6 Months

Just a little over six months now, Darby continues to melt our hearts on a daily basis. Her smile, her chuckles, the way she rubs our face when we rock her and her voracious appetite! She is growing way too fast. Soon she will be on the go and we will not be able to keep up with her. She weighs 16 pounds and is 25 1/4 inches long. The last six months seem to have flown. She is our perfect angel and we thank god for her every day.

Swimming anyone??

We went and spent the weekend at Grammy's house. We got to go swimming in the big bathtub in the backyard!!!

Stylin' in my shades...

Zonked after all that swimming!

I also got to meet my cousins new puppy Beau!

We had a great weekend. Oh - Darby let out her first real laugh when we got home! It was so cute. I guess she thought that poopy diaper was funny!

12 weeks

Gotta love her!!

Weekly round up

We went to the pediatrician last Thursday for Darby's 2 month visit. She weighs 10 pounds and 3 ounces and is 21 and 1/2 inches long. He says she is doing great and has great head control. He started her on rice cereal at her evening bottle for one week and then we will increase to morning and evening after that. She is tolerating it well. She is sleeping like a champ. She goes to bed between 6:30pm and 8:00pm and usually wakes between 4-5 am for a quick change and a bottle. She is smiling and cooing like nobody's business. She is rolling from her tummy to her back several times a day especially when she doesn't want to do tummy time. We will be going to get her shots next week. Not looking forward to that at all!! :(



We will be going to Nat.chez this weekend for the holiday. I think we are going to take Darby down to the bluffs on the river and watch the fireworks. The doctor said not to use any insect repellent or sunscreen but he did highly recommend the old yellow Listerine mouthwash in a spray bottle for all of those pesky mosquitoes. We will be visiting with my family on Friday and having a FAMILY get together on Saturday for all of the girls to see the new arrival.



Just a few pics of our growing girl...







Hoping everyone has a safe and Happy Fourth of July!

8 weeks (this past Friday)

Just a quick hello before jetting off to bed. All is well here in baby kingdom. We had Darby's baptism on Sunday which was beautiful. She was a perfect angel through the whole ceremony. She is growing like a weed and gaining weight which I think I am feeling more of as my back begins to ache! Ugh! But you just can't help but hold that precious baby girl. She is smiling big gummy smiles. She loves bath time. She is absolutely miserable after we get her home from daycare because she is so overtired and gassy. We love her!

Love from the Mommies!

Hey there!

Did you see that???

Roll Tide.... for Aunt Angie!

The Waitress

It's funny how some people assume relationships when they see women together. Vic and I have frequently been asked if we were sisters. We usually just take it in stride and answer depending on the situation.

Well this recent experience took the cake!

My mom came to our house for a visit to see the baby (which is momentous in itself - but I digress). We decided that we would go to lunch and then to the mall. We went to the Oli.ve Gard.en. Mom and Vic sat on one side of the table and I sat on the other with Darby in her carrier propped up on the chair next to me. We were greeted by a very talkative-invading personal space-all knowing- very assuming waitress.

She began ooohhing and ahhing over the baby and continued to lean her face over the canopy of the carrier to get a closer look at her. She talked about how babies sleep and how they eat and how it will get better as she gets older and... blah, blah, blah.

She asked where we were from. We told her we lived here and that Mom was visiting from Mississippi. Then proceeded to say, "It's great that there are four generations at this table." And walked away. What? What did she say - four generations? Oh well, maybe she misspoke and meant three.

So she comes back with our food (continually talking). We start eating and she continues to talk. She goes away and comes back with another advice tip. Goes away and comes back again all through lunch. Then she looks at me and asks, "Is this your first grandchild?" What? Did I just hear you right? I was speechless. I didn't know what to say. Do I look that old? Do I look old enough to Vic's mother? I was shocked. After I picked up my jaw off of the table I just said "yes". She walked away. Mom said, "I must look older than dirt."

What was that? We giggled and laughed. Do I need to sign up for that show called 10 years younger? What an ego buster!

6 weeks...Transitions

Finally! A long awaited update from our family. We have been busy with all of our extended families over the last month as they all came to meet our darling Darby. They came from as far as Virginia and Florida. We enjoyed each and every minute of their visits.

The "E" Family

Dozing with Aunt Angie

Darby has truly started to blossom over the last few weeks. We had our one month visit with the pediatrician. She is gaining weight and length as expected. She weighed in at 7 pounds and 14 ounces and measured 21 inches long. At one month she was tolerating her feedings well 4 ounces at a time. She has seemed to grow out of her colicky/gassy episodes that she was experiencing around 2-4 weeks.

