April 29, 2011

Friday:

With our new cell phones, we can listen to online radio with them, and it is so cute to see Annabelle dance to the music. She will sit there and rock back and forth to the tunes with a huge smile on her face. I brought her in the kitchen with me and Liam as we cleaned the fridge today and each time I looked over, she has scooted a little further back each time. She ended up under the table, which really concerned Liam when lunch time came and he was getting in his high chair. He went to push it up and then stopped, looked at Annabelle under the table (which mind you was at least 2 feet away from where he would be sitting) and looked at me and said, "Mommy want move AnnBelle." I did, and thought is was so cute he was so concerned.

After nap, Annabelle got to play with Blaze and Ripley again. I put her on the floor and Blaze came over to sit by her and she just smiled as his little hairs brushed against her and he ever so gently touched his little wet nose against her to smell her. It was so cute. She loves to watch them play with each other too.

April 28, 2011

Thursday:

The mornings of laundry day are always kinda slow as I wait for the first load to get through the washer and dryer. So, me and the kids hung out. The chair in our living room is just big enough to fit all three of us for play and snuggling. It's really cute to see Annabelle interact with Liam. She usually reaches out to him and grabs him. She pulls his hair, and her favorite, tries to take away my old cell phone that I gave to Liam. Liam doesn't like this. She doesn't care, she feels she just has to have it, I think only because he has it. At the end of the night, Phillip and I were sitting on the couch and Annabelle was flailing around my lap trying to get at his work computer that he had just shut down. Phillip, relatively annoyed, said, "What is with our kids and electronics?" I don't know! It's like they radiate with this essence that magnetically attacks little kid hands to them. Almost like anything electronic speaks to them and says, "Hey you little person...you know you want me! You know you want your little clammy fingers to grab me and spear finger prints and smudges all over my screen....go ahead, reach out and take me! Your Mom and Dad won't mind, in fact, they want you to drool eight ounces of baby spit all over my buttons, lights, batteries, etc." I truly think this may happen.

April 27, 2011

Wednesday:

We went to the grocery store today and a few other places and the kids were, of course, wonderful. I'm so glad they are easy going with being hauled around of all South Austin all the time. Makes things really easy for me, and makes me feel good that they are not troubled when days of many things to do come.

At night, I went to the last class of the childbirth education I've been sitting in on and Phillip stayed at home with the kids. He calls it 'watching kids', I call it 'solo parenting'. Some would call it simply parenting...but of course, Phillip and I have to complicate things.

He said that for a while he put Liam's hummingbird finger puppet on his finger and made funny noises at the kids while tickling them with it and they really got a kick out of that. He's so good at that kind of stuff. He's pretty playful with them and can always get them to smile and laugh. I'm glad he takes the time to connect with them.

April 26, 2011

Tuesday:

Whatever Liam has, I think Annabelle has caught, or caught on to. She woke this morning at 6:00am with a little bit of a cough, and then went back to sleep and slept till almost 9:00am. Then, she's had this congested like cough for the whole day, and hasn't slept well. She's spit up a bit of milk here and there, which she usually has no issue with. Now, she won't eat in one feeding. She still eats, but it's half a bottle here and then the other half a little later. Who knows. I'm going to give it a day or two, but if it gets worse I'm going to take her to the pediatrician. In the mean time, I think I'm going to give her some echinacea.

April 25, 2011

Monday:

Today must have been 'The Day of Fit Throwing'. Between both the kids, even after Phillip got home, it seemed like one thing after the other. It's like they were taking turns! I told Phillip today is a day that makes me very happy we didn't have twins. It was rough, and I think rough days are very real, and they do happen, and they also make good days seem heavenly, so they do have their place.

Come dinner time, I was pretty exhausted, and as Liam played outside happily, it was Annabelle's turn to fuss. I finally resorted to letting her hold a grapefruit, which she thought was the best thing in the world, and then put her in her swing on the back porch so she could watch Liam play. That seemed to do the trick. Liam came over and started the swing swinging, and then the music, and then popped a binky in her mouth, and all was well.

