Photos: Baby's First Christmas!

It was a great Christmas! Not only did I get to open presents for two people (:)) but Stella provided pretty much constant entertainment for the family in Tennessee, only to break for the occasional nap. Here are some photos of the week - these are Mom's and mine combined.

Thank you to everyone for their generosity this year - we really racked up!

Stella sits up...for a second.

Stella's new 'thing'

Another pedi visit and some photos

I can't believe it...Stella had her second round of shots yesterday (polio and DTaP) and would you know she didn't even flinch! No tears, no crankiness later - even when the bandaids came off. What a champ!

She weighed in at a whooping 17 pounds, which puts her in the 95th %ile for weight, 95th %ile for head circumference, and 50th %ile for height. I attribute her high weight-to-height ratio to her large brain. ;)

I took a few photos of her in front of our Christmas tree. Check out the shoes she's wearing. Those were once mine and now fit her perfectly. I love them.

Jumparoo

Stella's Christmas present from Mimi arrived yesterday. This afternoon I put Stella in it for the first time and videotaped her response. I think it's fair to say that it's a hit! Thanks Mimi!!

Here is the video and some stills from today. After the jumparoo we wound down with some 'books' Aunt Kylle got her.

Photos and video: Bathtime giggles

Safe Christmas shopping for Stella

I think it's safe to assume that the most frequent readers of our little blog here are Stella's grandmothers and aunts (both biological and honorary). ;) Since this audience is also the most likely to buy Stella toys for Christmas, I thought I'd share some news on dangerous toys still on shelves. Scary, but I'm not at all surprised. I know it's hard to do, but if you guys could avoid buying toys that are made in China and anything that does not say BPA and phthalates-free, that would go a long way towards keeping Stella safe. Since I don't have time to research every toy, helping me out on that front would be great. Just in writing this post, I looked at the latest most unsafe toy list and guess what I found...Stella's favorite book - the cloth one! It contains dangerous levels of lead according to the U.S.PIRG’s 2009 Toy Safety Report, Trouble In Toyland.

http://www.babycenter.com/204_dangerous-toys-still-on-store-shelves-report-finds_10325127.bc?scid=momsbaby_20091201:2&pe=2UwpAwD

Here's an article on the environmental safety of toys:
http://www.babycenter.com/0_going-green-the-environmental-safety-of-toys_3651139.bc

And here are some websites that I check before buying myself or her body products. My pediatrician even gave me a handout from them:
http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/browse.php?maincat=babycare

Another resource (with toy ratings): http://www.goodguide.com/

Unsafe toy list - this one is specifically designed for mobile phone use: http://toysafety.mobi/unsafetoylist.html

Photos: Thanksgiving in Andes

We had a great time in Andes for Thanksgiving, with the biggest crowd yet for dinner (12!). Thanks mostly to Aunt Kylle - who is so gorgeous pregnant, by the way - we have lots of great photos from the weekend.

Our new home

We've been in the new house since Friday and LOVE it! Stella and the cats seem to approve as well. I'll post more pictures once it's less of a disaster zone, but here's one I took on my phone on moving day and another Rob took from the street last month. Can't wait to see the Dogwoods bloom in the spring!

Them are some strong genes!

Stella and I went to have BLTs with my Grandma Bates today. I've been telling her lately how much Stella looks like her to me, so she dug up some baby pictures of herself at 4 months old to compare. WOW.

Sitting up like a big girl

PED visit

Met with a new pediatrician today. I like her. Very matter-of-fact and like-minded about vaccinations, medications and nutrition.

Stella was weighed, measured, and shot (twice). She took the first one pretty well, but the second one got to her, poor thing. About 2 minutes of screaming later she was smiling and happy again, babbling at Grammie.

Not surprisingly, she's very healthy! I looked up her size on some growth charts tonight and she's above average in weight/height, even for a 4 month old. And also not surprisingly, her head circumference puts her in the 90th percentile! :)

New perspectives

Stella's already bored with the regular world. Now, she only wants to see it upside down.

She does this to all of us, but here are some pics of her making Daddy hold her like she likes.

Video: Stella chats with Grammie

Stella Rolls Over!

Late Saturday morning Daddy decided to give Stella some tummy time after changing her. Next thing he knew...she was on her back! Mommy and Grammie both witnessed roll over #2. And here's the video of attempt #3. Happy Halloween!

Photos: Float like a butterfly...