We made our first road trip to Grandma's. Darby did really well on the ride although she was fussy from an upset stomach as Great Granny decided when feeding her that she didn't need to burp until after Darby ate the entire four ounces of her bottle. Boy - was she miserable!

I think I'm going to explode!

Transitions... We are going through several at the moment. Vicky starts back to work on Tuesday. She is really having a hard time with this. We found a child care center near both of our workplaces. Darby will only be going twice a week while I am working at the hospital. It is a very nice place and we'll see how it goes.


Darby is also moving into bigger clothes. She is finally growing out of her newborn digs and starting to wear her 3 month wardrobe.


She is also starting to sleep for longer periods of time. I stumbled across a book at the bookstore on sleep patterns for babies. It is wonderful and I kick myself for not finding it sooner. It's called The 90 Minute Sleep Program. I highly recommend it. It is based on babies natural internal biorhythms. We have been using it for the last 4-5 days. Darby has gone to sleeping from 3-4 hours periods at night to 5-6 hours. She is less fussy and more social during her awake times. She is awake during her feedings so we are not having to try to calm a crying baby to eat or try to stimulate her to wake up to eat. It has brought calmness and a certain amount of predictability to our home which is nice. Vicky and I can also have a hot dinner together without the baby waking up and us taking turns holding her.

Going to Grandma's House

Well that about sums it up for now. More to come soon - I have a great story to tell about our O.live Gard.en outing this weekend with my mom. Much love to everybody.

Still in awe...

A soft whimper in the night. The softness of her skin. Those eager and alert eyes that start to explore the world as you place her on your shoulder. The stillness of sound when she sleeps. The voracious appetite as if she hasn't eaten in three days. The curl of her fingers around yours as she holds on tight during a dreamful sleep.

We are still here enjoying every minute of parenthood. Some nights have been tough as we are all still adjusting to each other. The good nights make up for the trying ones.

We had our first pediatrician visit on Friday. It went very well. We were only 10 minutes late. Before leaving the hospital, Darby had lost down to 5 pounds and 15 ounces. On Friday she was 6 pounds and 4 ounces. So she is gaining weight right on schedule. While we were in the hospital the pediatrician started vigorous testing for galactosemia as Vicky has this metabolic disorder. Our first few days in the hospital consisted of trying to get Darby not to "poo" in the urine collection bags. Not fun. Darby didn't seem to enjoy it either as each bag had industrial strength stickiness that attached to her nether regions. So needless to say we are just now seeing her bum heal from repeated applications of super sticky bags. The pediatrician started Darby on a milk based formula while in the hospital. So far she is handling it well. No vomiting or diarrhea. The preliminary tests have come back in the normal ranges. We are just waiting on the final state mandated blood test for metabolic disorders to rule out galactosemia to have a clean bill of health. If this ones comes back negative then I'll have the pleasure of introducing her to all 31 flavors (of ice cream)!!

We are slowly adjusting to the needs of a newborn. We have been mastering the art of tag team baby watch. We have also learned that lack of sleep can also cause two parents to become delirious especially at 3 o' clock in the morning dealing with a poopy diaper. We have had tears, awe, contentment and uncontrollable delirious hysterical laughter at times. But out of all of these the greatest is love.

All are sleeping... for the moment

While Mommy and baby are sleeping - I have a few minutes to update everyone on the events over the last few days.

We had and appointment at the OB on Tuesday April 22nd and all was well. Vicky was 1 and 1/2 cm dilated and almost 100% effaced. We were making progress. Vicky was miserable however with all of the swelling that had spread from her feet to her legs and now to her arms and fingers. Her blood pressure was elevated as well but not too much. The doctor officially gave her blessing for maternity leave!

On Thursday, April 24, Vicky had been having different types of contractions throughout the day and lots of pressure. I was at the hospital finishing my 12 hour shift so she thought she would lay low for the day. When I got home - we had been planning to go to Wally world for a few last minute things - knowing that the inevitable was be here soon. We went to the big W and started timing contractions - every 5-7 minutes apart while we were walking. Once we got in the car they seemed to slow down. We stopped by McD's on the way home and picked up a bite. As we were eating on the couch, I noticed Vicky get up in a hurry (as fast as she could muster) and walk towards the bathroom. She stopped in the doorway and beckoned me to come along.