April 24, 2011

Sunday:

While digging though Annabelle's closet today, I ran across a dress I had bought for her while I was only 4 or so months pregnant. I thought it was cute, was on sale, and knowing I was having a little girl, I snatched it up. It happened to fit her just perfectly, and she had two headband bows that matched it perfectly as well as a pair of shoes Bonny had given me from when Violet was a little. They fit too! Liam happened to have a formal get-up as well, so I figured, it being Easter, might as well snap a few pictures! So, we did. Just as the kids got cranky and done, my parents came over for some added comic relief, which brought many smiles just to finish up the photo shoot.



Later, we all sat at the table and painted ceramic Easter eggs that were in Liam's basket. Annabelle, obviously being too young to paint, was given a paper plate, that she was most happy with.

After dinner, I was holding Annabelle at the kitchen table, and after fighting with her to stay in my lap, I put her on the floor to play with Liam. Liam would go up and put napkins on her head, and she would reach her little hand up and pull them off quickly and then smile at everyone.

April 23, 2011

Saturday:

We had planned today to go the front park and do the Neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt, but I think we got there too late. There was no one there, so we decided to head to the phone store to look at phones. Annabelle didn't really care, as long as she could be with Mom, snuggled in the wrap, and able to nap, she was fine. She did nap, but it was pretty late by the time she went down, which kinda threw the day for a loop. The afternoon nap was later and then the evening nap weird, then during the night, she woke frequently. It's crazy what happens when you mess up their little schedules.

But...we got the curtains hung! They are not even, and my sewing machine was on the wrong tension when I sewed the hems, but for a first timer, I think they turned out great!

April 22, 2011

Friday:

Finally today, I have found the curtain rods for Annabelle's curtains. This started yesterday when I went to Walmart and bought the rods that I thought were going to fit. Two did, and the other I had to take back to the store. I knew the first store was sold out of the right size as I had bought the last two, then when I went to a different Walmart, they were sold out as well. I then when to a third Walmart and didn't see any on the shelf. I looked at all the other racks thinking maybe someone hung it on the wrong rack. Nope. I then looked further and someone had gotten the last package of the matching rod I needed, and opened it, and left it sitting on top of all the rest of the rods, figures, I am in Walmart. Luckily all the pieces are in it and I now have no more curtain rod hunting to do and Annabelle will finally have curtains in her room. I took the blinds down yesterday and she wasn't having the best experience today napping with full sunlight. We plan to hang them later tonight.

April 21, 2011

Thursday:

While Annabelle was sitting on the rug tonight after dinner, Liam came and sat next to her and said, "You want your sock monkey AnnBelle? Ok!" and he ran and got it. "You want your glow worm AnnBelle? Ok!" and her ran to fetch that "You want your baby doll? OK!" and it went on and on a few more times until he said, "You want your toy bucket? OK!" and then brought the entire bucket over and then one by one pulled out each toy and placed it in her lap. I was waiting for her to start to fuss with the enormous pile of toys almost as tall as she is sitting in her lap, but she would smile and pick up one after the other and start to chew on each one. She loved it.

April 20, 2011

Wednesday:

Today was pretty busy, we went to HEB in the morning, then when we got home, Violet came over while her mommy ran some errands. When Violet left, the kids napped, and then after they woke up we went to meet another mom friend at the park. Annabelle, I think is almost ready to spend some time out of the baby wrap at the park. She really wanted to get out, so she sat on the bench in my lap for a bit. I think she really wanted to get down in the rocks with Liam and the other little boy, Wyatt. I think next time I'll let her, but since she's into putting everything in her mouth, I think I'll bring a blanket to set down under her. After the park, we went to the Chiropractor and Annabelle hung out next to me while Liam brought her blocks. She is such a mellow baby when it comes to running around town.

April 19, 2011

Tuesday:

After dinner, Annabelle started to have a grouch-fest. Phillip and I were trying to make a grocery list and she kept taking the paper and recipes and magazine and chewing on them. Since we already try to avoid dyes and artificial coloring in our every day diet, we thought it best not to have her eat the paper. She didn't like that, and let us know by throwing a huge fit every time we took something away. I really am hesitant to even imagine what fits are going to be like when she's 16!

