Stay at Home Mommy

It has been a crazy month to say the least. I resigned from my position at the Fort Worth Stockyards and accepted a new job at the Dallas Arboretum. On paper it looked great working 5 minutes away from home and just minutes away from Annabelle's daycare. Unfortunately, it wasn't quite the dream job that I imagined.

After careful consideration, Stephen and I agreed that it was the right time for me to be a stay at home Mom. It was the best decision for our family and I am thrilled! I am so excited to start this new chapter in my life. Annabelle is only a baby for a short while and I get to be there to see her grow and change everyday!

Cheers!

Annabelle and Tillie

Before we had Annabelle Stephen and I were concerned about Tillie and how she was going to react to the new baby. She has always been our fur baby and has a bit of "only child syndrome." Well, we know now. She loves Annabelle and is very protective of her. I would even call her a good big sister! Here are some pics of Tillie and Annabelle "playing."

Halloween!

It's Annabelle's first official holiday- Halloween! And.... what else would she be but a ladybug! (or rather a ladybird as Stephen would say). We might have gone a little crazy getting ready for the holiday. I might have bought a couple "My first Halloween" outfits that she had to wear all month long. Why not celebrate your first child with enthusiasm?! HEHE!

Annabelle's Baptism

Annabelle was baptized on Sunday, October 16th at Highland Park Presbyterian Church- the same church Stephen and I were married. I was terrified that Annabelle was going to scream and cry in front of the whole congregation but she was great! There were a few tears in the beginning but Ron Scates (officiant) was so good with her and calmed her right down.

It was a nice ceremony and my Mom and Dad were able to come down and celebrate with us. Here are some pics.

1st Day at Daycare

I knew it was coming...and I was dreading it. My maternity leave is officially up and I am headed back to work. This past Monday Annabelle had her first day at Kidding Around daycare. It was more traumatic for me than her. I was crying like a crazy lady!!

Thankfully, we both have time and lots of help in order to adjust to the separation. I am working M/W/F in Fort Worth at the Stockyards for the next two weeks. My mom is here this week and is picking A up from daycare early this week. Next week A will stay the full day, all three days. I will start my new position at the Dallas Arboretum on Monday, Oct. 24th. The new job means that Annabelle will have to go to daycare full time but at least I won't have to do the long commute to Fort Worth everyday. I will only be about 5 minutes away from her daycare and will be able to pop in at lunch to see her. Its so hard to leave my little girl but I know she is in good hands and that everything is going to be OK. :-)

Here is a pic from her first day at daycare... sleeping soundly in her crib!

Road Trip to Louisiana

The Nickles family hit the road last weekend and traveled to New Orleans for a wedding and some fun. This was Annabelle's first trip and she was great! It took us about 10 hours to get to NO with several stops for nursing and diaper changes. We took Annabelle by the LSU campus in Baton Rouge on the way down- she wanted to see the tiger cage! We also went to the NO Zoo, Aquarium and did some shopping in the French Quarter. It was a fun trip!

LSU Tiger Cage



NO Zoo with the Elephants



At the Royal Sonesta Hotel

A slept while we walked around the French Quarter

All pretty for the wedding!

3 Months Old!

Annabelle is 3 months old!! My how time has flown. She is starting to grab and hold her toys and loves sitting up in her bumbo chair. Annabelle is about 10.5 lbs (in number 1 diapers!) and she is a little over 22 in long. Her hair is getting a little bit lighter and longer...she also still has her mullett! HAHA!

Here are the latest pics.