She said she felt a gush. Hmmm... It kept on trickling. Off to the hospital we go!!
We get to the hospital and all hooked up and Vicky is totally grossed out because no one told her that when your water breaks it continues to leak throughout the entire time you are in labor. Contractions were about 3-4 minutes apart and she was dilated to 2. I thought we were in for a long labor! The night nurse started the Pit drip about 1:00 am and shortly after gave Vicky some good drugs. She slept for a couple of hours. About 4:30 she checked again and was about 4 cm. Not to much progress. The nurse kept bumping up the drip and all he** broke loose.

About 6 AM - Vicky was definitely not comfortable. The nurse gave more drugs as the anesthesiologist were at a change of shift and would be there shortly after 7 AM. That was the longest hour of my life! At one point Vicky told me that I had to do something or else she would get up and walk out of that hospital! Luckily, the next shift arrived as well as the Epidural Man!! About 8 AM the drugs were flowing and Vicky was at 7. At 8:41 the nurse explained that she still has a small anterior lip on the cervix so we would start pushing in about an hour. Five minutes later she came back in and said the doctor told us to go ahead and start pushing. The Other Mother (me) was in total shock at that statement! Our families hadn't even made it yet and we're having a baby!

For an hour and a half we pushed. The threatening of forceps made Vicky push harder. Then at 10:29 AM the miracle of a beautiful baby girl appeared. And we call her Darby.

Mom has awaken - I must go but will leave a picture of our angel.

Our Little One Has Arrived!!!

Just a quick note to announce that our precious angel has arrived! She was born Friday, April 25 at 10:29 am. She weighed in at 6 pounds and 3 ounces and measured 19 inches long. Both Mom and baby are doing great and should be able to come home in the morning.

Will update when we are all settled in!

On your mark, get set....

Ha, ha... Fooled you. That is what the little one was saying from the womb on Thursday evening.

I was oblivious to the goings on at home as I was finishing my shift at the hospital. Usually Vicky is getting home from picking up Tyler from soccer practice right when I am getting off work. Thinking everything is right on track I don't bother to call home and check on everyone while driving home. But something is definitely not right when I enter the front door.

I walk in to see Tyler doing homework - ok this is somewhat normal but usually doesn't really happen until we harp on him for a while. I see Vicky going from room to room cleaning and straightening things. Putting things away. Busy, busy, busy. Hmmm... usually she is resting on the couch or has crashed on the bed for a quick power nap until I get home and we discuss dinner plans. Not quite the norm. She greets me as she whizzes by to do another task. She mentions over her shoulder in passing "Oh, by the way, I dusted the ceiling fans. They were really dirty."

My world froze for a moment in time. She is nesting. The time is almost here. Then she grabs her belly and does that familiar grimace. Another Braxton Hicks I think to myself. I ask my usual question as her face eases and she starts breathing normally - "How many have you had today?" She says while still whizzing about - "I don't know but I have been writing down the times on that paper over there." Looking for the usual one or two or maybe even three - I am shocked to see about six times written down. Now it wouldn't be bad if the times started in the morning but no... They started at 5 PM. Six since 5 PM. It's was only 7:45 PM at the time. They were erratic and not consistent but still frequent.

She answered all of my questions: Yes - I have changed activities trying to get them to go away. Yes - these are different form the Braxton Hicks - they feel different. Hmm.... will the timing of the contractions level out? We started to get excited a little bit that this could be it. We decided we would go ahead and go get some dinner and wait it out some more. After eating and having several more contractions we decided that we might need to look at the hospital bag and see of we have everything that we need just in case. We added a few more items and a couple of CD's. We packed a few more things in the diaper bag for the baby and waited.

As the contractions started to ease off a little at 11:00 PM, we decided we would take a nap so we would be rested a little if this little girl decided to really make her debut. We got a good nights rest (or at least I did) with minimal contractions for the rest of the night. We think the little one was just trying to get us ready for the big day by giving us a trial run. Well the bag is still mostly packed as well as the diaper bag. The car seat is correctly installed in the mommyvan. The freezer is stocked. We are ready - so any time little one! Whenever you are ready!

Saturday mornings...

I turned over in bed this morning not waking to an alarm clock and gazed at my beautiful partner in a soft slumber. It was about 8:30. It has been over a month since we both got to sleep in on a Saturday together. Usually I work every other weekend and the other weekends we have had plans for the last month or so going to showers or visiting family before Vic can no longer travel to far away from home or going to soccer tournaments out of town.