New photos: Grandma and Grandpa's visit

Rockin' the hoodie

Video: New trick

Stella surprised us with a new trick today. She can't yet bat at things with her little arms, but she may have more control over her legs! Check this out~

House hunting turns serious

So...we put in an offer on a house today in Lake Claire!! The sellers have 24 hours to respond, and I'm not posting the link here for several reasons but we'll share it if we get the home. Wish us luck!

Video: Stella Bath Time

Photos: Bath time, 7 weeks

Stella bathes in the same ceramic bathtub her Grandma Sheryl and Great-Uncle Steve bathed in when they were itty bitties.

Photos: Arriving in Atlanta

Stella and I arrived with Jess via Delta to a houseful of grandparents, cousins and great-grandparents. Here are some photos my mom took of the weekend.

Goodbye, Boston

We're not saying goodbye to our friends - only goodbye to dear Boston, home to Rob and me for 10 and 9 years, respectively. We'll miss you, Beantown.

Since we won't see some of our dear friends again for some time, however, Seth organized a little send-off for us at a restaurant in the South End. Food and location were fantastic, but nothing beats a room full of unselfish folks wishing you the best as you're about to fly off 1,000 miles away. I don't know if we'll ever be able to replicate what we had in Boston in terms of the quality of our friends and neighbors but...that's what Delta is for. Love and miss you all already. Here are some photos of our send-off.

Photos: Stella meets Aunt Jess

Here's Jessica's photo album of the week she spent packing all of our belongings. We love you, Jess, and we owe you BIG TIME!!

Photos: 10 days old and a budding supermodel

Stella had her pictures taken by a professional photographer at Day 10 - there were SO many good ones; I've tried to pick the best ones here for a broad representation. She was such a ham for the camera - see for yourself!

Back from vaca

We're back from vacation in Western Mass and Auntie Jess has now joined us! It was an amazing, relaxing week with Erica/Thor & Melissa/Ben/Dash, and we've decided to do it again next year. Thinking Austin, Texas, but we've got a while to nail it down!

Stella was very adaptable - she went to the beach, played croquet, and went on two hikes. Busy gal!Jess and Stella are busy getting acquainted - hopefully Stella will be in a little better mood tomorrow. She's a little tired from her adventures last week, we think!

Stella in her resort wear:

Stella meets Aunt Kylle (and wants to be just like her!)

Think we're related?

Sometimes I think she looks just like Rob, and then other times...

Photos: bath time

Will you just look at how much she's grown in 4 short weeks? I can't believe it!

Lazy Sunday

Big girl!

Well, I thought that she just went through a growth spurt and I was right! Little Stella weighed in today at 9lbs 8oz - a weight gain well above average for her age, according to the lactation consultant. And, that was hungry. We weighed her again after a feed and she was ~3oz heavier. :)

The consultant tells us we're doing everything just right. The not-so-good news is that my pain issues could have been prevented with a simple outpatient procedure during the pregnancy, which probably can't happen now until I'm through b-feeding Stella. And the discomfort is not likely to subside. This is a real bummer, but at least she's gaining well and I can fix this for future babies.

Oh, and she was very surprised to see Stella smiling at me. She said she's never seen a baby that young, even a late one, smile at 3 weeks.

Enough of the bragging already!!

Week 1 of Mel and Stella

Well, week one of Project Home Alone with Stella has gone marvelously! She's ridiculously easy to care for and has let her momma get a walk and a shower in every day, eat regularly, and even do a load of laundry here and there. Plus, she's gone out for dinner twice and had friends over another night. Such a social butterfly.

The only problem area is that we're still having a few lingering feeding issues, so I'm having a lactation consultant come over this morning to check us out and make sure everything is working as it should. Better safe than sorry, I figure.

Happy Labor Day weekend!

daddy, don't go to work!!

aaawwwwwwwww

New Stella pics

Stella's First Bottle

The experts say it's time to introduce bottles now (of breastmilk,) so we gave it a try. Eventually, she got the hang of it...although it was far from love at first sight! We're happy to report that after filming ended, Stella polished off a whooping 3 ounces and later went right back to Mommy without any issues. Hurray!

Big day of firsts

Stella, Susan and I had a busy day. Stella had her first real bath; she screamed through most of it but loved the part with the warm towel and hair dryer! Arbor seems to be protective of the baby already. When we were bathing her (and she was crying) Arbor was around our ankles meowing at us. This is totally out of character for her - we can only guess she was worried about the baby.

Then, we put her in the sling and took her to the farmers market, where we got some ice cream and produce. Around 5:00, we put her in the car and drove downtown to meet Rob at Legal Seafood for dinner. She was a champ! She slept in her car seat the whole way there and all of the way through a 2 hour dinner, awakening only when the check came. Good girl!

