Special Thank You to Grandpa Cliff!

 

 

 

 

 

Dear Grandpa Cliff,

Thank you for spending the week with us!

You make the funniest faces, noises and hand gestures! I really enjoyed our play time and feel that it helped to sharpen my eyesight. 

Grandpa you spoiled us by making your homemade pasta fagioli and signature salmon salad but we also learned that garlic and onions may put hair on some  people's chest but it just gives me gas like that of an old man.

We appreciate your encouragement to get us out of the house and get some fresh air. I enjoyed the long brisk walk through the nature preserve, as well as lots

of our quick walks in the neighborhood.

Can't wait for Christmas!

xoxo

Abriella

Week 4

Myia helps me from falling down Mommy's chest.

I love bath time.

I enjoy my bouncy seat so Mommy can eat or clean up the kitchen.

On Sunday October 21, I smiled for the first time. It was a really big
smile and not one of those fake I have gas smiles. I like to tease
Mommy and save all my smiles for Daddy!

I like playing in my crib but NOT sleeping.

Nana hooked me up for next year..crazy to think that in tweleve months I will be wearing a dress the length of me today. Thank you.

Grandpa Cliff flew all the way from the sunshine state to meet me and
I loved it. 

I had a follow up appointment to check on the clicking noise in my left hip. Curious Mom + Dad asked to see my weight, as of October 26 I weigh 10.145.

Week 3

 

 

Grandma Patt and Poppie were in town for a night and I had my first
official outing to Fredrick Meijer Gardens. It was cool but I really
preferred to just eat and eat some more in the conservatory.

On Sunday October 14 I shed my first crocodile tears when the car
stopped moving, so Mom and Dad could pick up some food. It was really
scaring but Grandma Patt sung to me and Mommy held me tight; calming
me down.

 

 

 

On Monday October 15, I had my first real bath in the kitchen sink now
that my umbilical cord fell off. Mommy and Daddy seemed a bit
frazzled. Daddy kept asking Mommy questions about what to do and Mommy
kept responding I have no clue but they did a great job! It was nice
to feel so clean.

 

 

 

 

 

Mommy and Daddy are on their own and just to mix things up: I’ve
decided that I no longer like sleeping in the swing, or the car seat,
or the crib! Don't be deceived by the photos, I only last 10 minutes in the crib. 
I really just want to snuggle up on someone’s chest. This
doesn’t give Mommy much time to update her blog, clean the house, eat,
or really do anything. Mommy keeps trying lots of tricks and sometimes
I will give her a break and sleep in my stroller, but just sometimes.

Lots of people ask what name I go by. Mommy and Daddy call be Abriella. 

 

I really like lying down on the activity mat and looking up at
the hanging toys. Mom likes it too as it gives her a break to grab a
bite or go to the bathroom.

 I don’t always fall asleep after I eat. I
really like it when I’m rocked and sung Israel Kamakawiwo’ole version
of Somewhere Over the Rainbow.

Future Spartan! Thank you to Beach's for my awsome Spartan t-shirt. 

xo Abriella

Special Thank You to Nana!

Dear Nana,

Thank you so much for visiting with me! I loved snuggling with you and especially liked listening to you sing and taking baths. You are so sweet and I can’t wait till you come visit again. Plus, Mommy and Daddy really appreciate all the meals you make and help around the house. 

XO Abriella

Week 2

 

 

The week kicked off with a visit from my Dilworth Cousins including

Isaiah, Elisabeth, Andrew and Uncle Mark and Tia Blanca. 

I had so much

fun hanging out with them and can’t wait till I’m much bigger to play

with them. 

Cousin Elizabeth was really interested in me and asked my

Mommy lots of questions, like what is that thing on her belly button, what is an umbilical cord, why does she sleep and eat all the time? Elizabeth also advised Mommy that I need to get my ears pierced now and not wait too long when I’m old enough to realize how much it will hurt.

Nana arrived brining with her yummy cookies and pre-made dinners like
spinach pie, lasagna and stuffed peppers. I loved cuddling with Nana
who would sing to me and put blankets over my head, which made Mommy
laugh because she thought it made me look like a Nun.

 

 

On Tuesday, I had my first sponge bath at home. Nana prepared the
kitchen sink and surrounding area and then gently washed me. I loved
it. It was so relaxing that I pooped and peed while Nana was trying to
dry me off, just so Nana could do it again.

Wednesday Mom booked a photographer to take shots of me but I had
other ideas… I really just wanted to eat! I ate before the
photographer arrived and then in the hour after. Since this is what I
love to do, it really should be my debuting shot. Plus, I was really
interested to see what tricks this photographer had up her sleeve; so
I was awake the entire time. Sorry Mommy and Daddy but no little
sleeping angle shots!

Later that night, my umbilical cord fell off. Yeah!

 

 

I had my first brunch date. Nana was so supportive to Mommy as she
breastfed me at the restaurant. I guess first time Mom’s aren’t always
supper comfortable but we did great and enjoyed blueberry buckwheat
pancakes and time outside of the house.

 

On Friday October 12, I had my second doctor’s appointment where to no
one’s was surprised to hear that I gained a whole pound in the last week; which
puts me right on track to grow like my Daddy who went from 8 to 11 lbs
in the first month.
Weight: 9-6-5 or 90-95% (WOW)
Head:   35.6 or 75%
Length: 20.5 or 75%

Tiffany came to visit with me and give Mommy some much needed
interaction with the outside world. She came with presents (yeah)
cookies that are like crack cocaine and memory board, which now holds
my hospital bracelet, cards and photos. Thank you!

 

Special Thanks to Grandma Patt!

Grandma Patt,

Thank you so much for not listening to my Mom’s crazy rules about no
visitors in the first few days. I had so much fun hanging out with
you; listening to you sing, hearing your crazy stories, picking out my outfits,
trying on bows in my hair and snuggling up on the couch!
 

Plus, I’m sure Mom appreciates the rest and help around the house!
 

When are you coming back?
 

XO Abriella

Week 1

My first week was so exciting that I didn’t want to close my eyes and
miss any of it including:
 

Grandma Patt, Nana and Grandpa Pat visits in the hospital and despite
Mom insisting no visitors at home in the first few days; Mom and Dad
begged Grandma Patt to stay and take shifts holding me.
 

Lots of skin on skin time.. in fact the first week, I pretty much
slept only on someone’s chest. Although Mom kept trying the crib and
swing.
 

Lots of feeding .. I love feeding.. I feed all the time. In fact Mom
and Dad are usual bewildered by how much I eat.
 

First Pediatrician Appointment. The Doctor said that I looked great
and was doing well because I gained an ounce back in the first three days after leaving the hospital. Mom and Dad asked for instructions on cutting my nails and cleaning my “lady parts.” Dad has learned about a whole new world of female anatomy from periods to vaginal discharge. Not only could he be a lactation consultant but add PE Health Teacher to the list.
 
As of October 05, 2012
Weight: 8-11
Head:   34.8
Length: 20

Mom turned 34, which sounds sort of old but I let them have the night
off so Grandma Patt and I could try on hair bows while Dad was gone.
They enjoyed a nice dinner out but kept texting us for updates.
 

I get lots of attention, hugs, kisses and snuggles and can’t wait for
more visitors!