Finally, more pictures of Reese

How pathetic am I that Dave had to take Reese for the day so I could catch up on the blog pictures? It has been two months!

Reese's first months of life have been full of screaming days. I took this video as proof because everytime someone would come over to see her she would be asleep and no one could believe what a terror she was.There were very few moments of awake-and-happy until the last few days. I think we finally have a baby who is glad to be here. We found out, after trying everything we could think to do, from a chiropractor, that her intestine was very blocked with a hard lump of crap and she was having difficulty and pain whenever she tried to poop. After lots of massage, warm water and several explosions we are on the road to happiness these days. Halleluah! The lump is gone! Here are various pictures from the last couple of months.

She loves her food - just like her mommy - and has almost doubled her weight at her two month checkup! She now weighs 12 lbs 15 oz! Here she is in a milk induced coma - with the evidence on her face.

Daddy is teaching her to play internet chess. She loves to walk around the house with him and bounce and listen to him sing silly songs to her about what they are doing.
Everyone loves to hold her - Grandpa, Uncle Tate, Grandma, Aunt Heidi and especially her two cousins. They want to help with everything and love to "pet" her head and give her kisses.

A bath was sometimes the only way to get her to quiet the screaming for a few minutes.

Happy days are hear again. I think it will be smooth sailing from here on (until of course she turns two, then three, then 13....)

Reese Anaiah

She has arrived and is doing great. She was 7 lbs 12 oz (small for this family) and 21" long. Everyone was very excited to meet her and at the top of thelist were her two cousins. They love "petting her head" and watching her move and make sounds and faces. Noah is a wonderful big brother as we knew he would be. He tries to act cool like he doesn't really care, but he is always making sure she is ok and sufficiently taken care of and that Dave and I are doing what we need to do - paying her the proper attention, holding her head correctly, etc.

She had jaundice when she was born and so we had to stay in the hospital for a couple of extra days and stay under the billi lights to get rid of it. Here she is basking in the glow and gettin' her tan on.

She is sleeping all the time and when awake, always wants to eat. She is definitely my child!

Here is a rare picture of her with her eyes open and no boob in her mouth.

Diamond was less than thrilled about this new thing we brought home. She barked at Reese everytime she made a noise or moved, but was skiddish of getting too close to her. She is now ok with Reese being here, but still not pleased that she is no longer the attention getting queen - someone has taken her spot in mommy's lap.

We are all doing well and adjusting to life at home with a new family member. I will be glad when we can get a routine established, but until then, we are taking one hour at a time and being grateful for it.

Some recent goings on

Dave and Ihave been fortunate enough to be able to go to Broadway productions in Salt Lake and Tucson now for about 8 years or so. We get a membership and see about 5 shows a year and have always been blessed to have parents in town who are willing to watch Noah so we can go to the show and have dinner together. It's wonderful in so many ways - we see great things and have a built-in date about 5 times a year. The latest presentation we saw was called A Bronx Tale - a one man show written and performed by Chaz Palminteri . He has been in several well known tv shows and movies - Hill Street Blues, Mullholland Falls and the Usual Suspects to name a few. Here is Dave getting his autograph. It was a very good show. Our next two shows are Grease (which we will miss because of the baby) and Mamma Mia, which I can't wait to see! Thank you Dave for loving to see these shows as much as I do!

Several other events happened recently. This past weekend was Dave's birthday which we celebrated in style, thanks to a dear friend who came all the way from Nashville - Daniel Green. He owned an Indian Taco stand there where Dave and I used to eat at least once a week and became very good friends with he and his wife - not to mention fell in love with his tacos! His shop has since closed long ago and Dave and I have always lamented the fact that Daniel ruined all other Indian tacos for us since being in Nashville to have his. So, after many many years, Daniel made his Indian tacos again just for Dave and the rest of the clan! It's probably no surprise that I didn't take one picture the whole day. I'm so sorry Dave - we will have to keep a picture (and taste) of the day in our minds.

My parents and brother's family came from Phoenix and Dave's parents all came to share in the joy. It was just as wonderful as we had remembered them - I hope we get to do it again soon - before 10 years this time. Daniel also spent much time with Dave having their loved bible discussions and he spent a great deal of time with Noah playing chess, Monopoly and teaching him some guitar.

That same weekend, some wonderful friends of mine threw a shower for the baby. My mom, sister-in-law and Dave's mom were also able to be there. It was so wonderful! I am always so touched and amazed by everyone's love and generosity - no words can express my gratitude for the awesome friends I have made here and have always made wherever I have been - it's very overwhelming. Of course I did not get a single picture there either. I know my scrapbooking friends are so disappointed in me.

On Sunday, our incredible church family gave us a luncheon shower where we played games and received lots of cute things for the baby. Again, we are so very thankful to everyone for their kindness and hard work. We are all set for this baby to come now. Here are some actual pictures from the church party - not because of me - bt because of Dave's dad - we can always count on him to be on top of things.

One Big Accomplishment

Noah is only a couple of months away from getting his Jr. Black Belt in karate - something he has been working toward since he was three years old! I'm so proud of him for sticking to it even though there were times he wanted to quit. Here he is after a special class he had to take for his black belt.

Oh happy day!

Noah does not look very happy here, but I know I am exstatic and he is too. We finally finished his first ever science fair project - the first of many (dread). It's been quite an accomplishment. It left the house today and it feels like a huge weight has been lifted - we have been working on it since early November. It will be judged on February 23rd. He did a great job and worked very hard - I guess it's time to start thinking about next year's project!

Hopscotch Record

Click on the link below to see Noah and some friends trying to break the world's record for the longest hopscotch. Who knows if they actually did it, but here is the video of their fun. Noah doesn't have a chance next to these girls - the poor kid got his coordination from his parents - who have none.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Go0BZaLI9o

6 Weeks and Counting!

The big day is almost here! I can't believe how fast it has gone by. So far, things have gone withour any problems at all - the baby is "textbook" as the doctor has said and I am doing very well. I've gone through the grape Laffy Taffy phase, the Almond Roca phase and now I'm onto the popsicle/icee phase. I'm past the nauseated but hungry , the can't get comfortable when I sleep, the can't bend over to tie my shoes, and the backache stages to the everything stage. I've been in denial, to novelty, to excitement, to fright and soon to be what have we done?! It all has felt brand new since it has been so long since I've been pregnant. I have tried to savor every bit of every state of being since this is our last pregnancy and I'm sure that when we meet our little baby we will have no regrets about any of it.