Susan leaves in the morning and Rob's taking Friday and Monday off for some family bonding. I'll be alone with the babe for the first full day on Tuesday - should be an adventure!

Video: Funny Faces

6 hours of sleep - a new record!

Our little angel is sleeping 5, 5.5, and now 6 hours at night! As long as she goes down at midnight after powerfeeding all evening, she's out for the count (as are her happy parents). I woke up at 6 and peeked into her bassinet to see her looking back up at me. Swear she smiled.

Mom had her first baby-wearing experience today. Dad's already gone for walks with Stella in his sling (see pic) and I took mine for a spin today down to Trader Joe's. She loves the closeness and goes right to sleep. I'll be using mine quite a bit when it's just us here and I've got to get some things done around the house.

Susan is here until Friday - she had a little adventure today on the changing table! Wet diaper, more pee on the table, and then some simultaneous spit up just to keep things interesting. Nothing beats Rob's projecting poop all over the place while he was pulling up her legs to wipe her, though. No picture of that - sorry! ;)

On Saturday, we had a professional photographer come and take baby shots for a couple of hours. Stella was a TOTAL ham and posed like she'd been down runways all her life. She would follow the camera with her eyes wherever he went and I'm sure we're going to have a LOT of keepers from the session. Hoping to get them in the next couple of weeks. Cannot wait!

Here's something for you guys to feast your eyes on - a video of Stella practicing 'crawling' during her tummy time.

Sheryl Posting: First Trip to the Pediatrician

Well, it took two adult women about 6 hours but we did it!
Melanie and I got Stella to her first appointment with her doctor.
First she wanted to sleep when we needed her to eat, then when she was in her carseat (for the first time) she was so comfortable she pooped--further slowing us down.
Then there was the incident with the car that was nearly out of gasoline and the carseat that had somehow become unbuckled. The latter promped a call from Mel to Rob that began "HELP".
We finally got to the office after finding this awesome parking spot. Afterwards we only had to pay a $55 fine for parking there.
But after all that, we got the info we wanted and expected.
Stella is perfect!

(This was taken right before the poop...click to enlarge.)

More photos - days 4-7

Happy One Week of Life, Baby Stella!

Below are some more photos to appease the masses. ;) We can't stop taking them - poor thing will probably inherit Rob's eyesight AND permanently see flash spots for the rest of her life!

Everything is going really well here. Stella's passing milestones every day - it's easy to see how the time will fly by. Today she had her first real poops, nursed on her own, AND her umbilical cord stump fell off. Plus, we're going to take her out of the house for the first time when daddy gets home and go on a walk together. Big day.

Grandma is here for just another few days. Thank goodness she came for such a long visit - we do not know what we would have done without her! The house stays clean, there's always food out to eat and laundry going, and a third set of arms to hold and change the baby comes in really, really handy. We'll miss her tons when she goes home but luckily, Mimi and Pops are coming in to relief pitch on Friday afternoon. Stella's very excited to meet her more of her family.

Signing off - enjoy the photos and we'll keep them coming. Maybe we'll give Stella her first bath today, too...see how light that hair really is!

Stella Fingerprinted

Stella Monday Morning

How to download photos

Hi everyone!

Just a quick note between feedings to let you all know that all photo albums here are on Picassa, which means you just click on the bottom right of the slideshow and go to the album there. Picassa will let you download these photos to your own computers and print, develop, and/or share as needed.

Our little family's doing very well with the new addition! Stella's asleep on Grandma Sheryl as I type and we should really all be taking a little nap. More news soon.

Much love,
Melanie, Rob & Stella

More Stella pictures - Days 0-4

Stella Sleeping

Stella's First Morning!

Ultrasound update

Happy Friday, all. We had an ultrasound done this morning (for lack of anything better to do) and got the below face picture from it. For our enjoyment, the doctor put a buzzer against my belly so we could see her blink in reaction to it. In case you're confused, you need to turn your head to the right and then you can see her right eye, then make out the nose, mouth, etc. Everything looked normal and healthy - there is plenty of amniotic fluid in there for her to practice breathing (which we also witnessed this morning) - and her head and body is exactly where our midwife Kelley told us it was. Kelley guessed yesterday by using her hands that she was about 9 lbs. The radiologist guessed today using various ultrasound measurements that she's about 8lbs 14 oz. A lot of consensus here!

Which leads me to some other good news - she is definitely a girl!!

