Sweet Baby Bella

Right on track at six weeks, Annabelle began to recognize her parents and sister and smile at us! At one month (five weeks), Annabelle weighed 9 lbs 5 ozs, a gain of 2 lbs 14 oz from birth (and a gain of a little over 3 lbs from her hospital discharge weight). She is now 21 and 3/4 inches long, having grown more than two inches already. At the same appointment, Gabriella (at 2.5 years) weighed 30.5 pounds.

Tito and Tita lounging with Annabelle


Tito rescues Annabelle from the awful torture of being put down


Tito Jordan calming Annabelle with some pats on the back


Little Squeaker resting peacefully in Daddy's arms


Good morning, Bella!
Lolo sharing his favorite time of day with his granddaughter


Annabelle asleep, still grasping Goofy


Me cuddling beautiful baby Bella


Annabelle certainly sleeps a lot,
but she tends to wake up when we put her down.


Bella fell asleep on our bed while nursing.


Baby feet!


Annabelle can hold her head up high, but not for long.


Gabriella showing Annabelle a picture tile from her matching game.
While Lolo and Lola were here for a week, Gabi really learned how to say the L phoneme well, although she's not completely consistent just yet. For instance, she says "Woh-lo" -- halfway between "Woh-woh" and "Lolo," and while she correctly places the L in some words, others still get the baby-approximation. Now that we have re-established a regular routine post-houseguests, Gabi seems perfectly adjusted to having a little sister. When Annabelle cries, Gabi tries to calm her. One time she was saying, "Annabelllllle. Annabelllllle! Don't cry, Annabelle," really emphasizing the L at the end. Then she looked at me and explained, "Annabehw is easier than Annabelle."


Bella quiet and awake without being held -- a rare moment
Perhaps Annabelle sleeps so much because she has such trouble breathing. Daddy noticed that she retracts (pulls in her chest rather than just using her diaphragm, creating a depression around the ribs when she inhales). Poor little baby!


"Pick me up!"
Baby Bella demands to be held often. Good thing I enjoy it!


Beautiful Bella happy in her bouncer
Cool Autumn weather arrived, so we pulled out warmer clothing.