Visits!

Miss Therese has been very busy! Aunt Judy from Florida came to visit this past weekend. She and Therese had a wonderful meeting for the first time!

Therese also had her monthly doctor visit today. She is in the 90% percentile, weighing 10lbs, 5oz and measured at 22 1/4 inches! We got gold stars for feeding:) Daddy did a great job in holding her and the doctor is pleased all around with our little starlet.

Pictured also is our other baby, Ginger, who has missed snuggle time with Mommy and Daddy and made an attempt to sit on Daddy's lap!

Who does this look like?

Here's an old photo of someone at age 5 weeks. Do they look familiar?

Oh dear!

This looks like a perfect opportunity for a photo caption contest!

Pressies, Bottles and Day at Park

Miss Therese has been extremely busy at the Manor. Pressies keep arriving from her loyal subjects. Nana and Grandpa B. sent an adorable wall hanging that can hold all of Therese's 'firsts'; pictures of her first birthday, footprints, etc. Their neighbor Breta was so sweet in sending the adorable outfit seen pictured. Aunt Jude sent the fun bibs and outfits for our little princess. Aunt Carrie and Uncle Emre sent the interactive Pooh Bear Books which will be enjoyed very soon I'm sure!

Therese also was able to visit Great Grandma recently in St. Louis. Both girls enjoyed their time together.

She and Daddy had their first bottle feeding experience, which was a true success! She just gobbled it right up.

We had unusually warm weather recently, so Therese allowed Mommy and Daddy to take her to the park for her first outing. She was a very good girl; she slept the entire time!!!

Therese at Home

It's so good to be finally home with our little Therese. We checked out of the hospital last Wednesday and she had her first car ride. She really enjoyed it; she slept all the way home. Daddy, Auntie Ellen, Uncle Mike and Marmy were all a huge help in unloading the car and putting away presents, clothes, and getting the house back in shape.

One of the things we recognized quickly was that Miss T may have had her night and days mixed up. While we were in the hospital, she spent all four nights in the nursery, inbetween feedings with Mommy. The nursery was Party City, with bright lights, swings to swing in and nurses at Therese's beck and call. Now that we are home, we've run into the same problem...sleepytime during the day and Party all night long. Day by day though this seems to be getting better.

Miss T has been a PRO at feeding. Even immediately after the birth, our little one was able to latch on and eat her food. Our doctor's visit yesterday was a sign of that. Her birth weight was 7 pounds, 13 ounces. Therese is now up to 8 pounds, 1.5 ounces. Dr. G was very, very pleased with Therese's progress. Dr. G. also thinks that Therese's due date was WRONG. She thinks that Therese looks like a "40 week" old baby rather than a "42". Uncle Mike suggested that the due date was calculated wrong due to her looooooong legs, just like Daddy's. She's going to tower over Mommy! Miss T also has her Daddy's sneezes, "achoo, achoo", and her Daddy's red eye. Luckily Mommy's brain is working and she was able to tweak the photos. She stretches like Daddy too.

Attached are some pictures of Therese at home in her bassinet, which is next to Mommy and Daddy's bed. Daddy has been an invaluable help around the house, doing laundry, cooking and cleaning. Marmy came by and was a lifesaver while Mommy got some much needed sleep. We are really looking forward to Nana and Grandpa B. enjoying Miss T soon when they come to visit; they are the ones who sent the gorgeous flowers pictured. The baby room can be seen as well. Daddy found the cool stickers that sit above Therese's bed.

Pre-game snooze

More Therese photos

I've added some more photos to the same link as in the post below (http://www.flickr.com/gp/11703767@N06/Npxgkj)

And here's a not very good quality video :-)

She's finally here!

Here are the first of no doubt many photos!
Therese Rose
Born at 3:07am Jan 17th, 7lbs 13oz, 21.5 inches




More pictures here
http://www.flickr.com/gp/11703767@N06/Npxgkj


Happy Baby!

Birthday Poll

Ok, we want YOUR opinion! Little Baby B is due January first, but we want to know when YOU think she'll be coming, birth weight, etc. Click on the "Comment" link below to add your ideas.

