5 months!

The teething continues and still no teeth!! Everything Tank sees he puts in his mouth! Over the Christmas holiday Tank found his toes!! Even his big toe reaches in his mouth as he pulls both his legs up! I love that! He enjoys me lifting him over my head and blowing raspberries on his tummy. Its great to see and hear him laugh and smile! Another milestone that happened the week of Christmas was Tank started sleeping on his tummy all night. This made me a bit nervous. He would get stuck at time and cry and I would find his leg and arm dangling out of the crib. I would place him back in the middle of the crib on his back and he would turn every which way and end up on his stomach. Nearing 6 mo. now, I am ok with this position.

He has made great strides turning all the way around in his exersaucer, figuring out how to play with each of the toys and grab and reach out really well. Its really fun to watch he evolve so rapidly. He continues to roll and roll. At times I catch him rocking on his knees but he doesn't have the upper body strength quite yet to go anywhere.

1/7/11- he is just about sitting up on his own! He sits in his high chair in this new year while Chip and I eat dinner. We have quite the conversations! He is very comfortable in the high chair and is on his third day of cereal! He loves it more and more! I was getting dressed this morning and laid Tank in my bed surrounded by pillows, put the tv on and he was in heaven!! He was so intrigued he didn't even flail his arms about. Of course I didn't take my eyes off him for a second!

The naps are still kinda sporadic. I try to put him down but he isn't always ready when mommy is ready. Now that the traveling has ceased for a couple months we are settling back at home and focusing on our family. The past two nights he has been up a lot. The night of 1/5/11 he was up a record amount of times, 5x! Mommy was exhausted and Tank didn't nap the next day. I must have caught a second wind and have been getting my gym time in after he goes to bed at 7 pm. That has been working out nicely.

We spent the week between Christmas and New Years in Chicago, celebrating with my side of the family. Tank was blessed with two white Christmases in 2010! We visited with lots of family and friends and those we missed this time, we'll definitely catch next time.

Tank's first Christmas with Santa

Tank's first Christmas was so special! The Babers have a family tradition to see Santa at the Children's Museum in Richmond Christmas Eve morning. I sewed an outfit for him to celebrate in! We had a lot of fun meeting more extended family and celebrating Christmas in Cartersville. After Santa we enjoy a breakfast buffet at the Omni in Richmond. The drive back to Cartersville took two hours because Tank had his first blow out in the car seat. Mommy had ONE wipe in the diaper bag so we stopped at CVS to buy wipes and clean Tank up from his ears to his toes. It was a three man job: me, daddy, and Grammie to get back on the road again. We all found humor in this event! Now that Tank cleaned out his system, not 20 minutes later we stopped and he nursed. We finally arrived at Grammie and Paw Paw's two hours later! We had fun waking up Christmas morning to do stockings and Santa gifts for Tank before heading to Maria's for breakfast. Everyone really made Tank's first Christmas special!

Four months!

Four months has been my favorite month so far! Tank has grown and changed so much! Thanksgiving he started rolling back to tummy. He has loved the exersaucer and grabs at the toys on it very well. We came home and I spent a day setting our up for him. It only took him one day at home to have more core control in the seat! He enjoys exploring the rainforest toys on it and loves the music. Chip and I go around the house with the tunes replaying in our head!! I have loved him smiling back at me this month! He also sees farther distances. He recognizes Alvin and has pulled his ears a few times:) Alvin is a good sport and has shown nothing but LOVE! Tank's rolling has progressed and he is much quicker at it each time. We came home from IL saying "time to get the gates up!" Tank rolled all across the room! Its been fun watching him interact with people and pick up his toys with his own hands all by himself! He has been sleeping really well at night and getting into a bedtime routine. He'll go to bed at 7 pm and wake up to nurse about 2-3 ish am. The naps are just kinda getting implemented. He seems tired about 10 am so I read to him and nurse him before putting him down. He doesn't sleep long but at least its something. We had a great holiday photo session with Gwen. Tank had a lot of fun posing in his red cordory overalls and Santa suit. Alvin was even included in the shoot. We are preparing for his first Christmas with lots of traveling ahead. He did great in the car ride to Chicago over Thanksgiving and hope Christmas will go just as well.

Thanksgiving in IL

Babersgiving

Tank's FIRSTS!!!

Tank has changed so much in just these past couple weeks.  The slide show takes you through his life from the end of week 14 to the beginning of week 17.  Chip and I are very proud and blessed to have this little boy Tank!  We love him more everyday!  Tank's firsts consist of many things:  First pumpkin, First Boo!, first time to NJ!  First time in the bumbo, exersaucer, and jump-a-roo!  First time in big boy swing at the park at Ida Lee!   First time to Cartersville, First Thanksgiving in Cartersville, third time sucking thumb-first time on camera!  First time meeting Caleb!  First Baber family picture!  First time spending the night at Grammie and Paw Paw's!  What an exciting time!

 We had a great time in NJ!  Tank kept mommy up quite a bit being in a new place, but it was worth it just to be there with everyone.  Tank loved attending Uncle Joe's ceremony being promoted to Major in the AF.  Tank cried a little bit in the beginning and then was a star the rest of the time:)  We had a great Halloween weekend with everyone on my side on the family and Joe's family as well.  Alvin and Liv's costumes were a hoot!!  And we got quite the response of dressing up as the family of chickens!!

