Giselle four month stats

Giselle is 13 pounds and is in the 50% for weight. Is really long and thin - 95%.

This month: started eating rice cereal and stopped sleeping at night.

Giselle and Daddy's Cirque du Soleil act

Cirque du Bebe

Giselle turns 4 months old and we buy a new car

This may be the second or third most stressful time of our married life, but all is well. We're taking a hard look at all of our finances and slashing things we don't absolutely need, renegotiating with those who are accepting and making smart decisions. One was buying a new car. My 11 year old Honda CR-V served us well, but was on it's way out. So for safety and many other reasons we purchased a 2010 Toyota Prius. We absolutely love this futuristic car that gets 51 MPG!! Gabriel calls it a spaceship.


Regardless of stress at work and home life, there are many things to celebrate and be thankful for. My friend Matt is getting married this year to sweet Katherine. My friend Michelle just told me she is getting married early of next year and our kids are absolutely beautiful, healthy, sweet and funny. Gabriel says to me at a public restroom with the automatic toilets. "How did it know I was done? It's like magic!" And yesterday morning crawling in to bed with me randomly asks, "What would happen if our feet were on backwards?" He still loves his little sister and loves his role of being a big brother. He is reading more and more and we're so proud of him.

Giselle is rolling over front to back AND back to front really well now. In fact, I think that is her favorite spot to be on her tummy. She has been sleeping on her belly now and the swaddle blanket has gone bye-bye. Loves her daddy and still wakes up smiling in the mornings.

Stronger, Smarter and ... Sweatier

If you aren't a rock or haven't been living under one, you know that we are experiencing quite a significant economic downturn. I remember downplaying it last October when everyone was talking about recession coming, but here we are staring it in the face. It's times like these that make me appreciate what our grandparents and even Jim's folks must have gone through during the depression. I get the sense that we could be standing in line to buy bread somewhere in the coming months. Regardless of how hard it is right now, I surprisingly remain optimistic that things will turn about soon as they always do and I feel quite positive. I feel stronger for having to go through it -- and would even go as far as saying I'm almost thankful that we are going through it. As they say, "what doesn't kill you will only make you stronger." Well, I'm still alive and I choose to remain strong and survive no matter what. It's forcing us to look at our life under a microscope and re-evaluate what is really necessary to live and what really matters the most. We are making smarter decisions. We didn't really need DirecTV and we found out Allstate was gouging us and have knocked off $400 our monthly bill. Next is to get the home refinanced and take advantage of offers. I'm not going to sugar-coat it that much because I'd be lying if I didn't like some of the luxuries we've grown accustomed to, but really we just need a roof over our head, clothes on our back and food on the table - everything else I now see as icing on the cake.

We've gone through hard times before. When we were first married we rubbed two pennies together to buy .99¢ spaghetti dinners. And 2001 was a hard year for everyone with 9/11, but especially for us with the passing of our 15 year-old nephew, followed by my aunt and then my daddy all within weeks of each other. 2003 is a year that will always remain infamous as that was the year of our miscarriage, our dog Nutmeg was killed tragically at the same time that Jim's hernia operation went array as we were purchasing and moving into our first home. That may have been the hardest time of our lives. But we got through it and it makes us appreciate the good things in life. Each "hard" time is different - and this one is full of uncertainty of the future, but also filled with opportunity and challenges. You just have to dig down deep and find the strength to rise and meet them. Each day has been throwing me a curve ball ... from work stress, nursing stressors, and personal financial stress. Mostly knocking each one out of the park as they come and hoping to keep that luck and momentum, but here I am sitting at my computer at 1 am with my entire family sleeping downstairs on floors and sofas because it's slightly cooler. You see, our air conditioner broke today. Another $1,500 repair no doubt. And while a small part of me wants to whine, the larger (and sweatier part) rises up within me and attacks it once again, head on, without fear, knowing our God will take care of us and we have the love of each other.

I feel stronger, smarter and sweatier.

My mom came to visit. She helped me clean out the basement of 100 boxes and had a garage sale. She and Giselle finally meet.

Giselle is Two Months Old!

I can't believe Giselle is two months old already. It's been a rollercoaster ride with the c-section, plugged milk duct, mastitis, allergic reaction to the antibiotic and now she's sick with her first cold and has given it to me, but it has gone by fast. She is wonderful and we're so thankful.

Also, I noticed today that she has a pattern (it's a pattern or routine more than a schedule), but she eats every 2-1/2 to three hours during the day then plays (awake time for about an hour or so) and then she naps, repeat. I went back to work when she was six weeks old and Jimmy has been watching her, but he doesn't notice these details and even if he did doesn't share too much of her day with me (mostly b/c he can't remember with running after the 4-year old and trying to get things done around the house).

1. eats
2. plays
3. sleeps

She's also found the ceiling fan mesmerizing and rolled over from her tummy to her back three times. Oh, and gives us the biggest smiles...and even laughed a couple of times! It's amazing watching her grow so fast. My heart has grown two sizes these past two months. Even Gabriel has taken to her like fish to water. He still calls her Gisellie or Gisellie Belly. I call her Gisellie Bean.

