Lots of big happenings

Using the blanket Grandma Tina made...

Tadd actually sniffed her head while she was laying like this on the living room floor.  He's curious about her, but not enough to really be a threat.

The first bath...boy, was she mad!  She did not like it at all.  You'll notice that the oxygen tube is gone!  Yay!

She calmed down as soon as I wrapped her up in this great hooded towel one of the first grade teachers made.

Enjoying one of the many uses of my new boppy pillow.  This thing is a miraculous invention!

She's actually staring intently at my nursing cover-up, which is in a great black and white pattern.  They say in some magazines I was reading that at this age babies only see in black and white, so black and white patterns are especially intriguing.  She's trying to figure it out.

A visit from Grandma Judy

Judy came to visit for a few days.  Boy was I ever thankful for her help.  As a result, we have lots of food in the freezer and all my spring cleaning has been done.  

My favorites so far...

"Okay, not only are my clothes way too big for me, but so is this darn swing.  I sure do like sleeping in it though, despite the neck cramp I wake up with." -Raeann

Someone tell me she does not look like Mike.  She's been spending more and more time awake, sometimes at two in the morning, but this happened to be a blessed afternoon.

I love this picture for two reasons.  Yay, I look somewhat skinny again!  And oh, look how beautiful she is when she sleeps. :)

Hold your horses...

Pictures of Raeann are in hot demand.  Believe it or not, I don't carry the camera around with me, but to satisfy everybody, here's a few more pictures.

I think this is the Superman look.

You can see how little she really is.  

All bundled up.

Eyes open.

Baby Raeann

Our new pride and joy, and a surprise at 3 weeks early!  She was 5 lbs and 8.5 oz and 18 inches long.  She was just early enough to need a small amount of extra attention so you'll notice an NG tube and oxygen.  She is doing very well though.  When I say she was a surprise I mean not only was she 3 weeks early, but she was born only four hours after the first sign of a contraction.  It was fast!  

Here is proud mama Cali!  She was happy that Raeann had some nice hair :)

Here is a close up of Daddy's little sweet heart.  New grandparents eat your heart out :)

First baby shower

The elementary staff threw me a baby shower today.  I was very adamant about making sure that I only got things I really needed and many of them were considerate of that.  You know, people can go crazy when it comes to buying for babies.  I either got homemade things, things off my registry, or gift cards, so I was very grateful.  This is a picture of two of the other second grade teachers.  I feel like I'm much bigger than I look in this picture.

The good stuff...of course, I didn't have much of this, but everyone else seemed to enjoy it.

The gifts...

Mike was able to skip on over from the high school and join us.  I was so happy he could be there!

My mom conspired with my friend Claire and sent gifts from both herself and my Grandma Pat for me to open at the shower.  I was so confused when I opened Grandma's card.  I couldn't figure out which staff member would sign the card "Grandma Pat."  Another second grade teacher clued me in.  This is the adorable jumper she sent me.

Opening Mom's gift.  Yes, I know my eyes are closed, but this is the only picture of me opening gifts where you can sorta see how pregnant I really am.

A blanket from Mom...

This beautiful quilt was made by one of the third grade teachers.  It goes perfectly with the colors in the nursery.

Okay, so new rule for all you blanket-makers.  No more blankets!  My basket in the nursery is full, and this does not include the one on the back of the glider, the one in the crib, or the one in the bottom drawer of the dresser.

I thought I would include a picture of the latest piece of furniture to enter our nursery, the glider chair.  It's really comfortable and I think it will be incredibly necessary at the wee hours of the morning.

Pushing, stretching, and pulling

I'm not looking all that enthusiastic here because I'm in pain!  The baby is pushing, stretching, and laying against the middle of my belly constantly, making it feel like I have a strip of pulled muscles through the middle of my stomach.  My nurse practicioner says that's normal.  We have a baby that likes to be up front and center, I guess.  Yes, I'm ornery.  Pregnancy is not as beautiful as everyone says it is.  7 more weeks...