Photos finally!

So here are some photos at last. Enjoy!

Good News!

Well the news is good. Logan Jules Allen was born on August 19th at 11:52 PM. He weighed 8 pounds and 2 ounces; also he was 21 1/2 inches long. The birth went well (as a by-standers opinion). Rebecca was amazing; she used no pain medication at all! I know she was hoping for a completely natural birth, but due to some leaking fluid she was induced. However, she proceeded through the rest of the process naturally. I always thought she was a little wimpy, but I will never make that assumption again!

A little history on his name... Logan happens to be my middle name, as well as my great-grandfather's name, on my Dad's side. And Jules came from the street Rebecca and I lived on in St. Joseph when we were married. I believe that the founder of St. Joseph named the original streets after his grandchildren. I still feel a little attached to Sebastian Bartholomew, but Logan Jules is a pleasant compromise.

Life at home is finding a routine. Eat, change diaper, nap, repeat. Rebecca is recovering well, and I am trying to manage work and fatherhood. It's not been a walk in the park, but nothing truly worth while is. We will be posting some photos soon, but you can use the following link to check out his mug-shot at the hospital. Thank you all for your support and interest in our family.

Seth
http://www.growingfamily.com/webnursery/babypage_view.asp?URLID=6I6X2M3L1V

Yep...still no news...

We're still waiting on baby to make an appearance. I am exhausted, physically and mentally and my body is telling me it's time. However, it's baby's choice, not mine, so I continue to wait...and wait...and wait. Technically, the little one isn't "due" until Monday, but really what good is that date anyway? It's just a guess, that's why it's called the EDD: estimated due date. I can go 2 weeks past the due date before our doctor will encourage and pretty much require an induction. Geez...I can't imagine waiting 2 more weeks. As much as I want this to be a natural process, I'm sure I'll be ready for some sort of intervention if it goes on that long...

I plan to spend my weekend as a mix of relaxation along with activity that might encourage labor. You know the old wives tales...vacuum, sweep, walk up and down stairs, eat spicy foods, bananas or spaghetti with lots of garlic. Perhaps I'll talk Seth into making eggplant parmigiana using a recipe that restaurant owners of Alla Scalini's, an Italian restaurant in Cobb County, Georgia, claims to induce labor. Apparently, it's all in the sauce! See here for an article on the claim from an interview with Good Morning America: http://www.wchstv.com/gmarecipes/eggplantparmigian.shtml

I noticed Seth has decided to learn how to post to the blog. Since we don't have Internet service at home, he'll be posting stuff when he's at work. Babies change so quickly, we want to keep everyone updated! We hope to get Internet service at home soon, but we have yet to decide which of two unnecessary things we will purchase just to get the service. We don't need a home phone line, nor cable, but we have to get one in order to get Internet. How frustrating...and how expensive!

Well, that's all for now. I figured I better post one last time before the weekend. It might be a little while before there's an update depending on when this baby comes. I hope everyone has a good weekend!

-rebecca

Practice makes perfect

Well I just had to figure out how to post a blog. You know it will be my duty soon enough. As of now...still no news.

Family Birth Center

Below is a bit of information I copied and pasted from the hospital website where we'll deliver our baby. You can click on the links to learn more about the hospital and the Birth Center. There's even a virtual tour where you can view different parts of the center. We took a tour of the Birth Center a couple of weeks ago and it was nice to familiarize ourselves with the atmosphere in which I'll labor and deliver. Baby gets to room-in with us so I'm excited about that. Those who visit us in the hospital will actually be able to hold or see our little one up-close rather than through a window in the nursery.

Location: Columbia Regional Hospital 404 Keene St., Columbia, MO 65201

Phone: (573) 499-6100

To take a virtual tour

"A baby is important to a lot of people-big brothers and sisters, grandma and grandpa-and especially mom and dad. That is why Columbia Regional Hospital offers The Family Birth Center, a birthing center created with the entire family in mind. The Family Birth Center is a true LDRP setting, allowing the mother to labor, deliver, recover and stay in the same private room. This increases comfort and privacy for the family while accommodating open visitation during and after the birth, as desired.

New mothers will receive personalized, caring service, including individualized teaching, during their stay. Suite amenities include:

• Private shower
• Sitz bath
• Television
• VCR
• Sleeper chair or sofa for guests

When it's time to go home, the new parents will receive a celebratory dinner out on the town compliments of The Family Birth Center."

