Wednesday, May 28, 2008

last week of maternity leave

Teagan turned 5 wks old this week and we celebrated with lunch at Tyson's with daddy, and some new photos with her buddy Tadpole the frog. I will try to take some consecutive pictures with Tadpole so everyone can see how much T is growing.

Teagan on the couch


T reaching for Tadpole


T and Tadpole best buds

Monday, May 26, 2008

Vanessa's Graduation

I have to start this with Teagan's one month photo because she was such a big girl and took her first plane trip this weekend. Her new tricks are that she has started to giggle. I have only seen it a handful of times, but it can make your whole day. She also has started to notice things around her. She spent some time on her play mat today looking and playing with the hanging toys.

One month old, and proud of it


Teagan's expression says it all: "Who is this crazy person that is always holding me." - that would be me



After getting some packing advice on how and what to pack from my sister (who is a pro of traveling with little ones) the flight down was a breeze and Teagan was great.

Proud picture of Teagan at the end of her first flight



We were greeted at the airport by Luis's smiling face. It has been almost a year since we have seen him and Stanley (way to long.) We had our first experience of putting Teagan's car seat into a new car and it didn't take too long, I was actually impressed with the speed considering how long it took me to get it into our car initially. When we went back to the house we got to meet Stanley and Luis's son Elliot for the first time. He was well worth the wait. He was absolutely a doll, is so social and has the best smile and infectious laugh.
Elliot


Luis got his first present from Teagan after holding her...some puke to compliment the design on his T-shirt.



After a change of clothes for everyone we had lunch and headed down to New College of Florida in Sarasota for the graduation ceremony.

Elliot with Luis


The new family photo: Elliot, Luis and Stanley


Amy under the graduation tent



Mom, Teagan and I at graduation (I was excited to see in the program another Teagan graduating in Vanessa's class)


The campus is gorgeous and right on the water. See for yourself how pretty the setting was. I can see why Vanessa had such a great time at school.





Vanessa looked gorgeous and was all smiles as she walked in the processional.



The speakers were good and then it was Vanessa's turn to get her diploma and walk across the stage.



After the ceremony we headed back to the house and Vanessa stayed on campus for her last night in the college dorm before packing up and heading back up to Virginia.

Everyone got a sample of upset Teagan as her mom forgot to bring a bottle for the ride home. With this whole new mom thing I learn something new everyday. The next morning the little ones were nice enough to sleep in a touch so we went for a late breakfast/lunch at Bob Evan and ate a feast.

The gang at Bob Evans


Elliot with his yummy cheerio container


Then we spent some time hanging out and getting some errands done. We got back to the house and after some naps and relaxing on their porch we were treated to a fantastic meal by the two chefs Stanley and Luis. We had crawfish chowder which was delicious, fried Yucca, and sausage on the grill.

Mom and Teagan on the porch relaxing in a rocking chair


After dinner Stanley and Amy bravely volunteered to watch Teagan and Elliott and the rest of us were off to try our luck at the Hard Rock Casino. We had some fun gambling and I must say that I did leave a winner. Vanessa, Amy and Keyvan left early Sunday morning for their drive back to VA, and on Sunday the rest of us went to the Tampa Zoo. Craig and I love going to the zoo on any trip and this was no exception.

Craig with Teagan at the zoo


At this Zoo you were able to feed the giraffes. I couldn't believe how close you could get so we had to take a picture.



We learned that the kids were probably a little too young to get the full enjoyment from the animals (Teagan 1 month and Elliot 15 months), but the adults had fun. We then went to Ybor city. We started with some appetizers at the Columbia restaurant a historic Cuban restaurant where the pretty setting rivals the great food, then we got to do some window shopping before heading home.

We had a great time and again had no trouble with Teagan on the flight home. As always I wish we had gotten to visit longer, but I must say arriving in Virginia with sunny 80 degree weather with a nice breeze made it easier for the trip to come to an end. Today we took a nap first (our flight left Tampa at 6 am), then we were able to go out for lunch and go to the driving range (Teagan's first trip to the driving range) for our 7 year anniversary.

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

...and our family grows to four (we can't exclude Jada)

Say Hello to Teagan... or mini me as we fondly refer to her, since she looks exactly like Craig's newborn photos.


Jada poised for her own portrait shot.


This is the photo we have from Sunday April 20 (2 days before Teagan was born). No mistaking that I am pregnant now.


