Little fishy

We had a great trip to Hawaii -- much different than previous vacations there, but still wonderful. Frank and JC's wedding was beautiful.

Estelle is an amazingly good baby -- she didn't cry once on the flight out (8 hours is tough for the adults, let alone a 6-month old), and slept the whole way back. She was a trooper through some long days and late nights with family dinners and wedding activities.

She absolutely loved the water...and why wouldn't she? She is a Bass, after all!

A big thanks to Patrick, Molly and PJ, who all helped out watching Estelle to give us a break to golf, dance and relax on the beach!

"Cheeks" and cheers!

Congrats to Uncle Frank and Auntie JC who got married in Chicago this weekend! Estelle was an incredibly good girl the whole weekend. Though on the drive back she decided she'd had just about enough of the car once we got to Madison, so we stayed at Amy's house overnight. Thank goodness for friends! Estelle met her great grandma Mary and her auntie PJ this weekend, who affectionately dubbed her "Cheeks." PJ also put the orchid in Estelle's dark brown hair that is newly growing in.

We had a lovely time at the #1 wedding...on to #2 in Hawaii!

With my grandmas

Estelle is such a lucky girl to have both of her grandmas to cuddle and play with her.

Just about done

We hope to move Estelle into her home in 2-3 weeks...we can't wait!

My first Christmas

The best part of Christmas for the Bass family is breakfast in our pajamas on Christmas morning at Grandma Vonnie's house (even when we come from our own house we stay in our pjs!). We missed Uncle Eddie this year, because he loves breakfast and makes a mean scrambled egg.

Christmas Eve

We had a nice dinner on Christmas Eve at Grandma Vonnie's house. Patrick, Molly, Frank and JC, and great aunt Peg all came over too. Fun! Estelle has had a cold though so we took it easy and stayed out of the dominoes game.

Down south

Estelle got to meet her little cousin, Charles Heath, last weekend when we all trekked down to Mississippi to visit Eddie and Angie. Heath is 2 mos. old and is the cutest little pork chop! It was quite the adventure for grandma and mommy to make the trip with Regina, Darien, Estelle, luggage and 2 car seats, but we made it. We were pooped when we got back but not quite as tired as Daddy, though for very different reasons...he went to Vegas for Uncle Frank's bachelor party over the same weekend. We won't be posting any of those pictures...

Happy, Happy Thanksgiving!

Estelle had a great thanksgiving. No turkey for her this year, but it was still a wonderful time with family. Here she is with her great auntie Julie, who has been doing a wonderful job taking care of her when mom works. (Julie said Estelle called her the night before to be sure they wore matching outfits...)

A special day

Today was Estelle's baptism, and we were blessed to have family share the day with us. Our priest, Father Kevin, makes the sacrament so special for the babies and parents. We are grateful to be a part of a loving church community that welcomed Estelle so warmly! We are also thankful that Uncle Frank and Auntie JC came all the way from Chicago to be Estelle's godparents.

Gaining and growing

Two common sightings around our house -- Estelle asleep in the vibrating chair and eating "under the blanket." Estelle had her two month check-up recently and landed in the 85th percentile for weight at 12 lbs, 4 oz., and 95th percentile for height at 24 in. Dad's hoping that's a good sign that she'll be very tall (all the better for playing basketball, of course). For now, it just means that she's a good eater!

House update

Another shot of changes to the house...we can't wait until it's done! It looks like we're on track to be back in by the holidays.

Growing

Estelle is getting more independent every day. She's started to enjoy sitting in her chair or swing while daddy cooks or mommy showers or eats. She's growing so quickly and has already outgrown some of her 3 mo.-size clothes.

She'll flash a momentary, but big smile when talked to now. She's also started to "talk," to which mommy babbles back, "Oh my...really? That's terribly interesting. Tell me more about that!"

Transformation

Exciting changes occurring at our house...in more ways than one.

My favorite spot

I love sleeping on my dad's chest, and he's not shy about saying he loves having me there. I think it's his favorite spot too.

My first bath

Coming home...sort of

Here I am coming home from the hospital. We're remodeling our house right now, so we're staying with Grandma Vonnie for a few months. It makes for cozy quarters, but it's great to have so many people to hold and rock me...even my big cousin, Darien.

My first visitors

Friends and family came to see me at the hospital. Here are photos of a few of them...

My Birth Day!

Mom and dad were so happy to meet me. It was a beautiful birth, even though it wasn't quite the way they had planned. Dad was so sure I was a boy, so he was shocked when I came out. When he took me to the family waiting room, he announced, "Estelle Marie is in the house!"

My labor and delivery

Mom and dad did everything they could to bring me into the world drug-free -- they labored for 34 hours with no meds. But in the end mom's cervix wouldn't dilate, so I was delivered by cesarean section. Here are a few photos of their journey.

They couldn't have worked so hard without the preparation and instruction from their Bradley Birthing Method teacher, Joann Petersen, and their doula, Rita Johnston. They are grateful to both!

Ready for the world

Little did mom know that I was getting ready to start labor a few hours later. This really was mom at her biggest. Holy cow! (And I don't mean that figuratively...)