So as I lay there listening to the soft snore to my left, I begin to think about future Saturday mornings. This will probably be the last Saturday morning that we can just lay here and do absolutely nothing for the next 8-10 years. So I ease from the bed and make a fresh pot of coffee then ease right back in trying not to wake her. I figure she has just gotten into a perfect position to finally get some rest. Over the last week she can't get comfortable in the bed for an extended period of time. She turns form one side to the other. Gets up and sits in the rocker for an hour. Tries to come back to bed and find that perfect position. She usually doesn't find the golden position until about 4-5 AM.

I close my eyes and drift back to sleep daydreaming of future Saturday mornings to come. We anxiously await the soft cries of need from our little one. The need to be changed, fed and loved. Even though this Saturday is one of our last, we can't wait to start our new Saturdays filled with milk, diapers, baby songs, blankets, toys, and the wonderful smell of baby.

Until next time...

8 more weeks...

Where has the time gone? Ok, I think I am starting to freak out a little bit. I have spent much time organizing and building and crossing off to-do lists to calm my inner being. I usually like to have control over a situation. I am starting to realize I have no control of WHEN she is coming or HOW she is coming. I must admit defeat and cede the power to the small child that contiues to grow and do the cha-cha in her own little world.

Vic is growing everyday. She looks beautiful and has that great pregnancy glow. She has started having Braxton-Hicks contractions. The are few and far between but definitely there. Mobility has been an issue for the last week or so especially in the bed. She swears it is a total work out to just turn over or get out of the bed.

We are going to the Aunties house this weekend for our first baby shower. We are so excited. All of our dearest friends and family will be there - except for a few who are far away and are waiting until until the big day to see the new bundle of joy.

But before all of the festivities begin for the weekend, Tyler, Vic and I have a date with Hor*ton and the residents of Who*ville. I can't wait!

Until next time...

30 weeks...

She passed her second glucose test with flying colors. We got a lot done that day - three hour glucose test, lunch, preregister at the hospital, mini-tour of the Women's Pavilion at the hospital and went to the pediatrician's office to let them know they were getting a new patient in a couple of months and then to soccer practice!!

We had our 30 week appointment today. Everything looks good. Vic is measuring right on track. "Keep up the good work and I'll see you in two weeks!" says the doctor. She gained five pounds in the last two weeks. She looks great and is still killing me with to do lists!! But I love to do anything for her that will help her pave the way for the baby.

Until next time...

Not an "A" student...

Vicky needs to learn how to study more. The OB nurse called me today and informed me that Vic got a big "F" on her glucose test this week. I called Vic at work and told her that she would have to retake the test and because she didn't get it right the first time - she gets to take the extended version! Laughing to herself - she tells me - I guess I shouldn't have had all of those carbs the day before. It's not like she eats any sweets - she can't have them. No chocolate, no ice cream, no Kr*spy Kre.mes. She can only have strawberry P*p-tarts and that craving is slowly dwindling. What am I going to do with her?? She already has one of the healthiest diets on earth! There may be bloodshed if she doesn't pass the next test and I have to take away her pasta!!

*******

Other musings of the Mom-in-training:

V: How much longer do I have? (holding her basketball sized belly)
Me: About 10-11 weeks, why?
V: I'm ready for you to start carrying her around!

Gotta love her!

*******

To-do list update:
Taxes - Done!!

Until next time...

28 weeks...

We had another OB appointment this week. Vicky did the glucose test and we are still waiting for the results but I think she will do well. She has gained a whopping 8 pounds in the last five weeks! Grow, Baby Grow!! She looks great. She is having a little difficulty getting comfortable at night but otherwise doing great. The doctor told us that she was having a great healthy pregnancy and that she would see us in two weeks.

Vic has been making several to do lists lately. Before I can get through one - she hands me another. So I think I am getting ahead and slowly and steadily marking things to do off of the list. When we went to the doctor this week, what does the nurse hand us?? Another to do list!! Things to get done before the next appointment - in two weeks! Now, it is not a very long list - maybe 9-10 items on the list but they are big things. Things like pick a pediatrician, preregister at the hospital, talk to the anesthesiologist regarding epidural options, schedule and attend childbirth classes, etc... We have been discussing these things as time has gone by - but now it is time to make a decision. Ok, I think I am starting to get a little overwhelmed. It's coming and it will be here shortly and the time left feels like it is going to fly.