He continues to sleep great!  We had a busy week (Tank at 16 wks) that caused me to be tired, but all in good fun!  He goes to bed at 8:30 pm and wakes between 3-5 am to eat.  A couple nights he had me up two times.  Many playdates (more for me) and adventures that Tank experienced for the first time:)  I spent a morning putting together the exersaucer while Chip drove into work.  Wow!  That was an experience!  I put Tank in it for the first time with the blanket around his torso and he seemed to like all the fun toys on it!!  The second time I put him in it he didn't need the blanket!!  He has really come a long way with holding his head up and having control of his body for the most part.  My neighbor gave me the Jump a Roo.  I watch him closely in that because it swings back and forth and side to side much easier than the exersaucer, but he has his feet on the ground and seems to enjoy bouncing in it!  He'll sit in the bumbo for a few minutes but isn't quite comfortable in it yet.  He tried to straighten his body out instead of the sitting position.  We keep working at it!

The cloth diapers continue to work out well.  His #2's have become more and more each day and the cloth is holding up.  I have taken Tank with me to run errands and have done diaper changes in the car along the way and it has been fine.  Much easier than I was anticipating.

Tank has been napping in the early mornings more and more.  Some of my exhaustion is if he gets up a couple times at night and I am busy all day with him and running around, he doesn't nap well.  This week I am focusing more on staying home and resting and hoping he'll catch a nap and I can too or catch up on house stuff.

We drove to Cartersville for Tank's first visit at Grammie and Paw Paw's.  He slept well in the car to and from their house.  We were at my sister's in NJ two weekends before where he didn't sleep much I was prepared for long hour stints of playtime.  Fortunately he surprised me and only woke up once the first night and twice the second.  Though the second awake period was 6:30 am so we all just stayed awake and he took a morning nap later.  It was great seeing all the aunts and uncles on the Baber's side.  We missed seeing Tank's great-grandparents because BB was home sick.  I reflected back on the past year, eating Thanksgiving dinner with the Babers and praying our child would join us the following year!  And here we are, Tank 17 wks  young!!

We are very fortunate to get to see everyone on both sides of the family in such a close time span!

I have really enjoyed our morning routine and so thankful I can be home during this time in our child's life.  Tank will nurse about 5 am ish and I can put him back down until 8 am.  If we don't have to be anywhere I nurse him again at 8 am in our bed and we watch the Today show together.  He is really interested in tv these past 2 weeks!!  uh oh!!  We'll usually stay in our pjs for  most of the morning.  That is why a lot of pics you see posted are in his pajamas!

Today he woke up at 5 am to eat and I put him back to sleep, got dressed and went to the gym.  It worked great!!  Chip gets up at 6 am and starts working from home and carried the monitor with him.  I was gone about an hour, got home, ate breakfast, took a shower, laid back down for about 15 min. before Tank woke up at 8am.  He is now taking his morning nap (a new thing!) and its been about an hour!  I think I am going to try this 2-3 times a week since it gets dark so early these days!  We'll see...

I clipped his nails for the first time on 10/24. I usually just file them down because I get so afraid of clipping too much and he doesn't sleep much for me to do it then.  Trysta and Joe were scheduled to arrive later that day so I took the plunge.  It went great.  His nails grow so fast and he nicked himself the day before.  Trysta and I have a joke about inspecting his nails/fingers/toes for "toe jam!"  He gets those fuzzies between his fingers and toes all the time!!  So I "floss" between them with a baby wipe to get him clean each day!  LOL

Tank loves shopping and is much better at restaurants these days!  Grammie came up this past weekend 10/24 and we ate at TGIF.  We had an adventurous time changing the diaper in the ladies room and all was well.  He stayed up and socialized and Grammie took him for a walk while we took turns eating.  Sometimes he'll sit and keep entertained in the carseat and sometimes not!  We stopped at Joann fabrics to order his last frame from his newborn photos and the sales lady tried to get him to smile,etc. and he wouldn't take his eye off me!!  So funny!!  I love that he is a mommas boy!!

I keep going back and forth about using the breast pump.  Our goal is to start cereal after Christmas once we return home from visiting family on both sides for the holidays- less to hassle with while we travel.  I want to mix the cereal with breast milk so I eventually have to do it.  Right now I plan to just get some supply in the freezer and we'll see where it goes from there.  Nursing is going so well I don't want to give him the bottle, just go to the sippy cup of breast milk when that time comes. Fingers crossed.

Fantastic Fall update

I have posted a lot of pictures and not a lot of info.  Sorry.  Most of the time I am typing with one hand!  I intend to keep a journal updated on here of Tank's latest happenings!

In the hospital the doctors commented of his perfect health, perfect this, perfect that!  Every mothers dream come true to hear that!  I didn't doubt that perfectness that the drs. where telling us from the start and ever since!  We are very thankful for our baby boy that is finally here with us and doing SO well:)  He has just fit into our lives so easily and we have adapted to his needs as well.  Ever since Scooter's party on Aug. 28th, Tank has slept up to 9 hours straight at night.  The day time schedule is another story where the multiple hour newborn naps wore off quickly.  I adjusted quickly to his patterns and kept up with him being awake all day and sleeping very well at night:)  At first it he would wake me in the 3 am range.  The past four weeks or so he will go to sleep for the night at 8:30 pm and wake me anytime between 4-5:30 am. to eat then go back to sleep until 8 am.  I am so thankful I am home with him so he can get the sleep and care he needs.  I nurse him on demand so during the day its about every two hours.  We have had a couple growth spurts where I end the day feeling like the "milk wagon" and didn't get much accomplished otherwise.  Feeding and taking care of a baby to me is an accomplishment within itself!

