Gabrielle's first crush.. Ink

Not actual writing ink, but her octopus.. Ink! The first thing other than Mommy and Daddy that she cracked a huge smile at & held a 'conversation' with. It is our go-to when things get out of control & the what keeps her busy for a short while. Ink doesn't have the warmth of Mommy so it doesn't last too long, but it gets a quick chore done :) We can't forget her other two friends, Bacon, the pig and Gilbert, the duck. Dan and I find entertainment in coming up with creative/humorous names for her toys. Gabrielle has the most fun on her mat first thing in the morning, her happiest time! She is cooing all the time now, it's THE cutest thing I have ever seen.. Daddy, & Grandparents agree! 

Gabby with Gilbert, Ink & Bacon!!

Gabrielle is also a huge fan of the flower & hummingbird mobile in her crib. The crib that we haven't yet ventured to for what it's purpose is.. sleeping. Unfortunately she thinks her crib is for playtime. I've dug myself a hole. :( 

^A little coughing, cooing and angry yells ;)^
And...

Our vocal little girl :)

My days with a newborn

Being a first time Mom I always wonder if what I do now with Gabrielle will haunt me in a few months. Multiple sources (pediatrician, happiest baby on the block book) say there is absolutely no way to spoil a baby before 3 months. Let's hope! I totally get that newborns need their Mommy's warmth, touch, smell but I had no idea it would be a 24 hour thing.. No complaining here, I love when her body is next to mine! Just exhausting that it lasts all day with no breaks. :/ This is our daily routine, it's the same every day.

10 AM- Baby & I wake up while she is being held in my arms. I love it. Just as I've loved it since day one. I love just opening my eyes to see that she is breathing. She is completely safe. I don't move an inch while she sleeps but boy, do I miss stomach & back sleeping.


I am able at this point to set her down for approximately 10 minutes before she cries to be held, slug a glass of juice & scarf a quick breakfast. 


10:15 AM-6 PM It depends here whether I have business to tend to on the internet & I will plop on the couch, grab the boppy & let Gabs chill on me while I Facebook, Twitter, Blog, look for houses or random nifty deals on craigslist. 

If I decide there are more important things to do like be a  decent stay-at-home Mom, I will strap Gabby on my chest in her carrier and clean, organize & possibly go outside to get the mail. These 8 hours the baby will still only let me put her down for 10 minutes at a time, just a couple times.


6- DAN!!!!! You are home from a long day at work, now take the baby so I can shower, or cook or do a task I cannot do with a cute little baby attached to me. Sorry, love. 10 minutes pass before she is fussy again & only I can console her. She will learn to let Daddy soothe her one day, I promise!


6:30-10 repeat of 10:15 except now I show off my mad trivial skills watching Jeopardy at 7 (wink, wink.) Dinner is somewhere in here making mac and cheese or throwing together a quick dish that we will have to scarf & in between the scarfing pop the paci back in the baby's mouth, two times or more. 

Clearly transferring her to the bassinet did not work.

10- Bedtime :)) Where Dan, Gabby and I all hop in bed for a nice, couple times interrupted night sleep.


Spending every minute with a newborn are indeed trying & exhausting but I want to cherish this time before its gone. I still gaze all day at the beautiful little girl Dan and I made. I am so fortunate to have the opportunity to spend the days with her. It is still so surreal that I am a MOM & I have a daughter. Sounds so sweet. 

Long days with a newborn has its rewards too :)