The First Two Weeks
Whew! Life with a new baby is always a whirlwind. When you live from feeding to feeding- and there is no big night time break- your days start to all just meld together. Are we still in the month of May? What day of the week is it? What day is it? I don’t even know. But I’m super thankful to have my phone with me to capture all of the sweet, fleeting moments that have been happening around here over the last few days.
In related news, we are getting our newborn/family pictures taken tomorrow morning and I am just SO excited! It is the same friend who has taken all of our other wonderful and amazing family pictures over the years, so I can’t wait to see how these turn out!
Anywho, here are some of the things we’ve been up to:
(A lot of this has been on Instagram- if you don’t follow me already, start!)
Abigail hasn’t been big into holding her sister. Mostly she is into kissing her head and patting her tummy, but every once in a while she’ll ask if she can help hold her for a little bit and it’s just the sweetest. Luckily Mabel is a laid back baby and just lays there, making it easy on all of us.
A few days before Mabel was born, we had made plans to have a small baby shower luncheon with all of Jim’s co-workers the following week. Well, she went and surprised us and was born on a Saturday, 11 days early. Lucky for me, I have felt awesome post delivery, so we decided to make Mabel’s first public outing to her own baby shower a few days later. She slept the entire time, I got to eat delicious food, and we opened some awesome gifts. Winning!
I am 100% obsessed with these Zozu Baby headbands. They’re so lovely and adorable on her tiny newborn head!
Okay, y’all. This baby is the absolute sweetness. She is so snuggly and chill and sweet. We’re totally wrapped around her tiny fingers and just positively adore her.
Uncle Cameron and Aunt Clairen came down for a day to visit the Mabes and great fun was had by all.
We discovered that they kind of look like each other.
It’s looking like her eyes might be brown like mine?? So, we might have reverse kiddos. Abigail looks like me with Jim’s eyes. Mabel looks like Jim…with my eyes?
Mom is here still and keeping the entire ship afloat. I’m focused on resting, feeding a baby constantly, feeding myself, and that’s pretty much it. Mom is taking care of everything else- and of course, Abigail is loving her extra Grammy time! (And not just because of her iPad, haha)
All I could think was, “Draw me like one of your french girls” Is that terrible to think about your newborn? Lol!
Super dad! Snuggling and helping out with his mini me. Also, we temporarily moved her rocker into our room and it is really great in there. I usually feed her in our bed, but it’s nice for a change of pace or daytime feed in the chair.
Mabel has been rocking her Atkinson Drive blanket and I LOVE it. It is so sweet- and the perfect sized blanket for swaddling.
Something that I never once did with Abigail, but have already done a good bit with Mabel is baby wearing. I ordered a Solly baby wrap during their black Friday sale last year and I absolutely love it. Wearing Mabel is one of my all time favorite things. She snuggles in and falls asleep. I keep her close but my hands are free. It is just so great.
After a week and a half of sleeping on Mom and Dad at night, we finally broke out the RNP and it is glorious. Again, a baby item that I never had with Abigail and wow, this thing is a total game changer. Love it love it love it.
Earlier this week, Grandpa Monty and Grandma Jenny took Abigail to Silver Dollar City for the day, so Mom and I ventured out to the mall and to Target! It was Mabel’s very first trip so we had to document it of course.
They gave us this crinkly black and white book at the hospital and it is absolutely hilarious watching Mabel stare at it. She totally focuses in on it. How they did a study to figure out what newborn babies like to look at baffles me, but it totally works on my baby.
This week Mom said, “you guys should go on a date night!” Without family close by, date nights are a rarity for us, so we jumped at the chance! A late night hour at Starbucks was awesome.
PS the tape on the wall behind me is some painters tape wall art courtesy of Miss Abigail.
While we were out on our date, Mom sent me these pictures. Total heart explosion!! It hasn’t been easy for Abigail adjusting to having divided attention, so it makes my heart swell to occasionally see glimpses of our new normal.
And that’s that for today’s massive picture overload!
Love reading your updates!!! So glad that things are going well, you all look so very happy!!!! And how funny that Mabel looks like Jim & Abigail like you?! They are both adorable!!!
Everyone looks so settled & just plain ole happy! 🙂 How long will your Mom be staying? Love all of your updates!
You guys are kinda nailing the whole new baby thing!! And look at you out of the house! With makeup! Seriously rockstar! And Mabel is THE cutest!
I agree with the singing the praises of the rock-n-play. We didn't have that the first time around but man am I loving it this time. Also, I think I've worn Benny more times now than I ever wore Lily. I have the ktan and totally love it.
I can't believe you never wore Abigail!!! Baby wearing is s game changer! Let me know if you want any carrier suggestions when you outgrow the Solly; I am the proud owner of 5 separate carriers.
Love love!! She is precious! You look great! I am filled with exclamation points and you are making me want a another baby. UGGGGHHHHH NO more with those sweet curled up legs, ahhhhh!
LOVE all of the photos, Mabel is just a little doll! I've been eyeing up the Zozu headbands, just waiting to see if I'm having another little gal first 😉 I think I will cry if I'm done buying headbands for itty bitty baby heads.
OMG I LOVE all the Mabel pictures! Keep them coming! And awesome you guys had a date night – much needed, I'm sure. 🙂
She seems super content! That is great. And it also looks like Miss A is adjusting pretty well. 🙂 so excited for you to get your pics done. I am a hobby photog and I have only got to do a few newborns, so precious!
OMG that picture of her yawning in her Mabel blanket melted my heart. I think my ovaries too. You look so gorgeous and happy in that picture with her sleeping on your chest 🙂 I'm glad everyone is adjusting so easily!!
These are so darling Courtney!!! Babywearing is where its at when theres two to take care of, being hands free is a luxury, haha.
hahahaha draw me like one of your french girls. love it. glad all is going well and you are feeling fabulous – Mabel is a beauty 🙂
I am obsessed with your little fam. And I really wish we lived closer so we could be real life friends too. 🙂
xx
Oh, it sounds like things are going well for you and your little family! I hope the transition continues to go well and that you all settle into a a happy new normal 🙂 And goodness, yes, those rock n play sleepers are amazing!
Is it terrible that this already makes me want another cuddly (sleeping) baby?!! Hahaha! I'm cracking up at your Titanic reference…perfect! Love that y'all are adjust nicely. Keep it up mama!
Talk about a cuteness overload!! Your girls are just precious. I'm so glad that your mom is there to help out right now and it looks like motherhood times two is treating you well. Olive loved her rock n play and being worn so I'm glad it's working well for you.
So great that you are documenting these days! I remember being so thankful for my Instagram after Liv was born!
She is too precious! And you look amazing for just having her. Congratulations! !!
Oh man, I just died of a lot of cuteness. So happy for you guys!
Congrats on your new little one!!
I have so many comments. Where to start. I love that Mabel was able to attend her own baby shower! And how sweet of Jim's co-workers!! Love the pictures of Abigail and Mabel together!! And also kinda wish I baby wore Mason when he was little. I feel like I didn't even really know about it or have the right wrap for it. It would have been a total game changer!
And mom for the win! Hope you guys had an amazing date night!
Okay that picture of A holding ME is so adorable. I still can't get over the answer to our prayers and that sweet Mabel is here!!! I'm just elated for y'all. That is one nice swaddled job you've got there! Nicely done. And one last thing…how could you have not ever worn Abigail? That just blows my mind! What did you do?!!
I love all these pictures! I remember the early days of baby sleeping on me or Scott- glad the rock and play works for you though! I may have to look into that 🙂
Aww… your little mabel is to precious for words!