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.

A Day of Firsts.

Yesterday was a day of firsts for my Audrey girl.

The 1st first was her first appointment with the pediatrician. Originally we were scheduled for an 8:15am appointment, however, we are so not on a sleeping and eating schedule yet so mommy totally overslept. Luckily they had another opening at 10:45 and we took that one. We snapped a photo while in the waiting room. I love how she's smiling!! Hehe!!

Audrey girl is doing just great! She's grown half an inch and put on .6 oz since her discharge from the hospital. The doctor said she is taller than 82% of babies in her age range. And he guesstimates based on my height and her dad's height that she will be 5'9 (which is how tall I am). 

During the appointment my angel doll was just PERFECT! They had it beyond freezing in the office and of course she had to be undressed. She let out a tiny whimper when I took off her onesie, but I quickly covered her up in a blankie her Aunt Dayle bought her and she became quiet as a church mouse. 

Then at the end of the appointment they had to prick her foot and squeeze out blood drops onto a paper for screening. My sweetie let out exactly two cries and then did this,.....

Yep. Curled up on her mommy and fell asleep while they squeezed her poor little foot for about 10 minutes. PERFECT BABY!!

The 2nd first was so very precious. Audrey laughed out loud for the first time today. She had her little eyes closed and let out the cutest little giggle you've ever heard! I've read that when babies smile at a young age it's really gas and I assumed when they laughed it was the same thing. I've had a couple of people say that it's not gas and that she really is laughing. Not sure if there is science or not to back up either theory but I will take it as being a real laugh! So cute! 

The 3rd and final first was Audrey's first sink bath. While Nonni was changing her diaper we had a bit of an accident (several accidents, actually) and it seemed like the perfect time to break out the baby bather. Nonni was happy to be the first at giving the bath while mommy snapped some pictures. 

It was a very big day for my girl and a big day for mommy too! I am so excited about the many others to come!!! I love her so much it's insane!!! 

The Audrey Archives

If you are at all interested in seeing the past week played out in pictures, hop on over to Nonni's (my mom's) blog and enjoy! She is my unofficial "Audrey" photographer and I do believe she is loving the job!

Nonni's Blog 

Mom's the Word

Happy Monday afternoon, everyone! I hope you all had a fabulous weekend. Mine was pretty calm (with the exception of a runaway dog for a short time).  My mom spends Mother's Day with her mother every year and since my nana lives a couple of hours away, I'm not usually able to join them (dog issues again.) So, I'm used to just hanging out by myself on Mother's Day. That will change next year though! Audrey will take me out to a fabulous brunch, I'm sure of it. ;)

Speaking of Mother's Day, I didn't really do an MD post last week, so I thought I would do one today!

Several years ago my mom gave me a diary that she had kept during her pregnancy with me. At the time, I glanced through it and found it sweet, but other than there wasn't too much of an emotional connection to it. But once I became pregnant with Audrey, I found myself suddenly drawn back to it. She starts writing even before she knows that she's pregnant and it continues a year or two past my birth. I've had such fun going back and seeing where she was in comparison to my pregnancy; reading about her experiencing some of the same things that I am and also some things that I have not experienced (she had horrible heartburn, I have been blessed to have none.)  Last night I decided to see if she had written anything when she was exactly as far along as I am (with precisely 5 weeks to go.) She had.

Saturday, November 9, 1985

"Didn't sleep well last night. Felt like "little bit" was crossways across my stomach. I could only lay on my back. (P.S.) Picked up curtains for my nursery."

FYI, I was known as "little bit" or "little one" up until I was born because they didn't want to find out what they were having until then. I am so happy my mom saved this for me. It's been great fun looking back and imagining her in my shoes. 

Next, I know you're all probably sick of baby shower pictures by now, but bear with me through one more post and I will try my best to stop. :) 

I think I've mentioned it before, but in case I haven't, I am a Pinterest fanatic. And even since before I became pregnant with Audrey, I've had a baby board. Well, awhile back I saw a pin that I fell in love with. It was a saying/sign that read "The only thing better than having you for a mother, is my children having you for a grandmother."  Loved. Pinned. Done.  Well, upon learning I was pregnant, I started going back through the board to look at things that I had pinned and to see what I might actually use. I used some of the poses I had pinned for my maternity pics, some tips on shopping etc. During my search, I came across that saying and decided that it would be the perfect gift to give my mom. I then strategically set out to find out what she wanted to be called. That took a lot longer than expected (you can read about her journey to her "grand name" here) and I was beginning to wonder if I would ever be able to get the sign printed!! I had in my mind that I wanted to present it to her at my shower and in order to have it custom made, I needed some time. Finally she settled on "nonni" and I went to work hunting down the right print type, backing material, etc. via Etsy. Several of the places that made the sign wouldn't customize the wording, but after a hunt I was able to find exactly what I was looking for. Luckily it came in time for my shower and I was able to give it to her. I think she likes it.  ;)

Well,. there you have it! A post-Mother's Day post about my mother (aka nonni.) I sure do love her bunches and can't wait to share my sweet baby girl with her!!

P.S. No news on the baby front. Still pregnant, no signs of labor, 5 weeks to go until my due date, 2 weeks until the we enter the "safe" zone. And yes, I will be trying home remedies for inducing labor. Ready to meet my little miss!