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Before

After

A baby and a dog

One day this past summer, around the middle of my pregnancy, I was walking Duck and Chris was going ahead of us on rollerblades.  Long story short, Duck broke free from his leash and took off after Chris for two blocks on a very busy street.  It's a miracle that there were no cars and he finally caught up with Chris.

This really shook me up and I started being much "tougher" with Duck (I'm still a total push over).  We bought him a more secure anti-pulling harness and I realized we needed to train him much better, especially with baby on the way.  I also started googling "dog and baby" and "french bulldogs and babies"... daily... for the rest of my pregnancy.  I had no idea how Duck would react to a baby, or how I would handle them both.

Fast forward, and everything is thankfully going as well as I had hoped.  Duck was very curious and enthusiastic for the first few weeks, eager to give Phoebe lots of kisses.  We just started putting Phoebe in her bouncy chair a couple times a day, and Duck will give her a few licks and sit next to her.  So sweet.  I'm wondering how it'll be when Phoebe's toys are strewn all over the floor, a field day for Duck?!  Looking forward to all the stages of their relationship, as exhausting - but sweet - as they will be.

PS. Our two cats are alive and well!  They're just so independent and EASY.  They deserve extra treats these days.

Monday morning photo shoot

For the first time in her 5.5 weeks, I used the real camera to take photos of Phoebe.  I have to do this more often! 

One month

Happy one month birthday to our Phoebe!  Today was her one month check up, where she was very rudely awakened from a sweet Ergo carrier nap.  At one month, Phoebe is awake more during the day (and plenty at night!), making lots of eye contact, and checking out her surroundings.  This last month has been such a dream.  We love you, Phoebe!

Tummy time

Phoebe loses interest in tummy time pretty quickly, but she looks so cute doing it!  Her limit is the amount of time it takes me to fold four pieces of laundry (the crib has become my go-to folding zone! hopefully one day the crib will serve its intended purpose).

The last four weeks

It's so hard to believe that our Phoebe is four weeks old!  I always knew that being a wife and mom was my life calling, so I am truly living my dream.  Phoebe was born December 19, we got home from the hospital on the 23rd, and Christmas was a [very happy] blur.  Actually, Christmas was crazy!  We were the walking wounded: me recovering from a c-section (not what I had envisioned, but all that mattered was a safe delivery, so I'm very thankful for the care we received and that all turned out well), Phoebe recovering from birth and her first few days on the outside, Chris got MRSA from our time at the hospital :( and Duck had an infected toenail removed on Christmas Eve.  But it goes without saying, our happiest Christmas ever!

Since then, we've been getting into somewhat of a routine.  We've had a bunch of sweet family outings to Whole Foods.  I figured out how to walk Duck with Phoebe in the Ergo carrier.  And just this week, Phoebs and I have taken our first two car trips together: Target and Baby Gap!  Confidence is shooting out my ears.

I am so, so lucky to be Phoebe's mom.

She's here!!

Introducing our Christmas miracle, Phoebe Claire!  Born December 19, 2013 at 8:17pm.  7lbs, 12oz and 21 inches long.

We are completely in love with her and beside ourselves with joy.  What a way to end the year!  We are so incredibly grateful for our healthy pregnancy and beautiful daughter.  2013 has been very, very good to us.  Looking forward to really savoring 2014!

More soon!