At 7 wks old, Tank was smiling:)  and smiling, cooing, babbling, almost laughing as each week passes.  Its been great fun interacting with him with our voice, singing, talking, cooing back, reading, playing, etc.  He has noticed his hands as of 11 ish weeks.  Lots of hands in the mouth, no thumb yet and we haven't offered him a pacifier yet.  Even 12 weeks he was drooling excessively to the point I was sure he was complaining about his gums.  The cool teethers seem to provide some relief.  I haven't relied on Oragel yet.  Chip has made up 2-3 different songs.  I'll have to write down the words and post them!  Its great!!  He really responds to Chip well and he can calm Tank down very easily.  As I continually nurse him quite often and take up Tank time during the day, Chip bonds with him after work and is looking forward to doing the spoon feeding after Christmas.

Our friends told us about the inferred tv monitor.  We got it and have been loving every minute of watching him in his crib.  Our DVD set up lets us record him!!  The past 3+ weeks he wakes very happy, babbling, hanging out while I restrain myself from going in his room too quickly and soak up the sweet noises he makes.  So before I go in I press record on the monitor and see him smiling, talking, and enjoying waking up that morning.

As I wrote in the other post about our IL trip, Tank really started being verbal then.  He held his hands together a lot and started making eye contact and being interested in toys!  Once I arrived home it was a wonderful milestone to pull out the age appropriate toys, etc. for him to enjoy:)  He slept great in my infant crib as well~ 9 nights total.  It was hard being away from Pop Pop I think he wants to be called, but we skyped everyday!  It was great to see my parents and for Tank to spend more time with them:)  The Aunts and Uncles have made visits as well.  Emilee and Nathan, Jared and Betsy, Trysta and Joe have enjoyed holding him and seeing what new things he is up to!  Grammie and Paw Paw came for a visit as well.

At Tank's 2 mo. appt. he weighed 12 lbs. 12 oz.  I am sure he is 14-15 lbs. now!!  We measured him the first week in Oct. and he was 26" long.  I can't wait to see how much he has grown at our 4 mo. appt. on 11/17.

Oct. 14th Tank rolled from tummy to back!  I did get his first two times ever doing this on film!  I stood there for a moment and said, "He's going to go over!"  and he did!!  Chip saw the third time and several since.  Just as of yesterday 10/25 he is moving around a lot.  I'll lay him in his play gym on his back and he'll do a 360 by just kicking his legs and squirming his body.  He is about to roll back to tummy.  He gets to his side then he falls back onto his back again.  He has taken a liking to one of the blankets!  Its really cute.  This past week 10/14 he has almost in a day routine of a morning nap for sure, sometimes an afternoon nap then sleeps his usual 12 hours only getting up once at night!

We renewed our gym membership.  I have spent the past two weekends swimming laps at the pool.  I nurse him and change the diaper (cloth by the way are going pretty well), then Tank is good for a couple of hours until I come straight home.  The weather has been wonderful so I have taken Alvin for a couple of runs and I enjoy riding my bike.  I still walk with friends 1-2 times a week and stroll with Tank or walk with him in the Babyhawk. Its been wonderful to get out and exercise like I was when I was only a little bit pregnant!  LOL

We have enjoyed going to consignment sales!  I found some unique/quality outfits and costumes.  We also picked up a few toy items.  He is going through clothes so fast!!  At 14 wks. 6 mo. outfits fit him to a "T".  The 6/9 mo. clothing seem to fit him a bit better, especially the sleepers.   My neighbor, Marie went with me to one sale and we loaded up!  We waited in line to check out for an hour!  It was crazy!  Grammie just attended the second fall consignment with us and I think she was very impressed of the great quality of the items as well as what people get rid of at cheap rates!  I told Chip when we get out of the baby business we'll be rich!!  ;)

My neighbor, Julie has a son 7 weeks older than Tank.  We were just over there and they stared at each other, talked, laughed, etc.  It was so fun!!  Julie has been a huge help with my questions and trial and errors of cloth diapering.  I finally found a system that works for us.  Though one night we went through 3 outfits I haven't tried the cloth through the night since.  I plan to keep working on that.  During the day the cloth work great.  I have even taken him out and about for a few hours, changed him and he's fine. I have ordered some items from Diaperswappers and waiting for them to arrive.

Tank is 14 weeks!

Tank rolled over!!

Tank rolled over for the first time on Oct. 14th!  I got it on video as well!!  He has been rolling again and again!  We are so proud of him!

Chip was in DC for work this past week and it was the first time Alvin had really attended to Tank!!  He actually noticed him the first time and was trying to calm him and let me know he was crying- really hard crying.  Obviously I wasn't sure what was wrong but was right with Tank the whole time.  Before I realized Alvin was right there putting his paw on Tank's arm, licking his leg and arms, and telling me something was wrong with him.  Alvin then laid right next to him and they took a nap.

12 weeks

Tank's trip to IL-10 weeks young!

Tank made his first trip to IL at 10 weeks old.  I thought about booking the trip for a couple of weeks prior, thinking, "How in the world can I do this?"  Surprisingly I had two friends with babies right about Tank's age who just returned from traveling on an airplane themselves.  I contacted both friends to get the 'skinny' on flying with an infant.  I was also determined to carry-on our luggage for a 10 day stay with my parents.

The flight we were originally booked on got canceled.  To my surprise United re-booked us automatically and I became away of the situation before leaving the house!  We arrived to Dulles for our second flight, went through security beautifully, then found out that our new flight was delayed 1.5 hours.  I was so thankful the airport wasn't busy and a nice man behind us in security had two children and one on the way!  He was very patient and helpful to us.  I tied Tank on my using the Babyhawk (LOVE, LOVE) pushed the car seat in the snap and go and threw my SBC hiking backpack onto the car seat.  We (Tank) received many compliments throughout the trip of how well we were doing and what a good traveler!!  We were the only ones boarding the train to get to the gate!  And he slept through the frenzy of people getting anxious to board the flight as well as in the air.  He nursed at take off and landing with no problem.  His ears didn't seem to bother him at all.  Mom picked us up at O'Hare, circling only twice!  Tank was tired and ready to 'stop' moving on the car ride home.  He slept like a champ in my crib that I had as a  little baby!

