FUN IN THE TUB

I don't think she will appreciate this naked picture when she is a teenager.

Enjoying the sun

Barrie and Abby enjoying the sun this weekend....

She looks so cute in the dress aunt jodie gave her.

Hanging out with Hunter. He is not so sure about this situation.

she looks like she has been shot. it had been a very long morning.
she loves the robe aunt jodie gave her.

taking a nap with daddy

So so so cute! I am so in love with her!

Bath Time

Abby and I took a bath this afternoon, and she had a blast.

March 17th

Well I think we are turning a corner on sleeping at night. She is starting to sleep for 3 hours at a time!! We have started walking every morning which has made me feel so much better. Abby is usually asleep during our walk, so I get some good quiet time. Abby has been invited to join a playgroup on Tuesday morning's. She doesn't do much but stare, gurgle, and grunt. I am sure she will be a big hit at playgroup. Unfortunately Abby has not gotten better with the fussy episodes. I have nicknamed her " Queen Fussarella" She is the most stubborn child. On Wednesday and Thursday she was up from 11 in the morning to 9 at night crying about every 15 minutes. She will be almost asleep and then will her eyes back open and start screaming. The evening's are generally a fussy time everyday. She is cranky and hungry. She will eat about every hour until she goes to sleep. It can be very frustrating, but well worth the because she stops screaming when she is eating. She seems to be growing like a weed. Some of her 3-6mo clothes are already fitting. I am amazed at how many of her newborn clothes she can't wear anymore. All in all she is my sweet baby. I am so blessed to have this family! I look at Abby everyday and get a little teary at how lucky I am to have her in my life.

Not so sure about being left in her bouncy seat.

Queen Fussarella after her meltdown would only fall asleep in this position.

She is holding on to guy's finger for dear life.

She is just the sweetest thing!!

March 14, 2006

Sh loves her baby einstein play gym.

She is really starting to get big. She has the most adorable fat rolls on her legs and arms.

She is trying so hard to hold her head up.

This past Saturday it was about 80 degrees so we all sat in the sun. I think I had Abby out for a little to long...she had a little sun on her cheeks.
Abby was worn out from playing in her bouncy seat. The only time she will take her pacifier is if she has been having a meltdown.

Guy's parents were Abby's third visitors. We were so glad they came to see the baby! They were such a big help to me so i could have a little break.

March 1, 2006

A little update from Abby and her Mom. My hat goes off to women who go back to work!! Abby is a great baby during the day, but around 9pm this possesed child comes out who does not want to be asleep. She will have her eyes closed almost asleep and then wills her eyes back open as if she is going to miss something. We have had many nights up every 30-45 minutes to eat or change a diaper or rock or just stare at the ceiling. She really likes Jack Johnson so i am putting a cd player in her room. I had no idea how hard it was to take care of a baby. I am still breastfeeding, so guy can't really help at night. We don't do much during the day but nap, eat, and change diapers. I am amazed at how many diapers she goes through in one day. I understand why people told me to sleep while i was pregnant.....I don't think i am ever going to sleep through the night again. Although it is hard I can't express the way i feel at three in the morning when she has been screaming and starts to fall asleep, she gets this little smile and she will hold my finger until she goes to bed. I am just so happy to be her mother.

February 27, 2006

I kept saying she looked like a gloworm. you can barely see the light, but this was her phototherapy blanket for her jaundice. needless to say she hated it.


hanging out in my bouncy seat looking really yellow from my jaundice.



Jodie was our second visitor. She was so sweet to come and visit. Abby really liked her godmother.

BB saying goodbye to Abby. I thought i was going to have a panic attack when she left, but so far we are doing just fine. I do call her everyday with questions and updates.

BB with Abby( who is screaming her head off) very early in the morning.
BB was our first visitor. She was such a big help!!! Abby kept us both up all night the first night.

my first week home

my sweet angel. i have just fallen in love with her.

otis the cat is very curious about abby

on my way home to my new house

daddy is very sleepy taking care of both of us.

sleepy sleepy
she slept the entire time in the hospital in her new pink blanket Dr Sherman gave her.

