Jack's first Christmas

Christmas was a different experience for us this year...This year we got a little taste of what is to come for the rest of our Christmas days. Even though he didn't have a clue as to what was going on Jack made out like a bandit! I look forward to the next couple of years when he really understands what is going on and the excitement of Santa coming to visit. (Realistically, I want to be able to threaten him with the "Santa is watching you" line...) We had a great time visiting with friends and family and just like every year, this day has come and gone too quickly.

Jack with Grandma and Grandpa Reese

Aunt Amy was getting some smiles out of Jack

Nana put the sleeper hold on Jack despite all the noise on Christmas Eve

Gabe dressed up as Santa for the little kids

Jack was really excited to see Santa this year

Christmas pjs!

Christmas outfit! The shirt didn't last long and the hat was only worn for a couple of minutes.

The only photo I have of all 3 of us

Jack was exhausted after his first Christmas!

Major Meltdown

This time of the year is wonderful because Gabe is in his offseason and is home to help me out with Jack. Yesterday he took Jack for the day and allowed me the chance to go out to lunch and shopping with some girlfriends. I left the house at 9 am to a sweet boy asleep in his swing...I guess that didn't last very long. He is either going through a major growth spurt or his stomach is adjusting to his new formula because he has been a monster in the afternoon for the past couple of days. Gabe was a trooper and didn't let me know how awful his day was going but I did get this picture via text message...

This was meltdown #3 and it wasn't even noon yet...

Gabe aka Mr. Clean

When I was growing up there was this guy who lived on my street who we called Mr. Clean. His lawn looked like a golf course, his bushes and trees were always trimmed, and we even caught him washing the sidewalks in front of his house. This guy had the best looking house on the street. My brother used to mow the neighbors yards for money when he was younger and got hired by Mr. Clean when he was out of town. My brother was so nervous (and we were nervous for him) because he didn't want to mess up this guys yard! This flashback into my life leads me to my husband...Gabe is the new Mr. Clean on our street. We were sitting at home today and the doorbell rang. I answered the door and it was the little neighbor girls. They had come over to tell on one of their friends for stepping on our grass! I couldn't believe it!! I told them it was ok and then went to scold Gabe for putting the fear of death into these girls. Gabe loved the fact that the neighbor kids are scared to step on our grass. Sorry Jack...you can only look at the grass, not play on it.  :(

Roxy

Yesterday we celebrated a milestone--Roxy's first year with us! We got Roxy from the pound on December 2nd, 2009. I can't believe a year went by already! We got her when she was 7 months old and she has been a great dog...minus the occasional hole in the backyard and the barking when people are outside. If that is the worst she is going to do then we are pretty lucky. She loves playing with Leroy and she is very concerned about Jack. When he starts to cry she runs over to him to see what is wrong and she always gives him kisses when he wakes up. She has fit in very well with the family. :)

December 2nd, 2009

Roxy and Leroy quickly became buds

Our big girl all grown up!

1st Night Apart

At 3 weeks old, Jack spent his first night alone in his own room. Ever since we brought him home from the hospital we have kept him in the pack-n-play in our room. The convenience of having him in our room was nice while we were trying to figure out his sleeping pattern and what his little noises meant. He has pretty much developed a routine at night so we decided to put him in his crib. It was harder on me than it was on him. I was a little nervous because I worry about everything and my OCD kicks in at night, but he did great! It made for much more sound sleep by everyone in the house. Now if I could only figure out what to do with Leroy... :)

2 Week Checkup

Ok...so it's been a little longer than 2 weeks but the poor guy has had a busy 19 days! The doctors were concerned with Jack's weight since he was in the hospital. He was born at 9 lbs 12 oz and lost almost a pound in the hospital. Since supplementing Jack on formula he has been gaining weight slowly so the doctors made us come in every couple of days for a weight check. Well today he has finally caught up on his weight! He gained 15 oz in 5 days (which makes sense because he has been an eating machine) so the doctors don't need to see him again until his 2 month vaccination appointment.  The doctor retested his newborn screening tests that were performed in the hospital and all but for a few tears after having blood drawn Jack did great! He is in the 76% for body weight, 68% for height, and 82% for head circumference. He definitely has Daddy's head...sorry Jack!!

Jack is exhausted after his big morning at the doctor!

Thanksgiving

We have alot to be thankful for in our house this year. Everyone is healthy and happy and we have the best little turkey! Our day was spent with Joe in the morning drinking mimosas, then we went to Cari and Craig's house for a pre-Thanksgiving meal (and some bonding time for Bea and Jack) and then we came back to our house for our dinner with Ceci, Aaron, and Bonny. Ceci's dinner was fabulous and we had lots of laughs sitting around the table. 

Leroy is always looking out for Jack when he is in the swing

New Reality

Jack has been with us for 9 days now and I can't believe it. He has been such a good baby. He only cries when he needs to be changed or when he is hungry. He sleeps pretty well through the night...3-4 hour stretches. At this point Gabe and I aren't too sleep deprived. :)

Gabe and Jack taking a quick nap...notice their sleep faces are the same. :)

Jack just went back to the doctor for a weight check (he has been 3 times this week). He is now weighing 9 lbs 4 oz. He gained 3 oz in 3 days so the doctor is pleased. This little boy doesn't miss any meals!

