Dadda

Dave is on a business trip this week; however, Carly was still able to see him today thanks to technology. Dave now has a new iPad to help him with work and school, but my favorite feature is the camera that allowed us to chat with him right before Carly's bath. She was able to sit in her highchair and talk to her "dadda." We've used Skype to talk to other family members in the past, but this is the first business trip where Dave has been able to chat with Carly.

Dave's posting on Facebook tonight sums it all up - "Just skype'd with Carly and now I miss her more. But I did get some good kisses!"

Dancing with Daddy

Christmas Carols were playing so Carly and I decided to cut loose.

A little Dip


Some Box Step


A bigger dip




Having some fun


And now she is bored of her old man already.

I Have Found My Balance!!

It is funny how quickly life changes. During Carly's 10pm feeding I began thinking about how quickly my life has changed over the past 8 weeks and how I have found my balance. Thinking back, Dave and I left the doctor 8 weeks ago today knowing that Carly would be coming soon and soon enough that they wanted to see me back on Wednesday (if she hadn't come). Back then (because it was sooo long ago) I was a high strung, perfectionist teacher. My life revolved around the students in my classroom and really had since the day I really decided to pursue a career in education. I chose USC because it could offer a 5 year Masters program. I worked at an afterschool and summer program at a local elementary school for over 5 years. I attended workshops in the summer months, got to school at 6:30 (if not earlier) each morning, and only left school before 5 if I had some place I HAD to be... I always brought work home (even over the summer months and long vacations). I checked my school e-mail at least once an hour each evening, just in case a parent sent a message or another teacher e-mailed out a GREAT idea. I graded and planned so much in the evening that Dave bought me a laptop during our first year of marriage so that I could at least sit downstairs with him in the evening.

Throughout my entire pregnancy Dave reminded me that I needed to find balance. That he and Carly would have to come first and school would need to start taking a distant third. I knew deep down this was true, but didn't know how I would ever be able to achieve such balance. During one of the staff meetings I missed due to a doctor's appointment my principal even spoke of how the staff as a whole needed to find balance... (This idea was trying to reach me!)

Well, I'm not working at the moment but I have found balance. I pray that this balance will stay with me as I cherish all of the small moments now with Carly and Dave. Last week I needed to get out of the house early for a hair cut and I just laid in bed listening to Carly breath as she slept on my chest. I knew good and well I could have moved her to the bassinet or over to Dave's chest, but I also knew those were moments I would never be able to get back if I rushed them away. So I just laid there and finally at the last second possible got up to leave. This weekend the three of us ran errands and visited Santa. Eight weeks ago I would have said that I didn't do anything this past weekend because nothing was "monumental;" however, my perception as changed. I did do stuff this weekend, I ran Christmas errands with Dave and Carly, got to see Santa, and even had a pretzel from our favorite pretzel shop along the way. And then tonight before Carly's last feeding a simple game of peek-a-boo entertained Carly, Dave, and I for many minutes. Dave was trying to calm her down from an I'm hungry and tired fussy spell and just began playing to see what would happen (and probably because he was tired of her crying in his ear). This simple act turned into Dave going to get his camera and us all playing together as a family. We not only played peek-a-boo, but we also watched her track the butterfly on the blanket we were using and giggle when I made the butterfly fly around her. Unfortunately, I believe that had something like this happened earlier this school year then I would have been staring at the clock thinking about how much I still needed to accomplish at 9:50 pm, not completely mesmerized by how much fun my daughter was having with her parents.


I truly believe that a nine month sabbatical is truly what the doctor ordered.

Mommy Time

Today Carly and Dave went on their first independent outing together. Dave had some errands he needed to run, and I had some fudge that needed to be made for a party tomorrow night - so he decided to take her with him. It was very cute to watch him prepare for their adventure. He got her small diaper bag and rummaged through it to make sure it was stocked with the necessities and to pull out my wallet, keys, and cell phone (it has become my new purse). He then grabbed a bottle (just in case she got the munchies) and the baby carrier. He got her all settled in the car seat and then asked for help getting out the door. I had to chuckle at watching him try to get everything, since I'm sure I look like a mess trying to get to the car in one trip without letting Jake get out when I'm home during the day and need to run an errand. Once they were both settled into the truck I dashed inside to let Jake back in the house and to start my Christmas baking. Jake travelled through the house in search of Dave and Carly and then came and stared at me in the kitchen. It reminded me of the time Dave had gone to Germany for work and Jake just stared out the window at Dave's truck, and then would run to one of Dave's "usual" spots in the house.

Dave and Carly were gone for just over an hour, but during that time I accomplished SO much. I had forgotten how fast certain chores took when you weren't carrying around a 9+ pound daughter. When they re-entered the house, I had made two batches of fudge, cleaned the kitchen, and was swapping out a loads of laundry. My "mommy time" wasn't super exciting, but I can tell from their faces that Dave and Carly enjoyed their first solo trip! Maybe that means they will continue to have solo trips, and I can have slightly more exciting mommy time.

