Week 6

Fin Fin, The Fin Master, Kickin Chicken, Blue Eyes, Tiny Hiney, Aunt Sarah's "Lil Pumpkin", Scuddle Butt (per daddy??) & Psycho Baby are just a few of the nicknames that Finley has acquired in her short 6 weeks of life.  Of course with the Psycho Baby nickname, Wes sings it to the tune of the 1977 hit "Psycho Killer" by the Talking Heads, for those of you that remember that song?!  She only gets called this name at her peak angry moments when we have no choice but to sing our "Psycho Baby" song in order to overcome our frustration and instead make ourselves laugh! :)

Overall, we had a pretty good 6th week.  I went back to the doctor for my 6 week check up and everything was good there.  I also had a follow up ultrasound on the cysts that they had found on my thyroid when I was pregnant and those hadn't appeared to have grown any. Still waiting for the doctor to call with the report but the nurse that performed the ultrasound seemed to think I had no reason to be concerned so I'm happy about that!!  

As for Finley, she is grinning like crazy!! This week she has actually smiled at us numerous times!!  It is such a rewarding feeling.  You work so hard for these first 6 weeks trying to learn how to meet her every need and the best response that we had before was for her to peacefully sleep or burp really good.  Don't get me wrong, a peaceful sleep or good burp is still very nice!  But now she smiles and for some reason it seems to make all of that hard work even more worthwhile.

A little "Fin Grin" :)

We enjoyed dinner with the Ruddick's at Hamontree's in Fayetteville on Friday but we waited just a bit too long to leave the restaurant.  Finley had a crying fit on the way home, true "Psycho Baby" style!  Our "plan" was for Wes to feed her a bottle at that feeding but her mommy packed milk and no bottle in her diaper bag.  Prime example of a case of the "Mommy Brain" as Clancy calls it!!  Since pouring it into her mouth wasn't exactly an option, we had to pull over and I had to feed her in the car on the way home. 

Daddy and Finley before dinner with the Ruddick's

Mommy & Finley before dinner with the  Ruddick's.
Too bad we didn't have a "psycho baby" pic of
what she looked like on the way home!! :)

Finley is doing really good with her nighttime bottles.  Grandma Phyllis fed her for the first time on Monday night after Wes cooked us a yummy craw fish pasta dish.  Justin's girlfriend Russlyn was very kind to feed her on Saturday night!!  As we all sat down to eat steaks that they had cooked for us that night, Finley was feeling a little left out and she decided she wanted to eat at the same time as all of us. ;)  Russlyn insisted that we eat and that she would feed Finley which was really nice of her!!  Uncle JJ fed her the later half of her bottle which was a first for him with ANY baby!!  Job well done JJ!!

Grandma Phyllis looking like a pro!!

Not the best quality picture with our phone camera but it is proof of JJ feeding her ;)

This is Wes's bare skin and not mine!

Well....that is it for now, that is until week 7 anyway!!  Sorry that we were a couple days late with our post Uncle JJ!! ;)

Week 5

Well it's official we have a paci spoiled baby!!  She has decided that she cannot fall asleep without having the paci in her mouth.  What have we done?!!  I have tried to see if I can just let her cry herself to sleep but I don't think that Wes or I can make it past about 30 seconds of the crying.  I guess we'll break her of it one day but together we have decided that it won't be today or any day soon for that matter.  Our sanity is more important at this point!!

She's been pretty fussy this week, we are hoping it isn't colic!  It seems that constant motion is a good thing with her.  Riding in the car, the swing, the bouncy seat, walking her around the block, just moving in general seems to calm her down and of course the paci helps!

Looking pretty sweet here

On Wednesday I went to an ASID meeting and Finley, Wes and Grandma Phyllis went and enjoyed a nice Italian lunch together.  We then went to Bentonville to run some errands and Wes CANNOT go to Bentonville without stopping by the Walmart Associate Store to see if he can find any "unbeatable deals".  Needless to say, i have nursed in the parking lot of the Associate Store I believe 4 times now!!
Speaking of Walmart, Finley took her first trip to Walmart this week.  She slept the whole time as we restocked on all of her baby supplies, boy how all of those things add up!!

