Better Late Than Never (or Why We Don't Shoot Video)

We've clearly been negligent in our blog postings lately... As it turns out, having a nearly four month old (!!!) baby keeps you pretty busy. Abby is learning all sorts of new things lately that most babies don't get to see. She comes to work with me everyday and has adopted the staff as her surrogate family! For those who don't know, I'm the lead case manager/site manager for the local domestic violence shelter. I've been really lucky to have a job where I can also still be a full-time mom, but that will unfortunately be coming to an end this week. Why, you ask? Well that brings us to chaotic point #2 in the Nystrom household! We're currently gearing up for the next great Nystrom Family adventure, two years in South Korea! We're not entirely sure when, but sometime in the next few months we'll be heading out. Stay tuned for more information and travel adventures!

In Abby news, she's... getting... HUGE! It's astonishing that we're quickly approaching the four month mark. She giggles with reckless abandon, has a new found love of bathtime, has made a pink elephant her best friend, and can charm a room like nobody's business. We're having some issues with reflux and digestion, so evenings are a big touchy but she makes up for it by being the happiest baby you ever saw during the day.

While I work on getting some pictures uploaded, check out the (hopefully working) video below! It's a very good example of why we don't often end up with good video footage. But we're working on it and Abby's only getting more adorable, so expect more now that I (think I) know how to work it!

-Pam

Big smiles in her Star Wars onesie!



Just looking adorable


Relaxing and watching the Olympics


Aunt Anne and Abby (lots of A's!) sleeping after a long day of traveling

Late notice

Surprisingly enough, I'm running a little behind on posting the latest and greatest of Abby's Big 0-1 Month Birthday. Who knew a tiny helpless life on your hands would be so involved? Abby's been doing wonderfully and it's insane to think that she's been here an entire month. It really feels like just yesterday that she was born. She had a huge growth spurt sometime in the last few weeks and she doesn't even look like the same tiny underweight little girl that we brought home. For comparison's sake...

From this at about 3 days old...


To THIS!

Where did my tiny little girl go? She went from 19th percentile in weight and 47th in height to 83RD (!) in weight and 81ST in height! She's HUUUGE compared to just a month ago! (And apparently huge compared to other babies too. She's just sturdy.) Of course, she's still got a giant noggin (86th in head size). I have a feeling that's going to stick around for good.

And she's not just getting bigger, she's getting a lot more active. She's learned how to coo enough to make her parents' hearts melt and she's a champion smiler. She loves the bird on her tummy time mat (I think her Aunt had a little talk with her about it). She still hates baths and tummy time with the fury of a thousand suns.

The baby wash says it's supposed to be calming. Abby disagrees.


Finally, I'm pretty sure that Abby had a strong part of the Saints winning the Superbowl because of her very adorable pro-Saints outfit made by her Mommy.

Geaux Saints! (Unless they're ever playing the Seahawks, then it's all blue for her!)

Just pictures....

More photos!

Things are moving along nicely here in the Nystrom household. Abby is being a little trooper as we muddle our way through parenthood. Thankfully, I don't think she's figured out that we have no idea what we're doing. We're slowly but surely trying to make sure she gets out of the house enough that she's comfortable with the lifetime of travel she has ahead of her. So far, so good!

Sleeping on Daddy's chest (her favorite place to snuggle).

Just generally being adorable. Also proof that sometimes she
IS awake and happy at the same time.


Holding tight to Daddy.

Two Weeks!

Abby turned two weeks old yesterday, which she decided to celebrate by pooping approximately 47,000 times and crying most of the day. Once Jared came home (to a zombie of a wife and a screaming child), she snuggled right into his chest and stayed that way until bedtime. Clearly, someone has a favorite parent... and it isn't me. Thankfully, she blessed us with a pretty stress-free night for me to recover a bit and I thank her tremendously.

But most importantly, I learned a valuable lesson yesterday. One that I think will stick with me for years to come. See, it turns out that you can order online at Outback Steakhouse. Nothing fancy, you say, lots of restaurants do that. But with Outback, you don't even have to get out of your car! You input a description of your car when you order, pull up to a designated location, and a wonderful Outback employee magically scurries out to bring you your order. I drove there wearing an old lifeguarding t-shirt from high school, a super comfy pair of Jared's old sweats and slippers because I NEVER HAD TO LEAVE THE CAR!

So here's to you Outback, for making Abby's 2 week birthday a smashing success. And letting me pick up dinner in slippers and comfy pants.

Photos at 5 days old