Jack's big arrival!!

11-10-10--Jack's birthday. :)  So the day wasn't very dramatic...my water didn't break and I wasn't rushed to the hospital. Big deal. It was almost better (for Gabe and I) that I had a scheduled c section. We showed up to the hospital at 1:30 for check in, sat in the room until about 4, and then I was wheeled off to surgery. Jack was born at 4:34 pm. Easy as that! The c section was a really crazy experience. Of course I couldn't feel anything but Gabe was watching the mirror and giving me play by play. The recovery wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be, I am still pretty sore now, but I am getting better each day. Now that we are home it is hard to sit around and not do anything. I need to remember to take it easy so I don't delay my recovery.
Thank you to everyone who showed up to the hospital either on the day Jack was born or on one of the days that followed. It was great to come out of the recovery room and see a hallway full of people. Even the people who had to leave early I saw during my Face Time conversation with Kelsey (thank you Iphone.) :)
Here are some pictures from our stay at the hospital. Most of these pictures are courtesy of Cari Bauer (my official photographer) and from my camera. If you have any good pictures please pass them along to me!

Home sweet home!

The end of volleyball season

The volleyball season has finally come to an end. It was a bittersweet ending, losing in the semi finals of state to a team we could have beaten. We lost 13-15 in the 5th game. It was a great season though. I only had 3 seniors on the team and even a freshman (for the first time in my coaching career).  Each tournament we were in the team finished in the highest bracket and making it to the semi finals of state showed just how hard they worked all season long. I couldn't be more proud of them. Gabe was a trooper at the end of the season...making sure he was at the last tournament and making the state games just to make sure I didn't go into labor. He was also a huge help around the house. He cooked dinner and kept the house together as I slept on the couch after practice was over. I thought coaching in my last trimester would be easier than it was, but Gabe really helped me out. Cari was also one to watch out for me all season long. She kept me out of harms way at practice and games and was the first to jump off the bench and yell when I couldn't. I really appreciate all the help I got this season and I am looking forward to having a "normal" season next year. :)

Our last getaway

Gabe and I spent the day in Kirkland, AZ with the Bauers, Viterbos, and some other friends. It was such a great trip because the weather was beautiful and as always there were lots of laughs! The ZBar Ranch is so cool...horses, cows, mini horses, ranger rides... I was even allowed to take a few trips on the ranger. :)  Most of the day was spent eating and lounging around (perfect for me!)  I am already anxious to go back!

Nothing about the baby...

So Gabe says my blog is turning into a baby blog...I realized I haven't posted anything besides Jack updates lately. (Not that there is really much new in my life!) But here is a quick look at recent happenings:

Gabe signed a full time contract with the Mariners this week! He is so excited and I am so proud of him. He is still technically in his off season right now, but he still goes down to the field everyday to run guys through workouts. He isn't working long days right now, just a few hours, but he really enjoys it and he is enjoying his break and gearing up for Spring Training to start which will be here before we know it!

My volleyball team was in their 3rd tournament this season--the Nike tournament (I was disappointed I didn't get some good swag from this tournament!). Out of 56 teams the girls finished 7th! I was really impressed with how well they did. I have such a young team I really never thought they would perform the way they have this season. They are such a fun group of girls and they have really made the season go by quickly. We are in our last week of regular matches and then we start the state tournament next Tuesday the 2nd.

Ok...so a little update on Jack...I went to the doctor this week for my 38 week appointment only to find out that Jack is perfectly content where he is. There is no sign he will come early and at this point I feel like I will be pregnant forever! Next week my doctor said we can schedule a date to be induced. He will let me go up to a week after my due date. At this point Jack needs to stay where he is until after the state tournament which ends on November 10th. As much as I don't want to be pregnant anymore I don't want to miss that last week of the season!

37 weeks and I am over this...

So I just had my 37 week appt and I have nothing new to report...Jack is still doing well which is the most important part, but I am done being pregnant. I am not motivated at work, my back constantly hurts, and I can't sleep enough. These last 3 weeks are going to be the hardest to get through. Jack is constantly moving--pushing on my ribs and pelvis at the same time. The doctor still doesn't think he is going to be an abnormally huge baby. I just can't believe this guy isn't measuring big. I really hope these next few weeks go by quickly because I am ready to have him out and share the work with Gabe. (Poor guy has to put up with my complaining for the next 3 weeks!)

35 week appointment

Gabe and I went in for my 35 week appointment yesterday. This appointment was cool because it was the first ultrasound since 20 weeks. Unfortunately it's also our last... :(  It was crazy to see how big Jack had gotten! He is so cramped in there--no wonder it feels like he is trying to push his way out through my belly button! Everything looked healthy and normal and the doctor doesn't think he looks abnormally large (like I feel he is). He did ask what both Gabe and I weighed when we were born and he doesn't think I have genetics on my side....I was 9lbs 10.5 oz and Gabe was 9lbs and 23 inches long! He thinks Jack could be a big kid. Great...From this point on I go back to the doctor every week which is exciting and stressful at the same time. It means the end is near and I better get my stuff together! Yikes!

