First 2 Weeks in Alabama

Immediately upon arriving at "home" in Alabama, we realized that this was not the home that we had gotten used to during Caroline's first two weeks. The two bedroom (one bedroom, one large closet) one bath apartment that the three of us will call home for the next month is obviously much more confined. It is also more limited, as I don't need much to get by while I am here by myself...it has a bachelor-pad feel to it. Finally, it's a little constricted, with a lot of baby stuff and Sirron's things to get her through the month. However, we got settled quickly, and have made it just fine.

Our time here has been such a blessing. Since my next phase of school does not start until November 16, I am only gone for about an hour and half a day...the rest of the time, the 3 of us are together. Sirron and I usually alternate napping during the day, or nap together while Caroline does, and either of us can get away if need-be (Wal-Mart trips are a frequent thing).

Caroline has come out of her shell quite a bit:

• She is very vocal, and makes all sorts of noises
• She is awake for extended periods of time
• Still going through every bit of 10-12 diapers a day
• Now takes 2.75-3 ounces per feeding, and will get the hiccups after eating; never fails
• Likes to stay awake at mommy and daddy's bedtime
• She wakes up every 3 hours, like clock-work, but sleeps most of the night
• She will cut her eyes at us, and definitely notices us, but doesn't follow us with her eyes yet
• She can pick her head up and hold it up for several seconds
• She has turned her head from one side to the other while laying down
• She makes several different faces now, and smiles when she is caught in the phase between sleeping and being awake
• She LOVES the pacifier...so do we
• She likes to swing...sometimes. Mommy and daddy love the swing.
• She doesn't have to be swaddled at night, but sometimes it helps...sometimes not
• She likes to lay on her changing pad
• Baths are not bad at all anymore...they're actually quite pleasant. Our friend Nancy told us this would happen...thank heavens she was right
• She lost her embilical cord at 3 weeks
  

Below are various pictures, and a video, taken throughout our time in Alabama:

Caroline's first name-brand outfit (gift from Aunt Julie, Uncle Roger, Lana and Will)

Caroline after a bath. Wrapped in her towl (top), and her displaying her new bathrobe (bottom)

We have resorted to putting her in her car seat, in an attempt to get her to go to sleep. It worked this time.

Caroline got a new play-mat while down here and spends a good bit of time on it.

Caroline got to be outside for the first time on Oct. 22. The weather was perfect, so we went on post, used our stroller for the first time and walked 2 miles.

Caroline sporting her first 3-piece suite. Mommy loves bows.

Second 3-piece suite, first pair of shoes. Mommy LOVES bows.

Loaded up and ready for Enterprise, Alabama's Fall Festival (top). Daddy pushing her stroller at Fall Festival while Mommy shopped...for bows.

Caroline's Mimi and Great-Grandparents Moren came to visit her Oct. 22 and 23. The 6 of us went out and ate pizza, which was Caroline's first time out in public and she behaved so well by sleeping the entire time. Her grandparents also kept her one afternoon while Mommy and Daddy went out to eat and shopping for Mommy's birthday.