Holiday Visitors

Hope everyone had a wonderful Memorial Day. We had a very nice visit from Alan's parents and brother. Alan and Michael got busy and power washed almost the entire house!! It definitely needed it. We tried to go out to eat; however, fussy baby reared her ugly head. Alan and I took turns waiting in the car with the stinker while everyone finished eating. Oh, well...she can't be perfect all of the time!

On Monday, our best helper arrived-Chloe. She is here to stay with us for the week. We are paying her $.50 for each wet diaper changed and a $1 for every dirty...she has already earned $2.50!! It is worth every penny.

Below are various pictures. Alan snoozing in the rocker after a fussy baby attack (you wouldn't know it to look at her angelic face), Chloe at the balloon festival on Monday, a visit from our favorite twins-Terry and Kristy, and a pic of the whole Walker clan (minus Alan who had the misfortune of going to work.) Enjoy!

Five Years Ago Today

It's hard to believe it, but on this day in 2002, Kim and I were married to each other. It seems like it's been even longer since we've known each other since 1998. It's been a wonderful five years getting to know each other as husband and wife, living together on our own in SC, creating a home of our own, and of course most recently bringing a beautiful child into the world together.

Let me also extend wedding anniversary greetings to Kim's parents, who also share this same wedding day, though a few years (...decades) earlier!

I intended on posting some wedding pictures, but I don't have anything digital right now. We lost the majority of our first year of marriage photos from a failed hard drive, and I haven't gotten around to scanning any (real) photos in yet. As you're reading this, you should ask yourself the question: When was the last time I backed up my important files?? Believe me, it's worth the small effort to protect yourself.
-Alan

One Month Old!

I'm a day late in posting Helen's stats from her one month dr appt. Things have gotten a little busier since she is now staying awake for longer periods of time. Today she finally noticed the mobile over her crib. She stared it at for 30 minutes straight. She also stayed awake for a full 3 hours between feedings this afternoon. ..a new record! Unfortunately, all of this added up to a VERY fussy baby this evening. I think she was over tired and just couldn't let go.

Her one month check-up went great! Everything is tracking normally, and we aren't having any issues. For all who are curious, here are her current stats:

Weight-10 and half pounds--2 pounds up from her birth weight
Length-23.5 inches--2 inches up from birth

Way to go Helen! Keep up the good work :)

I have attached the pics from my weekend in Conyers.

Return to Carolina

Helen and I made it back safe and sound. We had a wonderful trip to Conyers. I was expecting total chaos as there were 7 children in the house; however, it turned out to be quite a pleasure. I truly enjoyed visiting with my Aunt Peggy and my cousins Kay Ann and Patricia.

Helen was an angel. We had no problem driving down. As her eating schedule is every 3 hours, we had just enough time to go from point A to point B before she got fussy. On Sunday, we saw my niece, Elizabeth, in her dance recital-she was fabulous, by the way. We also went to downtown Decatur and enjoyed ice cream and a visit to the park.

As much as I loved being at my childhood home, it was nice to return to South Carolina. I'm happy to report that he completed many of his chores, but let it be documented that he did not finish everything :)

So, tomorrow we are off to the pediatrician for Helen's one month check-up. I'm quite curious as to her weight-Alan and I are both predicting that she will be over 10 pounds.

I'm having trouble posting pics, so enjoy this one of Helen in one of her beautiful dresses...more will follow soon.

Weekend chores

What a busy weekend. I have to report that many chores were completed (per request) while the wife and daughter were away. Yard work was taken care of, light bulbs were changed, the car was cleaned and maintaned, errands were run, other house chores were done, dog sitting of Smooty, and yes I caught up on some rest. I even had to go into work for a little while. But it was a nice weekend overall, and great weather too! It does feel good to get things done, even if it seems like a lot to do. But I know I needed to do things know when I have a chance to.

I'm really looking forward to seeing the ladies return home. I miss them. Dora does, too. She was just looking in on Helen in the crib the other day. Then she quickly went back to watching for birds and squirrels.

Fussy Baby!

Fortunately-or unfortunately-Helen is starting to wake up. This means no more eating and going straight back to sleep. In many ways, it is very exciting to see her starting to notice things. This afternoon I watched in awe as she noticed a mirror I put in her crib. I thought to myself that I could literally watch her for hours. Of course, that was before she got fussy! I still consider her a very good baby-I just have to change my parenting style to suit her needs. As much as I would like, she will not stay on the same schedule everyday.

