2 Weeks with Anabelle Rose!

Bailey checking out Anabelle while she naps...

Mommy and Anabelle...
the beautiful Anabelle...

Daddy and Anabelle...

Anabelle's first walk...

Anabelle napping in her crib...

Wow! I can't believe our Anabelle has already been in the world for 2 weeks! Lots has happened in these past 2 fun filled weeks with Anabelle.

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She had her first appointment at the pediatrician where we found out she gained 1/4 lb putting her at 7 lbs! She had her first photo shoot (three sessions total) and we are so excited to see the adorable results (photos will be posted soon!!!). We have taken her on 2 walks since the weather has been so beautiful! She loves being in her stroller and looking around outside. And, she has had lots of visitors stop by to see her.

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As for Bailey, we are so impressed with how he is adjusting and warming up to having Anabelle in the house. I have to say we were a bit nervous about he would handle having a new "sister" here at home. When we brought Anabelle home, Bailey was very curious and very confused. We think he was waiting for her to leave. However, he has already learned that she is here to stay for good! He is very respectful towards her and likes to sniff her. He doesn't get too close and we are working with him on controling his loud barking. Overall, Bailey has adjusted beautifully and we think he is starting to actually like her!!
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Anabelle is pretty much a fantastic baby! She eats well and sleeps soundly at night. Eric and I couldn't be happier with our new little addition! We still look at her and can't believe this beautiful little being is our daughter. We love being parents and look forward to each and every moment with her!

She’s here!!

She’s finally here! Anabelle Rose Otto, weighing in at 6 pounds, 12 ounces and 20 inches long was born on Tuesday, March 2nd at 9:58am!!

While Amy recovers, she’s putting me (Eric) on blog duty, so here’s my version…

When we went to the doctor on Monday afternoon, Amy was told to go to the hospital to either be induced on Monday evening or first thing Tuesday morning. We chose Tuesday morning so Amy could get a little sleep before the big day. Around 9:30pm on Monday night, Amy began labor naturally without induction. She labored throughout the night and got an epidural at 4:00am. At around 7:00am, the family started to arrive, so Anabelle had a full waiting room when she made her first appearance just before 10:00am.

We truly appreciate everyone’s support, kind words and prayers. We feel so blessed to have Anabelle in our lives and to have such great family and friends supporting us. Amy is already a wonderful mom and she’s absolutely loving it!! She’s taking such great care of Anabelle, with a little sleep and a lot of love! We’re enjoying every moment and waiting anxiously for what the next moment might bring. Our first night home was wonderful and a little exhausting…BUT, worth every ounce of missed sleep.

Lastly, many people have commented who they think Anabelle looks like, here’s the final tally…Eric – ZERO, Amy – EVERY SINGLE VOTE. If there’s anyone reading this who thinks she looks like me, let me know, it would be nice to get one vote. If not, I’m happy and blessed to have a beautiful baby that looks like my beautiful wife.

Hanging out at home

Ready to leave the hospital

Anabelle and dad

Ready to be swaddled

Maternity Photos

Just before the Christmas holiday Eric and I got some maternity photos taken. We found an awesome photographer who was recommended to us by a friend and we are so happy with the results! Melanie Dodds spent several hours with us on a perfect Sunday afternoon capturing some fantastic and beautiful moments that Eric and I will be able to cherish forever. These are some of our favorite shots that Melanie took at the Zilker Botanical Gardens and on the lawn of the Palmer Events Center that overlooks the Austin skyline. I am 30 weeks pregnant in these photos. We can't wait to see the newborn photos that she will take of Anabelle soon after she's born!!
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Check out Melanies website!! http://www.melaniedoddsphotography.com/
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Pregnancy update!!!

me at 33 weeks.

So far so good! Everything is happening on track and she is healthy and moving around in my belly a lot! Her heartbeat is still strong and is usually around 150 bpms. She gets hiccups almost daily and we can't wait until our next ultrasound at 36 weeks so we can see her again. They will take all of her measurements and we'll get an idea of how big she really is! At this time the average baby is between 18 and 20 inches and about 4 1/2 lbs. She's getting BIG!

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Eric and I are getting so excited for her to actually be here! We almost have her nursery completely set up (I'll post pics soon). We are just so ready to meet her! I keep calling her "her" but we have chosen a name!! Anabelle Rose Otto. We think it's a beautiful name.

Tuba Christmas 2009!!

Every Christmas season about two hundred tuba players play holiday music on the steps of the Capitol in Austin. This is my fourth consecutive year to go watch the tubas! You probably wouldn't think that a bunch of tubas could play beautiful music but YES! they can! These are some pics from December 21st, Tuba Christmas 2009. My favorite song they play is Jingle Bells! It's pretty awesome to hear that song played by only tubas! Oh, did I mention my dad is one of the tuba players? Great job, Dad!!

My dad playing his tuba.

The crowd watching the tubas play at the Capitol.
Molly with 3 of her friends (who are all librarians) and Carrie with her friend, Hilary.

My two favorite guys.

My dad with some of his groupies (a.k.a. me, Carrie, and her 2 friends, Hilary and Jennifer).

Introducing Oliver!!!

Oliver is my sister, Molly's new mini-dachshund and he is ADORABLE!!! He's the perfect additon to the Dahlstrom family. He was only a couple of months old when she got him in December and he got to spend his 1st Christmas with all of us in Victoria. He had a great time and got to spend time with his cousin, Bailey. They get along (most of the time....OK some of the time) and Bailey was excited to have another pup around for the holidays! Look how cute he is!!

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Ollie!!!

Bailey checking out his new cousin.Ollie snooping for presents under the tree.

Pink, Pink, and more PINK!!

Eric hard at work.

Great job, Eric! Almost done!

Two weekends ago we got the baby's room painted...PINK! I have to say that Eric did most of the work and I was very impressed with his very first painting job. I now have faith in him for bigger painting projects in the near future :) Here are some painting pics! More nursery pics to come once it's finished...