We enjoyed our visit from our friends Jack and Jeannine Beebe very much. We are now feeling like life can resume some normalcy and looking forward to catching up with friends and more family. Next stop....visit with my mom so she can hold her grand baby for the first time.

Overwhelmed by Love

I'm overwhelmed by the love and support that has been shown to me during my pregnancy, but also toward the little one that has joined our family. I have received cards with well wishes from people I really didn't expect to receive, gifts from so many friends, family and clients. Neighbors who have helped out when we are in need. She is truly one blessed little girl. And so are we.

And, when I returned to work I received this zebra plant from my co-workers with a note in it that quaintly said, "Welcome Home!" I have the best co-workers in the world.

Easter 2009

Giselle experienced her first Easter with a beautiful dress given to her by Alane. She even smiled for me for a few pictures. Gabriel enjoyed it with friends with an egg hunt in our front yard. Patrick found the most eggs and won the big chocolate easter bunny. They all had a good time with the highlight being one of the balloons that was accidentally let go up into the sky. Lydia said, "it went up, up all the way to God. And he is going to have a birthday party." Gabriel replied, "No, he only has birthdays at Christmas."

We Miss You Grampa!

My dad passed away July 11, 2001 and I can honestly say not a day goes by where I don't think of him or miss him. Whether I'm reminded of him by a funny country song, his signature pancakes, how genius he was with numbers or just what a down to earth, honest, hard-working, caring, self-less, lovable man he was. I don't know whether it's the hormones, but lately I've cried myself to sleep missing him thinking of how much he would absolutely love to hold, kiss and love on his grand kids.

I miss him so much these days. I look around at restaurants and see Aunts, Uncles, and Grandparents with their families and wish that Jim's folks were a little younger or my mom lived closer. And since I'm wishing, I wish my dad were here to see his granddaughter. I know he would love her so much. I know he must be looking down from heaven, but it's just not the same without one of his hugs. So back to reality -- He will forever live on in my memory. He may have thought his prized pancakes with his secret bacon grease recipe were special, but it was his hugs and his infectious personality that should have been award-winning. He always knew how to make everyone smile and feel a little better. I love you Dad!

Here we are together when I was alittle older than Gabriel's age.

What's up with the new Pett family?

Giselle smiles occasionally, still has hiccups once a day and is starting to sleep about 5 hours straight at night. She really enjoys her bath and tummy time, and is generally a good baby with her only crying and fussiness with having gas. We pull her legs up to her chest in order to relieve some of the umm...pressure. It looks a little like churning butter so Jim started calling it churning for baby butter. It's kind of stuck so now when she farts or poops we all yell out "Baby Butter!"

Gabriel is Mr. Chatterbox these days. I allow him to call Grandma to talk her ear off which is a win, win, win. Frees up some time for us, he loves talking to her and she loves listening. He definitely hasn't been lost among all the newborn hub-bub. He had a special "mommy and me" day at the Georgia Aquarium. He's played at his friends Sean and Patrick's homes, had a park day with his friend Lydia as well as park days with each of us, Aunt Shawna, me and daddy. Meanwhile, we've had a blast reading and dancing. Take a look at his (and Giselle's) latest dance moves (see video).




As for me, I'm getting over mastitis and a clogged duct in my breast. It was very painful and I had flu-like symptoms -- a fever of 104, chills and body aches. I feel like I've lost a week being laid up in bed for four days. The antibiotics are finally working and am trying to rest up in order to prepare going back to work next Tuesday.

Jim has been busy working around the house and final tax prep. Busy, busy, busy.

Giselle at Three Weeks

We are enjoying our family time and getting to know Giselle. She is a sweet baby, sleeps 20 hours a day albeit in 2-3 hour increments, and has the hiccups at least once a day. She won't let me put her down for more than one minute or she fusses. She stops immediately once I pick her back up. I don't know how she knows whether or not I'm holding her, but she does - there is no fooling her! She is gassy like most babies, but swaddling seems to help as well as putting her in her swing by the dishwasher while it's running - puts her right out.

Gabriel is enjoying her and is getting more used to her crying. He talks to her and says "I'm your big brother silly, not a monster." I guess that's because she usually has this look on her face like "who are you?"

Giselle at One Week

It's been a really hard first week. I've cried tears of pure joy, tears from pain and tears from shear exhaustion. I'm glad to be getting my body back, losing 20 pounds in one week. I've still got a long way to go. Every day gets a little easier as we get back into the swing of things. It's all coming back to us slowly. Nursing has been a challenge, but we're figuring that out too.

Here is Giselle at day seven. She had her first doctor appointment and has gained back all her birth weight giving us a big thumbs up from her doc.


Here is my first picture with both my kids. So weird to say "kids" (of course Gabriel is making his goofy face). We are enjoying our new Team Pett. Meanwhile, we've been making strawberry pies since they are in season and on sale at Publix.

