This week started out a little hard.  My grandpa passed away and we traveled to Waukon, IA to help remember his tremendous 91 years of life.  About a month ago my sister, Annabelle and I went to visit him, and I’m so glad we were able to make the trip (look here for a picture of Annabelle and her Great-Grandpa).  I know that Annabelle will never remember who he was or that she got to meet him but during those couple of days that we were with him, he and Annabelle hung out and I will be able to tell her the story of them meeting and all of the wonderful things he said while they were together.

Things are starting to feel settled.  For the most part, we know what to expect, when to expect it and how to handle things when something out-of-the-ordinary happens.  We know what she likes and dislikes.  We know her sleeping and eating routine.  We know when she wants to play and when it’s time to settle down for a nap.  We know when it’s Dusty’s turn and when it’s my turn.

Not only are we in a good routine when I’m home during the week but we’re also in a really good routine on days I go into the office.  Dusty and I wake up and snuggle and talk with Annabelle in bed for a few minutes.  Dusty changes Annabelle’s diaper before running on the treadmill. Then I nurse her and let her lay on her play mat or in her bassinet watching her mobile.  While she’s smiling and watching Mr. Snail or her butterflies (these are the two things hanging from her play mat and bassinet) I take a shower, get ready, and then get all of Annabelle’s bottles ready as well as my pumping gear to take to work.  And then as we wait for the nanny I rock her asleep for her morning nap.

Annabelle went back to her regular nighttime sleeping routine this week.  She’s going to bed by 9pm and only waking up once in the middle of the night around 4am for a quick snack before going back to sleep.  She’s also starting to have a really great early evening nap that wasn’t happening a few weeks ago.  For the longest time she didn’t want to nap at all in the evenings and we struggled with putting her down between 5 and 7pm.  This meant she got so tired that she REALLY didn’t want to sleep and then we’d end up finally getting her to sleep at 8pm and she’s be down for the night (after an unhappy evening for everyone).

Life is good.  Annabelle’s personality is coming alive more and more each day.  It’s so much fun to talk with her and play.  She gives us the biggest smiles and makes the most adorable facial expressions.  Annabelle seems to have a calm, happy, and easy going disposition.