where do I start?

Holy cow!! It has been WAY too long since I have blogged. We have been very busy here at the Stokes household, so I have not had a chance to sit down and let you in on all of the happenings. I guess I will start from Nana and Pawpaw's. We went to visit them about three weeks ago, and let me tell you Ansley has a new biggest fan-Pawpaw!! Man he was smitten! They were so cute together, they would just hang out together in Pawpaw's recliner and watch everything that was going on. We had a great time visiting and being in the beautiful mountains.



After that trip, Gigi came home with us so that she could recover from her neck surgery. We really enjoyed having her here for a whole week! That was when Ansley first started to giggle and Gigi was the only one who could make her laugh! That has since changed as our little girl is a giggling fool (which I absolutely LOVE!). During that week Grandpa Stokes came for a short visit while he was in town. Since then we have also been to Atlanta and back. I had a tooth pulled, and was also sick. Sheesh! It has been a busy 3 weeks. I will try to be better about it from now on.

Road Trip!!

Daddy left today for a business meeting in Charlotte, and he will be gone until Wednesday night. Mommy said that she didn't want to be here all alone, so she decided that we would go up to the mountains and visit Nana and G-pops. She is very excited to see the pretty leaves and all the beautiful scenery. Gigi is also going to be there because she is recovering from her surgery she had last week. She is supposed to come home with us on Wednesday to stay with us while she feels better. Everybody is very excited to see me so I am sure Mommy will take loads of pictures and post them when we get home. See you then!
Love,
Ansley

Happy Halloween!!

I can't tell you how excited I have been to see my precious little angel in her costume!! I have been waiting for over a month, and she did not disappoint! She is the CUTEST little leopard ever!! See for yourself:
Cutest little booger! I could just snack on those cheeks for hours. You mean I don't get this candy? I have to give it away?

Cute little tail!!

Playing with her new toy, which she absolutely loves!!

Passed out from all the fun!

We were extra excited this year not only because it was Ansley's first Halloween, but because we had trick-or-treaters!! Last year we bought all this candy but only had two little ones. This year we had so many that we ran out! Freddy was very excited because he never really had that many people come to his house growing up. His dad would hide in the bushes with a chainsaw and scare all the kids away. It was so great seeing all the little ones! They were so precious, but not as cute as our little leopard!! Now we are watching the Tech game, hoping that we don't lose to Vandy! That would definitely be a trick, not a treat!! We hope that you had a safe and fun Halloween!!

new wally world

So today was the grand opening of a new wal-mart down the street from our house. I have been very excited about it opening for quite some time. Something I NEVER would have imagined I would ever admit to in my entire life! You see- I am a Target girl,I love everything about it. The clothes, the home stuff, the holiday decorations-EVERYTHING!! I have, however, moved to Augusta and my shopping standards have lowered DRAMATICALLY. My husband was in shock when I said I was excited to have a wal-mart this close to our house. Nevertheless, I loaded up baby girl and we made our way to wally world. Oh my lord!!! What a nightmare!! It was crowded beyond belief, I didn't realize everyone else was as excited as I was. Well, needless to say we did not stay very long.

After that we hit up the new food lion down the street. I never go there either, but hey I guess I am branching out. We got a coupon in the mail for $10 off so I figured why not. Well, I got a killer deal!! I got 5 packages of chicken, 1 package of steak, a HUGE box of brown rice, and 2 packages of Lays for $19!! Man, I love a good deal!!

So for the rest of the day, we will be chillin at home cleaning and playing the afternoon away.

new favorite!

So baby girl has been a little fussy this week due to my lack of supply. Well, I seem to be up and running again thanks to the Fenugreek. Thank you lord! So now I am finally keeping up with my hungry little hippo, and she is A LOT less fussy. Well, during the fussiness we re-discovered a toy that Aunt Shelly had given to me at my baby shower, and let me tell you it is a HIT!!! Ansley absolutely loves it. It is a little sea horse whose belly lights up and plays music. If she is ever a little fussy we turn that thing on and she is mesmerized and usually goes right to sleep. So from all of us: THANK YOU AUNT SHELLY!!! Here is our little angel loving on her new bestie!

small group

Last night we had our small group over to our house. It was so much fun because it gave me the opportunity to go a little crazy with Halloween(my FAVORITE holiday). I made lots of fun treats including spider and mummy cupcakes, and cake balls. Freddy loved the cake balls so much he made himself sick. My hubby loves his sweets!!!