March 3, 2009 -- Welcome Giselle Helena Pett

We are ecstatic to report the arrival of our little love bug Giselle Helena Pett. She came via C-section on Tuesday, March 3, 2009 at 4:01 pm. Weighing 7 lbs, 15 oz and 20.5 inches long. Her Apgar scores were 9 and 9 and is a very healthy and sweet baby. We are all totally in love with her, including her big brother Gabriel who calls her "Gisellie."

Gabriel's inquisitiveness

I can't sleep - again - but this time due to being so happy and excited I'm going to get to see my little girl soon. I can't wait to kiss her and hold her in my arms.

Gabriel cracks us up all the time and is such a happy boy. He's fascinated with the planets, learning body parts and what they do and oddly enough cooking. He asks the most interesting, and sometimes boggling, smart questions. As of late he's randomly asked:

• How do you hear God speak to you?
• Can you see energy?
• Does the earth rotate around the sun clockwise?
• Are there really aliens out there?

He says to me tonight that gravity holds us to the ground. Then there was a question tonight, which is escaping me partly because I'm sleep deprived, but I remember thinking "I'll have to Google that one." I didn't want to tell him the wrong thing -- he really retains this stuff.

Our Snow Day - March 1, 2009

It rarely snows in Atlanta, but usually one day a year, sometime in February or March, we'll get sleet. Today we got nearly four inches of beautiful snow. Too bad we were all sick with colds and didn't get to enjoy it to it's fullest. I adored it from the bedroom window.

A Random Movie Review

So much of our lives is mundane. There are things that can be counted on every day, which in a lot of ways, makes for security in knowing what’s going to happen, like the sun rising and falling every day, the ebbs and flows of the tide. But today, quite unexpectedly, I was moved by a story. It wasn’t one of those sappy emails with the animated dogs or a Hallmark card, but being sick laid up in bed, watching a movie called “Resurrecting the Champ.” I knew it was going to be about a real-life story of a writer down on his luck who comes across a heavy-weight fighter who had found his way to live on the streets. So I knew going in it had the sap-appeal, but what I also found unexpectedly was truth at the heart of the story found in all of us. The kind where people want to believe in something, sometimes so badly, that the truth gets distorted. We complain about the media twisting and bending the truth to make things easier to swallow. But what about the writer in this story who wanted to believe something so badly to get a foot forward in his career believed the homeless man on the street was who he said he was. Only to find out after the story he ran in a prominent location of the paper that it was all a lie. It almost destroyed his reputation and career, but something miraculous happened when he came to eventually learn that what was most important was the truth. He no longer needed to lie to his six-year old son about being friends with celebrities to gain his affection. It makes you wonder how much of everything we come across in life is a little bit of a twist of the truth. A commercial, a political campaign, a white lie ... We’ve all come to accept them. This movie made me question how much of these twisted lies is too much? Where is the integrity of our grandfathers? What kind of world are we creating for our children and their children? It made me want to take a step back and look at my own life. Am I as honest as I’d like to be? We’re not perfect, but if we all could strive for honesty and integrity damned the costs, I think we would be a better society, town, city, nation, world.

Gabriel's Games

Gabriel loves games - what kid doesn't right? He was obsessed with CandyLand for a while and now he's moved on to some other classics like Sorry and Uno despite them being for 6+ and 7+, respectively. He's quite astute at playing online games as well. Here are some of the sites he has bookmarked and visits regularly:

http://pbskids.org/games/
http://atv.disney.go.com/playhouse/index.html
http://www.sesamestreet.org/home/?scrollerId=games
http://www.noggin.com/

Bloody Sunday

What an ordeal on Sunday when Gabriel and I went to his little friends birthday party. He fell down and busted his lip and front tooth. Here I am nine months pregnant, carrying him while he is screaming and bleeding. We're keeping a close eye on it as one of his front teeth is hanging down lower than the other and the gum looks bruised, but I have a feeling despite how bad it looked and must have been for him, it was harder on me. He's been getting icecream and popsciles so he's loving it. As any mother will tell you it's not easy to see your little one in pain. I guess I better get used to it though as I'm sure we're bound to have some bloody knees, scrapes and bruises in the future as kids will be kids.

8 Months Preggers

Doc says she is doing well, blood pressure is 120/80, cervix is still closed - all is well on the preggo home front.

Jim has been having severe pain after his surgery and we had to call the paramedics. Fortunately, Percocet kicked in and we didn't have to make a trip to the hospital. We're just taking it one day at a time. It's really allowed us to draw closer together. You learn to let the little things go and really appreciate one another since you're so thankful to have made it through another day together. Despite our trying circumstances, our spirits are up and we're happy and excited about our little girl joining us soon.

Competing Abs

Jimmy's "abs of steel" and my "baby belly"

Welcome to the Pett's first Family blog

Gabriel's personal online journal will be archived now that our family is growing. We'll use this blog to communicate all that is Jimmy, Marcy, Gabriel and Giselle.