Late Christmas pics

The not so glamorous photos pics are below along with a brief recap of our holidays. I know I am way late, but am hoping the newborn excuse still works. We had a wonderful week in Louisville visiting lots of family. We attended Grandma Karen's annual Christmas party. The girls had an exciting sleepover with Aunt Joyce and Allison, took a trip to the Puzzle Fundom, visited with lots of cousins, spent time with the grandparents and the GREAT grandparents and were simply spoiled rotten. We love you guys!

Christmas Eve at the Bibelhauser's with 20+ relatives

Opening their first Christmas gifts of the season--Red sparkly shoes which they LOVED from Aunt Stacy.

Christmas morning after Daddy received an invitation inviting him and his guests to dine with Cinderella at her Castle over spring break.

Owen's first Christmas--taking it all in

Christmas Day at Grandma Libby's, wearing some of Rebekah's belly dancing attire.

A surprise visit by Santa Claus at Grandma Libby's

Learning to play the drums at Grandma Libby's

Christmas and Baby photos

I am very late in posting these, but I wanted to share some of the amazing photos that a neighbor down the street took of the kids and Owen. He was about 3 weeks old in these. Of course, I am biased, but I think they turned out awesome. I just love them. So thank you Christy!

Holiday Festivities

This month has been busy with Holiday events and festivities.  

First Ellie's class performed at the JCC's Latke Dinner. They sang a song about lighting the menorah. She was the most on task and knew all of the words.

To usher in the Christmas Holidays, we walked through the town of Bethlehem. For those who have not been through it, it is an awesome rendition of an authentic Bethlehem during the times. The girls made dolls and candle holders and rope. They tried some bread, mashed some olives for oil and met Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus. I encourage you all to go next year. We are making it an annual event.

Then Owen turned 1 month old. I can't believe it. Time is flying. He is getting so big and handsome. We all just love on him all the time. He has these great chubby cheeks and eats all the time. I am grooming him to be a lineman at CPA one day.

Katelyn had her elementary Christmas program on Thursday night. The kindergarten did an excellent job singing their two songs, including a handbell song, and contributed on most of the songs. Katelyn looked stunning in her Christmas dress. It really got us all in the Christmas spirit.

The girls and I are heading to Louisville today to visit family and start the Louisville festivities off at a party at mom's tonight. In case I don't get back on here, I hope everyone has a wonderful, peaceful, spirit-filled Christmas.

Deck the Halls

This weekend was a time of Christmas joy. We were originally planning to go to the Christmas parade, but it was way too COLD. Yes I am a wimp. Instead, we talked the kids into going to Sweet CeCe's (I think that is what it is called) for some ice cream. For those who have not been there, you get to pick your own ice cream, serve yourself, and then add all kinds of stuff to your bowl. It can get quite disgusting, but is oh so tasty.

Saturday we put up the Christmas tree and decorations. The kids loved it and tried to be helpful. We were also blessed to get to spend the weekend with family. Alan's parents came in to meet Baby Owen and love on Katelyn and Ellie. They were such a help as playmates and it was nice to have an extra two pairs of hands on board. Today, we all ventured down to CPA to have lunch with Katelyn. We even let Ellie play hookie to go with us, followed by a trip to the Frist museum. It was a first for me, but I was very impressed by their Artquest area for kids. Ellie had a ball and entertained herself for a good hour creating art.

We will be sad to see them leave tomorrow :(

Doesn't this one look like Owen is smiling. Guess he loves his grandparents!!!!

Video not working on Blogger--Try this link

Diaper Changing video

Family diaper change

My creative Aunt Vicki sent the girls a care package to assist with diaper changing. It came complete with gloves to keep their hands clean and goggles in case Owen decided to spray them. They assisted their daddy last night with a dirty. The blogger video is not working, so I am posting a photo. I'll add the video later.

Already 2 weeks old--what a chunker

Owen had his two week checkup today. He is 9 lbs and 6 ounces and healthy. While he was 8 lbs 9 oz at birth, he had dropped to 8 lbs 1 oz when we left the hospital. The doctor says he likes to see them back up to birth weight at 2 weeks. Well Owen way surpassed that. Dr. said on average most babies gain about .5 to 1 oz a day the first few weeks. Well Owen gained 21 ounces in 14 days. The boy knows how to eat.

Owen continues to be my sweet little snuggler. He rarely cries or makes a fuss unless he is hungry or needs to be changed and even then it is not usually much of a cry. I took him up to my school today. Katelyn was his tour guide, taking him to see her teachers and to see my co-workers. She was very protective and made sure they knew how to hold him and to watch for his neck. She has taken on the protective mother role for him and takes it very seriously. It has been such a joy to watch the way she exhibits such love for her new little brother. The only jealousy I have seen is when he gets gifts and she wants one too. Otherwise, she is often glued to me when I have him--not jealous of the time that I spend with him, but rather wanting to hold him herself.

Thanksgiving 2009

With Baby Owen only 10 days old, we decided to stay in Nashville this year for Thanksgiving. I had mixed emotions about it. It is the first time that I have spent a major holiday away from any family with the exception of a ski trip in college. However, we wanted to give Owen a little more time to get his immune system up before getting slathered with hugs and kisses from all the relatives.

The girls played dress-up with real make up. Luckily, Owen did not have to participate, although I am sure it is only a matter of time before they have him in dresses and heels.

We took a morning trek to the neighborhood playground so the girls could run off some energy, which they followed with some nice naps.