She and I headed outside to watch Dad and Liam work on Dad's bike. She likes the outdoors, and our neighbor's cat was out, and she really took a liking to her, just like Liam has. Annabelle would sit on the drive and reach out for her and Ally Cat would come up for Annabelle to pet her without realizing how much Annabelle lacks gentleness. At one point Ally Cat got kinda upset and growled and hisses, so I decided it was time to head inside. It was a very new experience for Annabelle, and she has some learning to do with the word 'gentle'.

April 18, 2011

Monday:

This morning was great, I woke up and got a bottle ready for Annabelle, and started feeding her, and then I got a call about a birth. I was not at all excited about going, because I was really looking forward to cleaning house, and really spending some down time with the kiddos. That didn't happen, as this was one of those rare situations where I'm not on call but have to head out. We picked up Nanny Frances, and by the time we got home, Annabelle was already asleep in her car seat. I said goodbye and headed off. Frances said she was great today and Phillip said she cried all night. I don't know who to believe, but Annabelle is sleeping, and tomorrow, I think I may skip the cleaning and just hold my babies.

April 17, 2011

Sunday:

When I went to church today with the kids, I took Annabelle in service with me since she's had a little runny nose. I let her sit on the floor and play with my sunglasses as that was keeping her entertained and quiet. She ended up falling over and really getting upset over that. She had a 20 minute nap with me in the morning, and no nap since then, so I think she was mainly tired. We went out to the lobby of the church and sat, and as soon as we got there, she saw the Pastor's wife and their little boy who is about 3 months older than Annabelle. The locked eyes and it was like all inklings of pain disappeared and she was instantly fine. They would play and talk to each other, but the he would crawl over and she would get a little nervous and let out a cry to let him know she wanted space or I wanted to get him to give her space. I told her she was fine and that he just wanted to say 'hi' but he was very persistent in getting her to play with him. She didn't want to play, I think that was too much for her. She sometimes has to warm up to others before she is ready for interaction with them.

April 16, 2011

Saturday:

Last night I went to a birth, and Annabelle really needed some Mommy time today to make up for it. We went to Performance Bike, since Phillip has been looking forward to their grand opening all week, and Annabelle got just that...Mommy time. When we got home, I napped for a bit, then woke up and hung out with the kiddos while Phillip took a ride. It was nice to have some quiet time with just the kids. I think we are all experiencing growing pains with me working, and it will just take time and a little sensitivity to work everything out.

April 15, 2011

Friday:

We went to Austin Zoo today and let me just say, I am probably more thankful for the baby wrap than I have ever been in my entire life! It was so nice to not have to haul a stroller around and the nice little pocket that sits on the outside of the wrap was great for holding my keys, her bottle, my wallet, phone, etc. She spent a lot of time looking around and watching Liam and Violet and the other kids, and then once she got tired, laid her head down and took a nap. At lunch, she woke up and hung out while Liam finished eating. She's so mellow, it's wonderful! On the way home, she was ready for her real nap and it wasn't long till she crashed out for the big afternoon nap.

April 14, 2011

Thursday:

The toy sharing/stealing has begun! Annabelle has taken a liking to all of Liam's toys that make noise. ALL of them. Especially his Micky Mouse Airplane that he's been playing with the last few days. He didn't notice she was playing with it, as he was outside, but when he came in, of course, he immediately wanted it. I told him she was going to play with it for a little bit longer, and then he could have a turn. He agreed after some more negotiation. When it was his turn, he traded her his Elmo remote control for the Airplane. Good call. I'm hesitant to tell him that later she found his Yahtzee game that he took home from Gigi and Papas. I think that's best kept a secret.

