Is a 3-month old still a newborn?

Now that I'm all caught up, I thought I would start my weekly (hopefully) blog. So here goes....Today is Gaby's 3 month B-day! Now I know it sounds cliche but, I can't believe how quickly they grow up. Gaby has turned out to be such an awesome little baby! She's got a super temperment- always smiling and talking. She makes us laugh all the time at the adorable things she does (like smiling or tooting in her sleep). Don't get me wrong, though, she can have her moments. Don't mess with her when she's hungry or sleepy!

Gaby's newest trick: reaching for and grabbing toys.


To celebrate her birthday, we went to the park and enjoyed pretty much the first warm weather we've had here in the STL this spring. The day was gorgeous and we had a yummy picnic just the three of us.

Another event that made this day great was that Gaby's little cousin Mia finally came home from the hospital- yeah!!! Way to go, kiddo!

Gaby's Third Month (3/21-4/21)

In her third month, Gaby was more playful and aware of her surroundings.

She is definitely recognizing us and loves to give us the biggest most beautiful gummy smiles you've ever seen! It makes your heart melt!! She also has started to realize that her hands are attached to her body and she just loves to stare at her fist and stick the entire thing in her mouth:) Our little angel is sleeping between 6-7.5 hours each night! We have a few hiccups here and there, but I think we are approaching the elusive, long awaited and much missed 8 hour mark(!)

This month I also went back to work. I started back on April 2nd for 3 days a week (Mon-Wed). It's just enough time to feel like a productive member of society, yet I still feel like I have plenty of time with the princess.

My cousin, Angela, came up the first two weeks back at work to watch Gaby and then after that Pita returned! Yes, my mom plans on commuting between Houston and St. Louis to care for Gaby until we move to Austin. Again, my mom is the most amazing person in the world and a grandmother's love cannot be duplicated!

This was also Gaby's 1st Easter! Here she is doing her best bunny impersonation-

It was pretty chilly here in St. Louis so Gaby wasn't able to wear her pretty spring dress, but she did wear a beautiful outfit we had thought would never be worn.

The Easter bunny left Gaby an awesome basket full of all sorts of goodies, which the Easter bunny really enjoyed putting together:)

And in other news.......We bought a house in Austin! Closing date-May 15th Can't wait!!

Gaby's Second Month (2/21-3/21)

Gaby's 2nd month brought lots of smiles and coos!

She loves to sit up and be a part of the conversation. We adapted to our daily routine and with the weather being pretty cold in St. Louis, it made it easy to stay in and not feel like we were missing out on too much. Gaby began sleeping between 5 and 6 hours at night which suited mommy just fine:)

We excitedly made a trip to Houston during this time to introduce Gaby to the rest of the family. I should emphasize that it was a "roadtrip" to Houston and our little Gaby was an absolute trooper during the looooong 13 hour drive home.

The highlight of our visit was being able to spend time with Gaby's cousin Mia at Texas Children's Hospital. Mia Rose was born just 12 days after Gaby with a condition called gastroschisis. She had to have surgery at day four to place her intestines back into her belly. She is the toughest little girl I know and was doing super when we saw her in the hospital. Gaby can't wait to play with Mia once she is 100% and back home!


At Gaby's 2 month check-up she weighed in at 12.5 lbs and 24 1/2 inches. She was in the 95th and 99th percentile respectively. We have a big healthy girl on our hands! She tolerated her immunizations like a champ until we got home and then my adorable, happy angel turned into a fussy, crabby little terror!

Lucky for us this only lasted a few days. Her lungs are in tip top shape:)

And in other news.......We put our house on the market and on our drive back from Houston we stopped in Austin to house hunt:)

Gaby's 1st Month (1/21-2/21)

The first month of motherhood was wonderful, exciting, tough, and exhausting! I can summarize it into a few words: poopy diapers, feedings, pumping, laundry, and cat naps.

The lack of sleep is just appalling! Especially for someone who really enjoyed getting a full 8 hours of sleep:) But one thing you learn very quickly is that the human body is very adaptable! Not only can you function without sleep but you can do whatever is needed for your precious little child. Gaby is in my unbiased:) opinion, the most beautiful baby in the world!!

I think she understood that we were beginners so she went easy on us.

Pita (my mom) was in town the first two weeks and helped immensly. I'm completely convinced I wouldn't have made it through with my sanity without her help. Thank you so much for everything, mom. I appreciate you more than you know:)

Mimi and Papa Holt came to visit within the first week and were giddy meeting their first grandchild.

