Welcome Baby Drake

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Drake's "Coming Out" Party

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Mugs

We just got new mugs, the first sure sign that we are taking on a new identity! From Robin & Dave to Mommy and Daddy, and now oh so suddenly, we are Grandma and Grandpa. Here in East Tennessee, many folks of our status are called “mamaw” and “papaw,” or even “meemaw” and “peapaw.” Grandma suits me fine. I’m not sure what Dave prefers, or if he’s avoiding the title altogether right now.

My mug says, “Blessed are those who raise children well, for they shall eventually be called Grandma.” It’s a lovely sentiment, although I’m not sure how much raising them “well” has to do with it. Children seem to grow up and have kids of their own in spite of their families. My son says he thinks he had a pretty good childhood though, and he was raised in the nuture and admonition of the Lord. That, after all, is the measurement that matters most.

God has a sense of humor. Dave’s mug says, “Grandchildren are God’s way of compensating for growing old.” I think he can somehow relate to this, although he won’t admit it. I tell eveyone I’m a grandma, and refer to baby Jake (yet unbirthed) as my grandson, my grandchild, my “grandsugars.” Dave refers to him as David and Amber’s baby, but I’m sure Drake will grow on him! I can almost see them at the lake, fishing rods in hand.

Amber is not due for about 6 weeks, mid-May, but all appearances predict quite an earlier birth. We do hope she carries little Drake a few more weeks at least. In the meantime, I’ll be shopping. I’ll soon need one of those wallets that has a 20 sleeve fold-out accordian picture file; it holds 40 pictures in all. And a bumper sticker.

Let me tell you about my grandchild . . .

Have a blessed day!

Diaper Cake

This was so much fun!

This is the diaper cake I made for my daughter-in-law Amber's baby shower. It is made of 80 newborn diapers and lots of ribbon and bows.

It's held together with sticky dots, straight pins, and rubber bands and decorated with all nature of little baby toys and toiletries. Since they are size 2 diapers (12-16 #), maybe she can keep it together for a week or two before the baby needs this size diaper, although she can use the toiletries right away.

Not bad for my first attempt, if I do say so myself!

Have a blessed day!

First OB-GYN Visit

My son David called today to report he and Amber had had their first OB-GYN visit here in Knoxville. He advises they were able to hear the heartbeat, and a sonogram was done. The baby is now the size of a peanut! Expected due date: May 15, 2008. Names: Drake Elliott for a boy. No girl name selected as yet. Anticipation rises!

Some facts courtesy of http://www.prolife.com/
(Note: Photo is not their actual sonogram; it is also from prolife.com)

• Day 1 - conception takes place.
• 7 days - tiny human implants in mother’s uterus.
• 10 days - mother’s menses stop.
• 18 days - heart begins to beat.
• 21 days - pumps own blood through separate closed circulatory system with own blood type.
• 28 days - eye, ear and respiratory system begin to form.
• 42 days - brain waves recorded, skeleton complete, reflexes present.
• 7 weeks - photo of thumbsucking.
• 8 weeks - all body systems present.

Have a blessed day!