We had a very adventurous time!!  Tank attended his first stirrup cup with many oohing and auhhing friends of the family:)  He was excited to meet his Aunt Sheri and Uncle Kevin,  Great Aunt Terri, Uncle Julie, Patti, and many friends from elementary school through HS years.  Mia, (pictured) is 5 days younger than Tank.  She belongs to a close friend from Jr. High, Melissa.  It was great to always see Adrienne, Mel and her parents, and many other family friends who watched me grow up!  Oh, and can't for get Reverend Purser, who married us in my parent's backyard.  Tank had a special introduction with Flash (the horse) and Denny (my dad's dog).  Dad even made it possible for me to Fox Hunt on Sunday while he escorted Tank in his first WDH car caravan.

We took lots of clothes and even over-packed for the trip.  The weather was changing so the first night was a bit chilly!!  Tank slept great the whole week!  He started babbling more, holding his hands together in front of him, smiling as always and becoming more aware with toys and music to entertain him.  Grandma T worked with him on tummy time quite often too!  We skyped with Chip every night.  It was challenging being away from Daddy and Alvin, but all did quite well.  As always, its hard to leave.  We had a wonderful time and can't wait to visit again soon! 

Funny story along the way:   We arrived at O'Hare airport and a man asked how old he was.  I said 10 weeks.  He said why did you cut his hair??  I chuckled!  I replied, I didn't, he was born with this much hair.  Apparently his son (10 mo.) was born with a lot of hair!!  LOL

Lots of people stop to talk or see the baby etc.  Its a whole new world of flying for me!  We received lots of compliments of how well he behaved as well as all the stuff we had with us and how efficient we were!!  People even commented on my carrier!



  

Week 8-9

Tank week 6-7

Tank week 4-5

On Aug. 18th Tank finally lost his umbilical cord stump!  I gave him his first "real" bath with the recommended ivory soap (less abrasive for their young skin) for the first couple months and he loved it!!!  We put on a fresh outfit instead of the daily onesies, which may fit him 1-2 more times.  I don't quite measure the age for clothes to the child as accurate, but he is fitting nicely in 3 mo. items at 5.5 weeks old!!  He is just so lengthy in his torso!

Lots of sleeping pictures, though I claim he hardly sleeps during the day the past week or so!!  I am doing ok with no naps during the day since he is sleeping a full night for an infant is 6 hours.  One picture shows "I" had to sleep, so he laid on my stomach and slept too, which worked for an hour!  I continue to only get up once a night to feed.  Though he seems to fall asleep earlier and earlier.  Last night (8/22) he slept from 8 pm-1:30, nursed, slept from 2-5:30am, nursed, then slept 6-7 am ish. Chip and I have been curled up in our bed in the 9 o'clock pm hour and loving it.  He likes to sleep from 9 pm on- this past week, and I just lay him in his crib. Unheard of, is what I am thinking!!  He seems to be doing great on this schedule!

I was talking with my mom on the phone and Tank just finished nursing and dosed off.  All of a sudden his sides were shaking and he had this big grin on his face!!!  He was laughing in his sleep!!!  It was adorable!!  He has actually performed this 3 times total in the past week!  I hope he is having sweet dreams!

It was great to see Chip's cousin, Scooter!  He was so wonderful in bringing us dinner from Maggianos and staying for a visit and meeting Tank!  It was fun to talk about years past since I met him almost 11 years ago!!

My friend Renee and her daughter Micaela came over!!  We had our first date!!  They are only a week apart!

I love the picture of Tank watching his first Redskins game!!  He has his arms tucked under his head and everything!!  He did that on his own!  We pulled out the Mascot and Chip's football for the picture with the game on in the background!  Tank continues to watch the Nascar races as well!  We can't wait until he fits into clothing for the occasions!  Oh and Chip will probably have him choose a driver!

I was treated to a girls afternoon by my friend Jennifer!  We went to lunch (Pizza Hut buffet) and a mani/ pedi!!  It was a great treat and I loved catching up with J-thank you!!  Chip so kindly tried to keep Tank asleep for a couple of hours, as you can see in the pics I took before I left.

Tank week 3-4

 Tank met several more friends these past two weeks!  Pastor Chip came and brought him a bedtime CD as well as a personalized bedtime prayer.  He also met Mary and Pam!  We are blessed with a wonderful long weekend with Chip's parents- Grammie and Paw-Pa!

2010 Baseball Card Collection!

Chip decided to start Tank a baseball card collection from the year he was born! He has been having a blast shopping and choosing different kinds to fulfill the series.  Tank's first shopping trip was on Aug. 2nd to Target to pick out the first couple packages.  As you can see from the pictures Chip has been busy over the past couple weeks.  It was fun to have Paw-Pa join in the fun as well:)  I even opened my very first pack of cards for Tank's collection and marked off the doubles on a specific form.  Our Pastor Chip gave Chip a selection of cards from '78.  It was really cool and such a thoughtful gift to give.  My Chip was thrilled!!

 

2 week pediatrician appointment!

Tank weiged 8' 13 oz. at his two week check up!!  Very healthy baby boy!!  I also had my two week OB-Gyn appt. to check my incision.  Everything went great!  Tank slept the whole time.  We took a picture with the doctor who delivered him.  (We forgot at the hospital, guess we were a bit busy!!!)

Tank week 1.5-3

We have had a blast showing off our baby boy!!  This is Tank week 1.5-3 pictures.  The ones of Patrick and Kristin are on July 29th (Aunt Kristin's birthday) where Tank met them for the first time!

Doing great!!