Feeding Time!

Today was an exciting time for David! He got to feed Carly for the first and second time. The doctors told me that I could begin pumping and feeding Carly with a bottle after 3 weeks. So this afternoon my BIG outing was to Babies 'R Us to buy a pump, giving David the chance to feed her. It was such a fantastic site to see. He diligently prepared her bottle, fed her all 3 ounces, remembered to burp her 1/2 through the feeding and after the feeding, and then grinned from ear to ear once she was finished.


I am so thankful to have a husband who gets so excited about all of Carly's big and little moments and the big and little moments he has with her.

The Little Engine that Could... (Maybe)

We all joke about how babies have it made - eat, pee/poop, sleep, play, and repeat. Life in the uterus I'm sure is very similar; however, recently each night Miss Itty has changed it up a little bit. Last Friday we found out that she is currently breech. If you think about my "bump" as a clock, her head is at 12 and her feet are tucked in nicely at 6. The doctor wasn't worried and said she still had plenty of time to spin herself around. Then this week her attempts to spin around began. I had just gotten into bed and was reading her a Dr. Seuss story when she began moving her head down towards 9 and trying to move her feet up towards 3. She tried, and she tried, and she tried. Eventually after what felt like hours of her trying to use my internal organs as leverage points she gave up. I finally understood the disappointment parents feel when their child isn't successful at a task he/she tries really, really hard at. Then last night after Dave read her another Dr. Seuss book she began trying again. This time though she was trying in the other direction, so her head was moving down towards 3 and her feet were trying really hard to spin towards 9. Dave loved watching all of her movement and was amazed at how much we could see and how she was poking out my belly button. He decided to read her yet another story for encouragement. Unfortunately, she was unsuccessful again - but she did try longer this time. She worked at spinning herself during the entire 2nd story and then continued after he had left the room. We still have time, so maybe if I read her The Little Engine that Could each day she will keep trying to spin her little body.

SURPRISE!!!

Over the past week Dave has been very vague about our weekend plans, which is strange for him - especially since if the sun is shinning we on a weekend, then we go boating. However, yesterday afternoon he came home and said I had to be showered, in my blue dress, with make up on, and my hair blown dry by 1pm today because we had plans. Through yesterday evening and this morning he kept asking me if I had any clue what we were doing at 1pm today, if I was curious, and if I had any guesses. Honestly, I was just feeling bad that I had gotten so relaxed during my summer vacation that my husband felt he needed to tell me to shower, dry my hair, and wear make up. I admit I haven't worn make up regularly this summer, but I have showered and dried my hair almost every day.
So this afternoon we hopped in the car and began driving all over Cornelius. There was road construction on a nearby road, so Dave went into major short cut and back road mode all trying to navigate up towards Davidson. In Cornelius we have this cute, old house that has been restored and turned into a Tea House. They serve a variety of teas and yummy finger foods. He dropped me off by the front door and asked me to wait for him while he parked the car. As we walked into the house I was really beginning to wonder what he was up to, this was not his normal style. He quickly told the hostess we were looking for the Priscella Room, which was when she spilled the beans and said, "Oh, for the baby shower? It is right through there." Dave's glowing face fell as he escorted me into the room. There were 6 ladies/moms from my neighborhood (and a 7th on the way) surrounding a beautifully set table. I quickly found out that 2 of my neighbors had orchestrated this gathering asking for Dave's help with the guest list and in getting me to the Tea House at the appropriate time.
We had a lovely tea time, with Strawberry Green Tea and Apricot Tea and many yummy finger sandwiches and desserts. During our time the other moms shared many stories and a lot of advice, while I told about yesterday's doctor's appointment and described our nursery and Dave's overall excitement during this time. Towards the end of our time I was directed towards a table of gifts. As I opened the gifts many of the moms explained why the items in the bag or basket were "essential". I absolutely loved hearing all of the advice and definitely received many items that I wouldn't have picked up on my own, but totally understand what makes them essential and probably would have sent Dave out for in a panic at some point after Miss Itty arrived.
While this afternoon is technically called a "Baby Shower" I did walk away feeling like it was more of an initiation to the "Mommy Club!" Yes, Baby Orr was showered with gifts, but I was showered with knowledge and essentials and got to spend time with 7 women in my neighborhood who will help me out as I navigate this new path into the mommyhood world.

Daddy - Daughter Time

Dave has enjoyed reading a variety of books each night to my belly. This began in June when a classroom parent gave me the book, Oh, Baby, the Places You Will Go! A book to be read in utero. While reading this story Dave was able to feel Miss Itty for the first time. He has really enjoyed reading to her each night he is home and watching my belly for her reaction to the story. By watching her reaction each time we have concluded that she likes to have stories read to her, but she really likes the rhythm of Dr. Seuss.

