Sophia, Amanda, and Eric

Our latest photo

2008-12-22T08:36:00.000-08:00

Alright just so we can say that the blog has been updated...

Pictures from Sunday

2008-11-30T17:03:00.000-08:00

These are just some quick snaps I made today. She has been doing really well with her routine. She had been sleeping through the night since last friday night-she did get up at 4 am on mon. night- until we took her to the farm the past two nights she has gotten up at 4 and 5:15 but that isn't bad and i think once she gets back into her routine she will go back to her all night routine. We have switched once again to a new formula although I think her tummy trouble will not fully be resolved until she outgrows it and her digestive system matures but if she will sleep all night then we are okay with not so great nap times due to tummy upsets. We are really enjoying her and she is growing more and more everyday. She is talking and "singing" her favorite song is jingle bells and she will sing along with me. She is so wonderful and we just love the stuffin' out of her!

First trip to the farm

2008-11-30T17:02:00.000-08:00

Eric and I decided we needed a retreat and we always go up to the farm to do that so we chose a weekend and headed up there. We went on a thurs. evening and arrived at about 6:30. From then until bed time we worked on getting her bed ready and bringing in all our junk and baby stuff-did I mention we looked like a band of gypsies with everything we brought along. We did just what we always do at home-take care of baby wash and make bottles, go down for nap time, etc. Why we thought all this would be different in a different setting I don't know but we did enjoy our weekend and did make it outside to look at the beautiful fall leaves which we didn't get any pictures of. We went the weekend of Nov. 7th.

Thanksgiving

2008-11-30T17:00:00.000-08:00

We had thanksgiving and all our relatives who lived far away got to meet our precious girl. We went to Eric's parents for homemade pizza on wed. night, lunch with my family on Thurs. and then headed to the farm for a hayride and bonfire complete with weiner roast except it was canceled due to rain but next year it will be really fun and Sophia will be old enough to enjoy it. So we enjoyed just hanging out and playing games. We came back on Sat. around lunch and then went over to Eric's parents to visit with Steve and Marsha-long time family friends. It was a fun holiday in which we ate entirely too much food, laughed a lot, and the baby was passed around from one person to the next. I am looking forward to having her at home and to myself!

Meeting cousin Elaina

2008-11-30T12:00:00.000-08:00

Elaina was so excited that Sophia was born that she cried the day that her mom came over and she didn't get to come. Her meeting was delayed for a few weeks but once they finally got to meet they both enjoyed the meeting immensly. She even brought a colorful picture for Sophia's room.

Happy Halloween

2008-11-30T11:56:00.000-08:00

So, it's been almost two months since we posted but here are our pics from these days gone by. These are from Halloween- we were a beautiful ballerina! It was cold that day so we took most of them inside.

our first (very short) shoot

2008-10-01T18:22:00.001-07:00

Here the photos from our first little photo shoot. Which lasted all of 2 minutes, but she was great! Hope ya'll enjoy.

updated pictures

2008-09-28T18:28:00.001-07:00

Here are some pictures that we have not posted but intended to. First: A list of all that is needed to survive the first week of a newborn baby (all of you mothers will know what the plastic looking things are and men that don't, you will). Second: We found our thumb... at least for a little while... Third: Me and the baby girl taking a nap. Fourth: Our first bath. Fifth: Uncle Dustin. (sorry no artsy shots...but they are coming stay posted!)

