Can you believe it?

Maggie is almost 2 months old!  We went for her two month visit (and shots) today.  Here are her stats:

                         Birth                                                                  Two Months Old
Weight:       7 pounds, 11 ounces                            11 pounds, 8 ounces (60th percentile)
Height:       20.25 inches long                                 23.75 inches long (90th percentile)
Eyes:                Blue                                                                        Still Blue

Brent and I are still head over heels in love.  She is becoming more and more fun with each new day.  She loves to spend her day playing in her crib, laying on her play mat, watching Baby Einstein, and going for long walks.  Her favorite thing to do is to lay in bed with Brent and me while Brent shines the flashlight on the ceiling and makes designs.  She is captivated by the contrast of darkness and light! 

Maggie has also received a few hats over the last few weeks.  Check her out!  

By the way, I just asked Brent if he was the one who wrote, "Subscribe via email and we'll make your wildest dreams come true" in the righthand corner of the blog.  I felt sure this account had been hacked.  But, Brent chuckled and informed me that he had indeed posted this.  Brent might be able to make your wildest dreams come true, but I am not willing to make that promise.  Lord, please help Maggie (and me)!

4 Weeks In.........

I know we are a little biased, but we are just thrilled to have Maggie here.  Brent walks around telling her how beautiful she is and I just can't stop holding her.  We are so thankful she is so healthy (she's already gained almost 2 pounds and has grown over an inch).  Brent is convinced that she is learning how to smile...I don't think it is a conscious movement yet, but who knows.  Maybe she just loves her dad so much that she only smiles at him (this is his theory). 
As far as our "new life," Brent and I just thought we were ready for Maggie's arrival.  We had her room ready (she has yet to sleep in it), plenty of diapers (we've already bought more), an abundance of adorable clothes (most of which she can't wear), and the car seat installed.  Little did we know, we weren't prepared at all for the sleep deprivation, crying, and many diaper changes each day.  But, we are getting into more of a routine.  We thought we could make Maggie conform to our schedule, but in these early weeks, it doesn't quite work that way.  Now we know and life is getting better.

Brent and I also celebrated our five year anniversary on Friday.  We ventured out to a real restaurant with Maggie (our first trip)!  And, it was a success!!!  We even braved a second restaurant this weekend and still a success.  Life finally feels as though it is returning to a "new" normal.

A few funny happenings from the past few weeks:

• When burping Maggie, Brent covers his ENTIRE chest with a blanket and tucks it into the collar of his shirt to prevent any spit up from getting on his clothes.  He had a bad experience during the first week we were home.
• During Maggie's first bath, a salesman came to the door.  When Brent answered the door, the guy asked him, "Are your parents home?"  Needless to say, Brent didn't buy the product.
• Brent and I have become "those people."  I found a trick to remove baby poop stains from clothes - you just wet the clothes and put them in direct sunlight (it really does work).  But, this also means our deck often has clothes and blankets hanging on it.  I know, I'm embarrassed, but at least the clothes are stain free and they only stay out there for about an hour.  That's not too terrible...is it?

More pictures... Hope you are all doing well - we send our love. 

Brent, Kelly, & Maggie (and Petey too :))

 Twelve Days Old...

Maggie vs. Me

 Maggie almost 4 weeks old

We're home...we're healthy...and we're oh so happy!

We are so happy to be home from the hospital and to have Maggie in this world.  Brent is absolutely head over heels and I'm a little smitten myself.  I now understand how people think their children are perfect...having Maggie has certainly given me some perspective on this matter.

Maggie was born Tuesday, May 17th at 1:30 pm.  She weighed in at 7 pounds and 11 ounces and was 20 inches long.  She has light blond hair, blue eyes (although we suspect these will change to brown), LONG legs (wonder who she gets these from?), and the prettiest little lips you've ever seen.

Check out the pictures below and a link with a fun little movie.  Thank you so much for the well wishes and many prayers.  We were truly blessed on Tuesday with her safe arrival, my healthy delivery, and the love of our family.

Margaret Lynn Reese

Maggie's First Bath

The new and improved Reese Family

My mom, Maggie, and me

How can you look at this picture and not just smile?  Brent is still walking around looking like this!

Just click on the arrow to view video

DUH!

I don't know what I was thinking....the latest update (that I forgot to mention) is that they are inducing next Tuesday, May 17th if she hasn't arrived before then.  In all of my haste to put up pictures of the nursery and update you on Brent's "doings," we forgot Maggie's new birth date!!!!  What kind of parents are we going to be? (If you subscribe, you'll probably wind up getting another email that the blog has been updated.  I'm sorry!)

