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...)