Blessing Day

Kevin blessed Chloe at church today. Her dress was homemade and just about everyone had a part in it: me (of course), my mom, Diana, Amy J, Keri, and Chloe's great-great aunt Marylin. I think that will seem special to Chloe.

We definitely had a full house today for dinner, totalling 21, and it was nice to have family here. Reminds me of home when there are 10 different conversations going at once.

Papa N Granma Birda Visit

The end of December my mom and dad came to visit, and it's taken me a while to get around to posting some pictures, seeing how its been about 3 weeks now.

They came in on the Tuesday after Chloe was born and stayed until Sunday morning. We had fun driving around showing off our new home. We went to different attractions here on post including the PX, commissary, the lake and the aviation museum. The stay seemed short once it was over, but it was nice for them to change plans and come early, just like Chloe did.

2 Weeks Old

Chloe is thriving like a "bad weed" according to Gama Birda (as Claire calls her). She had her two week appointment and everything is going well. She has gained 10 1/2 oz since leaving the hospital, weighing in at 7 lbs 9.5 oz. She still doesn't fit in newborn clothes though, but that's just a matter of time. For now we are rolling up everything so she is not completely swimming in all her outfits.

She is a really good baby. She usually goes 3-4 hours at night between feedings so that means she is usually only waking up 2 times between bedtime and morning, which is really nice, especially since Kevin has to get up at 5:15.

Bath Time!

I got Kevin some new camera equipment for Christmas. We are enjoying experimenting with it and our new subject. This is a shot of Chloe's first sponge bath at home. She absolutely loved every minute of it. I hope that means when we can give her tub baths she likes em just as much. I know I'm biased, but isn't she just adorable?

Our Christmas Baby

It all started at 4 am, actually, it all started about 9 months ago. But this chapter of the story started at 4 am when Amy's water broke. Yes, I was out cold, and then suddenly, I was wide awake, especially when the contractions started about 10 minutes later, and never let up. We packed and made it out the door to the hospital. The hospital staff was great, we got checked in and started the waiting game. Amy was dilated to about 3 cm when we arrived at around 6:30 am, and finally hit 10 by about 2:45-3:00 pm. Thankfully Amy decided an epidural was a good idea about 20 minutes after we got to the hospital. Her contractions were so strong and so close that she never got a break, neither did my hands. I left when they administered the epidural to get some stuff from the car, and when I came back, Amy was all smiles.

It came time to push around 3:00 or so, and Amy did great. So did Chloe. Delivery was pretty fast once she started pushing, and we were blessed with a wonderful Christmas gift. The best one I've ever gotten anyway.
After her initial check out and clean up we got to hold her. It was one of the most beautiful things I've ever experienced in this world. She is so precious. Her little chin quivers when she cries and makes her little voice shake. It's so cute. When she came out at 3:41 pm, she weighed 7 lbs 5 ounces, and was 20 1/4 inches long. All about average. We'll get a video posted once we get the chance, but in the mean time, I want to get back to spending time with mom and baby. This is for sure the best Christmas ever.

A Little Update

Well, it sure has been a complete turn around here with Kevin's job. Before, he was gone 24/7. Now, he gets up for PT at 5:20 to be there by 5:45. He is home by 7:15 and he showers and we have breakfast together. He then has a 9 am formation and is usually released for the rest of the day after 10 or 15 minutes. A few times he has had to stay until 10:30 or so, but that's not very often. We have been enjoying all the time we get to spend together. In his off time we go shopping, to the movies, read books together and have been getting ready for the baby. We have also been playing a little Super Mario Cart, which is fun, but I am really bad at it.

Kevin got the bike going. He rode it yesterday. He just needs some cosmetic work really now, besides a mirror and front turn signals. Its been warm out. We have been seeing pictures of home with tons of snow... we are usually in the 70s everyday. Its weird using the ac a week from Christmas. Today it is 77.

My tummy has been getting bigger. Strangers tell me all the time I look like I'm ready to pop. I feel like it! 37 weeks down, hopefully not too many left to go. The doc said the longest he will let me go will be 41 weeks and 6 days. Hopefully it isn't that long!

Kevin came home yesterday with his arms overloaded with vinyl for me. He stopped at a sign company and they gave him all these "scraps" for $5! One man's trash is a scrapbooking woman's treasure! I asked him why he didn't wait to give it to me on Christmas, and he said he was just way too excited to wait. He was as pleased with himself as I was with him! He loves to make me happy. I think I will make some new decals for his motorcycle since he repainted it last year it's been without.

'Tis The Season

We FINALLY got our Christmas Tree on Monday. We had to borrow a truck for it and drive into Enterprise to get it and let me tell you, waiting so long leaves pretty slim pickens around here. Its not like you can just trudge into the mtns and pick one out. But, we ended up with a 6' fir and it only cost us $10! How I love Lowes. Kevin and I spent our FHE decorating with the fire DVD on our TV and Christmas music. It smells lovely in here now.