I have not forgotten about updating those that are keeping up with us via the blog. We have just been pretty busy. Anniston is doing well, despite a skin irritation that started about a week ago. She has a pretty bad rash around her neck where her extra skin is growing faster than she can fill it out. It looks pretty bad, and it is causing her some discomfort, but the doctor tells us that it is normal, and gave us some ointment we have to put on it 4 times a day. Poor thing hates that part, and as a result of those applications, she found 11 on the volume knob...wow, she really has found a new level of wail when she needs it. But I think it is getting better, slowly, but it is not as bad as it was on Monday night a week ago. So, I have not taken many pictures lately, because of this rash. It is predominantly around her neck, but has little areas that it has spread to on her arms, and legs. Poor thing. Hopefully it gets cleared up by the 8th of August for her 2 month old pictures. Which will happen no matter what.
We are planning our first overnight trip out of the house. We are going up to stay with my parents while I cover a racing weekend as part of my photography side project. I think Anniston will do fine, she loves to spend time with her grandparents, she is an angel around all of them.
For about 4 days now, Anniston has been on a fairly steady schedule. It has worked out really well to get her into a routine, she sleeps and eats better now. She has gained more weight, when I took her to the doctor last week for the previously mentioned rash, she was up to 11 pounds and 5 ounces. The doctor was impressed with her gains...but it is the reason for the rash! Anyway, she is doing good with her schedule. And it helps us too. Especially since Andrea has to go back to work on September 1.
That is about it for now. We hope that everyone is doing well.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Playtime!
We decided to get the playmat out, and see if Anniston liked it...we think she loves it. In no time at all, she had turned herself 90 degrees on the mat, and was batting at the toys, and making fun noises. Since I was on the ground taking her picture, she could not see me, I was too far away, but if I called out to her, she would turn her head in the direction of my voice...which is a good sign that her ears are working pretty good. That is something she has started doing when either of us walk into the room she is in, she turns to our voice.
On to the pictures of her playing and having fun.
Playtime tuckered her out, and now she is sleeping in her crib...hopefully for long enough to get some much needed rest, for her and us.
On to the pictures of her playing and having fun.
Playtime tuckered her out, and now she is sleeping in her crib...hopefully for long enough to get some much needed rest, for her and us.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Well, I know it has been a while since I have provided any sort of update. We just don't seem to find a lot of spare time in the evenings to get online and let everyone know what is going on. So I will try to go back in time a little and see what I can remember.
Last Sunday, July 10 we were back out at my parent's house for my Grandfather's 86th birthday. Andrea and I had been up a lot in the days leading up to it, and it was nice to have family around to help us feed Anniston, and give her some more attention. She always seems to behave better around everyone but us.
She spent a lot of the day with her Aunt Sarah, I think she enjoyed it.
We also had a chance to redo the Rhoads family pictures, and they turned out much better this time.
The 4 generations of the Rhoads family.
I can't remember what day it was, but we started to take pictures of Anniston on the blankets that various people made for her. We did not get her picture done with all of them yet, she decided she was done with the picture taking, so we will have to finish the rest of them next time we do some pictures. Thank you to all of those that made blankets for us, we really like them, and Anniston does too!
The week we just finished was a long one. It had its ups and downs. Anniston had another doctor's appointment this week, and she continues to grow. She is know 22 inches long, and 10 pounds 8.5 ounces. Anniston has had some long nights, with mommy by her side. She has slept good, and she has not slept. We are trying to get her onto a more routine schedule, with some success.
We also had another visitor this past Friday. My friend Gordon visited from Chattanooga, and got to spend some time with her. I think she liked him a lot. He brought with him a Bilibo, a Swiss seat for babies, we have not figured out how to use it yet, but Gordon says that she will love it. His kids still like top play in them, and they are 11 and 8, they have them for bigger kids too.
Abbey has also been getting more curious about Anniston. She likes to be in the same room with her, and tends to follow us when we leave the room with Anniston. I think she is going to be protective of the new family member, even if some of the attention has been taken away from her.
Right now, I need to take a few pictures of Anniston playing on a new toy, she has moved herself around a lot under this new toy...so I am sure I will be back in a few to post those pictures too.
Last Sunday, July 10 we were back out at my parent's house for my Grandfather's 86th birthday. Andrea and I had been up a lot in the days leading up to it, and it was nice to have family around to help us feed Anniston, and give her some more attention. She always seems to behave better around everyone but us.
She spent a lot of the day with her Aunt Sarah, I think she enjoyed it.
We also had a chance to redo the Rhoads family pictures, and they turned out much better this time.
The 4 generations of the Rhoads family.
