Napping in the crib

I put Abby to sleep in her crib today for a nap. She usually sleeps in her bassinet in the living room during the day. Yes, I am one of those moms that check on their baby every five minutes. At night, she sleeps in her bassinet beside me. But I set up her humidifier in her room this morning to lull her to sleep, so thought I would start with a nap in the crib. She seems to enjoy it (probably has no idea, just wants to sleep).


















It is impossible to get a picture of Ali and Abby together because Ali is obsessed with smelling Abby if she is anywhere close. That then leads to excessive licking, which I cannot handle. Overall though, Ali has been great with her. If Abby cries and I dont immediately pick her up, Ali will start to whine to make sure that I am aware of Abby.

But I noticed today when Abby was in the swing, that Ali was on her "perch" watching over her.

Growing like a weed...

Mom is leaving on Saturday, so we are trying to take some pictures of Miss Abby before she leaves. And I need to take more for Stuart also as she seems to change every day!

This is her holding her head up. It is hard to believe that only three weeks ago she couldnt do this....
Cranky face! Stop taking pictures of me!

I am trying to burp the little princess, she is using her legs to kick off the chair and catapult herself into the air....makes feeding time a physical activity.

More Random Pictures from Iraq

I received Stuart's laptop in the mail today. He had a TON of pictures on it, but most were just of the landscape. I pulled off some of the better ones and put them below.

Orioles Fan...not really!

Stuart ordered Abigail some "sports outfits". He apparently did not get the memo about her being a girlie girl....



So, I finally put her in the Orioles outfit today, took this picture, and then she projectile vomited so loud I actually heard it in the other room. All over her outfit...that just goes to show what she thinks of these outfits!

This is the pink outfit that she was changed into after the vomit incident!

We also received the below bear from Great Mommy and Great Daddy (Stuart's grandparents). It plays "Jesus Loves Me" and is one of the softest toys that she has. I found this wall hanging in a little shop in Swansboro. I thought it went well with the theme of the room and I am saving it for Daddy to hang when he gets home.

Girls Weekend

My two best friends, Amanda and Michelle flew in this weekend to meet Miss Abby. They came in Friday night, we went to the beach (in the rain) and out to eat Saturday night, and they flew back out Sunday. I know I had a great time, and it was nice to have an "adult" dinner Saturday night while Mom babysat.

Abby behaved herself as well with only a minimum amount of out-of-control screaming!

Abby was pooped as well after an exhausting weekend!

So alert!

Here are some pictures that I took of Abby earlier. I thought babies were supposed to sleep between their feedings.....but apparently she likes to be alert and see what is going on! She also got so excited last night that she scratched her face and now has a huge red mark on her cheek.

First Doctor Appointment

Abby had her first doctor appointment yesterday. The main goal of this appointment is to make sure that she is gaining weight and is at least back up to her birth weight. At birth, she was 7 pounds, 11 ounces. When she was released from the hospital Monday, her weight was at 8 pounds, 3 ounces.

As of yesterday she weighs 8 pounds, 8 ounces! So her first appointment, all was fantastic!!

The doctor looked over her file from the nursery and thought that they were extra cautious in keeping her and that she looks really good. Her breathing and heart rate both sounded good. Her next doctor appointment is not until she is two months old (after I get her registered with the insurance).

She is also starting to get some neck strength. When I burp her, she can lift her head and flail around. Gotta keep an eye on her!

Abby's First (Sponge) Bath

Abby had some glue on her hands from the IV's and she was starting to smell from the formula dripped down her neck, so I decided to give her a sponge bath. I can't give her a full bath until her umbilical cord falls off.

She was a very good sport and didn't cry as hard as I thought she would. She is such a sweetheart and I can't get over how much she looks like Stuart more and more every day. I may be imagining it (and just missing him), but she is even making his facial expressions.

Home at Last.....

We are all home at last. It has been quite a long week!

It all started last Monday at the doctor's appointment. Apparently, I had some fluids leaking that they suspected were amniotic fluid. So the doctor had me admitted to the hospital and they started inducing my labor. I was admitted about 2 PM that afternoon and around 3 AM, after 2 hours of active pushing, in order to keep myself and Abby safe, the best option was a c-section. It is definately not what I had planned, but the one thing that I learned in all my classes, was not to plan on anything! But everything went fairly well and Abby made her appearance at 4:18 AM that morning.

I was discharged from the hospital Friday, but they wanted to keep Abby until Monday to finish her antibiotics and monitor the fluid in her lungs. So, my mom and I moved into a room downstairs near the nursery and she stayed with us over the weekend. We were definitely ready to come home as there is not much to do in a hospital room for a week!!

Here is Abby a few days old in the hospital.

She looks like a little angel when she is sleeping....

Happy Baby!

Here are the flowers I received from Melissa and Jared, my parents, and the Procurement Dept at HQ.

She ended up having five different IV's put in her (she kept pulling them out). This is the 5th one with the little arm splint! It looks oh so sad!

This is us about to leave the hospital. I havent showered in 2 days, but didnt care as I was getting out!

Snug as a bug in my car seat!

Home at last in my pretty pink princess room!

Home Sweet Home!

Abby is here!!

Abigail Marie Staples arrived January 6 at 4:18 AM. She weighed 7 pounds, 11 ounces and was 21 inches long. I ended up having a c-section, so am still a little sore. Abby had some distress when she was born and still has some fluid in her lungs so they are keeping her until Monday night. I have been discharged but am "rooming in" with her until she is released. I just stopped by my house for a second, but wanted to at least post a few pictures. Ill write more next week when I am home!!

Thanks to EVERYONE for their prayers and support....Stuart and I are so excited and blessed to have her!

The first picture was taken this morning and the second is after a big meal. Falling asleep with her mouth open!