We went to Maudies for dinner tonight becaues I didn't defrost anything for dinner, and Annabelle was so great. She's so well behaved. At first they had us sitting in a booth, which meant we couldn't have a highchair, so she was in my lap. As soon as they brought our food, she grabbed two big handfuls of my salad I grabbed her hands before she got to her mouth. See, before we left, she was eating a half a pear, making a mess and everything, so I think she thought that this was the same thing. Not so much. She ate her bottle, then when I was packing up Liam's leftovers, I ended up knocking Liam's water over to my left, and was distracted and didn't notice that I spilled some of his cheesy rice on the table to my right, directly where Annabelle was sitting. I look over and she has a handful of rice in her mouth and smeared on her shirt. I think she's ready for solids now. It's a good thing I have some really ripe pears and a bunch of sweet potatoes!

April 13, 2011

Wednesday:

So, we've started a new way of putting Annabelle to sleep. After days of issues getting her to sleep and trying rocking, singing, swaying, etc, the works, I decided to turn to some professional advice. A friend has lent me a book called "The Baby Whisperer" It's pretty good. I agree with a lot of the stuff in there, and she's really helped with Annabelle's sleeping. Especially now. Basically, when we put her down for a nap, we swaddle, binky, and stay in the room with her till she's in a deep sleep. We keep a hand on her tummy to let her know we are there and 'shhhh' and talk to her if she stirs. If she cries, we pick her up, hold her, till she calms down and them put her back down. It's taken a couple naps and bedtimes for her to get used to it. It's much gentler than what we were advised with Liam, and it's better than starting the habit of laying down with her. This whole method is not really all that new with her, as she used to go to sleep like this before with no fuss at all. Today, she stirred and frowned a little, and fussed once. I picked her up, held her, her eyes got very droopy and her eye lids closed, and then I laid her back down. She opened her eyes again, but I just told her, "We are going to sleep now." and kept my hand on her swaddled up arms, and she turned her head and closed her eyes and went to sleep. She still has her binky, which I'm fine with, even though "The Baby Whisperer" calls it a 'crutch'. I don't care. She can have it. At some point, we will wean her off it, but not now. Things are too peaceful, why mess them up?

April 12, 2011

Tuesday:

Annabelle has discovered Peek-a-boo! She will pull the blanket over her head, wait a couple seconds, then kick her legs and wave her arms and peek her head out and have a huge smile, then when I say "Peek-a-boo!" she'll give the best laugh with her gummy smile! It's the cutest thing in the world. After that, she will pull the blanket back over her head, get very still, and I'll say, "Where's Annabelle?" And then she'll again kick her legs, fling her arms and pop her head out with a big smile. I love it, I could do it all day.

April 11, 2011

Monday:

I think today I caught a little glimpse of what Heaven is going to be like. It all started in the morning after I had brought Annabelle in bed with us during the night. Liam came in and snuggled up next to me under the covers. We all decided to finally roll out of bed around 8:15 when we all had breakfast, and hung out and played on the couch. Annabelle began to get kinda grouchy just before her nap, so all three of us headed back to her room so that I could rock her in the rocking chair. It wasn't long till she fell asleep, all squishy baby like, when Liam asked to rock in the chair as well. I shifted Annabelle over to my right hip and pulled him on on my left. Both were as cuddly as they have ever been. Annabelle starting to softly snore as her binky began to slip out of her mouth and Liam's eye lids looking heavier and heavier, I laid my head against them and we all cuddled and rocked for a bit. It was the best moment in my motherhood. Once Liam noticed that he was falling asleep, he asked to get down and he did, then I laid Annabelle down in her bed. She barely even noticed me swaddling her arms and legs into her blanket and leaving. I didn't think the day could get much better until nap time, when we got to do it all over again. It's moments like these that fill up your Mom Cup and allow you to make it through the week.

April 10, 2011

Sunday:

Today we headed home back to Austin. The ride was pretty good. Annabelle slept the first part, and then woke up and played for a bit. I would turn around in my seat to get a look at her to see what she was doing and each time, she'd crook her neck around as far as she could and look up at me with those big blue eyes and just grin. I wish I could have gotten a picture of that, there's such wonder and joy in a baby looking up at you and smiling behind a binky. She drank her bottle at one point, and then was set till we got home.