I can't remember what day it was, but we started to take pictures of Anniston on the blankets that various people made for her. We did not get her picture done with all of them yet, she decided she was done with the picture taking, so we will have to finish the rest of them next time we do some pictures. Thank you to all of those that made blankets for us, we really like them, and Anniston does too!
The week we just finished was a long one. It had its ups and downs. Anniston had another doctor's appointment this week, and she continues to grow. She is know 22 inches long, and 10 pounds 8.5 ounces. Anniston has had some long nights, with mommy by her side. She has slept good, and she has not slept. We are trying to get her onto a more routine schedule, with some success.
We also had another visitor this past Friday. My friend Gordon visited from Chattanooga, and got to spend some time with her. I think she liked him a lot. He brought with him a Bilibo, a Swiss seat for babies, we have not figured out how to use it yet, but Gordon says that she will love it. His kids still like top play in them, and they are 11 and 8, they have them for bigger kids too.
Abbey has also been getting more curious about Anniston. She likes to be in the same room with her, and tends to follow us when we leave the room with Anniston. I think she is going to be protective of the new family member, even if some of the attention has been taken away from her.
Right now, I need to take a few pictures of Anniston playing on a new toy, she has moved herself around a lot under this new toy...so I am sure I will be back in a few to post those pictures too.
Friday, July 8, 2011
One Month Old
That's right...as hard as it is to believe, Anniston is one month old today. I know I can't believe it, I am not really sure where the last month went...but I would not trade it for anything. She has been a wonderful addition, and we are really enjoying watching her grow up already.
Here she is at one month...
I hope the people that read this don't mind all the pictures, I can't seem to take enough of her. It won't slow down...I took over 50 tonight in less than 10 minutes.
I think she is getting used to it now.
Here she is at one month...
I hope the people that read this don't mind all the pictures, I can't seem to take enough of her. It won't slow down...I took over 50 tonight in less than 10 minutes.
I think she is getting used to it now.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
4th of July
I am a couple of days behind...we took a few pictures of Anniston on the 4th of July. She is getting better at being on front of the camera. Which is good. She has one pointed at her a lot.
I think she might one day join me on my photo expeditions...she seems to like camera equipment already!
I think she might one day join me on my photo expeditions...she seems to like camera equipment already!
Sunday, July 3, 2011
So, whats it like...?
We will inevitably be asked this question. It has not happened yet, but I know it is coming. "What is it like with a baby in the house now?" And I am going to use the description that a friend of ours used when we asked her that question.
Everyday feels like Groundhog Day around here! And I am Bill Murray. And I am not even home all day, every day. No, we are not on a routine, or a schedule yet...but the same cycles repeat themselves all day, every day. It is the same, with very little variety.
Somewhere around 5-6 AM, she wakes up, and its time to change a diaper. But before you can change the diaper, start getting a bottle ready, turn the warmer on, get the bottle out, hope it is still cold from the overnight in the cooler...or else you have to go get a new one. All the while, there is this scream emanating from the little bundle of joy in your arms, a scream that makes your ears twitch, and your brain hurt. Now that you have the diaper changed, hopefully that bottle is almost warm...because your head is starting to split open...then....ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! She gets to eat, and all is quiet again, someone turned the switch off.
At this point, she may, or may not go back to sleep. Assuming all is well, she goes back to sleep. For maybe 90 minutes...2 hours if you are lucky...then, guess what?
It is time to start that process all over again. Except this time, the bottle is not even made up yet, now you are downstairs, and you need to get the formula out of the fridge...hope you have clean bottles on the counter or in the dishwasher...don't find yourself with no clean bottles...your head can't take it. Because she is developing her lungs again. So, you go through the whole thing again...diaper, bottle, maybe another diaper, some more bottle...except this time she doesn't feel like sleeping. Sometimes that is ok, she will lay there in her rocker or bouncy chair and be content to just stare at you...but not always. Before you know it...it has been 2 hours again, and guess WHAT?
You guessed it again, time to start all over! This goes on all day. With the occasional bit of variety of a dirty diaper somewhere between feedings. It is amazing, this child weighs 10 pounds, and pees more than any adult I have ever seen...even the well hydrated ones. It is astonishing.
But while it feels like we are stuck in some alter universe, where we are destined to repeat the same things over, day after day, we know there is an end to this phase. Much like there was an end to the potty training for the dog. There is an end. And through it all, we love her more everyday. She is a wonderful bundle of joy...who would make Steven Tyler envious.
Everyday feels like Groundhog Day around here! And I am Bill Murray. And I am not even home all day, every day. No, we are not on a routine, or a schedule yet...but the same cycles repeat themselves all day, every day. It is the same, with very little variety. 
