Week one with our darling Addison

Good morning everyone!
Today is day 6 with our darling Addison or AJ as we have taken to calling her and we couldn't be happier. She is just wonderful and so far a wonderful baby. I don't remember exactly how Annabelle behaved or her eat/sleep patterns when she was tiny... but I don't remember her being quite this easy.. maybe it is because we aren't a terrified as we were with Annabelle or this time we kind of knew what to expect? Regardless, Addison is just wonderful.. Currently she is sleeping about 4 hour increments.. yes, 4 hours at a time! and generally wakes about twice a night for food and changing. We believe she still has her days and night mixed up but we are working on having her more awake during the day. Just for a visual, she is laying on my chest right now while I type.. Very sweet!

Big sister Annabelle got to meet her yesterday and she was so sweet~ She has been at grammy and papa's for the past week while we were in Kansas so it was an exciting day for her to see both John and I as well Addison. She was very excited to see all the baby things (that were hers) out and was very excited to help burp and love on Addison. I have a video to share and some photos and will post when John gets back from work!

Grammy and papa asked if they could keep Annabelle for a few more days (until we go there for Thanksgiving) and of course our reply was YES! as much as we miss her and want to get her used to AJ, we were NOT going to turn down a day or two more of only one child in the house! (THANK YOU GRAMMY AND PAPA!) Gran and O'daddy are going to be here Saturday to help as well! if it weren't for Thanksgiving I think they would be here already.. :) We can't wait to have them here and I know they are both ready to meet AJ and to spend some good gran/Odaddy time with Annabelle!
Side note here for those of you that didn't know we used an egg donor and neither Annabelle or AJ are genetically mine (all my heart just not my genes!)... Grammy took Annabelle to have her photo with Santa and the worker person asked if she, mom, was the grandparent... then before mom could answer the worker said, "of course you are she looks just like you!" I love that... I love it when people think my child/ren look like me or my family... it just warms my heart! :)

I can't believe it is Thanksgiving already, we didn't think we would have AJ yet and here we are a week into her life! Time does fly and we certainly have plenty to be thankful for this year!

Amber is feeling pretty good. Her blood pressure is better but will have to be checked earlier than the usual 6 weeks, she'll go back in just a week to make sure she is getting back to normal levels. Her milk has come in and I think she will keep up with our hungry baby! She is getting about 2oz per side per pumping. Currently AJ is eating 2oz per feeding so it looks like Amber will over achieve once again in the milk production! as much as a pain pumping can be.. (She will be up as much as we are at night) it will help get her body back to its slender pre-baby weight!

We are so thankful to have Amber in our lives. Without her we wouldn't be the family we are today! How truly is God's blessing to have us find each other. He is amazing and we give thanks to Him for all our joy!

Please keep all of our soldiers and families in your prayers... Especially those that are apart over the holiday season. For all of you traveling, we will keep you in our prayers and I hope you all know just how thankful we are to have you apart of our life. We love you all!

Carolyn