i admit it's a little long winded

This was a week of firsts. Ada took her first bottle like a pro. Our pediatrician reemphasized to us that their is a fine line with the timing of the first bottle. If one waits too long the baby may never take a bottle and if the baby is given a bottle to early then she may never go back. I am glad we cleared that hurdle, now to just maintain it. I believe we will do so weekly. While Ada was only confused momentarily, Jimmy enjoyed filling a role in this part of Ada's daily routine.Allison and her daughter Abby came to visit. Abby was too cute and continually checked on the baby and gave her kisses. Ada's new friend is good at her animal sounds. My favorite is Abby's rendition of a dog. Instead of the typical "ruff" "ruff" Abby makes a panting sound which is a perfect replica of Daisy Dog after taking a jog with Jimmy. We all had a great time.Ada and I took a nice walk with Shannon, Foy, Robin and Jenna around the Riverwalk. All three kiddos caught some nice zzzs while the "adults" made up new nicknames for the three dreaming sweeties using a combination of food and body parts. Acorn Ear, Avocado Head, Pizza Finger, Kumquat Nose just to name a few. The creative concept compliments of Shannon. We were also introduced to Shannon's little friends Maddox 3.5 years old and Bennett 10 mths old. Maddox had us rolling laughing with his very thick southern twang and talkative personality. He kept saying he was going to be Foy's "big brutter".

This was our first night back to small group and boy did we leave a lasting impression. Miss Ada was very talkative in a very outspoken manner. My latest theory (and there have been many) is the poor child was over stimulated with the hot potato-like fashion that she was tossed around the room by me, the mother, who was trying to introduce her to as many of her new friends as possible. Oh how I hope we will not be cringed at upon our return. Ha! No, really everyone was really supportive. I sometimes forget that I birthed a baby and not a robot which I am glad for bc babies are much more fun. Babies do cry sometimes and Ada was just doing what babies do. Thankfully she does not communicate in that manner too terribly often.

Pat and Jenni(the wonderful home host to our small group) had just returned from the Dominican Republic and were sharing about their time of ministry. I wish someone had recorded the time of sharing. Thankfully I did get to see pictures. Please pray for Pat & Jenni as they seek direction from the Lord and whether or not they are being told to relocate to the D.R. On another note, Ada's buddy Foy was at the "party". Shannon noted that this relationship was moving a little fast since the two have already shared a bed together :) The Dads
The Moms

Ada had her first long stretch of sleep this week. I am both thankful and very proud of her. Until this last week I had been waking Ada up every three hours to feed her instead of allowing her to wake up naturally. This week she was allowed to wake up on her own to be feed and she slept 7.5 hours. It was the best night of sleep for both females in the household. I hope this sleep pattern is a keeper. Until she is a little bit older she is not to go over 8 hours without filling her tummy so we will definitely take 7.5 hours.

Jessica and Antonio came down from Nashville on Friday to check out Miss Ada. We had a great time during their visit. The four of us (Jess, Antonio, Ada and I ) all rode together to the McKenna's. Me, being the wonderful chafer that I am, got us lost and turned a 5 minute commute into a 30. The McKenna's live 4 miles away from us and I have been to their house several times. How in the world did I manage? How embarrassing! Katie shared her exciting news with Jess & Antonio of how her and Kevin are the fourth of our college couples to be expecting this year. How exciting! Katie got in the car with us and I assured the group that I could manage to get to Blue Plate for our lunch date without making any detours. We arrived and were greeted by our other two preggy friends, Kristi and Melissa and our fab friend Becca. Poor Antonio endured several hours of 6 chatty women. While we were passing around pictures of ultrasounds he pulled out a picture of his new baby, a Harley Chopper (pretty sweet!). Thanks Jess and Antonio for making the trip down. Loved seeing you guys and can't wait to see you both again very soon. (P.S. Ada came too but was sound asleep so I did not want to wake her)This was Ada's first Easter and also our first time back to church since her arrival. We attend Calvary Chapel Chattanooga. Our church is fabulous. Jimmy and I searched for a church home for several years during the early part of our marriage. It feels so nice to be at home and be in a church that we are excited to see our daughter grow up in. {side note: Last Mother's Day Paster Frank asked all the existing mothers, expectant mothers and those who wanted to become mothers to stand up. I joined the large group of women throughout the auditorium in rising up while our head pastor offered a prayer over the assemblage. He prayed for guidance, wisdom and patience for those who were raising little ones and asked for wombs to be opened for those that would like little ones. May is the month that we got pregnant. Coincidence? Think not.} Unfortunately on our first day back we were late, extremely late and the sad thing is we really thought we were on time. We were so proud. The first day back, with a newborn. We were turning over a new leaf. Okay, I was repositioning the leaf. Jimmy's leaf had been turned in the correct direction many years ago. Yeah, the service started at 9:45am this Sunday instead of the typical 10:30 start time. So instead of walking in with the other laid back, casually dressed fellow patrons of Calvary Chapel we instead were surrounded by the over-the-top, dressed to the nines, hat flaunting, pumps strutting, 3 piece suit wearing, members of Olivet Baptist Church. In our casual garb we did the walk of shame.Ada did really well in the 30 minutes left in church. She did a little self talk which normally seems so soft and quiet, but in a virtually silent atmosphere her soft coos seemed quite loud. Jimmy took her into to the exterior hallway after a bit as not to disturb the quiet onlookers. I was forewarned that it would happen....I sat through church and did not hear a word of the message. I hope this is purely temporary and I will be able to focus in the future. Thank goodness for modern technology. I will be able to catch up as soon as it is posted online.
After church we headed over to my parents (Papa Campbell & MiMi) where we ate a light lunch. Also in attendance was Mark, Jennifer, Preston and Peyton Carli. Missing were Suzi and Roman who we will see in a couple of weeks. Preston impressed us with his knowledge of politics. I am certain, at the time, I knew nothing of the election between George H. W. Bush and Michael Dukakis. Peyton Carli insistently asked when Ada was going to wake up and when it was time, if she could do the honors. She also said that Ada had a really pretty head. It was all very sweet. I am so happy Ada has such wonderful cousins to look up to.This is the incredible train that Preston loves to run. Preston said the day MiMi bought it for him was the best day of his life. He is quite the conductor.
Ada turned 6 weeks on Easter Sunday. Milestones to date: lifts head for extensive amount of time before becoming a bobble head, smiles (have not managed to capture this in a snapshot yet), coos, bats her arms at her friends hanging from the sky (if we had to guess then we would say she is going to be a lefty but then there is a little ambidextrous action going on) and let us not forget her discovery of jewelry and long hair oh and the death grip that coincides. Beware all ye with long fringe and dangle-y jewelry.

Random Remembrance (sporadic interactions with Ada that I do not wish to be forgotten):
Poopy Diapers smell like scrambled eggs. Ada is scrambling up some eggs or laying an egg. So upon smelling eggs we no longer run to the breakfast table.