One Month Old

Our little princess is one month old already! Hard to believe she was growing in me for 10 months and has now been in this world for a month....it seems like we have had her longer. She's getting out of that "newborn" look and starting to look and act more like a baby. She has a little personality, she talks and watches things....she is so involved in the world around her! God has blessed us with one month of pure bliss....can't wait to see what we experience in the months/years to come!

Above: Big hug for my daddy! Love you!

Below: The MANY faces of Stephanie Jo

Mommys 27th Birthday

I always said I wanted to have my first baby at 27 and my second at 30....well Stephanie Jo came about 3 weeks before my 27th birthday and has been a huge blessing! This little girl made this the best birthday yet! Josh gave me the James Avery "Mothers Love" ring with a very special note....being a mom is the best adventure yet! Our little family is so precious to me, I thank God daily for the blessings He has given me and the journey He has our family on. Josh and my relationship with eachother and with God has only grown stronger...I can't wait to see where He takes us next :)

Here are some pictures from the visitors we had on my birthday. The Valdez family (plus Ade) came up for my birthday, Miss Sandi came to see Stephanie and so did Josh's parents (Mum and Papi to Stephanie). This was the first time Jim had seen her and the pictures say it all.....they are just precious! My Papa and Grandma and Aunt Laura were here too....but by then Stephanie was sleeping and I had put my camera away :) Enjoy!

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Random Shots

Here are some fun shots of Stephanie Jo meeting her great grandparents (Papa and Grandma Christy), her new MIRACLE blanket (keeps her swaddled at night), hew new binky (with a cute stuffed animal that helps it stay in her mouth), some play time and her new rocking horse from Papa and Grandma Christy. Enjoy :)

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Three Weeks Old

Well I have been a mother for three weeks now and it's amazing! It's VERY hard to believe that three weeks ago (and a few more hours) she wasn't even here....WOW!!! Time has gone by super fast :( I am getting to know Miss Stephanie and her little quirks....I'm much better today at meeting her needs and know I will only get better at it. We went to a WONDERFUL store today called The Nesting Place and got another sling, some "miracle blankets" and found PLENTY of other things she and I will go back and pick up later. It is run (possibly owned) by a lactation consultant and she had plenty of tips and tricks for us. I'm sure we'll be spending plenty of time (and money) at the store :) (They do have a website, go check them out!)

We also went today to the Texas Teddy Bear Factory and built Stephanie's "Daddy Bear". I went there before school was out so it was empty. A friend (Kristin Ray) suggested that we take Stephanie's picture with one stuffed animal over the weeks/months and it's an easy way to see how much she is growing....LOVE the idea! So, of course, we had to go get a special bear for this :) Her first little "Daddy Bear" photo shoot are posted below....I took TONS of pictures...she went through a ton of emotions! Happy, Mad, REALLY mad, sleepy and then just cute and happy. Enjoy!

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Growing Fast

This is two short videos combined into one. They show Stephanie talking....she has alot to say (wonder where she gets that :) and then shows her SOUND ASLEEP in her Uncle Mikies arms....SNORING! So precious! I love my new camera! It makes catching every precious moment so easy!

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We gotta work this out.....

**Ignore mispellings! I type fast because she's waking up and spellcheck isn't working****

Well Miss Stephanie was up off and on last night from 1 until 6!!! She would ONLY sleep if she was being held on my shoulder (that's what mom and I did in the hospital and she's decided that's the only way she wants to sleep). With her sleeping I got online and did some research on Dr Sears website, looked through my Dr Sears books and also a book my good friend Kinome gave me, The Baby Whisperer (it's somewhere between attachment parenting and babywise). I have taken bits and pieces from Dr Sears and the Baby Whisperer and will see how this works for a few days. I just took what sounds good and right to me...just listening to my heart (strange how it pulls you in specific directions when really I have no idea what I'm doing!)

So far today has been MUCH better and I have actually gotten things done :) Stephanie has nursed, had some "play" time (which is my favorite) and when she gets fussy I swaddle her, snuggle her, give her a passy and then lay her down. She would fuss, I would pick her up, snuggle her some more and lay her back down....we did this about 6 times and then AMAZINGLY she went to sleep (WITHOUT being on my shoulder and rocked!!) and once she was asleep she stayed that way despite dogs barking and life going on around her. Her little cradle is in the living room so I can watch her, but also do dishes, watch some TV, do laundry and just function as a person :) So far I am feeling SO much better and the time I have with her when she's awake is so much fun! She's so precious to play with! She lays on our old mattress (in the living room) and I just play with her little hands, feet and steal as many kisses as I can.

She gets to have her FIRST BATH tonight! We'll have a bath around 8:30, then nurse and hopefully go to bed and sleep until around 2 or so (if we are able to be asleep by 10). I'll let you all know how it goes. All I know is today has been the best day of being a mommy yet! I got lots of precious time with Stephanie and also was able to do some household chores that are necessary for us to survive (like laundry and eating :)

Thanks for listening to my mommy story....will keep you posted on how things go :)

Stephanie and Gampa

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