spring has sprung!

I know I know, I'm a terrible blog updater!  It has been a busy last few weeks.  Some general updates:  Gabriel had his 2nd set of shots last week and is up to 11 and a half pounds!  He even has fat rolls on his neck, arms, and thighs! I love it.  Gabe has gone through several growth spurts and is eating so much more now (about 5 and 1/2 ounces every 3 hours or so).  He is also still sleeping through the night which is awesome for mommy and daddy.  Sweet baby is doing great at daycare and is such an attention hog :).  My little man has started smiling in the last month (first smile was March 8), and now we can't get him to stop! He is such a happy baby.

Our little family went to the St. Patrick's Day parade last Saturday.  It was a small celebration, but it was fun to get Gabe out for a while - even though he slept the whole time! I don't know what it is about parades, but he loves to use them as naptime.

Also in the excitement for springtime, we took some of our first family photos at the Norton Art Gallery while the azaleas were in bloom.   Gabe got to wear one of his 3 Easter outfits courtesy of BeBe :)

AND I wanted to add one more thing!  The March of Dimes walk in Shreveport will be April 28, 2012 at 10:00.  Michael has created a team for Gabe, and so far we are the only two members.  We would love for any of our family/friends to donate to the cause and/or walk with us to raise money!  This is a great organization and one that means so so much to us now.  Let's help babies born too early have a fighting chance just like sweet Gabe.

Here is a link to our team page: http:m.marchforbabies.org/s_team_page.asp?seid=1838205

much love.

time for an update!

Gabe has been home for almost 6 weeks now, and time is flying.  He is getting baptized on February 19 and starts daycare on February 27!  He is doing wonderfully - eating 3.5 to 4 oz every 3 to 4 hours and is no longer on his caffeine (to prevent apnea) or any medications.  We have been working on holding our head up and are doing great (only a little wobbling haha).  People who see us out always say, "oh he's so little" and I always make sure to explain where we started and how far we have come!  It's funny that Gabe was supposed to be born only 1 week ago, but instead we have a thriving 2 and a half month old!  We are so proud of our sweet baby and his many accomplishments.

Motherhood is...well...tough!  But so very rewarding.  I have always been in control of everything in my life - I made straight A's my whole life, graduated from college, got into PT school, married the man of my dreams...the list goes on.  Having a baby around has changed this for me in the best way.  Sometimes, our "schedule" just has to change - even from the very beginning when labor started early to the premature rupture of membranes to Gabe's premature delivery.  Now fast forward to the waking up at wee hours of the morning for diaper changes/bottles and putting my clinicals on the back burner for the time being and not knowing when or if I will ever be able to study for my boards (AHHHH!!!).  Despite all these changes and challenges, I am so GRATEFUL FOR and IN LOVE WITH this little boy!  I always knew I wanted to be a mother, but only God knew when he would come and who he would be well before I saw that plus sign last year.  God has a BIG PLAN for Gabriel, and I am so glad I have a front row seat (next to my wonderful husband and support system) to witness it.

Of course, I'll end on some pictures of my sweet little "big" boy.

My little valentine.

mardi gras baby

practicing in the bumbo haha

my goodness could he get cuter?

welcome home, gabe!

Our 36 days in the NICU has come to an end (thank you GOD), and it almost seems like a distant memory already.  Gabe has been home for a week and half now, and I am loving it!  He is so incredibly amazing.  We have him on a feeding schedule (2 oz every 3 hours), so sleep is hard to come by these days.  We definitely don't mind; I love waking up to that precious boy!  I will be home for the next 6 weeks with him until he can safely start daycare, and then I will return to my last long term rotation at LSU in order to graduate with my class in May.

Gabe has been  more and more alert in the last week, and it is so amazing to see him grow!  I really cannot believe I am a mommy - it is the most wonderful, AWESOME experience of my life.  Thank you to everyone who prayed for Gabriel and our family...the prayers worked, and we have our healthy baby home where he belongs. 

I can't stop taking pictures of the cutie...so bear with me! haha

Love you all!