Annabel and Grandma

We have been so blessed with such a GOOD baby! It has allowed us to be fortunate enough to take her almost everywhere with us. We aren't the kind of parents that believe in sheltering the baby all summer long, so Annabel has been on a road trip home, on walks to the park since she was a week old, out to brunch with family, etc. It has been so nice to have her out and about with us, especially since we don't have the luxury of family living near us.

That being said, sometimes mommy and daddy need a night out...and that is exactly what we did! This past weekend, Grandma Joyce came up to babysit while Andy and I went to a wedding. IT WAS WONDERFUL!!! Andy and I had such a wonderful time dancing and spending time with friends and having conversations that didn't involve poopy diapers or laughing hysterically at a good adult conversation rather than at a funny face that the baby made. It was mostly fantastic because Annabel was with her grandma that loves her so much and Andy and I didn't have to spend the time away worried sick about her. In fact, I am proud to say that I never called home once (but Andy did sneak a text in to his mom that I later found out about :) Andy and I had a much needed wonderful night out and Annabel got a night full of grandma love. I'd say it was a success all around!

Annabel's first playdate!

It isn't easy living away from family and long time family friends who have supported you for so long. One thing that makes it better are the great friends that I have made here in Madison. I met Molly and Rachel when we all worked together at the daycare that Annabel will be starting at in the fall. We became friends so quickly and I am so happy to have met them. It was just easy right from the start, like we had always known each other.

We all had the day off today and decided to get together. We spent the day hanging out and catching up and Annabel had her very first play date with Rachel's son Nolan. Nolan was born on January 30th. I must admit that it was lovely spending this time together while everyone else was at work! I only wish the weather would have been nicer so we could have gone to the park. I know that we will have many more fun times together!!!

Annabel's first road trip!

This was a weekend with many firsts in the Bien household. We took our first road trip with an almost 3 week old baby, Andy celebrated his first Father's Day, and Annabel had so many firsts of her very own.

We packed up the car and took the 3 1/2 hour drive home to visit our families. I've heard other moms say that traveling is very different with a kid but never truly understood that until this weekend. First of all, we packed up the car and it looked like we were leaving for a month. I still felt like we had forgotten something. Second, you have to plan your trip around the baby's feeding schedule and plan to make stops along the way. Gone are the days of trying to hurry to get somewhere. Overall, I think we did a great job for a couple of rookies. We managed to get through the entire weekend with enough diapers and bottles and with minimal tears from each of us.

In the car, Annabel slept pretty much the entire way. We stopped once to feed and change her and she was pretty much passed out for the trip. It is amazing to me how quickly one can learn to feed and change a baby in the car, even with a dog to worry about. Hoosier was very well behaved and he slept most of the way as well! What a relief to know that since our family does not live too close that we can have a successful car ride home!

My parents had a cookout and family and friends stopped over to spend some quality time together and meet lovely little Annabel. She got even more clothes which officially makes her wardrobe bigger than mine! Everyone thought she was so sweet and adorable. She slept almost the whole time and was only put down long enough for everyone to eat some yummy food. She is so loved.

The highlight of the weekend was Sunday. It was Father's day and it made me so happy to see that Andy had such a wonderful day. He got breakfast in bed and Annabel got to meet his side of the family. First, we took her to the church that Andy's uncle preaches at. Everyone was very happy to meet our healthy and beautiful little baby! She was great in church...she slept the whole time in Grandma's arms. Then we went to lunch with Andy's family and my sister and dad. The best part was when great grandma Annabel met and held our Annabel! It was love at first sight! It was a moment I will never forget because Annabel is named after one truly amazing lady.

Coming home is always bittersweet because we miss our families so much. I want Annabel to always be surrounded by people that love her so much so I see many more road trips in our future!

Hopes and Dreams for Annabel

You look at your baby and cannot help but wonder what her life will be like. Seeing her cry now makes me want to cry and this problem can usually be resolved with a snuggle or a diaper change. I pray everyday that she has a life full of happiness and special moments but I know that there will be times where she will be upset and a simple diaper change or hug may not be enough :)

Here are my hopes,dreams and wishes for Annabel:

1. I wish for you, my sweet Annabel to be a very healthy child who grows up to live a very long and very happy and fulfilled life.
2. I hope you have a childhood full of fun and play! Take time to be a kid!
3. I wish for you to have a true understanding of how much we love you...even before you were born we adored you.
4. I wish for a sparkle in your eye...that special something that makes you truly love life and that makes others love being around you.
5. I hope you have a true passion for whatever career you choose. I hope you excel at so many things that you always have a lot of options!
6. I pray for you to have a smart mind that loves learning and appreciates the value of a great education.
7. I hope that you always feel beautiful. Because you are truly a beauty both inside and out.
8. That you always feel special.
9. That you take the time to make others feel special.
10. That you always take the time to exercise your mind, body, and soul...at any age.
11. Form a relationship with God.
12. I pray that you find a wonderful and true group of friends that fill your heart and make you laugh.
13. That you marry a man who is the love of your life, your very best friend, and that he adores and respects you for the rest of your life. I wish for you to find the kind of love that I have found with your dad.
15. That you stay true to what you believe in.
16. That you take time to do the right thing.
17. That you feel like you can be open and honest with us and trust us with your heart. That you know that you don't have to be perfect...you just have to try your very best. That you have a truly remarkable relationship with your aunts, uncles, and grandparents. They will help shape who you are. I am thankful for that...we have some amazing family members!
18. That you love unconditionally and forgive quickly...but don't let others walk all over you.
19. That you take time to have fun and take adventures...responsibly, of course :)
20. That you are cautious when appropriate but not to worried or afraid to really take chances!
21. That you are kind, sweet and respectful to others. Always.
22. That you are often found with a huge, beautiful and genuinely happy smile on your face!
23. That you remember to let loose...sing! Dance!LOVE! DREAM!


My sweet Annabel...we love you so much and cannot wait to see you smile!

Best Friends

You always worry about what your dog will do when you bring a new baby home. If you are anything like us, your dog was your baby before you had a baby. Our spoiled rotten but very sweet puggle is pretty hyper, so I was nervous. He spent a week with grandma Joyce when we first came home from the hospital and she seemed to talk some sense into him. He may just be the first dog who comes home to find a new baby and actually behaves BETTER! He is much calmer. He likes to sniff the baby but backs off when we tell him to. Within a day, he officially became her watchdog. He likes to watch her as much as possible.

The other day, we were giving her a bath in the kitchen and she was screaming bloody murder. Hoosier was up on his hind legs for the entire 20 minute ordeal and was barking like a mad man as if to say, "Stop hurting my baby!!!"

Just over 1 week in...

It is hard to believe how quickly the time is flying! I always thought that time went by so quickly but having a new baby makes it so go by so much faster! We are really looking forward to making a trip home to visit everyone, but it seems we have something going on almost every weekend with visitors, etc! It is going to be one busy summer and before we know it, it will be time to go back to work!

Annabel continues to be the sweetest baby. She only cries when she is hungry. She still has her days and nights confused and we need to work on this one.

We had our first outside adventure today walking in the stroller with daddy and the dog. It was a beautiful day outside. Unfortunately, she slept the entire time! Round 2 the next day was MUCH better and she was more alert!

Welcome to the world Annabel!

As the new proud parents of Annabel Christine Bien, we have decided to start a blog to celebrate this wonderful little lady. Since most of our family lives out of town, we felt like this would be a great way to keep them posted on our little miracle! It is also a great way for us to remember these times in her life as they go by so quickly!

Annabel was born on June 1st at 6:25 PM. She weighed 6 pounds 5 ounces and was 18 inches long. We stayed at the hospital for 2 days and were released on June 3rd. It was shocking that you have this baby and 2 days later, they just let you out into the world! It was shocking! It almost seems like they should at least give you a test or something! We were ready to start the adventure but were very nervous at the responsibility that was ahead of us. She is a perfect and beautiful baby and we couldn't be happier.

Andy has been the most wonderful daddy! He hasn't missed a minute. He helps with feedings and is up every time I am up. He loves to hold her and just stare at her beautiful face. He can't get enough of his little girl!

So far in her first week, Annabel has done a lot of sleeping. Although, I can't say the same for us! We haven't really gotten into the whole "nap while she naps" thing but we need to start. No one can prepare you for how exhausting this is! At the same time, nothing could be more worth it!

In her first week, Annabel:

• Has entertained us with her many funny faces
• Has amazed us with her beauty
• Has been a calm baby who only cries when she is hungry
• Is so small that NONE of her clothes fit! Not even the newborn ones!
• Has had a sponge bath over the sink
• Has learned to nurse fairly regularly
• Seems to have her days and nights confused (we are working on this)
• Looks like a little lobster when you burp her! She has to wear little mittens because she likes to scratch her face and when you burp her, she raised her arms up and moves them around. Hilarious!
• Has really enjoyed her swing
• Met her aunties and uncles! Our family has never felt more love and support. I know that this little girl is in great hands!
• Met her grandparents and fell in love!
  
• Met her doggy Hoosier and they instantly fell in love :)
• Did a photo shoot for her birth announcement with Grandma Joyce

She also earned herself the nickname "Chicken Wing" because she likes to keep her arms folded in by her face...making her look like a tiny little bird!
These are some of my favorite pictures from her first week. Enjoy! I know we do!