While Evie sleeps...

Evie, being a newborn, sleeps close to 90% of her day... awake only to feed and sometimes she even does this while sleeping. We take full advantage of her naps by taking naps of our own but have also found a few hobbies to dabble in... one being gardening.

As seen in a previous post, we did cut a small garden in our backyard this past fall. While the night cold is still too harsh for planting outside, seeds have begun to sprout indoors. Tomato (in the background) and Cucumber (just starting to come up) seedlings pictured below.

We also have a good size flower bed in the front yard that has Tulips starting to pop up. Soon additional flowers will be planted to keep the tulips company and mulch added to choke out the weeds.

Rosemary and Sage did well through the Winter but look forward to the Spring.

Tiny Hands and Feet

Little Miss Evie,
That tiny little finger above is the one that you have your Daddy and Mommy wrapped rather tightly around. Over the past week you have brought burp rags and pacifiers into our lives, words into our daily conversation such as "poopy diaper", and so much love and joy into our hearts. You are one special little girl and I can't wait to watch you grow up. However, don't grow up too fast because we are enjoying you so very much right now.

Some fun pictures from the past few days:

Girl Time with Mom

Hangin' out with Mommy's dear friend, Aunt Laura.

Um...Can you say "Daddy's Little Girl"?

Hold that head up high!

Sweet Baby

Baby Feet

Out and About

Slowly but surely my mom and dad are gaining the confidence to get out of the house with me. Here's a little bit of what I've done the past couple of days:

Here comes Mike and Melissa pushing the baby carriage...
We went for a short, but productive walk in the neighborhood yesterday. Got to see some neighbors. Got to watch Mom and Dad figure out this massive contraption that carries my little bitty self. It was fun getting the stroller out the front door, down the little step; it was sunny so the little hood went up, then they put it down to see me, then it got windy, so they put it up again... First timers, so much fun!

Today was my first doctor's visit. Mom and Dad got me there on time, fed and clean and I pretty much slept through the entire adventure. I think they were o.k. with that. The doctor said I 'm doing very well. My weight was 7lb 10oz so I've surpassed my birth weight by 2 whole ounces. The doctor was very encouraging to Mom and Dad and I think that just maybe he put Mom a little at ease with this new role as parents.

Me getting ready to go to the doctor
Me coming home from the doctor. (Looks like the same picture minus the hat, huh?)

I was so good at the doctor's office that Dad bought me some fun new girly outfits. I'm sure those will make their debut in an upcoming post.

And then some other fun shots from yesterday.

My chicky bottom. (Dad says this is the only time I'm allowed to wear clothes that draw attention to my rear.)

Mommy Sugars

Tummy Time with Dad

That's it for now. Mom's sitting in typing this for me and I'm getting a little hungry, so she's gotta go.
Love,
Evie

Life is a Fashion Show

This post is dedicated to my Aunt Amanda who lives far away in California and requests more pictures on a daily basis. We love you Aunt Amanda!

Froggy Feet
Pretty pink hair bow.

Polka Dot Hat and yummy finger


Strawberry Shortcake


Whew! I know this only a few pictures, but as you can see, I'm a little worn out from all my wardrobe changes. I'll make sure Mom and Dad keep the pictures rollin' in.

Love,
Evie

Bye Bye Hospital!

Melissa and Evie were officially released from the hospital and we came home on Saturday afternoon - a very special Valentines gift for both Melissa and I. Saturday is also Gerry's birthday (Melissa's Dad)... Evie was just a great gift for everyone.

Melissa's parents set a new time record for driving from Seadrift to Fort Worth and were such a wonderful help in the transition from the hospital to the house with our new daughter. I think they really enjoyed the time with their first grandaughter.

Very proud and happy Grandmas!

Getting ready for the trip home... dressed in her Valentines Day outfit!

Here come Melissa and Evie!

Here we go!

Pink... a newborn baby girl's favorite color.

Day One...

Well, we've made it this far... Evie and Mom have spent the day visiting, eating and resting - doing each very well.

Birthday Visitors

"It's a GIRL!!!"

"oooo, can I hold her... ooo, ooo, is it my turn to hold her?"

"I'm buying her lots of pink stuff tomorrow..."
...the first remarks of those who were cheering Evie into the world yesterday :)

Welcome Evie!

Please join us in welcoming Evelyne Celeste Morrow... Evie.

Born at 5:56pm - February 12th, 2009 - 7.8lbs 19.5inches.

Mom and baby are doing well. Your thoughts and prayers are so very much appreciated.