My mother insisted that I get one embarrasing photo of my HUGE stomach on Teagan's due date Sat. 4/19



Okay so it has been over 2 months since I last blogged, and as you can imagine a lot has happened since then. March and April were busy with extra call and work getting ready for the baby. I was lucky enough to celebrate with family and friends Teagan’s up-coming arrival on March 8th with a baby shower hosted by Amy Emdadi, Christi, and my mom. My sister and my niece Anika were able to fly out from Colorado which was extra special for me to get to see them while I was still pregnant. Everyone brought amazing food and Teagan was spoiled with gifts at the shower.

The shower cake


Debbie and Anika


The wonderful baby buggy that Medhi carved out of a watermelon (I know I was VERY impressed)


Katie and me


SLHS girls


The beautiful coming home outfit my mom made for Teagan


Since my pregnancy brain at the time was only working at about 50% (and I think Craig will argue maybe even less than that) I accidentally scheduled our childbirth class for the same weekend as the shower. Craig therefore got out of going to an official class, but thanks to the internet, and me being a little neurotic, I ordered a DVD childbirth video and Craig was a great sport as we watched the different chapters of the video every week. Craig was “lucky enough” to be able to attend “our” breastfeeding class on March 29. We made a deal that he could drive me there and drop me off if there were no other partners at the class. Unfortunately for him all the other spouses were present, so he had to stay. We finished out March with a tour of the hospital on Sunday March 30th.

We started out April with a quick trip up to Atlantic City. It was nice for Craig and I to get away for a weekend together before the caos started. Craig proved that his luck had returned when he won twice on the slot machines once on Wheel of Fourtune and once on video poker within minutes of stepping foot on the gambling floor. We had a nice time together. The next week I started interviewing for jobs. Yeah, I know it is a little funny that I waited until I was within 2 weeks of my due date to start interviewing, but that made it a little more interesting. I really liked everywhere that I interviewed, but I think I have decided to work at Herndon Family Practice which is only 10-15 min from our house and (maybe I am not branching far from my comfort zone), but also happens to be where my doctor works.

April 16th I drove my mom to the airport for her flight to St. Thomas for my cousin’s wedding on the 18th. This would be the same wedding that we had tried to plan having a child around, but so much for timing as Teagan decided to be due the day after the wedding. We were sad that we had to miss out on what I have heard was an absolutely beautiful wedding and a wonderful family vacation, but excited to finally get to meet our new addition. At my second to last ob appointment on 4/8 I scheduled an induction date for the 22nd if I went past my due date. After unsuccessfully trying all the old wives tales that I could find to bring on labor (except castor oil), we packed up the car, dropped off Jada with Craig’s parents and drove to Fairfax hospital on Monday night for the induction. Dave and Molly live next door to the hospital so Craig dropped me off at the door and drove over to their house to park the car and hang out for an hour or two and calm his nerves. Monday night was rather uneventful and Tuesday morning progressed nicely. Teagan “listened” to her mom and waited for Dr. Maanavi to start her hospital duty before thinking it was time to make her grand entrance which occurred at 3:33pm. Apgars were 9 and 9 and she weighed in at 7 pounds 8 oz, and she was 20.5 inches long.

My first picture with Teagan


Teagan getting weighed...7 pounds 8 ounces


Since not being able to eat anything since midnight the night prior I was starving and Dave and Molly came to the rescue. They had sent over a beautiful edible flower bouquet made up of pineapple, grapes, honeydew, cantaloupe and strawberries, which I promptly started to devour as soon as we got up stairs to our room.



Craig’s parents, grandfather and aunt all came to see her on day 0, and Fusco stopped by on day 1. It was great!

Proud Daddy with his little girl


Grandpa Max (Mehdi)with Teagan sleeping on the pillow (already getting princess treatment)


Grandma Amy with Teagan a few hours after delivery


She is the first great grandchild for Bubba (Craig’s grandpa), and it was great to get a photo of him holding her in the hospital.


I was so happy that Teagan’s doctor, Dr. Hermes, was the attending rounding at Fairfax the week she was born, so she got her first visit on Wendsday and the okay to go home on Thursday.

Dr. Hermes was nice enough to poise for a photo with Teagan on Thursday.


Dave stopped by to say hello


We came home on Thursday May 24th safely and I was happy we had installed the carseat before going to the hospital. It was hard enough just to figure out how to put Teagan into the seat at the hospital let alone latching it into the car. We found out Teagan really likes her swing and on Friday my first day home alone with the baby I was able to get a few photos of her while she reclined.

Look how cute she is




I couldn't resist getting a photo of how small and perfect her hands and feet look.




