Happy Birthday Em

Ok-this might be the only picture you will see of me so enjoy. This is the nurse midwife that delivered Em. She was wonderful and made labor & delivery such a wonderful experience for all of us. Thank you Terri!

Visitors

Here are some of Em's visitors that came to welcome her into this world.



I just love the look on J's face.

Peaches received special treatment too, she had her hair done.

EG pictures

I haven't come up with a suitable name for the new baby...so EG will have to work for now. Enjoy the pics!

Emory

Well, she's here. Emory Grey Roberts, 7 lbs 11 oz; 21 inches long, born at 5:53 pm on 4/22/10. We've got a bunch of pictures, but guess who's got the camera...and guess who's at home trying to take a shower and posting on FB, blogs, e-mail, etc?

We're at LMC, room 224. Visitors are good to come between 10am and 7pm...chances are the whole family will be there, as we've taken Peaches out of school. She stayed in the labor and delivery room almost the whole time yesterday...what a great kid! The only time she left was when she had to go out to cry...presumably from happiness. She wasn't watching until the head made it's appearance....then she was really interested! She wasn't all that into holding her...M was wiggling a bit, and Peaches said, "She's just newborn! I don't want to hold her while she wiggling!" Plus, M's 1/2 as tall as Peaches.

Thanks to all who've helped out...you know who you are. We should be home by late Saturday pm.

Monkey Business

On Saturday we took Peaches to see a production of Junie B. Jones and a Little Monkey Business. One of my insured's is Columbia Children's Theatre (which we love, love, love)....so we try to go see their productions as often as we can (and to support them because they are a non-profit org). This one was especially appropriate since Junie's mom is having a DUMB b-a-b-y! When the baby is born Junie thinks the DUMB b-a-b-y is a monkey because that is what her grandmother told her (well, she said the baby was as cute as a monkey but Junie heard differently). Junie goes to show and tell at school and tells her whole class that her baby brother is a monkey.

We enjoyed it so much and the woman that played Junie was hilarious. They could not have picked a better actress for this part. Very entertaining and funny, we had a great time. And if you are wondering.............Peaches doesn't think her sister will be a monkey!

38 Weeks

I am 2cm dilated and 60% effaced. The midwife says that the baby weighs about 7-7 1/2 pounds. Maybe we will meet Emory this weekend.

37 Weeks

Peaches and I at 37 Weeks. If you look closely you will see that my feet are two different sizes. I have no idea why. On this particular day I came home from work with purple feet and my legs double their size. I was not happy. I guess this post should be titled 37 Weeks Unhappy.

On a perkier note, John installed a ceiling fan in the nursery, we put some beautiful planters on our porch, Peaches was a huge help around the house, and a wonderful friend dropped off some yummy Chocolate Pound Cake. OH-we tried the new Chocolate milkshakes at Zaxby's and the were better than Chic-Fil-A's shakes. A must try!

Monkey Business

Beautiful Macaw at Monkey Business
Cameron and Peaches on their tiny kiddie Farris Wheel (which broke so they had to get off).
Peaches and Connor on the Farris Wheel before it broke and before Connor decided he wanted off.
Peaches on their huge Fiberglass Slide. AWESOME!
John with the kids on their imitation tea cups minus the tea and cup.
The coolest Zebra carousel that Cameron rode for an hour!!
We had a blast and it was the BEST $6.41 we spent all year (ok $7.41 if you count the soda John bought). There were other rides too, plus bounce houses, snack bar, and video games (which if you look hard enough you will find Brad Temple in the background playing one).

37 Weeks

I had my 37 Week check up today. I am right on track. Measuring where I need to be, babies head is down, heart rate is good, my blood pressure and iron are good and weight is good. We had miscalculated so as of today I have only gained a total of 24 pounds-not the 33 I had thought. I am excited about that. The midwife expects that I will deliver next week. We shall see!

Peaches FIRST Blog Post

Facts in 4s

Facts about Peaches (she answered all of the questions herself)!

4 shows I like to watch:
1. Hannah Montanna
2. Jonas
3. I Carly
4. Phineas and Ferb

4 things I'm passionate about.
1. Watching TV
2. Not going to school!
3. Playing the Punch Buggy game
4. Playing my Nintendo D.S

4 phrases I say a lot:
1. What does that mean?
2. Just kidding
3. Where's my allowance
4. Are we almost there?

