Happy Halloween!!!!

Heading to Nebraska

Somehow we got everything in the car! Grandma, Grandma's suitcase, Bonnie, Mommy's suitcase, my suitcase (which was bigger than Mommy's), my bathtub, diapers and all kinds of other necessities. Grandma drove, Bonnie sat in front with her, while Mommy and I sat in the back. The usual 5 hour drive (according to Mommy) took about 7 hours. I guess I take more time to travel than most. This is good practice for Mommy.

Meeting Aunt Cynthia

Here's a picture from when Aunt Cynthia came by to see me and cut Grandma Whiting's hair. I remember her. She was with there when Mommy and Daddy had me in the hospital. Thankfully I look better now than I did on that first day!

Day 11 - Meeting Uncle Brian!

Here's a picture of Uncle Brian and Connie. Can you believe a big strong guy like him was scared to hold little me?

Day Ten - Mommy gets pretty again!

Oops, I forgot to take our camera again. Sorry, Baby. I'm becoming skilled at logistics. Today as I left for my chiro appointment we actually left before we needed to. I was so proud of all of us.

First stop was my Chiro appointment. I feel so much better now. Without you around to hug me like you do I couldn't wait to have Dr. David readjust that one spot in my back. Now I can carry Sabine in her baby hammock much better. I spoke with his wife, Dr. Amber, about breastfeeding. We determined that I need to drink more water. So now I have myself on a water drinking schedule every hour on the hour. this should help us.

Next stop was Dillard's where I got my hair done. I have waited 6 months to have my hair permed and now I feel beautiful again.... well, at least I don't feel like a wet rat with my really straight Scandinavian hair.

Sabine and Grandma W went shopping and reportedly Sabine was perfectly adorable and well behaved. Of course!

Our daughter is absolutely amazing. She is so patient and doesn't seem to mind riding in my car or in her stroller. As long as she's fed and dry we're good for several hours.

I love you, Baby!

Love
Tracie

(Sabine and Bonnie, too)

Day Nine - Mommy & I have a secret!

Hi Daddy!

Mommy, Grandma W and I got up early today and went out for the day. Mommy said we were going to take care of Christmas presents for everyone. What a long day! Mommy said I was a very good girl though. I didn't fuss at all.

No new pictures today, Daddy because Mommy forgot the camera.

I LOVE YOU, DADDY!

Love,
Sabine

(Mommy & Bonnie, too)

Day Eight - I also do my business at Babies R Us

First, I'm sorry there are no picutres today. Mommy forgot the camera.

Again Mommy, Grandma and I went out on the town. We went to 2 stores this time. Babies R Us and Target (with the French accent of course). I really like BRU because they have a quiet room. I really wanted to see it, but Mommy seemed pre-occupied with finding new nipples for my bottles (I drink 2 oz every few hours, but Mommy isn't making that much yet so I have to have a supplemental formula feeding when Mommy pumps. That way I get to have a full 2 oz of Mommy every other feeding - she's exhausted)

Anyway, Mommy wasn't paying attention so I decided to do my business... and I did it really good! At first Mommy thought that the people standing next to us made that awful smell so she started to walk and then noticed that the smell followed her! Yup, that was me. Daddy later said he was proud of me for taking after him. Mommy took me to the quiet room to change me and it was great. I think we should go back there again.

Target was ok, but they didn't have a quiet room so I decided not to do business there. Maybe another time.

I LOVE YOU DADDY!

Love Sabine
(Mommy & Bonnie, too)

Day Seven - Lazy Sunday with Mommy

Hi Daddy!

Today was a rather lazy Sunday.... all my Sundays have been rather lazy, but I shouldn't compare as this is actually my first Sunday. It was so cold and windy outside that Mommy let Bonnie stay inside all day long. She looked out for me and inspected nearly all my diapers. Sometimes while I was still wearing them!

Mommy and I cuddled most of the day, except when she needed to do some things and then Grandma W took over. Everytime Mommy held me she talked about you and how you held me constantly for the first few days after I was born. I really miss your big strong arms. I felt very safe and warm. Mommy misses them, too. I can't wait to snuggle next to you when you come home this summer.

I LOVE YOU DADDY!

Love,
Sabine
(Mommy & Bonnie, too)

Day Six - Kipper Cousins

Hi Daddy!

