Sweet Baby James

More to come as soon as I can sit down and go through the photos and think clearly about the life-changing event that just happened Thursday, September 25! James (Jamie) Donl Peterson: 8 lbs. 5 oz. 22" long. Healthy, beautiful and loved! We are all so happy! Here are a couple of photos taken today:

Ok. . .We are ready. . .

1 week from today is the due date! I finally packed my bag today--I think that is a good signal to the baby that it's time to be born. Come on already! I went on a long, painful jog/walk this morning and finished up some loose ends at home, so it's time. . .

1/2 hour later: Still waiting. . .

Tomorrow I have a dr. appt--he said there are several things we can try to get this going. If nothing works, I guess I'm waiting until the bitter end! Greenday's "Wake Me Up When September Ends" will be my theme song after all.

A Classic Teenager's Comment

A couple of nights ago, Nick said, "I hope so bad you go into labor tomorrow so I don't have to go to school." Thanks, Nick.

Carter's Excitement

Carter has just about HAD IT!, waiting for this baby. He said the other day when he got home off the bus, "OK, Mom, this is it!: Lay down, I'm rubbing your feet!" (He knows that it can induce labor). He also said, "If I had to choose between you going into labor today and going to Disneyland, I would totally choose Labor."

In the last couple of days, he's been carrying around his teddy bear, treating it like a baby. This morning before school, he said, "Mom, my bear is pretty tired--he's on the couch right now sleeping. Can you take care of him if he needs it?" Then he said in a whisper close to my ear, like he was letting me in on some inside info, "It would be cool if the bear was somewhere else in the house when I get home. That way, I would know that you took care of him." So, I moved him to the new crib.

Never Too Late

Ok, so I've had a rough couple of weeks with my oldest son. He's awesome and such a good kid most of the time. We've just had some new attitude developments and school adjustments to work through. Michael took the kids to Lagoon and will be back later this morning, so I've been alone for 24 hours. Sunday mornings are usually spent sleeping and listening to the fighting or horsing around, which causes some major irritation while trying to get ready for church. Anyway, it's silent this morning and I heard Nick's alarm--I was already up but irritated to go all the way upstairs and turn it off. When I got up there, it dawned on me that his alarm going off at 6 is a sign of him being responsible and I thought to myself, "Why am I so irritated? He's such a good kid! He's been getting up on his own for two years!" Then I glanced over his pile of clothes I asked him to take down before they left, on top of the messed up bed and saw on his night stand his scriptures out of their case, so he's obviously been reading them. Anyway, I got tears in my eyes and finally did what I've been planning to do for so many years--write him a letter about all the reasons I am proud of him. Why has it taken me so long to do this? Maybe this is the best time for him to receive it? Anyway, I wrote thirteen reasons and it took up 2 pages. Maybe he will roll his eyes, but it felt good to write it. I need to remember to catch him doing things right, a parenting 101 basic! Anyway, I guess it's never too late to try to be a better parent.

Michael's Baby Shower!

The women at work threw a surprize baby shower for MICHAEL!!!!! I was invited also, but it was geared for him. (Keep in mind that he is the only man in the office besides the Physical Therapist.) It was so funny and neat that they went to this effort. They had blue and brown decorations for the fact that the shower was for a MAN and that we are having a boy--balloons, blue punch, little confettis that say "JAMES", packs of blue Jelly Bellies, BBQ chicken, crackers & cheese, cupcakes in the shape of a teddy bear, and a bear made out of diapers with a bib on it that said, "I LOVE DADDY." They also had games with prizes. Then, what I didn't expect was that they gave us gifts! Usually when there is an event for an employee, the social committee uses money from the fund everyone contributes to. This time, it was all personal. It meant a lot to us. It was fun for me to sit back and watch Michael open the gifts and be embarrassed. Michael got a "Daddy's diaper Kit," fully equiped with a rain poncho, rubber gloves and other essentials. We also got darling clothes, blankets, a crocheted baby cap, a teddy bear with "mother's womb" sounds, and some supplies. I will post a photo as soon as I get it emailed to me. FUN!

Labor Day

The fun started on Saturday, when Michael and I cleaned the office. It was quite a chore and I was grumpy because I wasn't in the mood and bending down over and over just about kills me. But we got it done and were ready for the following item:

How cute! Little by little, this baby is becoming real for me. This was a big step. How cute also that the boys set up the crib for the new little boy. . .

Can I just say "thank you" to all of the designers that now make baby stuff in colors that are decent and go with your home?

The rest of Labor Day was pretty low-key--it rained all morning so no bike ride for Michael and Nick and picnic for the family in the canyon. Instead, Michael took the kids to the rec center while I stayed home and did pretty much nothing other than the grocery & crib shopping with Michael that morning. I did make monster sandwiches--enough for lunch and dinner.