Mom's here

Mom (Sheryl) arrived yesterday and is eager for things to get going so she can meet her grandchild! I'm glad to have a diversion and some company and we're headed out today to walk a mall, museum, or something that gets us out of the house.

*Hopefully* this baby will be ready to join us later this week. Cross your fingers for us!

My first ever modelling shoot!

I agreed to sit for an AP photographer/journalist who's trying to build a maternity photography business on the side. Here are some of his shots. (He's coming back for a baby photo shoot, should she ever arrive!)

I still can't keep up with her...

To satisfy the masses

Hello bloggers, update time. We met with our midwife Kelley on Friday night and as it turns out it was most likely a good thing that baby Cole decided not to show her face. I believe Kelley attended 4 births in 48 hours. Now her schedule is wide-open for a little while due to several of her "August Moms" delivering early.

Everything looks good with mommy and baby. Nothing really concrete to report other than that. Yes, I suppose I could tell you that the staredown is now baby 8, daddy 0. But I've decided to stop playing a game I'm clearly not going to win.

So we're just keeping busy and enjoying the nice weather. We went into downtown Boston yesterday for some lunch, some shopping on Newbury, some Ben & Jerrys and some BBQ at Eric & Heather's roofdeck. I also got a new Celtics jacket that Melanie is VERY excited about. All in all, a really fun day. And right now we're getting ready to meet some friends out for brunch.

So that's all for now. As promised, if anything happens, information will be distributed efficiently and rapidly.

No baby, NO!

C'mon now...we've been in the 70's ALL WEEK and I see what you're waiting for!

The Due Date

Due dates are hard! Here we are on July 21 and I feel like we should be celebrating or doing something...considering this date has been in our heads for 9 months now. Instead, I'm going to lunch with a girlfriend and Rob's going out with coworkers tonight. Or at least that's the plan for now!

An update on me: I've had mild cramping since last Tuesday, which is a sign of early labor. That can last for weeks so it's only a sign the baby is coming this month...which we already figured. Otherwise I feel good. Rob and I are taking long walks every night, having dinners on the porch and just enjoying the peace.

Thought we should share the birth communication plan with everyone. The plan is: when we go into official labor we'll call parents and siblings and let them know (at a decent hour, of course). Once the baby arrives, however, we're just going to call parents and let them work the phone tree to spread the news of the baby's arrival date, time, and NAME, if we've decided on one yet. :) Once we have some time and energy - which could be a few days or more, all just depending on how we feel - we'll call everyone else.

Lastly, we're sad to report that our doula is out of town this week and won't be with us for the birth, if it should happen soon. We'll miss you, Cate!

Monday Morning QB

Bloggers, we have on our hands a staredown situation between daddy and baby.

Current score is baby 2, daddy 0.

Just another Saturday afternoon

Hello bloggers!

Go ahead and scroll down a little before reading this posting. You will find two photos of Melanie with baby in belly. Now, I'm no doctor, but that looks like one healthy baby who really wants to come out and meet her parents.

So, we had dinner with our midwives last night. Some spicy Thai to get little baby Cole jumping around. In an interesting development, Kelley decided not to make a follow-up appointment for next Friday. She feels the she may be seeing us again earlier in the week...

Of course, we're not sure of exact timing, other than the obvious...sooner or later, baby comin out. But we do know that Vegas odds have her listed at a 3-1 favorite for making an appearance sometime within the next 3 to 4 days (or 72 to 96 hours). Basically, anyone who picked an August due date is not looking too good in the baby pool.

So, while it is not the super-exciting news that labor is beginning, it is viewed in this blogosphere as quite-exciting news that labor is getting closer. Daddy did not sleep in this morning.

Just in case anyone is wondering, mommy is feeling great and baby is in a good position (Kelley's assessment, not mine). Also, window a/c's are installed, stroller is assembled, fridge is stocked, car is gassed and cameras are charged.

In other news, my office-mates threw me not one but two man-showers at work last week. One with pizza and one with cake. I'm very lucky to work with such a great group of individuals and all of your well-wishes were very, very much appreciated. Thank you.

Well, that's all for now. Going forward, I'll try to update the blog a little more regularly with any tidbits worth passing along.

what a beautiful belly!

Photo of mommy at 39.5 weeks

Ticking Time Bomb

Met with our midwife, Kelley, yesterday and I'm still progressing steadily along. Her guess is that the baby is just under 8 lbs, and that I could of course go any day.

I feel like a ticking time bomb that could explode at any moment!

