Puppy Love

Big sister Kali, our black lab, has been such a good dog with baby Addison. She is mommy's big helper during the day, following us around the house and keeping tabs on what Addy is up to. Whether it's sleeping, playing or crying...Kali seems to want to be there for it all. Even during thunderstorms she wants to protect us and lay right next to us, or hover over the top of us. Animals seem to have such a keen instinct...even when I was pregnant Kali was always right with me. Kali keeps wanting to see what Addy is up to...even sleeping...and I keep telling her that soon enough she will want to hide from Addison when she gets big enough to pull on her and run around and chase her. My girlfriend, Jamie, keeps telling me how her almost 2yr old son, Tucker, chases their yellow lab, Wrigley, around the house. Yes, Kali...this will soon happen to you, but in the mean time we'll cherish her stillness.

Blue Eyes and Smiles

It's amazing to see how much Miss Addison is growing into a little girl...I know I'm biased, but she has the most beautiful blue eyes and smile I've ever seen. Here are a few pictures that I've been able to capture of her...

July Adventures

This month has definitely been a lot of fun with the little peanut. She is starting to become more interactive and responsive to us with her smiles, laughter and of course crying. We're starting to be able to discern more and more what she wants with her communication, which is making everyone a lot happier and relaxed.

Our adventures last week included going to Marianjoy (our work), the grocery store and Target, a friends house and the Kane County Fair.

Our trip to Marianjoy was a lot of fun, although she was in day 2 of 3 of another growth spurt...therefore she was eating every 2hrs and not wanting to sleep much. But, nevertheless we made it out of the house on time. Since Adam and I are both working at Marianjoy now, Addison has become a well known celebrity there. Haha. We were there for about 2.5 hrs visiting both departments, getting oooed and ahhed over, and then eating again before heading home.

We went to my boss and friend Cindy's house on Thursday to say good bye to a friend moving to Pennsylvania and it was nice to spend time with all the ladies there catching up.

Addison slept like a champ that night...6hrs...I think she was worn out from the party. :) It felt great to get some more rest!

Friday night was our first date night away from Miss Addison since she was born. I figured it was time to get out and let the grandparents watch her for the night. Adam and I went to the Turf Room in North Aurora and sat outside next to the fire pit and enjoyed a nice meal and glass of wine. Yes, I'm allowed to have a drink every so often while breast-feeding, and one is definitely enough! :) Addison "was an angel" according the Grandma and Grandpa Seghi as she slept pretty much the whole time we were gone.

Saturday my girlfriends/sorority sisters from college came to visit us, Eli making her way home from a year in Costa Rica. They bought her some cute outfits, including her first little tutu skirt, that I can't wait to put her in...I will for sure post the pics when she wears it in a few months!

Then saturday night we headed out to the Kane County Fair for her first concert...American English the Beatles cover band. She was wide awake and enjoyed dancing with mommy and daddy!

Things I've learned through motherhood in the past 6 weeks:

1. How much love you can really have for another...and how much it continues to grow each day.

2. How much more you can love your husband with the birth of your child.

3. How thankful I am for a healthy baby

4. How my faith and trust in God has grown beyond belief....he has truely given me the most beautiful gift.

5. How much it means to have a supportive family and friends

6. How much my love for my family has grown, especially my own mother.

7. How much closer I feel to my girlfriends and family who are also mothers, and appreciate them more than ever.

8. How 1-2hrs of sleep can feel so refreshing, and that more than 3 is a miracle at this point.

9. How hard it is for me to imagine my life before Addison

10. You can't really plan for everything

11. You can only read so many books on pregnancy, labor and delivery, and childhood...your child will teach you all that you need.

12. How worry and anxiety are far worse than the reality

13. The beauty of silence.

14. The beauty of a cooing baby

15. How good it feels to take a long shower

16. How amazing it is to see your baby smile at you and know that she is yours

17. How quickly you learn to do things with one hand.

18. How easy it was to leave the house before having a baby, and how hard it can be some days now.

19. The art of breast-feeding.

20. How much I love being a mom

To be continued I'm sure...

1 month old

Happy 4th of July!

Smiles for Daddy!

Alert and ready to play!

First visit to Grandmas house!

Auntie Laura Visiting!

Tummy time!

2nd Cousin - Jacob Michael Abrams born 5/9/10

Well, we've made it through our first month with Miss Addison...what a journey it's been. We've learned so much, enjoyed so much, and have been blessed by the support of our family and friends and most importantly for the health of our baby girl. My best friend Laura has been in town for the past 3 weeks and has gotten to spend a lot of time with us...and we've loved every minute. Addison has had more outings these first 2 weeks of July, including to many family parties. It's been getting easier to get out of the house as she is sleeping more and eating less frequently...about every 2.5-3hrs vs. 2hrs initially! However, she sure is getting bigger!! She barely fits into her newborn clothes anymore! She's also starting to interact more and be able to track objects. We've started doing more tummy time and "playing" in her activity gym to allow her to work on these skills. Her smiles are just so precious too...they make all your worries melt away and you realize how simple life can really be. (I've just got to capture more on camera!) I'm also going to take her monthly photos in our nursing chair to track how big she is getting!