Day Dreamer

What does a newborn think about? Abigail's gentle nature allows her to lay peacefully staring at the world around her, a world that is often filled with the mayhem of a two year old, bubbly boy. During the day she can most often be found snuggled up next to her momma perfectly content. Just this week I received the greatest gift, an Ergo baby carrier, from Grandma Bittle. Oh how it has changed my life. This precious little girl has such a quite spirit and loves nothing better than to be held close.

Laughter. It's the beautiful sound filling our home right now as Hudson plays with Dan in the living room. You'll have to excuse me if my thoughts seem a bit choppy, but I am having a hard time focusing on anything other than the fun that radiates from the other room. In fact, I'll have to get back to you with some of the thoughts I've been having and want to share with you. I am reading the best book and want to tell you about the impact it is having on me...thanks Rebecca for recommending it to me. What is it? You'll just have to check back in a day or two to find out, but trust me, it is amazing.

Abigail's "happy cake"

Hudson loves to sing the "happy cake to you" song so we thought we'd celebrate Abigail's first week with a little dessert.

 

 

 

Treasured Moments

She's one week old today. What a beautiful, amazing, treasured week. I don't know how else to describe the last seven days. I sit watching my two children and can't imagine being happier or more content than I am right now. I've often heard of the baby blues, but is there such a thing as baby bliss? We each are enamored with Abigail in our own special way. I love to sit, studying her every feature trying to capture each smile permanently in my memory. Dan loves to have her snuggled up on his chest, to which she gladly obliges as she is quite the snuggle bug and the perfect candidate for baby wearing. Hudson loves to "hold it" and has found his place in being her helper. He helps her by getting the diapers and wipes for me when it is time to change her, he sings "tinkle tar" to her when she cries and snuggles her in his bed at night after stories and loves to kiss her forehead. He has welcomed her into our home without a second thought or twinge of jealousy. We all love her and her gentle, quite spirit.

Proudly Introducing...Abigail Carmichael

Born March 7th at 3:39 pm. Weighing 7 lbs 1 oz. 20 inches long.



For more pictures of our little one...

Abigail's Arrival

Nearing 39 Weeks

For those of you who are curious...



So here's a bit of an update on me. I don't typically do this as I like to remain behind the scenes, but thought I'd be fun just this once. The time is drawing near, with each day yielding greater excitement and anticipation. The braxton hicks contractions have been fairly regular for the last few days, we've put together the papasan swing, the cradle, washed all the clothes, charged the cameras and are taking care of the last minute preparations. Not that you can be prepared for everything though. At one of my last visits I was told my doctor will leave for vacation just before my due date, March 17th, and would not be back until April 1st. Ok, try not to panic, it's not as though they should have told you months ago and the only reason you drove to Banff each time was for this specific doctor. I have since decided that I will deliver before she leaves, or by the 13th, so anyone so inclined to pray with me for that is certainly welcome. Personally, I'm praying for the 10th, for no other reason than I like that date. Surprise number 2 came last week when I found out the hospital I am to deliver at will no longer deliver babies as of Friday, March 6th. That leaves me with possibly an unknown doctor and new hospital. If I do happen to go into labor before my doctor leaves, she will drive to the new hospital thankfully. So with that being said, I've not been stressed, but slightly nervous for sure. I did take a tour of the new hospital yesterday and was surprised to find I like it better and it is much closer to our home, so that turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

Dan has been such a big help the last couple weeks, I can't imagine getting everything done without him. He has so lovingly worked to complete his "honey-do" list which includes everything from cutting down & refinishing a bookshelf to hanging curtains. I've had a decent amount of lower back pain and nerve pain with this little one making some of my tasks impossible at times. But once again he has been there for me. There have been times when I haven't been able to put my socks and shoes on or bend over to pick something up off the floor. But often, before I can even sigh, he is there to help. We've had some good laughs over the socks & shoes to be sure. It draws us closer, and has been good for me to have to give up some things and depend on both God and Dan. What a wonderful husband I have. Hudson has grown so attached to him as well. They are just about inseparable. Just as an example, two days ago we were woken up by the usual "knock knock...Momma, Daddy!" at the early hour of 6:20 am. Wanting to let Dan sleep, I went to get Hudson and go downstairs. No sooner had I begun to open his door, then he slammed it shut in my face, essentially locking himself in, saying, "no Momma, Daddy!". His precious Daddy is the only one allowed to greet him in the morning. I am so thankful to see him look up to Dan as he does, and even more thankful seeing as they are about to be buddies out of necessity, not only enjoyment.

Littlest Ski Bum

 

Hudson got his first pair of skis for Christmas this year, his Daddy's idea of course, and decidedly likes them much to my surprise. He spent a good 45 minutes tromping up and down the greenbelt trail behind out house on Tuesday having a blast. The weather was dreadfully cold and we (ok, I) kept trying to get him to come inside only to hear a little voice say, "No! More ski!". I suppose it is safe to say "like father, like son" in this case, for last night after a day of being sick with the stomach virus Hudson sat watching Dan gather his gear for some last minute night skiing at a local resort. When Dan told Hudson he was going skiing, Hudson promptly perked up wanting to go along saying, "Hudson ski". Beaming with pride Dan told me it was one of his new proudest moments as a father. All I can say is that it is a good thing I'm having a little girl :)

 

About to tackle the big hill out back

 

Tromping through the backyard

And so it begins

I am starting to get excited, thirty five weeks down and only four remaining. Up until this point I've been preparing as best I can for this little pink bundle soon to join our family, but I don't think it has truly sunk in as a reality...until tonight. A sweet friend, Stacy knocked on our door with this truly amazing gift. As I stood there looking at the pink gifts and little while cradle it hit me that a precious little girl would soon occupy our home. I couldn't help but smile then, and even now as I bubble over with an anxious excitement. Every child is a gift, but in my family of 3 boys, and Dan's family of all boys, there is something especially fun about the color pink entering my home, filling my closet, and laid out over a little bed.



Hudson and I have been talking a lot about the little baby coming to live at our house. Yesterday at the store we picked out two different kinds of pacifiers or "ba bas" as Hudson calls them. He carried the packages around today, smiling as I told him those were for him to give the baby when she comes home. He loves anyone smaller than himself, and would rather sit stroking their head or hugging their necks than play with the children running all around. Tonight as we talked about his baby who is coming soon he sat smiling and said, "hold it, baby". He is really looking forward to holding the her in his "rock rock" (rocking chair) giving her "big hugs". Even tonight for his bed time story he wanted to read the 1950's Golden Book story called "Baby Dear". It's about a little girl who takes care of her doll called "baby dear" as her mom takes care of the new baby sister. We laid on the bedtime pillow in his room reading it over and over, I think it is going to be a new bedtime favorite for the next few months.