Here is the table spread. So many cupcakes!! I didn't even set out all of them.

My cute little spiders. I made the eyes with marshmallows and m&ms, the legs with pull and peel twizzlers, and the hairy bodies are sprinkles. Aren't they cute?

These are the cute little mummies. They are made with m&ms as the eyes, then I took a baggie and filled it with icing to make it look like bandages. These were really easy and I love the result.


The cake balls are super easy to make, and they were a hit!! All you do is follow the directions for a box cake as you would normally, then while it is still warm you crumble the cake into a bowl and mix in a tub of frosting. You let that mixture cool in the fridge for about an hour. Then you melt almond bark, and roll the balls in the chocolate. You can pick any combination of cake and icing that you want. We picked yellow cake with fudge frosting and chocolate bark. Delicious!

out and about

Yesterday Ansley and I were out and about the majority of the afternoon. Once again she was great, but the funny thing is when the wind blows it scares her. I don't know why, but it cracks me up every time. We had to run to GNC to get some Fenugreek, to help increase my milk supply so that I can keep up with my little hungry hippo!! Then we went to the library and got some good books and DVDs. When we came back, my little girl did something amazing-she sat up. It didn't last very long, but it did last long enough to get a picture. She is getting so big!


Today, after our morning walk we had more errands. We dropped Daddy off at the gym, and ran around town. We decided to surprise Daddy with his favorite-Chick fil a after the gym. I know, it kind of defeats the purpose of going to the gym, but he enjoyed it. Now we are just working around the house and watching Tech play. It is a beautiful fall day, and we hope you are enjoying it as much as we are!!

visitors

Yesterday we had a treat when my grandparents came to visit Ansley and I for the day. It was so nice of them to come down, especially because it is 3 hours one way. They were so excited to see our beautiful girl. I dressed her up in her cute little skeleton onesie and the new bow that Grandma sent. We had a great time visiting with Nana and Pawpaw. They just couldn't get over how much she had grown!! Ansley definitely loves them, especially her G-pops! He held her and cooed at her and she cooed right back. She also showed Nana and G-pops how strong her little legs are! We had such a great time and hope that they come back soon!!

lots of happenings!!

So, I know I haven't blogged in forever (but there is a good reason). Ansley has recently been having a battle with her reflux. Poor baby has been hurting so bad, so that means she has been very vocal with her pain. The only thing that seems to relieve it is walking her around on my shoulder. So all that walking means no time to do the blog (let alone take a shower!). We have been busy little bees so there is a lot to catch up on.

We recently went up to Virginia for our friends Katie and Dylan's wedding. The ceremony was so beautiful. It took place at the Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens in Richmond. I don't know if any of you watch Bones, but the Greenhouse looked just like the Jeffersonian!! Ansley was a perfect little angel the whole time! She even slept through the rehearsal dinner at a Japanese steakhouse. This was our first really long road trip (it took 8 hrs to get there) and she slept the entire time both ways. However, when we got back that is when we had the problem. Apparently, it is not that great for babies with bad reflux to sit in their car seats that long, so it really irritated it. All in all, we had a great time though. I especially loved seeing my handsome hubby dressed in his tux!

Since we have been home Ansley has also had a trip to the doctor for her 2 month check up. Our baby is a GROWING girl! She already weighs 12 pounds 4 ounces, and is 23 and 3/4 long!! The doctor said that she is growing perfectly despite her reflux, which was a relief to me. The doctor put her on Prevacid hoping that it helps her better than the Zantac. So far it seems to be working, but yesterday we had a pretty bad day. There was lots of screaming and purple spit up. I put a call in and the nurse said that it was just some of the dye in the medicine and not to worry. Last night I ran to Target(my favorite store) and picked up some Gripe Water for her gas, and it seemed to work! Hopefully these things will help our baby girl to feel better!! Also at that appointment she got her shots! It was horrible (for me at least). She did pretty good and only screamed a little, but she wasn't a happy camper the rest of the dayHere is our (big) little pumpkin!!




