Anna Ruth's big adventures

Anna is almost one week old, and each day just keeps getting better and better! My momma brought me these beautiful flowers......I sure do enjoy looking at them.
Part of Anna Ruth's big adventures included going into town today, and we had quite the time! We went to Nana's house, to eat lunch, and to Target. Target was quite a workout for me because we were hurrying as fast as possible and had a somewhat long list. However, we made it! :) :) Success...We went to eat at Olive Garden! I got the soup and salad....They are a baby-friendly restaurant and had a sling type seat to set Anna Ruth's car seat on at the table..
Of course, Anna Ruth didn't need the carseat :) That's what Grandma's are for! Our waiter was shocked when he found out how old A.R. is :)
The day also included a first trip to Nana's house :)

daddy rode in on the tractor, and mom braved the first car rode solo :) (and yes I gave the stink eye to everyone who followed me too closely-that's my girl they're on the tail of!)

Another big adventure-first bath!! Anna screamed through most of it, but loved having the water run over her hair! :) First family photo at our house. This was taken on Tuesday, for "Gotcha Day"..the day we celebrate Lillie and the day she was adopted from China. We had delicious burgers and banana splits for dessert. It was so fun to have company :) and to celebrate Lillie!
Lillie with Anna Ruth
The many expressions of our girl!

Jana and the kids are coming to visit tomorrow. Jana hasn't seen Anna Ruth since the peek in the hospital nursery. I can't wait to introduce the two of them! Brett returns to work tomorrow and I am not looking forward to it one bit. However, I know Anna Ruth and I will get used to him being gone in a day or two. His boss let him have one of his vacation days he took back so that's a blessing! I also got a bonus in the mail today from Springdale Schools, which was a much-needed, appreciated blessing from God. Tithing pays off :).

Quick version of Birthing Story:
Last Friday we arrived at the hospital at 5:00 a.m. We had prayed previously over our nurse and that we would have a kind one :). God answered our prayers in a huge way! I recognized the nurse, and discovered we'd both gone to Tech! So cool. She was considerate, calm, reassuring, etc. They broke my water (weird feeling and Brett and I laughed about it because it wasn't like what we expected at all!) and tried to get things going on their own. By 10:30 nothing was happening still so they started the pitocin. I requested an epidural, and then kept getting the pitocin. The day was spent getting more pitocin, and eventually more of the epidural pain meds. Progress was happening, but slow. I traded off reading, sleeping, watching t.v., and visiting with Brett and his mom. Finally at 5:00 p.m. the Dr. came in and said I was ready to push! I started, and Anna Ruth got stuck in a particular place. The Dr. started mentioning a c-section, which I did not want! I started praying (in my head) and thought "I WILL get this baby out!" Kept pushing...and at 6:19 p.m. Anna Ruth was born! It was a hard labor (the pushing was rough and I had "damage" because of it) but I made it. :) Moms are the strongest people I know and I am happy to join the club!