2008 recap

What a year it has been! Just days into the year Chris and I visited my doctor for our first official OB visit. Befor the end of January, we had our first ultrasound and it all became real. Of course, not feeling well and being tired had made it real before we saw our little guy, more like a tadpole at that point. We began to spread the news and began to prepare for the big life change. In March we had what is commonly referred to as the 'big' ultrasound. They check to make sure everything is in the right place but if you want to find out the gender that is your opportunity - we opted to wait.
Pregnancy wasn't the only event in our life. In March, Chris completed his conversion to Catholicism. It was a long process but a very family building event. My family came for the event and so did Chris' mom, brother, and sister-in-law.
In April Chris and I took off for Asheville, North Carolina. We drove to add to the adventure. It was still a little early to take the full advantage of spring but I didn't want to be too pregnant riding in the car. Along the way we stopped in Louisville, KY. Chris and I had visited Lexington in 2006 and tried some of the local bourbons. Driving allowed us to purchase the ones we had liked from our previous trip. Of course Chris was able to enjoy the purchases when we returned to Des Moines. I have only sampled recently. In Asheville, we stayed on the Biltmore Estate visiting the mansion and touring the winery. It wasn't as much fun to only drink grape juice - soon we will have to open one of the bottles of wine we purchased. It was a good trip, a long drive, but great to get away and see different parts of the country.
Travel for my job had naturally slowed down. I had trips in February and then in May. May's trip was to Amelia Island - a nice place to visit if you have to be working. It was also good to see a lot of the people I had worked with the last three years. Knowing there was only a slim chance that I would go back to work, it was nice to see them for what could be the last time - at least professionally. At the end of October when my maternity leave ended, I resigned my position. President of Bagby Family keeps me busy!
Chris' job continues to be busy. He was named Vice President in June. We are both proud of this promotion. He has had some special projects on his team - never a dull moment!
Of course the highlight of our lives arrived in August, it is amazing the little guy we brought home in August now lights up when he sees us, jabbers, 'dances' on his playmat, sticks his toes in his mouth, and is becoming a proficient cereal eater! It is so much fun. We feel truly blessed to have him!

An opportunity arose in the fall to purchase a wooded hunting property. It is 22 acres just south of Osceola. Chris is in heaven and has been scouting the best tree stands to see the most deer. He plans to find the big buck!
What will 2009 bring? We will soon find out! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

4 months old!

Graham was four months old last Saturday. He is really becoming a little person. He will smile back at people and has become very vocal. He has a soft cooing, chatter voice as well as a 'I can be loud' voice. Of course he wouldn't be a baby if he didn't have the 'I am not happy' cry and the 'I am downright mad' cry. He is an active little guy. When on his playmat he will flop his legs around so he scoots around the mat. He also moves quite a bit in his sleep!
Monday was Graham's 4 month appt with the pediatrician. He is 26 inches long which puts him in the 90 percentile. He weighed 15 lbs 9 oz putting him in the 65 percentile and his head was at the 75th percentile. He smiled, jabbered, and showed how active he is. The doctor said that is probably part of the reason he doesn't nap long - he wakes himself up! Mom has new tricks to extend his naps - so far it seems to be helping some. Hopefully it continues! Now if he would sleep longer at night!

Graham is a lot of fun and just warms our hearts. We love to see his personality emerging!

Boy have I been busy!

What a busy week I had last week! I saw all kinds of people. Mommy's friend Sara came over on Sunday - she babysat me a few weeks back. I tried to flirt with her to make sure she would babysit me again. Wednesday Mommy and Daddy loaded me in the truck and I took a long nap. When I woke up we were at Nanny's house in Kansas City. I had been there before but I didn't remember it. Thanksgiving day Uncle Brad and Aunt Lisa, Nan (great grandmother), Great Uncle Doug, and Great Aunt Cheri, and Counsins Dylan and Brandon came to Nanny's house. I entertained them all while sitting in my exersaucer. Sure glad that Mommy and Daddy brought it along. It is so much fun to sit in it!!! Friday we went to Grandpa and Susan's house - once again I did my best to smile and entertain. It is a lot of work though - Daddy and Mommy brought me back home. I was SO tired!

Saturday I saw more family! Grandma was in town. She and Uncle Greg stopped by, then later Aunt Deb, Uncle Tim, and Cousins Sam and Kayla came. Sam, Kayla and I went to Mommy's friend Judy's house. The rest of the family went to Great Aunt Marian and Great Uncle Eldon's anniversary party. Me and Mommy had lunch with Aunt Marian the week before - we had a good time! Anyway Judy took good care of me and I think I was a good boy so hopefully she will watch me again some time. Aunt Deb and family left Sunday. As you can see above, I was just exhausted! Grandma came over Monday to help Mommy and play with me.