Tank is a dream baby!!!  He is eating and sleeping very well.  Its been wonderful getting a four hour stretch of sleep with him at least once a day!  Grandma T has been a great help during the few fussy moments between 10 pm-2 am.  Last night we got it down!!!  He went right down at 10 pm and doesn't peep when I get up with him at night or wee am hours.  My immediate family was here visiting the past 48 hours.  It was great to for the grandparents/aunts to spoil him for the days!  Pics to come!

Birth through week 1.5

Tank met Aunt Trysta, Uncle Joe, Auntie Tammy, and Granpa!  We had a grand celebration on my birthday and shared lots of memories throughout that weekend!

2 weeks old!

One week old!!

First week!

We have had a great first week!  Here are a few of Tank's first adventures!  He is sleeping and eating very well.  Grandma T has been a wonderful help!

First outing!

Tank had his first pediatrician appointment.  He gained 4 oz. in 2 days!  The doctor said he is in perfect health!  He was a little better in the car/seat to the dr. which is just around the corner.  I was a nervous wreck getting him ready and out the door to get there on time.  We made it with flying colors.  Though I nursed him again in the waiting room before we saw the dr.  You never know how people react so we were very discrete and calmed down within a few minutes.  We look forward to the 2 week appt. on 7/30.  We are most grateful for him and our family!!!

Discharge and first night at home!

Since we had the c-section we had many nights at the Birthing Inn.  The nurses and staff took care of  our family very well.  It was nice to have visitors to help pass the time.  We were thrilled to be discharged to go home on 7/19!  Chip dressed Tank in the outfit he was brought home in Feb. 1978!!!  The nurse so kindly took pictures of us before we left the room.  Tank did not like the car/seat on the way home and didn't stop crying until we were two blocks away (of course)!!!  He and Alvin had a great first meet.  Alvin is protective of him and has transitioned very well.

Birthing Inn stay/visitors

We were thrilled of all our family that came to see Tank at the Birthing Inn.  We had a great visit with everyone.  Our Pastor even came to join the festivities!  We are very blessed.

Leaving for Birthining Inn/ First hours of Tank's life!

We got the call to be at the hospital to be induced an hour before the scheduled arrival time since I was overdue.  We have been packed for weeks so we were thrilled to see our baby very soon!  We arrived in labor and delivery and they hooked me up to the monitors I learned that I was having contractions every 8 minutes and didn't even know.  We called our family to hear the heartbeat on the monitor to pass our time.  By 7 am I got an epidural and a little after 8 am Tank's heart rate had dipped down a couple of times.  To avoid the risk of lack of oxygen that he was getting in gestation our Dr. advised the c-section right away.  We agreed and didn't want to take any more risks.  He was born at 9:12 am, a healthy happy boy!!  We are so blessed!!

Frank Howard Baber V

Today July 16, 2010 at 9:12 AM EST our beautiful baby boy was born. He weighed in at eight pounds eleven ounces and was twenty two inches long. Both Mom, Dad and baby are doing well.
 
More pictures to come.

Hooray for 40 weeks!!

How does the ticker work??  I am out of days, past due, baking away a tan little man!!!  LOL   His last bpm was 132 and fundal measurement was about 7 lbs.  I have weighed the same amount the last three appointments (3 weeks).  Lots of nesting, walking Alvin, and going to the gym.  I am getting tired of re-cleaning the house in preparation for my mom to stay for a while, as well as guests in and out!  We feel the love of others that have called, FB, emailed, left messages, etc. or are just plain glad/surprised to see us still!  Thanks for your support!!  I will be very excited to have the heartburn/indigestion at ease here pretty soon too!  I know its worth every minute!  I feel very excited and blessed to have so many wonderful women in my life right now sharing the same experience with a healthy child!!  God is good!

Maternity Photos

We had a professional photo session on June 19, 2010 at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Vienna, VA.  I am just shy of 37 weeks in these pictures!

Belly Casting and more!!

We are full term in these photos!!  Dr. predicted he is 8 lbs 13 oz of my 25 lbs so far!!!  Whoa!!!  They said this is a high estimate!  As of 7/1 I am one cm dilated and 70% effaced.  The dr. is hoping for progression on its own otherwise we'll talk about induction the week of July 12th (our 7 year anniversary)!!!!  The family is doing great!  We are also enjoying my sister's dog, Liv, for two weeks while they are in Greece.  She had been a great pal for Alvin!  My friend Patti sent us a Belly Casting kit.  We are thinking to go soon, so we hope, and decided to bust it out!!  Quite messy, but very entertaining and fun, thanks Patti!!

Getting ready!!

Chip and Marie installed the car seat!




We attended a weekend express Childbirthing class.  It was 12-5 pm both Saturday and Sunday.  It was very enlightening and Chip said it was much better than he had imagined!  We both learned a lot and feel as prepared as we can be.  He was chosen out of 12 other Dad's to be "Dr. Chip" and deliver this pretend baby!  He did a great job and I believe even enjoyed it!!  All the dad's practiced cutting the umbilical cord, 3 snips!  Here are some pics from the class:

Nursery from start to finish!

We had many hands help put this room together!!  My lovely husband, Chip, put up the wainscoting and chair rail!  I thought I had pics, but didn't find any to post.  My neighbor, Marie, helped me set up the crib.  My sister, Trysta, helped me paint.  And yours truly set up everything else!  We are excited to have everything complete and are waiting for our bundle of joy to arrive!  (Though I am praying he waits until our photo shoot that has been rescheduled for the 26th!  No sign that he will make an appearance.)

