Our gorgeous girl--Piper Lily Grace Jacobs--was born on July 8, 2008 at 12:54pm, weighing in at 4lbs. 6oz. She is darling, a champion eater, and is packing on the weight with a rapidity that makes us quite proud.
Her birth story is quite a saga--and I do plan to share it with you all, but first must manage to pull out from the current state of exhaustion that has gripped our household.
Suffice to say (for now) that Piper is doing wondefully well, thriving and capturing hearts wherever she goes. I, on the other hand, have had a rough time of it, and my body is not quite through with its epic rebellion--though my fingers are crossed that no further symptons, infections, or maladies befall me for many many moons to come. I feel I've paid my dues sufficiently, and could really use a break. ;)
I'll leave you all with that tease, and will return to share the full dramatic tale sometime soon.
xoxo
tara
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Friday, July 4, 2008
My name is Tara, and I am a Contest-aholic...
I just can't resist a good contest, and this would be an awesome prize. ;)
We plan to practice babywearing around here, and choosing what kind of carrier to purchase has been difficult. We'll also probably each prefer, and be comfortable with, different choices. I think I'll end up prefering a Moby Wrap or Mei Tai, and I think Ross will probably find that the Bjorn or the Ergo work better for him. I figured we'd best be able to make this determination once our little girl is actually here to help with the test drives.
Winning this contest, though, would land us a slew of baby wearing options. Can't pass that up! Ya know?!
So, here's the link--shamelessly earning me an extra contest entry:
Win the Essential Babywearing Stash from Along for the Ride (one Beco Butterfly, one Hotsling baby pouch, one BabyHawk Mei Tai, one Zolowear Ring Sling, and one Gypsy Mama Wrap)
Fingers crossed, y'all! ;)
xoxo
tara
We plan to practice babywearing around here, and choosing what kind of carrier to purchase has been difficult. We'll also probably each prefer, and be comfortable with, different choices. I think I'll end up prefering a Moby Wrap or Mei Tai, and I think Ross will probably find that the Bjorn or the Ergo work better for him. I figured we'd best be able to make this determination once our little girl is actually here to help with the test drives.
Winning this contest, though, would land us a slew of baby wearing options. Can't pass that up! Ya know?!
So, here's the link--shamelessly earning me an extra contest entry:
Win the Essential Babywearing Stash from Along for the Ride (one Beco Butterfly, one Hotsling baby pouch, one BabyHawk Mei Tai, one Zolowear Ring Sling, and one Gypsy Mama Wrap)
Fingers crossed, y'all! ;)
xoxo
tara
Monday, June 30, 2008
Shameless attempt to win a contest...
Win a Bum Genius 3.0 Starter Kit from Nature's Child - Wholesome Goods for Mothers and Babies
But, given my previous posting, this would be the perfect contest to finally win...and, I think I'm due after numerous failed contest entries, right?! ;)
But, given my previous posting, this would be the perfect contest to finally win...and, I think I'm due after numerous failed contest entries, right?! ;)
Friday, June 27, 2008
Luck of the Irish
Ross found a big, beautiful four-leaf clover in the yard today. I'm taking it as a lovely sign of good luck and good things to come. And, we're saving the clover for posterity, nestled in Thumper's ultrasound photo album. Ah. ;)
xoxo
tara
xoxo
tara
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
And, we're into the home stretch!
Whew...it seems like a long time coming, but we're finally in the last two months of this pregnancy. If you haven't made a guess yet in the Baby Pool, you might want to get in on that action! Click the banner below to make your bet.
So, we're starting to get a bit of the 'nesting' bug around here. Getting some cleaning and organizing done, and starting to think through logistics a bit more. And, we have already secured several of the things that we deem absolutely mandatory to have on hand as soon as baby arrives, though that list is pretty short! (We're going to have a LOT to do and buy when this little person finally turns up!)
I will warn all you non-baby-minded folk that the following gets into a level of detail that will leave most enormously bored. But hey, this is a baby blog! And, for those who have a clue what I'm talking about, as always, I look forward to hearing your opinions, advice, and insight.
