Welcome Home, Maribelle!

Today marks Maribelle Rose's two-week birthday and her much-anticipated first day at home with us! To celebrate, Jeremy compiled a video for all to enjoy!

Lookin' Pretty

The nurses got Maribelle all dolled up for us tonight, dressing her in a pink "princess" onesie and finishing her off with a white bow. We had a solid 45 minute cuddle session with her, soaking up all her cuteness and fresh baby goodness with every breath.

Introducing ....

Maribelle Rose Moorhead



Making an earlier-than-expected entrance into the world, Maribelle Rose surprised us all Tuesday, January 13, 2009, at 3:27 p.m., weighing in at 5lbs, 8.9 oz and measuring 18.5 inches in length.



Being a premie born at 35 weeks, Maribelle has a mild case of Respiratory Distress Syndrome and is currently in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) to receive oxygen and antibiotics. She's doing just fine, and Jeremy and I have been making frequent visits to talk to, hold and touch her. With a strong heartrate and vitals, we're hoping Baby M will be able to come home with us in the next week or so.

Times, they are a changin'

I'm close to 35 weeks along at this point, and somewhere between Christmas and New Year's, everything just sort of changed. I had been warned that this would happen, but I'm amazed at how quickly I could go from feeling great to feeling like sludge. All of a sudden, I feel slower, heavier, more tired and just much more uncomfortable, all ... day ... long. All the energy I had throughout my second trimester and early third trimester? Gone. And those oh-so-cute baby kicks and punches that I had been feeling the past couple of months? Well they've been replaced by stronger rolling and stretching baby movements that spread from my ribcage to my pelvis. Baby M's favorite thing to do is jut out his/her back along the right side of my abdomen and stretch the walls of my uterus as far as it will possibly go. Thanks for that, Baby M. Trust me, I know you're there. I haven't forgotten. Between that and the daily Braxton Hicks contractions that highjack my abdomen with sudden hardening sensations, I'm feeling less and less in control of what my body is up to these days.

At least we don't have all that much more to do in preparation for Baby M. The nursery is basically complete, baby gear has been washed and I'm already slowly packing my hospital bag. We've got appointments with pediatricians and a car seat inspector within the next few weeks, but other than that, we're trying to enjoy our last few weeks of independence before becoming feeding and diaper changing machines. And honestly, we couldn't be more excited.

Here are some pics of Baby M's nursery. It's my favorite spot in the house (other than on the couch), and I just love going in there and looking around at all the colors and little baby things. 

Showering Baby M

33 weeks

In between the Christmas and New Year's holiday, Grandma A and Grandma M hosted a beautiful baby shower for about 60 guests at our local library's meeting room. We all enjoyed delicious food (and awesome cake!), the warm company of friends and family, and, thanks to Jeremy and a handy-dandy microphone, an entertaining hour's worth of gift opening. Everyone was so generous and showered us and Baby M with a mountain of baby gifts and books, which were brought in lieu of cards. Both Jeremy and I are so appreciative to everyone who took time out of their busy holiday schedules to celebrate the upcoming arrival of Baby M. We have so many beautiful clothes, toys, and other baby items filling our house, and now we're just anxiously waiting for Baby M to come along and put them to good use!

Here are a few photos from the shower:

Baby M's future aunts, grandma and great-grandma on my side of the family.


Some of the guests in attendance.


The favors, on which Great-Grandma A featured her poetic prose.


Aunt-to-Be


Sisters and cousins kept things moving at the gift table.


Always the entertainer, Jeremy provided great commentary throughout the gift opening.


Grandpa and Grandpa M were among those who got to experience Jeremy's emceeing abilities.


We got loads of thoughtful and beautiful gifts ...








... and a wide array of books for Baby M to enjoy. We're thinking this one will be a favorite :)

It was quite a feat getting all this stuff home in our little Toyota Prius, but we managed to fill it to the brim with all the necessities that we need right away. The rest will be escorted by our parents once they come for Baby M's arrival. We're slowly washing and sorting all the baby gear and will post pictures of the nursery soon. With only six more weeks to go until my due date, time is flying by!!