Then my wonderful hubby cooked Thanksgiving dinner. I contributed the green bean casserole, but he did everything else. As you can see below, Owen stretched out and took a nice nap after his Thanksgiving dinner.

We took the day to reflect back on the year and the many blessings for which we are thankful. We are especially thankful that Owen joined our family this year. He is the sweetest, cuddliest baby who rarely fusses and just likes to snuggle up with you. He is already blessed with his two sisters who just adore him and fight over who gets to hold him. We are thankful for our families who offer us all such love and support. We really missed them this Thanksgiving, but know that we were on their minds and in their hearts even though were were not there. We are thankful that we have a nice roof over our heads and have never had to experience a truly hungry belly. We give thanks for jobs that we love when there are many who have no jobs at all. And we are thankful for our friends. I am especially thankful for a husband who is a true partner in my life and is with me every step of the way on the adventure of parenthood. 

First Bath and other pics from today

Bathing is not Owen's favorite activity.

We also took some pictures of Owen in his new room. For now he is bunking with mom and dad, but he likes his own Boy room too. Glad they were right about him being a boy or we would have been in trouble.

Owen's first outing--What a beautiful day

Snoozing in the stroller

Ellie walking the bridge

Katelyn and daddy looking at the fish

A view of the Harpeth from the bridge

We were going a bit stir crazy today and it was so beautiful, so we took a family outing to the Harpeth soccer fields. Alan kicked the soccer ball around with the girls and Owen and I went on a little walk on the greenway. He still has a small tint of jaundice, so we wanted to get him outside for a bit and we couldn't resist the awesome November weather.

Home from the Hospital

We brought Baby Owen home from the hospital on Wednesday afternoon. It was so nice to be home. He is such a sweet little snuggler, sleeps a lot and rarely cries. He was greeted by the dogs who did a lot of sniffing, found him to be harmless and then went about their business.

After school is when the real chaos began. The girls were super excited to get home and see Owen. They were smothering him with kisses and hugs and lots of love. The noise decibel increased ten-fold, but Owen handled it like a champ. They even tried to help change his diaper, but weren't up to the challenge yet.

The first night was not so smooth. I never knew there was such an art to swaddling, but I am woefully inadequate. Turns out that while in the hospital and swaddled, Owen sleeps about 4 hours at a time at night, but in Casa Calhoun with terrible swaddlers, he wakes up every hour or so. It appeared we needed lessons because the first night was rough.

Night two, we got smart. We bought two velcro swaddling blankets and they worked like a charm. Owen slept for four hours at a time. We hope it continues. The best part of my days continue to be the times when he snuggles up to me and naps. I had forgotten how much babies sleep at this age and how angelic they look doing so.

Sleeping peacefully at the hospital

Introducing Owen Richard Calhoun

We added a new member to our family today. . . Owen Richard Calhoun. Contractions started at about 6 am, although my stubborn self did not recognize them as the real thing until about 8 am. I was dressed and ready to go to work, but luckily, my wonderful hubby decided not to risk it and took the kids to school. In the midst of his travels, I called him to let him know that we definitely needed to think about going to the hospital when he got back. Headed to the hospital at about 8:30 am, checked in at 9 am and was 7-8 cm when we got there. I almost missed out on getting an epidural and knew I was in trouble when the nurse asked if I was going natural. Now having done that before, that was not a mistake I wanted to make again. It took almost an hour to get the anesthesiologist to come by and by then I was probably at about 8-9 cm. I just kept thinking, "I do not want to do this unmedicated again." For those who know my husband, he likes to describe the last time when he claims my eyes rolled into the back of my head and I looked like the exorcist chick, but enough of that.

So with my nice epidural, I proceeded to push Baby Owen out in about 10 minutes and our family became a family of five at 11 am when Owen entered this world weighing a hefty 8 lbs and 9 ounces--I am sure the product of my chocolate addiction.  Unfortunately, with my speedy delivery, my mom missed it again. She and Sherry arrived about an hour after Owen entered this world.  The girls came by this evening and loved on Baby Owen. Katelyn's natural motherly instincts took over and she started kissing on him and singing him lullabies. They both got right up in the bed with him and loved all over him. All is going well and we expect to be home on Wednesday sometime.

Baby Owen

Daddy and Owen

Mommy and Owen

Big Sister Ellie

Katelyn loving on Owen

The new Calhoun Family

One week left

Is it possible that I really only have one week left as a family of four? I feel like these last 9 months have really flown. We are excited about our upcoming new arrival, but with him comes a new way of life. . . more kids than adults. . . we lose the divide and conquer. . .sleepless nights, diapers, living with someone who is dependent on you 24 hours a day. Wow. Is it possible that I had forgotten all that stuff?  On the upside, Katelyn and Ellie also gain a little brother. Now the poor thing may become part of their beauty salon or be dressed up as a princess, but he will receive overwhelming love from his big sisters and will be trained in the ways of women. Ellie is excited to be both a Big Sister AND and a Little Sister. The room is ready and so are we!!!!!!!!! I plan to finish out work on Tuesday, hopefully have a few days to myself this week, and then am prepared for the arrival of Baby Boy Calhoun next weekend. Keep us all in your prayers over the next week that we have a safe delivery and healthy baby boy.

Katelyn's last soccer game

Saturday was the last soccer game of the season. The Ladybugs took the field with only four girls so they all got to play the entire game and everybody had the chance to play goalie. Katelyn scored a goal and protected the goal during her rotation so that no one scored. She was exhausted at the end, but had a good time.