Hearing from Papa

Today we got to talk to Papa!! :) He made it safely to his destination and had time to talk to us. We updated on all of our daily events and gave him BIG smiles when hearing his voice on speakerphone! Papa recorded himself reading books to Molly, so we get to listen to him every night before bed!

Here is a picture of Molly growing right out of her 3 mth clothes...We are curious to see how she measures on the growth chart for her 2 mth check up.

Lazy day with late afternoon walk

After having such a busy week of running errands, Molly and Momma had a lazy day and stayed in their pjs until 4pm!! We got in some great naps and then went for a walk with our friends Leslie and Baby Rebecca! We had so much fun!

sweet face

Just another facial expression from Molly...

5 Weeks Old

Wow! Molly is already 5 weeks old...look how big she is in her car seat! No loger a newborn anymore!

Happy baby after a nap

this face looks like something i should see from a teenager?

Smile for Momma

Momma FINALLY got a smile. Molly was probably thinking to herself, "This lady is crazy...she keeps saying 'AHHHH GOOOO' to me!"

Tuckered out after a long day of shopping

Here's what Molly (and Momma) looked like after a long day of shopping in Amarillo! Molly was wonderful and slept (in between feedings) for the 2 hour drive there and back.

A little happy after a sad day

After a very emotional day saying goodbye to Papa for 3 months, Elise was there to brighten our day and remind us how much love is in our life!! Thanks Elise...Nannaine, JD, and Molly needed it! We love you too!

Papa deploys

We got a quick family picture in before we had to drop Papa off at deployment processing. We were all VERY sad to see him go, but know he will be back before you know it! We love you Papa and think about you all the time! xoxo

A smile for Papa

This smile came just in time before JD deploys. We were sitting around and her Papa was talking to her when she gave him a REAL smile...not just a reflex. So sweet!

4 Weeks Old

Molly is 4 weeks old. She is responding more to smiles and recognizing our faces!

Molly asleep in her swing

The Elams got us this swing and Molly loves it...we use it for afternoon naps! Thank Anne and Jason!

Hiccups

This is what we see after Molly eats...pretty cute, huh?

Hanging out Mardi Gras weekend

JD and I celebrated this Mardi Gras weekend hanging out with our baby girl. We were still up "partying" at all hours of the night...just not in the same way that we did in the past! :)

Molly "Sweet Cheeks" Waddell

3 weeks

3 weeks old and growing like a weed! Molly is much more verbal...making cooing noises and "talking" to us when she's awake. Here's a picture of Molly all stretched out in her crib.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Molly and I would like to thank Papa for getting us a beautiful bouquet of pink, red, and white tulips for Valentine's Day...what a surprise! It definitely brightened up our sleepless week! Thanks and we love you Papa!

Molly was appropriately dressed for the day and put on a "My First Valentine's" outfit that "jumped" int0 her Grandma Waddell's shopping cart while shopping in Lubbock before she was born :) She loves it! Thanks Grandma!

2 week doctor visit

This was Mama and Molly's first outing out alone...dun, dun, dun. It snowed the day before the doctor's appointment, so Mama was extra careful carrying her tiny baby (taking such ridiculously small steps that onlookers probably thought Mama was the one that needed to see the doctor!) walking in the icy parking lot up to the main entrance of the clinic! The only image in Mama's head during the long walk was her having a "banana peel" slip and fall on the ice, and Molly flying up in the air! This must be what is referred to as "mommy brain"? Ugh, not looking forward to the high school years or the gray hair that comes with it!

Though the coming and going had Mama flustered, Molly was undisturbed and actually very content when she saw the doctor. Molly received a very good report too! The doctor said she is perfect, but we already knew that! :) Below are her measurements from the appointment.

height: 21.85 inches

weight: 8 lbs, 9 1/2 oz

Last day of paternity leave.. :(

We had so much fun having Papa at home for 2 weeks!! Molly will miss her afternoon nap time buddy, but still gets to snuggle with him when he gets home from work. Molly is wearing one of the many clothes her friend Autumn Roundtree sent after she grew out of them. Thanks Autumn! We love the cute butterflies!

Hanging around the house...

Getting her nails filed by her Papa

Being a wild woman and moving every extremity she has at once!

Hanging on to every word when we talk to her

Week 2

2 weeks down and Molly is having her first growth spurt...eating EVERY hour! Jd and I were convinced that she looked longer, so we measured her and she grew an inch. Molly has also been more curious to look around the room and focuses more on our faces. She's still not a fan of baths, but loves to snuggle after them!

Molly has a new cousin too. Nathan Allen Waddell was born this past Wednesday to the proud parents of Matt and Allison and we are excited to meet him!

Here is a photo of Molly at 2 weeks old dressed up in the overall dress her friend Bud bought her. Thanks Bud!

1 week old!!!

Week 1: Complete. A few 'new parent' comments we've made since Molly arrived last week.

"So tired, I can't see straight."

"No one eats this much."

"No one poops this much."

"Please don't cry."

"Did it really go up her back?"

"What is the yellow stuff on your nose?"

But, the most frequently used quote: "I love you." Molly is teaching us key elements of parenthood that aren't found in any books. Our first week has been epic--we are having so much fun being parents to our amazing little girl. She actually sleeps quite a bit, only cries when she has a dirty diaper--but cries harder when we change her...

Here she is, growing VERY fast, at 1 week old!

The arrival of Mary Charlotte

All settled in at home.

Headed home!!!

First bath time.

Papa and Molly

Our first 'moment' as Mother and Daughter

I woke up in the middle of the night to melodic sounds of 2 angels snoring and just had to take this picture...priceless.

Why?

Nana and Molly

With Grandma and Grandpa Waddell

The Family

A good healthy cry...

Purple hands and all...

Brand new

The calm before the storm...

She is here!!!

On January 26th Mary Charlotte Waddell arrived and instantly added an element of sweetness and love to our lives. We've decided to call her Molly after her great-great-great grandmother, who's name was also Mary, but went by Molly.

0945

7 lbs 12 oz

20.5 in long

100% perfect!

On Wednesday, Jan 25th, Anne made an impromptu stop at the Doctor's office a day ahead of a scheduled appointment because she was already in Lubbock and it couldn't hurt to at least ask to get checked out. Upon arrival, she was almost instantly admitted and the labor process was underway. After nearly 18 hours of labor Molly arrived, but not without making it challenging for herself. The umbilical cord was wrapped around her neck 3 times and once around shoulder. She also faced a short period of observation due to a respiratory issue, but she overcame both and avoided a weeklong stay in the NICU. Anne and Molly were moved out of the delivery center and into the family care suites where we stayed until Saturday morning when we were released to head home.

It goes without saying that we were extremely blessed to have such an uneventful, albeit long and at times nerve-wracking, labor process. To help us out through the entire process, Anne's Mom and JD's parents were all there the entire time, "sleeping" in chairs and patrolling the hallways for any signs of Molly. It was incredible and we thank them all dearly for sticking it out in the hospital when the easiest option was to go to the hotel for some rest. Although we were fortunate to have them there, we know we had lots of prayers and thoughts from the entire family--thank you all for your love and support.