SO confused!!!

So here is the deal...I have two books that tell me how to raise my child - The Baby Book by Dr. William Sears, and the infamous On Becoming Baby Wise, by Dr. Ezzo. These were both given to me before Abbie was born, and I have read through them both and so far combined things I like from both. But these two books could not be more different. Dr. Sears talks about co-sleeping, wearing your baby, baby directed feedings, not letting them cry, you get the picture. And Baby Wise is parent directed feeding, letting them cry it out, not rocking or nursing your baby to sleep, etc. I like Baby Wise because I believe putting your baby on a schedule is important, and the eat-wake-sleep things seems like a good way to do it, but we all know there are times when you have to go by what baby wants and not by the schedule - i.e if they are hungry before the 2 1/2 hour window, etc. Sometimes it just happens. But the thing I can't get past is the crying it out part, and putting your baby to bed awake! I just can't imagine putting Abbie in her crib awake and letting her go to sleep on her own, or letting her cry for up to 15 minutes. I enjoy rocking her to sleep, and really at night she goes pretty quickly once I feed her and she is happy. I realize I have some work to do with laying her down during the day for naps, because she has become used to us holding her while she sleeps, and it won't be like that when she goes to her caretaker and I go back to work. And then when I read Dr. Sears, I almost feel guilty for putting Abbie in her crib and not bringing her in the bed with us. So I realize that by writing this blog entry I am opening up the door to advice, and I am fine with that. Some of you have already given me different pieces of advice. I just want Abbie to be a happy and healthy child, and I think she is already. But I want to be a healthy and happy mother too, and if that means waiting a few more weeks or months for her to sleep longer that is fine. I guess part of me just worries that I am developing bad habits for her right now. Dr. Sears doesn't think so, but Dr. Ezzo does! So who is right? I don't think there is a right or wrong way to raise a child, and no book is going to be the end all be all answer. But I just wish maybe I could find a middle of the road book that talks about caring and nurturing your baby but also getting them to sleep for longer periods of time. Any suggestions? Is Healthy Sleep Habits, Healthy Child the same philosophy as Baby Wise? Are there any other books you recommend? I am open and willing to listen to your opinions. Again, I know that maybe what works for your child may not work for mine, but isn't that one of the perks of blogging? That we get feedback from others? Looking forward to hearing your comments!!

6 Week Pictures

Abbie is growing and changing before our eyes! She doesn't have a lot of girth on her, but her cheeks are full and she is SO long! Hmm, wonder where she gets that from?? She loves having a bath now (we figured out I had the water too cold before!) and she likes to stretch out on her baby einstein play yard. She also likes her bouncy seat and her swing. She will follow her Daddy's voice anywhere. She will turn her head toward him wherever he is. And he can always make her smile! Here are a few pictures from the last couple days. Look at the two bottom pictures. The one is the same exact position and picture (and same shorts for Wes!! - sorry honey!) of Abbie at 1 week old and then at 6 weeks. Amazing the change!

Abbie at 5 days old....

Same picture/pose at 5 1/2 weeks....

6 weeks!

Abbie will be 6 weeks old tomorrow. I must say this parenting thing is not an easy task - not that I ever thought it would be, but I think so many people, especially new mom's, paint a pretty picture, and I definitely don't feel like that pretty picture very often! I walk around with spit up all over me, sometimes having not showered in 2 days, no make up, no hair fixing, boobs sore from feeding, looking like I haven't slept in days, the list goes on! But then there are the times like right now, where Abbie is sleeping peacefully on me, and we got a decent night's sleep last night, and I remember why we did this. She is still not sleeping the greatest, much to my dismay. I just thought for sure by now she'd be sleeping through the night...why?? I don't know. It's not completely unheard of for babies to do that by 5 or 6 weeks. And I just thought for sure she would be so "good" that she would. Why is it that mother's often judge their parenting skills on how well their babies sleep? That seems to be the first question I am asked these days - "How is she sleeping?" I must admit it would be easier sometimes to lie and say "GREAT!" but anyone who looks at me would know by the bags under my eyes that I was not telling the truth! Anyways, I will not paint the perfect picture I so often hear. I will tell you the truth. She is wonderful. We love her more than anything. But it's tough. Parenting is tough. And sleep is precious. One hour even. But would I trade in this child to sleep again? To eat or do anything without interruption? Absolutely not. I love her. I am head over heels in love with her. And that's the truth.

8 years!!

Oh my word, where has the time gone??!!! Today is Wes and I's 8 year anniversary!! I feel like we have practically grown up together, even though we met right around "adulthood". I mean, we were both 21, but still, so young!! It has been a wonderful journey and of course this year is so much more special because we have a beautiful daughter to cherish and love together! Happy Anniversary sweetheart!

Happy Father's Day!!