Somewhere around 5-6 AM, she wakes up, and its time to change a diaper. But before you can change the diaper, start getting a bottle ready, turn the warmer on, get the bottle out, hope it is still cold from the overnight in the cooler...or else you have to go get a new one. All the while, there is this scream emanating from the little bundle of joy in your arms, a scream that makes your ears twitch, and your brain hurt. Now that you have the diaper changed, hopefully that bottle is almost warm...because your head is starting to split open...then....ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! She gets to eat, and all is quiet again, someone turned the switch off.At this point, she may, or may not go back to sleep. Assuming all is well, she goes back to sleep. For maybe 90 minutes...2 hours if you are lucky...then, guess what?
It is time to start that process all over again. Except this time, the bottle is not even made up yet, now you are downstairs, and you need to get the formula out of the fridge...hope you have clean bottles on the counter or in the dishwasher...don't find yourself with no clean bottles...your head can't take it. Because she is developing her lungs again. So, you go through the whole thing again...diaper, bottle, maybe another diaper, some more bottle...except this time she doesn't feel like sleeping. Sometimes that is ok, she will lay there in her rocker or bouncy chair and be content to just stare at you...but not always. Before you know it...it has been 2 hours again, and guess WHAT?
You guessed it again, time to start all over! This goes on all day. With the occasional bit of variety of a dirty diaper somewhere between feedings. It is amazing, this child weighs 10 pounds, and pees more than any adult I have ever seen...even the well hydrated ones. It is astonishing. But while it feels like we are stuck in some alter universe, where we are destined to repeat the same things over, day after day, we know there is an end to this phase. Much like there was an end to the potty training for the dog. There is an end. And through it all, we love her more everyday. She is a wonderful bundle of joy...who would make Steven Tyler envious.
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Weekend Update
So, it has been a long week. Full of ups and downs. Full of diapers, bottles and sleep deprivation for mom. Anniston has a good night where she will sleep for 3-5 hours...then the next night she is up all night. Those are long nights, Friday night was one of those nights. We have also started to get Anniston to fall asleep on her own, in her crib, and not in our arms. We have had limited success, but we know this is important for her, and us. Anyway, the week was a good one. Now on to the picture part of the update, I know that is what most of you want to see anyway.
Early in the week, in my ongoing pursuit of photographic excellence, I found a studio light kit for the house. It is just one light for now, but I can see it turning into more. It arrived on Thursday, so, of course, I had to try it out Thursday evening. It was fun, and helpful. Our living room is dimly lit, and not really all that good for pictures. I got to take a few pictures of Anniston interacting with mom, I took a bunch of pictures, she seems to grow so fast, and change from day to day and it was nice to be able to see her eyes for a change.
Anniston sitting in mom's lap, trying to figure out what hands are for!
I think she likes to have her picture taken sometimes, she looks right at me...good thing, she will be in front of my camera a lot as she grows up, I am going to need a bigger hard drive!
Anniston likes her belly time, she seems to do really well with it.
After all of those, we gave her another bath, I think she likes them. But then we put something nice on her, and took a few more pictures! I needed a couple more for the Birth Announcement. This is not one of them...that will have to be a surprise, and I don't want to spoil it.
Last one...it is not perfect, but it is a starting point, and I know what I need to do better next time.
Last night, Andrea and I also got to go on a date...with each other of course. Grandma Moore was nice enough to come babysit and we got to go out to eat and see a movie. Transformers 3, we enjoyed it, not a great movie, but it was fun, and it was a nice night out.
Ok, I think we are updated, Anniston is finally napping in the living room, and I need to get to work.
Early in the week, in my ongoing pursuit of photographic excellence, I found a studio light kit for the house. It is just one light for now, but I can see it turning into more. It arrived on Thursday, so, of course, I had to try it out Thursday evening. It was fun, and helpful. Our living room is dimly lit, and not really all that good for pictures. I got to take a few pictures of Anniston interacting with mom, I took a bunch of pictures, she seems to grow so fast, and change from day to day and it was nice to be able to see her eyes for a change.Anniston sitting in mom's lap, trying to figure out what hands are for!
I think she likes to have her picture taken sometimes, she looks right at me...good thing, she will be in front of my camera a lot as she grows up, I am going to need a bigger hard drive!
Anniston likes her belly time, she seems to do really well with it.
After all of those, we gave her another bath, I think she likes them. But then we put something nice on her, and took a few more pictures! I needed a couple more for the Birth Announcement. This is not one of them...that will have to be a surprise, and I don't want to spoil it.
Last one...it is not perfect, but it is a starting point, and I know what I need to do better next time.
Last night, Andrea and I also got to go on a date...with each other of course. Grandma Moore was nice enough to come babysit and we got to go out to eat and see a movie. Transformers 3, we enjoyed it, not a great movie, but it was fun, and it was a nice night out.
Ok, I think we are updated, Anniston is finally napping in the living room, and I need to get to work.
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