My birth story

2008-09-28T07:49:00.000-07:00

Every woman has a birth story, they al tell you theirs when you are pregnant and you are at somewhat interested when you are pregnant because you are hoping to happen up on that woman who had the twenty minute labor and in three pushes the baby was born. You always hope in the back of your mind that you could be that woman, but you know it really won't happen to you. So, here is my story. Eric and I went to our dr. appt on wed. and he said that I had made no progress- no dialation no thinning-still looked like I did weeks ago- and that I had a 60% failure rate being that I had not changed any. So, he asked what we wanted to do and I told him that I at least felt like I should try to have her and not just skip and go straight to a section and he said that was fine to show up at labor and delivery around 7:30 and be admitted and we would begin the induction on wed. night. So we are so excited and we show up at the hospital and they don't have a room for us, so we go to a coffee shop and kill and hour and a half and then are admitted and it turns out we are in the same room we were in for my kidney stone. So, they give me the cervadil around midnight and we attempt to sleep. At 7:00 am the dr. came by and checked me and I was at 1 cm and he again asked what we wanted to do and I said to keep going with the induction, so he gave me my epidural then and broke my water. And I just waited. I told the nurse at 11:00 that I was "feeling" something and she checked and I was at 7 cm! we were so excited and felt sure that birth would be soon so all the family was called in and began showing up since we are getting close. Dr. Holland stopped by and we joked and he said he would be by later to check on me and all is well. We continue to wait and it takes until 4:00 to get to complete 10 cm and get ready to push. The baby is fine this whole time and is monitored well. I begin pushing and just make no progress. I am unable to move her at all and after about 2 hours the nurse calls the dr. to come look. He gets there and watches and we push some more and he says that she is crooked and is trying to come in at an angle. So, we sit up in the bed and try to see if she will come on down some on her on but she doesn't. So, at 6:00 he says he feels like we could deliver the head but the shoulders would be tricky or difficult to deliver or get stuck or something.. So at that point we decide to go for a section. I was pretty tired and not encouraged that anything was happening and I was ready to get my baby out. THey prep me and take me in and Eric gets suited up. They bring him in right before she is born-long enough for him to feel a little woozie-glad he was sitting down. but then they say "the head is out and then they suctioned her nose and mouth and it was a few seconds before we heard that first cry and the doctor calls out "6:56" as the time of birth and then they brought her quickly around the tent and said here is your baby and I almost couldn't believe it, she was really here in flesh and bone and weighing in at 8 lbs 20 in. long! Eric went over to the incubator/warmer where they cleaned her up and then they brought her back over to my face for me to see her and then they were off to the nursery and I was staying to be closed up. I asked them how long they were going to be and they said about 20 min. I went ot sleep on the table and woke myself up several times snoring. I then somehow wound up in the recovery room and was still very groggy and had "the shakes" from the anesthesia which is normal and they kept putting warm blankets on me. I was lying flat and had to sit up in very little bits so as not to get nauseated. Then mom and dad were the first ones that I saw and then we had family coming through, I kept falling asleep during the visitng and Eric brought Sophia back to me and i was so sleepy feeling that I was afraid to hold her that I might drop her. I was also on a pain pump which added to the groggyness. So, the whole time during my pregnancy i read that it was improtant to nurse as quickly after birth as possible but I couldn't sit up and could barely keep my eyes open so nursing wasn't happening. We finally got to a room about 11:00, Sophia had stayed with us through all this time-well, at one time i sent her to the nursery but nwo I can't remember why but anyway we got to our room late and I still had not fed her, and I finally got to feed her around midnight and boy did she eat well. I felt terrible that I had had to wait so long but there was nothing else I could do, I didn't sit fully up until around 10:00 so anyway we kept thinking we were going to our room at any minute. OUr care at FGH was wonderful. All the nurses and staff were great and I never felt like they were trying to get me to bottle feed- they were very supportive of breast feeding and actually kept up with her diapers and how long her feedings were and all other sorts of things that had to do with her-she had her own nurse and I had mine- which may be how it is in all hospitals but I was impressed. We then came home on Sat. at lunch. The days in the hospital were nice but we were ready to get home. I was not comfortable for her to sleep in our room without someone watching her-I like to know she is breathing, so when we got home I have had my SIDS/movement monitor to help me to relax-it is problably the best gift we recieved as far as giving you peace of mind. I definately recommend it to anyone!My incision and section recovery has been not as bad as you might think abdominal surgery would be, I have been sore-no doubt about it- but after the first week, I was getting around pretty well. All in all it was worth it-labor and section- to get such a wonderful reward in the end.