Winner receives.....um, bragging rights?

Baby's Room Almost Done

Daddy B did great putting up the wallpaper border of Winnie the Pooh. The baby's room is almost complete! As you can see, there is a blank space above the crib, so Daddy found some great 'wall art'. That will be going up soon. It looks likes big stickers of Winnie the Pooh and Eeyore for the wall, so we don't have to worry about anything falling on Baby B. You may be able to see Baby and Mama's bags packed for the hospital on the floor, ready to go when she is:)

Surprise Shower!!!

Auntie Ln and her conspirator, Daddy B., were plotting. I had no idea. I would put Mrs. Fletcher from that mystery show to shame, since I didn't pick up any clues or hints. Auntie Ln lured me to a local tea room that I just adore, with the story that she wanted to take me for a special "Sister Lunch". All my friends were in on this and no one leaked a word!!! What a special treat. When I saw everyone sitting there at the table, I said things that New Mommies should only say during labor. Ah well. It was delightful. Thank you Auntie Ln and all my friends for being there: Diane, (Annie), Sandy, Ln, Rachel, and Carol.

Dresser and Belly Pics

Daddy B. did an excellent job putting together the baby's dresser. Also pictured is Super Daddy in the red shirt playing soccer/football/whateverwewanttocallit. Baby B. is getting bigger! Here are some updated pics of Mommy B.'s belly:)

Crib and Bassinet

Daddy B. did an excellent job this weekend. In one day, he built the crib and the bassinet for Baby B. We hope to finish up the next few days with the dresser, so the nursery can be fully ready for her arrival. Lucky to have such a handyman as a husband! Thank you everyone, for helping to furnish the baby's room!

Baby Shower Bonanza!

Last Sunday was a very special day. Uncle Jack and Aunt Do hosted the most beautiful baby shower for our little Baby B. It was very overwhelming, the outpouring of gifts and excitement for our precious one who isn't even here yet!
As you can see in the pictures, the decorations were beautiful. Uncle Jack and Aunt Do went all the way in creating a wonderful party. At the main table, you can see the beautiful pink roses set in the center, with the fun baby clothes hanging from the chandelier. Seated at the table are: Annie, Ellen, Aunt Judy (Paul's sister), Cousin Peggy, Grandma's best friend Betty H. Ed's fiancee Abby, Grandma L., Annie's client and friend Carol P., Mom's friend Mrs. B. and Marmy R. Lunch was a wonderful ham casserole and spinach salad. Ellen made sure Dad kept the wine glasses filled. Dessert was yummy peppermint ice cream with adorable baby sugar cookies.
The next stage was opening of the presents. Everyone really went overboard in giving and we are so grateful to all of you. Lots of cute baby booties, burping cloths and fun gifts for the baby. Mrs. B.'s sister made the most beautiful homemade blankets for the baby. My favorite gift however, was from Marmy R., who is currently making a beautiful needlepoint that says, "Shh, New Mother Sleeping". Very special!
I cannot thank all the people who made this day possible enough; thank you! Thank you Aunt Do, Uncle Jack, Aunt Berry, Aunt Cathy, Cousin Beth, Marmy, Dad and Auntie Ellen. I know we'll have more parties and more celebrations upon Baby B.'s arrival and the British Team can also celebrate with us in person!!!

Birthday Mama

Thank you SO MUCH for the pretty flowers, Grandpa and Grandma B. They are so pretty as you can see.

We have a lot to celebrate this year with anniversaries and birthdays and baby approaching!

The other flowers are the pretty ones Grandpa and Grandma B. sent when they first heard the good news that a little bundle was on the way:):)

Puppies and Pumpkins

Here are some updated pictures of the puppies too. They are very busy playing around the house and we have had six days of successful potty training (finally!).

Auntie Ellen and I became Certified Pumpkin Carvers the other day. (Not really.) We just had fun designing pumpkins and singing to the musical, Chicago. I carved the outline of a dog into mine (pictured on the left) and Ellen did a cat (on the right). Our timing was not right for this event, for both pumpkins have already become "science projects". Each are happily growing, well, fuzzy things inside of them! Ew!