Finally, a New Post!

Well, Aunt Haylee is holding Iain now to give me a chance to put something up on the blog. He's now two weeks old and has had a busy life so far. :) Jeremy's grandparents and uncle came up for a visit last weekend. It was pretty cool to see Iain with his great-grandparents.




Here is a picture of Iain with his other great-grandmother Nan (or Grand-Nan).

We also had a visit from Jeremy's brother Phil and his girlfriend Kelly. They came over after a day spent at Sea World and brought Iain a Shamu that is almost as big as he is. Iain liked his uncle, I must say.


Other than visits from family and friends, Iain has been busy growing like a weed. He's more alert and looks around a lot more (and he seems to really enjoy ceiling fans - don't ask me!), and his eyes are penetrating when he looks at you. He holds onto his ear sometimes when he is nursing or sleeping, and he has perfected a "relaxed" pose. And I have proof now that he really does smile in his sleep:

Every Good and Perfect Gift

Sorry it took so long to put up anything more about Iain - and thanks to those of you who are still checking the blog! Right now, he's napping in his baby swing and looking adorable. He smiles in his sleep - really, he does!

Anyway, an update. Iain was actually born at a hospital, which was not the plan, but turned out to be the way it went. I began having back spasms during the pushing stage and had to go in at that point. He was born about two hours after we got there. The OB said we could leave right away, but the hospital has a 24-hour baby rule, so we had to stay. Needless to say, we were thrilled to get home!

Iain sleeps pretty well and is getting better at nursing. I think this swing will be very helpful because he really seems to love it. He is alert a lot of the time, looking around with his big blue eyes. Yes, blue eyes and dark blond-ish hair. He also has long fingers and feet and a dimple in his chin and in his cheek. Too cute!

We had lots of family in this past weekend. Iain's aunt Kelsey took pictures of him (well, lots of people took pictures of him - he is related to my side of the family after all, and we take pictures!), which are posted below. We especially like the drum picture; do we have a future drummer on our hands?

I am enjoying being home with him and Jeremy is missing him when at work. We're both loving learning to be parents. Jeremy is a great dad already and Iain loves when he bounces him, walks with him, and sings to him. Jeremy is great at calming him down when he's crying, too.

I'll get some emails happening as soon as I can. Thanks for your patience! And I'm sorry to those of you who wanted to be contacted during labor or after and weren't; it was a crazy time and then we didn't have our phone list with us at the hospital... you understand. I apologize.

About the bubble: we had a sonogram done on Iain Monday. Looks like it is nothing immediate, but they are going to keep watching it. We should hear more soon, as the radiographer will be sending us the official report. Keep praying!

I hope you all get to meet Iain soon - he's a precious gift.

Enjoy the pictures!

It's a Boy!!!

Iain Mark (first name pronounced Ian) was born Thursday morning, September 14 at 6:00 am! He weighed 8 lbs 12 oz and is a very long 23 inches. He is doing very well and we're so thankful for all your prayers. This is just a quick announcement - I'll write more later. He is a beautiful baby (I'm sure you'll all agree), and we're very glad to have him here. :)

p.s. We're investigating the "bubble" still and will learn more about it early next week.

The Waiting Game

Had another check-up with the midwife (Karen) today. She and Lynn will be at the birth. Everything looks good and she says she thinks it could be any day now - the baby is ready to come! So perhaps (hopefully) the next post will be a picture of the baby. :)

Jeremy was commenting today on how strange it is to be in this "holding pattern." We can't really make any firm plans for the next few weeks because who knows when Little B will choose to come? He has his sub plans in at school and we're just... waiting. Sure hope this baby isn't late! We'll get cabin fever or something. :) I am glad the baby didn't come today though. September 11 wouldn't have been a great birthday. Too sad.

It's been fun to read all the comments - like getting emails or fun mail. Anyway, I guess I don't really have anything to say tonight. Jeremy's practicing his drums at the moment and I'm killing time while waiting for him so we can take our walk. So here's the author of nothing interesting and with nothing to say signing off!

Good Not-Baby-Related News!

After many months of dealing with the insurance company, pulling permits and delivering paperwork to the city, and working with contractors, yesterday we finally had people out at the house working on the sinking corner. For those who don't know the story, one of the front corners of our house has been sinking fairly rapidly since January (measured in inches, but still causing cracks and damage to occur inside and out). The solution is to put four pilings under that corner, fill them with grout, and thus jack the house back up. (This is a small-scale rendition of what was done to Circle Community Church a few years back.)

Yesterday, they came and tore up some of the front walkway and carport and put in the pilings. As I understand it, they'll come back within a few days to fill them with grout, then a few days later to adjust the arms and then hopefully we'll soon be done with this aspect. We plan on tearing up the rest of the cement in the carport, repouring, and enclosing that area into a room soon.

I'm going to try to post a picture of what that outside corner looks like now - it looks awful to me, but it's all part of the process, I'm sure. Anyway. :)

First Post and Baby News

Well, the first post on a blog should maybe be something profound or deep, but alas, it is only to inform anyone interested that I'm starting this blog as a way to keep in touch with family and friends. Most everyone who is reading this probably knows that we are expecting a baby soon (the due date is September 13th). So this seems to be a good way to share photos, etc, with out-of-towners who want to stay in the baby loop.

Little B, as we call the baby at the moment, is going to be born at home here in Altamonte Springs. We have two very good Christian midwives who will be there, and we're looking forward to an uncomplicated, peaceful birth. We are, needless to say, very excited about the coming baby and would be thrilled for it to come any day now!

We don't yet know if it is a boy or a girl - despite our families being quite eager for us to find out, we thought it would be fun to wait for the surprise. Any guesses? Most people seem to be thinking it's a boy, but I really don't have a feeling one way or the other, though for the first five months or so I would have guessed boy too.

We had a sonogram last Wednesday, and John the sonographer found something like a "bubble" in the baby's intestine. He was unsure what it was, but we have to get it checked out very soon after the baby arrives by a pediatrician and then get a sonogram on the baby. John said it could be nothing at all, or it could be something that needs to be dealt with - he couldn't tell because the baby is big now and it's hard to see much in an ultrasound. He said it was not life-threatening, though. So please pray for Little B, that this will turn out to be nothing, and that he/she will be born completely healthy and well. And pray for favor for us as we'll be setting up the appointments the day the baby is born and need to be able to get in to see these doctors soon. We're also still trying to figure out what to do with insurance (neither the baby nor I is insured at the moment). Thanks - we'll keep you updated!