Operation Favorite Aunt, Part 1

"Operation Favorite Aunt" is in FULL SWING!  Gabi is sooo lucky to have 6 aunts to love on her, most of which are already fully committed to the favorite aunt competition.    So far, aunts have done some pretty impressive attempts such as:

• knitting a beautiful, GATOR-colored, blanket for Mommy and baby to snuggle in (Aunt Sandi)
• sending a great package of gifts, including a HIPPO toy, kitty outfit, and engaging books/toys (Aunt Mandy)
• being the first aunt to have a Skype date (Aunt Syssa)

Unfortunately for the other 5, however, Aunt Erica got a leg up by being the first aunt to meet and visit with beautiful Gabriella.  Aunt Erica drove in from Raleigh to help us complete our third week as a happy family with a fun, yet incredibly lazy weekend.

3-week old Gabi has decided that she is a real baby.  We used to have to wake her to feed her; she now decided she wants to be hungry every 3 hours.  She used to drink a mere 2 ounces of formula at a time; big girl now devours 4 ounces (and she is starting to make sweet eye contact while she eats).  She used to go to into her milk coma directly after eating; she now wants to be rocked to sleep.  She used to weigh 5 lbs 12 oz; big girl is now up to 6 pounds!  She holds "hands" (read: "finger") and is a strong little lady, pushing away a burp cloth at ease and pulling in a bottle or pacifier she does not want to release.  She is growing and changing all the time, and we are loving every minute. 

Aunt Erica's first cuddle with Gabi

Brook inspects her approval.

Gabi looks straight into her aunt's eyes.

Gabi's 3rd Shabbat

Aunt Erica helped give Gabi a bath on Friday night.  Gabi still hasn't quite decided what she feels about baths, but she's pretty sure she doesn't like them.  As always, no babies were (permanently) harmed in the giving of this bath.


Thank you, Ms. Stacia, for this cute cute outfit! Before tonight, she spit up on it any time she wore it, but we finally got a picture of the SNUGGLE BUG! And as you all can see by the picture evidence, Gabi truly is QUITE the snuggle bug!

Nikki was feeling quite left out and wanted to make sure the audience acknowledged she was there too.

Just about each guest/visitor we've had has made threats to steal the baby; here's some proof...

Nevertheless, Daddy and Gabi sleep on...

Aunt Erica engages Gabi in some wonderful Read-Alouds. We learned about belly-buttons and other important body parts, kisses, opposites, and of course hippo friends. Fun was had by all!

Of course, no Erica visit would be complete without a visit to feast-central at Tupelo Honey Cafe!

Happy 3-Week Birthday, Gabi!

Daddy and Aunt Erica share a moment before we have to say Good-bye.