Due Date

Well, today is the due date for Baby M. Melissa slept well last night only waking once during the night. We were both awake before 5 am and ready to see what the day would hold for us. I had yesterday off to go on a doctors visit and take care of things around the house.

As I was attempting to leave for work a little early this morning, Melissa kindly interrupted my commute with a phone call to come home. She had her first 'good' contraction this morning at 7:47 am and we called the doctor's office just before 9 am.

Doctor's office advised us to head to the hospital and get checked out. Upon being checked out at the hospital we found that Melissa's water had broken and they admitted her. Contractions have been regular for the past hour and it appears we will be having a baby real soon now.

Here we go!

The Waiting Game

Thursday marks the "official" due date for Baby M to make his or her debut into this world. I am ready. Mike is ready. The Grandparents are all ready. The Aunts and Uncles and Friends are all ready. Even the Doctor is amazed that Baby has not come. But yet, we still wait.
In the meantime, I walk. We went for a good 2 mile walk this afternoon. Perhaps that will stimulate some contractions. Mike even offered to let me mow the yard this afternoon to see if that would start up anything. However, I declined and worked around the house.
Even though it is a long and tiring wait, I know it will be so worth it when we do get to meet Baby. But for now, I'm going to go wait some more.

Homework Assignment

I did not go to work yesterday due to the fact that I'm 9+ months pregnant and on Tuesdays/Thursdays I work with small children. While it is rewarding to help at Mother's Day Out, it's absolutely exhausting. So, Mike said I could stay home, but I had to post a new blog. Well, here it is... 4:30am on Friday Morning and I can't sleep, so I blog. (sorry my assignment is a little late, honey)

This ninth month of pregnancy has brought on a whole new meaning to the concept of waiting. The month of January felt like the longest month of the entire pregnancy. And this first week of February has felt like an eternity. However, I know that waiting never takes place without good reason. Just like in Psalms David wrote, "I waited patiently for the Lord and He heard my cry".
I can't say that I have waited patiently this week, but I have definitely cried out to Him. "Please Lord, let it be today!" I know He hears my and Mike's requests to have this baby soon, but we also understand that it's not under our control. Two things in life that we will never be able to predict: the timing of natural birth and natural death.
But alas, I find myself typing this at 4:30am, experiencing those never-ending "practice contractions" and crying out "Please Lord, let it be today!"

We had another fun experience last night at a small Bible study that we have started attending recently. It's mainly young couples and we're doing a study on marriage. The first week there were two of us ladies in attendance who were expecting and one other couple announced that they were pregnant. Then just last night two more couples announced they are expecting as well. Needless to say there was much joy and excitement in the air. It was fun to talk to the three girls who are all about a month or two pregnant. There I was, about to pop, and remembering back with them to the days of morning sickness and the thoughts of, "Oh, my clothes are getting too tight...". Now my concerns rest on "wake-you-up-in-the-middle-of-the-night-severe-heartburn" and "oh, my maternity clothes are getting too tight". It's such a beautiful journey!
In all seriousness though, I hope Mike and I can be a help and encouragement to those couples who are beginning this amazing adventure. In the same way that the women in my life (and many random strangers) have helped me through this with encouragement and advice, I hope that my experience will render some twinkle of encouragement for their own pregnancy joys and woes (in an un-intrusive way, of course). Mike has had these same encouraging thoughts and words from other men and we both cherish learning about others' experiences.

Unfortunately, sitting up and typing this blog did not put me back into sleep mode. (While it may put some readers into sleep mode...) Hopefully my wonderful husband will give me an A on this assignment and not take off points for it being late. And maybe...just maybe... we will welcome Baby M into the world today....(or tomorrow...or Sunday...), but today works for me!

It's Almost Time!

Tomorrow (1/22/09) will be the 37 week mark for Baby M and he/she will technically be considered "fullterm". I can't wait for that moment when I call Mike, either in the middle of the night or on the phone at work, and say "It's time!". However, I'm a little scared that I won't know exactly when "It's time!". But all of you experienced Moms out there have assured me that "You'll Know!", so I'm hanging on to that advice.

A few indicators that the end is drawing near:

*I am officially waddling. I went for a walk (waddle) at lunch today because everyone says to walk, walk, walk! Being the winter months, sometimes we have to walk, walk, walk around Target, Lowes or Wal-Mart.

*One of the kids at preschool yesterday looked up at me and said, "Mrs. Melissa, why is your belly SO BIG?" None of the kids have asked me this until now. When I asked him if he knew why it was so big, he thought for a moment and replied... "it must be from all that water you drink!"

