A contrast

Catie, Elliott and I did the mall crawl Thursday night. Catie had Abbey in her stroller and Elliott had Bryce in his. Bryce is blue eyed with very fine blond fuzz. He loves to jump! He'll stand (with support, of course) and try to hop up and down, then cackle! At 5 months, he's a chunky 18 1/2 pounds. He's cutting his first teeth, so he's a slobber monster. Elliott says that he's still not sleeping through the night.
Abbey has a head full of dark hair. Her eyes are green/hazel. She's longer and leaner than her cousin, but she's only three weeks old. She has some funny facial expressions: smiles, pouts, frowns. She rarely cries and sleeps for long stretches at night. Her mom has seen to it that she is always well dressed. Abbey has more shoes than Imelda Marcos! Her cutest is a pair of pink suede Vans. They are so teeny!
As you can tell, I think they're both adorable! I am having a blast watching them grow. I am so proud of their parents, they do such a fantastic job. I think that raising children today is harder than it was when mine were little, but these babies have been blessed with parents who love each other and want the best for their children. Who could ask for more?

Abigail Marie

Baby Abbey was born on Monday, February 22, 2010 at 1845. Wouldn't you know, shift change! Catie's labor was induced early that morning, but progressed very slowly. Eight hours into labor, she got an epidural. Her doctor explained that Abbey had her hand behind her head and was coming elbow first! There was no way she would come out "the normal way"! By then, Catie's epidural had worn off, so she got general anesthesia. Ben had to leave the OR (hospital policy). Abbey was delivered within one minute of Catie's being put out. Fifteen minutes later, Abbey and her nurse were coming down the hall. The OR staff was fabulous. They took Catie's camera and photographed the delivery.
Abbey was beautiful (still is!). She weighed 7lb 2oz and was 21 inches long. She was born with a head full of dark hair. The nursery had several spools of thin ribbon in a variety of colors. The nurse tied a tiny red bow and used KY jelly to "glue" it to Abbey's head. So cute! Abbey has been a good baby from the first. Like Chris, she doesn't cry unless she needs something. She sleeps at long stretches during the night and eats like a champ! She has a closet full of clothes. She even has little shoes to go with her outfits! Catie and Ben adore her and feel incredibly blessed.
Catie did great after the surgery. She was up and walking within 8 hours and cared for Abbey herself (Ben helped, but he has way less experience with babies). They were discharged Wednesday evening and settled in to the home routine. Catie is a wonderful mom. She handles Abbey with confidence and doesn't hesitate to ask if she has a question. She is not one to panic, as a general rule. Like her mother and grandmother, Cate tends to dissolve once a crisis has passed.
Ben and Catie have been blessed with a beautiful, perfect baby girl. We have been blessed with our second grandchild. All is well. Life is good!