My little princess is growing up!

So, the little one has discovered her voice in the last two days. That is she has discovered how to make a new noise. It is hilarious and she has not stopped.....

On top of that, just today she has almost rolled over twice. The arm on the bottom seems to be getting in the way. She is getting to be quite the big girl.

The 4 month appointment is Thursday. I will let you know how that goes!

Look Mommy! I can make new sound!



Also, here are some recent pictures:

Sitting up like a big girl!


Easter Sunday with Mama and Papa.


Jillian and her princess on Easter.


Family Photo


This is what she looks like swaddled. I call her my little burrito.

Remember Sweet Maddie

So I found this story a few weeks ago, but just saw their updated blog today. The Spohr family had a child who was born 11 weeks early (in November of 2007) and almost did not surive her first few days of life. Well, sadly, Maddie died on April 7th. Her mother and father have both left tributes to their beautiful daughter at the below blogs. (be prepared for strong tears-I cried almost my whole lunch) I can not even imagine what this family is going through, but they are obviously blessed to have such a wonderful person in their lives, even though it was brief.

Her parents are strong supporters and marchers for the March of Dimes. Please donate to the March of Dimes for Maddie and every other child who has left their parents far too soon. May God Bless you Maddie Spohr and family.

http://www.remembermaddie.com/

http://thenewbornidentity.com/

www.marchforbabies.org

www.marchforbabies.org/jilsnakes - for donations to my page

http://www.marchforbabies.org/s_team_page.asp?SeId=535238&si= donations for Maddie's Team Page

Boys, avert your eyes.....

So if you are a boy and do not want to read about my thoughts on breastfeeding, I suggest you do not read this post....

So I really have had time to think about my venture in breastfeeding the last few days, especially when I am sitting in the pump room at my office. When I found out I was pregnant, I knew I was going to breastfeed for her health benefits and cost efficiency. I had not really thought about the bond I would have with my child.

I love breastfeeding Annaleigh. Maybe because the minute they brought me to her she latched immediately and has not had a problem since. I love the smile she will have when she is falling asleep while eating. It is precious. I love how she folds her hands like she saying a little prayer to God thanking him for her food and asking God to bless it. I love how she whimpers right before she is about to eat and the sounds she makes when she first starts eating. I adore the sigh she makes when she is done eating. I miss those moments during the day, especially when I am hooked up to a machine.

Now that I am pumping 3 times a day I feel like a cow being hooked up to the equipment. Am I grateful for the pump and the relaxing private room my office has in place so I can give my milk to her? Absolutely. But I look forward to Friday, not because the work week is over, but beause I get the chance to reconnect with my daughter, through play, laughing, cooing, talking and even the feedings.

I actually am a little "upset" with my babysitter when I go to pick her up and find out she has just fed her and I have to wait until 8 or 9 to feed her again. Elaine has done nothing wrong, but Annaleigh is just going longer between feedings now, so I get a little sad when I find out I only get to have two total feedings in a day.

I realize I am going to start introducing solids in a couple of months and the feedings will come less frequently, so I am tying to take in all the quiet moments I share with my daughter every day in the morning and evening.

Well that is all I have to say about that. Sorry if that was a little too much on the personal side.....

March of Dimes

So, I have decided last minute to walk at the March of Dimes on the 25th in Dallas. I know times are tight, but it would be great if anyone could donate a few dollars to this cause. My personal website is http://www.marchforbabies.org/Jilsnakes. You can donate from this. Also, I would love it if someone would join in the cause and walk with me. I had a great time when I did it a few years ago.

Any takers?

Thanks for the support!

3 Months old...seriously ....

Well, Sunday came and went with little fanfare and then Sunday night it hit Justin and I. Annaleigh is officially 3 months old. My how the time has passed. I will try to post some picture tomorrow in honor of her passing this milestone!!! Here are few for the time being....

NAPTIME!

Chilling out at the mall....

Apparently she was in a very good mood after her diaper explosion...

Hanging out with great-grandpa.

A week of firsts for Mommy, Daddy and Annaleigh

Well, the Powell family has had an adventurous week!! Here is our little recap.