Small Miracles

2008-09-28T07:24:00.000-07:00

Well, our baby girl is now 10 days old. I can't believe it was only last week at this time that we had spent our first night at home. A few things I have learned in this week are that no matter how many books you read, you are never prepared completely for baby's schedule, which doesn't always work with yours. They don't perform just like the book said they would and the author leaves out the part where it takes baby a month in order to learn her new schedule. I have learned that tv doesn't compare to the hours of entertainment that your child provides and how you can never get enough sugar. Their skin is so incredibly soft and completely precious. Sleep is a commodity that is lost and you do continue to go on without it-however much more emotionally charged. I am so glad that we have our daughter here and I can see her and check on her. I have had teary days and happy days. Mostly the teary days come behind the little sleep nights. But, we have had lots of excellent help in the grandmothers. They have been our saving grace! They have come and stayed during the day and night and it has been great to be able to feed her and hand her off to someone else and even if she cries at least there is someone else who will see to her for a little while and I can go to sleep. Eric has also blossomed as a father-he has given baths, changed diapers, changed clothes, and put to bed- it would be impossible to be a parent without a partner- I have no idea how single moms do it. He is a wonderful father and I am a very lucky woman to be blessed with such a helpful partner. We also had a miracles last night. We fed her at 10:00 and put her down after that and she slept 5 whole hours and woke up at 3:00 to feed again and she then slept until 7:30 this morning when we woke her up. So, if you don't count the feeding time, we slept for 6 whole hours! In the land of baby this is unprecedented good news. I feel like a normal human this morning and it is amazing how sleep can transform your emotional state! She is now having some wake time in her bouncy seat. So if you tally all our small miracles together- long restful night, grandmothers, husbands, healthy baby, we are a very blessed couple indeed.

4th Day

2008-09-22T18:47:00.000-07:00

Well, Today we got our spit bath. I had some good eskimo kisses with the baby girl. Mom is knocked out right now from feeding and making this beautiful girl happy and content. With each passing day our love for Sophia just seems to get sweeter and sweeter. ( I was looking through and found this picture-see bottom pic- that we did late one night trying to stay awake in the hospital)

3rd Day, 2nd Day Home

2008-09-21T19:21:00.000-07:00

Today was our third day home and we have enjoyed sitting outside enjoying the wonderful weather. As you can tell we have Uncle Drew, Daddy's thumb, and Great Grand Poppa that can't take there hands off this pretty girl. Today the plan ( and if you know Amanda you know about plans...) was to lay her down in her bed for her nap time, but well, she never made it to the bed. It's just to hard to take your hands off something this perfect!

We're Home!!!

2008-09-20T17:29:00.000-07:00

We are home with all smiles and beautiful baby. Amanda and I are glad to have Sophia home! Thanks everybody for you comments and post. We are reading them with the family and enjoying our baby girl. Amanda will be posting as soon as she is feeling up to it.

Ok sorry I could not help myself...

2008-09-19T11:26:00.001-07:00

Like I said I just could not resist...

Sophia Marie Roberts 9-18-08

2008-09-19T11:26:00.000-07:00

Amanda is sleeping right now and recovering quite well. We have constantly heard (or at least I have) You just don't know... You just don't know...well, how could anything be more apropos than those words on this very special little girl's birthday. We thank God for her healthy arrival and pray that God will dwell in her life for many years! -Romans 11:36 "For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen."........Alright so the Grandparents informed me i did not put the Girly details about little Miss Sophia: 8.0lbs 20 in long ( and if you ask me very very beautiful!)

Baby News!

2008-09-17T13:49:00.000-07:00

So, we went for our appt. this afternoon and there was no change/progress but he did let me choose to be induced rather than skipping and going straight to a section. He said that I have a 60% chance of the induction not working. But, we are going to try. I am going in at 7:30 tonight and they will put the cervidil in let that sit all night long and will begin the pitocin drip in the morning. He will come by to see me before he goes to the clinic sometime between 7:00 & 7:30 and we will see how much progress I have made and possibly decide then to either keep going or to call it quits and go for the section. Either way Sophia will be here tomorrow! We will post pics of her as soon as we are able. I know there are several of you out of towners that would like to see her! Keep us in your prayers!