There is still lots to think about and decisions to be made. What keeps me sane at the moment is watching Vic blossom into motherhood. And ultimately holding the precious angel in my arms.

Until next time...

The Nursery...

Well we have finally managed to get the nursery done. We have a few things to finish in it like getting a dresser and hanging stuff on the walls. I think it turned out great and Vicky seems pleased with it too. So here it goes - before and after....




























Until next time...

Mardi Gras

It's been a great while since I updated last. We have been super busy and having some fun too. We spent Groundhog Day in Baton Rouge with the Aunties at the Spanishtown Mardi Gras Parade. We had lots of fun and caught lots of beads.



I put together a slide show of the parade... hope you enjoy...

Oh - The nursery is finished too! Will post pics later!

Until Next time...

25 weeks...

Just a quick update. Tyler is coping well. It was a long week but all is well.

Vicky and butter bean are growing by leaps and bounds. At her last visit she had gained 5 pounds in the last month. We didn't get to see the doctor as she had an emergency. Our next appointment is February 19. Vicky will get to experience the great glucose tolerance test on that day! Also after that appointment will will start seeing the doctor every two weeks!! Can we be getting that close??? Still lots to do!!

Until next time....

In His Memory

Deep sadness filled our home this weekend....

I was getting ready for work Friday night and Tyler asked if he could go to Billy's house for an Xb.ox party. Vicky had come home from work not feeling well and was sleeping. I told Tyler - if you can find a ride - you can go. He tells me that he will call Stefan. I wasn't really listening as I was preoccupied with getting ready to leave. I tell Vicky that Tyler wants to go to Billy's and I was out the door.

I was watching the 10:00 PM news in the break room in the hospital trying to catch the weather because it was really cold and raining. They had a piece on the news about three teenagers in an accident close to where we lived out by the high school. The news said the passengers and the driver received moderate to severe injuries. The car had flipped in a ditch. My heart begins to pound. I call home. Vicky answers the phone. Tyler is fine. He is at home. I tell them the news. Vicky says Tyler heard someone was in a wreck but no one knows who it is. I am instantly relieved Tyler is OK and safe at home.

I call to check on them again later. Tyler knows it was Stefan in the car. No news yet all three still hanging in there.

I finish my shift and come home in the nasty weather. Change my clothes and get in the bed with Vicky who is still sleeping. She turns over and says we had a long night. We tried to call you. Stefan didn't make it. My heart broke. What do you mean he didn't make it? She says they got the call about 2:00 AM. Tyler's had a rough night. So I ask about the details. Who else was in the car? Colby and Devin. What were they doing? What happened? She didn't know. Tears flow from my eyes as I start to remember what Tyler was saying to me as I was leaving the night before. He was going to call Stefan. For a ride. They were all going to Billy's to play Ha.lo. Tyler tried to call and Stefan or Colby didn't call him back.

The feelings that start to rush through as you realize - Tyler could have been in the car. Close. So very close. We usually take Tyler everywhere he needs to go. We usually never let him ride with his friends - only if their parents drive. I was this close to a lapse in judgement. Actually - I did have a lapse in judgement - I told him he could go - but something stopped him from going. An unanswered phone call. An unanswered text message.

Stefan is gone. Colby and Devin have some bruises and stitches. They were both very lucky. All of the boys played soccer together at the high school. The coach called them all together Saturday afternoon. They gathered at the field to comfort one another and pray. In silence they lined up and kicked goals for Stefan. These kids are too young to have to go through this. Tonight at the soccer game they began the game playing in a "man down" strategy with only 10 players instead of 11 in honor of Stefan. Tomorrow is the visitation and Friday is the funeral.

Tyler is doing as well as can be expected. Ups and downs. Closeness and distance. We try to watch him close for signs of anything he may need to help him through this. We love him so much. I am so glad he is home.

Until next time... #18 always in our hearts....

I have been tagged...

I have been tagged by Shari at Magical Curiosity. So here it goes....


First, The Rules:

1) Link to the person that tagged you.
2) Post the rules on your blog.
3) Share six non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself.
4) Tag at least three people at the end of your post and link to their blogs.
5) Let each person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.
6) Let the fun begin!

1. I am a chocolate connoisseur with Godiva being my all time favorite.
2. I love tulips.
3. I traded my convertible in for a Mommy van before we even got pregnant.
4. I am Miss Fix-It. I can do carpentry, plumbing and semi-electrical work. I built our deck in front of our house.
5. I love spontaneous road trips. Our last road trip we ended up in Dallas eating at this great restaurant called Razoo's.
6. I love to read!!! Current book is Third Degree by Greg Il.es. He is an author from my hometown in Natch.ez, MS.

