Anna Caroline 10 weeks

It's true. I already see it. All the great and wonderful things you did for your first child, it just doesn't seem to happen with the second (I had to pull a photo off my i phone of AC from this week in her pj's- where are the pics on my good camera in her sweet outfits- point proven) My intentions are there, I promise. My sweet friend Amy has a great blog and just had her first a few days after Anna Caroline. I am going to copy her format in hopes of doing a better job of documenting Anna Caroline.

Ten Week Stats

Weight: 10 lbs. 16 oz.

Height: 23.25 inches

Diaper Size: Size 1 or 2

Clothes Size: Size 0 to 3 months

What Anna Caroline Likes: She is so content all of the time!

We are so blessed. This week I broke out the baby bath tub and started doing her

nightly bath in the tub rather than the sink. She loves stretching out in the water.

What Ann Caroline Dislikes: I really can't think of anything

she dislikes....except when her big sister lovingly pokes her in the eye.

Best Moment of the Week: Anna Caroline had a 6 hour stretch one night.

I am praying this continues.

This has been our first week of "normal" life. There have been no visitors. No extra help. I am pleased to say we are more than surviving, but I am actually enjoying my sweet family. Matthew has done a great job of rearranging his schedule to be home in the evenings to help. That has truly been the key to our success.

Big Sis, Lil Sis

I am behind on the blogging and the updates on baby Anna Caroline. My friend Stephanie made adorable matching shirts for the girls! I have been waiting for our little peanut to get big enough to fit into it! Well at 8 weeks she has begun to grow into it. She made 8 weeks last Tuesday & I think she was somewhere between 10.5 & 11 pounds. We go next week for our official 2 month check up so I'll have to update with more accurate data then! I will share that this week (week 9) she has started talking. She was in her bed looking & listening to her mobile while I was putting clothes up & all of the sudden I heard this babble. Sure enough I went to her crib & there she was.... telling me all about it! She has also rolled from her tummy to her back 4 times in the last 2 days!!!

Mary Stewart LOVES to kiss her baby!

We needed Dee Dee & Aunt Randi there to help surpervise & make sure Anna Caroline didn't get mauled by her big sis!

I can't say enough about this SWEET girl! She has adjusted so well. It makes my heart happy to see her love for Anna Caroline. I love to hear her say "Mommy, Baby Pie." Which means mommy does baby have her pie (pacifier). So thankful!

Dan-Dee, Oh Dan-Dee

Mary Stewart is a creature of habit (I wonder where she gets it from). Her morning routine goes something like this:

She wakes up and loves being in her bed with her lovies & her pie (pacifier which she only gets when she is in her bed, so more of a reason for her to LOVE her bed). Eventually she will call out to me or I will go on in so we can get the day started.

"Good Morning Mary Stewart" I say, "Hey Mommy" she says. The she looks towards to the door & says "Hi puppy" as Maggie looks in (Maggie isn't allowed in her room). I open her blinds and proceed to ask her about her sweet dreams as I change her diaper. She usually picks out a stuffed animal or doll while I am doing this. As soon as we hit the hallway it "Randi, Randi" (pronounced dan-dee). Today is very sad. Randi isn't here. She has gone home. I really don't know who is going to be more heartbroken me or Mary Stewart (& let's not pretend how Matthew adores his baby sister).

The other day as I was feeding Anna Caroline in the nursery, I was looking around and noticed Randi's clothes, computer, etc. I started to weep (big surprise I know).

I knew I was getting the better end of the deal when Randi came to stay with us for the summer while doing an internship. What I didn't know is how much she would bless me and my family.

My sister said it best when she was visiting in June. She said, "You can just look and tell how much she loves Mary Stewart." I saw such a sweet servant heart this summer. I am weeping now........Thank You Randi for walking me through the summer.

So now I am plotting even harder to get Randi in Atlanta next summer after graduation. I am pretty sure a piece of my heart and Mary Stewart's will be missing until then.

Savoring the Summer

Summertime looks a little different around here this go round.

Anna Caroline has been doing alot of this:

(Here she is at 6 weeks! At 5 weeks she weighed 9.6 pounds.)

Mary Stewart has been doing alot of:

Hugging the baby

& kissing the baby!

Did I mention loving on the baby?

While it seems some of our days feel very long, we are thankful for friends to share it with!

Anna Caroline with her new friend Hank! They are 6 weeks apart!

Mary Stewart & Virginia love to help with their babies!

There is always plants to be watered &

pools to splash in.

Time with girls is always a must!

Hoping you are having a wonderful summer too!

My New Favorite Blog

So I have a new favorite blog........

http://scroggsland.blogspot.com/

I'm her biggest fan, but then again I always have been.

A few weeks ago my sister Holly (aka "Hattie") and Elliott ("Uncle E") came to visit. She told me how she had been blogging but hadn't gone public yet. I asked her why not. She simply responded, "I don't have kids or any major house renovation." I laughed. Is that what the blogging world has come to. Anyways I think Holly has lots to say. She is quite crafty and definitely a little Martha Stewart. Her and Elliott always have something delicious cooking in the kitchen. I also find her to be quite stylish too. Take a peak and enjoy!!

My Oh My

My Oh My, it's already been a month. Baby Anna Caroline is 1 month old! She has been such a blessing. Her temperment is sweet like Mary Stewart's and she only really fusses when she is hungry, her diaper is being changed or if her tummy is hurting. She seems pretty laid back which is good when you have Mary Stewart who is non stop!

We are thankful for a healthy and happy baby and look forward to the months to come.

Also I am happy to report Mary Stewart still loves her sister. It is so sweet to hear her say, "Hi Baby". She loves to love on Anna Caroline.

A few days ago I started thinking about my "father's day" post. As I am very blessed with the men in my life who play the role of father.

Recently I got to spend some sweet time with my own father as my parents came in to help after the arrival of Anna Caroline. There is something very sweet about a daddy and his little girl, no matter how old she is. I enjoyed just being around my dad. There is a something so refreshing as time goes on and as I "grow up" and he remains the steadfast dad I've always known.

Then there is my sweet father in love who has made me feel so welcomed and a part of his family. Today he shared with us a letter he wrote his own father, and I can say that the same qualities he admired and looked up to are so transparent in himself. Thank you for making me feel like one of your own!

Now the pressure! How do I possible put into words the wonderful father my husband Matthew is. Well the past 24 hours captures what a sweet husband and father he is....

At about 9 pm last night I had a meltdown (could be a combination of after baby hormones & sleep deprivation, but those that know me well, also know I'm sort of a cry baby anyway). It was the night before Father's Day and I didn't have a gift for Matthew nor did I have one in the mail for my own dad. I'm the person that likes to be on top of things like this. Matt calmed me down told me it was no big deal and reassured me it would be fine. It was. My dad (the least materialistic person I know wasn't worried about having a "gift") & Matthew who isn't really concerned with presents most of the time (except Christmas) were not going to be affected or think less of me. After a rather sleepless night the idea of our new family of 4 venturing off to church together wasn't looking like a reality. Matthew and Mary Stewart went and left me & Anna Caroline to nap. On the way home he ran an errand for me and then showed up at the house with my FAVORITE take out! Wait I thought this was HIS day! I am thankful for the way Matthew serves and provides for our family. He is a blessing to us!

Earlier today I asked Mary Stewart what were some of the things she LOVED about her daddy:

In no particular order:

1. I love how silly he is & how he makes me laugh!

2. I love when we go "Flying" (aka know as being thrown in the air onto the bed).

3. I love how when you put me to bed you read with me for a lonnggg time!

4. I love to snuggle with you and watch George.

5. I love how you love mommy!