A few pictures

I really wanted to post tonight about the amazing weekend we had in Atlanta. But I'm tired and Emma is sleeping, which means I need to be sleeping. So, I'm posting a few pictures for now and will write more and post more picturs (and some videos) tomorrow. So here's what our weekend consisted of...

My dad got to meet Emma for the first time!

Deeper Still with Beth Moore, Kay Arthur, & Priscilla Shirer was a-m-a-z-i-n-g!

And the worship was wonderful!

Grant loved on Emma.

We went to the Georgia Aquarium (by far the best aquarium I've ever been too).

Spent some quality time with our dear friends--the Beasleys & the Edingers

We went to the beach in Gulfport on the way home.

Emma put her feet in the ocean for the first time!

And played in the sand with Daddy.

And had some good sensory time with her feet in the sand.

And loved every minute of it!

pure excitement!

so, i'm pretty excited about quite a few things...

• going to the ATL this weekend
• emma meeting her papa (my dad) for the first time this weekend
  
• spending time with my parents this weekend
  
• spending time with the edingers & the beasleys this weekend
  
• going to deeper still (seeing beth moore, kay arthur, prescilla sherir, travis cottrell, and mandisa)
• going back to south carolina in july
  
• the breaking free taping in november at franklin avenue
• my mom & mrs. kay coming to visit in november
• the fact that my husband finally has a job thst he loves and looks forward to going to every day
• that i have the blessing and priviledge of staying home with my precious daughter
• that emma & i are finally getting better (praise God!)
• about my friends & their new babies--courtney & mike (baby gus), rene' & nathan (baby annabelle)
• the fact that emma slept long enough for me to do the dishes this morning!
  

so, yeah, i'm pretty pumped up right now. :)

Breastfeeding woes

1st-Mastitis
2nd-Thrush
3rd-Low milk supply

I guess you can say that I've been "baptized by fire" into this whole breastfeeding thing. Things are looking up though, thanks to a lactation consultant, lots of medicine, and lots of herbal supplements. I wouldn't change it for the world.

picture update

This week's adventures:

1. Emma didn't cry during her last bath!
2. Emma "held" her bottle

Plus, some other cute pics!

One month

Dear Emma,

You are one month old today. The past four weeks have been a whirlwind full of joy for your Daddy and I. You are truly precious and I fall more and more in love with you every single day. It still doesn't seem real that you are mine and I have the privilege of raising you. You are perfect in every way. Your Daddy and I love to sing to you and read to you. You especially love it when we sing "Jesus Loves Me". You love to "talk" and sound like a cross between a goat, cat, and pterodactyl. You even "talk" in your sleep! You love to ride in the car and only cry when you have gas or are hungry. You are a good sleeper. We're still working on the eating thing though. :) You have so many people that love you and care about you (and have prayed for you for a long time). We are blessed as to have a wonderful church, friends, and family who will help us raise you to know and love the God of the universe. All of your grandparents are head over heels in love with you. You are so loved and I hope that you grow up knowing that. Emma Grace, you are a blessing to us and we couldn't be move overjoyed to have you as a daughter. I look forward to many adventures with you!

Love,
Mommy

Blogged

I found this onesie on Etsy & am quite tempted to buy it for Emma. :)

Happy Father's Day!

New!

I'm still new to this big world!

So you know

Just so you know, I've added a link on the right side of my blog for our "Family Pictures". We'll keep updating them!

Life as a mom

Needless to say, life has been quite busy this week. We have survived our first week on our own (without family here). I am trying to get into a routine, but it's harder than I thought it would be. Most of my day is spent holding and feeding Emma. This girl LOVES to eat! When she wakes up, I feed her (which takes about an hour) and then we have some "play" time. Well, 30 minutes later it seems she is hungry again! She also stays up for about 4 hours at a time (normally an infant only stays up for about 2 hours at a time), but never seems fussy from being overtired. She just won't fall asleep--I just don't get it. We're definitely still trying to figure this little girl out, but we are loving every second of it! Well, I've just put Emma down and pumped, so I better get some sleep while I can!

You've been waiting.

I know a few anxious souls who have been awaiting recent pictures of Emma Grace...here ya go!

A truly exhausted girl!

Grandma Parks

Grandpa Parks

I see a belly button!

Sleepy girl (not quite sure what's going on with that blanket)

DJ, Emma, & Daddy trying to get some rest (while Mommy keeps a watchful eye)

Simply precious.

Emma's first real bath...she didn't enjoy it so much.

But she loved her warm, soft towel!

Yesterday.

Yesterday Emma turned two weeks old. She is now sleeping successfully on her back in the pack 'n play. She makes the funniest and cutest facial expressions. She can drink from a bottle (we've had a little more trouble breastfeeding since my infection, so I'm pumping a lot now). She is getting into a routine and seems to be more alert. She truly is precious.

Yesterday was also Matt's and my 3 year anniversary. Unfortunately, I felt horrible and we didn't get to celebrate. I'm sure we will soon. It is so hard to believe that it's already been 3 years. The time has passed by quickly and life has brought many changes in these past 3 years. Though we have had some rough times, I wouldn't change a thing. That is what marraige is about. I am so blessed to have married an amazing man who has such a servant's heart.

*This has nothing to do with yesterday, but I am still suffering from my bacterial infection. It has actually gotten much worse even after taking the penicillin. So, today my doctor prescribed me a new medicine that will hopefully work better. Keep praying for me though--I am pretty miserable. Matt's mom leaves tomorrow afternoon, so we'll be on our own after that. I'm definitely nervous, especially since I'm still sick. Pray, pray, pray!!!

Today's Events

*Emma's umbilical cord fell of this morning...Grandma Parks discovered it!

*I have mastitis...I have a fever of 102.1, feel like I have the flu & feel like I got hit by a huge truck all at the same time. The doctor is calling in some medicine, but it could take two days to work. Oh man, I feel awful! Pray for me!

Emma's birth announcement

Here is the proof of Emma's birth announcement...I can't wait until they come. Isn't it beautiful?!
*You can click on the picture to see it larger*

It's a busy life!

Life has been quite busy this week (well, of course it has, we have a newborn)! We had to say goodbye to my mom (Grammy), Kelly & Paul and say hello to Matt's parents (Grandma & Grandpa). Emma has been doing well. She actually slept for SEVEN hours last night!!! She is a great eater, although she falls asleep a million times while eating. She is a great sleeper if she is in her carseat, the bouncy seat, the swing, or someone's arms. She doesn't like to lie flat on her back, so we have had lots of trouble getting her to sleep in the pack & play. Any mom's have any suggestions? We have been doing lots of things and going lots of places with Matt's parents. Emma had her first trip to Target on Friday. I'm sure it will quickly become Emma's favorite store just like her mommy.

I need to upload some more pictures, but for now, here are a couple pictures from Emma's first "bird bath".