Pito made it up to St. Louis also to welcome his latest grandchild into the world. But alas, when he left he took Pita back with him which turned me into a weepy mess as I realized I would soon be on my own.

Luckily, Byron took that following week off to help me slowly transition into my new job as stay at home mom. Together we tackled the daunting task of keeping Gaby alive and happy:)! You quickly learn our little princess' personality and what she does and doesn't like. As that week came to an end, I felt a little more prepared to tackle the job on my own. Knowing I just had to survive until 5pm and then relief would arrive! Byron was so great, considering he would work a full day and then come home to me saying "She's all yours!":)

And in other news......Byron accepted a job with a private pediatric cardiology group in Austin- yippee!! Start date: 7.16.2007

Gaby's Debut (1.26.2007)

Hello everyone! Gabriella Rose made her debut into this world on a snowing wintery morning as predicted on her due date of Jan 21st at 9:38am. My daughter is very punctual:) Gaby was delivered via C-section after a very long and arduous labor. It's no wonder considering she weighed in at 8 lbs 10 oz and 22 inches long!! She has brown (possible curly) hair and so far blue eyes. She's got the most beautiful long fingers and pretty big feet like her daddy. We were in the hospital for four days recovering and are now home adjusting to life with the little princess.

She's quite an ravenous eater and likes to sleep when she feels like it. I'm feeling pretty good from the surgery and am missing sleeping for more than 2 hours at a time but otherwise I think we are doing well. Every day is a learning experience but having a pediatrician for a husband has been a Godsend. Byron is super with Gaby and has been such a great teacher. She is an amazing little sweetie and we are having so much fun just watching her every move. The boys are adjusting to the new little person in their lives and so far have accepted that they no longer are the center of our attention. Thanks to everyone for their well wishes!!! You can see Gaby's official hospital pictures at growingfamily.com. Just enter our info (Holt, St. Louis , 1/21/07).

Lots of love,
Angie & Byron:)

Almost Showtime (1.7.2007)

Hello all! I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and is having a great New Year so far. We made it through the holidays and are gearing up for the big day! I am 38 wks pregnant and have two short weeks left until Gaby makes her grand debut- yikes!! We are as prepared as anyone can be, I guess, but I am getting a little nervous about the upcoming event.

We finally finished Gaby's room- yipee!! It is just too cute and I love just sitting in it looking around.
Our bags are packed and are in our cars and the carseat is installed. It's weird driving around with an empty carseat in my car:) All the tiny clothes have been washed and folded and are ready to be worn. So far I have not had any contractions and am not dilated yet. I have a feeling she might be a little late. I am feeling pretty good- a little uncomfortable at times but overall much better than I expected. Gaby seems to be uncomfortable too as she is constantly moving and trying to find a comfy position:) So now it's just a waiting game, the next time you hear from me I should be a mom!!

Love, Angie:)

Two Trimesters Down... (11.5.2006)

........One more to go!!! It's hard to believe but I am well into my third trimester. I am currently 29 weeks pregnant and feeling really good. Time has really gone by so fast. The baby will be here before we know it, especially with the holidays approaching. Second trimester was definitely "the honeymoon"- I felt just wonderful and was so happy to not feel sick anymore. (Those of you that are going through it right now- I feel for you!) The best part of the second tri was feeling the baby move. What an amazing miracle! Everyday her movements seems to get stronger and more frequent. It's the best feeling in the world!

As most of you know we have decided to name the baby Gabriella Rose. She will share her middle name with her little cousin Mia who should be born within weeks of Gaby. Candie (my sister in law) and I thought it would be so cute for them to have the same middle name as their special connection.

I feel like we've got alot ready for little Gaby yet we still have a whole lot more to prepare. We are getting Gaby's room together and will send pictures out once it's done. Her furniture is black and the linens are pink and white (PB Pink Sateen). We painted the walls a really pretty light grey. I created my own personal little art project and I have to say it came out pretty darn cute:)! Can't wait for it all to come together!

I saw alot of you this past weekend at our baby shower in Houston. It was so great seeing you all and thank you so much for all the beautiful and generous gifts. (I'm working on the thank you notes!) It's amazing how much stuff a little baby needs! I'll keep in touch.

Love, Angie:)

It's Official (9.7.2006)

IT'S A GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Can you believe it?? We are VERY excited and happy! We had our ultrasound today and everything looks great with the baby.


Like a good little girl, she had her legs crossed for most of the ultrasound and wouldn't let us see until the very end. Unfortunately, Byron lost his bet and I am $20 richer:)!! So pink it is, my favorite color:) I will be buying her her first tiara soon.......

Lots of love,
Angie and Byron