Abby's first week in review

It's hard to believe our little Abby Reece is one week old! She has been such a blessing in our lives already, in the short time she's been here.

Right now, things seem easier than the first time around. It could be b/c Greg and I have at least an inkling of what we're doing now (!), or maybe it's b/c Nana is here helping pick up the slack. Talk about a blessing...she entertains Nate, and does all the cooking, grocery shopping, laundry, etc. Thank goodness for grandparents! Abby is such an angel right now though....she is sleeping great - we wake her every 3 hrs for feedings - and hardly makes a peep at night. I think she's still catching up on her sleep since she woke up a month early, ha!

Some highlights from Abby's first week:

--Her temperature has stablized, and we only have to check it 1-2x/day now. She is still bundled up in blankets & hats though.

--When we do unswaddle her, she loves to kick her legs and roll onto her side (well, halfway). She has "alert time" after each feeding now and it's great to see those baby blue eyes!

--I have started calling her Squirt b/c 1) she is tiny and 2) man, she poops a lot! I dont remember Nate doing this. I'm talking 8-10x/day, people! She has pooped on her Daddy many times already....I secretly love it :)

--This girl can burp like it's nobody's business. SO lady-like.

--She is already trying to find her thumb. She spent most of yesterday waving her fists and arms in the air trying to find her fingers. She looked like a wild cat! (And speaking of cats, she still makes the cutest cat sounds...purrs when she's happy, squeals when she's mad, etc.)

--She sat in her bouncy seat for the first time while Nate gently bounced her. She loved looking at the elephants and kicking her legs! Nate really loves his little sister and being so careful around her! (Hopefully this will last but I'm not counting on it.)

--And sorry if this is TMI, but Nate has really taken an interest in me pumping. Yes, I am pumping 8x/day in order to bottlefeed her the "good stuff" until she is strong enough to try nursing. Nate will hop on the bed and try to help me massage out my milk. Such a good little helper, ha!

Nate loves to kiss his little sister each morning!

Naptime with Dad

Love those wrinkles

Our little angel

LOVE those hands! She has beautiful fingers just like Nate

I love this one...she's so alert!

Abby got a "Bumbo" seat from Hallie & Casey, and Nate likes it too...maybe too much!

Mommy & Abby

Cuddling with Nana

One of her new favorite positions

Love those lips!

Our little lovebug

As most of you know by now, our little lovebug Abby decided to make her grand entrance a month early, and arrived on Tuesday morning at 12:37 am. She weighed in at 5 lbs 10 oz and was 19 inches long. Pretty good for 4 weeks and a day early!! It was quite the whirlwind delivery...2 days of Braxton-Hicks contractions, water broke late Monday night, we called a neighbor to sleepover/watch Nate, rushed to the hospital, contractions got down to 4 minutes apart in the car, Greg thought I would deliver in the car (DEAR LORD), was 7 cm at the hospital, was dying for an epidural but dilating too fast, got to 10 cm a half hour later, and delivered Abby before a doctor could even make it into the room. Thank goodness for wonderful nurses!! Oh, and did I mention there was no epidural?? Yes, no epidural. Just thought I'd reiterate. From check-in to delivery, it was the longest & most painful 51 minutes of my life!! But, onto other things...like our amazing & beautiful baby girl, Abigail Reece Givens!!

We were amazed to hear from the NICU doctors that she was perfectly healthy!! Four weeks early and already a strong one. Of course we were happy to hear that news, but at the same time, I don't think it had sunk in yet for Greg and I that our DAUGHTER was here already. We thought we had a month more to prepare, so we were still in shock! We managed to call family & text a few friends though, who were equally as shocked (and happy)!

Since that time though, Abby has had a few minor issues...mostly concerning low blood sugar and low body temperature. Both common problems for 36-wk babies. Though she managed to stay out of the NICU, we were super concerned with all of her feedings. She was just too sleepy to stay awake & eat! But those calories were vital in getting her keep her temp up, etc. Poor little thing, she woke up a month early and just did NOT want to waste her time trying to nurse. We switched to finger feedings and bottle feedings late Tues/early Wed, and she has done well ever since. Which is why we were able to be discharged on Wednesday evening. Thank goodness!! My parents & Nate welcomed us home with open arms, and even threw a little birthday party for Abby, complete with party hats & a cake!

Our little Abby is sweet as can be...and loves to cuddle. Even in her 4 blankets, 2 hats, and 2 sleepers. She looks like a little burrito all bundled up! And she loves to purr when she's especially warm & cozy and being held. You've never heard a sweeter sound! She has beautiful lips & cheeks & long delicate fingers like Nate. She has his same nose too. One thing I especially love about her is her blonde hair!! Nate's was super dark, so we were quite shocked to see a strawberry-blonde. Love it though. Maybe she'll be the towhead we always wanted. Seeing her little bird legs (Greg calls them "skin & bones" makes me tear up, and the little funny faces she makes in her sleep melt your heart.