Like I said at the beginning - I have been so busy. Beyond all of the people I have seen, I rolled over last week. Now it is old hat - I am an expert tummy to back roller. My other areas of expertise include drooling, jabbering, grabbing things and holding them and standing up when someone holds me. It is just lots of fun at our house!

I got a haircut!

Daddy and Mommy loaded me up in the truck today. The next thing I know I am sitting on Mommy's lap and some lady is spraying water on my hair and playing with it. By the time she quit, I had less hair. I liked my stylishly long hair - all the ladies fussed over it. I thought I looked hip too. If only I didn't have to sit in the carseat - it just makes me hot and my long hair didn't help. To be honest, it upsets me when I get so hot. The haircut was probably a good idea. Anyway here are some pictures from a couple of days ago to show the before and then one of my cut and an after pic. Enjoy!

Love,

Graham

Hippy Baby or Hip Baby

Next week will be a momentus one in Graham's life - he will be getting a hair cut. Mom wants to ensure people think he is a boy and she is also empathetic to the extra insulation it adds to his neck. You might think with cold weather we wouldn't be worried about excess insulation but Graham is a little heater. When we get him out of his carseat he is often radiati.ng heat and the back of his hair is damp - note this is while wearing his outfit of the day, no coat. Poor little guy! Either way he will no longer look like he is growing into a hippy or trying to look like the 'hip' longer haired teens and 20 somethings

Graham continues to get stronger. He likes to be upright. If we are holding him so that he is too reclined he will try to pull himself up more upright. Either that or he is already doing crunches! He is also taking an interest in his exersaucer. He is still on the small side so we are always nearby if he is in the exersaucer.

Napping still isn't Graham's favorite activity but he shows signs he is tired. With some effort, he is coaxed to sleep. Mom keeps hoping that he figures out napping makes him feel better. Grandma just says Graham is like his mother!

More photos will be posted after his haircut, but here are some recent pics.

I am a ham!

I am turning into quite the ham. My smiles are coming quicker. I think it is funny when I am almost asleep and Mommy puts me in my crib for a nap but I wake myself up and smile at her. She has fooled me into staying a sleep some and thinks she will ultimately win the battle. We will see. Mommy took me to vote today. She says it is important - hope you all voted too. I really like to put my hands in my mouth now and end up on my side when I sleep. I did a 180 while napping this morning. Yeah, I am getting to be big stuff. Mommy likes to put me on my stomach and see what I can do. As you can see, I am getting really good at that neck control thing, but haven't quite figured out how to roll onto my back. I sure try. Hope you enjoy the latest pics. I hear you are all fans of my great 'do!

Love,
Graham

Smiley guy

Graham's smiles keep melting Mom and Dad's hearts! Here are some recent pictures showing off his happy face. His upside down smile can be kind of funny sometimes too - as long as it is short-lived. ;) He also likes to kick his legs in the air. Graham is getting stronger all the time. He now lifts his head high and props himself up on his elbows during tummy time. Mommy and Daddy visited some friends that had a baby on Friday - we just couldn't believe that Graham was that small just 2 1/2 months ago. By now he is probably 12.5 lbs - maybe more. There is so much more to him when you pick him up - still lots of fun to snuggle! If he is wide awake he isn't much on snuggling, he wants to be able to see what is going on in the world!

Two months old!

Today Graham is 2 months old. He is changing so much. He had his 2 month check-up today. He is 23 3/4 inches long putting him in the 80 percentile. He weighed 11 lbs 2 oz. It was a big weekend for the little guy. Saturday morning we participated in the Walk to D'Feet ALS. It meant a lot to Mom to have Graham Dennis walking in memory of Grandpa Dennis. Graham's baptism was Sunday so all the grandparents, aunts and uncles, great grandparents and cousins gathered for the special occasion. Graham did quite well. He was willing to show his cute little smile to everyone. He made Mom and Dad proud - sleeping through church and most of his baptism. Once his head was wet, he wasn't happy. I guess with all of his hair, he just doesn't like to get it messed up!

As you can see from the picture he likes the Baby Bjorn. Sometimes when he is trying to go to sleep, it helps him to relax. Friends from Chicago (the Lapp's) sent us a CD with instrumental music of Beattle's songs. Mommy will dance around the living room with Graham in the Baby Bjorn listening to the CD. So far it is Graham's favorite. He has also responded positively to Barry Manilow! ;)

Who does Graham look like?

Everyone asks 'so who does he look like'. Here is a pic of Chris as a baby. Eventually I will add my baby pic but I think it is evident who he looks like - the eyes, nose, and face shape. Graham's hands look exactly the same - big for a little guy! You wouldn't guess I am the mother....

PS - so I added my newborn pic. He might have some of my features - maybe the mouth. Time will tell.

