Pretty baby

I just love having a baby to dress up. Thankfully she doesn't mind. The yellow dress was for church yesterday. Mimi got it for her.

I just love the laughing picture! She is such a happy baby. Not nearly as happy as she makes me.

"Aunt" Marcia gave her the Got Milk outfit. I think I should send it to them so she can be in their next ad! She looks like a little thug!

Even tiger mommies understand

I love her expression. So perfect. I am so lucky to have my Brynn-Brynn who sleeps 12 hours a night (and has for many weeks now). Napping is not her favorite pastime, however. I feel lucky to get 45 minutes at once. If I had to choose between the two, I would choose 7pm-7am like she does over a couple of 2 hour naps during the day. I can't complain. Gone are the days of me deciding that I need a little nap and actually get to take one. Well worth it, I say.

Shower at the Library

Okay, I know it is very late. Blame it on Erick. He downloaded a free picture program, Picasa 3, and I'm having way too much fun with it. I'm turning off the computer as soon as I click "Publish Post." These are the pictures from our baby shower (complete with baby!) at the Spartanburg Library where Erick works. Everyone there is so nice. They asked him before I had Brynn when I would want them to give us a shower. I was so huge and miserable then that I knew I would enjoy it more after she was here. I was right! People brought homemade food and lots of nice gifts! We are so thankful.

Our Family

This picture makes me so happy. How often can you get a good picture of one person, let alone three. Especially when one of those is a baby. She almost never looks at the camera. I love our little family.

Another product review. Don't know why I'm into doing this these days...

In another attempt to find something to satiate my nearly constant chocolate cravings, I got the chocolate Special K protein shakes. On the plus side, it is very creamy and is only 3 WW points. On the strange side, after drinking about half of the bottle and puzzling a bit, I came to the conclusion that it tasted like pureed pinto beans. It may have had a dash of unsweetened cocoa powder. Once I decided that I thought, "Well, I like pinto beans," and I finished the bottle.

Regardless of what the box advertises, I was hungry an hour later. I wasn't surprised; I've never been one to be satisfied by drinking my meals.

It is better to drink out of a bottle than from a weird Slim-Fast shake can, but at least those taste like chocolate milk and not like a popular legume.

Things that make me feel like a good mommy...

• A sticky cheek at the end of the day.
• Having her formula measured out in the little container.
• The obstacle course of baby paraphernalia that is our home.
• Now knowing how to spell "paraphernalia."
  
• Cutting her fingernails without cutting her fingers.
• A neat basket of [clean] diapers.
• Hanging up her tiny clothes.
• My Facebook page that is a shrine to her cuteness.
  
• A stack of stained but clean bibs.
• Her good morning smiles with tear puddles still in her eyes.
• A giant container of nursery water that takes up a whole counter.
• A bottle drying rack and basket of bottles that takes up a whole counter.
• The aroma of baby shampoo that lingers in the bathroom.
• A good night's sleep.
• Losing count of the kisses I've given.
• Being the only one that can swaddle her just right.
• Speaking in third person now feels normal.
• My new confidence as a woman.