Theo's 2 months old

Theo turned 2 months old on Tuesday.  Time flies.  We had our big weigh-in at his 2 month well baby visit.  We've been very curious about his weight ever since he gained a whole pound in his 2nd week.  The verdict is 13 lbs 4 ozs.  We're so proud!  What a good eater.  We took him on a hike at Tryon Creek State Park the next day and he showed his pensive, thoughtful side in the car seat on the way there.  Then his silly happy side in his bouncy seat at lunch.

First vacation!

Mom and Dad took Theo and our dog Lucy to the beach at Twin Rocks for three nights at the beginning of March. 






Although it was a little hard digesting the reality that when we go on vacation, we still have to be parents and do all the hard stuff, we had a spectacular time relaxing with walks on the beach, contemplating the sea and sharing that beauty with Theo.  We all had a blast, but Lucy probably enjoyed it the most, of course!  I enjoyed watching the beauty of the constantly changing colors of the sky, rocks, and sea as the weather evolved and time passed each day from morning to night.  We think Theo even looked at the ocean some, though we're not sure what it looked like to his still developing eyes.   Most of our walks he spent sleeping, looking at the sky, or at Mom or Dad.  We felt so lucky to spend some time all together as a family relaxing and enjoying  such a beautiful place.

Theo's first smiles

Its been hard finding the time to keep this up to date - so many more important ways to be spending our time right now!  Here's a little of what happened in February during Theo's fourth through sevenths weeks in the world...

Theo at about 4 weeks - he LOVES looking at the windows, blinds open 

or not, from his diaper changing table!

Theo visited with his future BFF Skyeler - here are the happy moms and their sweet babes.

Grandma Betsy came for a visit and did lots of baby sitting.  Alexis and Matt got to have th

eir first date without the baby and had a great time going out to dinner, enjoying a belated celebration of their 15 year anniversary.

Theo grew by leaps and bounds during February.  Here he is at about 5 and a half weeks - compare the way he fills out this 3 month outfit to when he wore it just one month earlier (see Theo's first 2 weeks pictures below).

Mom and Dad catch some of Theo's first really good smiles on camera at 6 weeks.  We're having so much fun with him!

The family settles in

Theo's a hit with the grandparents

Theo's first two weeks

Theo Edward Clarke Nelson is born January 10, 2009

    

  

 

39 Weeks in a Winter Storm

We don't even know what to hope for today!  Winter storm 2008 is officially in day 8.  In the last 24 hours, we've had 8 inches of snow followed by a nice coat of ice to make the tree branches look like lacy wonders.  I've been having prelabor contractions for a week and a half, and progressive early labor style contractions on and off since Monday.  Matt and I are feeling good today, but it has been a trying week.  Half trapped by the weather, half thinking the baby's coming any minute.  Labor spells keeps getting more intense, then passing.  Fortunately, all the labor is still doing important work, and when the real day comes I'll be all the readier for it.  Matt has been patiently caring for my needs for food, lovingly tending to me during labor spells, valiantly getting chains on the car in case we have to go to the hospital, and thoughtfully clearing the porch and sidewalks for me to safely walk along.  What a lucky pregnant lady I am.  We patiently wait and wonder at the marvel of mother nature's ways, outside and in, and trust that she, my body, and our little person know the right time to be born.  Happy solstice all!

nesting... Alexis Style

While most women spend their last month crocheting or knitting something for their baby, Alexis has been busy using her power tools to ready the baby's room.  A little chop saw, a little drill and tons of hammering, of course.  ah yes, that nesting instinct manifests a bit differently in all women.  That's all for now.  Less than a month to go.....

34 Weeks

Six weeks to go, give or take a couple, and Matt and I are getting really excited to meet our little dude!  He's making his presence all the more known, as you can well see in the latest photo!  Last night he was at his most active, doing a little upside-down dance in my abdomen, punching away, keeping me awake for the first time.  He's gotten the hiccups 3 or 4 times now, and with his penchant for punching over kicking, he's become quite the pugilist.  He likes to hang out on my right side, his little bottom sticking out making me look all lop-sided.  There's almost always a little knee or elbow poking out to touch around my belly button, but the best times are the wiggling and rolling earthquakes that I can just lie back and watch, a new person squirming inside my belly waiting to be born. Aside from a couple of complaints and the need to keep slowing down and getting more rest, I'm really enjoying my pregnancy and the closeness and mysterious love I feel with this little guy. At the same time, I can't wait to meet him!  I'm so looking forward to spending my winter with Matt and our baby, cosily and quietly enjoying our new love.