Happy Birthday Grandma!

Model: Addy G
Designer: Grandma E
Photographer: Rachey

I'm ready for my close-up

Three's a crowd

Stocking Stuffer

Camo Chic

Happy 39th from the Colorado branch!

Christmas Angel

My girl hammed it up for the photographer today! She worked it through 3 wardrobe changes and an hour of pictures and didn't fuss once. The studio gave me a CD with all 41 pictures that they shot. Here are just a few...

A rose by any other name....

John and I thought we had a unique name when we named our daughter Addison. Now we seem to hear the name everywhere. Nine days after Addy was born another baby named Addyson was delivered at the same hospital. A four year old standing behind us in line to see Santa was named Addison. I think we are asked once a week if we named her after the doctor on Greys Anatomy (we have never seen the show).



Now having said that, we rarely seem to address her by her given name. I have a "thing" for giving nicknames. My siblings are Pugsley/Pixie/Butthead. My dogs Baby Girl/Fat Boy/Old Man. My friends Puff/Adonis...you get the picture. I seem to have a name for every occasion for Addy i.e. Sweetpea, Baby Girl, Crusty Face, Fussbudget, etc. Her daddy affectionatly calls her Sweet-Sweet. I'm sure over the years we will come up with more nicknames, but for now she is our Sweetheart!

Yes Addy, there really is a Santa

Santa and Addy sound asleep after a bedtime story

Zzzzzz....

Is there anything cuter then a sleeping baby?

Addy and Mom

Daddy can't wait to hold her when he comes home from hunting

Little fish, Big pond
Addy in her crib

Addy's bassinett
We have to wrap a rolled up blanket around her because she is already rolling herself onto her side!

Snug as a bug

Two Week Check-up

Addison had her first doctors visit yesterday. At birth Addy weighed in at 6 pounds 15 ounces and was 20 inches long. After a week she had just dropped to 6 pounds 13 ounces and today she weighed in at......8 pounds 1 ounce! My picky eater turned into a chow hound!

Addy has had to have 4 blood draws, so far, because our blood types are "incompatable". When they poked her at the doctors office yesterday she didn't even bat on eye, thank goodness. She was more upset that I was withholding her lunch!

I snuck her back on the scale after the doctor left
(just for you mom!)

A gift from her doctor

Tuckered out after a long morning

Look Ma, I'm All Eyes

These are the first photos of Addy with her eyes open. She just gets cuter and cuter. (and no, I'm not at all biased. Why do you ask?)

A Perfect Angel

Remember in the last post I talked about Addy crying in the night? Turned out to be a very temporary thing. By her second night home, Addy was sleeping day and night, waking every three hours or so to eat and then going right back to sleep. She'd cry a little if food wasn't immediately forthcoming, but once Mom had her, she was perfectly content. Oh, and she cries when her diaper comes off - not when she's wet or messy; just when the air hits her bottom. She definitely doesn't like that feeling.

She's absolutely perfect. Perfect hands and fingers (long and slender), perfect feet (long monkey-toes, just like Uncle Gary; her toes are easily as long as her fingers), perfect ears, and perfect face. And perfectly lost in her carseat. I realize I may be just a little biased, but isn't she the most perfect baby you've ever seen?

Such a Pretty Baby

Addison is an absolute angel . . . . until about 10 pm. Since Mom was working the p.m. shift when she was pregnant, Addy seems to think being awake and alert from midnight until 3 or 4 in the morning is the norm. And the only thing that makes her happy is laying on Daddy's chest, sucking on Daddy's pinkie finger. During the day, she sleeps and eats and . . . well, you know what else she does (in abundance!) But at night, she wants her daddy. We're having trouble getting new photos into the computer. Soon, we hope to have more photos.

Addy & Daddy

Addy's first (but certainly not last) portrait.

She's Here!

Addison Grace, born November 21, 9:31 p.m. (CO time), 6 pounds 15 ounces, 20" long. Mom & baby are doing very well. Poor dad's exhausted. Pictures tomorrow!

Soon . . . .

7:00 p.m. (PST) - Rachel's water broke (finally) but she's only dilated to 6. The epidural has taken hold, so she's feeling better. The doctor says this could still go on for awhile.

Come on, Addy! November 21 - rather than the 22 - is a good day to be born.

