We've Got a Heavyweight (and very cute) Baby on our Hands!

OK, maybe not "Heavyweight" status exactly, but this girl is growing and gaining weight like a champ all of a sudden! The last time we went in for a weight check (almost 3 weeks ago) she had gotten up to 6 lbs 11 oz. We were so happy because 5 days before that she was just at 6 lbs 5 1/2 oz. (Her birth weight was 6.14).

We went in today and she was a whopping 8lbs 10 1/2 oz! The nurse was astounded and so was I! Thank ya Lord!

And here are some darling preview pics of a photo session we had with my wonderful friend Emily of Snaps Photography in Jacksonville. (I've added her website to my list on the right if you want to check it out). She does a great job as you can see! I can't wait to see the rest of the pics from our session, but here's a few...

Sweet baby!

Surprised face!

Sassy!

Smiley!

Sneaky!

(Notice I'm having a "moment" and Moriah is looking away with disinterest like "C'mon Mom!"



5 Weeks and 2 Days...Time is Flying!

Wow, I can't believe 2 weeks have passed since I've posted. We've been quite busy. Moriah is continuing to grow and change and get sweeter every day! She's even been gaining some more weight and is getting a little belly. We go in for a weight check this next week, so we'll see exactly how much.

Since the last post, we've done several "firsts:"

*Billy and I went on our first "post-baby" date
*We've made 2 trips to Gilmer
*Moriah and I went to Jacksonville to get pics made and visit friends
*We've gone on a few stroller walks
*We've been visited by Uncle Joe, Aunt Barbara, and Adam

Napping on Pop's shoulder when he came to visit a couple weeks ago

Hanging out with Tootsie, Joe, and Barb...(I'm a real lively hostess) haha!

Chillin with my big "brother" Adam while Daddy gets the stroller together

Going on our first stroll through the neighborhood!

Trying out a little ponytail with my bow...I have so much hair!

Here's a close up...sometimes I get wild eyes!

At Tootsie and Pop's house...relaxing in Tootsie's arms

Lounging with Pop

3 Weeks and 1 day...

Dear Moriah,

You are over 3 weeks old now and I can't believe it! You have brought more joy to our lives than we could've imagined. Being your Mama is so fun and exciting (and challenging)! Your daddy and I have fallen more in love with each other and you every single day. You are growing and changing so much and you do so many cute things! Here are some things about you right now that I don't want to forget...

-You're becoming more aware and your eyes are much more alert.
-You LOVE getting a bath and having your head scrubbed, as well as brushed. It seems to calm you. You even fell asleep in the bath that Tootsie and I gave you on Monday. You like it warm like your Mama!
-You've started smiling and it melts my heart every time you do it! (not sure if you're actually smiling on purpose at this point but I still love it). You really smile whenever I wipe your mouth at feeding time. Guess you're glad to get the mess off your face!
-You're a pretty good burper.
- Now that we are supplementing your diet with formula, you've gained some weight and started pooping more! At the dr Tuesday you were up to 6 lb 11 oz! yay!
- You scrunch up your nose sometimes and it's so cute.
- You've started spitting out your gas drops...you used to love them but now not so much. Girl, you need those drops! Guess I'll have to start sneaking them in your bottle.
- Which brings me to my next point....you are the most beautiful baby girl but you have some TOXIC gas! Especially when you haven't pooped in awhile. Bless your heart. I have to say "Excuse her!" for you when we have company!
- Sometimes you pee when I'm changing your diaper and get your outfit all wet. Then we have to change. But it's ok, Mama is learning!
- You love to kick your legs everywhere when we try to change your diaper. You also love to lay on your changing table which is nice. I think you like the soft cover.
- Your hair is dark and mainly straight, but has some kinky, curlyish parts to it. I wonder what it will end up looking like?! It's thicker on the sides and in the back. And you have a little patch of thick long hair on top near your crown. From the day you were born, the bottom part in the back has gone past your collar, which we think is hilarious. You are on the verge of having a mini-mullet my dear. Business in the front, Party in the back!
- You like to sleep on your side, with your knees up, and you MUST have your hands up near your face at all times. Lord forbid if I put them inside the cover or you will be squirming and whining to get them out.
- At this point, you're not a huge fan of the paci but you will take it at times and enjoy it.
- You are such a beautiful, sweet baby. You have such a pleasant disposition and are just so precious!
- Your daddy adores you! He loves to snuggle with you, hold you for hours, read to you, and pray for you! I can't wait for you to start getting to "know him" better as you grow. You're gonna love him so much! You've got an awesome Daddy and he helps me so much with you!