Today was a very busy day for me. Besides sleeping and eating (both Mommy's milk and formula) I had my exercises today with Grandma W while listening to my new Baby Einstein Traveling Melodies CD. It was fun and I really enjoyed Shubert's "March Militaire" and Vivaldi's "The Four Seasons" Mom said Grandma and I should do that every day.

Later in the afternoon Uncle Jesse, Aunt Anne, Cousin Meghan and Cousin Colin came by to see me. I really like my family. I can't wait to be able to play with my cousins. Uncle Jesse said he'd teach me a few things too.

I LOVE YOU DADDY!

Love,
Sabine
(Mommy & Bonnie, too)

THE COUSINS



COUSIN MEGHAN


COUSIN COLIN

Day Five - I do my business at Walmart

Hi Daddy!

Today Mommy said she had to get out of the house. Bonnie needed some pig ears, Mommy wanted to get photos for you, and Grandma wanted to get some groceries... so we went to the closest place to do everything- the local Walmart.

Mommy said because I'm so little she was putting me in the Baby Burqa. As you can see from the photo no one could see inside the stroller unless you looked through the screen on top. I really liked riding in my stroller, too.

Mommy had another reason for wanting to get out of the house. We both needed some exercise. Because I had to have that formula for a few days I'm a bit constipated which makes me gassy and fussy. Mommy, Grandma and I walked the aisles at the Walmart and by the time we got back to the car my business was complete. Mommy was soooo happy and relieved (so was I).

I LOVE YOU DADDY!

Love,
Sabine

PS Message from Mommy:
Hi Baby! I'm feeling better today and getting thinner, too. Sabine is nursing better now that my milk has finally come in. Our first shopping outing was a logistic challenge, so I'm glad my mom was with me. I think by the time I'm on my own I'll have this perfected. What works, what doesn't work, etc. Do I need full "battle rattle" or just the basics? What about the whens and wheres of nursing? Will my formerly 10 minute trip to the store now be an all afternoon affair? Questions to answer in the upcoming weeks. I love you and miss you sooooo much!
Love you!
Tracie

Day Four - The bath!

Hi Daddy!

Today I'm 3 days old and I just had the most amazing experience... I had a bath! Uncle Trever recorded something like this in the hospital, but as I recall, I was not thrilled with it. Mommy was so much better.

I didn't quite know what was going to happen at first. Mommy took all my clothes off of me and I was a bit concerned. Seems like every time I've been naked in the past 3 days I've had something awful happen to me, like shots, rectal thermometers, or that hospital bath.

However, Mommy wrapped me up and then put me this thing called a bathtub. The room was so warm. I'm glad you didn't replace those vanity lights. Mommy said they make a great Baby Sabine spa!

There was warm water and good smelling stuff. Then a massage! I like those. I think I like this water stuff.

I LOVE YOU DADDY

Love, Sabine

P.S. Message from Mommy:
Hey Baby! I miss you so much. My mother has been a real blessing. She took night duty last night and I finally got my first decent sleep in 3 weeks. My friends Karin & Dennis stopped by this afternoon, followed by Elizabeth K in the evening. Bonnie has been very helpful and alerts me whenever our little one makes a noise. Already she's her nanny. I love you and miss you so much!!!!

Hello World!!!

I made it! October 17, 2005 at 12:59 pm. 6lbs 15oz & 21 really long inches.

Mommy said I could tell you all hello, but then she's going to bed! Grandma's taking night duty.

Daddy was home, too, and I know he loves me soooooo much. I can't wait to be held by him again.

Mommy will post more photos after she wakes from her beauty sleep tomorrow.

LOVE YOU, DADDY!

Love,
Sabine
(Mommy and Bonnie-dog, too)

Daddy is coming home!!!

Hi Everyone!

Mommy said Daddy will be home on Sunday afternoon and by Monday evening he'll be holding me!!!

Mommy & Daddy also said everyone is welcome to visit me on Monday night. I'll be at St Mary's Birthing Center near our house.

Can't wait to see my Mommy & Daddy!!!

Love

Sabine

Positive Thought Needed!!!

If you are reading this entry, I'm asking for your assistance!

Please think positive thoughts, or add our family to your prayer chain. My lovely husband, who is in the National Guard and about to be deployed to Iraq, was supposed to come home on Saturday for the birth of our first child. Now it seems as if he may not be able to come home because of the brigade commander, who doesn't know my husband well, has decided my pregnancy is not life threatening enough despite my difficulties since the car accident in April. My doctor is calling him in an attempt to change his mind. In the meantime, we are asking everyone to please put forth positive thoughts and prayers that he will be able to come home before her delivery on Monday.

