Annabelle Visits Florida

This past week Annabelle got to visit her family and friends in St. Petersburg, Florida. Annabelle and I flew down a couple of days before James so everyone could have ample baby time.

While in Florida Annabelle got to meet so many new people. One day Annabelle got to meet both Pops and Nana's coworkers. She did a great job showing off her "tricks" (as Nana calls them), specifically her smiles. She must have been held by twenty people that day and was so wonderful and content the whole time. There was one day dedicated to Annabelle meeting two of her Great Grandmother's. That was a very special day filled with joy and love. And of course, the Waechter's hosted a family picnic so the whole extended family could meet Annabelle. She was held and loved by so many Dudley's and Waechter's and appeared to enjoy every minute.

My favorite day was beach day. Being a beach lover, I was so excited to introduce the experience to my daughter. Annabelle had all the beach necessities: sunglasses, hat, bathing suit, and bathing chair. I am thinking over 100 pictures were taken that day because of all the cuteness.The water was so warm she was even able to go into the ocean with her Mommy and Daddy. We also brought a little tub for her to soak in under the sun tent. Her smiles and relaxed demeanor showed us that she was definitely going to be a beach girl.

When Annabelle wasn't engaging in new experiences or meeting new people, she was enjoying her quiet time with her Nana, Pops, Aunt Kate, and Uncle Chriff. It was wonderful seeing Annabelle with the people that love her the most.  Nana was determined to spend as much time as possible with her, that Annabelle even slept in Pops and Nana's room so Nana could do the early morning feedings. I learned that Annabelle was spending parts of the night sleeping with Nana and Pops in their bed! I was fine with it, but told Nana we will be calling her at 3am if Annabelle can't sleep because she got use to sleeping in between two bodies (her first night back she did fine, so I guess no bad habits were learned at the grandparents).

It was a great trip to Florida and of course it was sad to say goodbye to everyone. I told Annabelle the whole trip home that she is so lucky to have so many people love her and she must be special if she could put a smile on so many people's faces.

Four Months!

I am four months now. I had my four month doctor's appointment and the doc said I am growing perfectly! I weigh 12 pounds and am 24.5 inches long. I had to get some shots, which I didn't like and cried a lot! But the pain went away after I was held by my Mommy and Daddy and Mommy gave me some infant Tylenol.  The doctor did tell my Mommy that I need to be getting a little more naps during the day, so Mommy has been trying to get me to sleep more. Sometimes I don't mind because I am pretty tired, but other times I don't want to sleep, I want to play! (I think Mommy gets a little frustrated with me these times.) I have started smiling on a regular basis. I love when Daddy comes home from work because I always give him a big smile. I have even started talking and giggling a little. I love to tell my Mommy stories and sometimes I even talk to myself in my crib. My neck is getting stronger everyday, so belly time isn't that bad anymore, I actually can lift my head up like a little turtle. I have a my own chair too that I like to sit in like a big girl.

A Message from Annabelle: I love my pets!

Recently I have been noticing these two furry creatures around me. One often comes up and licks me right on the face or sniffs at my diaper, the other one will come and sit right by me while Mommy and I are cuddling on the chair. I have started to grab hold of Lily's fur, it's so nice and soft, I love it! She even let me grab her ear one time. They both have been very welcoming, and even though Brady may steal one of my toys or Lily may try to steal Mommy's attention, I love hanging with furry brother and sister!

First Road Trip through Southeast Colorado

James had to go to Durango, Colorado for a week for work and Annabelle and I decided to join him, and Brady too! It was a fun week. The car ride was seven hours, but we took some pit stops along the way and even got to spend a night in Ouray, Colorado, James and I's new favorite place. Annabelle was a great traveler, of course it messed her sleeping schedule up a little, but nothing we couldn't recover from. While James would work during the day, Annabelle, Brady, and I would walk around the small downtown, visit a local dog park, and take walks along the town's river. Annabelle got to have her first try at a playground, she went down a slide (with Mommy and Daddy of course) and sat in a baby swing. I think James and I enjoyed it more than her, but I am sure that will change as she gets older. Also while in Durango, James' boss wanted to take us out to a nice dinner, so Annabelle had her first babysitter. I think I only texted the babysitter about four times an hour, haha. Everything went smoothly and it was nice to enjoy a night out with adults.

