Gifts from my Family/Friends Shower

This weekend we had our Shower/BBQ with family and friends. The amount of generosity stuns me. I am always so taken back by how generous people are!

So the photos below are just the tip of the ice berg. We received lots of blanks, clothes, towels etc. But I thought these would the the fun things to post.

So enjoy.... I know we will.

The Extra car seat base is from Aunt Tina

The car seat and stroller is from mom and dad

The bath tub is from Aunt Elizabeth and Uncle Sean

The pack n play is from Uncle Kevin and Aunti Jen

The High Chair is from Aunti Lesley, Uncle Russ and Aiden

The jumper is from Cousins Randy, Brenda and Sam

The playmat is from Elaines friends at work

The Mobile is from Aunti Kendra and Uncle JJ

The changer is from The Newlands

The bouncer is from the Newlands

The Mattress is from the Newlands

The carrier is from Uncle Corey

The bath spout is from Aunti Elizabeth and Uncle Sean

Most all of the toys are from Mrs. Stevens and the Civali Family

Stuffed Animals are from a variety of folks

Car and stroller things are from Aunti Lori

Eating items are mostly from Aunti Christine and Jason

Onzies from top left (Kristina, Russ, Kaylee, Aunti Lin, Maria) Bottom from left to right (Kevin, Lori, Mom, Erin and Aiden)

A painting from Aunti Molly

A stuffed fish from Aunti Molly

Car Seat from my old group at work

It always set's me back on how generous folks are. Three members from my old work group purchased the level 2 car set for us! LB will be very safe for years now.

My Work Shower

Today was my work shower. I feel so lucky to have such generous friends at work. Here is a sneak peak at all the cute things folks gave us.

This cooler will be great for all the baby food that I will be making for LB. Since Aunti Geraldine bought us the food maker and pouches this will be a perfect bag for storing the food.  (This came from Deb C)

The perfect bottle starter set given to us by, Ms. Pat, Lynne and Kathy.

Toys, pooh bear and mirror. This was a gift from Grace, she said her son absolutely loved the Baby Einstein toys.

The Eric Carle Book collection. I can't wait to read these books to LB. They are so colorful. (Gift from Lisa, Zach and Baby Luke)

Super cute PJ an Bib collection given to us by Eva.

A very soft turtle bib and a classic book given to us by Cheryl.

Johnny Jump up and thermometers given to us by Cheryl also.

Tiny Diner placemat for when we go out and a bath kneeler, give to us by Kelly. My knees will thank me for having this while I give LB a bath.

Awesome books given to us by Mr. Frank Jenkins. These books have such beautiful pictures inside of them. I can't wait to read them to LB.

Good Night I love you is from Ms. Pat and Baby Animals is from Lynne. Very cute books and they have sensory sections in them!

A Spa gift card for me to have a mani and pedi! What a great gift. Also some very fun bath squriter toys.. Not sure who will have more fun with these. (From Karen and Erica)

A Great Deal!

Today I ran into to Target to find that they had the cloth diapers on sale that we will use for LB.

They were basically buy one get one free!! For cloth diapers this is a steal.. I bought the 4 that they had left.. Wish they would have had a couple more, but hey I'll keep looking.

The Best of News

On Wednesday this week I had my appointment with The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia otherwise known as CHOP.

I just wasn't getting a great gut feeling with the doctors here in Hartford, so I decided to get a 2nd opinion about what was really going on with LB.

I am so glad that I did!!

Wednesday was a full day. It started off with a MRI which lasted about an hour, followed by a very detailed 3D ultrasound, a consultation with a Genetic Specialist, a meeting with a high risk OB, another EcoCardiogram, and finally the meeting with the Surgeon, high risk OB and Counselor to close out the day.

Dr. Flake met with us during our consultation he was amazing. I really liked his whole demeanor was one that I very much appreciated. He started off by telling me that he has done hundreds of these types of surgery's (removing lung tumors), he has basically written the book on how to do them Thoracisticly and has done over 80 of them that way. Obviously this is the best way, it's much less traumatic to the baby and the recovery time is much quicker. He told me about 2 kids that had some minor problems and how he fixed them.

In addition to all of that info, he advised me that I could have a normal delivery here in Hartford. Once the baby was 4-6 weeks old I would need to bring it to CHOP for evaluation, if all was what they expect then the baby will go in for pre-op that next day and surgery. LB will stay in the NICU for only a couple of days and then he/she will be released. They advised us to stay in the area for a couple of days just to make sure there were no follow on questions or concerns.

Two weeks post surgery we will go back to CHOP for a checkup and if all is well then they wont need to see the baby again till he/she is a year old!!

This is just such great news! I'm so glad we decided to get a 2nd opinion. Now I feel like I can finally relax and enjoy the next 10 weeks!!!

Here is a photo of LB at 30 weeks.

Going Old Fashioned

So I've done a lot of research and have decided that not only are we going to do cloth diapers, but I've made my own baby wipes too. And when the baby arrives I will make the baby wipe solution too. It's really amazing to me how much money all of this saves. Plus it just sounds better for the baby... I figure back when I was a baby things were simpliler and more natural too. I clearly survived just fine with out having a box of plastic diapers.

It's really funny the reaction I've been getting from folks who have their opinions about "gosh you must have so much time on your hands to be able to do all that" and "cloth diapers are so inconvenient plus you have to think about how much water they use and electricity".. I generally respond with "well that's you opinion and this is mine" I chose to do it this way and that's OK if you don't think it's best!