Our family thanks you.

Tracie & baby Sabine

Standing by!!!

Just got back from seeing my midwife. I'm 100% effaced and beginning to dialate! Wow. Since last week I've been to the Chiropractor three times to realign my hips and back so Sabine could drop. Then I went to a massage therapist who specializes in abdominal and maternal massage. It was interesting and helpful. My pelvis was pulled apart to loosen the ligaments and such. It was a strange feeling at first, but it relieved a lot of pressure. Now I'm to go walking so I'm going to grocery shopping.

Kip is coming home on Saturday. So those of you who are missing his blog updates, don't worry he'll update them while he's home. We'll go to the hospital Sunday night and the induction starts Monday morning. We should be parents by Monday evening. So if you want to see our little one in the hospital, please feel free to come by after work. I'm sure Kip will be happy to introduce you to our daughter. I may be sleeping though.

See you all soon!

Tracie

Mommy's Update

Today I had another chiro appointment to readjust my hips. Last Friday when I was adjusted Little Sabine discovered she had some new organs to rearrange. Quite uncomfortable for me. I won't say painful, because I know that something more painful is coming in 6 days. Wednesday I'll go for another appointment in the early morning and then a maternal massage to make sure Sabine is in the right position. I'm getting excited, nervous, happy, scared.... I'm so glad Daddy is coming home.

Also I called the Red Cross again, and it seems as if they are finally calling my doctor's office to make sure I'm pregnant. Once they confirm I'll be induced next Monday they'll let the military know... then my hubby will come home!!!

Love you, Baby!!!!

Tracie

Getting bigger - getting ready

Hey Baby,

I'm feeling so big. I went to the Chiropractor to realign my hips. Since then Sabine has started turning and squishing all of my insides. I'm missing you so much today. I can hardly wait until Miss Sabine makes her appearance and I have more of my body back.

I love you.

Tracie

Visiting Daddy's Office

Daddy,Mommy took me to where you worked before you were activated. Everyone was really nice and even had a Turkey Sandwich for Mommy to eat. I think she had fun because she laughed a lot with Pat, Roquel, and Cindy.

Here's a picture of Mommy with the beta fish "Rum Raisin" He keeps Pat company... I think it is because they miss you.


Everyone thought Mr Larry and Mommy were the same size. Actualy, Mommy is bigger.

More silly people I can't wait to meet!!! They all said they missed you. Someone named MIKE decided to take off for lunch before the photo.

Love you, Daddy!

Sabine

Nesting frenzy or Cold front influence?

Hey Baby!

This morning I prepared our deck out back for the winter. I had an added incentive since there was a cold front due to move in today.

I pruned our pepper and tomoto plants, then moved them into our cabana. I wonder how long they'll last?

Then I took down the umbrella from the table and prepared our patio table set for winter. Swept away the leaves, hid the water hose, and deemed it winterized just as the cold rain began to fall.

Our house is quite neat now, but I still have a pile in the basement... but much less in the garage. I can't believe it.

Baby Sabine is really kicking up right now. Her debut could be any day now! Get ready!

I love you, Kip!

Tracie

Mommy's Going Crazy!

Daddy,

Mommy's in a nesting frenzy! I don't know if it is because she's getting excited about my debut or if it is that flylady influence. Today she cleaned the front door (yuck it was dirty). The only thing Mommy says she can't do very well is scrub the kitchen floor. I guess I'm in the way.

Mommy says we're going grocery shopping now. I love you, Daddy and I'm so excited that you're coming home to see me!!!

Sabine (little Sabot)

Mommy's Update

Hey baby!

As you remember from this weekend, I was rather large! Just 2 days later and I feel even bigger as I waddled about the house doing my Monday house cleaning .


What happened! I went to add a link and all of my post disappeared!

I'm glad my soldier read this before it disappeared!

Let's see... what did I write about? Suzy Woods and her daughters are coming over to help me cleand and bring some food. Maureen B-H is bringing her Taiko group to town and will stay with me on Friday night... and Raina may come over for a girls' night in.

I love you so much!!!!

Tracie

Sorry Daddy

Daddy,

I know you wanted to see me and hold me this weekend, but I promise I'll be out soon. I'm getting bigger and stronger every day.

Mommy said you may not be able to be here when I make my debut, but I know it is beyond your control. I'm still going to be a daddy's girl.

I love you so much!

Sabine