Video of Abby

Click on this link to see a video of Abby holding her pacifier!

http://www.zippyvideos.com/9372777583824066/mov00325/

Abby is just so cute and tiny I could eat her up.


Proud Papa with his little angel.


Abby is very sleepy but mighty cute.


Momma and I are very tired after 15 hours of labor.

Abby is just so cute and tiny I could eat her up.


Proud Papa with his little angel.


Abby is very sleepy but mighty cute.


Momma and I are very tired after 15 hours of labor.

She's here!

Hello my name is Abby Elliston Shoaf.

February 7, 2006

Today I am 40 weeks and 3 days!!! We are getting very excited to see our new addition. Abby on the other hand seems to be very comfortable inside the womb. I am still not dilating so he couldn't do anything today. I am going to meet him at the hospital on Sunday for some tests to make sure the baby is ok and then we will discuss our options. Keep your fingers crossed I go into labor before then.

January 31, 2006

Today I am 39 weeks and 3 days!! I am so excited I can't wait to see the baby. Abby on the other hand is not ready to come out just yet. I went to the doctor today and I am 25 percent effaced but not dilated. My belly measured 37 which is great. I have been having plenty of crying spells out of frustration, but the fatigue seems to be getting better. My sweet husband has been such a support through all my crazy episodes. I am so lucky to be spending my life with him, and Abby is so lucky to have him as a father. I go back to the doctor next tuesday, so I will keep you posted.

January 24, 2006

I am 38 weeks and 3 days!! I went to the OB today and everything is looking good. My stomach measured 36 which is much better than before. Her heart rate was in the 130's and we didn't hear as many skipped beats today. I am going back in one week. He is going to strip my membranes( pulling the bag of water away from the wall) to help get things started. I am crossing my fingers she will start doing something soon. We are really getting excited!! Everything in the babies room is finished and ready for her. I am starting to pack my bag for the hospital, and her car seat is in the car. I will keep you updated.

January 17, 2006

I went to the OB today to have a checkup. I had an ultrasound and everything looks good. I am having contractions everyday, but not enough to do anything. Guy and I think Abby is going to be stubborn about when she comes into the world. I go back to the OB next Tuesday. Right now is just a waiting game.

January 16, 2006

Today I am 37 weeks and 2 days!!! I just wanted to give everyone an update on little Abby. Guy and I went to the OB last Tuesday for a checkup. The MD was listening to the heart rate, and we heard a heart rate that was skipping beats instead of a regular rate. I had to have a bunch of tests before I left that day. I did get put on the monitor and i have started having contractions ( they are called Braxton Hicks Contractions). I had an ultrasound which just showed she is measuring two weeks behind her due date. She weighed about 5 pounds, so she is a tiny baby. I then had to have another test called a biophysical profile which looked fine. At the end of the day he decided i needed to go to CHildrens Hospital in St Louis to see a pediatric cardiologist and have an echocardiogram on the baby. We went and the cardiologist just said she is having skipped beats that should go away at birth from the stress of labor. We were both very pleased with what the cardiologist had to say. We are going back to the OB in the morning for our checkup. Abby seems to be doing some hard core aerobics in my belly...she may even be doing some kickboxing. I love every kick although they are a little uncomfortable. I just wanted to let everyone know what has been going on with the countdown to baby. Guy and I hope everyone is doing well, and you are all having a great New Year.

Guy and I in Jackson Christmas Eve.

Hunter is the only dog I know that wont play in the snow. He is standing there crying because he wants to go back inside. We just hope he will adjust when Abby arrives.

Milo and Otis are enjoying all of Abby's baby items. They are in the nursery all the time messing with whatever they can get their hands on.

Guy and I in Jackson at Christmas. Abby is in there somewhere, but my sweater seems to be covering her up.

January 15, 2006