We have also had lots of visitors the past few weeks. Freddy's parents Grandma and Grandpa Stokes stayed with us after a brief visit to Atlanta. Ansley absolutely loved seeing them!!

GO JACKETS!!

Yesterday was a great fall day!! First, it was GiGi's birthday. (Happy Birthday we love you so much!) Second, Tech won!! YAY!! Third, UGA lost!! Daddy was very happy that Georgia lost, he was probably more excited that they lost than that we won. We just lounged around the house, watched football, ate yummy brunswick stew, and all three of us took an afternoon nap together. Doesn't get much better than that!!

catch up

So this week has been quite hectic! Poor baby has not been feeling well the past week, so I decided to take her to the doctor thinking she had a cold. Well, turns out she has bad reflux. She had been spitting up and it was getting in her nose, making her sound congested. I was told that spitting up was normal, but apparently soaking 3 burp cloths per feeding is excessive. So baby girl was started on zantac and she is doing amazing! She is sleeping so well now and not fussing hardly any. Poor thing was trying to tell me all along and being the inexperienced parent I am, I just wasn't getting it.

My mom came into town this weekend to babysit while Freddy and I went to our friends wedding shower on Saturday night. We had such a blast. It was at the Augusta country club, and there was some delicious food-Freddy loved the chocolate covered strawberries! This was the first opportunity we had to get dressed up and go out.


Also, with an upcoming wedding within the next week, I have been looking for something to wear. All I have are clothes from my pre-baby-body and maternity clothes. I want to look good, but I don't know how to dress this body. I still have a lot of baby weight and I just don't feel like myself. I looked everywhere and found a lot of new casual clothes, but nothing I would feel comfortable in for a wedding. The only thing that I have found that is mildly cute is a dress from Old Navy, and I don't think it is dressy enough.
So, if I don't where it for the actual wedding I may where it to the rehersal dinner. It was only $9 so I am totally stoked about that, because I don't want to spend a lot of money on these clothes that I won't be wearing for long. Anyway, the hunt continues for the rest of the week!

dr. appointment and 7.5 hours

Yesterday we went for my 6 week postnatal appointment. Ansley did great except right when I got on the table she decided to go nuts. Luckily, my doctor is such a nice man and he popped her paci in and she was quiet as a lamb. I got the all clear to go ahead and work out, so I can lose the last 40 of the 70 lbs I gained! Tomorrow it is off to the gym.

With all the outings the past few days Ansley has not been sleeping well, and has been trying her hardest to get off of routine. Yesterday, was filled with tears and protests towards naptime. After running on 4 hours of sleep, I was praying she would sleep well so that I could gain back some sanity. Well, prayers were answered and baby girl slept 7.5 hours straight!!! Yay Ansley!!

busy weekend

So, this weekend we went back to Atlanta for my uncle's birthday, and the falcons game. Ansley got to meet A LOT of new people, and sleep away from home for the first time!! I was very nervous, but she did great!! Her G-Pops (as my pawpaw would like to be called) and her great nana were in love with her! They were just smitten, and she was as well! She almost slept through the entire night, and did great for her Gigi, and aunt Karen while Freddy and I were at the game! We had a blast at the game, but I missed my little girl (this was the first time I have been away for longer than an hour since she was born)!

We tailgated with my uncle and some of his friends, and got drenched it was such a yucky day. Some people that my uncle tailgates with brought him a huge cookie cake for his birthday!! They were so nice to do that (they brought it all the way from Chattanooga). Uncle Tim also bought Ansley a little Falcons cheer leading uniform, so that she can be a Falcon's cheerleader just like her Gigi!

Weekend Trip

So, this weekend we are headed home to Atlanta to see my side of the family. This will be our first trip away from home with Ansley, and I am a little nervous about it! I think I have packed her entire nursery and we will only be there one night! ha! We are so excited because this will be the first meeting for some of the family. We are also excited because my mom got Freddy and I tickets to the Falcons game, which will be our first time away from our little angel. Above all that, I am excited beyond belief to go shopping in Atlanta! Augusta just doesn't cut it, and I cannot wait (although I know my husband can!).

On another note, Ansley has just not been sleeping well lately. We have had a fussy little girl on our hands, and I don't know what it is. She is just not having any of it, but I must admit I am still enamored even when she is screaming at the top of her lungs. I just can't get enough!!