My sweet husband is buying me a prenatal massage today so that should take my mind off of the ticking for a good 50 minutes or more. Might as well get a pedicure as well since reaching my feet is no longer an option. Of course I can't really see them either so I don't know why I bother...

Name Game

Hello Bloggers. After yet another name proposed by yours truly hits the scrap heap, I'm left pondering all of my baby girl names that, for one reason or another, didn't make the cut...

Pierce, Mattingly, Rondo, Shuttlesworth, Montana, House, Jeter

And today, with mixed emotions, I'm here to report that baby Sheed is officially removed from consideration.

The quest continues...

I'm huge!

The girls are reunited for a night and show off their varying physiques.

Video - Baby Kick

Seven for the 4th

Hello bloggers!

First of all, happy birthday to Uncle Casey.

Secondly, the sun is out in Brookline for the first time in 78 days. Yay.

Third, we had a great day yesterday as Melanie, Erica, Thor and I got to spend some quality time with our dear friend Dash (and yes, his parents, Ben & Melissa, were there too). It was great to see you all and have fun in Maine. Keep battling that trash Dash!

#4, Heading out to Erica & Thor's new pad to watch fireworks tonight. Honestly, I can't remember the last time I actually watched the fireworks in Boston on the 4th. I know it's been a while. And maybe we'll make it to Chowderfest but I still haven't checked when/where that's happening.

Five, mommy and baby are doing quite well. Both are on the back deck right now catching some rays.

Sixth, SPOILER ALERT, skip this paragraph if you have not yet participated in the baby pool.....So Melanie met with Kelley on Thursday, who informed her that she believes baby is already 7 lbs, 10 ozs. Now I'm no doctor, but if that's true, I don't think baby's going to be waiting until August to make her appearance.

7, Yes, I think Sheed is a good move for the Celts. Yes, I think he's worth 2 years, full mid-level. Yes, I think he will sign. Yes, we still need a backup wing and point. Yes, I will be traveling back to Boston next June for the NBA finals.

Ok bloggers, that's all I got for today. Happy 4th everyone!

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Joe, our favorite UPS guy, brought some really good news today. (He promised me it would be good news before I signed for it. :)

The homebirth will be covered at 100%!!

Whew. Thank god. It's been a long, frustrating 6-month battle.

Big day today

Today marks the day that Baby Cole is medically considered...full term! I think she knows it, too. She's dancing for joy in there.

Whatever happens now, we'll be able to labor at home and not have to worry at all about prematurity. Still awaiting news on the insurance coverage but we could hear that today. I'll post when I have news.

From Sheryl: Enter the Baby Pool

Hello to all of you friends and family of Melanie and Rob and their little baby Cole.

I'd like to invite you to visit a game site and enter your best guess as to baby Cole's vital statistics.

http://www.expectnet.com/games/bgbatescole

The best guess wins bragging rights only as Melanie refuses to name the baby after the winner!

In great anticipation,

Sheryl

Photos: Baby Melanie & Rob

Hello Bloggers

Rob here. Just letting you know that you should most definitely "Stay Tuned". I will be live blogging the entire baby-birth, from the pre-game warmups to the opening tip-off to the final buzzer. No stone will go unturned. Expect live in-game interviews guaranteed to provide unique insight. Photos will be taken. Vidoes will be recorded. History will be made. So grab some popcorn, crack open a beer and enjoy...it's about to get good.

Photos: Pregnancy Timetable

Readying for Baby Cole

I can't believe we're just weeks away from meeting Baby Cole! Clothes are washed but there's SO much left to do! Given the family history of blowing well past due dates I don't feel the need to hurry too terribly much, but we're on the baby's timeline now so we'll try to wrap things up this weekend and be totally ready when the time arrives. (Or as ready as we can possibly be!) Mom (Sheryl) said she was going to start a Bates/Cole pool on the baby's arrival date - how's that going, by the way?

Just thought I'd introduce the birth team here, a.k.a. The Dream Team.

Head Coach: Kelley Faulkner, Founder of Newlife Midwifery and mother of two adorable boys


Assistant Coach: Za'Yn Muhammad Manna, Assistant Midwife, EMT, and mother of three

http://www.newlifemidwifery.com/aboutus.html


Support Coach: Cate Johannessen, Professional Doula and soon-to-be full-time Nursing Student

http://www.creativebirth.org/about.html

And last but *certainly* not least, the Chief Support Officer and Baby Listener, Dad.

Photos: June 2009

Photos: Mother's Day in Atlanta

Older photos of Rob's family

Get to know the other Coles!