This picture is a bit alien-like but his face is turned to us. Next picture of him will be from the outside world!

Volleyball team

My volleyball team loves the fact that I am pregnant. They always want to feel Jack kick and are very protective of me when it comes to getting hit with a volleyball. I always let the girls design a shirt that is unique to them since they are the varsity team and this is the shirt design the seniors came up with this year.

The back of the shirt says, "Future Centennial Babysitters- Varsity Volleyball 2010"

Leroy...

Leroy has had allergies forever...no big deal normally. For some reason over the past couple of weeks his allergies have gotten out of control. He doesn't want to be around people, he is constantly scratching, and now he has an open wound on his neck from all of his scratching. Gabe has been trying to get Leroy's neck to heal, but its hard when all he does is scratch it. Gabe's first idea was to take an ace bandage and wrap it around Leroy's neck...well that didn't work too well because Leroy doesn't have much of a neck and his fat rolls would always move the bandage. Gabe's second idea has worked so far...he bought newborn socks and taped them to Leroy's back feet so he can't scratch at his neck. This has worked so far. Leroy is absolutely miserable and has a hard time walking on the tile, but his neck is getting better. :)

Update on Jack's room

We got so much fun stuff at the baby shower last weekend it has taken all week to wash and organize it. The night of the shower I came home and washed the sheets because I was dying to get the crib bedding in and I finally got to wash all of Jack's clothes today. It is crazy to think that in 6 weeks he will be wearing some of those clothes. Gabe and I want to go out shopping next weekend to get everything else we need for Jack. It might be wishful thinking that he will come early...Gabe and I both went past our due dates. :(  I'm thinking Jack might not want to come out on November 9th...

The big Grover in the corner of the crib was Gabe's. He took that thing everywhere with him! Ceci passed it on to us so Jack could have it. :)

Baby Shower

Just had my baby shower hosted by my good friend Cari Bauer. It was a very nice shower filled with family, friends and lots of food (thanks Ceci!). I was a little hesitant when it came to having the shower...I'm not a fan of being the center of attention and I really don't like baby shower games. Cari did a good job of keeping the games to one easy word scramble game. I was not going to play the chocolate bar in the diaper game!! We got lots of great gifts and spent the rest of the night washing sheets, getting Jack's clothes separated and setting up his room. It seems so crazy that he will be here in 50 days! We are definitely more excited now that we have more goodies for Jack! If you have pictures from the shower please send them to me...I only took one picture. :(  I will post updates on how cute Jack's room looks now.

The cake

One of the ASU onsies Jack got

Cari and I

32 week appointment

Gabe and I went in for our 32 week appointment today and everything seems to be perfect--I even lost a pound! (Don't ask me how that happened!) We go back in 3 weeks for our last ultrasound which I am looking forward to. I don't understand why we don't get an ultrasound between week 20 and week 35. I would like to see what he looks like in that 15 week time period! Oh well...From the 35 week appointment on I have to go in every week. When I heard that it really hit me--Jack is coming soon! I know it sounds dumb, but it just doesn't seem real most of the time! I am very excited about what is to come... :)

2nd Annual Terry Bourland Golf Tournament

It was an early Sunday morning, but it was well worth it. Gabe and I and some friends participated in the 2nd Annual Terry Bourland Golf Tournament. Last year the tournament raised $10,000 to be put towards an engineering scholarship at ASU and this year we topped $12,000! Cari, Joy and I followed the boys (Gabe, Craig, James, and Scott) around a few holes. It was fun to watch them hit a great drive or sink a tough putt. As the temperature got hotter we decided to meet the boys back in the air conditioning! All in all it was a great day and Gabe and I took a much needed nap when we got home. :)

Gabe and I before the boys took off

Scott, Gabe, Craig and James before the first hole

Nightmares/Calf cramps

Each night it is a given that I will either have a nightmare about giving birth or wake up with a cramp in my left calf. I have had 3 nightmares so far about giving birth...the first was about me having a C-section through my thigh (don't ask) and I was upset about the scar going across my leg. Another nightmare was I didn't know when I was going into labor until my sister called and told me. Then I couldn't find Gabe to go with me to the hospital. I know these weird dreams are common, but I still have 8 weeks to go! The calf cramping is definitely more frequent than the nightmares (along with having to pee at 11 pm and 1 am). I am normally able to pull on my toes and not make too much noise so Gabe doesn't wake up. The cramps exhaust me though because it takes forever to fall back asleep and then my calf hurts for the rest of the day.  I am so ready for all of this to be over with!! Come on November 9th!!! :)

31 weeks...almost

In a couple of days I will be officially 31 weeks along. However, during the week I am normally too tired to post or take pictures so I figured I would do it tonight. Gabe was nice enough to take both a side and front picture of me so you could really see how big I am. Thanks, I think... As of September 9th I will officially have 2 months left before Jack should be making his arrival! My countdown is in the single digits and I couldn't be happier.

I really don't know how my skin can stretch any further... According to everyone I talk to the last 2 months is when I will get the biggest too. I can't even imagine!!