Getting ready for the holidays!

Putting up the tree

Coco watches us put up decorations.

An Elf!

Thankful for each other (sometimes).

We enjoyed ourselves over Thanksgiving break too much!  On Wednesday, Matt cleaned the house while I did some shopping.  On Thursday we cooked all morning and then had a wonderful Thanksgiving lunch with Matt’s mom, dad and sister.  By the time we all were ready for a nap, Anniston was up and ready to play!  We spent Friday morning putting up Christmas decorations and the rest of the day we watched movies (such as “Miracle on 34th Street).  We are now getting prepared for Anniston’s first trip to see Santa Claus (and the mall).

Good bye, Monitor!

Anniston’s monitor was discontinued and picked up recently.  Now she is sleeping on an Angel Monitor which we purchased at Babies R Us to help us prevent SIDS. 

A Moose Comes to Visit

Anniston calms down with a warm bath

Our favorite Moose, my mom, came to visit this weekend.  Sydney enjoyed having her come watch her chorus performance and Austin liked having her watch while he played video games.  Anniston, of course, liked being bathed, held, fed and changed by her Moose.  It was nice having an extra pair of hands.  We are going to be sad once she goes home.

Sweet!

Chilin' Out in the Tub

Anniston posing pretty in her sleep!

A Cute Cub

Our Wolf Cub

Austin joined Boyscouts at the end of the last school year.  He recently got his uniform…isn’t he handsome in it?  I am just wandering why he has to sell microwave popcorn at $15 a box.  Girl Scout cookies are less than $5.  Crazy!!!  He loves scouts; however, and has already earned 4 belt loops and 2 badges.  Yeah, Austin!

Screeching hault!!!

Anniston got to stay with her Grandmother for the first time on Monday while Matt took me to my 6 week appointment and then to the mall.  Anniston cried the entire day.  Poor Grandma!  I hope Grandma will not rethink keeping her until Christmas time.  At the mall, we purchased “back to school” clothes and accessories.  Today I went to the Central Office to get my badge made and fill out my remaining paperwork.  I am officially back to work beginning on Monday.  My days of being a “stay-at-home mother” are gone…so sad!  These last few weeks have flown past much too quickly!

Colic?

What a week!  My sweet baby turned into a crying machine from Monday until Friday evening.  After thinking Anniston had colic, we finally figured out that she can not tolerate Similac powder.  She does do well; however, on the Ready to Feed.  We do not care that it is almost $6 a day.  It is worth her not being miserable (and us too).

I also got to go to church today…the first time in awhile (since bedrest and Anniston’s birth).  Matt went to the early service and the kids and I went to the late service.  I can’t wait until Anniston gets bigger so we can go as a family again.  When we got back, we found that our fish, Electric, passed away.  Austin took it hard, but we held a funeral and prayed for Electric.  We may get another fish…someday.

Growing too fast!

Austin holds both of Anniston's feet in one hand

We are rapidly approaching the end of the “preemie” era and beginning 0-3 clothing and newborn diapers.  At our one month doctor visit yesterday, Anniston weighed 7 pounds 9 ounces and is now 20 inches long.  Thankfully, the doctor took her off of the formula Neosure which is 22 calories per ounce and placed her on Similac.  The doctor also put Anniston on Prevacid for reflux (the medication that Matt used to sell).  So far, she is happier (along with the rest of the family)!!!  She will remain on the heart and lung monitor for a few more weeks.  Thank you for all your prayers and support this past month.  It is hard to believe that she had to be taught how to eat and now she is sucking down 4 ounces every 3 hours.

Anniston Paige Arrives!

Born August 13 at 9:31 pm

4 pounds 13 ounces

16 1/2 inches long

After 3 weeks of bedrest, I was induced at Kennestone Hospital.  Unfortunately, my epidural did not go as planned since they accidently punctured a “dura”.  I had to remain in the hospital for one week due to spinal headaches.  After receiving many wonderful pain meds and two blood patches I was finally released.  Anniston got to come home three days after me from being in the NICU for low blood sugar.  Matt stayed by my side the entire time with my parents watching after Sydney and Austin.  We are all at home and doing very well now.  Anniston remains with a heart and lung monitor, but we are hoping she can come off of it soon.

Meet Anniston Paige!