How Many Grown Folks Does It Take To Give A Baby A Bath?

Well, it took a village, but we managed to get this little 6 lb. baby bathed! Who would've thought! Between Mom and me putting the little bather thing together, getting all the supplies rounded up, and having enough arms between the 3 of us adults, we did it! It was something else..I'm guessing Billy and I will figure out how to do it just the two of us soon. We will have to! But it takes more arms than you think to hold Moriah's head, scrub her, rinse her off, have someone hold the shower nozzle, and of course take pictures! As long as we kept the warm water flowing, she was a happy camper. It took her a few minutes to get used to it but in the end I think she felt pretty good. I know for sure she looked absolutely precious! There's just something about a freshly bathed baby all bundled up in their towel that just melts your heart.

By the way, I think this bath took place on Monday or Tuesday...? I've kinda lost track of days. I know. Only a week in and I can't remember- I'm pitiful.

Here is Tootsie attempting to put together the bather. 

"TEAM BATH" minus the photographer (me)

Cute little munchkin! (her umbilical cord hadn't fallen off yet-hence the black thing in her belly button).

Rub-A-Dub-Dub!



Hanging On!

Getting all dried off and bundled up

Holding Tootsie's arm...so sweet!

All clean, comfy, and cozy!





Moriah is Here!

Ok, so most of you know this already, but Moriah Grace Allen arrived last Thursday, January 20th at 12:29pm. She weighed 6 lbs and 14 oz and was 19 inches long. I checked into the hospital about 6:30am and she was here shortly after noon! Let me tell ya, it was fast and furious! Very intense and definitely the most painful and yet gratifying experience ever!

Needless to say we've been a tad bit busy this last week so I haven't had alot of ample time to blog, post pics, text, facebook, etc. I know some people are able to do all that while caring for a newborn, but apparently not me! I was walking around like a zombie for a few days just trying to get a grip! And still do from time to time...nothing like those postpartum hormones! We are adjusting and doing well and enjoying this beautiful gift. I'm going to post a few pics and will continue to get on and post and write some of the details as I have time. However, my first priority is taking good care of this sweet baby girl! : )

Thanks for all of your prayers and well wishes! We are very blessed and grateful!

Here she is fresh out of the "oven" (yikes-she's gonna hate me for this one day-this definitely won't be one for the "wedding slide show" haha)

Here we are looking at this beautiful answered prayer and blessing!

Getting all scrubbed up...1st few minutes outside the womb!

All bundled up looking precious!

With Tootsie and Pop...Grandchild # 4!

Meeting the big cousins: Brayden, Kyleigh, and Karsyn (you can't tell in this pic, but they had shirts that said "Big Cousin" and Moriah had a onesie on that said "Little Cousin")...they were all so cute!

Kyleigh (the oldest grandchild) and Moriah (the youngest)

Brayden (the only boy!) holding little Moriah...he was being so sweet and careful!

Uncle Ryan and Aunt Shanna

Nurse Tonya holding Moriah...all dressed up and nowhere to go!

More pics coming when I get the chance...gotta get off this thing and feed that sweet girl!

Winter Wonderland

I mentioned last week that we actually had some snow that stuck. Enough, actually, that we got to stay home from school last Monday! (Of course the amount we had would not be enough for a northerner to bat an eye, but around these parts we get mighty worked up about an inch of ice or snow)!

Oh yes, the meteorologists get all antsy and excited (one in particular with the initials Mark Scirto!) and tell everyone to "GO TO THE GROCERY STORE IMMEDIATELY AND GET WATER, FOOD, BATTERY OPERATED RADIOS, AND PIPE COVERS. WE ARE IN FOR A WINTER STORM, FOLKS. PLEASE...PLEASE...STAY OFF THE ROADS! THIS IS GOING TO GET SERIOUS!"

Billy especially gets a kick out of it.

But anyways, here are a few pics I took of the "Big Winter Storm" that hit Tyler last week...it was really pretty!

Here's a picture of the front of our house (I tiptoed my very pregnant self out to the street very carefully to get this one!)

While I was out in the road I figured I'd go ahead and take a pic of the view looking down our street. It was so pretty!



Here's a view looking from our living room at the back patio. Notice the nice bit of snow that's coated the top of the bushes! And covered the grass!

37 Weeks and 3 Days...

***UPDATE: Went to the doctor this afternoon. Baby's heartrate is good, she is growing fine. The doctor chose not to "check my progress" this time. Still the same ole prediction: "It could be anytime." No big news flash there.....Glad Moriah is doing well. Will continue to wait and see what happens.

Well, I owe an apology to the three of you who read this blog! I was supposed to post this Friday when I was 37 weeks exactly, but was busy doing important things like watching a movie and eating CiCi's with the Azleway boys, and then walking around the mall many times. I wasn't at the computer in other words. As for this weekend, I have no excuse. I just haven't gotten on and posted.

So here's the highlights from Week 37:

Pregnancy Highlights from WEEK 37:

How Far Along: 37 Weeks and 3 days
Size of baby: According to "the book," Baby is supposed to be 6 1/3 lbs this week and a little over 19 inches long. Time will tell. (hopefully sooner than later).

Maternity Clothes: Pretty much all I wear is maternity. I was able to manage to get a pair of non-maternity tights on this weekend which was quite a feat.

Gender: It's still a girl!!! Moriah Grace Allen

Movement: She is still moving well and prefers the right side of my tummy for some reason.