I've been wondering what I will end up calling Helen. So far, I have mainly referred to her as "the baby." We might call her Helen Kate when she gets a little older. Lately, I have been calling her "ChiChi" as she reminds me of a monchichi. Please see the picture and note the resemblance. I don't think that she will appreciate the fact that I compared her to a pseudo-monkey toy when she gets older, but for now it is quite fitting. What do you think?? Obviously, Helen is lacking the total hair coverage, but the expression is very similar :)

Tomorrow ChiChi and I will be embarking on an incredible journey to Conyers. A big trip all by ourselves. Alan is trying to act sad that we are leaving him behind, but I personally think that he is looking forward to the extra rest he will get. Of course, I've left behind a giant chore list.
-K

Looking around

It was fun to see Helen, maybe for the first time, lifting her head up last night. We've found she is calmer and tends to fall asleep when we lay her, stomach down, on our chest.

Last night, she decided she needed to look around. She lifted that 95 percentile head of hers and pulled away as far as she could (and I would allow), and then twisted around looking about. Probably looking for her Mommy. It was fun to see her do that, since normally she just aimlessly bobbles her head around.

She did it again late last night, as I paced the floor trying to get her to sleep. This time she leaned back, as if in slow motion, then threw her head forward in an awesome sneeze. I guess she didn't mind smacking into my collar bone too much. Then she burped up some dinner and went right to sleep.

Now that's some big excitement for this little one. And we love it.
-A

Bath time!

We had fun with bath time the other night. We used the bath tub this time and really poured the water over her. Helen seemed to enjoy it. It seems like her hair is coming in more (she's looking less bald on top) and getting thick around back. Maybe we'll have to actually use the shampoo next time!

What do you think about Helen in this outfit with dolphins on it? Just because her cousin John Dylan wore it last, doesn't make her look like a boy, does it? Nah!

No, she's not quite standing yet; she just loves to stretch those legs out!

-A

Happy Mother's Day!

I hope all the Moms, Mommys, Mamas, and Mothers have had a wonderful day today. Of course this has been a special day for us, as it was Kim's first Mother's day to celebrate. She was up most of the night taking care of Helen and couldn't quite get back to sleep, so she followed up with a long morning nap and we weren't able to make it to church as planned.

Here is a special video I worked up today. I hope you enjoy...



-Alan

Family Night Out

On Friday evening, the three of us went out to the Greenville Hospital sponsored 5k race. I haven't run much this year at all (been kinda busy), maybe only a handful of times since last Fall, but we always enjoy going to the corporate shield races because it is as much a social event as anything. The race course was absolutely wacky... on the high school track, up a green grassy hill, down a sandy slippery path, across a flat field, run on down the stone sidewalk, hop the high curb, and turn left at the light. Repeat.

In any case, the threatening rain held off until the race was finished. Kim enjoyed surprising people with her hidden wrapped up baby. "You mean there's a baby in there?"

"Aunty" Terry came with us too, and had a great race time. Here's a picture of them in the gym afterwards (when the rain finally did start pouring down). It was fun for Kim to get out of the house and prove (to herself?) that she wasn't constrained by baby.

-Alan

Helen's youngest admirer, Emily

Wrapping up Helen

I've gotten completely obsessed with infant carriers. After receiving my sling from Ellie the other day, I decided that I needed yet another sling for Helen. So, for those keeping count, we have a Snuggli (thanks to my brother Joel), a Baby Bijorn (thanks to my sister Maria), a cradle sling (thanks to Ellie) and now a Moby Wrap (thanks to me). I don't like the carriers because Helen isn't as close to me as I like. I feel like I have to keep one hand on her back which doesn't help with doing chores, etc. The cradle sling is awesome, but currently Helen sits very low and has to curl up into a ball which she doesn't really like. I think it will be great to have, though, when Helen is able to support herself better.