35 Weeks!!!  We are measuring right on track for July 11th.  It is coming up quickly!!!   He has been kicking a lot.  The dr. said start kick counting an hour after each meal until I reach 6 counts.  He's very active so I am not purposefully counting each time.  He keeps me up at night moving around as well as the indigestion I have from time to time.









We were very blessed with three wonderful baby showers!!  It looks like a disaster but here is some pictures of us "trying" to get organized!!  Try to find Alvin.  He is doing a great job getting settled in with all the new stuff!!  I have been working on painting the glider rocking chair for the nursery.  I am pleased on how it turned out!

Northern Virginia Shower June 5th 2010

First Pony!!

Here is our little guy at 34 weeks.  He is in the 92nd percentile.  He has been head down for 8 weeks now and is facing my back.  He is so big the picture only shows his head, neck, and spine.  The dr. estimated his weight to be 6 lbs. 5 oz. on June 1st with a few more weeks to go!!!  They said he could be 1-2 lbs off of that estimate.  I have gained 21 lbs. including him.

33 wks

We had a great appt.  Baby is still head down and I have gained 19 lbs. as of 5/24.  BPM 126 and growing well.  We learned a lot at our breastfeeding class that evening.  It has been very exciting the last few weeks.  My sister came down to help me paint the baby's room this weekend.  Chip completed the shed with the help of the neighbors.  I look forward to getting the crib together and all the wonderful gifts in their place.  We have an ultrasound on 6/1.  I can't wait to see him and learn how much he weighs.  After 6/8 we go every week.  They have so kindly scheduled my appts. up through 7/8.  We are very blessed to have one more shower this coming weekend with our friends in NoVA.  Keep you posted this coming week!

IL Baby Shower

Chip, Alvin, and I drove out to IL for the week!  Chip was fortunate enough to work from my parents house via internet.  It was very nice weather and we accomplished a lot of spring cleaning and misc. stuff to get the house ready for the baby shower the following weekend.  Everything was beautiful!!  Mom, Adrienne, Patti, Tammy, Mel and co. did so much to make it special!!  I loved seeing old friends and catching up!!  Alvin enjoyed being collar and leash free the whole week!!  He loves the farm!!

Mother's Day Shower

The Baber's hosted a wonderful shower over Mother's Day weekend!  We had a great time!  Thank you everyone for coming!! 
Bumble B is a professional baker so I was thrilled to help make the cake a couple days before the shower!  Chocolate and raspberry with white frosting, YUM!!

4 lbs 15 inches

The ultrasound appointment went very well.  He is a big boy and is 4 lbs of my 13. 15 inches long.  BPM was 136.  I am 30wks3days and he is measuring in the 90% percentile at 33 wks.  I continue to take it a bit easier these days and bending over is getting a bit harder.  Chip and I attended our first parenting class.  It was very informative and several incidences made us feel good because we had already done or had discussed to do a couple things that were suggested!  Go US!!  We are getting the ceiling fan in the nursery installed as I am writing this.  That was one thing that was suggested last night for air circulation/SIDS and white noise!  Chip did very well in demonstrating Infant CPR/chocking procedures.  It was very surreal being at the Birthing Inn and thinking it will be our turn soon!  We look forward to our first baby shower in Cartersville, VA this weekend, hosted by Chip's mom and family.

30 weeks!!

Thursday April 30th I put in a call to my doctor to be seen without an appointment.  Once I got to the dr. office everything was fine, no worries.  To be on the safe side we did not go the the Nascar Race this weekend and stayed home to rest.  This was the first time where I really needed to listen to what my body/baby needs so we can keep healthy and growing for a couple more months!  Chip was very good in reassuring me/us that we needed to stay home.  Its not about me anymore, duh?!!  The past day or so he has been up in my ribs and moving around a lot more.  Sometimes even stopping me mid-step to remind me he's there!!  We have an ultrasound on Tuesday to see how big he has grown!  We'll post pics then:)

29wks6days

I can't believe I let more than a week go by without a post.  I guess we have been busy with finishing the construction here and checking off things on our to-do list!  This is the end of 29 weeks.  They continue to call me for days to sub.  It's been fun.  I am really glad about the beautiful weather that I believe is here to stay.  Though it tempts me to get out more than I really should.  I have appts. every two weeks now.  On April 21st I had my glucola drink and blood drawn.  Everything checked out great!! Baby's heartrate was 142 and growing on track!  I am up 13 lbs. and feeling good:)  We are looking forward to a fun-filled month of May with family and friends!

27wks3days

Third trimester has begun!!  I can't believe how the time has flown by!!  Chip started on the baby's room last weekend and we are looking forward to working on it more this weekend too!  We received our first shower invite in the mail.  Chip's mom and sisters/law are hosting!  We were just saying tonight how much we are looking forward to that weekend and many more to come!  I have been keeping busy subbing 2-3 times a week and enjoying it!  I try to get my rest and small meals in any chance I can get.  Thankfully I am sleeping like a log at night so that has really helped my energy level during the day.  Adrienne just called to tell me the invites for the IL shower are in!!  We will be driving there in mid-May.  I can't wait to see everyone!

BIG boy!!

Throughout the past couple weeks our little man has been growing like a weed!! He has also been very mobile in there. You can even watch my stomach jerk at times!! At 9+ inches long those pre-walking skills and boxing moves will become more evident soon!

Even though I have recently kept the indigestion at bay (thankfully) he can taste sweet and sour! That is so amazing to me!! His eyes are opened and he is just starting to recognize our voices.

Our appointment today was incredible. We both left feeling so excited and overjoyed! I am 26wks2days and he measured in the 94th percentile for growth at 28wks4days!! This does not change our due date. The dr. said, "Big healthy boy!" LOL His head measured 7 cm in diameter. He weighs 2.5 lbs out of the 12 lbs. I have gained and is head down already! All limbs and vital organs are healthy. His heart rate was 142 bpm.  These ultrasound pictures aren't the best, but thought you would enjoy them anyway!

