First Pediatric Visits...

{I am still working on catching up for my journaling purposes so bare with me}

Annie had her first visit to our pediatrician, Dr. Taylor, just five days after she was born.

When we left the hospital she weighed 6 pounds 1 ounce.

At her visit she was back up to her birth weight - 6 pounds 6 ounces.

I was thrilled!

Nana Staples got to be there for the appointment and loved meeting our doc.

All was well and he said he'd take a closer look at her kidney later on.

For now, he wanted us to focus on getting sleep and helping her eat.

We could do that!

He also gave us the thumbs up on the pacifier 

{I was told not to give it to her until she had gotten the hang of nursing}

and Annie has been in heaven ever since.

We had our 2 week check up just 10 days later.

Nana Barker was in town for this visit so both Grandma's got to meet Dr. Taylor.

Annie weighed 6 pounds 14 ounces putting her in the 10th percentile for her weight and the 20th percentile for her height.

Dr. Taylor ordered an ultrasound to take a look at her kidney but says he isn't worried in the slightest.

Neither are we!

We have the ultrasound this Friday.

James was lucky enough to get to come to both appointments as well.

Naturally he had fun joking with our doctor.

When he first asked, "how are you doing"

James quickly replied, "well...she's alive!"

Dr. Taylor thought this was hysterical and said - 

"that is all I care about."

He prepped us for baby acne and some fussy nights.

I am sure glad he did.

All looked well and we are proud of our little munchkins growth.

2 Weeks

Weight: 6 pounds 14 ounces

10th percentile

Height: 19.5 Inches

20th percentile

Annie :: 1 Month

My itsy bitsy Annie May turned one month old this week. I have a lot of blogging to catch up on but I wanted to write down a few, ok a lot, of things about Annie during her first month of life. I don't blame you for not reading these - it is mostly for my purposes. I am sure they will get shorter with each month.

Everyone says she looks like her dad. I agree completely and love it. I really can't see any of me in her. Barker baby for sure.

She has more hair on the back of her head than in the front and has random long spots. It has gotten quite blonde over the last four weeks. We are shocked - who knew it changed so quickly.

Her eyes are looking really blue.

She is a complete mama's girl at this point. I can't tell you how much it melts my heart. But I do feel bad for James. I am sure this will slowly change as she gets to a more playful age.

She is still in newborn clothes and diapers. I am shocked. She does wear some of her 0-3 months but they clearly drown her.

She is a total binkie baby. She will suck on just about anything though. I catch her sucking on her thumb every now and again. It is pretty cute - but my dentist Dad would say otherwise.

She is also a blanket baby. I have had several people notice it.

She falls asleep best when her head is on my chest and she is in the froggy position. When she is trying to fall asleep on James she does the froggy legs and snuggles right into his chin - grunting the whole time. It is weird and funny.

She constantly keeps her hands up by her face - she was like that in her ultrasounds.

She loves white noise.

Sometimes she likes being swaddled - sometimes not.

She spits up a few times a day - but just a little.

She has had baby acne for about 10 days but we think it is going away.

She is a great burper - it is going to be lovely once we start taking her out more and more I am sure.

From day one she has been a great eater and nursing has been really easy - other than the whole milk coming in saga. {That was rough. Painful. Huge. And absolutely hysterical} She opens her mouth and sticks out her tongue to let us know she is hungry. She eats every two hours - if not every hour and a half. It makes going anywhere challenging but I hear it will get easier. For now I am completely content staying in my pajamas and looking into those deep blue eyes. Her stomach does not do well when I eat beans or dairy. I have cut them out for now and hope she gets more used to them over time.

Sleeping is definitely not her strong suit. She basically despises every sleeping rule. Hates sleeping on her back. Hates her bassinet. Tolerates her crib for the first few hours. And loves our bed - especially if she can sleep on my chest. Since snuggling in mom and dads bed is one thing I hope our children will do - I am already a sucker. James says we are toast when it comes to real parenting - and its true. We've pretty much given up hope on the bassinet.  I am doing the best I can and trying to get her to sleep in her crib for longer periods of time. We are up to about three hours. The rest of the night she is in our bed. Oh well.

Her eating habits spill over into the night. She eats every two hours like clock work. Yes - I am tired. James sleeps through it all. I don't know what it would take to wake that man up - but I don't mind since he is a working man and I get to stay home. I did wake him up a lot during his paternity leave purely because I wanted him to feel my pain. It usually takes her a bit to go back to sleep and for some reason she has had several blowouts and they've just happened to be in the middle of the night. One time she pooped all over James. It was classic.

She usually wakes up grunting at about 5 o'clock. Not crying - just grunting and fussing. I conclude that she is sick of me after a long night of feedings and snuggling. It is usually the only time of day that she is completely content laying on her back next to her Daddy. She quite likes her morning snuggles. James loves it so much he cuts his morning routine short so he can bask in it longer.