Only a few days left

2008-09-14T21:27:00.000-07:00

WELL, it is Sunday night and we only have a few days left until our little girl is here. Here are some nursery pics I took that I thought you might enjoy. I made the canvas/painting on the wall over the dresser. I was quite proud of myself. I have several friends who have attempted these type projects and was pleased with how it came out.

catchin' up

2008-09-03T18:16:00.001-07:00

Well, we are once again behind on our blog posts but I am waiting to post until I get the nursery done with everything on the wall, stroller and car seat in the car, etc. but we are getting there. This weekend during the rain and storm from Gustav, we were able to get a lot done. We have hooked up all her monitoring devices, got the car cleaned out, pack my bag and her bag, hung the blinds, and put away various other baby acessories and items. We are now approaching our 38 week mark which will be on Friday. Some people are lucky enough to go into labor at this point but I don't think it will be me. I am not feeling vary laborly and I think she will wait until closer to time. We went last week and there was no change so I am hoping this Friday when we go back there weill be something to be encouraging. I am doing well health wise and have not have problems with blood pressure or anything which is a blessing. It is hard to wait and not be impatient but I know that God is watching her while I cna't see her and that He is a better protecotr/guardian of her life than I will ever be-so she will just keep squirming and growing and maybe we will meet her sooner than later. I am really hoping for the 15th of Sept which is the next full moon instead of having to wait until the 20th. So, we shall see. Please keep us in your prayers as we wait that we can have a very average normal delivery. I promise to post pics soon!

ahh summer peaches!

2008-06-13T07:51:00.000-07:00

Well, I must say there is nothing quite like summer peaches...It is funny how a small piece of fruit congers such great memories that borders on nostalgia and races straight past fond memories. Oh yeah that is quite a beautiful little pregnant lady in the pictures! Although, I think she is trying to tell me something...

Yeah so Blues Bash 1 year later...

2008-06-11T19:16:00.000-07:00

We felt it only apropos to start back our blog after one year. Ok so it has not been a full year, but might as well have been. We went to Blue Bash again on the lawn of the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art. This year was so very much cooler and that much more enjoyable as we listend to howlin-man-something-or-other (blues guy) and ate wonderful bar-b-Que. plates. So we are going to make a valiant attempt at keeping our blog updated. So here are some of the pics from Blues Bash 2008...

Blues Bash 2007

2007-09-23T20:11:00.001-07:00

A few weekends ago, Lauren Rogers Museum of Art hosted their Blues Bash concert on the front lawn event and we were able to go. We had a great time sitting outside in our lawn chairs, eating BBQ-aka food with BBQ sauce on it, not grilled food- being with friends and listening to some great blues music. We stayed until most people were gone- and the lone drunken woman had stopped dancing, which was quite entertaining- and had a great evening. It makes you happy to do fun, cultural things in your town when you assume that if you lived in another exciting town they would have stuff like this, so it made me feel good in a "my hometown is cool too" sort of way. Anyway, it was fun.

back in Del Ray

2007-09-23T20:05:00.000-07:00

So, after South Beach we opted to go back to Del Ray- South Beach was extremely crowded and since our hotel turned out to be a bust we went back to Del Ray which we really enjoyed the most. We stopped in for Ice cream at a cute little homade candy and ice cream parlor-very cute - and ate our icecream outside and watched people as they went by. We later went for Sushi at this local place down there-probably the freshest and best tasting sushi I have ever had-really awesome food! And then we went home to Mark's spent the night and came home. All in all it was a good trip-except that our luggage was lost going and coming- and thus has led me to the conclusion that if I am going anywhere within 15 hours,I will attempt driving.