Dave's fascination of watching and feeling her move has also led him to give my belly zurberts, poke it, or give it small "baby quakes". This week Miss Itty has been a lot more responsive to this play time. On Tuesday he would give my belly a zurbert and she would immediately kick or punch the area. This continued for a few moments and Dave left the room in a strut like any proud father would. Last night he attempted to listen for her heartbeat, I had read recently that soon he should be able to hear her heartbeat as she got into position and she became more cramped for room. Unfortunately he wasn't able to hear that heartbeat, but he did get a nice kick or punch in the face by his daughter. Again he was the proud father who rejoiced in this play time and put his ear back on my belly to wait for her to hit again. Of course Dave was not left disappointed and quickly felt a little thud.

This week of Dave being home each evening and watching this daddy-daughter time has been wonderful; however, I think it may impairing their ability to sleep. They both seem to be wide awake after this time - Dave goes off to play on his computer or to catch up on missed TV from his time in Indiana and Miss Itty continues to swim and move around.

And the building continues...

Tonight Dave and I built the Play Yard (Chicco's version of a Pack 'N Play) from my parents. Dave reminded me of a young boy on Christmas morning. He very quickly ripped open the box and pulled out the play yard. It was neatly packaged in the travel container (which not all of the parts will ever go back neatly into this bag again). The frame came out first and was opened up, like a petite tailgating tent. Then pieces were snapped in, rings with animals were hung, parts were zipped together, and using the directions only once we had a Play Yard/Changing Table/Bassinet all in one. It was quite an adventure and made us realize that Miss Itty will be here in less than 3 months...

Jake even entered the room to watch.

Happy Birthday David!

David celebrated his 28th birthday yesterday!! The day started with me getting up early to help out our neighbors and David not leaving for work until 9, he claims he wasn't feeling the early wake up on his birthday - I think he wanted to hear me say HAPPY BIRTHDAY again. :-) After he left for work I began working on his birthday cake. David requested a giant chocolate cupcake using the pan Julia had given me for Christmas. He also requested that the giant cupcake have white icing on the bottom and chocolate icing for its top. Slowly throughout the day the cupcake began to take shape.







Finally when David got home from work around 5, the kitchen was clean and the cake was ready. A very eager birthday boy was ready to eat his cake and open his birthday present and cards. We began his celebration with cards, gifts, and cake, and then continued the celebration at Tenders (a local fast food restaurant), a trip to Lowe's and Home Depot to research gas grills, and ending with an evening boat ride.

HE-HE-WHOO... HE-HE-WHOO..

Well we have now completed the hospital's child birthing class!! Unfortunately our accomplishment came with no graduation or certificate, but we did learn a lot during our time and had some fun while doing it.

On Friday evening the instructor mentioned that there would be 30 people (15 couples) participating in the class, so things would get tight. Luckily not everyone showed up and we had more room than was first anticipated. Which turns out to be a good thing when 1/2 of the participants in the room feel like over sized blimps and 2 of them wishing they would POP at any moment to rid themselves of their current discomfort. This first evening was rather slow and the group sat there like bumps on a log just trying to take in all of the information and wondering when the emphasis "birthing video" would be shown. Finally around 9:00 we learned that we would watch the first portion, showing stage 1 of labor and would actually see stage 2 of labor (delivery) on Saturday morning, after of course we had all had time for our breakfast to settle down.

On Saturday we began with a Q/A session and our instructor was trying to wake us all up. Her sense of humor really began to show and helped lead up to the climax in the video we were all anticipating and dreading. Finally after our short morning break it was time for the viewing to resume. Everyone watched, prepared to be grossed out or frightened to no end. Then it was done and a classmate commented about how this was nothing like the famous tape they showed high schoolers during the sex education unit. This was the beginning of a relaxed rest of the day. Our instructor taught us many relaxation techniques and massage positions (which sent the class into chuckles), and had a 10 minute tangent about the show "I Didn't Know I was Pregnant." It was very humorous to listen to her discuss how the girls/women on this show were either uneducated or in denial the entire time they were pregnant and how we won't be so dumb to miss the signs of labor (a common fear that we would miss the signs and end up delivering in some random, non-hospital location) since we had recognized the obvious that we were pregnant and knew a due date was in our future.

While we didn't learn Lamaze like many used to learn and I assumed we would learn, we did have a more enjoyable time than expected.

Project Nursery!

Day 1 (Monday night after leaving Seabrook and visiting with Mimi) - We began our remodel adventure with a trip to Big Bit'z for dinner followed by a shopping trip to Lowes. After getting the necessary supplies we were back home to begin clearing out the room. While clearing out the room Dave realized two items we forgot to pick up at Lowes - so off to Home Depot we went. Upon returning home he began to spackle some irregularities in the wall and sanded some areas I had spackled last week.



Our excitement led into a 9pm decision to start painting the ceiling. So off to Wal-mart I went to get a rolling pan (yet another thing we seem to have forgotten or thought we had at home and of course after 9 Wal-mart is the only option). While driving home with the rolling pan an anxious daddy-to-be called asking how my trip was going and informed me that he had finished cutting in the entire ceiling. (I was only gone for about 30 minutes total.) So at around 9:40 Dave began rolling on the ceiling pant.


The finished ceiling!!