A is for Annabell...and Attitude

Just thought I would post a few pics of Miss Annabell Grey. She is now 2 months old and such a little doll. This past week has been a little rough on Mommy, Daddy and Baby as we are still struggling to find a formula that suits her. The most recent was definitely NOT a match. She became very clingy because her little tummy was hurting and cried constantly! At one point I was sure that she was no longer the sweet child I had brought home 10 weeks ago and now was certainly a new baby bearing the 666 mark in her hair somewhere. But all is well with her once again. She is back to smiling, cooing and captivating the hearts of everyone she meets! She loves playing in her bouncy chair, run/walks in her jogging stroller, Taylor Swift, car rides and can't stand to have her hands covered...which she will inevitably let you know all about if you attempt to put a blanket over them. She definitely has an attitude....wonder where she get that??

Annabell and her Yaya

Annabell sporting her tutu made by Ashley Conatser



Modeling her favorite hat




Such a Diva!!

AB in her Ed Hardy bib from Miss Jennifer
(Zac's favorite picture of her)

This was during the rough time....doesn't she look miserable!! And this was the only way she wanted to be held.

Santa, Spit-Up and Snowboarding

Oh how I do love the holidays. Most definitely my favorite time of the year...although I didn't do much decorating....something about having a newborn just took up a little too much time. But, luckily, there were plenty of decorations at Annabell's Yaya's house and Sita & Papa John's house to commemorate her 1st Christmas!

In honor of our little girl turning 1 month old, The Marshalls had a "Meet Annabell" party on Dec. 22nd. Of course, she wore the most darling Christmas dress picked out by Moi! And all of our guests passed her around and fought for a turn to hold her. We did not hear one disgruntled peep out of her, which just goes to show that she shall be quite the little social butterfly for she loves parties, people....and being held.

Santa was very good to Miss Annabell. He came to visit at my mom's house where she received tons of gifts including the most popular doll of the moment, Fancy Nancy and all of her accessories, a giant sock monkey, books, clothes and a refurbished chair from her "Sita". I got a pair of vintage cowboy boots I have been eyeing for months (my husband is really good at hiding things!), a beautiful strand of pearls and Chanel #5.....to cover up the never ending odor of baby spit-up that seems to leak out of my pores! We finished up Christmas Day at the Marshalls where there was a fabulous Bloody Mary bar and what seemed like never-ending consumption of wine!

The day after Christmas, the Marshall family headed to Ruidoso for a few days. Usually on these holiday trips, we shop and hang out with Zac's family. This year, however, among shopping and dining, Zac and I decided to go snowboarding. Now keep in mind I have never snowboarded and was oh too excited about sporting my new low-rise Roxy ski pants! My excitement "bit the ice" so to speak, when I realized that it is not so easy to snowboard. Its cold, its hard on the legs, and you are continuously trying not to "catch edge" with your board! After half an hour of struggling, I decided to fore go the lift, and the launch down which would surely end in me plummeting to my death and opted to sit in the lodge instead. Three Bloody Marys and one Colorado Bulldog later....I had decided snowboarding was fun and we should make it a tradition every year. Although next year, we don't have to spend money on a lift ticket or renting a board for me, as they are not allowed in the lodge anyway.

Overall, Christmas was wonderful and we are so lucky to have the best Christmas gift of all, our dear little girl, who is growing up so fast. She is now holding her head up, sleeping almost all night and smiling back when we smile at her......so nice to know its not just gas anymore.

"Meet Annabell" Party....I just had to coordinate our outfits!

Santa was certainly good to her!

Among all of her gifts

Sporting her new Christmas jammies!

Very tired from all of the excitement

Sipping Bloody Marys at the Marshalls

Annabell in her Christmas outfit with her Poppa Birdwell

Snow Bunny in Ruidoso

Just making a snow angel!!

Santa Baby!!

Saturday we had some family photos taken with Miss Annabell and a few of just her! Once again, Rachel Austin amazed us with her photography talents!! She almost erased any signs of sleep deprivation on the face of my husband and myself, which is a feat in itself, as we have permanent dark circles at this point. Not to mention the fact that I consistently look like I could use a shower and smell like Similac most of the time!

Saturday was also the celebration of my mom's 59th Birthday. We ventured to Shogun's where Annabell slept through fire, clanking of knives and even singing. She has been an excellent baby for the most part. But believe me, she can use those lungs when she wants!! I am slowly learning that I do not have to be at her beck and call each time I hear a peep out of her. But as any new mom will probably tell you, its hard at first to hear them cry. I will be ever so greatful when she reaches an age where she can tell me what she needs.....until then, we are figuring it out!

Marshall Party of 3

Body Glitter Seemed Like a Good Idea

Annabell is here!! Yes after 15 hours of labor, she decided to make her entrance!! She is currently ruling her Kingdom at the Marshall home.

