Week 7

We've had a good week. Since we had so many appointments last week, we (mostly I) have been a bit lazy this week! One fun new development is that we have started reading to Anna Kate, and she LOVES it when Daddy reads the puppy book! Anna Kate also loves to watch TV...especially the music channels. It's already apparent that she loves music! :) I can't wait til she can sing along with me!

Swingin' with Grandmama and mama!


Whew! After the week we had, it was time for a nap on Grandmama!


Watchin TV with mama...we must've been watching something serious! :)


On Monday, Anna Kate and I went to Sevierville to visit some dear friends from Staunton who were down on vacation. Here is Grandaddy, Grandmama, and Mrs. Hilda!


And finally, reading with Daddy! I know every new mom thinks that their baby is the smartest ever...but we really thought it was funny that Anna Kate seemed to be so focused on the book!

Happy Baby!

Yesterday, Grandmama went and got Anna Kate a play mat. She has one at their house, but we hadn't picked one up yet. We got home from a long day of fun at Grandaddy and Gigi's, and Anna Kate was just a bit fussy. We put her on the play mat, and she was absolutely mesmerized! I took this video this morning. When I put her down for a nap after being on it, she just goes right to sleep. SHE LOVES IT! Thanks Grandmama!

ps-I know that everyone won't be as enamored as I am to sit and watch 1:30 video of my baby thrashing about and grunting, but I think it's about the sweetest thing EVER! :)

6 Weeks

We had a challenging week to say the least last week. Anna Kate has been eating extremely well since she was born. About last Wednesday, she started getting fussy during feedings, and didn't seem to be satisfied when she seemed to be finished. Long story short, after an agonizing visit to our pediatrician Friday which included what turned into 3 needle-pricks in her feet and a catheter to collect a specimen (is it normal to want to physically injure the nurse performing these tests??? LOL) and a thorough physical examination, our doc concluded that there was nothing wrong with Anna Kate...Praise the Lord! But, I was in a quandry as to what was going on with the feeding issue. We came home and attempted to feed, and after a frustrating and ear-piercing few minutes, I decided to feed her a bottle I'd pumped earlier, and she took 4 oz! Because she had only gained a few ounces in the 3 weeks since our last appt, I decided to do whatever it took all weekend to feed her as much as possible. After MUCH pumping and perseverance, I must say, we went back to the doc yesterday and Anna Kate had gained 11 oz in 4 days-that has to be some sort of record! The good news is, she's actually nursing for the most part yesterday and today and obviously it's very nourishing. I'm just thankful we've made it this far! I went today to rent a hospital pump (thanks for the advice, Fran!) to hopefully increase the supply and I'm taking an herb my OB recommended. I welcome any other suggestions from you blogger moms!

On a lighter note, this past Saturday was our 6th anniversary. I told Tyler the other day, that in those first lovesick days of our relationship, I didn't think it was possible to love him more, then on our wedding day, I didn't think it was possible to love him more...Now I love him even more for the Daddy he's becoming, and the way he loves Anna Kate. God is definitely good, and has blessed me beyond what I deserve by giving me a Jesus-loving husband and a beautiful baby girl. Now if I can just remind myself of that at 3 am when Anna Kate doesn't seem to want to go back to sleep after she's eaten! :)

With our baby on our anniversary!
Thanks Mom and Daddy for watching her so that we could go to dinner!


Isn't it just so sweet how enamored she is with her daddy? Every time he speaks she opens those eyes wide and smiles! :)


My anniversary flowers...aren't they spectacular?


Our big Memorial Day dinner took like 3 hours to cook, because the flame kept going out on our grill because of the gale-force winds of a passing thunderstorm


Playing in the floor with Grandaddy and Grandmama after dinner

Anna Kate's pictures are up!

I am thrilled to say that Anna Kate's professional pictures are posted on Studio 193's website! They are fantastic, and I can't wait for y'all to see them! Simply go to www.studio193.com select your connection speed, go to the client preview tab at the bottom extreme right, and type in eharris2 as the password! Let me know what you think!

What a Weekend!