Sleep: I slept pretty good this week

What I miss: Being able to pick things off the floor, put on my own socks and shoes, being more comfortable, having more mobility, but I'm not complaining!
Cravings: I've continued with chocolate this week, as well as a new favorite: oranges!Symptoms: Lots more Braxton Hicks contractions starting Friday, some dizziness at times when I stand up too fast

Best Moment this week: The shower our work friends gave us at Azleway Wednesday, the shower that my CBC friends gave me Saturday, and watching a parenting dvd with Billy yesterday all snuggled up on the couch!

I have an appointment this afternoon and I'm very anxious to see what the heck is going on in there! Oh, if she would just send me over to the hospital! (But trust me, I'm not counting on it!). Will be in touch....

Taming the Technology Monster

A couple years ago. my Aunt Lisa introduced me to "Love and Logic," a company with awesome materials for parents. They have stuff for small kids all the way up to older teenagers. Billy and I have used many of their techniques with our foster kids, and we really like Love and Logic's approach to discipline. It is just full of "gems" that help reduce the stress of parenting and help the child take responsibility for their actions. We've found it works for "regular" kids and kids with more emotional/behavioral issues like the ones we've worked with. I am by no means a "Love and Logic guru," but try to incorporate different things I learn from them here and there. Now if I could just learn what to do with an infant!

I receive an email newsletter from them every now and then and thought I might share some of the info on my blog from time to time for those of you who are parents yourselves, work with kids, or are just curious. This week's newsletter was called "Taming The Techology Monster:" Enjoy!....

Do you ever feel like your child's cell phone, MP3 player, game console or computer has taken over your home? While these devices can be wonderful tools for communication, learning, and healthy enjoyment, they can also become dark and destructive without the necessary parental supervision and limits. Listed below are a few examples of the enforceable limits we, as parents, can provide:

• You may have your computer in the living room, not in your room.

• You may be on the internet as long as I'm allowed to review your internet history.

• Feel free to have a cell phone as long as you can pay for the service.

• You may keep your cell phone as long as you are not using it during meals, at church, while driving, etc.

• I've encouraged your teachers to keep any cell phones they find you using during class.

• I allow kids to use technology in my home as long as I feel that they are being respectful and responsible.

• I immediately donate to charity any devices used to view or send pornography.

• I report any illegal electronic activities to the police, even when the person involved is my child.

While we can't control what our kids do when they are away from home, we can set good, solid limits when they're under our roofs. If they complain, "You don't trust me!" reply, "I don't even trust myself. Lots of really good people get in trouble with technology. That's why I always make sure that your dad knows what I'm doing on my computer, too."

Hurry Up and Wait...

Thanks to some snow, we got the day off school today. It was so beautiful! (especially beautiful watching from the window inside the warmth of our house by the cozy fire). That's how I prefer to enjoy cold weather!

I was supposed to have a doctor's appointment tomorrrow (Tuesday), but decided since I had the day off work I would call and check to see if perhaps she had an opening today so that I wouldn't have to leave work early tomorrow. Sure enough she had an opening this afternoon and they fit me right in!

Well, the news was pretty much the same ole song and dance...."You could have the baby anytime. It could be tomorrow or 10 days from now or anywhere in between..." As of my appointment today, I am "almost" 2 cm dilated, 80% effaced, and my bag of water is apparently hovering right at my cervix. So close, in fact, that she was afraid she might break it if she wasn't careful....nevertheless, I could stay like this for days or go very soon. Grrrrr! This suspense is killing me!

So, it's hurry up and wait once again. I'm glad I've got work to keep my mind occupied! Billy and I both are so anxious to meet this girl! Until then, I'm just reminding myself to trust in HIS perfect timing! I'm headed to bed soon...have a great week!

36 Weeks!

Who would've thought when I was in the hospital four weeks ago having contractions that I would've made it to 36 weeks!? Thank you LORD!

Of course they warn you and warn you to prepare because "she could come anytime," so we've been mentally prepared for her to come for weeks now! But now that I'm 36 weeks she's still not here! Every day I wonder, "Will this be the day?" but then it doesn't happen. We will just wait and see when she decides to make her debut. I'm so thankful she's had extra time to "cook." But I'm also getting really anxious to finally meet her!

Pregnancy Highlights from WEEK 36:

How Far Along: 36 Weeks
Size of baby: According to "the book," Baby is supposed to be almost 6 lbs this week and 18 1/2 inches long. We'll see.

Maternity Clothes: Pretty much all I wear is maternity.

Gender: It's still a girl!!! Moriah Grace Allen

Movement: She was apparently holding a womb aerobics class last night. She moved and danced and kicked and did all sorts of things. And she continues to stick her butt or something into the "air" (my uterus wall) on the right side of my tummy.
Sleep: Sleep is getting harder and less comfortable. And Billy says I've been doing more snoring! : (
What I miss: Being more comfortable in my sleep, having more mobility, but I'm not complaining!
Cravings:Spicy things, chips, and chocolate!
Symptoms: Still sporadic contractions, dilated a little
Best Moment this week: Feeling her move SO much last night after a date night with Billy, and just being so excited for her to get here! Especially knowing she's had another week to develop!

Our Deepest Fear

Here's an awesome quote that I recently shared with several of my guidance classes at Azleway. "Our Deepest Fear" was featured in the movie "Coach Carter" which stars Samuel L. Jackson. When I heard it I thought it was so true, and I really wanted the boys to see the clip of the boy quoting it in the movie....Something to think about!



Our Deepest Fear 

by Marianne Williamson

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”