there's a first time for everything...

last week was a week full of firsts.

it was opie's first full week away with his new position at work. he was in manning, sc which is about 4 hours away in the most muggy, yucky part of the state, right below columbia. he worked his tail off to get back here by friday. he even worked a 24 hour day on monday-tuesday. i'm so proud of him. all he could think about was getting home.

it was also the week that annabelle decided she wanted to get a little more fiesty with her coos and noises. and on tuesday she had her first squeal... you know, like a delightful squeal. it was so precious. she was lying on her back in her gym, staring at the fan like usual and just trying her hardest to talk to it. just cooing and google eyed and then she just smiled real big and squealed so loud... i loved it! it just stole my heart! of course i immediately called her daddy to share the excitement. and he was sad he wasn't here for it, but he's gotten to see her do it a few times since he's been back home. the greatest part is she actually squeals at me now, which is awesome because it lets me believe that she actually might think i'm funny! i'm just waiting for that first laugh! she's "talking" a lot more now. or at least i like to call it talking. she just plays and makes noises all day long and i love it! she tries to copy noises that opie and i make to her. she's so smart!

on a darker note, it was also the first week we had to help her poop. she had a similar issue the week before but finally ended up going on her own. and we weren't too worried because she wasn't constipated. well it happened again this week and this time she never went on her own. since breastfed babies usually don't have to push at all, early on, cause it just kinda comes out, they usually have a time learning how to use those muscles when it's time. so, now that she's having to learn to use them now that her bowels are more developed i think she was just having some trouble pooping on her own. so, we had to help her. we used a q-tip and some vaseline (per the pediatrician) and didn't expect for it to work like right away... but, oh boy!!!!!!!! we were not prepared and we had quite a mess on our hands. i won't go into detail. let's just say it was a crazy first that we will definitely be prepared to handle the second time if necessary.

it's also been the first week our dogs have stayed outside full time. we finally got their place set up in our back yard and it works better for everyone. they can come in when i'm home alone or when it's raining or whatever, but for now it's best that they stay outside. i've got too much to take care of with the baby and really don't have time to worry about them all the time. i know that sounds a little rough, but they are very needy when they are inside and Annabelle is my number one priority. she comes first now.

it was also our first "taking out the trash" weekend. i stole this term from scarlet and matt. they do this like every year and i am so glad i learned from them. opie and i have lived in this house for almost 2 years and have never done a thorough "taking out the trash". and by that i mean, just getting rid of junk that we don't need anymore. our house is typically clean and nice and tidy, but i can't get over that we just have so much stuff that we have held onto that we don't need. the rule for the day was if we haven't used it this year, it gets thrown out. so saturday, opie and i went through and got rid of sooooooo many things that we have no use for. and man, it was soooooooo freeing! i love it. i think i wanna do it twice a year.

Saturday was also Annbelle's first Spittoono ever! we will make this an annual tradition for her since it has been an annual one for both of us. it's a great way to give money to charity and see old friends in clemson. good music, good atmosphere, good people and it's outside in clemson and you know opie and i love being outside and especially in clemson! Annabelle loved it and she did so well just hangin out with us in the grass!

so, it's been a week of firsts and annabelle is already starting to show signs of sitting up early. i'm just waiting. she's so smart. no matter what she does, i'll be proud.
i'm so excited about everything we have accomplished since the baby has arrived. i love my family. i can't wait to see what kind of firsts God has in store for us next! yay!!!!!!!!