Annie and I

Do you ever just miss New York? I mean REALLY miss New York- like an old boyfriend or a favorite pillow that you accidently left in the Sheraton. Okay- don't freak out, I'm not missing any old boyfriends- but I am missing New York like a break up I never got over. So... Annie and I have been planning our first trip back. We are going to the American Girl store for a Tea Party and a doll (but not in that order- did you know they serve the dolls in their own little chairs with matching dishes?), then I will take Annie shopping at Daffy's and dinner at John's. We will end the night with the Rockettes and turn in at Sea Port. The following morning we will meet up with Quinn and fly to the Atlantis for Christmas. Doesn't it sound perfect? Oh how I can't wait! In the meantime, here is what Annie and I have been doing:

{SCMS: I went back to work less than 2 weeks after Annie was born. The later pic is of me at back-to-school night trying desperately to play down my two new and enlarged hindrances.}

{BATH TIME: This is Annie after her first real bath. It takes two we discovered quite quickly because she is super slippy. She liked it at first but was a bit scared when she realized she had no idea what was going on.}


{THE TWINS: My best friend and cousin had twins a month before I had Annie. We had the same due date. We have been dying to see each other and each others' kids for so long. It was absolutely surreal to be together plus 3! We are so taken aback by the whole awesomeness of it.}


{GRANDMA SHE SHE: QM stayed with us and helped with baby sitting during a CRAZY work week. Annie and QM got along swimmingly and she will be back soon to brush Annie's hair again.}


{FIRST OFFICIAL OUTING: I took Annie to the Pine Valley Fireman's dinner and tested out the UppaBaby Vista 2010 for the first time. It rode like a dream! Annie's always got one foot out no matter what I do. She is so long.}







{MAGIC: Momdom is thee coolest trip I've ever been on. Like a drug or stimulant. No matter how much sleep I loose or how many sickening and jiggly things happen to my body... no matter how much spontaneity I've lost, or money I've spent on hip new gadgets, I KEEP COMING BACK FOR MORE with a huge smile on my face. She is so stinkin' awesome!}



{GENERATIONS: We headed to the cabin after dinner for my Grandma Metcalf's birthday. Annie is the best baby. She never cries, smiles almost on cue, and still has most of her hair (which is really important to me). Plus, she looks like she could be super reflective in the future, like she's contemplating Edward Abbey or Kate Chopin or something... Fine- maybe Kate Chopin is a little twisted for a baby but Ralph Moody at least.}



{TUMMY TIME: Annie is happy. Apparently the woes of life have not affected her yet. The second shot is her first tummy rumble. She liked it.}


{GRANDMA POLLY: My grandma practically raised me so it has been quite a special thing to share Annie with her. She called me with aching arms so I rescued her by bringing Annie to Hurricane last night to abate the pain with a cute little baby. Annie looked and looked at Grandma Polly so intently is was as if they were long lost friends. I know Annie recognized her.}




YOU'RE INVITED
Q is blessing Annie this Sunday
Bluff Street Church
9 am
Brunch to follow

P.S. I've finally stopped calling Annie Bud. I think.

Annie Annie Annie Annie Annie

It's true. Despite my better judgement I have become a child brag blogger. I was determined that I wouldn't step into the waters of "look at my kid all the time" blogdom, but I can't help it no matter how much I try! Annie is the coolest thing since thin crust pizza. My best friend Erika took these pics when Annie was 8 days old. You should have seen me trying to fit into something somewhat decent for a photo op. Erika is THEE best photographer ever but she's an even better friend. I hate asking friends to do stuff because they feel like they can't say no... well, even if it was Erika's vacation and I felt totally guilty for asking, I'm SO SUPER glad we had her take these pics. Annie is already different- more chubby to be exact (a fact I take personal pride in). Incidentally she cried last night. It totaled a 60 second cumulative but it was so cute. So now I know she can cry and I'm not super duper worried. We are taking her on her first field trip tomorrow. The annual fireman's dinner in Pine Valley. Can't wait. Enjoy the cuteness and check out Yellow Pear Photography:






Don't you LOVE the chair?! Someone stopped us on the way to the shoot because they thought we were throwing it away and they wanted it. We plan to use this fabulous chair in a yearly Annie photo to show her growth through the years. Fun tradition, way fun chair! This picture is also super sentimental because Annie s wearing my little green dress from when I was a baby!

Baby Annie

Here are some pics of Annie (she is so cute!)

We don't have internet and I am going mad without it... no really,
I think I may die of no-internet-accetosis!
By Friday or else... I don't care what I have to pay.

Anyhow, back to Annie:
12.5 days after Annie was born, I went back to work. I had some trepidation about it but it is great. I feel great, Annie is doing terrific. I keep wondering when the post-pardem is going to strike or when we are going to have a mental health stress break down, but so far, so totally good. I'm taking to motherdom like a duck to water. Who would have ever thought? Better have another right away.

These are a few hospital shots:

BELOW: This is our drive home from the hospital. Annie just took it all in as usual. She is completely teeny! - but her eyes are always focused on someone or something.

ABOVE: I brought Annie in- promptly changed into my grandma nightgown with adapted Velcro, sat in my fabulous rocking chair with her, and cried cried cried tears of joy. It was an overwhelming moment of pure ecstasy. I've never felt anything like it.

ABOVE: Annie sleeps with her hands on her cheeks.
BELOW: After her first sponge bath.

BELOW: First doctor visit. All her doctors and nurses keep saying she is extraordinarily alert for a newborn. She already recognizes voices and people and will stare at me forever. She also smiles on cue and reacts to stimuli with facial expressions. I'm convinced she is some sort of genius.

BELOW: First cruise in the amazing UppaBaby Vista 2010

I absolutely LOVE it! All the things I was super freaked out about have been a cinch! Even though I started teaching school and dance a bit early, things have been smooth sailing. Mostly the worst thing is that I still can't fit into any of my clothes for work so my outfits are getting super creative. Annie never ever cries (knock on wood). She just fusses a bit until she can tell us what she wants. She hasn't lost any of her dark hair-in fact it is longer-and I am working very hard to fatten her up as soon as possible. We detected a dimple on her right cheek last week! Basically life is grand. We are so beyond happy in our little annex apartment (big surprise because we thought it would be hard making the down grade). I have two terrific jobs. Annie is fantastic! I often think she read the baby handbook before hopping down from heaven because sometimes it looks as though she does things just because she knows babies should do them- she whimpers, grunts, is a professional stretcher, and best of all are her little squeaks! She acts like a damsel in distress that needs to be saved by an adoring mother! No problem says me. My mom gave her the nickname of bird because she looks a baby chick opening her mouth when she is hungry. I call her Annie Bird- It's better than Bud which is what I used to call her before I got used to the fact that she wasn't a boy... still a shocker. Q calls her Bubsy. We don't know why. So life is outstanding... all except for the fact that we don't have internet. Mom says this is what happens when you wait tell your 30 and can afford to buy all the hottest baby gear. Maybe. The payback is that you have 30-year-old cottage cheese to go with the sudden boob boom and muffin top. I've exchanged Baby Bjorn for a mandatory C-section and stretch pant wardrobe.