Soon

3:30 pm (PST) - Contractions are now 2-3 minutes apart & lasting about 40 seconds each. And Rachel is definitely feeling them. The doctor will be back to see them again in about an hour. She estimates this could go till midnight or later; Rachel says not. Emphatically.

And We're Off

9:30 a.m. (PST) - The doctor had to call in a specialist to get the IV in Rachel's arm - darn those tiny veins - but the inducement drugs have started their magic. The fetal monitor shows contractions, but Rachel still isn't feeling them. (Did I mention she has a very high pain threshold? I think that's a good thing in this particular situation.) Cell phones don't work in the birthing center (duh. I bet they did that on purpose) so we can't get updates unless John goes out in the hall. And I'm sure both he and Rachel would rather he be in the room with her.

So now we wait.

Or Not

3:30 pm (PST) - Rachel just called and is on her way home. The hospital staff monitored Addy & decided she is doing fine. Rachel's blood pressure came down and stayed steady. Rachel said she was having contractions - according to the fetal monitor - but she didn't feel them and they weren't getting closer together.

Since it was late in the day, the decision was made to send them home. Addy's entourage will return to the birthing center at 7:30 tomorrow morning and, provided Addy doesn't take things into her own wee hands tonight, labor will be induced. With any luck, Addy will make her appearance sometime in the next 24 hours or so.

Please keep Addy's family in your thoughts and prayers.

Today's the Day

10:45 am (PST) - Looks like today's the day for Addy to make her appearance, whether she wants to or not. At this morning's doctor visit, Addy was a little sluggish and Mom's blood pressure was a little high, so they are off to the birthing center where Addy will be persuaded that today is the perfect day to celebrate her birth.

Please keep Addy, Rachel & John in your thoughts and prayers today. Any happy, healthy vibes you can send their way are very welcome.

Nope, Not Yet

At today's appointment, the doctor was amazed that Addy hasn't made her appearance yet. Rachel is 80% effaced and dilated to 2. The next appointment is Monday, and if Rachel makes it to that one, they will discuss when to induce labor. Rachel says that, one way or another, Addy WILL be here for Thanksgiving.

This may be the last argument Addy's Mom ever wins. Hope she savors it!

Yarn Tails Tags:epscraps

Not Yet

Mom stopped working on Saturday. Dad's paternity leave started Friday. The doctor is back from her weekend vacation. The nursery is finished. Mom had one contraction early this morning, but nothing since then. Everybody's just sitting around, waiting for Addy to make her appearance. Come on, Addy - we want to meet you.

Closer and Closer

Addy is still comfortable and in no hurry to make her grand entrance, according to the doctor. Rachel is dilated to 1; 50% effaced; and Addy has dropped a little more. The doctor is holding with her prediction of Addy arriving within 2 days of her due date, November 12.

Hang in there, Addy. November 13 is coming up fast!

Yarn Tails Tags:Baby, epscraps

Doctor's Visit

Addy's mommy went to the doctor this morning and all is well.

The good news is that Addy has dropped a little; other than that, things are status quo.

The bad news is that the doctor is going to be out of town November 10, 11 and 12 - which just happens to be Addy's official due date. I'm sure there will be another doctor available if Addy decides not to wait for November 13 (the date her grandmother chose in the name-the-date contest. And her grandmother loves it when she's right.) but it just won't be the same for Rachel & John. You spend months getting comfortable with a specific doctor, learning how they do things & them learning how you want the birth to go. To have a change in doctor on one of the biggest, most stressful (and joyful) days of your life is just nerve wracking. So, who said doctors get to have a personal life??

Hang in there, Addy. November 13 is the perfect birth day.

Let the Countdown Begin!

The doctor says Addy is very comfortable where she is and shows no signs of wanting to enter the bright, new world. Which is good news, since she'd be a little early still. Addy and mom are both healthy and doing well. Rachel's next doctor's appointment is Friday, November 3.

Anybody else want in on the 'name the date' contest? So far, the entries are:

October 27: Ellen
October 31: Vickie
November 2: Wenona
November 6: tallyhoney
November 7: Marie & Cynthia (in honor of her parent's 61st wedding anniversary!)
November 9: Sharon
November 10: Sara
November 11: Tanya & Annie (that's Annie in the pink shirt; isn't she a doll?)
November 13: Elisa & Gary
November 14: Dick
November 15 at 1445 hours: Kari (wow, that's really specific. Can't wait to see if she's right.)
November 20: Tina

(did I miss anybody? If so, please let me know!)