We are really having issues determining if she is ready for solids yet. I was eating one of Mimi's sausage rolls with Annabelle in arm/hip and before I could think of the proximity (or lack there of) of the roll and her hands, she snatched a chunk of it out of my hand, tearing off the bread and swiftly shoved it in her mouth. I don't think she's ready for grains yet, so I had to fish it out of her mouth. So I decided to set up her high chair with some banana and that just made her angry. So I smashed some in a bowl and she would grab the spoon out of my hand and wave it around. I gave in on trying to get the spoon back and got a second one from the drawer. She'd take a bite, make a weird face, swallow, cry like she wanted more, then when given another bite, cry, spit it out and yell. She would eat from the spoon if I was holding her on my hip, but we are not starting that habit. I then put her back in her high chair, with no tray, and she smacked the bowl out of my hand and banana goo went flying every where. So then, I put the tray back on and just gave her everything. Of course, all of it ended up on the floor, so after a cleaning of the high chair, me, the floor, etc, it was time for Annabelle's cleaning. Bath, Pjs, bottle then a little rocking in the rocking chair to finish her milk with dad and she was out. I think she was just pooped from all the exertion of the weekend.

April 9, 2011

Saturday:

Today at Gigi and Papa's, all the rest of the family came over. They were all so excited to see her and to see how much she's grown and bathe in the essence of the sweet love only a smiley baby can bring. She also met her cousin Berkley. They are about a month apart and really were curious about the other one for a little bit, then lost interest. It didn't help that for the majority of the time they were all over Annabelle was pretty cranky. Luckily, I had the wrap, so for a few hours at least she got to doze here and there and just rest without over stimulation. She's quite the sensitive child, and sometimes just needs quiet. She's been kind crazy with her eating, she'll eat a little here and a little there, and I think it's causing some constipation since she's sometimes not finishing her bottle, she's not getting all the oils that are at the end of it. I think that's adding to her frustration. Her favorite toy is a yellow ring from the stacking rings. I think it's just big enough that she can fit her hands around it and just small enough in circumference to fit perfectly in her mouth. At times I wish I remembered my world revolving around something so simple as a plastic hallow ring, and as long as I had it, and happy faces in sight, my world was complete.

April 8, 2011

Friday:

Today was the first full day in Dallas. There was much much to do! I didn't think Annabelle would be a good napper, but she did surprise me. She had her morning nap in her bed for about and hour, then the afternoon nap was in the wrap while we blew bubbles outside. Mimi came over today as well, so she got some serious Mimi time. Annabelle was very excited to see everyone again. I'm pretty sure she remembered everyone as she was very welcoming and warm towards them. There were times of course, where she would look around for me after a while and just wanted Mommy. This always reassures me that we have a healthy bond between us. It's not that I mind sharing, or that I don't want her to love others, but I just think that there is something special to knowing that you are the one that can give that instant gratification and security to another being. I know my mom was with me, and it really means a lot to me that I can bond with my daughter the same way.

April 7, 2011

Thursday:

Today we left for Gigi and Papa's house in the late afternoon. We left just before nap time hoping the kids would sleep on the way. For the most part they did. Annabelle started to throw a fit at the very end on the way to the store, and come to find out, she had peed through her diaper, cover, and onesie. Luckily, I had a baby wrap, so I just took everything off, put on a new diaper and tucked her in the wrap. No one could tell that there was a little naked baby in there, and the whole time I was praying that she wouldn't pee on me. She didn't thankfully, but I will say, she sure is a cute little cubby baby when she's only wearing a diaper, sleeping in her car seat.

It wasn't long till Joe, Jenny and Lenore got there. They hadn't seen Annabelle since she was a little over two months old or so. She's definitely grown a lot! Lenore enjoyed holding her, and I think Annabelle did too.

April 6, 2011

Wednesday:

We went to the grocery store today with Nanny Frances to get a few things for the week ahead. We only had to go to one store, so that was nice, and after that, we went home to hang out for a bit so Nanny Frances could have some time with the kiddos. They played for a bit and then after Nanny left, took a nap. Annabelle and I had some really good cuddle time. I've decided to leave the futon pulled out into a bed in her room, so that during those difficult night times and nap times, I can just cuddle with her and then slowly do the shift from laying next to her to gently, softly, gracefully, moving away from her side, and off the bed, without waking her. I think every mom knows this maneuver. Most are really good at it. I still have some training to before I'm a a master at it.