*I haven't had more than 2 hours of consecutive sleep in about 5 weeks.

Nonetheless, we are super excited about Delivery Day. All the parents are ready for the phone call. The hospital bags are packed. Carseat is in the car. And the only thing lacking in the nursery is our little bundle of joy.

I can't wait to post the first picture of Baby M for everyone. Soon!

Little Treasures That Make Life Fun

Over the past few weeks I've discovered some things that make life easier or just more fun. Enjoy the findings:

*Nutella - It may be my new favorite food group. If only it was healthy enough to replace Natural Peanutbutter. Try it if you haven't!

*Mike can trim my hair. I haven't had a haircut since March. Yikes! Sunday morning, I just decided that it was time. I handed Mike the scissors and said, "Trim away". He did a great job. Better that some $20 haircuts I've had in the past.

*There is a fun resale shop less than one mile from my house that sells cheap maternity clothes. I got a brand new pair of 'mommy jeans' for about a tenth of full price. And a cute top. What a hidden treasure! Helps me live by the "never pay full price" rule.

*Starbucks Holiday Espresso Truffle beverage. Liquid Yummy Goodness! I usually don't go for the "fru-fru" coffee drinks at Starbucks. I'm a purist when it comes to coffee. I like it strong with a splash of cream. But this drink is just perfect to satisfy that spontaneous chocolate craving.

*We only have 9 1/2 weeks to go before Baby M's due date! Unbelievable. We just can't wait to meet him/her!

Lack of Sleep and Baby Towels

These days, alot of our spare time around the house has been spent setting up the nursery, washing new clothes, blankets and such and getting the house ready for Baby. Why do mommy and daddy have so much of that spare time? That would be because the nights of eight consecutive hours of sleep are a distant memory.

This past weekend was no different. At about 4:45am on Saturday morning I had tossed and turned enough to wake Mike from his peaceful slumber and he finally asks me if I wanted to get up and go watch TV. With that we travel downstairs with pillows and blankets and camp out on the couch to watch early morning infomercials. So romantic! At about 5:30am I begin to ask about breakfast and by 6:00am we were dressed and seated at a new local breakfast joint not far from the house. Yes, we were the first ones there that morning. It proved to be a rather productive day. Mike completed some projects around the house and I cleaned the house. After visiting with some friends that evening, we both crashed at about midnight.
...Sunday...5:00am...Are you awake? Yes, we were both awake and downstairs watching the early Sunday morning televangelists. What's so interesting about this particular morning is that one would think if we woke up THAT early... surely we could make it to Sunday School by 10:00am. But, no.
Check out the converstion that made us late:

Mike: "Sweetie, do you want to go to the store after church and take some baby returns?"
Melissa: "Sure, there is a bag of things right there."
Mike: "We can't take THIS back...it is TOO CUTE!" (speaking of two baby towels)
Melissa: "Mike, honey, we have four baby towels already and we don't even need that many. The baby will out grow them too fast"
Mike: "But Melissa, we need more than 4 towels for the baby."
...and so the conversation went on to receiving blankets, wash rags, crib sheets...until we were sprinting out the door to get to church.

Fortunately, we received some expert advice from Mike's sister who was very helpful on the matter. I want to hear from some other experienced moms.
What item(s) are absolutely necessary for a new baby?
What item(s) are are a waste of money?

"You could be carrying the next female president!"

These were the wise words of wisdom we received from the self-proclaimed "Pizza Queen" yesterday at lunch. Mike and I decided to treat ourselves and the baby to lunch after church and went to a pizza joint. We walk up to the counter and Mike orders two buffets and two waters. The lady working (who really was very sweet) thought she'd be funny and say..."oops, I almost charged you for three..." Initially, I was not amused but knew that was the cranky pregnant part of me. She then asked when I was due and we told her February, right around Valentine's Day. She notified us that many former presidents were born in February and that we could be carrying the next American President... maybe even the first female President! We both chuckled and said, "Maybe..." as we grabbed our plates and headed towards the buffet.

It was better than our next door neighbor telling me "Wow! You're as big as a house!" on Saturday. Nonetheless, it sparked some fun and interesting lunch conversation for mom-and-dad-to-be. I doubt that a future president of the United States has taken up residence in my uterus, but Mike and I do have high hopes and dreams for our child. Above all, we pray that he or she will know and love Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and have a healthy respect and love for others.

Aside from carrying around future famous people in my "size-of-a-house" belly, Mike and I have been doing some "nesting" and we start our childbirth classes tonight. The time is getting near and we're excited (and a little scared...)