South Beach

2007-09-23T19:54:00.000-07:00

So, after the terrible night in the hotel room we awoke and were ready to get out of there and find the real south beach and we had a great time people watching there. It was pretty hot there but we ate at a great restraunt- News Cafe - really cool, outside, just like something you would expect to eat down there and then we walked around. Went to the beach-really gorgeous water-really hot sand and hot air at 12:00 noon. We also made it by Miami Ink, which was really cool. Saw Madonna's hotel The Delano- incredibly beautiful-would be worth the splurge if I went back. The trees and branches was an alley way just outside the hotel lobby- really beautiful place-would have taken more pics except we would have look like the tourists that we were.

terrible ugly horrible hotel room

2007-09-23T19:32:00.000-07:00

This is handsdown the ugliest hotel room I have ever stayed in. I was afraid to let my skin touch the sheets for fear that I would bring home the terrible infestion of bed bugs that NBC has been repoting on this spring. I was confused when I booked this hotel and put us on the opposite end of South Beach and thus stayed in a hotel that hasn't been updated since Miami Vice. It went from hideous track lighting in the den with country paneling on the bottom with some miami green paint to sunflowers on the table-what are we in the midwest or florida?- to the trailer park bathroom with the homade bidet! Yes homade bidet which I promptly pointed out to Eric and forbade him to touch it. Neither of us got in the shower or let our skin touch the toliet. I also slept in socks and full clothing. There were also some odd very Las Vegas 1975v mirrors in the hall going to the bathroom-not sure what that was about. Also the bedroom was confused and thought it was from Gatlinburg, TN with all of its pine furniture and burgundy bedspread. The kitchen could have come out of anyhome in America about 20 years ago except for the foul smell being emited occassionally from the sink. Needless to say, it was bearable for one night but had it not been 10:00 p.m. and Eric calling me a princess and reassuring me we would not catch bed bugs and making me laugh, I would not have stayed that long. I also forgot to mention there was a barking dog next door. Wehn I called down to the front desk to report this atrocious behavior of one of the guests, she let em know that this was a pet friendly hotel. MOst of you may be thinking- she just booked it because it was cheap but no, we paid $225 a night to stay at this dump. Never again! I will probably never stay somewhere that is not personally recommended or from the southern living site again. Thanks to Mark for letting us crash at his impeccably clean and wonderful home back in Del Ray!!!

more miami pics

2007-09-23T19:19:00.001-07:00

pics below were from the Breakers hotel in West Palm beach- a gorgeous hotel and fabulous restraunt! We had a great time but I have lost enthusiasm for writing as this is my third attempt to post these pics. Also, we enjoyed the time we were able to spend in Del Ray Beach with our great friend Mark Duffell. Del Ray is a great little town with an awesome downtown area and Mark also rescued us from our terrible hotel in Miami Beach. If you see the pic of Eric in an extremely ugly hotel room that was it.

miami pics

2007-09-23T19:08:00.000-07:00

Bentley & his Back Rub

2007-08-26T18:05:00.000-07:00

Bentley-our 90 pound lab really enjoys having his back scratched and Eric was raking pinestraw one morning and decided Bently needed a rubbin'- Bentley loved it!

other remaining pics

2007-05-14T15:15:00.000-07:00

the afters

2007-05-14T15:12:00.000-07:00

here are the afters

Eric's studio

2007-05-14T15:04:00.000-07:00

Eric has been working on his studio space since last probably mid September. He has really put the sweat equity in there and is really pleased with the way it turned out! I think it turned out awesome! The building is in downtown Laurel-it is located next to the Eastman Gardiner Building and across the street from Save-right. It was once the old Schwartzvager Ford building/warehouse. When we first saw it-He knew right away that this was the space for him. These are just the inside pictures. When we finish with the paint outside we will post them too. Here are the befores & afters.

Virginia 07

2007-05-06T18:52:00.000-07:00

Here are some of our pics from the very first vacation taken with all of the immediate family and spouses on my side of the family. My Mom, Dad, Eric & I, my brother Drew & sister-in-law Erin. We had a good time on this trip-however it was a fast one. My voted for the next trip for us to rent a beach cottage and just stay for the week-much more relaxing and warm! IT was Freezing the weekend we went-probably the coldest I have been in a long time. These pics are from us touring the capitol and maybe a few pics from the farm. We went a few days early to sight see and then went to a cattle sale at Whitestone Farms.

Hello fellow bloggers

2007-04-28T10:14:00.000-07:00

Hi all other bloggers out there. This is my first post as a recent new commer. I am trying out differnt fonts-defienatly not this one-possibly this one will work.thisis illegible I think this one will work just fine