99 days left!!

We are in double digits!!!  2/3 the way through baking this boy and 14 weeks to go!!

I went to IL to visit my family and friends for almost a week. It was hard leaving all my "boys" (Chip, Alvin, and Hopper) here in VA, but they did great while I was gone.  Its been a while (surprisingly) that I have NOT flown anywhere!  Other than the turbulence coming in to Chicago, it was smooth sailing.  Baby Baber was very active the whole flight, but did allow me to get some shut eye!  I had a cold the whole week and still managed to stay busy!  It was great seeing everyone!  I saw my parents,  two cousins, brother and sister-in-law, aunt and uncle, and lots of girlfriends.  The pictures attached say it all!!  One of my childhood friends is due three weeks after me.  It was fun seeing the progress of both of our bellies!!  You can tell which is a boy and which one is a girl by the way we are carrying!!  It is also her second child.  My brother, Kevin gave me a smile with his interest in the sample diaper pack!  I wonder how many times I can hit him up for free diaper changes ;)!!

Mom, Aunt Terri, and I had a great time at the Motherhood Maternity store.  They enjoyed pulling stuff off the racks for me to try on!  At 25 wks. along the sales lady said to try on some of the outfits with the strap on belly which adds three more months!  We all had a great time and laughed so hard!!  Mom and I also ventured to Burlington Coat Factory.  We enjoyed our first time in the store- after I registered online-and I am pleased with their merchandise.  They have great baby clothes as well!  Sheri and Trevor got to feel him kick, first timers! Mom was so surprised that people wanted to feel him.  Of course this was after I "made" her feel him moving around rapidly one morning!  Before I left Dad and I had a date out to Colonial for some ice cream!!  It was a great and tasty time had by all!!

I came back to VA to an OB appt. the next morning.  Baby Baber was very active for the doctor.   The fundal growth is right on track and his heartrate was 148 bmp.  My OB suggested I sign up for the prenatal classes.  Good thing I already did about a month ago. And to make Me feel good the three she suggested we are already registered for!!  I could hardly get in a month ago so I am thankful I didn't wait any longer to register for them.  We are going to take the Breastfeeding and CPR class in May and the child birthing class in early June.  As long as I have completed the course a month before my due date I am good, but it will be close!!  Next OB appt. is the glucose drink in mid April then I go to the dr. every two weeks!  I can't believe how the time has flown by!

I am being challenged with heartburn and indigestion the last couple weeks.  My diet has changed to non-spicier foods- if I can help it and eating 5-6 small meals a day instead of three big ones I am used to!  Feed "little and often" just like a horse!!  Sometimes the heartburn wakes me up at night.  Three AM seems to be the magic wake up time for some Rolaids, followed by some rapid movement for 30 minutes or so.  Other than that I am NOT having trouble sleeping yet.  I have gained 12 lbs. total so far.  I need to measure around my belly, so that will be the next post along with next week's ultrasound pictures!

With May booked with showers and Nascar, April is a busy "honey do" list month!  I continue to put things back in place from the painting and bathroom remodel projects.  We are also going shed shopping and power washing the front and back of the house-a chore every spring!  We hope to have things moved downstairs or in the shed so we can start decorating the nursery in the next few weeks.

Our growing little boy!

During the 19th week my belly just grew!!  And has been ever since!!  Chip felt him move for the first time on March 7th and my sister Tammy on March 18th when she was here to visit. He has been very active ever since. At times I think its both fists!! These pictures are from week 22 and 23. Just this past week people I don't even know are stopping me and asking how I am feeling, etc. That made me feel good that people can actually tell now!!  I had fun picking out a few more outfits since the weather has been so nice. Chip and I registered and went out to lunch a week ago Friday 3/12. Though it was a rainy cold day, we were all smiles! It was hilarious pushing around strollers and taking the bucket in and out of them.  We are definitely rookies and need some practice when items arrive to set up and play with!  Time is flying by and we look forward to our appointment the first week in April to see how our little man is doing!!

It's a BOY!!!!

We are having a healthy baby BOY!! 



The ultrasound was amazing!!  I was surprised of how thorough the exam of the baby's anatomy was!  We got to see his brain, eyes, nose, mouth/pallet, kidneys, belly button, bladder, 4 heart chambers to include the blood flow in and out of the heart that was color coated, fibula/tibula, radius/ulna, 10 fingers, 10 toes, a beautiful face, and a wave!  He was very active and the nurse was terrific in getting several pictures and measurements she needed. We have video and audio of the appt. talking us through the anatomy as well as telling us boy or girl!  We are very thankful to have the memories and the footage!  He weighs 15 oz. and the heart rate was 141. 

 I didn't sleep well for a few nights prior to our 20 week appt.  I guess I was really anxious to see the baby on the ultrasound and also gave deep thought into not finding out at all.  Yes, its true, even after we sent the aunts and uncles color coated cards to open upon finding out.  Then one morning I was tired of going back and forth about it, so I just said we are finding out as I originally planned. Still feeling little flutters, waiting for the "big" ones!!  Though very active this morning (2/25), flutters are getting more pronounced and often.

Time has just flown by the first half of pregnancy!!  It is very exciting to be 20 weeks along.  I continue to "try" to wear the maternity pants and still have one pair of pre-pregnancy jeans.  I have been substitute teaching a couple days a week and even fit into one my teaching outfits last week!  It was a hounds-tooth print dress- see pic on 19 weeks!

We have begun construction in the house that have been on our "to do list" of a few years.  March consists of trim/drywall repair and new paint!  We are also looking forward to a new bathroom upstairs.  Once we get our storage shed this spring we look forward to starting the nursery in April-May!