The past 5 weeks

So we have had our hands quite full learning how to be parents and adapting to our new lives. I must say though, that my husband is the BEST father I could have ever asked for my little girl. He loves her so much, and already is wrapped around her little finger! The first two weeks were a little rough getting used to breast feeding, spit up, and sleepless nights. Luckily, we are so blessed with great friends and family! Our small group as well as other friends were able to bring us meals the first two weeks, which was such a help! The first five weeks of Ansley's life have absolutely flown by! During that time I have been pooped on, spit up on and peed on, but wouldn't change and of it! She has already been through her first growth spurt and is already 11 pounds!! She is my little milk monster! She can hold her head up like a champ, and now she is starting to talk and coo. I love hearing her talk to me, and I love seeing her smile(even though it usually means she is about to fart! ha!). I can't wait for what is ahead!!

Ansley Alexandra

It has been quite a while since I have posted, and a lot has happened! Miss Ansley Alexandra was finally born on August 10, 2009 at 2:18 am. I was originally set to be induced on Sunday at 6 pm, well Ansley had another idea! I started labor on Sunday morning as we were getting ready for church. I stepped in the shower and thought my water broke, and my contractions started. They were steady at 4 to 5 min apart for about an hour so we decided to go to the hospital. They checked me and I was 2 cm dilated, and it turns out that my water never broke. So, they had me walk around the hospital for an hour and see if I would progress. After an hour of steady contractions, there was no progression so they sent me home. They told me to come back at 6 am and they would start me on pitocin. Well, that was not in Ansley's plan! After laboring at home for another 8 hours, my water finally broke! After that boy were the contractions INTENSE!! Poor Freddy, he was driving me to the hospital(so excited) and he was going to call his parents, well I yelled at him to hang up and drive! ha. I was so worried that I was not going to be able to get my epidural!! Needless to say, I was not like myself during these contractions! They were 2 minutes apart and lasting 1.5 minutes, so I didn't have any time to catch my breath!

We finally get to the hospital, and I was admitted right away. They checked me and I was only 3 cm, so I was so relieved that I could get the epidural. The only bad part was that I had to wait for almost an hour, and my mom and my husband were catching all of my rage (I late apologized of course)! After the epidural, it was bliss!! I finally could relax, and boy did I progress quickly!!I dilated 7 cm in 4 hours!! I started pushing at 1 am and my precious baby girl was born at 2:18 am. I could never imagine the amount of love I could feel for this precious girl! Our hearts are filled to the brim with happiness and love. Our family is so blessed!!

Induction

So, I went to the doctor yesterday and he told me that NOTHING had changed! Good Lord! I mean I was just hoping for something, even a half of a centimeter. So now that I haven't progressed, we scheduled a date for an induction. The induction is set for August 10, so if she is not born by then, the 10th will be her birthday. Let us all say a prayer that the little princess makes her debut before then! I really do not want to be induced because I want the experience of going into labor, and also there is a higher probability of a c-section with an induction. One good thing about this is I know for sure that I will not be pregnant on the 11th! Therefore, the end (and our little girl)is in sight!

38 weeks and ready to POP!!

My terrifically-talented friend Jessica forced me to take one picture of my belly, and I am glad that I did! She did a beautiful job!This is at 32 weeks.

ALMOST THERE!

I can't believe that I am less than two weeks from my baby girl's due date! Freddy says that if she is anything like her procrastinating mother, she will wait until the 7th at 12 midnight! Everyday I keep looking for signs that she is coming, but nothing seems to be happening except growing anxiety and frustration. I am so ready to see my little girl, and not to mention being un-pregnant! I didn't know that my hands and feet could swell this large. I walk past the mirror and scare a little when I can't even recognize myself. I know it is for a good cause, but sheesh I don't think my body can take much more. I just can't wait to see her and see whose eyes, nose, lips, and hair she has. I can't wait to hold her, feel her soft skin, and see her hiccup(outside of my belly). She has been growing in there for what seems like an eternity, and while I want her out so badly, I am still not sure what to do with her once she arrives. It is going to be quite an adventure with this little one, and I can't wait to take the journey. SO, little girl, we are ready and waiting for you to make your debut!!