20 weeks!?!?!?

Oh my goodness... 20 weeks already? Where has the time gone? I kept waiting to blog until I had time to catch up all of the many weeks I've missed and I finally have reached the conclusion there never will be time. So, I am starting now... and will catch up later :)

Brianna is a healthy, happy 20 week old baby girl! The amount of happiness she has brought to our lives is immeasurable. I have said this a million times but I really thought I would have a good handle on this mommy business. I've been around children and babies more than most but being the mommy is a whole new ballgame. Even though it is completely different than I ever imagined, I love every crazy minute.

Brianna is now "talking" up a storm. She tries to say "gooooood" and "hiiiiiiiii". In the past 2 weeks she has found a new octave and she likes to squeal all day long so everyone knows it. She smiles all the time... she can be crying and when you talk to her breaks out in a big grin. She is starting to giggle more and more. Michael and I will just lay with her taking turns making her laugh and look at each other and agree there is no better feeling in the world.

Even though most of her time is spent with me, her favorite person in this world is her Daddy. She absolutely adores him... and the feeling is mutual. Michael is a wonderful father and I am very blessed to have him. In the first few weeks following my C-Section he really took fantastic care of both of us. He has stayed strong through all of my emotional ups and downs with all of the hormones and I love him even more for it. I give him a hard time that he doesn't get up with her enough or change as many diapers as I'd like but he really is a great daddy. I love how much they love each other!

Thanks to "Becoming Babywise" my little angel sleeps 10-12 hours a night! If you are pregnant, thinking of becoming pregnant, know someone who is pregnant or know someone who is thinking of becoming pregnant (you get the picture) I recommend this book!

We have started to add cereal and a little baby food into Bri's diet in the past couple weeks as well. She didn't like it at all at first but is doing really well now. Her favorite is a spoonful of apples mixed into her oatmeal.

Bathtime is probably her favorite part of the day. Just being in the same room as running water seems to calm her. She has gone swimming once and wasn't as excited about it as I expected but I'm hoping that grows on her.

I had many anxiety attacks before returning to work, mainly because we didn't figure out childcare until a few weeks before I went back. I just could not even think about the idea of leaving this little baby. How in the world can any person have a child... the most precious thing in your life... something you have carried for 9 long months and stayed home with for 3... and then just go back to work? I didn't understand!!!! The way I thought about this before having a baby and the feelings once she was here were two totally different things. I would stay awake at night and just look at her and cry because I couldn't imagine leaving her. After much prayer and discussion the solution has been a miracle. My mom (sometimes known as "Pammaw" among many other names these days) is keeping Bri Bri 3 days a week. My mama has always been incredible in my eyes but now that I am a mother myself, I appreciate her and all of her sacrifices even more. She continues to sacrifice soooooo much for me and now her little grandbaby. She takes Bri to work with her on Mondays and Fridays and has her at home on Wednesdays, sometimes after only getting a few hours of sleep after working the night before. It has been amazing knowing that Bri is in such great hands. My mom has helped me feel more confident as a mother. She doesn't question the decisions I make, she supports them. When I ask her opinion, she offers it but always makes me feel like I will make the best decisions for myself and Brianna. This, and how much she loves little Brianna, are the best gifts I could ever imagine from a mother and grandmother! I love you, Mama!

What about Tuesdays and Thursdays, you might ask. Well... Miss Caroline Tipton has been my other answered prayer. Carrie and I went to high school together but lost touch after graduation. Thanks to facebook and having baby girls just 5 weeks apart we reconnected. Carrie offered very early on to help me out with childcare. I thought she was insane at first... she has a new baby herself and works full time in the evenings. This girl is Superwoman. She is so flexible with my schedule and doesn't look at me too crazy when I come up with my crazy requests. PLUS Brianna gets to hang out with her little BFF Chloe when she goes to Miss Carrie's house. Carrie is going through a lot herself but is always there for us and we love her! I hope she really knows how much we appreciate her!

Well... that is enough for now! Hopefully I write again before another 20 weeks passes!