Gracie's new bunkbed!

This scene really tickled me yesterday! We had Bella's bassinet out on the patio and Gracie decided she liked the little "bed" under the bassinet (which is actually the area for keeping blankets or diapers). She rested there for quite a while.

August 29, 2009 Lunch and a swim

For lunch yesterday, we had an impromptu cookout and some pool time with the whole family. Tim helped out by manning the grill - we cooked hotdogs and hamburgers. (We are ready for Mom to bring down more Wisconsin hotdogs. They are a hit!) It was a blast hanging out with the girls (our 3 and Isabella) and Tim. We didn't go all out, just the sandwiches, beans, and chips. It was a pretty day for a cookout and the food, though simple, was great.

Jen at 37 weeks pregnant (early August) and again 8 days after delivering (August 29).

Isabella is stretched out on our patio table next to her daddy. How do you like the little bathing suit we found for her?

Isabella sunning briefly with her mommy, then "swimming" with her daddy.

Tim and Isabella

Jen took this picture of Tim and Isabella the other evening. I think it's just precious.

August 27, 2009

Tuesday night was the last night that I actually spent at the kids house. I spent the day there yesterday, then packed up my stuff to return to our house. I'm still going over during the day time through tomorrow to help Jen out with the baby. It has really been fun and has given Jen and I time to talk as one mother to another. Jenny is really doing just a fabulous job with the baby. She is a much calmer first time mom than I was, that's for sure. I'm very proud of her.

Bella found her thumb!

We were getting Isabella ready for her bath this afternoon, and she was none too thrilled about it. She was crying, then all at once seemed to find her thumb with her mouth. She started to suck her thumb and it completely calmed her down.

A lap full of babies for Jenny!

This afternoon, Jen was snuggling with Isabella when her 2 boys hopped up on her lap, as well. Notice how Isabella is resting her little foot on Otto's head! It was too cute to not snap a picture of it.

August 25, 2009

Isabella had her first trip to the pediatrician today. Jen and Tim selected Dr. Dodds as Isabella's doctor. Dr. Dodds was Jen and the girls' pediatrician when they were younger. He is a great guy - the girls loved him. Isabella is his first "legacy" patient (that is to say, the child of a former patient). I accompanied the kids (all 3) to this appointment, and Isabella got a glowing report. She is doing really well - maintaining her weight well, no jaundice at all, heart sounds good, lungs sound good...She got her first shot (Hep B) with little more than a whimper. What a good girl.

August 23, 2009

Home at last for Isabella. Auntie Stephy came by to see her. Before bedtime, Isabella and I rested on the couch. Otto rested his head on Isabella's butt. The boys have been very good with the baby.

August 23, 2009

This morning, Jen and Isabella are heading home to settle in. I know that she is ready to be in her own surroundings (including her own bed). I will have the privilege of staying with the kids to help out for the next few days or so. I'm very excited about having the opportunity to spend more quality time with Isabella, as well as Jen and Tim.

Isabella is such a good baby. Over the last couple of days, the only time she really let loose crying was when she was ready to eat. Otherwise, she is a very content baby.

August 21, 2009 - Baby Girl is here!

Early this morning, we received THE CALL from Angie who was already with Jen and Tim at the hospital. Steph was on her way there. After hurriedly pulling our clothes on and running a brush through our hair, we were on our way, as well. By the time we arrived at the hospital 15 minutes or so later, Jen was already dilated to 9 cm! We all were with Jen as the baby was born. Simply awesome!!! Mom, dad, and baby are all doing well. More to come later.

Update - August 16, 2009

Baby Girl is playing hard to get. Late this afternoon, Jennifer went back to the hospital to get checked as the contractions were getting stronger. Unfortunately, she had not dilated any more since this morning. No baby today! The nurse on duty said that (gasp!) this could go on for a while yet. Jen went home in order to rest and wait some more.

