Milestones: Beau's First Christmas

This Christmas was extra special as it was the first Christmas we got to share with our little boy.  We headed to Texas for Christmas Eve to spend the holiday with Billy's parents.  We were fortunate enough to have my parents join us as well as Melinda, Aunt Lizzy, Aunt Robyn and Uncle Marcus.  We all enjoyed ourselves tremendously.  And, now we're really looking forward to next Christmas - you know, when Beau actually has a clue what's really going on! 

Getting ready for Santa on Christmas Eve

Spending time with his Debbie

Joel and Debbie tackling our Christmas dinner

Just hanging out with everyone, being super cute as usual

Meeting Great-Grandmother Brian for the first time

The three WTBs

My Christmas Gift

My lovely husband gave me a wonderful video camera for Christmas. Yes, I realize that it's not Christmas yet and that I have no business opening my Christmas presents this early. But, Billy already got all of his and he figured I could get a lot of use out of my new camera before Friday.

So, here is one of my first clips. The subject was all smiles and giggles before and after I raised the camera to him. However, as soon as that red light started flashing he became stoic. This was one of the few clips I was able to obtain. Hopefully he'll warm up to it before this week is out.

Oh and I apologize in advance for my voice in the background...I know nobody cares to hear me making baby talk.

He's here!

Billy and I welcomed our precious son, William Thomas Brian, III on October 26, 2009 at 6:50 a.m. WTB, or Beau as we call him, weighed 8 pounds and 2 ounces and measured 20 inches in length. He was born with bright blue eyes and a full head of blonde hair (which has mostly fallen out now!)

I realize I'm a little late with the announcement, but the last seven weeks have been pretty crazy. Due to numerous factors, we ended up in the hospital for about one week. Then, of course, we had lots of visitors. And once the visitors slowed down, we wanted to spend as much time with Beau as we could.

But he's a real joy. He's a happy baby - crying only when hungry, wet, tired, or gassy. And, this kid can really get gassy!

It's been so much fun to watch him grow and learn. He's changed SO MUCH in just seven short weeks.

Four weeks Six weeks

We're heading to Montgomery, Texas for Christmas so that he can see his paternal grandparents again. And, it looks like he'll get to meet Grandmother Brian as well.

I'll try to do better keeping everyone posted on his development. Hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas!

Bottles, blankets, and bassinets!

Last weekend my dear friends and sister-in-law hosted a wonderful baby shower for me and Beau. It exceeded all of my expectations. Not only was the shower beautiful (and tasty) we had a fantastic turnout. I am so grateful that all of my friends could make it...especially all the preggos. Including me there were EIGHT pregnant ladies there - one of whom was thirty-eight weeks along and had started feeling contractions that morning!!

Beau and I received such wonderful goodies. But the best part truly was having so many friends and family members there to celebrate with. Thanks to everyone for an amazing party!!

First "Bump" Photo

Ok, well maybe this is the first bump photo I am sharing with anyone. This is me at about 24 weeks. I recently "popped" at around 21 weeks so all my previous bump photos were pretty boring. I looked more like I had one too many donuts in me instead of an actual baby. But, I guess there's no hiding it now!

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All is well over here. The nursery is coming along; the pediatrician has been selected; the heartburn is subsiding (Thank God!) My doctor had told me that the second trimester is the boring part of pregnancy. Thank goodness...I have thoroughly enjoyed this lack of discomfort and annoyance.

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I have, however, discovered that "pregnancy brain" is not a convenient excuse my mommy friends used to rationalize strange behavior or to explain their failure to return my calls. It's very real and it's downright embarrassing. I routinely walk into a room full of purpose only to have forgotten what that purpose is. The clerks at Rouse's Grocery know to be patient with me - I've forgotten my wallet no less than three times. (I've taken to carrying a spare checkbook in the car for such emergencies.) I once panicked when I couldn't put my car into drive, only to discover that I had not actually put the keys in the ignition. Sheesh.

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So, if I forget to return your call, forget to respond to your email, or forget...well...your name, please forgive me. It's nothing personal. It's just this bun in my oven making me slightly crazy.

It's a boy...a BIG boy!

Last week Billy and I went in for the "big" ultrasound. Well, our kiddo is doing great! We got to see the spine, the heart, liver, stomach, etc. And everything is right on target.

We also found out that we are having a baby boy! And he is already taking after his daddy. While I am measuring right on target and my weight gain is appropriate, he is measuring/weighing about two weeks ahead of schedule. We were informed that while he should have weighed between 11 and 15 ounces, our bun was tipping the scales at 1 1/2 pounds! Oh well, did we really expect a petite newborn? No.