First Plane Ride Back East

For Easter, Annabelle and I flew back to Stroudsburg. James couldn't make the trip because of work, so it was just the girls. I was so nervous about the plane ride, I just didn't want to be that parent with the screaming child who won't stop. Fortunately, Annabelle loved the plane ride. She was very content sitting on her Mommy's lap the whole time with once and a while taking a stroll down the aisle. Changing a diaper in the small airplane bathroom was a adventure, but we made it work. While in Stroudsburg Annabelle met so many friends and family. She met my close high school friends, Grandmom's close friends, and the whole Helms and most of the Wenck family during an Easter gathering. (she was decked out in her bunny shirt and bunny socks). And of course she met all the pets, Rude, Knuters, and her cousin Big Ced! It was so wonderful to show off my daughter to all the important people in my life. And of course, Grandmom and Pappy Wenck loved having Annabelle in their house. My Mom borrowed a bunch of baby necessities, so the house was all ready. The whole time I was home I probably held Annabelle a total of only a couple of hours, Grandmom was doing most of the holding (imagine that!), and Pappy even cuddled with Annabelle once he realized she was going to brake in his arms (seriously). It was a great trip to PA and once again sad to say goodbye.

Annabelle meets the Aunt and Uncles.

Aunt Kate and Uncle Chriff came to visit at the end of February and Uncle Ryan came to visit the beginning of March. Of course Aunt Kate was a natural with Annabelle. You could tell the two girls were not just going to be Aunt and Niece, but friends too. James and I were so touched, and  frankly a little surprised, when Uncle Chriff and Uncle Ryan (both with little baby experience) were immediately comfortable with Annabelle and in awe of their little niece. All three of them couldn't get enough of holding and staring at her. You can tell their love for Annabelle continues to grow each day, no more do they ask how we are doing, but it's always "how is Annabelle?" and "can I skype with Annabelle?"

Annabelle meets the Grandparents

Grandmom and Pappy Wenck were the first to come visit. Pappy stayed for five days, but Grandmom stayed for ten!  Nana and Pops Waechter were too jealous, so they made the trip out a little earlier than planned. Even though they only stayed for a long weekend, they soaked up every moment with Annabelle. Both visits included many happy tears, smiles, and an abundance of love. It was so wonderful watching our parents hold our new daughter. At times the grandparents were a little rusty with the baby skills (Grandmom Wenck put nipple cream on Annabelle thinking it was diaper rash cream), but it was just like riding a bike, the skills quickly returned. Not only did Annabelle love seeing her Grandparents, James and I loved having the help, especially during the nighttime feedings! So needless to say, all three of us were very sad each time the grandparents left.

Welcome Annabelle Taylor Waechter

Annabelle arrived  on Monday, January 10th, 2011 at 5:36pm weighing 5 lbs 6 oz and 18.5 inches long. Contractions began at 2am and after several calls to the doctor we were at the hospital by 10am. Of course Denver had just gotten a bunch of snow, so driving extra slow while having contractions is not fun. After we realized that it is going to be a long labor, as I was not dilating fast, a much needed epidural was given. I don't know who was more relieved, me or James. We spent the afternoon notifying family, listening to soothing music, and talking about what's to come. By late afternoon the doctor's weren't happy with my progress, so some pitocin was administered and within one hour I went from 3cm to 10cm and twenty minutes after that Annabelle had arrived. Even though her head was shaped like a cone and her nose was smashed up against her face, she was the cutest and most precious baby girl we have ever seen. Once she was completely stable, we got out the computer and skyped with both families to introduce Annabelle to her grandparents, aunt, and uncles. It must be pretty common, because the nurses didn't blink an eye when the skyping started. After two days in the hospital Annabelle, James, and I headed home. Walking into the house with a car seat in hand that is holding your five pound daughter was a bit overwhelming. James placed the car seat in the living room and we sat down on the couch and looked at each other saying, "now what?" Both of us were feeling every emotion possible those first several days with Annabelle, but love was definitely at the top.