So far we've got our Amby Baby Infant Hammock--which we are hoping delivers the promised restful sleeper we would sooo like to have! ;) They come incredibly highly recommended, and tend to work best fresh from the womb--as babies are still longing for the snug fit and rocking motions they experienced in utero. So, our fingers are crossed that this particular purchase (and very tough get, btw) turns out to be worth it. It's nice because it is highly portable, and comes with a travel bag, so we can bring it with us if needed (though it is quite bulky).
And, as I am typing this I learn that our infant car seat w/ base has arrived! That is a an absolute must have if we plan to bring baby home from hospital--since they won't let you leave without a properly installed car seat in your car. We will be bringing our car and seat over to the North Adams Fire Department this week to have some expert instruction and installation to make sure that thing gets in there correctly. I think it'll be made a bit simpler as our new Baby Mobile (the PT Cruiser, if I've failed to mention that baby-inspired acquisition) has the handy dandy latch system in the back seat. However, I am completely ignorant of all things baby seat related, and really have no clue what the hell the latch system looks like, where to find it, or how to use it. So, expert instruction here we come! ;)
Those are the two main priorites we had for advance purchase items. In addition, over the next couple of months we will be acquiring a generously subsidized breast pump through a special program offered by Ross' health plan. Since that is shipped through a separate company, who takes an indeterminate amount of time to deliver the pump, we'll be taking care of that paperwork earlier than later, and probably have it in hand well before the arrival of little Thumper.
I've been really good about resisting the shopping bug so far. It's been really difficult, and has required some serious self-discipline and restraint. I've been channeling my buying desires into my varioius registry building exercises--it's like filling a shopping cart, without the commitment of checkout--and accumulating an enormous list of bookmarks to be revisited at the appropriate time. This also means that an intense amount of research and comparison shopping has gone on in the last seven months--informed by numerous parenting and baby magazines, discussion board chatter and reviews, recommendations from friends, and numerous google searches.
For instance, after much research and many reviews (both online and from people we know), I'm inclined to use BumGenius 3.0 diapers to get our little person from newborn status through potty training. This looks to be an amazing product, with very satisfied customers. These are the newest technology in cloth diapering--as easy to use as disposable, as reliable, and much much more cost effective. One investment at the outset gets us through all of diapering (though we will probably supplement with disposables, especially at the beginning, when we are away from home, so as to avoid the carry-factor)--about $300 vs. about $4000. And, better for most sensitive tushies (though occasionally a baby will have skin that actually prefers the disposables--so we'll see how things go).
I found a cool website that allows you to take several different brands and models of cloth diapers (including the Bum Genius 3.0, as well as another Bum Genius model) out for a trial test-run. It ends up costing just $10 for the trial, and we can make sure we're satisfied with the experience prior to making the commitment. Not bad. And, if I do go ahead and get that trial pack in hand now, the actual trial period doesn't start until baby comes.
We're figuring out what other things might need to be picked up immediately, and then a bit later, so things go smoothly when baby gets here. Based on the recommended shopping lists from various retail giants, there are about four hundred products we absolutely must have if our little one is to make it to toddlerhood in one piece. Hmmm...I'm not really buying that. I'm more inclined to try to identify those actual must haves, and then see what would be nice to add once we get to know our little Thumper and her tastes a little better.
Fascinating, eh? ;)
xoxo
tara
So, we're starting to get a bit of the 'nesting' bug around here. Getting some cleaning and organizing done, and starting to think through logistics a bit more. And, we have already secured several of the things that we deem absolutely mandatory to have on hand as soon as baby arrives, though that list is pretty short! (We're going to have a LOT to do and buy when this little person finally turns up!)
I will warn all you non-baby-minded folk that the following gets into a level of detail that will leave most enormously bored. But hey, this is a baby blog! And, for those who have a clue what I'm talking about, as always, I look forward to hearing your opinions, advice, and insight.
So far we've got our Amby Baby Infant Hammock--which we are hoping delivers the promised restful sleeper we would sooo like to have! ;) They come incredibly highly recommended, and tend to work best fresh from the womb--as babies are still longing for the snug fit and rocking motions they experienced in utero. So, our fingers are crossed that this particular purchase (and very tough get, btw) turns out to be worth it. It's nice because it is highly portable, and comes with a travel bag, so we can bring it with us if needed (though it is quite bulky).
