Introducing Owen Michael

We are so excited to introduce everyone to our precious little bundle, Owen Michael. He was born on our anniversary, Monday, September 8, 2008 at 11:01 pm, weighing 8 lbs, 2 oz and measuring 20.5 inches long. He is very healthy and as of his first pediatrician's appointment on Monday, September 15, he had regained his birth weight plus one ounce! He loves to eat, snuggle, and when he's awake he enjoys looking around and watching people talk to him. He's the cutest thing we've ever seen and we're just in awe that he is all ours. Here are just a few of the many pictures we've taken during our first week with our prince.

We're baaaaack!

Well, we did evacuate to avoid Gustav but we've returned. We went to Little Rock, Arkansas which under better circumstances would have been a neat place to explore but we were exhausted and worried and really didn't do much other than sit in front of the tv hoping they would tell us that the hurricane was really not that big of a deal. When we returned we were lucky enough to have electricity, water, and no home damage, although the back yard was a huge mess and we still have a neighbor's tree stuck in one of our trees.

We're keeping an eye on hurricane Ike and hoping that he fizzles out or goes somewhere else.

On the baby front, so far he's happy where he is and is not looking like he'll be showing his cute face any time soon. I went to the doctor the day we returned, Wednesday, and she reported that nothing had changed. I'll go back next Wednesday, Sept 10 and I'll let you all know if there's any change. I guess the room and board along with the 24/7 buffet is just too much for him to give up to join us out here but we're hoping he'll decide it might be worth it soon.

Since we don't have any baby pics yet, you can enjoy the mess that was our yard (although compared to many people, it was just an annoyance more than anything else).

If you look closely, you can see the large branch going sideways in the middle of the cypress tree - we're going to have to go talk to the neighbors because so far they haven't budged to address this little problem and it's too dangerous for Keith to attempt to take care of it himself.

Welcome to Babyland!

Can you believe that the big day is only about 2 weeks away (give or take a few days depending on the little guy's plans). We've put the car seat in the car and our bags are (mostly) packed. My list of before-baby-to-do items has shrunk and grown and shrunk again over the last couple of weeks. I am constantly thinking of more "last-minute" things to get done.

The baby's room is finally finished (with the exception of hanging a picture and finding a lamp shade) and so I thought you might all like some pictures. I tried to get as many shots as possible so that you could see the whole room.

He's got just a few (ha) books as you can see. (And there are lots more in the closet that wouldn't fit on the book shelf)

And last, but not least.... the stroller!! Courtesy of Poppa! I can't wait to put our little guy in it and go for a walk around the neighborhood.

And one more baby item that I finished a long while ago (but forgot to post a picture).

Ta Da!!!

Just about 4 weeks to go!!!

Well, I was able to finish both the curtains and the crib skirt!!! I have to say the curtains were a challenge because I have a bit of a difficult time getting up and down from the floor quickly and repeatedly but they are finished! The toy box is in and put together and the dresser and bookcase are finished and we will be picking them up sometime this week. I can't wait to show you all the finished room (I can't wait to see it myself). Well, here are the last sewn items for the baby's room....drum roll....

I think my flash decided not to cooperate for this picture

the crib skirt is difficult to see but it is made out of the same stripe as the curtain panels

The baby's "suite" is coming along...

The baby's room is slowly but surely coming together. I have all of the fabric for the curtains and crib skirt and I've finished the curtain panels and will be working on the valance tomorrow. I am very excited about the way it looks and hope to have pictures of the completed curtains within a few days. We have set up the toy box (it's really cute and a great large size for lots of toys) and we've put together the stroller (it's wonderful!). We are waiting for the dresser and bookcase which should be finished within the next two weeks (fingers are crossed that it's not longer than that). It has been so much fun choosing the furniture, colors, fabrics, and decor for the room and I hope it looks great when we're finished.
A baby/pregnancy update: I went to the doctor this past Monday and I had gained 3 pounds and my belly is measuring 34 centimeters (north/south). Blood pressure is good and no obvious swelling of hands and feet so far. I will be seeing the doctor in two weeks and then every week after that until the big day!

A Baby Shower

Well, I'm 33 weeks and change and on Saturday, July 12, I attended my baby shower!!! It was amazing - there was wonderful food (of course), a beautiful and very tasty cake, and more presents than people (unbelievable). I had a wonderful time and everyone who attended (or sent a gift) was very generous and obviously very excited about our little guy's impending arrival. The gifts included big things, small things, cute things, and shiny things and I still can't remember all of what we received. The hostesses did a wonderful job and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. For those of you who live far away and couldn't make it, I have to say you missed some really good food (and lots of it) and I know you wanted to be here.

Just this week, Keith & I finished our "prepared childbirth" classes as well as the newborn care class and I attended the breastfeeding class last week. I have to say that we still don't feel fully prepared but I'm pretty sure that's normal. I'm still reading lots of books on childbirth, breastfeeding, and newborns but since I've only got about 6 1/2 weeks left (yikes!) I'm not sure I'll finish them all.

Also, I was able to pick up the last portion of my fabric order for my curtains so I'll be tackling those in the next few days (with tightly crossed fingers). Hopefully I'll have pictures of finished (and beautiful) curtains soon...

Here are a few pictures from the event.

the cake with a cute "lucky duck" ornament on top

no shortage of gifts

my wonderful hostesses and me

a baby day gown (no, it's not a dress and yes, it is for a boy), hand made by a very dear friend

my diaper bag

my beautiful Moses' basket and Dee reading a beautiful card from both her & Alex

my little gift opening helper

nope, this isn't for our boy, this is a hat I made for a friend - isn't it cute (my first attempt at ruffles)

more gift knitting for a set of twin boys due in November

We're back from the sand and sun...

We just returned from a week in Florida and I did not want to leave - I could easily live at the beach (as long as someone was sending money of course). We all had a wonderful time and hope that we can do it again next year. Keith's sister and her family as well as my aunt and her daughters were with us and it was so fun to have a semi-large family vacation. I'm throwing in a few pictures from the beach and one of a pair of denim pants that I just finished knitting for the baby.

I am now at 30 weeks and I went to the doctor on Monday and learned that in a mere 2 weeks I managed to gain 5 pounds (yikes)! The doctor and the nurse were not at all phased by this but I have to admit that I did a double take upon hopping on the scale.

We've ordered the bookcase and the dresser for the baby's room and they should be finished and ready for pick up at the end of July or the beginning of August. I'm still knitting lots of things but I've given up doing much quilting since leaning over while sitting on the floor is a bit of a struggle. I'm still planning on making the curtains but I've got to sit down and figure out how much fabric to order and actually place the order - I'm not thrilled about the figuring part so I've been procrastinating. Anyway, that should do it for the update - 10 weeks until "B" day...wow!

Happy 4th of July to everyone!!!

Keith and I are standing far apart for a good shot at the baby bump.

Elliot is wondering, "where is your belly button, Aunt Sara? It seems to have disappeared."

Elliot says, "forget the sand and the water, give me stairs people!"

I just love the sound of the waves...

more waves...

A pair of tiny denim knit pants (according to the pattern, they are size 3 months but we'll see...).