Does all this mean that when we travel we wont buy disposiable diapers and wipes. No it doesen't I fully intend on that!!

However for the day to day operations this is the path I'm choosing to take :)

Here are my little baby wipes that I made up today.

LB's Room Renovation

Last weekend we decided to take the plunge and rip out the carpet upstairs. Well, you have to love old homes they are always full of surprises some wonderful some not so desirable.

To our surprise LB's room already has hardwood and it's beautiful. It needs to be sanded but other than that it's in good shape.

The other surprise was not so great as we worked our way to the landing the wood changed and was not in good shape at all.... and then finally our room, well it's just plywood.

So 1/2 and 1/2 isn't so bad. We ordered the rest of the wood to continue upstairs and it should be here in a couple of weeks.

The carpet was gross. Somethings are better off being gone!

The beautiful floor!

We removed all the trim too so it will be repainted and freshened up.

Here you can see the wood changes from LB's room to the landing and into our room. Soon it will all look the same.

We're not sure what happened here in the closet but that will get fixed too.

A Song to my baby

I absolutely love this song. I'm dedicating it to Baby Barber.. Starting today and never ending. I'll be there for him/her!


"Gone, Gone, Gone"

When life leaves you high and dry
I'll be at your door tonight
If you need help, if you need help
I'll shut down the city lights,
I'll lie, cheat, I'll beg and bribe
To make you well, to make you well

When enemies are at your door
I'll carry you away from war
If you need help, if you need help
Your hope dangling by a string
I'll share in your suffering
To make you well, to make you well

Give me reasons to believe
That you would do the same for me

And I would do it for you, for you
Baby, I'm not moving on
I love you long after you're gone.
For you, for you.
You would never sleep alone
I love you long after you're gone
And long after you're gone, gone, gone.

When you fall like a statue
I'm gon' be there to catch you
Put you on your feet, you on your feet
And if your well is empty
Not a thing will prevent me
Tell me what you need, what do you need

I surrender honestly
You've always done the same for me

So I would do it for you, for you.
Baby, I'm not moving on
I love you long after you're gone.
For you, for you.
You would never sleep alone.
I love you long after you're gone
And long after you're gone gone gone.

You're my back bone,
You're my cornerstone
You're my crutch when my legs stop moving
You're my head start,
You're my rugged heart
You're the pulse that I've always needed
Like a drum, baby, don't stop beating
Like a drum, baby, don't stop beating
Like a drum, baby, don't stop beating
Like a drum my heart never stops beating

For you, for you
Baby I'm not moving on
I love you long after you're gone.
For you, for you.
You would never sleep alone
I love you long after you're gone.
For you, for you.
Baby I'm not moving on,
I love you long after you're gone.
For you, for you.
You would never sleep alone.
I love you long, long after you're gone.

Like a drum, baby, don't stop beating
Like a drum, baby, don't stop beating
Like a drum, baby, don't stop beating
Like a drum my heart never stops beating for you

And long after you're gone, gone, gone.
I love you long after you're gone gone, gone.

The Crib is Ordered

So the crib is ordered. I can't wait to see what it looks like in real life.

Here is the sample photo.

26 Weeks and Counting

Today LB is officially 26 Weeks Old.

I celebrated by getting my hair done and picking up a new nail polish :)

Beach Mobile

Today I finished the beach mobile that will hang in LB's room.

I wanted something simple but unique. So I found the wood portion of the mobile at a store and used the shells from our wedding and honeymoon to decorate it. Chris helped me drill the holes in the shells and wa-la it turned out perfect!

Before the Shells

After the Shells

LB's Very Speical Gift From Aunti Lin

Yesterday Chris and I received a very speical gift from Aunti Lin. How she always know "just the right gift" amazes me!!

I've always loved these Ergo carriers, maybe because in school I focused in Ergonomics I don't know. But the thought of being able to keep little LB close to me and still be able to do things melts my heart.

I've always said "I wont be one of those mothers that just sits around the house". The baby needs to go and see things, experiance the world around it and by all means learn what the kitchen is all about. (Since you all know that being in the kitchen is where I spend a good majority of my time when I'm home).

Also, just as special is the coin set from the Denver Mint. It's a little piece of home for LB to learn about when he/she get's older. I can't wait to take LB there. In addition to the Denver Zoo, Cave of the Winds, and let's not forget Casa Bonita! All favorite places of mine when I was a kid.

We all thank you Aunti Lin for knowing us so well and giving us the gift of keeping LB close to our hearts :)

Love you

LB's Update

Today we had another ultrasound and met with the Surgeon. Things are looking better for LB. The long story short is that, even though the CCAM is still there it does not appear to be growing!

Looks like as long as all progresses this way I will be able to have a "normal birth" at my hospital here in CT. Which makes me very happy!!

So fingers crossed that this good trend keeps going!!

Thank you to all that have sent us so many thoughtful letters and thoughts. Clearly all your positive thoughts have been working. Thank you!

Check out this awesome photo of little LB.

Sea Horse Lamp

I fell in love with this lamp the minute I saw it. You can see why!

Spoiled by Memaw and Papa

A very special onezie. It only took 3 states to find it!

Love this little socks to match

What a cute little pup

LB's first stuffed animal

LB's first silverware to match mom and dads