But, other than his size, all is well. The ultrasound tech got a real kick out of watching how much he moved for us. We got to see him clench his fist and then stretch out his hand several times. Then he was sucking and swallowing fluid. He also pushed his feet right up against my belly, allowing us to count ten little toes. Before the ultrasound was over he had done a complete flip! He is an active one!

Little Kicks

No, I am not talking about Elaine's dance moves on Seinfeld. I am talking about the moving and groving Baby Brian is doing inside my belly.

I had been waiting to feel that first amazing movement and finally I did...about two weeks ago. But, it was more of a little flutter - so little in fact, it left me doubting that it was Baby Brian vs. a little indigestion!

But, Baby Brian is developing a routine. I feel little kicks around 8am, 4pm, and again around 9pm. (He/she might be moving around during the day, but so am I.) And, these kicks are getting stronger and stronger. I can actually feel them by placing my hand over my belly. Unfortunately, each time this has happened, Billy had been no where near me. I want to see his face when he feels those little kicks.

Anyway, it's been fun and amazing. I described it as a blessing...Billy said it was just his boy throwing bullpens already. (Such a proud papa.)

Bun in the Oven

Yep, Billy and I are expecting Baby Brian this Halloween! I am just over fourteen weeks pregnant and finally feeling good. The first trimester was pretty rough - lots of morning sickness and fatigue. But, I am now experiencing that glorious second trimester spurt of energy!

We've had one ultrasound and heard the heartbeat a few times. All is well. Baby Brian has a strong heartbeat and as of yesterday was a bundle of energy constantly moving around.

I'd post some "baby bump" photos, but the "bump" hasn't quite appeared yet. But, don't worry, it is on its way and pictures will be forthcoming.

Thanks for all the wonderful words of love and encouragement everyone has given us. We're so excited about our new family and happy to share it with all of you.

SNOW!

Our Street

I know, I know...snow...in Mandeville...in early December? Well we wouldn't have believed it either. But, here it is!!

Our humble abode

The Cul de Sac

The Murphster enjoying his first snow!

Making up for lost time

Well, the Brians have been very busy since November. Marcus got married; the Brian Family Christmas helped christen our new home; we spent our first Christmas all together in Montgomery, Texas (thanks to a cancelled flight); Billy and I put some finishing touches on the house; and I accepted a new job. Whew...

The last stand...Marcus' Bachelor Party

Rehearsal Dinner Photos

Thanks to a cancelled flight, Marcus and Robyn were able to spend their first Christmas as a married couple with the Brian family in Texas! Who would have thought we'd be so happy about an airline mistake!?

And finally, two very good looking men.

It's Tool Time

The AMAZING cake

To help celebrate the pending nuptials of the youngest Brian sibling (aka Marcus) Billy and I, with the help of Elizabeth and family, hosted a "Tool Time" shower. Here are some of the pictures from the affair. I'd say the party was a success...seeing as the party started a 3pm and the last guests left at 11:30pm...

The spread...

Murphy waiting for his shot at the spread....

Billy and Marcus

The Proud Parents...

Floor!

The living room...just ignore the copious amounts of dust...

We finally have floor! Last night, with Chad's help, we finished laying the wood floor in the living room and dining room. The wood looks beautiful...but it could stand a good cleaning now - that damn dust won't go away!

We laid the tile in the master bathroom and downstairs bathroom. So now all that's left is the kitchen and the upstairs bath. Then, we have to grout it all. That sounds like fun! (Can you sense the sarcasm???)

More updates later...

Tear down that wall!

Well the wall is down. Marcus came over a last weekend and helped Billy finish tearing down the wall between the kitchen and the sunroom. It was every bit as long a process as we thought it would be. First, we had to tear out all the sheet rock. Then we had to sever the electrical wire (that was fun...and Marcus has a scar to prove it!).

Now you see it... Now you don't!

Next Marcus and Billy built a temporary wall to support the sunroom. Then came the really fun part...actually knocking down the load bearing wall. We were happy to hear...or not hear...any creaking or movement the whole time. Anyway, Marcus and Billy then placed the 12x2 support beams in the new wall and the Robyn and I (yep...we weren't just sitting there looking pretty) helped place the 2x4s to support the new load bearing beams.

All in all it was quite a bit of work...but so worth it! The new space looks TWICE the size and we're so very happy with the result.

On to the floors...