families help, I was able to finally get some sleep and have been doing much better since.

Passed out on Nana's lap at church

Later Sunday evening Garrett finally made it home.  It was so wonderful to see my husband and for Grace to see her daddy.  I know I sure did miss him!  I didn't think it would be that bad not having him here, but now with a daughter and myself getting sick, I really just wanted to have him home.  It was a good test for us though and I know now that we can do it, which is good because there may be one or two more weekends in this month that Garrett has to be out of town.  Again though, a lot of the credit goes to my family for stepping up and helping me out when I needed it.

Monday, Grace started to get a stuffy nose and it has since not gotten too much better.  We felt so bad for her and tried to get it out, but it just kept coming back.  So, she had to sleep in a carrier for the first time because that seemed to be the only way she'd sleep.  She couldn't breathe very well lying down.  We are hoping that tonight she will be able to sleep in her bassinet again and get a good nights rest.

All in all, this has been one crazy week, but again, just looking at this girls sweet face is all it takes to turn the week around and make it a great one!  She is our little angel or as Garrett likes to call her, his little "cowgirl".  She's a trooper and we love her so much!

2 Weeks Old

Today Grace Lynn is two weeks old and growing like a little weed.  It is amazing how much she has changed since the day we first met our little girl.  She is doing wonderful and such a little joy!  She is eating so well and her sleep schedule is getting somewhat better.  She still does not like going to sleep at night when we are ready to, but once she does fall asleep she sleeps for about 4 hours, which is much better than those first couple nights we had her.

2 Weeks Old!

For me, things are definitely tough sometimes, but worth every minute.  I'm not going to lie; there have been nights that I have just woke up crying because I'm just so overwhelmed and emotional.  I contribute most of that to lack of sleep, but like I said before, that is starting to get a little bit better.  Garrett has been such a huge supporter and motivator through those nights when I just felt like crying and even when he gets home from work, he does not hesitate to take over and change diapers, etc. so I can get a little rest.  I am so blessed to have such a wonderful husband and Grace is also very blessed to have such a great daddy!

This week has been a great one.  We took Grace Lynn out for the first time (which also means mama got to get out of the house!).  She did great!  Our first trip was to Target to pick up a couple things.  She was a trooper.  Luckily we didn't stay long because she wasn't having it there at the end.  Then that evening, we went out with some friends from church to dinner and to watch the magic game.  Grace was SO GOOD!  She slept the whole time and we were actually able to get dinner, lol.  And, finally, Grace made her first church appearance.  We were so excited to finally be able to take her to church and get back into our weekly routine.  Again, she did great.  She slept most the time until the very end.  And, then all it took was me picking her up to get her asleep again.  We are so blessed to have such a wonderful little girl that brings us so much joy.  She is one wonderful little miracle baby.  How any one could have a baby or witness the birth of a baby and not believe in God is incredible because for me, looking at her every day emphasises just how great our God is.  He is amazing and I am so thankful for this blessing that he provided us!

Love this little face!

1st Trip to Target

 And, here is our first trip to Chuch as a family of three :)

Such a little angel!!