It's almost show time!!! August 16, 2009

A little after midnight last night, Ray and I received a call from Jen to let us know that Angela was on her way to pick her up to take her to the hospital. (Tim works nights and 2 jobs on weekend.) The 2 of them headed over to the hospital, with Tim meeting them there. We hung tight until around 2:30 am, then headed out to get some coffee as we were just a bit too antsy to go back to bed. There are not a lot of choices at that time of the night (or should I say morning), so we headed to an International House of Pancakes downtown near the hospital. Yesterday was "move-in day" at the University of South Carolina and I am not exaggerating when I say that Ray and I were the oldest people there, with the possible exception of a couple of the wait staff. Anyway, we ended up at the hospital to sit with the kids while Jen was being monitored. She was making good progress (contractions 3 - 5 minutes apart), but she was given the option to either stay at the hospital or go home to relax in her own surroundings. She opted to go home because she felt that she would be able to rest better there. We left the hospital around 5:30 am. Jenny has been in labor for several hours now and the contractions are getting much stronger and lasting for much longer. The nurse that was attending to her before Jen left said that she would most likely be seeing Jen back later today. It's looking like we'll get to meet Baby Girl some time today. I will keep you all posted. For now, I will sign off to try and take a nap. (We only got a couple of hours of sleep last night/this morning from around 6 - 8 am!)

August 11, 2009 - Taco Night at the Whig with the girls

Ray had to head to Myrtle Beach and Charleston for working on Monday, August 10 and wouldn't be returning until Wednesday, August 12. On Tuesday, the girls and I went out to eat at a local hang out that offers 50 cent tacos on Tuesday. They actually were very good and we stuffed ourselves with tacos. It was very relaxing to sit and talk with the girls for an hour or two about variety of different topics. We concluded the evening by taking a picture of the 4 of us, but I haven't gotten it from Ang, yet. When I do, I attach it to this post.

Pedicures - August 8, 2009

Jennifer, Angela and went for pedicures last Saturday. (Unfortunately Stephanie was unable to join us because she had to work.) We spent a glorious hour or so sitting in massage chairs and getting our feet pampered. We especially enjoyed the part of the pedicure that involved our feet and calves getting massaged. To me, that is worth the price of the pedicure all by itself. It was a nice way to spend the afternoon.

August 4, 2009 - Making a plaster cast of Jen's tummy!

On August 4th, Jenny went over to Angie's house so that they could make a plaster cast of her baby belly. First, Jen had to liberally coat her belly with Vasoline so that the Plaster of Paris strips did not stick to her skin. Then, Ang applied the strips until her belly was covered. The plaster was allowed to dry and the cast was removed. The girls had a good time hamming it up for the camera, with Angela trying the belly on for size. Some of their friends even commented on the fact that Angela's fake bump looked more realistic than Jenny's! So silly...

Baby Shower #3, August 2, 2009

The ladies from Jen and Tim's church threw a shower for Baby Girl on 08022009. They did a wonderful job! After a sweet devotion read by one of the congregation, shower games were played. Angie won the baby word scrabble game! Next was the gift opening; Jen and Tim were blessed to receive even more thoughtful gifts for baby. Received were more cute little outfits in a rainbow of colors, scrapbooking materials (what a unique gift) and a throw that will be embroidered with Baby Girl's name and date of birth. Topping off the event was a lovely spread of finger foods and a delicious cake.

The frog "towel" is actually used to keep baby warm. You dampen it with warm water and place over baby at bath time to comfort baby. The "rinsing" cup has a soft edge to place on little one's forehead to rinse off shampoo. How on earth did our kids survive childhood?

Dinner at Angela's 07292009

Ang invited Ray and I over for dinner on the 29th. How she pulled off such a nice meal after working all day is beyond me, but it was just great! Our scrumptious meal consisted of fresh bread made by Ang (didn't get that gene from me!), zucchini and yellow squash from her patio garden, and chicken breasts stuffed with provolone cheese. Oh, and a chocolate pie for dessert - Ang and Ray's favorite!

Nugget contemplating a sip of wine.....

Jason's visit 07242009 - 07262009

Our nephew, Jason, came in to visit for the weekend; he's scheduled to be leaving for Saudi soon to work for several weeks. (He is a paramedic. Most recently, he has been working off shore in the Gulf of Mexico.) We had a great time having him for the weekend - we hadn't seen him since Jen and Tim's wedding. We really enjoyed his company and hope to see him again very soon!

Just shy of 36 weeks.