April 5, 2011

Tuesday:

Annabelle probably slept the worst she has in her entire life last night. I think I was in her room at least 10-12 times. It was a very long night. Finally, I pulled out the futon in her room and cuddled up with her. I would have brought her in our bed, but Phillip's alarms were going off at that time, and honestly, I didn't know if she would be any better off. It took some rocking, and them some cuddling and then she was sleeping. If I even turned over, she would wake and cry. Her nose is kinda stuffy and runny, so I think that is what was bothering her. Nap time was rough too. I think any time they can't breathe, they just have the hardest time. Rocking, swaying, swaddling, swinging, laying down with her, she wasn't having any of it. Finally I got her to sleep and the only way to keep her asleep was to put her in her swing. After that she slept about 2 more hours. I think she needs the rest. I don't know how much she is going to get tonight as Liam is throwing quite the fit at bedtime. I hope they both feel better soon, poor babies.

April 4, 2011

Monday:

We met another mama today at Locomotion Inflatable Play Land, who had three kids of her own, and one on the way. Liam and the kids played and Annabelle chilled in the wrap. At one point, she did get out and play on the floor a bit, then when she got cranky, took a nap in the wrap. She had both her naps in the wrap, and both were pretty short compared to what they normally are. That was okay, as sine Liam missed his nap, we did an early bedtime, and she was quite ready by that time as well. It's amazing how much she shares her smiles and laughs with everyone. I think she is going to be quite the social butterfly.

April 3, 2011

Sunday:

We went to church this morning. Annabelle stays in the nursery now with her teacher Mrs. Emily. Mrs. Emily truly adores Annabelle. She's the most laid back baby. I went in and peaked in on her during service and she was getting her diaper changed. When I went in to pick her up after service, she was soundly asleep in the other nursery worker's lap. She was all squishy and jello-y. We went home and took nap and then just hung out at home the rest of the day.

Just before bedtime, we took pictures of her in the baby wrap. She was such a great model. Annabelle started to get pretty cranky, but as soon as I got her in the wrap and she heard the beep of the camera just before the picture was snapped, she'd turn to Phillip and grin from ear to ear. It was the cutest. Very cooperative, and very patient. She was such a trooper.

April 2, 2011

Saturday:

We went to ICAN this morning and of course, Annabelle was a hit. She got to also play with some other kids around her and Liam's age, which I think she enjoyed. She's also started crawling backwards, well, maybe not a crawl, but more an ooch. We can home for lunch and nap, and then in the evening, went out again so that I could get some fabric to start making baby wraps for sale. Tomorrow, Phillip is going to take pictures of examples of the wrap using me and Annabelle as models. I'm very excited about that.

April 1, 2011

Friday:

Last night was bath night. Cutest thing, ever. She reminded me of when we used to bathe Liam in the sink and he splashed and made a huge mess. This time, I'm glad that we did it in the bath tub, so to contain the water. She went for the shower head and went to put it in her mouth, and I took it and put it on the outside of the duck bath. She wanted it pretty badly an followed me it with her eyes, then body and almost climbed out of the duck bath to get it. I thought it was funny. Liam told her, "Don't put that in your mouth AnnBelle, no, no, no." It was funny. Annabelle will always have a good look out in Liam.

March 31, 2011

Thursday:

We went to the grocery store today with Nanny Frances and at the last stop, I left Annabelle and Frances in the car so me and Liam could just run in and get a few things. She said Annabelle started to get a little chilly, so she put her baby legs back on and turned the air off. They sung song, and played, until Annabelle realized she hadn't seen me in a a while. After I got in the car, and started driving, the Annabelle fit commenced. She didn't want to hold my hand, didn't want binky, didn't want sung or talked to. When we got to Frances's house, I hopped out, held her and she calmed down. I'm surprised how much she is attached to me that she actually misses me. I didn't know at only six months that she could emote in such ways. I'm glad she is going to have time to get to know Frances before she is left without me or Phillip.