Not just in China, folks!

Happy Belated Halloween! So just in case you thought pandas were only found in the far east - we're here to clear up that myth!

Kisses

So, these aren't exactly the types of kisses that you might want to receive if you're not that person's parent...but we love 'em!  Abi has become quite a fan of the open mouth smack!  An extra bit of fun is that she is drooling like crazy!  My theory is teeth, but there aren't any to be seen yet, so who knows!  So, her "kisses" are how she shows excitement (open mouth smiles) and the love of things in her mouth right now (insert momma's cheek, dad's nose, etc.)

(oh, and she likes to get them too! - boys, not until she's 25)

We love MAM!

So, it's been quite the struggle to get Abi to take a bottle. BUT....we've finally found one. HOORAY!! The MAM bottle from Sassy - it's donald and my new good friend. A ticket to a night out! Thankfully we have wonderful parents in town who don't mind granting us that luxury.

I'm a flower child

We've had abi out at the arboretum quite a bit, with the hurricane-surviving McGowns and with Grandma and Great-Grandma being in town from Michigan! Abi usually sleeps for most of the visit, but we can usually get some good pictures out of her if we're patient enough! We love the arboretum - it truly is such an oasis in the middle of the city - and we're so pumped that our new house is so close to it!

Isn't she lovely?

I love this picture. More pictures to come from the Arboretum, but when I look at this picture, it reminds me of a Stevie Wonder song:

"Isn't she lovely, isn't she wonderful?

Isn't she precious? Less than one minute old.

I never thought through love we'd be, looking at one

as lovely as she. But isn't she lovely, made from love?"

2 month Birthday Celebration & Doctor Appointment

We went up on Monday to Donald's parents' house to have dinner and celebrate Miss Abi's 2 month birthday! It was a fun evening with yummy food, cupcakes, pineapple pie, and Starbucks!

Abi waiting for her party to begin...

"It's my party, and I'll cry if I want to."

Abi in her party hat, waiting for us all to eat "her" food.

Yesterdy we had Abi's 2 month doctor's appointment - the one with shots. BOO. I cried almost as much as Abi! I just kept thinking as we were driving there how up until now she really hasn't had any physical pain outside of gas pain. What a pleasant little world. Goodness, that all changed yesterday. She has been such an amazing little trooper though - she was asleep by the time we left the doctor's office and then proceeded to sleep literally (minus her two feedings, and one quick stop at Target) the rest of the day. WHAT??!! She then followed that awesome nap (if you can call it that) by sleeping through the night. We couldn't believe it. I had gotten the baby tylenol and donald took the rest of the day off in preparation for the marathon that we had heard might follow. We are so thankful that our little lady handled everything so well, and that her little body isn't having too many aches in the aftermath. She came in at an awesome 12 pounds, 9 ounces (90th percentile) and was 23 1/4 inches in length (85th percentile). She does have a mild case of cradle cap (as Donald pointed out, that is such a terrible name) - and it might not clear up for months!! Lots of exfoliation.

Abi getting checked out by our awesome pediatrician, Dr. Halsell

Smiling away on the exam table...not knowing what was coming next

After baby pain 101 - with her war wounds to prove it (2 shots in her left thigh, one in her right)

Hanging with Josh

It already sounds like Abi is talking a bit gangsta by the title...but she had a great weekend hanging out with her Uncle Brian & Aunt Jenny, and especially her wonderful big cousin Josh! We've all talked about how when they're 15 there won't be any difference really in their development/abilities - but right now, WOW, Josh has a lot to teach Miss Abi! 7 months when you're a little baby is a big deal! He is all over the place, and is definitely a little boy. It made Donald and I appreciate all that we can do while Abi is immobile!

Here Come The Smiles!

About a week and a half ago, we started to notice that Abi's smiles were getting to be much more consistent, and seemed to happen at more frequent times than just gas! And we're right!! Hooray! This past week has been so much fun seeing our little lady flash us her beautiful smile, and seemingly make all the problems in the world vanish in that instant. It truly lights up her entire face - but it is sometimes hard to capture! Here are our first attempts, there will surely be many more to follow.

Going Swimming!

In the tradition of her Dad, we had to get her in the pool quickly. So yesterday we drove up to Grandma and Grandpa's and took advantage of the more mild temperatures and overcast day - swim time! The uber-cute suit is curtesy of Uncle Brian & Aunt Jenny - got to love the butt-frills!

Getting ready to go out to the pool...I might be more excited than Abi.

At first...not such a fan. Just the feet in the water was not her thing.

Now she's really enjoying it, although we think that she would have prefered to be sleeping in the pool!

Practicing her backstroke...

Hanging out in the float

And now for a little sunbathing...

Oh the joys of being one month...

So once again, I'm a little late with my post for Abi's first month birthday! It's been a fantasic month, and truly a whirlwind. I can't recall any period of life going by any faster, and really I can't imagine a 31 day period bringing greater changes to life! It's been such a joy to watch her grow (and kind of sad!). I was in the grocery store the other day, and passed a little baby in his car seat and started talking to his mom - and she told me that he was just 6 days old! Abi looked HUGE compared to him, and it made me marvel about how quickly they truly do change.



Some things we've enjoyed and delighted in this past month:

• Abi's birth and all of the wonderful family and friends that made trips to the hospital and to our apartment to meet our little lady. Beautiful memories.


• Abi's first bath - to recall, NOT a fan. However, now she really loves them!


• Figuring out how to effectively change multiple diapers - we've had multiple moments when we're mid change and Abi just starts peeing everywhere (and she raises "that" to the next level when it's just her and I at home) - Donald and I just die laughing which leaves Abi looking really confused.


• Donald and I being able to enjoy some time to ourselves and with friends thanks to the love of Grandmas!


• Watching Abi GROW! The girl loves to eat. At 5 days she had regained her hospital weight back and then some and at 2 weeks she had gained 21 ounces since birth!


• Seeing her start to take in the world. She is awake significantly more now than she was right after we brought her home, and it's amazing to see all that she notices.

Some highlights:

Just upon arrival:

Just about one week old, hanging out on her play gym:

Right after taking a bath, her towel is a butterfly! Check out her antennae:

Now she loves bathtime. Hooray!

Abi with her birthday cake! We celebrated by watching the Olympics with Mike and Rachel (thanks for taking the pic, friends!) Abi is very interested in the Olympics and insists that it is part of our daily plan.

3 weeks and then some!

OH NO! Already we have slacked a bit on her blog!! Well, our little lady is 3 weeks and 3 days already. That means that she is closer to being one month than a newborn - that kind of makes me sad!! This week has been great, we've enjoyed watching her change literally from day to day. Totally amazing. She is really starting to focus on things, especially faces. Still an awesome sleeper and eater, we are so thankful. Here is what we've been up to this week:

Cute pajamas from Grandma, she already fits them really well!

Picture with Abi's cousins Brett & Ben

Abi hanging out on her play gym, along with her buddy Miss Ladybug

Abi still hates taking a bath, but looks really stinkin' cute as a little butterfly!

Hanging out with her two grandmas - life doesn't get much sweeter!

Our great friend, Steven, came all the way from China, just to see Abi! WOW!

Abi and two of her little friends - glow-worm really confuses her when she lights up though!

My favorite picture of Abi this week, she was so content. So awesome to see pure bliss at just being alive. Lots to learn from little, beautiful babies.