Two Months

Anna is two months as of today!  I took her to the pediatrician and she now weighs 10 pounds, 6 ounces.  That means she's gained 1 pound and 11 ounces since last month.  She is healthy and doing well.  

Highlights this month: she takes 4 different types of pacifiers; she smiles, coos and laughs; she has started sleeping more during the night! :)

Here's her 2 month photo shoot with the giraffe.  I put her in her Gator outfit because she's almost too big for it now.

Notice the Gator pacifier!

Anna wants to give a special shout-out to her Grammie because it's her birthday today!

Anna's First Trip

While Curtis went to The Gospel Coalition in Orlando earlier this month, the rest of the family (me, Anna, Lion-O) went to visit my parents in Jacksonville.  It was Anna's first trip and she was able to meet lots of our family for the first time!

Aunt Millie and Elle loved holding Anna.  Elle said "I didn't realize babies could be so much fun!"  It was so sweet that they came up from Melbourne to see her. :)

Whenever Grandma can get the chance, she's holding Anna.  Anna and I agree - it's nice to have Grandma around.

Uncle Dan even held baby Anna!

I thought these pictures of her were very cute!

Mr. Warren came over to meet her and they were able to bond.

Mrs. Warren was happy to see her again!  She couldn't believe how much had changed in just two short weeks since she last saw her. :)

We took Anna to the park that I grew up near.

I think she enjoyed it as much as I did!

Grandma was all smiles!

Anna got to meet her first uncle - Uncle Benny!

  She liked him a lot!

Anna showing off a new outfit.

Cousin Jennifer couldn't get enough of her!  She couldn't wait to meet Anna.

Cousin Alan was particularly interested in Anna's headband.  He was determined to take it off her.

Cousin Jason also got a turn. :)

Great Aunt Ginger was able to spend a little time with Anna.  She usually had her hands full with Alan. :)

Great Uncle David couldn't believe how small she was.

Granddad got some special snuggles on her last two nights in Florida.

She loves her Granddad.

What a funny face!

One of my dear friends, Kaylen, drove over for a few hours from Gainesville to meet her.

It was a real treat for Anna to meet so many special people. :)

One Month Already

Anna already turned one month old!  We plan on watching her grow in comparison to this lovely giraffe that her Aunt Heather gave her.

I love this outfit on her!  Grandma, thanks for the chocolate cake to celebrate and for helping me decide what Anna should wear.

Anna's Arrival!

When Curtis and I left to go on a date, Lion-O laid in front of the door.  He didn't want us to go.  It was like he knew that our lives were about to change.

We went to Carrabba's for dinner and then headed to the movies to see Silver Linings Playbook.  We were 10 minutes into the movie before I thought that my water might have broken.  I talked to one of the nurses that attends our church and she suggested that we call my doctor and head to the hospital.  Curtis and I left the theater (after getting a raincheck to see another movie at a later date since we left early) and went to the hospital.
  

We found that my water did break!  I was very nervous about the whole labor process, but I was able to somehow get through it with Curtis' support and some helpful verses from Psalms and 1 Samuel.  With the assistance of medication, I was able to sleep through most of my labor.  It was less than 13 hours from my water breaking until Anna arrived!  I hear that is pretty good for a first baby.
  

God has really helped me get to a point where I am not nearly as scared as I once was with all my fears relating to medical stuff.  I honestly couldn't have delivered this baby if it weren't for putting my trust in the Lord when I was afraid.  I used to think that I would never have children because of my fears.  I would be missing out on so much joy!

And here she is...Anna Hope McDaniel!  She was born on Saturday, February 23, 2013 at 8:45 am.  She weighed 6 pounds, 5 ounces and was 18 inches long.  And here's the first flood of Anna pictures:

A little gnome

One of the first family of 3 pictures

Anna didn't like her coming home outfit.  Only way to appease her? Suck my pinky!

Announcing it in our front yard (thanks Grandma and Granddad)

Anna with Granddad and Grandma

Check out those shades!  Haha

An angel

Anna with Grammie and Papa

Precious!

Love that little face!

Her whole hand around my thumb

Time with Daddy

Time with Mommy

Blowing a kiss

Hanging out with Mrs. Warren - look at that smile! Anna likes hanging out with her as much as Mommy does.

Check out my big bow!