At around 3 weeks she really started looking around. I can still remember the first time she looked deep into my eyes. Nothing better. Now she loves anything with a lot of contrast. If I don't cover her face while rocking her to sleep she gets too distracted and it takes her forever to fall asleep. She is really looking around.

She hates her carseat. But after a few painful and unintentional {darn that California traffic} 10 minute meltdowns - she is getting better.

While we were in St. George she marked 4 weeks old - and she gave me a little smile. She is constantly trying to smile but can't quite figure that mouth out.

I told my Dad that she is really advanced with how well she can hold her head up - I swear she is. He looked at me, smiled and said "And so it begins - you already believe your kid is a superstar." I'd have it no other way.

I think she is a great baby {despite her sleeping habits} but maybe I am partial. James was extremely lucky to have quite a long paternity leave. I have loved having him around and was sad {and scared} when he had to go back. I was very thankful for the time we had at home. What a blessing it was to have him bond with Annie. Now we are on our own during the day and learning how to navigate through every day tasks like showering, cleaning and going to the store. I will admit - it is harder than I thought. I've laughed a lot - cried quite a bit - but loved every.single.second of her first month of life. I can only pray she has too.

Aunt Allison Captures Annie...

James' adorable twin sister Allison is turning into quite the photographer - 

snapping pictures of couples and newborns in D.C.

 Before Annie was born I knew I wanted someone to capture our little family in our element.

And who better to do it than James' twin?

As my mother-in-law was whipping up a tasty lunch for us

Katie, Allie and I did a quick shoot of Annie in our bedroom 

and a few of her in her crib.

{We were lucky enough to have Allie and Ann in town - I'll post about that later}

We didn't have long {like 20 minutes} but I am thrilled that we did this -

even if Annie did have a meltdown and nearly poop all over my white bed.

I wanted to remember these precious moments in our small beach apartment.

It is a unique time in our life and beyond just capturing our girly newborn in cute bows and outfits - 

I wanted to show our every day life in our home

I love how they turned out!

Thank you Allison.

We also want to wish Allison good luck this week as she embarks on a new journey at George Washington University pursuing a masters in teaching.

I can't think of anyone better suited to teach the next generation.

Go get 'em Allison!

Annie Out on the Town...

The day after we got home with Annie I knew I was going to have to get out.

We are extremely lucky to live where we do.

It was warm enough to bundle Annie up and take her for a short walk around the block.

The fresh air was just what the doctor ordered - even though it was short.

I was so worried about Annie that I didn't really think about myself.

I was a little slow the first few days.

That was a bit shocking since I was walking and even working out just one week earlier.

Needless to say I have given my body a much needed month of rest.

Naturally Wilson came along for the ride.

I couldn't stop laughing at this picture. 

James' two loves.

This is how we spent most of the first week.

Little Annie is a good sleeper.

After our outings she'd usually crash for a few hours.

James was in heaven sipping his natural cola {we are a fan of these oogave sodas}

and watching ESPN with Annie on his chest.

The next day we decided to try something a little more strenuous.

A mile long walk on our favorite trail.

Annie was a trooper and I was starting to feel better with every day.

My poor Mom has probably never thrown a football in her life.

But James was determined to teach her.

Such a crack up.

Don't mind Annie's hat over her eyes.

I can't quite find hats small enough for her bitsy head.

Annie's first real experience out on the town was at True Food - of course.

My Mom's birthday was just 10 days after Annie's birthday so we had to take her out to celebrate.

Annie slept in her carseat the entire meal - 

a miracle in itself since she hates that blasted seat.

I was so glad we got to celebrate my Mom a little.

It was the least we could do for her after she cooked us 3 meals a day for a week.

{No joke!}

But my favorite first outing was just one week after her birth.

It was my Mom's last full day in town and it was gorgeous outside.

We decided to take Annie to the beach.

It was only fitting for her one week celebration.

I used my Moby wrap.

It took us a few minutes and a few baby tears to figure this puppy out -

but once we got it she was in heaven.

We walked about two miles up the peninsula and she didn't make a peep.

We were incredibly lucky.

The hour we walked just happened to be the start of the

 2012 Newport to Ensada Sailboat and Yacht Race.

We must have seen over 300 sailboats.

These pictures do not even do it justice.

I was kicking myself for not bringing my real camera.

It was an incredible sight and I kept telling Annie it was all for her.

Annie's first week was one of the best weeks of my life.

Naturally there were the ups and downs.

Nursing was challenging at times and I was adjusting to being a new mom.

But the funny thing about that week was that I often found myself in tears nursing and rocking her.

Not out of sadness - 

but because I just love her so much.

I think I said that very statement at least 100 times that week.

I had waited a lifetime for this to happen 

but I didn't even comprehend the blissful things I would feel that first week.

It was hard to get out the door - but once we did I was so glad to get out of the house.

I am pretty sure Annie even enjoyed going out on the town.

I look back at these pictures and tear up.

Every new mom says it -

but I cannot believe how badly I want time to stand still.

Anyone figured out how to master that yet?