Fatherly Facts.

If you've not been following me long, or perhaps have just forgotten (wink wink), my choice of a donor was an interesting process. You can read about it in my previous post, The Donor Discussion.

Anyway, last night I got more information on my donor to keep for Audrey. I'm compiling all of the info that they will give me and keeping it for her. Originally, I had his profile summary but not the complete profile. I decided to wait until she was born to get that. Well, after doing so last night (along with his audio interview), I found out several things that I think are totally cool. Here they are:

1. He is a singer (tenor). He also plays the guitar, piano and trumpet

If you know anything about my family, you know that we (THEY) are musical. I missed that boat entirely, but pretty much everyone on my mom's side of the family is musical, even going back to my 2nd great grandfather, who recorded the first ever phonographic recording of Cotton-Eyed Joe (you can read that story here, on my aunt's blog.) So hopefully Audrey will take after her father and MY mother's family and not HER mother. Ha!

2. He is ambidextrous, as are his parents.

I find this fascinating (as I do with all people who are ambidextrous). I am one of two known people in my family who are left-handed, so I am excited to see what miss Audrey will end up being.

3. He is an only child. 

I am an only child and it's possible that Audrey will be an only child. Don't know why, but I find that cool.

4. He speaks, writes and reads three languages: English, French and Portuguese. 

I knew by his profile summary that he was half Portuguese (making my daughter 1/4 Portuguese) but I had no clue he was fluent in the language! His grandfather was French, and I'm assuming that's where the French portion comes into play. I speak no other language, but would love for my daughter to be able to speak another language. Maybe I'll invest in Rosetta-Stone and we can both learn! Hehe.

5. He is very involved with his community, including being a part of Big Brother/Big Sister.

In 2011, I joined the Big Brother/Big Sister program. I ended the match when I moved to where I am now, as the commute was crazy and I knew with the baby coming, I would not be able to invest the time that I should. However, it is still something I am passionate about and plan to be involved later on down the road. I also plan to get Audrey involved as well.

There were several other things I found to be interesting, but those were the ones that really stood out. I find it so cool how many similarities are between us (minus the language part, ha!). I am super excited to watch Audrey grow and see what traits and attributes she has/picks up.

Final note, I think she's going to be taller than I am. I'm 5'9. He's 6'2. My mother is 5'5. My father is 6'2. His mother is 5'8. His father is 6'2.  Sounds like WNBA player in the works to me!

My long-limb child! 

Fleas and Family.

Fleas??  Yes, fleas. Apparently one of the two fleas that I found on Charlie over a month ago laid eggs and they decided to hatch right as I got home with a newborn baby. Oh what a joy it's been. I discovered them about a week ago when I spotted two of them on Audrey's bassinet. You can imagine the panic that ensued. We slept on the couch that night. The next day I had my apartment complex spray for them and we went back later that evening. Within the first 5 minutes of being home, I spotted two fleas and one spider. We packed up and went to Nonni's. And....we're still here. Apparently the flea treatment works over a period of 6 days during which you have to vacuum every day to ensure that the larva are killed and removed. I also went above and beyond and did some bug bombing and even did some flea powder under my bed this evening. Lord willing and the creeks don't rise (old Southern saying), we will be going home on Wednesday. I am so grateful to Nonni for letting us stay with her, but I am ready to be in my home!!! And while I know she will miss Audrey, I'm not sure about me and I know she won't miss the dog! Ha!

During our stay with Nonni, we decided to go and visit my grandparents. They had yet to meet angel girl and were greatly wanting to do so.  So, Saturday we loaded up the car and set out on Audrey's first road trip. It's a two hour ride and she did AMAZING. Slept the entire way there and the entire way home without making one peep.  My nana and papa were so happy to meet the newest family addition. They ooed and ahhed over her. My nana especially loved holding her while she slept and papa enjoyed talking to her while she was awake.

My papa talking to Audrey girl. 

My nana holding Miss Audrey. 

Mommy kissing the most precious feet. 

4 generations. Audrey, me, my mom (Nonni) and my nana

It was a great trip and I'm so glad we got to see them! Hopefully we get to do it again soon.

Life, though frustrating and tiring, is grand these days. Every day I wake up to the most amazing little girl ever. I used to live my life looking forward to planned events, trips, vacations etc. But now I look forward to every waking moment of life. I look forward to waking up at 3:00 am just so I can see her precious face. She is everything I hoped for and more.

I'm not sure if my theory is correct or not, but I think it has a good shot at being right. Audrey's favorite place to sleep is curled up on my chest in the fetal position. While thinking about it today it hit me that perhaps it's because she can hear my heartbeat that way, just like she did in the womb. No matter the reason, it's truly the most amazing feeling in the world having my daughter's favorite place to sleep being curled up on her mommy.  I love her to the moon and back.

Picture Perfect

As previously stated, my shower was amazing.  Here are some snapshots from the day. Hope you enjoy!

Audrey's Baby Shower

All photos courtesy of Megan Ella Photography

Audrey's Mom.....Baby Shower Saga: Part 2

If you read my last post, you know that I was incredibly distraught Friday evening. After discussing it with my mom and bestie, we decided to opt for the outdoor option. My apartment really is tiny in a sense of hosting a party and it just made sense to have more room, especially since we didn't have a final head count. We had a plan to combat the cold. Several people washed up sweaters and blankets to hand out to my guests and my mom got at 42 cup coffee pot to have set up. Then we crossed our fingers and said our prayers and let it go.

Well, the weather turned out to be PERFECT! There were a few gusts of strong wind that sent a couple of things flying, but nothing that couldn't be handled. Everything was just beautiful. My bestie did an AMAZING job at decorating and really bringing who I am and my personality to the entire thing.  The crowd size was perfect. It ended up that out of the 19 that had yet to RSVP, I think maybe 2 finally did (I will NEVER understand that. Horrible etiquette, but sadly, how it is these days.) BUT the guests that were there are so very near and dear to my heart and it was great to see faces that I hadn't seen in awhile. I have pictures from my photographer (Megan Ella Photography) and once I have them, I will show you all the loveliness. Insert shameless plug here: Megan is an incredible photographer should you be in need of one. Several of my guests were highly impressed with her and she even impressed my momma (which can be hard to do as a photographer.)

 All in all many fabulous memories were made and I couldn't have been more pleased. I will share one particular moment of the day that left most everyone in giggles and left me, well....with a large and wonderful dose of reality.

In opening gifts, most of the cards were addressed to: Leslie and Audrey, or Audrey etc. Well one particular gift was addressed to "Audrey's Mom."  Call it instinct, but to me the word "mom" only applies to one person: my mom. So, I grabbed the present and without giving it any thought, handed it to my mother. "Here mom, this is for you."  It took a few seconds but it finally sunk in. "Oh! That's ME! I'm Audrey's mom!" Everyone laughed, including myself, but it actually went much deeper than just a silly mistake. I've never been "mom" to anyone before. Well, Charlie's mom, but she can't actually call me mom. So no one has ever called me "mom" before. When I think about it I'm overwhelmed with emotions; yes, some caused by the pregnancy I'm sure. But for the most part, I know they are just my true feelings. I've wanted so long for someone to call me mom and now it's finally about to happen. I'm humbled and ecstatic at the same time. While I am a woman who wants to hold on to her own sense of self after having a child, I am beyond thrilled and ready to be known as Audrey's mom.