Never Say Never

If you had told me 2 months ago that I would be co-sleeping with Abby, I would have laughed at you. Since our sweetpea has acid reflux, the ONLY way we can get her to go to sleep and stay asleep is propped up on me in bed with us. It hasn't been all bad even though I know the possible dangers of co-sleeping. It's been easier nursing her throughout the night and waking up to her cuddling beside me is beautiful beyond words. I will always treasure these memories. However, the screaming routines we go through nightly to get her asleep, I'll remember those too but not quite so fondly. However, I've been doing tons of research on how to help babies with GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) to sleep better, and there happens to be a special bed out there designed for babies just like Abby. It's called an amby baby hammock. After pulling the money together, Bryan and I found one for sale in Slidell for half the price of a new one (it's only 5 days old). Tonight will be Abby's first night in the amby bed, and we are excited and hopeful. Maybe we can transition her out of our bed and into a bed she will like even better than ours! Say a prayer for us!

Be Sure Your Sins Will Find You Out

Last night, while I was busy caring for Abby, Peeperz became impatient for his supper. He climbed down from his window perch via the curtain and climbed up to the area where I keep my fruit and ate "my" last banana. Cunningly, he climbed back up the curtain to his perch when he sensed Bryan was coming to check on him. Peeperz was caught in the act (almost). I placed Peeperz beside his spoil for this photo. Note the apprehension on his face- he knows he is in trouble.

Baby Blanket Photo Shoot

I took photos of Abby on our old baby blankets yesterday... kind of incredible thinking that it was only 25 years ago when we were using the same blankets for ourselves. =c)

Why is it hard to believe the unborn is a baby?

<---Abby- 4 weeks old (left)

Abby at 30 weeks gestation in her 3D ultrasound (right)--->

<--Abby- 8 days old (left)

Abby at 30 weeks gestation in her 3D ultrasound (right) -->

Abby Shark

Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation. 1 Peter 2:2

Seeing how Abby responds so frequently and eagerly day and night to mealtimes convicts me on how poorly I hunger for God's Word and challenges me to dig into it more.

Abby Shark (Abby's nickname for feeding times due to her aggressive mealtime attitude- note the Abby Shark face captured at 8 days old)

Why I Thank God for Zantac

Abby 30 minutes after her morning dose (trust me, she was not this peaceful 40 minutes ago)...

New Experience for January

Staying true to my New Year's Resolution, I made a very experimental but quite tasty dessert sandwich today with my new panini press. I toasted a peanut butter, marshmallow, chocolate sandwich. Before you discredit this sandwich with a frown, you need to try it first. I was going to post a photo, but I forgot and ate it too quickly (yes, I'm serious). It was quite yummy. Please join me for a snack one day, and I'll prove it to you!

Sleepy Wraps are Wonderful!

I just got Abby's Sleepy Wrap in the mail today. It's amazing, and I wish I had ordered one earlier. It's a very comfortable baby wrap that holds your baby safely and comfortably close to you so both of your hands can be free again. Abby fell asleep less than 5 minutes after I put her in it and has been asleep since (1 hour and counting).

Some of the benefits of baby wearing according to recent studies:
Carried babies....

• Cry less
• Are healthier (Gain weight faster, have better motor skills, better coordination, increased muscle tone, and sense of balance)
• Become independent faster (making them more confident and less clingy)
• Sleep better
• Learn more
• Are happier (they feel secure and loved)

That's my plug for Sleepy Wraps. Buy one for a new mom! They're comfortable, affordable, and so worth every penny.

2 Exciting Updates

1. Abby had her 1 month checkup yesterday and is doing really well. She is now 9 lb 12.5 oz and 21 3/4 inches long. They couldn't believe she had gained so much weight in the past few weeks... she had dropped down to 7 lb 1 oz when she was sick. Also, since Abby has been having a rough time with tummy troubles in the past few weeks, the doctor has prescribed Zantac twice a day to control her acid reflux. Pray that this works and that she starts feeling much better soon. Thank God for good news!
2. This past Sunday was our 1 year anniversary at Cambridge Baptist Church. I'm still staying home with Abby until she starts feeling better, but they presented Bryan with a sweet card, cash, and a new upright freezer for our home. Very thoughtful and appreciated! They had a reception for us that night after church which I was able to attend while my mom watched Abby. We praise God for a good first year and look forward to many more to come.Photo of our New Freezer

My Conclusion

While feeling overwhelmed and frustrated from all of the opinions (not just suggestions) tossed at me on how I should raise little Abby, I have come to this conclusion... I need more Jesus in my heart.

P.S. For those of you reading this, on my behalf, be kind to new mothers and give advice carefully and considerately in moderation.

Resolved for 2009

Personal resolutions for this coming year- 2009

• Understand God and His Word more fully through Scripture study, memorization, and listening to solid biblical teaching on a weekly basis (outside of usual church services)
• Be a consistent, loving, and settled Titus 2 woman of Biblical virtue with a God-centered world view
• Care less about what others think and more about what God praises
• Love Bryan as Scripture teaches a wife should- to keep him 2nd in the order of priorities after my relationship with God- to make him feel respected and loved so that he may feel secure and cherished in our marriage- to build him up and support him at home so that his ministry to the outside world may thrive in a way that draws others to Christ
  
• Train Abby in the disciplines and teachings of Jesus so that she may begin to understand from infancy the love, wonder, and glory of our great God and the beauty of this life He has given us
• Make our home a place of joy, love, and security- a refuge from the outside world to all who may enter in
• Find ways to serve our church and its ministries joyfully and fully that fit in with my spiritual gifts
  
• Be more intentional with relationships with others, especially family and close friends
  
• Guard my mouth and the thoughts of my heart more closely
  
• Try something new every month, whether it is an activity, recipe, craft, or etc.