Have I told you about the AquaMoms?

Dear Anna,

When you were in my tummy, I went to a water aerobics class every Monday and Wednesday evening from 5:30 to 6:30 called AquaMoms at the hospital where I planned (and eventually did) to have you. My friend Danielle had suggested it, and my doctor encouraged it, so off we went! I began the class when I was 13 weeks pregnant - I was hardly showing! The same day that I started, a nice lady named Tawanna started, too. We went instant friends! Then, I met Jill a few weeks later. It's such a small world - I knew Jill's husband from my work. I also made friends with Gina. We were all expecting girls, as it turned out, and we were due right about the same time: Tawanna's due date was first, then Gina's, then mine, then Jill's. As it turned out, Jill "beat" me and little Grace showed up just a few hours before you did!

The AquaMoms, as we now call ourselves, all had healthy little girls and you entered this world with three friends - one of whom was in the hospital at the same time as you. You are so lucky to have friends at such a young age! And I am so lucky to be friends with your friends' mommies! We are so blessed, little one.

The AquaMoms continue to meet outside the water. We've already been to 7-hour-long mall visits, each other's houses, local restaurants, and the zoo! I expect we're going to have much more fun to come! The eight of us will be walking in the Race for the Cure in a few weeks - you're going to be a member of Team Guppy! So cute!

I hope you always remember that maintaining a friendship is work and that you should never take friends for granted. We'll work on those lessons as you get older. For now, just enjoy being a member of the AquaBabies, Little One, and Mama will enjoy being an AquaMom.

Love,
Mama

Say It Ain't So

This is me not writing about how much Anna is spitting up. Notice I'm not saying anything about how she gets so hungry and then eats, burps, and spits everything back up until about 30 minutes before it is time for her next feeding. Nope. Won't hear me talking about spitting up.

A First!

Dear Anna,

You laughed aloud last night for the first time. I don't think you meant to, though. Your daddy and I were discussing tax laws while you were asleep in your daddy's arms. Right as I finished a sentence, you busted out a big belly laugh. Your eyes stayed closed - but it was a laugh and counted as a "first" just the same. We thought it was so funny that you found tax laws so entertaining!

Love,
Mama

Just like her daddy!

Here's Anna asleep in her daddy's recliner! Sitting all kicked backed like a big girl!

Today was Anna's first day of rice cereal (recommended by the doctor - not mommy prescribed this early!). She's also on Prevacid (Day 4) for reflux. The milk is still coming up after each feeding, and Anna is becoming increasingly fussy. But here's hoping that tomorrow is better.

Another First

Anna, Joseph, Maverick, Daisy and I spent this weekend in Murfreesboro, where Joseph, Anna and I attended my class reunion. The reunion was about as exciting as high school, so there's nothing too entertaining to report there. However, we did go to the Rattler Homecoming game on Saturday night. This was Anna's first trip to Holloway Field, which is named after her Big Pop! I was excited to have Anna's picture taken with her Big Pop and Nana in front of the entrance to the Field. Someday, Anna will be big enough to hear stories about Big Pop's winning football teams! Until then, she'll just have to be content with wearing Rattler Red! Go, Rattlers, Go!

To My Friends in Hawaii:

Dear Charley & Zander*:

When you left for Hawaii, I was still in my mommy's tummy, so I didn't get to meet you in person. Now, it looks like you are living in a really, really cool place! Much cooler than Arkansas anyway! It's hot here and there's nothing neato like the beach. Plus, I think my mommy misses your mommy. Maybe I'll come visit sometime? I promise not to cry too much and I'll share my lovey with you.

Love,
Anna

*Picture is of Zander & Charley, cira 2007

Just when I was about to give you back...

Dear Anna,

Yesterday morning I was at my wit's end. You had hardly slept all night long (so I didn't either), and you had spit up (often by projecting it across the room) almost everything you ate. I was tired and worried and frustrated. Since your friend Grace was born the day before you, I suspected that she and her mommy Jill would be home and able to save us from ourselves. So, I called Jill and we loaded up and went to her house for a stroll. (Dadgum, it was a large stroll - there are some big hills it that part of town!)

You spit up right before we left for the stroll (it rolled out like a fountain!), and Jill called the doctor (who happens to be her mommy) while I sat on the floor and cried. That made me feel better, and I got some tips for how to get to you keep your food down. Whew!

After our monster stroll, the kiddos and the mommies had lunch and then went outside. For the first time, you spent all afternoon lounging on a blanket in the sunshine. It was divine. I got to spend some time speaking to a girlfriend...and so did you! We read books and slept and chatted the afternoon away. Definitely one of the best days I've had with you so far. I look forward to many many more, kiddo. I love you.

Love,
Mama

I'm a big kid now.

2 Month Shots: The Aftermath

WAnna slept so well yesterday after her shots. We put her to bed early, and she slept soundly until 1:00 a.m. And then all hell broke loose.

1:00 a.m. - Cried, wanted food
1:02 a.m. - Mama changed a wet diaper
1:05 a.m. - Ate
1:18 a.m. - Spit up almost entire meal
1:19 a.m. - Cried
1:23 a.m. - Went to sleep
1:48 a.m. - Cried, woke up daddy
1:54 a.m. - Ate one more ounce and some Tylenol
2:14 a.m. - Went to sleep
3:12 a.m. - Cried
3:45 a.m. - Cried
3:56 a.m. - Cried, ate 3 ounces
4:10 a.m. - Spit up meal
4:13 a.m. - Wide awake in swing
4:22 a.m. - Sleeping in swing in onesie soaked in spit up
4:33 a.m. - Wide awake (again) and flailing arms & legs

Anna's first 9/11

The three of us - Anna, Joseph and me - drove to Anna's two-month check up this morning early. I had the radio tuned to a classic country station, and when we were a few minutes from home the DJ reminded the listeners of the six year anniversary of 9/11. Poignant statements made by newscasters, politicians and Americans on September 11, 2001 were played, followed by Ray Charles' America the Beautiful. A moment of silence was observed at the exact time that the first plane hit the WTC. I cried.

This is Anna's first 9/11, and my first 9/11 to have a child. I remember when HBO produced its special on 9/11 - I bought it, telling Joseph that I wanted to buy it to explain to our children just how horrific that day really was. And now my child is here. And I'm going to have to explain it to her one day.

2 Month Stats

Weight: 10 pounds, 15.4 ounces (34%)

Head circumference: 15" (16%)

Length: 22 1/8" (20%)

I'm so in love with my Anna.

Grow, Hair, Grow!

The Beginning of the End

Dear Anna,

Mama loves you, but you are 8.5 weeks old now and from now on your milk will be made by either scientists working diligently in the labs of Enfamil or Elsie the Cow. Mama will have less stress this way and your belly will be full.

I love you whole bunches,
Mama

Labor Day Weekend 2007

Anna spent Labor Day Weekend in the arm of Nana, Big Pop, and Aunt B in my hometown. I spent the weekend working and Joseph stayed behind and worked at home.

Anna got to hear her first Hogs game! And she "played" lots of domino games with Mommy. It was too cool to play in the pool, so we settled for a little fun in the sun. We're ready for fall and all the strolls the cooler weather will allow.