Happy Birthday Annabelle

Welcome to our new blog! If you've found us, you probably already know little Gabi quite well. Gabi's little sister Anna was born just this morning. Since Gabi is no longer "Baby Gabi" anymore and since we now have two beautiful little daughters to showcase, Mommy and Daddy decided it was time for a brand new blog.

If you are wondering about the URL, we thought that we would give some mention of the meaning of our girls' names. Gabriella, based on the Hebrew name Gabriel (as in the archangel), means "Heroine of God." Annabelle is from the Hebrew name Anna meaning "grace" and the French name Belle (like from Beauty and the Beast) meaning "beauty." Also, there are 1500 variations of "Gabi and Anna" we could have used for blog names, 1499 of which are taken (1368 are in Portuguese).

Anyway, less talk, more pictures, right? Very well then, Gabi Fans and Annamaniacs... as you wish:

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Annabelle Maria, born 8/25/07 at 6:31 am

Mommy couldn't sleep the night of August 23. She finally just got up at 4:30 am on August 24 and pulled down Gabi's box of infant clothes. This made enough noise to wake up Gabi, who ran into the room exclaiming, "It's for Anna!" This, in turn, woke Daddy up. Mommy asked to go to the hospital because she was having (very minor) contractions 10 minutes apart for two consecutive hours. The OB doctors initially felt that we could go back home, but that we should keep our scheduled appointment and ultrasound to check Anna's size later in the morning. After the ultrasound, the OBs felt it was probably too risky for us to go home, given Gabi's precipitous delivery, so we were admitted to the hospital.

Mommy, Daddy, and Annabelle

Gabi had been dropped off at Joseph's house for Mommy's scheduled appointment that morning. Joseph's family graciously volunteered to let Gabi spend the night while we were in the hospital. Gramma Jane and Grampa hopped on a plane and were here in Atlanta by midnight. They stopped by and said hi before heading off to our house. Meanwhile (but not until 1 AM!), Mommy was given some Pitocin to help her labor progress and then given an epidural because the pitocin drip was making her contractions hurt. Annabelle let us know she was ready to be delivered at around 6:00 this morning, and she was out half an hour later.

Anna was 6 pounds, 7 ounces and 18 1/2 inches long. She did great as soon as she was out. Both Mommy and baby are doing well.

Baby Anna got lots of kisses from Mommy...


...lots of kisses!


Mommy insisted that we get a picture of Annabelle's hair.


Anna gives us a yawn to say that she's ready for yet another nap.


Daddy plans to teach Anna important stuff, like how to stick out her tongue...


...and how to sing the Notre Dame Victory March.


Gramma Jane came out to help us out for Anna's first few weeks.


Grampa had the weekend off and wanted to come see his new granddaughter.

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Gabi and Anna:

Gabi came to visit her baby sister this afternoon.
Anna got a big kiss to welcome her into the world.


Gabi shows Gramma Jane how she can swaddle her doll Ella just like Anna.


Gabi shows Grampa where Anna's little hands are.


Big sister Gabi gives her baby sister Anna a hug.


Annabelle's face close up. Her eyes are a dark blue-gray for now.

Thanks for stopping by! Check back soon for more updates on life with our two little princesses.