August Mendez News

Hi everyone! Our little angel Abigail is lying in my lap as I update this blog for all of you. She would say hello, but the darling is sleeping.

I guess you guys know most of what we did this past month. Babies do tend to take over your lives, I’ve noticed.

We had a great visit from Joel’s parents (to the right) who came to take care of us and spoil us for a week. I’m still recovering from all the fantastic food that Joel’s mom cooked. After that we went down to Fairhope (Abby’s first road trip – thank goodness she likes her car seat) and saw my parents and the rest of my side of the family, where we wolfed down more fantastic food, as that’s probably the last fried seafood we’ll get for a while. But between Tata, Papa Mendez, then Nana and Papa Joe, I don’t think Abby’s been put down in over a week. Can we say spoiled??


I can’t tell you how cute this little girl is. She cries only when she’s hungry or needs changing. She very rarely gets fussy, and sleeps in three hour stretches, so Mom and Dad can get some sleep at night. She does these adorable little smiling and laughing things when she sleeps. We have no idea what a three week-old could be dreaming about that would make her smile and laugh, but I am guessing she’s remembering the goofy songs that her Daddy makes up and sings to her. She eats well, and is a pro at burping and passing gas like a grown man. She likes to cuddle and snuggle up to Mommy at night while she sleeps. And she’s just so beautiful that she takes my breath away sometimes. Where in the world did this amazing creature come from?

I have to tell ya, life here is rough.

I should mention that Joel is a Champion poopy diaper changer. Really. He should get a medal for some of the doozies he’s gotten. I keep telling him, that’s her way of showing him love.

Having so much help around has been wonderful. Not only have we gotten a chance to rest and recover a little; Joel and I have spent most of our extra time getting chores done. There is so much to do to take a baby overseas. We had to rush the birth certificate getting done so we could get her social security card and her passport paperwork. (Getting Abigail's passport pictures above) We have made numerous trips to Wal-Mart (the hotel is right down the street) getting all sorts of baby paraphernalia. Oh, and a couple of trips to Sam’s to stock up on a billion diapers. The movers came last week to pick up our shipment of stuff, including the crib. I’ve been attempting to plow through my “to-do” pile that didn’t get done before Abby joined us, and I’m making decent progress. Not great, but decent.

August marks another month of insanity for us. Both Abigail and I have check-ups next week, and Joel leaves to go back to Croatia on Friday. Then us gals will follow hopefully the following weekend. The real fun begins after that, unpacking, trying to set up our house, and getting adjusted and settled in another new country. Plus the fun of taking care of this little girl and learning how to be parents.

So, that’s what’s up with us. Since Abigail is napping at the moment, I’m going to join her in Dreamland!

Love, Julie and Joel and Abigail