I love you so very much, sweet girl, and I can't wait to see what God has in store for you. I pray you will fall in love with Him and seek Him and find the joy and excitement that comes with following Him. You are an answered prayer right before our eyes and we love you more than words can say.

Love,
Mama : )





Update and Few Pics from Moriah's 1st Week

I know, real catchy title huh....

Ok, so I'm a little behind with the pics. It's hard to believe today was Moriah's due date...however she's already 2 weeks and 1 day old! She's already changed so much in 2 weeks it's amazing. We went for her weight check yesterday and found out she's not gaining as much as we had hoped for. I keep telling her how lucky she is that she is being asked by the doctor to GAIN weight and this will likely not happen again in her life so she needs to take advantage of it! She's just not hearing me right now with the weight issue. I know, it's a sensitive subject for Mothers and Daughters to discuss...

I'm going to put some of her weights so I won't forget...Skip if needed....Her birthweight was 6 lbs 14 oz. She left the hospital at 6 lbs. 7 oz. She was 6 lbs 3 oz at her 2 day check up. The doctor wanted her to be at least 6 lbs 6oz by yesterday but she was just 6lbs 5 1/2 oz. It is very normal and expected for babies to lose some of their birth weight several days after birth. However, they usually gain it back by 2 weeks.

 Turns out Little Mo is not the most vigorous eater...which makes me wonder how much Pate blood she's got running through her veins! I've had to do all kinds of "fun" things to try to keep her alert and eating...so NOT fun actually! (things such as rubbing her spine somewhat hard--per the doctor's instructions, putting cold rags on her, undressing her to get her cold, etc.) I don't mind doing what I have to do to get her to eat, even if it makes her somewhat uncomfortable, but man is it a hassle to go through all that rigamaroll!!! (sp?)  

Thank the Lord she's been eating better the last few days and all that hasn't been necessary! It's also helped that we've started supplementing with an ounce of formula every other feeding. It's funny how she's been doing better at breastfeeding since we've added the formula. Not sure why but I'll take it! Perhaps it wets her appetite?!

We are still working on pooping as well. She likes to not poop for several days and then get a mini-suppository and fill like 4 diapers full! This girl likes to wait for it, wait for it....then KABOOM! Well, it sure is nice not to have to change all those dirty diapers every day but I wish for her sake she would be a little more regular!

Tootsie left yesterday....that will need to be a whole 'nuther post! What a special and wonderful time we had with her here...and to say she was a big help is the understatement of the year! Oh I cried when she left--not so much out of sadness but just out of GRATITUDE and humble disbelief at how much we are undeservedly blessed! And just what an awesome time the 3 generations of us girls had together!

Well here are some pics from last week...I'll have to get some new ones up soon because she's already changing so much!

Here's Moriah sleeping on the foot rest of the "big chair" in the living room while Daddy sits on the floor and adores her! Guess who has someone tied around their little finger already?!!

Here's Granny (one of Moriah's great grandmothers) holding her- last Tuesday Jan. 25th I believe?



Sweet baby girl taking a nap last Wednesday January 26th

We enjoyed a snow day today (snuggling indoors) with Daddy! Hope everyone is staying warm and cozy as well! We are just falling more in love with this sweet baby every day and are so thankful she's been entrusted to us. Have a great weekend!