Five for Friday: My Wish List

Getting into this pregnancy I've begun to think about products that might be useful. I have most of the "baby" things (highchair, crib, car seat, etc.) that I need. But, I've discovered some neat things that might prove handy after the baby comes. 

These bumpy labels will be my our first purchase after the ultra sound. Once we know the gender I'll order a package of these with the baby's name on them.  They are great for the church nursery. Especially when there is more than one kid with the same type bottle/sippy cup. 

I just saw this little thing called the Tag-Along. I've been debating this double stroller . But, I already have a Graco stroller that matches our car seat. I'd hate to not use it. And we have an umbrella stroller...and a jogging stroller...I just don't think I want to purchase/store another stroller. I'll have to keep thinking about this one. I wonder if the tag along will hook on to a shopping cart?

Speaking of strollers/car seats. What about these mesh "bug screens?" Since we will spend time outside (ie: have nice weather and a two-year-old) when this baby comes, I want to protect the infant. 

I also think I want one of these Cooshee Boosters for our big boy. 

 The new baby won't need the high chair for a while, so I have time to shop around. 

While I'm wishing, why not wish big! 

How about this nice video monitor. The monitor we use now is just fine. It is a 13-year-old hand-me-down, but works for us. I would probably rest more easily with a video feed of the infant. (especially with our split floor plan...save me a trip across the house in the night) We have some friends who said we could have theirs when they are done, but their baby will be exactly a year when ours is born. I wonder if they will be ready to part with it then? (or 3 months from then when we move the baby to the crib, perhaps)

I would love to hear from those of you who've made the one-to-two transition...are there any FABULOUS products out there that I should know about? 

Any input I shouldn't live without? 

Growth Chart

I recently created another craft idea I saw on Pinterest. I actually "made it my own" using a few different ideas. 

I didn't take any "before" pictures, but just imagine a very plain straight-from-the-lumber-yard piece of plywood and you can imagine it for yourself.

Here is the after.

After I decided on a layout.

After I painted and sharpied.

After I kept Jonah out of the middle of all of it!

I used foam letters to spell out that quote I found. 

I used a fancy metal yard stick, fancy ink pen/marker, and a plain sharpie for the lines. 

I hung it so that the bottom was 18 inches from the floor, to ensure that the "2ft" mark was in the correct place. 

I plan to always use that orange marker for Jonah. Then, if we have any other children I'll choose a different color for each of them. In 20 years we will have a very colorfully filled  height chart that can move to any house in which we might live. 

James Andrew Atkins

As I mentioned the other day, Jonathan and I went to visit Daniel and Riss. 

We had a really fun visit with them. We just hung out, went for a walk, and ate some really good food. Typical for one of our gatherings. Oh, wait, that walk...I should say more about that walk. You see, Riss was a couple of days overdue with that sweet baby. I'd teased her about packing a bag and walking to the hospital, so that by the time she got there she'd be in labor! Well, we went for a walk around a nearby lake instead. Jonathan kept wanting to go further, but there was seemingly no end in sight. So, we talked him into turning around...and since no water had broken...I guess Jonathan thought there should be some sort of awkward water situation, so he stepped into a huge mud puddle that covered his foot up to the ankle. 

We went on about our visit-as-usual. 

Jonathan and I were planning to return home first thing (if 9am can be called first thing) Sunday morning. Then we got the phone call. It was Daniel. She was in labor...and had been at the hospital since 1am. (he also alerted me to a text message he'd sent much earlier which read: 'the water broke we are going to the hospital riss says to say thanks')

I have never before been in the waiting room of the hospital when a new baby has been born. There was a lot of anticipation. You see, my sister-in-law decided to go the old-fashioned route and NOT find out the gender of the baby she carried. I have known a handful of people who have made that choice and it is always SUCH fun when the baby is born to finally find out! (makes the pre-planning a bear, but totally worth it in the end) So, there we sat in the waiting room, going back and forth with reasons we could believe it was a boy, or a girl.  Each time the big door opened we were all on alert to see if it was Daniel. When he did come through the door...declaring that Baby James was here...it was THE SWEETEST thing! 

I loved being there for that moment.

Auntie Amy and Uncle Jonathan 

This is right after he told us the news...that is my i'm-so-excited-i-can-hardly-stand-it face. 

And here is baby James. 

James Andrew

8lbs. 5 oz. 23 inches

 Sunday, November 13, 2011

10:45am

Did you see that length? I don't know that I've ever heard of a baby being that long...at least not one that came out of a mama who is barely over 5 ft. tall!! His legs are nearly as long as his mama's already!

He had quite the time getting out into the world. The Dr. used the phrase "tight fit" and there was a vacuum involved. The tight fit is believed to have caused him to have what was discovered to be an acute phemothorax (air between the lungs and rib cage). He came out gasping a bit. Shortly after birth he was transferred to another hospital with a NICU. They took care of the problem easily, but he has to stay there through the duration of antibiotics. 

This is very hard on his mom (and dad, i'm sure). 

They are totally in love with the new guy! I am so happy for them and for our family.

Where I'm From

I saw this done on MarytheKay's blog today and was prompted to do the same. 

Here is the original template.

Where I'm From

I am from a long dirt driveway. Where leaving meant "going to town" and to go home was to "head for the hill." On that same hill is the barn my daddy built where the Ford tractor lives. 

I am from the brick house and wide front porch where the wind chimes jingle and birds gather.

I am from the home-grown garden that provided many summer (as well as a few winter) meals. From the house where the scent of wood smoke and baked goods is forever etched into the walls. (only to be marred by the occasional dead mouse in wall near the hall bathroom)

I am from a life-long value that Sunday is church and family day. A day when Grandma and Grandpa came for lunch and honked the horn on the way home.

I am from family game nights when Daddy's team was the one to beat.

I am from "hard work builds character," "don't stop until the job is done," and "always keep both hands busy." From heads bowed in thanks to God for each meal, every blessing, and the hardships too.

I am from the time I FINALLY got my little sister back for all her childhood shenanigans against me, the dog we buried in the back yard, and the volleyball net that stayed up all summer long.

I am from the home movies that played on a reel, the stack of photos in the laundry room cabinet, and the Olan Mills photos framed in the living room. 

I am from a family of four...ever expanding...ever loving.