Thursday we had a Proto Team plus Wes :) lunch at Mellow Mushroom Pizza where Jessie, Kim and Tiffany also brought their babies.  All of the babies got lots of lovin and were each passed around the table.  I had my first public changing table experience there not once but twice during lunch.  Again, it was one of the occasions when I wonder why God didn't give us a third arm!!  It's interesting how I could have cared less about the location of the changing tables and whether or not they were in the men's restroom as well until you need to use one.  This one in particular was right in the swing of a stall door so when the lady came out of the stall the door hit the changing table.  You'd really think people would think these things through!!

Kim & Harper

Anna, Harper & Katey

Crystal, Finley & Jamie

Monica, Finley & Anna

Finley had her first night out on Dickson Street this Saturday! ;) Gary and Phyllis took us to Doe's Steakhouse where Finley again slept through the entire dinner.  She has slept through every meal that we have ever eaten out somewhere.  I told Wes that we need not get used to this because this WILL NOT be the case for much longer!!  We are trying to enjoy it while we can though!

I've decided that on my blog I am going to print and bind these at the end of the year so I am going to add little tid bits that Finley, Wes and I might find interesting years from now.  One of my pregnancy journals had things like- what is in the news, music you are listening to lately, or tv shows you are watching.  So while it might not be interesting for others to read right now....we think it will be neat to look back on one day.  Without further ado....

IN THE NEWS:

• The Casey Anthony trial- Casey found not guilty and released from prison
• The $14 trillion deficit that our country is in
• Gas prices are currently $3.59 a gallon

Week 4

It's hard to believe that Finley is 1 month old already!!  She is becoming more and more alert each day.  Her mom is becoming more alert as well because dad is feeding her a bottle each night which allows for a 4-5 hour stretch of sleep for me!!  It makes a world of difference compared to the 1-1/2 or 2hr increments that she was giving me.  


We had a great 4th of July weekend!  As I had mentioned in the last post, the Bassett's & Cochran's came over and Finley got to play with her sweet friend Addison and her favorite girl cousins Ella and Grace.  We enjoyed some great food, neighborhood fireworks, and got to watch Ella & Grace's latest dance moves.  

Finley's 4th of July outfit

Her shoes that didn't fit

Grace's latest moves

Ella showing her how it's really done

This week Finley has begun to really grab and bat at the toys that hang from her play mat along with pulling mom's hair while nursing!!  Her little legs haven't stopped moving since she came out, come to think of it this is probably what I was feeling in my womb months before her arrival.  It makes for a challenging diaper change with two legs constantly kicking!!  She enjoys playtime on her mat for about 5-10 minutes but sleeping is still her preferred pastime.  She still likes being swaddled while sleeping but MUST have her arms out of the swaddle.  


She has had a random little red birthmark show up on her head this week.  We are going to ask the doctor about it the next time we go in but everyone has assured me that it is nothing to worry about.  We also took our first neighborhood stroll on an extremely cloudy day.  This was the first day that it had been cool enough for us to even spend more than 5 minutes outside!!  Finley slept through the entire stroll but it was nice to get out and get a little exercise and some fresh air.


I went to get my hair cut and she met my stylist Kristin.  She did really good and held out until my hair was done but then we did have to feed in one of the massage rooms which was quite relaxing in comparison to some of the other areas where I've had to feed her so far!  We then visited the Home Office where she met several of my co-workers.  Katey, Amanda, Jessica, Robin, Raul, Mike to name a few and then we saw some others that she had met previously- Anna, Kesha, Morgan and Erin.

The highlight of her week was meeting her cousins Grant and Griffin, her Aunt Karrie, and Uncle Marty!!  She was also very excited to see her Grandpa George and Tammy, Freddie Joe, Grandma Phyllis and Gary!!  Although Grandpa George didn't volunteer, he kept Bertha for us which made the remainder of our trip and stay in Magnolia a lot easier!!  Thanks again Georgie!!  Traveling with a newborn and two large dogs presents a few challenges but we made it and Finley did really good!!