1 month

It is hard to believe that Graham is already one month old! He is already 9 lbs! We are getting him used to going to church. The first week he didn't do that well but this week was better - he slept through half of it! He is starting to smile more too as you can see in the pictures - it just melts Mommy and Daddy's hearts! He went on his first road trip last week to Grandma's house in Sigourney. It went pretty well because he slept both ways! Mom and Dad even went for a ride on the four wheeler. It was fun to have a little time out on the country roads and it was a perfect day for it. Hope you enjoy the pics!

3 weeks old!

Hard to believe that the little guy is three weeks old. Graham is filling out some but he still looks little. On our few trips to the store, people always look in and comment on that 'oh he is just new' or 'he is just a little guy'. Even if he is crying, people still peak in and smile. Funny what babies do to people. He is up to 7 lbs 12 oz. as of 8/26. He is an alert baby - his eyes are often wide open and looking at something intently. It seems he looks at us directly more and more - so cute! He is very snuggly when sleeping or almost asleep. We get a kick out of his expressions - if only I had the camera in arm's reach at all times. Here are a couple of pics for your viewing pleasure.

Graham Dennis Bagby

August 6 Graham Dennis Bagby decided to enter the world at 3:34 p.m. He weighed 7 lbs. 1 oz and was 20 inches long. As you can see from the pics he has lots of hair. Since I didn't have an excessive amount of heartburn, I think the wive's tale is incorrect! Chris and I feel very lucky to have a healthy little boy! Here are some pics for your viewing pleasure!

Update

I am not in labor. Baby is moving around in there apparently quite content. Walking and water aerobics have not spurred anything. The chances of a ruby birthstone are dwindling by the minute....

Your guess is as good as mine

The doctor told us today that I could go into labor anytime but scheduled my appointment for next week. Big revelation, but I guess that is what pregnancy is all about. We have a growth ultrasound next Monday and then he might start talking induction. I am not that interested in being induced so I if he offers to induce me next Tuesday I will try to delay until later in the week. If the baby is getting big then maybe, but time will tell. Currently he estimates it to be 7.5 lbs - from the 'feel test.' We are so ready to meet the baby and see its little face! Chris and I are going to walk every night to encourage it to make its appearance!

37 1/2 weeks

Chris and I have been working on the baby's room this weekend - organizing and putting the finishing touches in the room. We picked up a few things on our registries we need before baby's arrival. One important item was diapers (disposable Mom!). The carseat bases are in both vehicles. We feel about as ready as we will be. I don't know if Baby is ready but probably better for us to be ready in advance of him or her! I copied my latest profile shot and a couple pictures from the room. I am still getting used to this site so the format of my post may not be the best but you will 'get the picture'.

The due date is getting closer

Less than three weeks until Baby Bagby's due date. Of course we all realize that means nothing - it could opt to come early or perhaps it is nice and comfy inside and won't want to come out. Nothing is happening yet to indicate it is getting close - maybe next week the doctor will find the progress has started. We aren't quite ready yet so the baby can stay in there another couple of weeks. The room is almost there and we will have the carseat put in next week. We need to make a few purchases - like diapers - before we will be mostly ready. It is hard to fathom how much our lives are about to change and what this squirmy little thing inside me is going to look like!

All signs at the doctor's office continue to be good. My feet have started to swell some - with the recent heat and this late in the pregnancy I guess it is inevitable!

Not much time left to start the birthday pool - when will this baby arrive and will it be a boy or a girl??

This is getting real

Just over 6 weeks to go and this is getting real! We are excited but also in shock that we will have a baby soon. We just finished birthing classes on Sunday - one more thing that makes it real. We finally got to see the labor floor and the mother-child floor. The rooms are nice and have all of the latest amenities - dvd players, cd players and flat screens - all things that could help pass the time as I labor. I saw the doctor today and all was well! It is always a relief to have a non-eventful appointment. :) No predictions yet on size, but given that my weight gain has been right on and I have measured right on, it appears to be an 'average' size. Who knows!

As the baby moves throughout the day, I can feel the back or head or lots of times a knee or elbow. It is fun to speculate what part it is - if only I could peak inside and see! It definitely doesn't like to be squished!

We have made progress on the babies room and hope to have it decorated in the next couple of weeks. That will be a relief!

More to come in the weeks ahead!

Sharing pregnancy progress

Hello - One of my friends created a blog when she was nearing the end of her pregnancy so people could see her progress and then with baby's arrival -his progress. I thought what a great idea. With just over 8 weeks left (give or take), I thought this is the perfect time to start. Chris and I went to our 4th birthing class today. We (I) practiced pushing. It is getting real. I plan to post a picture of the baby bump tomorrow. I feel huge but people say I am small. We will see what the next 8 weeks bring. Chris and I feel blessed and are getting excited and nervous for Baby B's arrival.