And, as I am typing this I learn that our infant car seat w/ base has arrived! That is a an absolute must have if we plan to bring baby home from hospital--since they won't let you leave without a properly installed car seat in your car. We will be bringing our car and seat over to the North Adams Fire Department this week to have some expert instruction and installation to make sure that thing gets in there correctly. I think it'll be made a bit simpler as our new Baby Mobile (the PT Cruiser, if I've failed to mention that baby-inspired acquisition) has the handy dandy latch system in the back seat. However, I am completely ignorant of all things baby seat related, and really have no clue what the hell the latch system looks like, where to find it, or how to use it. So, expert instruction here we come! ;)
Those are the two main priorites we had for advance purchase items. In addition, over the next couple of months we will be acquiring a generously subsidized breast pump through a special program offered by Ross' health plan. Since that is shipped through a separate company, who takes an indeterminate amount of time to deliver the pump, we'll be taking care of that paperwork earlier than later, and probably have it in hand well before the arrival of little Thumper.
I've been really good about resisting the shopping bug so far. It's been really difficult, and has required some serious self-discipline and restraint. I've been channeling my buying desires into my varioius registry building exercises--it's like filling a shopping cart, without the commitment of checkout--and accumulating an enormous list of bookmarks to be revisited at the appropriate time. This also means that an intense amount of research and comparison shopping has gone on in the last seven months--informed by numerous parenting and baby magazines, discussion board chatter and reviews, recommendations from friends, and numerous google searches.
For instance, after much research and many reviews (both online and from people we know), I'm inclined to use BumGenius 3.0 diapers to get our little person from newborn status through potty training. This looks to be an amazing product, with very satisfied customers. These are the newest technology in cloth diapering--as easy to use as disposable, as reliable, and much much more cost effective. One investment at the outset gets us through all of diapering (though we will probably supplement with disposables, especially at the beginning, when we are away from home, so as to avoid the carry-factor)--about $300 vs. about $4000. And, better for most sensitive tushies (though occasionally a baby will have skin that actually prefers the disposables--so we'll see how things go).
I found a cool website that allows you to take several different brands and models of cloth diapers (including the Bum Genius 3.0, as well as another Bum Genius model) out for a trial test-run. It ends up costing just $10 for the trial, and we can make sure we're satisfied with the experience prior to making the commitment. Not bad. And, if I do go ahead and get that trial pack in hand now, the actual trial period doesn't start until baby comes.
We're figuring out what other things might need to be picked up immediately, and then a bit later, so things go smoothly when baby gets here. Based on the recommended shopping lists from various retail giants, there are about four hundred products we absolutely must have if our little one is to make it to toddlerhood in one piece. Hmmm...I'm not really buying that. I'm more inclined to try to identify those actual must haves, and then see what would be nice to add once we get to know our little Thumper and her tastes a little better.
Fascinating, eh? ;)
xoxo
tara
Friday, June 20, 2008
Let's play a game!
This is a Virtual Shower, after all...so, it's time for another game! (If you missed it, check out the archives for the Bloons game...mad addictive fun!)
This one seems perfectly themed, help the baby get his snack back! There's multiple chapters to keep you occupied, and it's a cute game. And, it comes from Israel--adding a little something to the experience.
Join the Bamba Snack Quest! Good luck!
xoxo
tara
This one seems perfectly themed, help the baby get his snack back! There's multiple chapters to keep you occupied, and it's a cute game. And, it comes from Israel--adding a little something to the experience.
Join the Bamba Snack Quest! Good luck!
xoxo
tara
We had better get in gear!
According to a fun little internet predictor site, Thumper is gonna come early...I guess we'd better get on that to-do list pronto! ;)
Here's what they had to say:
Here's what they had to say:
Labor Prediction Quiz
Your labor prediction quiz results are below.....
Get your bags packed early just in case you need them. Make sure your partner has a phone available when he's away because this baby just might come early. We predict your baby will come 2-3 weeks early. Your baby will most likely be born in the morning. Justmommies predicts that your baby will weigh approximately 8.0 pounds and that your labor will be about 12 hours long.
This is for entertainment purposes only.
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