Oh, Maggie!

Well, it appears Maggie is going to be a little more stubborn than we all realized.  Here it is, her expected birth day, and she has missed her own party.  Brent and I are (obviously) anxiously awaiting her arrival.  I went to the doctor today and am still only 1 centimeter dilated.  That makes for 6 weeks in a row!  Much as I have tried to hurry this process along, Maggie is setting the pace.  One would have thought that walking 16 miles over the past 5 days would have done something...but, nada.

Anyway, Brent is enjoying the extension on "his deal."  The longer Maggie holds out, the more often he gets steak and weekly desserts.  Brent is walking around here like a mother hen - worrying and fussing over me (I'll confess it is a little nice).  I'm not allowed to go exercising by myself, carry up the laundry basket (although he still "allows" me to wash, fold, and put up laundry), or carry in groceries.  I better enjoy it while it lasts!

If we have any new developments, we'll be sure to post them, but don't hold your breath!

Much love to you all!

___________________________
Brent here...just wanted to add a little update on my "deal." I have officially burnt one of my bonus bucks. I only got two during the settlement so it was really hard to pull the trigger. After lots of thought and research, I used it to purchase a set of wireless headphones! Now I can watch TV and movies, rock out to some tunes,or play video games with the volume as loud as I want it and as late as I want to do it! And the best part is, there is no cord for anyone to trip over and they sound great. They only arrived this afternoon and take 16 hours to fully charge up...so I haven't actually tried them for a long period, but I am sure I will love them.

Maggie missed her birthday and her room was all ready.  See below.

We know Maggie is spelled with an "M," but this toy box was built for me by my grandfather and my dad just refinished it to match Maggie's room. 

Whoa, Baby!

Sorry for the delay...we have been busy, but I've also just been a little slack.  No new news to report, still holding steady at 1 centimeter and 50% effaced (this makes 3 weeks in a row).  I go back to the doctor on Wednesday and we'll see the status then.  Brent and I have the hospital bag (mostly) packed  and we're going to get the car seat base in the car this week.  I'm still planning to work for at least two more weeks, but it all depends on what Miss Maggie decides.


Updates on other things:

• We're still having weekly steak nights (we had turkey breasts one night - I thought it was pork when I bought it, and Brent agreed to eat it instead of steak, but he was forgiving once I realized my mistake).
• Brent also permitted his Easter basket to suffice for the weekly dessert this week (you read correctly...an almost 30 year old man did receive an Easter basket this morning filled with Cadbury eggs, peanut butter cups, a chocolate bunny, etc).
• And, it is with great shame that I confess to most recent childish play.  Brent and I have spent the past week playing with the video baby monitor system.  I will admit we have spied on each other and the dog - we're having way too  much fun with the baby monitor.  

I think that is just about it.  Hope all is well in everyone's world and we'll be in touch.

I'm including pictures from the past two weeks just so you can see how much bigger Maggie has gotten within a week's time.  She is supposedly about 19 - 20 inches long and between 6 and 6 and a half pounds by now.  And, yes, the belly button has popped (weeks ago). 

Week 36

Week 37

We're ready...we think...maybe...

Well, Brent and I are officially counting down the weeks.  I am 35 weeks today and finally feel like we are "ready" for Maggie to come.  After weeks of working at night and on weekends, our "to-do" list has been reduced considerably.

I went to the doctor today and the baby is now headed in the right direction!  The good news is, this reduces my chances of having a C-section.  She also said I have dilated 1 centimeter.  So, she said this doesn't really change my due date, but it does mean "the process" has started.  I had an appointment in two weeks, but they have rescheduled it for next week.  My hope is to return to work after Spring Break (that will be in two weeks).  I think we still have plenty of time, but maybe, just maybe, she will be here a little earlier than expected.   

On a side note, Brent and I received a package from Amazon for diapers.  We are soooo appreciative, but don't know who to thank.  The package just says, "Ship to Kelly Reese," but there isn't a sender or a purchaser.  If you know who might have sent these, please let us know.  We feel really bad that we haven't said thank you to the generous gift giver!

Settlement news:  I have kept my promise regarding steak dinners and desserts.  I did have a minor mishap with the Key Lime pie this week.  I tried to make it "healthy" and let's just say it was more like Key Lime pudding.  Brent, being the wonderful husband he is, has been eating his "pudding" without complaint.  I promised no more "healthy" versions.  

Hope everyone is doing well!

The picture below is from last week, we've haven't had time to take one yet, but we think you'll get the gist.  

Last week (Week 34)