Happy Father's Day to all you dad's out there! Wes and I are both very thankful to have great fathers and role models. We wish we could celebrate with you today!

We have had a nice and relaxing weekend. Not only is it Wes's first father's day, but it's also our 8 year anniversary Tuesday so we went out to dinner and a movie last night to celebrate. My grandmother and aunt watched Abbie for us. We had a great time! Abbie is starting to sleep longer through the night, sometimes going up to 4 and 1/2 hours between feedings. She is really developing quite the personality, and we are enjoying every minute of it! We know the next few weeks and months will only bring about more fun changes with her!

I also want to say a special Happy Father's day to Wes. He is already such a wonderful and hands on dad - not that I expected anything less, but my love for him has grown so much since Abbie has arrived. She is definitely a daddy's girl and it melts my heart to see them together.

4 weeks old!!

I can't believe our little girl is nearly a month old (tomorrow)! Do I say that at every little milestone? Yes! She is growing and changing every day. She is rolling from her back onto her side now, and is kicking and starting to make a lot more noises. She is also smiling more and more each day. My grandmother and aunt have been here for two days, and I swear she has gained a pound since they have been here... this could be because every time she cries my grandmother insists I feed her!! ( : It does seem to soothe her though. Last night they took Abbie for a full night for Wes and I. It was the first time Abbie got a bottle, and she took it right away! Woohoo! Wes and I were so excited to get a full night's sleep! She is still going about 3-4 hours at night, but I am hoping she will start going longer soon. I try to get her really full before bed and that is usually the time she goes 4 hours. Here are a few pictures from yesterday - her hair is absolutely crazy. It is still really long and all in the back of her head!

Weekend Pics

We went to a BBQ last night and hung out with a bunch of great friends. Here are a few pics...Abbie of course, but also Gentry and Keaton, whom I have neglected to post pictures of since our little one has arrived!! But it doesn't make me love them any less! Gentry kept me company last night while I fed Abbie, and even helped me burp her. What a little sweetheart!

One of the few times I got to hold Abbie last night!! She is saying the pledge of allegiance in her sleep! ( :

Wednesday happenings!

First, I want to congratulate my dear friend Shanna Riggsbee on the birth of her baby girl Avery today!! Shanna is my hero - she had Avery all natural, after 17 hours of labor, and she weighed in at 9lbs 14 oz!! After only having contractions for a couple hours and being dilated 1.5 cm, I thought I was in pain, but wow. Seriously, wow. Shanna and I met at WCU - we were suite mates our freshman semester and became friends instantly. We lost touch for a while but actually became reacquainted through myspace! This is Shanna's second little girl, so congrats to her and her family!!

Abbie and I went to the mall today so I could find some jeans. You know, jeans that are non-maternity, and fit my post-pregnancy size, which is a couple sizes up from my pre-pregnancy size! Anyways, I ended up at Buckle because they have a fabulous selection of denim, but my real reason for telling you about our trip to the mall was that I re-discovered a store I had not been in for a while. At Bunco the other night one of my friends was talking about New York and Co. so I thought I might go in there today. As Misty would say, they have it going on!! I swear I could have bought the entire store. They have great summer clothes, from short shorts to bermudas, capris to track suits, not to mention the selection of work clothes! And they have pants in long!! I ended up getting only a top today, after all I have bills (namely hospital bills!) to pay, and of course my main reason for the trip was to get jeans, which I accomplished, but I just had to give kudos to NY and Co, and for those of you who haven't been in there lately, GO! I always have a hard time finding clothes, especially at the mall, that fit my style. It seems they are either too old or too young. The GAP is my main staple and always will be, but I will definitely be venturing into NY and Co much more!!

In Abbie news, she is doing great. She has kept me up a few nights lately, just for a couple hours at a time, with a belly ache. I am going to cut milk and chocolate out of my diet and see what happens. Those two foods are what I am eating the most of, so hopefully it will be an easy fix. Fingers crossed! But most of the time, if her belly doesn't hurt, she goes 3 hours at night, and usually the first interval 4 hours. I am HOPING sleeping through the night isn't too far off!! We went to see Wes at work today so he could show her off to everyone, and got to have lunch with him too. Everyone said she was so beautiful, which we already knew!! It is rainy and cold here today (which is why I needed jeans) and doesn't even feel like June! But it was great to get out for several hours with her. Everyone keeps saying how alert she is, so I wanted to show you pictures of her sleeping so you can see she DOES sleep, a lot actually, I just like taking pictures of her awake!!

See her crooked little smile here???!!!

Abbie Grace made her debut at church yesterday. Of course she was very popular! I am sure you can see why....

OK, I will post more later this week. Wes's parents left this morning and we are back to just us until my aunt and grandma come to town next week. Right now it's naptime....