Nate has been a little shy with his baby sister so far, but has still managed to hold her & kiss her a few times each day. He sits on the couch/bed, holds his arms out, and says "Abby." And then after 30 seconds of holding her, he says "all done." It is precious! I know he will be a wonderful big brother in time. But for now, he's more interested in playing with Nana & Pops and running around outside.

I just wanted to say a big THANK YOU to family, friends, and neighbors that have visited/called/emailed etc during this time. Our little girl is already so well-loved, and for that we are so grateful. We just ask that you keep her in your prayers, that her body temp continues to stay steady, and that she continues to feed well and gain weight. She had a great check-up at the doctor's today, so we are optimistic that she will be a feisty one in no time.

Work it

One of my neighbors, Carrie, offered to do a "maternity" photo shoot for our family. She had heard I was a scrapbook fanatic, and thought this was something that would I would enjoy and want to add to Abby's book. And did I mention that she offered to do this for FREE!? So of course we said yes! (Well, Greg did so grudgingly...he is SO not a picture person!) Now, Carrie does not claim to be a professional photographer by any means, but she loves to do it as a hobby. Personally, I think she is super-talented and should pursue it someday!

Anyways, on Saturday we headed out to Stones River Battlefield to take the pics. It was a beautiful Fall day, and I think even Greg managed to have fun! Too bad the little man was a bit grumpy from a short nap. Oh well...for once it was about Abby, NOT him! :)

There were about 80 pics, but I tried to only post my favorites below...and please forgive the double-chin...

Call me crazy...

...b/c I have finished my Christmas shopping!!!!!!!! (Can you tell I'm excited?)

This is a new record for even me. Usually I have it done shortly after Thanksgiving/Black Friday, but this year - as you all know - I have a big reason to be done early. There is just no way I could shop with a newborn!! So, these past few weeks, I have been a woman on a mission. And today, I finally finished! Complete with gifts for Nate's MDO teachers, stocking stuffers for Nate & Abby, and even gift boxes/bags! Now I am ready to wrap it all, and am making Greg get out the Christmas paper this weekend from the attic. Yes, call me crazy, I don't care! :)

Spooky visitors and Halloween!

We've had a busy few days....

Nana & Pops arrived early Thursday morning to spend the weekend with their favorite grandson! Christmas came early for our little one....Nana had a bag of toys for both Nate & Abby. Some of the "Nate bag" highlights: a Thomas the Train laptop, oversized Spiderman bouncy ball, Cookie Monster building set, bus treasure box, and lots of Clifford books. Oh and did I mention that Nate now has a doll?? Yes, Nana thought he should start "practicing" for Abby. Let's just say he did not take to "Dolly" very fast...threw her on the floor a few times, would force the passy in her mouth, or handed her off to Nana to rock and feed. Awesome.

Nate enjoyed the next few days and his constant playmates...going to Chicfila, Discovery Center, the pumpkin patch, having "Nate night" at Aharts (while Greg & I got a "date night!"), and lots of playing outside. He was having so much fun that everytime we'd put him down for a nap or at bedtime, he kept opening his door and sitting by the gate...he just wanted to hear what was going on downstairs without him. Yes, he loves his Nana & Pops. (Funny thing - he started calling them Nanny & Poppy a lot this weekend. Those might be their new names...stay tuned.)

Cute story: one night, Nana told Nate she'd see him in the morning, and they'd play with all his new toys. Well, he woke up early that next morning - 6:30 am - and asked if it was morning? I said no and to go back to bed. At 7:15, he was standing at his gate/doorway again, saw Nana, and said "MORNING!!" Like, ok Nana, I'm ready to play now :)

Saturday was a day 'o fun as well...carving pumpkins, a chili cook-off with neighbors (his gf Mallory), and of course, TRICK-OR-TREATING!! We convinced him to wear his warmer (and cuter) of his two costumes. So, he was our little frogger!! He loved all the chocolate, riding around in the wagon with Pops & Dad, and dancing to our neighbor Larry's 6 ft skeleton/pirate. We let him stay up late to come down from the sugar high, and he was going strong till 9 pm.

Nana & I got in some quality shopping time for the kids (!!) and I enjoyed visiting with both my parents. They are always such a big help when they come, and Lord knows I needed the break this time! Nate was sad to see them leave this morning. But we will be seeing them soon enough....as soon as little Miss Abby decides to make an appearance. Until then though, enjoy the pics!