::SUNDAY::
Sunday was a very sad day for me. I knew I was having to go to work the next day so I cried off and on all day. I swear I held her for hours. Whenever she wanted to nap I let her sleep on my chest. I probably spoiled her a little too much. I had to get all my stuff together for work including my pump set, radio, lunch, clothes, etc. It was a busy evening. Well, I was doing okay at night until I swaddled her for bed. I cried so much. It literally broke my heart, but Justin held me in bed while I cried on his shoulder until I fell asleep.

::MONDAY::

I had to get up at 5:45 AM to get ready for my first day back at work. Well I was doing awesome, not crying or anything. Then I fed her at 6:30AM and lost it while I was feeding her. Justin woke up and helped me out the door and say goodbye to her. I laid her down to go back to bed and Justin had to console me for about 5 minutes. It was also Justin's first entire day alone with her. The drive in was not terrible. I got back to work to a lot of happy people. I spent about 4 hrs going through emails and did some minor assignments. I also found out this week was going to be very busy. Of course, why would anything be any different. By the time I got home, I just wanted to hug Annaleigh for the entire night.

::TUESDAY::

On Justin's second day at home with Daddy, I got up at 5:45 again and went through the same routine. I cried again,of course, but not as long. At work, it was like no one even knew I was gone. I was so busy on Tuesday it was ridiculous. The weirdest thing is that I am leaving at 4:30 now. It is strange. I got home and she was pretty fussy and she fell asleep on my shoulder at 7 pm and only woke up to eat. It was a lazy night for the baby. We went to bed late again because I had to get her stuff ready for her first day of daycare. I cried in bed again....seeing a trend!

::WEDNESDAY::

I got up same time and then we got her ready to go. I got her dropped off, explained all the bottles, etc. and then left. And when Justin gave me a hug before I left, I cried all over again. I got to work and went though the motions. Then came the fun commute to her house. When I got there, Annaleigh was smiling and cooing and talking to Elaine. She did so well in daycare. Overall, it went very well.

::THURSDAY:

Justin took the little one to daycare on his own starting Thursday and I fed her and went off to work. I still cried when I left, but not for long. It noticed it was becoming easier to leave. I realized I was only one day away from surviving my first week, and I was pretty proud of myself.

::FRIDAY::

Same as before with even less tears!!!


Overall, as I reflect back on all the changes the three of us had, I was sad to have these changes, but also grateful that Justin and I have found someone we trust with our child and how truly blessed we are to have jobs that appreciate us and want to have us around during this economy. I am also increasingly impressed with my new found ability to multitask. Somehow during the work week I managed to cook dinner 3 times, take care of a baby, keep the laundry up, keep the house clean, and get her stuff ready for the next day of daycare every night. I would not have been able to do half that stuff less than 6 months ago. Granted, I am only getting 6 hrs of sleep now! My inner housewife is appearing, and I do not know if Justin knows what to think about it (except that he is enjoying the nicely folded clothes!)

Well off for week two in the new and exciting world that is a working mommy!

Daycare chosen!

Well, we officially hired a daycare provider a couple nights ago. We got the number through a family member whose coworker was going to use her but decided to stay at home. She is really sweet and loves little babies. She was ooing and awwing all over her and Annaleigh was smiling at her and cooing at her when we interviewed her. The lady Annaleigh is staying with only has one other child and he is one year old.

Elaine has been caring for chidren for over 30 years. Her youngest child is Justin's age. She definitely has a grandmotherly feel. The ony downside is her drop-off/pick-up time, but we are working that out with her. I just changed my work hours so I will be leaving at 4:30 everyday to get to Wylie in time. Annaleigh will only be in daycare 3-4 days a week as Justin is off during the week usually, so she is letting us pay a part time fee. It is really going to save us some money in the long run. She is a little more expensive then other lady we liked, but we really liked the fact that she would get more one on one attention.

And on that note, I go back to work on the 23rd of March, 10 days from today. I am very sad about it, but know it is what I have to do. Having chosen a home for Annaleigh does make it a lot easier.

Well, Justin just came in the door with my lunch so I am outta here!