The next few days went by in a blur due to all the excitement and sleep deprivation. Teagan was able to attend her first dinner party at our house on Saturday May 26th when we had Dave, Molly, and Keyvan over to meet little Teagan and celebrate with us. Pam Fusco was able to stop by too for a quick hello. It was the best dinner party I have ever “hosted”, and by that I mean, Dave and Molly came over and did the cooking for us. The food was wonderful and at the end of dinner Teagan needed to be feed so I went upstairs to feed her and by the time we had gotten back downstairs Craig and Molly had done all the dishes. Thanks guys =).

Molly and Kim


Pam and Molly



Keyvan with his new niece and Jada in the background




Monday was Craig’s 30th B-day!! It was an eventful day. Teagan had her first check-up at the doctor’s office. She weighed in at 7 pounds 4 oz and had some jaundice, but it was improving so we just kept feeding her often and watching her. We celebrated the big 30 with dinner and cake at our house. Craig’s parents (Grandma Amy and Grandpa Max) brought over all the food and cake and again we got to reap the benefits of great food. Amy’s friend Mary Pina was also able to stop by and meet Teagan. She brought her a CareBear and some great food for us to eat. Monday was also when Grandma Eva was able to meet her granddaughter for the first time. Her flight came in around midnight on Sunday so she came by Monday morning to meet her and then was able to come back after work to help us celebrate Craig’s B-day.

Grandma Eva getting to meet Teagan for the first time on 4/28


Craig blowing out his candle on his B-day cake


We got one shot of the family together at the B-day celebration!



The next few days were great at home and I had a chance to catch a few more cute shots.
Back in the swing (notice the common theme...Teagan likes the swing)




We had a weekend of beautiful weather on the 11th and 12th and enjoyed it by taking an outing to the park.



The excursion must have been tiring for Teagan has she needed a nap when we got home


Teagan first found her mouth with her thumb by accident when she was 10 days old, but since then has started to suck on her knuckles when she is hungry. She also lost her umbilical cord the same day, but we waited a few more days for her first bath till we got the OK by the doctor.

Teagan went in for her 2 week check up and she had regained her birth weight and weighed in at 7 pounds 12 oz, but she was probably closer to 7 pounds 8 oz in reality because she peed on the scale (oh well we have plenty of time to improve on our manners).

Here is Teagan all dressed up with her "baby legs" leg warmers before going to the doctor's office.



We documented Teagan’s first bath (when she was 16 days old) with a video, but she screamed for the entire time. The bath was very short and I think the only thing we actually washed was her hair, because she would not stop crying. After the bath I fed her and then she was very happy so I took the 1st bath picture then.






It has been great to have so many visitors stop by to say hello and meet Teagan. So we have some pics with our friends that have come by and a few of Teagan.

Erica and Tim stopped by with little Ella to say hello.


Jin with Teagan. Jin brought back some presents from his last trip to China for Miss T, can't wait for her to grow into them.


She is a little over 2 weeks old in the next 2 photos




Craig, Teagan, my mom and I went out to Warrenton to celebrate Mother's Day on May 11th with Amy and Medhi. We had to document the 1st Mother's Day with a photo at the Emdadi's house




Craig took 3 days of paternity leave this past week and it was great to have him home. He was a great help in changing her and has gotten down the 3-4 am feeding. Over the weekend we got to see Fawaz and Jackie who came over for lunch and then we got to go out on the lake since the rain had finally stopped and we had a gloriously sunny day. Saturday night (5/17/2008) Craig had his first evening alone with Teagan when I went to Sandra’s wedding shower on Saturday, and he did great.

Teagan on Saturday


Jackie with Teagan


Fawaz with Teagan


I can't believe how big she has already gotten (today she is 25 days old)


We had a nice cuddle after she ate


Saundra with her bouquet of bows


The new moms at the shower


Sunday we got to catch up with Keith and Jeremy which was long overdue and lots of fun. We showed them the almost completed nursery and took time for a quick photo op.



Here are two photos of the almost done nursery... my mom is currently working on the bumper and has just finished the blanket so when it is all done I will post another pictures o everyone can enjoy her amazing work. I just can't believe that I came from someone with such great sewing skills since I can barely sew on a button.





Craig had to go back to work on Monday (the 19th) after a 5 day weekend it was adorable he gave Teagan a kiss goodbye and she gave him her most winning smile as of yet. These are the moments that you just don't want to miss.

Katrina and Hannah came by today to say hello yesterday. It was great to see both of them.
Hannah was all smiles in the bouncy seat



Katrina with Teagan


Friday we are flying to Florida for Vanessa’s graduation from New College of Florida. We are going to be staying outside of Tampa with Craig’s Family and have a little reunion over the weekend. We will also finally get to meet Elliot Stanley’s son that he adopted in the fall. I must say I am a little nervous to fly, but this is more because of all the stuff I now have to travel with than the actual flight.