4 things I have learned from the past:
1. Not to lie to mom and dad
2. Take care of your pets
3. To obey your mom and dad
4. Be nice to others

4 places I would like to go:
1. Disney World
2. The mall
3. Myrtle Beach
4. Tryon, NC

4 Things I did yesterday:
1. Slept until 9:30
2. Watched The Blind Side
3. Went to Wal-Mart
4. Helped mom and dad cook

4 Things I'm looking forward to:
1. Going to Disney World some day
2. Waiting for Emory Roberts to be born
3. Having a good time every day
4. Losing my first tooth

4 Things I love about winter:
1. Christmas
2. Getting toys and candy
3. Drinking hot chocolate
4. Stand by the fire place and get warm

4 Things on my wish list:
1. For me to lose a tooth
2. Going to Disney World
3. Getting a $1,000
4. To have a flat screen TV in my bedroom

That's all! The end!

Facts in 4s

Facts in 4s

Facts about Laura in 4's:

4 shows I like to watch:
1. 7th Heaven Reruns
2. Trauma, Life in the ER
3. Diner, Drive-Ins and Dives
4. Anything on Food Network or HGTV

4 things I'm passionate about:
1. My family
2. Friends
3. Nursery
4. Work

4 phrases I say a lot:
1. What do you want?
2. No
3. I understand (it's a work thing when dealing with unruly clients)
4. Gotcha

4 things I have learned from the past:
1. Save your money for a rainy day
2. Don't lie (mom will always know the truth)
3. Take care of your teeth (you'll have them the rest of your life)
4. Wear clean underwear (in case you get in an accident)


4 places I would like to go:
1. Disney World (again)
2. Great Wolf Lodge
3. Mountains
4. Scotland

4 Things I did yesterday:
1. Went to Target
2. Went grocery shopping
3. Got food ready for Easter dinner
4. Rested, rested, rested & then rested

4 Things I'm looking forward to:
1. Being home for 9 weeks with the new baby
2. Taking Peaches out of daycare for 9 weeks (to spend time with us after school)
3. Family coming down after baby is born
4. Feet and legs NOT swelling

4 Things I love about winter:
1. The smell of firewood burning in the chimney
2. The smell of turkey cooking in the oven on Christmas morning
3. Being with my family in VA
4. Drinking hot chocolate

4 Things on my wish list:
1. A new minivan
2. A bigger house
3. Being skinny
4. Peaches losing her first tooth

Sibling & Delivery

John and I are preparing ourselves for the fact that Peaches may have to come to the hospital with us and be there for L&D (Labor & Delivery). She may end up spending the entire time there with us. Just in case, the hospital made her take a Sibling & Delivery class to prepare her for what she may see...........so last night she spend almost 2 hours with a doula. The doula showed Peaches an L&D room, a post pardum room, the nursery, let her play with the bed and look at all the cool stuff inside the cabinets and drawers. Peaches got to wear a mask, mesh hat and gloves and eat ice chips just like mommies do when they are in labor. The doula also showed her (via an illustrated book) what happens during labor (step by step). It was very graphic but she didn't freak out. They got to practice having contractions and pretending their hands were the cervix (very funny to see that). Peaches hasn't asked any questions yet but I am sure they are coming. We had a good time in class and we are glad the hospital required her to take it.

Facts in 4s

Since Laura will only do baby and baby stuff updates, it's fallen to me to provide entertainment for the masses of folks that follow our blog. Thusly, I present "Facts about El Rakeman, in 4s":

Facts about me in 4's:

4 shows I like to watch:
1. 24
2. Justified
3. Human Target
4. Supernatural

4 things I'm passionate about:
1. Firearms
2. Motorcycles
3. The Girls
4. Freedom

4 phrases I say a lot:
1. That's just crazy
2. Funk that
3. Holla! (Peaches hates when I say this)
4. More cowbell!

4 things I have learned from the past:
1. Don't underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups
2. It takes time for the awesomeness of teenagers to show...but I don't have patience for that
3. The 80s were AWESOME!
4. A fool and his money are soon parted.

4 places I would like to go:
1. Ireland
2. Australia
3. Temple Square in Salt Lake
4. Any Moto GP race

4 Things I did yesterday:
1. Took a stupid online training course...an hour of my life that I'll never get back.
2. Rode the motorcycle
3. Sang at the top of my lungs in traffic
4. Ate at Waffle House

4 Things I'm looking forward to:
1. Myrtle Beach Bike Week (really, Myrtle Beach Bike MONTH)
2. Bringing forth the newest spawn
3. The Expendables and The Losers (movies)
4. Spring Glock

4 Things I love about winter:
1. The last day of winter...before spring
2. The last day of winter...before spring
3. The last day of winter...before spring
4. The last day of winter...before spring

4 Things on my wish list:
1. For the pollen to just get it over with
2. A new rifle...I'd even take a not so new rifle
3. More time to ride
4. 4 more wishes

4 Friends to tag:
1. Yeah, right....Ok...Kevin, Brad, Drew and Scott. Like that'll happen.