Yay!

Miss Autumn is 6 months old today!

Early June vs. today




This little monkey started out soooo small! From 4.5 pounds to about 15 today...I just can't get over how blessed we are:

Autumn eats like a trooper. This was our biggest challenge. :) Anyone who thinks 4 weeks early isn't very early has obviously never cared for a baby who wasn't ready to be born yet! We went through a lot to get her to nurse but she's still going strong! Hate bottles so we got her a sippy cup she's still figuring out. And she's even eating a couple of spoonfuls of rice cereal now! Not bad for a little one who started out on a feeding tube.

She's the baby who makes everyone smile. The coolest thing about it is that I prayed for it! After all the sadness last year, I really wanted her to be someone who brought joy to people's lives. Out of all the answered and unanswered prayers (most notably everything that made pregnancy and childbirth my cosmic ego check!), this is the one I am the happiest about.

I am doing great. After all the trauma and swelling, I was so afraid that I would never feel good again, much less ever look like myself again. Not only is my iron count back up, but I am back to doing about 90% of my old activities...right on time with the doctor's predictions. Too, I am back in another pair of prepreg jeans. Not too much more to go and I'll be back in all of them. I just need a couple more months! :) A little slower than I'd like, but, oh well.

Mike is also doing great. He and Autumn are so fun to watch. She grins like a crazy monkey every time she sees him. They do acrobatics together that make me nervous but Autumn seems to like it so, whatever makes baby happy! Mike's really been great. He makes sure I get time to myself and is the biggest help around the house. Well, he always was, but maybe a little more now. :)

It's a good life. We're definitely blessed.