Contest!

Here's the latest news, straight from the doctor's office: "We went to the doctor this morning. She estimates that Addy will be about 8 pounds and plus or minus 2 days of due date. I am dialated to one but Addy is not "commited" yet, she is still floating around a little bit. I go in to the doctor weekly now so we will see how it goes! I was so nervous going in today that I made my blood pressure go up and they had to redo it after I relaxed to make sure there were no problems."

So here's the contest - Pick the day Addy makes her appearance. With prizes! If you're a knitter or crocheter - yarn from my stash (and I have some good stuff). If you aren't, it will be something else appropriate. Not sure what yet, but I'll try to make it fun. So come on all you lurkers, let's play!

The original due date is November 12. Please leave your guess in the comments - and feel free to explain why you picked that specific date. If more than one person picks the correct date, I'll have an unbiased observer (probably Grandpa D) draw the winning name.

Aunt Wenona gets November 2 for her guess; it's her birthday (one of the big ones that end in "0". Not telling which one though . . .) I'm taking November 13 since both Rachel and Marie were born on the 13th (February and June respectively.) What's your guess?

Yarn Tails Tags:Contest, Baby, epscraps

Baby Shower

Rachel's second baby shower was this past weekend in Colorado. Marie and I flew out of rainy LA Friday afternoon and into warm(er), dry Denver. I was hoping for "real" weather but while we had a few sprinkles, it was mostly dry, warm and beautiful. The three of us spent Saturday in Estes Park, shopping and stalking the herd of elk that were hanging out at the local golf course.
Sunday's baby shower was held in the community room at the Loveland Police Department (perfect location - plenty of room and Rachel's on-duty friends could stop by & join in some of the festivities.) Lunch was a baked potato bar (tastylicious idea - plus easy to set up and clean up)
and dessert was this gorgeous cake, handmade by one of Rachel's co-workers. She swore the icing only took about 20 minutes, but it looked like it should have taken hours. The Pooh is solid chocolate with icing rosettes for decoration. Gorgeous. And tasty!

Addy received lots of presents - she will definitely be the best dressed baby in Colorado. My favorite present was this fabulous knit blanket handmade by Aunt Caroline. Soft & beautiful.
Addy's mommy's next doctor's appointment is tomorrow. We should have a better idea about a due date then. Will Addy be early? Will she be late? Will she arrive on Aunt Wenona's birthday? Stay tuned!

Yarn Tails Tags:Baby shower, Colorado, epscraps

Addy's Mommy Goes To The Doctor

Addy's mom went to the doctor today and the news is that Addy seems to be in a hurry to get out into the big, new world. According to Rachel, "Addy has flipped and is getting ready to go per the doctor. I go back on the 18th and we will discuss how the delivery is going to go i.e. meds, people attending, etc." Now, you remember that Addy is due on November 12? Not October 12?

A request for clarification by a suddenly anxious grandma brought this info: "The doctor said she was going to check and see "how far down Addy is" on the 18th. She is not coming yet but probably won't be a late baby."

Rachel and John are attending their first childbirth class tonight and finish up tomorrow. Remember the 'old' days, when parents-to-be went to class once a week for 4 to 6 weeks? Not these days. Everything is faster paced now, including Lamaze classes. One two-day session and you're done.

Probably a good thing, since Addison doesn't seem inclined to wait much longer.

Yarn Tails Tags:Baby, epscraps

Baby Shower

Rachel flew out from Colorado this past weekend for her baby shower. We teased her that she brought our surprise rain flurries with her. I think we were right since the rain left as soon as she did.

Saturday's shower was a blast. It was fun seeing everyone - Cynthia & Holly - and Erika - Vickie and William and Meg, with William the Entertainer, - Wenona and Marie - Lisa and Breanne - and Matt, who dropped in on his way to work and had the guts to stick around even though Dick, Gary and Don had all fled from the female invasion.

This was one of my favorite presents. (I wonder why?) Lisa had it specially made for the shower.

Aunt Vickie made this gorgeous quilt, which will come in handy for keeping little Miss Addy warm during the Colorado winters. Thanks to everyone for helping us celebrate Addison's almost birth day.

Yarn Tails Tags:Baby Shower, epscraps