We have had a great weekend with tons of family! On Friday, my Aunt Diane and cousins Danielle and Dianna came up with Danielle's twins Austin and Breanna. They stopped by for a visit Friday afternoon, and Anna Kate had a great time meeting everyone. They brought a baby shower in a box for Anna Kate. I think our wardrobe for the Summer is set! Thanks guys...I can't wait to see her all dressed up in all the fun outfits...We love you! Saturday, Grandmom came for a visit, and we had a great day! Anna Kate even watched her first horse event with Grandmom...I'm sure it'll be the first of many! :) Grandmom stayed for church this morning, and we had a great service! I have to say that it has been so refreshing to be back in church after such a whirlwind time. I feel so much more grounded when we're able to be plugged into the body! It was a great morning. We finished off the weekend with a visit to Grandaddy and Gigi's this afternoon. Anna Kate had a great time with Aunt Sarah and Aunt Mae Beth...I have a feeling they're going to spoil her...they were teasing her with Nutter Butters, and I think Anna Kate would've loved to have a nibble! :)

Tyler and Grandmom with Anna Kate! It was such a beautiful day!


lovin on Grandmom


Tyler's mom brought the dress that she and several family members were dedicated in...it's SO precious.


Grandmama, Aunt Diane, Dianna and Danielle. Austin and Breanna were so inquisitive about the baby...they were sweet and gave her several kisses!


Aunt Diane and Anna Kate



This might be one of my top 3 pics of Anna Kate so far...she is really smiling quite a bit! I love it


Mama and Anna Kate after a little nap


Hangin out with Grandmom after the Preakness...whew...Big Brown just blew them away!


This one's for you Amanda...I told you she LOVES the Boppy...who needs a swing and two bouncy seats???


Bathtime is becoming less and less traumatic! Thank the Lord!

First Date

We started out this week on Monday, by having quite possibly one of the worst days since Anna Kate got here...at lunch on Tuesday, Casey said that Drew was the same way, so maybe the barometric pressure was down or something. Surely our precious babies wouldn't be difficult just for the sake of being difficult! ;) On Tuesday, as I said, I met my precious friends Jen, Casey (and Drew, of course) and Sarah for lunch at Eva's, which I was not familiar with...let me just say-AWESOME desserts...I will definitely be going back if for nothing but the strawberry icing! We had a great time! Plus it was a first date for Drew and Anna Kate...I think they had fun, even though they slept the whole time! Meanwhile, a TRIUMPH!! Anna Kate and I ran several errands before lunch and even made a trip to the grocery store afterwards! Granted, I think I might have set a land speed record at the store, but we made it, and I was SO relieved. Maybe I won't be home-bound afterall! :) My mom came out today, and we had planned on planting flowers, but this blasted Knoxville weather didn't cooperate, so I, after almost 5 and a half years in our home, FINALLY put something on the wall over our sofa! I'd say it was quite a productive day!


With the girls at Eva's! mmm...mmm...good!



Drew and Anna Kate


Tummy time...Anna Kate is not a fan yet!


My accomplishment for today...no more bare wall over the sofa! YAY!!!

My First Mother's Day

What an incredible blessing to be a mother on Mother's Day AND get to spend the day with my mom (my hero, especially after going thru it myself!) We got up for an early feeding, and then went to wake Daddy up, and he had a special surprise for me! Thanks, Tyler, for making it such a special day! :) We had a great morning at church with my mom and dad and spent the afternoon lounging at their house...good times...sometimes it's nice to be a bum! I want to wish all the moms a happy Mother's Day, but especially to all you mommy bloggers. I'm convinced we need to start a coffee date every so often, so that our blogs aren't the only way we keep up with each other. You are all such an encouragement to me as a new mom, and I am blessed to have all of you in my life! Happy Mom's Day!


My first Mother's Day gift...thanks Daddy and Anna Kate! I absolutely love it


I really do love being a mom


lovey



My mom and dad with Anna Kate...whew it was SO windy...I had to throw out all but 2 of the pictures because we all looked like we were about to fly away!



The moms! Look how fascinated Anna Kate is with her grandmama!