So, with all of that being said, I purchased a Moby Wrap yesterday. It is wonderful! Helen LOVES it. I'm able to wrap her up really tight so that I can have both hands to do housework. As soon as I put her in it, she goes right to sleep. The biggest drawback to the wrap is that it is somewhat hard to take off once you get it on. I purchased it from my natural birth teacher. I immediately wore it out to Babies-R-Us and was completely stared at like an animal in a zoo. I guess people aren't used to seeing such a sight. The other problem with the Moby Wrap is that it makes me appear to be the kind of woman who doesn't shave her underarms. Believe me, I'm not that natural :)

I've added a link to the website of my natural birth instructor. Her business is now growing like crazy. I think everyone has to make their own decision about having a natural delivery or not, but if you do think you would like to try, I strongly encourage taking this class. It doesn't have any hokey pain relief options-like lamaze breathing or visualization. Trust me-when you are in that deep nothing will work!! The class essentially provides education on the labor process with an emphasis on the fact that labor is not a medical procedure. With education, comes power!

Here is a picture of naked Helen all stretched out.
-Kim

Growing like a weed

What's growing like a weed? My backyard. Yes, Helen is growing, too, but of greater concern is the literal neglected growth between the fence posts. I mustered the energy this evening (after a good diaper change session) to tackle the backyard. I decided the 3 foot tall crabgrass needed weedeating to chop it down to a manageable size. I'll have to do the actual mowing of the "grass" another day. I just hope I do a better job of raising Helen, than I did growing the backyard.

On another note, we were fortunate to be visited by Kelli who brought us dinner again! We are very grateful-- Thank you!

-Alan

Back to the Land of the Living

Today I decided to make it my goal to reenter the "land of the living." It's time for me to get out of the house and start doing things again! I was extremely excited to receive my sling today in the mail. Thank you very, very much, Ellie, for the awesome sling! I hate the idea of lugging around the car seat everywhere I go and the infant carriers practically require a PhD in rocket science to figure out how to put on. I'm planning on using the sling all the time. Hopefully, Helen will like it.

I took a few pictures of Helen today as it was the first time I put her in a dress. She doesn't seem to mind it, even though it doesn't give her the full coverage of a sleeper :)

2 weeks down, 18 years to go!

We have officially survived the first two weeks of parenthood! I cannot believe how quickly time is flying by. There was a time when I thought we would never get to this point, but here we are :)

We've had wonderful help this weekend from my parents. My sister, Maria, and nephew, John Dylan, also came to Greenville Saturday night. I remember when little John Dylan was born -now he is a source of constant movement and energy! Dr. and Mrs. Hughes also stopped by on their way back to Conyers. It's a lot of fun to have visitors who share in our joy of Baby Helen! Now, the fun is over. Alan is back to work, and I'll have to find things to occupy myself during the day. On the docket for today-lots of naps and TV watching :)

Weekend Visitors

Helen was pleased to be visited a second time by Papa and Grandmama Johnson. They have come up to visit and have been a great help in starting the vegetable garden and being an extra set of loving hands, especially since I returned to work yesterday. Mr. Johnson has planted many tomato plants and a variety of other vegetables. It will be nice, if not excessive, to have 8 tomato plants for one tomato eater. But I think we know a few friends and family who will enjoy them, as well!

Today was also exciting because Helen had her second doctor visit, and here she is all dressed up to go out. Unbelievably, she has gained a full pound since her last visit, putting her at 8lbs, 13 oz. Remember, she was born at 8.5. No doubt about how well she is eating. We have been very pleased with Parkside Pediatrics. They are just the kind of personal care that we grew up with and expect, but realize from talking to others is really hard to find these days. I have added a link to their website to the right because they have some good information and a great site.

Time is flying by

I know that they say they grow up so quickly, and I don't doubt it all. It's been over a week now since Helen was born (especially because I am recreating last night's posting that somehow disappeared!). Kim and I are in fact doing pretty good... it looks like we're going to make it after all. My illness has passed, and actually Kim fought off a little cough, too. She has an amazing immune system and never seems to get sick. It's a good thing the milk is coming from her.

My classes are finally ended after tonight's final exam. I'll be free from classes and homework until July... a much needed break. That gives me more time for Helen, Kim, Dora, the yard, and me. Probably in that order.

Helen is really a good baby. She sleeps pretty good, as long as we feed her on a regular schedule. We are apparently experiencing what must be a growth spurt-- that, or a gassy baby. She has been fussier the last few days, but Kim fed her every two hours today and she has done well because of it. We hit a major milestone today, as well. We are out of the 'N' size diapers, and started with the '1'. She is growing! That's good, because we didn't buy the newborns sizes in bulk like we did all the others!

Here is a funny picture of Helen showing her "tiny mouth" as Kim calls it. It really makes us laugh for some reason.