19 weeks

What a great week!  I had one day on the couch taking it easy as my body adjusts to all this growing!  I had my first experience buying maternity clothes!  I am in-between sizes:  my regular clothes are fitting a bit tight these days and maternity pants are too big.  I keep pulling them up!  We are thrilled to be almost half way!  At night when I am laying down I can feel little fluttering but keep waiting for the big "kick."  Keep you posted.

The first three pictures are in one of my favorite dresses.  I dressed that morning to sub and as you can see by the time- one hour delay!  This was my first time in the maternity pants and the "baby bump shirt."

18 weeks

We survived the Blizzard of 2010!  The baby heard its first Nascar Race last night on TV.  That was after Daddy shoveled 3 1/2 feet of snow off the roof to get the satellite reception back to watch it!  This week it is developing toe and fingerprints!!  I haven't felt "it" move yet, but they say pretty soon since "it" is 5" long and 5 oz.  I"ll let you know when that first movement happens!  So exciting!  I was looking back at the belly picture from 17 wks and I am definitely getting that lower back pushing forward biz.  Physically I am doing well, but fighting a bit of a cold, so I am taking it easy around the house.  The 30" of snow helps to stay inside!  We are counting down:  two and a half weeks until we find out if our baby is a boy or a girl!!  We'll post more then!

17wk3day appointment

Today we met one of the other doctors in the office that may be delivering Baby Baber.  He was very kind and answered many questions.  He even lightened the mood with cracking some jokes!  The baby and I are doing great and the heart rate was 151.  Chip asked the doctor to set the dobbler on me again so he could tape the heart beating!!  I was so surprised that he was ready with his phone to take an audio of it.  Once we get it up you'll hear the heart beat the best from 7-12 seconds and very well at 20-28 seconds.

Making the baby "perform on command" can be challenging.  I think "it" will be like me as far as standing up in front of a crowd!! Chip said, "We gotta do it for the blog, keep it interesting, step it up!"  I laughed!  We are thrilled to be at 17 weeks along and doing great!!  I gained a whole whopping 2 lbs. and 5" in the waist! 

First "skin" picture.  You won't see too many of these posted.  I am being brave at the moment.  Though looks like more than 2 lbs. huh?  I was surprised! Those are my workout pants though working well for suedo maternity clothes.  I am fitting into regular clothes, but I fear for not much longer!!

16 Week Update

Thank you all for the sweet emails, cards, and even more gifts!! We are so blessed and the little one hasn't even arrived yet!!  I am so amazed by the development that goes on unless you are conscience of it.  Chip was just asking me last night if the baby can hear us yet?  To my surprise, I learned today that the hearing is just developing!   "It" also has eyebrows, eyelashes, blood vessels, and is about 5 inches long!!

I hope you'll get a kick out of the pictures below!  Trysta gave us our first pack of diapers!!  Wow, that made things become more real!!  Thanks Trys.  My friend Mary gave us the cute bear with the stork charm!  I love it!



Look for another post soon.  We have our 17 week appointment next week, then the count down to Chip's birthday begins!!!  That's when we'll find out if we are having a girl or a boy!

15 weeks along!

It's been an exciting week since we spread the news to the Baber's in Cartersville, VA.  I have enjoyed calling, emailing, FBing, and seeing extended family and friends to share the news.  We continue to do so today and the weeks to come!  Thank you for being apart of this with us and thank you for all the love and support!  I received my first baby card (thank you Roy Family) in the mail and my first gift!  The gift was the book titled:  Baby 411.  I love it!!  It has so much useful information Chip even picked it up and thumbed through the first night/s we've had it!  Thank you Hallberg Family!  Its reassuring to have many friends to experience this with (2 due in June and 4 due in July, not including me)! I continue to fit into my regular clothes, though I am trying to push the belly out in the "belly" picture hoping I gained a couple of pounds! Our next appointment is February 3rd.  I'll post some pictures of us "growing" in the meantime!

Our Family

Spreading the news!!

We are so thankful for the good report last week from the doctors!  The baby is very healthy!  We drove to Chip's parents January 8th and gave them the wonderful news!!  We arrived Friday night and not 5 minutes went by before Chip had them open a "late" Christmas present (the picture/poem).  They were very excited with tears in their eyes!!  We passed on the news to Chip's siblings that night by phone and visited his grandparents, Bumble B and Popa B, the very next morning!  They will be the baby's great-grandparents!!

Fourth prenatal appointment

I am 13wks1day along today, January 4, 2010! I was very excited for this appointment with the specialist to have another ultrasound because I had been worried of the "normal" discomfort I was experiencing. As you can see the pictures turned out fantastic!! Check out that prominent "Baber" nose!! The doctor said everything looks terrific! I was just so thankful to see it jumping around on the screen that all that I was feeling the weeks before left my mind! The baby started out belly down in the first couple pictures. The nurse jiggled around a bit on my abdomen to try to get the baby to turn so she could see and measure things accurately. Even though I went to the restroom before the exam she asked me to go again to help the baby corporate with what she needed. It worked!!! The baby turned over to its back as well as from left to right! Wow!! Its a good thing I can't feel anything yet!! Heart rate 160 and it is 6.82 cm long!!

The 13wk2day January 6th ob-gyn appointment went very well too!! Heart rate went down to 151 in two days! I haven't gained a pound yet and am still in my regular clothes!! I am still feeling great!! Fatigue has subsided, though I limit myself to 1-2 outings per day. I have been approved to go to the gym to swim, take classes geared toward women that are expecting, walk on the treadmill, use elliptical machine at low impact, and the stationary bike. Can't wait to head there this week!