We had such a great time in Magnolia and loved getting to spend time with the boys, Karrie and Marty!  Uncle Marty held Finley for hours the first night we got there and even fed her a bottle.  Aunt Karrie accused him of being a "baby hog"!!  Grant and Griffin held her after they warmed up to her a bit and were very curious.  Grant was such a big helper and was good at corking her with her paci when needed. ;)  

Aunt Karrie, Grant, Griffin & Finley

Grandpa George acting like he was fighting Finley

We enjoyed our state tour and getting to see everyone.  Hopefully we can do it again sometime soon and get to meet/see even more of our friends and family!!

Week 3

This past week was pretty busy for a 3 week old baby! Clancy came up and stayed with us over the weekend.  Unfortunately, the occasion wasn't exactly the best of circumstances but we really enjoyed getting to see her and Finley LOVED meeting her!!  Clancy and I went to see Meredith on Saturday and so glad that we did because we knew that the funeral wouldn't exactly permit us to spend quality time with her.  Us girls shared a glass of wine and Meredith shared with us Miller's last moments.  Clancy and I took turns playing with Cole to allow each other to chat with Mer but I must say that I probably got more kisses from him. ;)  While the Woodruff's journey has been an extremely difficult one, I admire the strength that they have shown throughout this very trying time.  On Tuesday we attended Miller's funeral and Finley slept through the entire service.  I was very pleased with her behavior!! :)  Such a difficult service to attend but it was a great celebration of Miller's life and what he accomplished in such a short time here on earth.  Love that little guy!!  I love their family so much and pray that God comforts them in the days ahead. 

Clancy and Finley

Us in our "I'm with Miller" hats

Later Tuesday afternoon Finley had her newborn pictures taken.  She was pretty fussy and really didn't want to cooperate at all!  It was pretty hot outside which didn't help her little infant acne!!  The photographer was very patient letting me change dirty diapers and feed in the middle of the shoot.  By the end of the shoot we had worn her out enough to grab a couple good shots.  Hopefully at least a few of them turned out, we will see. 

These are NOT the photographers photos but simply mom trying to play "photographer" later in the week. ;)      

We had some rough nights this past week with Finley being pretty fussy and only choosing to sleep on dad's chest the majority of the night.  On a couple of occasions we had to give her some gas meds to finally get her to sleep.  Of course there is never a dull moment in the Wiggins household, we have construction projects going on so Wes had spent the majority of the daytime outside slaving away.  I woke one morning to find no baby or dad in the house but located Finley outside overseeing the construction site.  Wes said that he held her as they poured concrete and she appeared to just be watching it all and loving it.  She really has no choice with the parents, her Grandma Phyllis, and Great Aunt Janice that she was given! ;)  She really likes being outside so that is always our last resort when she is being cranky.  A good walk around the block or fresh air out on the back deck usually puts her to sleep.

Night time chest naps

While Finley enjoyed overseeing construction projects, she was not pleased with her parent's idea of putting her hands in the wet concrete, which in the end wasn't wet enough, and entirely not worth our efforts but we tried!!  It ended with concrete on her head, close to her mouth, in the corner of her eye and finally resulted in a much needed bath.  I felt like it was borderline child abuse!!  Never again will I attempt such with a newborn!  I should have known better after the mess she and I made on Father's Day morning when I decided to paint her hands to make Wes a card, which too was an unsuccessful disaster!!

Her concrete head & cheek stamp

Obviously not happy with daddy!


Happy after her bath though

On Saturday I felt liberated!!!  Wes gave Finley her first bottle.  I could have cried tears of joy because this meant I was no longer responsible for every single feeding!!  She took the bottle with no problems and ate 4.5 oz the first time.  The next night was a little different story because we had the Bassett's and Cochran's over for a 4th of July cookout and that bottle feeding ended with the gas meds needing to be re-administered and some very tired parents that night!  I think there was just a little too much going on for her that night.

She looks so tiny next to daddy

All in all we had a fairly good week and feel pretty lucky that Finley is as sweet as she is!