the smile that lit up my world.

So Anne-Kelly has started smiling in the last week! At first, it was just those little practice smiles in her sleep, but now she has started full-fledged smiling. When Brent got home from work yesterday, he squatted down in front of her (she was still in her car seat carrier, as we had just returned home as well) and she broke into the biggest smile! It was like she almost laughed and said, "Daddy, I'm so glad you're home!!" This made both of our days. Funny how one little smile can mean so much.
I cannot believe how fast she has developed. One month ago she was only able to express unhappiness by crying, but now she can show us she's happy, sad, amused, content, etc. Also, she couldn't focus at first, but now she's following faces, toys, and, her favorite, the ceiling fan. I can't wait to see what she's going to do next! I'm so in love.

Which is probably the reason why I haven't updated my blog as often since her birth. I've been crazy busy! If you've never taken care of a newborn you really haven't lived. It's growing both Brent and me in ways that we could have never imagined, both good and bad. It's definitely challenging, but more than that, I feel immeasurably blessed to be trusted with this precious life. She is such a sweet angel.


I took her to the pediatrician for her six week check-up this morning. They were very pleased with her progress. Since she started out weighing only five lbs. eight oz., they were very excited that she now weighs seven lbs. six-and-a-half oz. She's also now 21 inches long, which means she's grown over two inches since birth! Also, she is now nursing like a professional, which explains why she's growing so well. That is a huge answered prayer for me and for Brent.


On a separate note, Brent has been rather stressed out lately and could use some prayer. He has had to go to Charlotte for a week out of the month already, and he has to return all next week for a course on welding inspection (Can you believe I remembered what it was called, honey???).

Apparently the course is really tough, and Brent is already studying in the evenings this week. Please pray that he would have a good week during the course next week, and that he would easily absorb the knowledge and therefore, do well on the test next Saturday.

Since Brent is going away again, I am going to go back to Kentucky for a visit. I was just there last week, and I had originally planned for AK and I to go to Charlotte with him next week. But since it's going to be such a stressful course, he decided it might be better for him to go alone. I imagine that it might be very difficult to study with Anne around, as she's not exactly a quiet baby in the evenings :)


None of my family is very upset that I'm coming back next week, as they were all quite taken with her last week. My dad's mom, who I call Nanny, spent most of last week rocking Anne-Kelly and singing to her (Nanny is notorious for singing a spectacular rendition of "You are My Sunshine"). And last weekend, Sandy and Trey (Brent's mom and brother) came to visit. We had a great time, but it was also a bittersweet weekend, as Sunday would have been Brent's dad's 47th birthday. I think that being all together helped Sandy immeasurably. I was glad.


Well, this sweet baby is waking up, so that's all I know to tell you. Now back to my regular routine: watching the Andy Griffith Show and nursing this baby. It sure is an exciting life that I lead!