Monday morning, after a surprisingly good night of sleep, I awoke chipper, showered, packed and even applied make-up and some body glitter (borrowed from my dear friend Jamie over a year ago and not given back because it does give you just the right amount of shimmer) for post delivery pics. I was determined to not look like those mothers who are washed up, red and sweaty after delivery. (Now those of you that have had children are laughing at this and those of you that haven't....well let me fill you in...You will look washed up, red and sweaty-just face it). I then made my way to the donut shop for breakfast with my much more nervous husband. After a quick bite to eat, we headed to the hospital where I immediately informed the nurse that I would need an epidural just as soon as it was possible. She immediately let me know that I had to dilate first and then endure a few contractions before they would administer this........however, they would let me have pain medication. This was at 8am. At 3pm I was having contractions, no epidural and had taken the nurse up on two offers for pain meds! However, I was still only at 3cm. By 5pm I was literally in tears, so Nurse Ratchett broke down and had the epidural administered.......smooth sailing after this..........or so I thought. Although the pain was now gone and we were now fully dilated...my doctor was still a no show. He was attending another birth in Odessa which is a good 20 minutes away. Therefore, the two active nurses were having me push until he got there........finally after I was sure my head would explode from pushing and my arms and legs would inevitably break off, he came running in!! 10 seconds later Annabell was here, all 7 pounds, 9 ounces and 19 3/4inches of her little cute self and me.....holding her looking washed up, red and sweaty and just to add insult to injury....I was also vomiting profusely. Any post labor pictures of me were burned.

The next few days were quite a blurr with learning the skillful art of breast feeding and dealing with out of control hormones...not to mention the enormous bowling balls that have replaced my once B cup...but we are currently at home (adjusting) and finding the inner mommy in me!! (Yes I am motherly for those of you who doubted...myself included).

Annabell and Zac napping together.

Ready or Not!!

Last Wednesday, Zac and I had our very last check up with our OBGYN. He informed us that I am 1cm dilated and my cervix is thinning (in everyday conversation, this means we have the go ahead for inducing). We, of course, had hoped this would be the case, however, something about being smacked with an 18-wheeler of reality set in when he said, "should I admit you on Saturday so you can have her by Sunday morning?"..................I'm sure Zac and I both had that deer in the headlights look! Saturday didn't seem like nearly enough time for me to cram in all of the further "mothering" knowledge I would need to raise a child. So we settled for Monday. Yes, this MONDAY (November 23, 2009). At the time, it seemed like that would be ample to calm my nerves and get all of those last minutes accomplished. And yes everything has been bought, purchased, washed, rewashed with Dreft, sterilized, organized, built and/or put together...........but I'm still not sure we are as prepared as we need to be. And the nerves have most definitely not subsided!! Each morning I have thought I would sleep in as this may be one of my last chances, but inevitably, my mind takes over and I find myself wide awake at 3am, 5am and then up by 6:30! I am, to say the least, a ball of anxiety. Now don't get me wrong, we are most definitely looking forward to meeting our sweet little girl.....I'm just not sure that I should be allowed to "grow her." Do I know everything that I need to know? I have even spoken to Zac about having Annabell's grandmothers move in. He assures me that if I need them for the first little bit, it would be fine, but he is quite certain that they won't want to live in our office/guest bedroom for 18 years. But ready or not here it comes! So keep us in your thoughts and prayers tomorrow morning at 8am when we check into the hospital............and at 8:05am when I begin asking for an epidural!

Oh Labor, Where Art Though?

This is just a little taste of what our living room has become.......its a baby-toy construction zone!! Zac has managed to put a stroller, swing, bouncy chair and pack-in-play together. The only problem is, Annabell's room is too full for everything, so now it has trickled into the other rooms. We just may need a bigger house by the time she is actually here.

And speaking of actually being here..............drum roll.................I'm still pregnant. She seems to really enjoy being in utero!! Everyone got prematurely excited when on Sunday I vacuumed, dusted, did ALL laundry, gave myself a mani and pedi and then proceeded to cook dinner and do dishes. This is so called "nesting." However, no one imparted that information to the baby, so she remained in her cozy little cocoon.

Today the mommy-mobile had a mind of its own and began unrolling the windows. Despite my attempts to roll them back up and impose the child locks, they continued to roll back down. So I made a quick trip to Big Spring to have them replace the motor which apparently had a short in it. Yeah wait until the coldest morning we have had and then make me drive 30 miles with the windows down!!! With all of this chaos going on, I was sure she would make an appearance........but no such luck. However, I would like to thank everyone who has suggested "things to do" to jump start labor. I have now:

1. eaten spicy food

2. cleaned house

3. walked til my legs want to fall off

4. done squats and lunges

5. had sex (not simultaneously, of course)

6. eaten pineapple

7. massaged my feet (with Zac's help)

and even thought about drinking Castro oil.....but couldn't go through with it. Kudos to those of you that could!!!

Despite how simple this little bouncy chair appears, it was actually the most difficult to put together!!

The Sweet Peace baby swing is now complete. I just hope mommy is smart enough to figure out all of the gadgets!!

365 Days of Marriage

Last week Zac and I celebrated our one year anniversary!! Its crazy to think that this time last year I was worried about little things like updating our wedding website and which jewelry I should wear with my dress. This year we are reading "What to Expect" and Zac has turned our living room into a mini Santa's workshop (as this is where all baby contraptions are put together). Little Annabell was an unexpected gift, but we are looking forward to her all the same. Now if only she would get here already!! It has definitely been a world-wind of a year...but I wouldn't change it for a thing!!

Arriving in Jamaica after waking up at 4am to catch our flight. Sporting my "Bride" shirt and his "Groom Cap"

The day of the wedding....."Soon to be Mrs. Marshall" hoodie!

A small ceremony on the beach of Negril, Jamaica right at sunset

Right before the sun went down

Ring shot

This picture went on our announcements.....It was my favorite!