I will tag...
1. A Nanny's Depth of Field
2. Piccolo Girl
3. It Goes So Fast

Jumping Hurdles

One of the biggest hurdles during this pregnancy that I was worried about has been jumped. I often worried and agonized over how I would tell MY employers that "we were expecting". I am a nurse and work in a very catholic hospital. My employers did not know of my personal life and I did not volunteer. I always thought to myself that my personal life was mine and while I was at work I was completely professional in my role as a nurse. I didn't want to shade any of my coworkers thoughts about me being a gay individual.

I often thought or wondered how I would eventually tell them if we actually did get pregnant. When we did - my worries tripled. How do I tell them?? Do I tell them I'll need some time off in May for a family event? It seemed to me to be very overwhelming to have to come out to my employers and then say "Oh, by the way, we are expecting and the baby's due in May."

I would look for opportunities to tell them. The perfect time. But it never really happened. Vicky would ask if I had told any one at work yet. No, not yet. But time is getting critical. Our schedules are made at 6 week intervals and I know in my heart that I need to reserve some space so they can plan not to schedule me for at least two weeks. But how do you tell them - I need some time off but I not quite sure when.

So, last week, the opportunity presented itself. I was getting more getting more eager to tell them about my news but I couldn't ever find the time because for the last 5 weeks I had been training another nurse on the floor. She was always there. My shadow. I finally broke away from her and was talking to the Specialty Coordinator about the schedule and how she needed some help on the night shift. For once, there were no interruptions. I thought to myself - Well, here I go!

So I told J - I've got some news. J asks what it was. I told her I would need some time off in May but I wasn't quite sure of the date yet. She promptly flips to her May schedule and then asks how long I need. I tell her a couple of weeks. She asks what is happening in May. I tell her, "My partner and I are having a baby and we are due in May." From nowhere comes this excitement from J. She is so excited about the news. I am floored. I thought I would receive shock and disbelief but no once again in my life of coming out - Total acceptance. I was relieved.

****

Vicky is doing great. The baby has decided she loves strawberry po.ptarts and doesn't like pasta any more. She is very active. We have another doctor's appointment on Wednesday and should schedule the dreaded glucose tolerance test when we go. Vicky thinks she has gained at least five pounds since her last weigh in - so we'll see. The belly button keeps threatening to pop out too.

Until next time...

22 weeks

Sunday. She calls me. She is laying on the floor. Is she OK? She tells me to put my hand on her belly. I wait. Then it happens. Thump. Thump. Butter bean lets me know she is there for me to feel too. Oh happy day.

Preparation for Motherhood...Part 1

As Vicky begins to grow and our beautiful child begins to develop, Vicky slowly starts preparing for motherhood. As this is her first pregnancy and I have been pregnant before with our son, she asks me innocent and amusing questions all of the time.



The Development of the All-Powerful Mother's Spit

Vicky: Do you think my spit is powerful yet?

Me: What are you talking about?

Vicky: You know - now that I am pregnant and going to be a mommy - I should be getting my mommy spit.

Me: (giggling)

Vicky: Is it powerful now or will it only be powerful after I deliver the baby?

Me: I don't know the exact moment when the spit becomes powerful.

Vicky: But I will have it right?

Me: You have earned the honor of having All-Powerful Mother's Spit!!

Happy New Year!

What a year 2008 is going to be. It's only the first day of the new year and it promises to a busy one. From working, to finding a pediatrician, to meeting with lawyers, to growing a baby, to helping our teenager stay focused through the rest of the school year with out Vicky tearing his head off, to registering for cool baby stuff, to attending showers, to driving and cheering on our soccer star through the state championships (which is going to be a close call as they are scheduled for the last weekend in April), to finally finishing the nursery, to finally getting to hold our daughter in our arms. And I think that only gets us through May.

Without futher ado... the long awaited ultrasound pics....







And Vicky's favorite - she's showing her waddle...


Well we (I) got the walls painted today and got the floor almost finished. We took out the carpet and are putting in hardwood floors. It looks really good so far. We spent the day yesterday getting registered at the big BABY store. It took us like three hours. Who would have thought that you have to get so MUCH stuff just to have a baby. We had a great time. We picked up some precious outfits for her and various odds and ends.

Well gotta get to bed - back to the grind tomorrow.

Until next time...