More Information...

You can call the phone number listed above if you want to talk with us after the baby is born, before we leave the hospital. We'll be making phone calls to family and friends announcing the arrival but, if we miss you, feel free to try and reach us at the hospital. I assume I'll feel more rested and up for chatting though after we've settled in back at home.

Polls!

I just figured out how to add a poll to the blog! Look in the column to the left and you'll find 2 poll questions. Click on your desired choice. I don't think you'll have the option to identify yourself, it just keeps track of the number of votes. But if you want to let us know what your opinion is, then post a comment and leave your name with it.

Eleven days left, and counting...

Inside Columbia

I was browsing through the university bookstore yesterday on my lunch break and happened to wander by the magazine racks. Out of the corner of my eye I spotted some familiar art work on the cover of the most recent Inside Columbia magazine.




Anyone who knows Kelly Coalier knows this is his artwork. And who could miss Carrie holding Georgia and the stroller with Gram sitting inside? This particular print was chosen as Columbia's Official T-Shirt and was described as, "captur[ing] a beautiful day in our city's family-friendly downtown." The magazine also printed an article on Kelly about his artistry and shop, Orchids and Art. Way to go, Kelly! Congratulations!

Our "Babymoon" get-a-way

I finally figured out where I saved the pictures from our "Babymoon" trip. We had an especially good time and enjoyed relaxing at the Second Creek Farm B&B. We left for Hermann, MO, after I got off work last Thursday (7/25) and we checked into the B&B at 5:30 p.m. We packed a picnic dinner and hiked the trails around the property for a good spot to eat. Later that evening Seth fished in the two ponds on the property and we played a game of scrabble. In the morning we enjoyed a breakfast prepared by the innkeeper and then stopped by the stables to visit with some of their farm animals before checking out and heading to Hermann. In Hermann we browsed the local antique stores and shops and then had lunch at a cottage restaurant just outside of town. Before going home we endulged in therapeutic massages.



This is the sign that beckons guests to the parking area and entrance to the B&B...

...and this is what we saw when we pulled in. It was beautiful!


This is an open area in the middle of the cabin. The fireplace is enormous and reaches past the second floor.

This is another view from the second floor (the fireplace is below to the left, out of sight). Our room was behind the first door on the left and it was called "The Sty"... the theme was sheep. I took a picture of the room arrangement but forgot to prep it for posting on the blog. :(

Just sitting on the front porch looking pregnant! (I'm at 37.5 weeks now)
This is the dining area where we ate breakfast and it overlooks the backyard. The innkeepers have done a fabulous job of landscaping and rockscaping. They used a mix of native and non-native perinnials and annuals with gravel, mulch and tree bark chips. The property is very beautiful.

Ahhh, coneflowers. How pretty!
I really like this picture of Seth. It looks like it belongs in a magazine.
Seth caught three fish and this is his official fisherman's pose! Well done, honey. :) You can see part of the B&B in the background.
The porch support beams and some smaller features of the cabin were made from trees harvested on the property, including this sign.

Innkeeper, Pat, took this picture of us as we were leaving. We had a great time and would definitely consider staying there again sometime.

On our way out we drove over to the stable and pen areas to view the animals that the innkeepers raise. This has got to be the ugliest subject I've ever taken a picture of. How cute it this? The goats were so loud, it sounded like a nursery of crying babies. I love the curious look on this one's face. Seth thinks this looks like a glamour shot with the sweeping hair around the eye. I agree.

Yes, I certainly look very, VERY, pregnant, but you must realize that Seth took this picture with a wide angle lens and it distorts (stretches) the sides of the frame. So I'm kind of that big, just not as pointy looking. I like the action going on behind me. It looks like two goats with a conjoined head.

If Seth's hands were any closer to that fence, the goat might have nibbled his fingers. And there's that horse again, posing for the camera.

This a family of donkey's. The one that Seth is petting is actually named Donkey, one is named Clarence...and I can't think of the third name.
This is the patio area outside the restaurant where we ate lunch in Hermann. It was hot outside, but we really wanted to enjoy the outside atmosphere. The patio was built into a limestone bluff.

No, we haven't fallen off the face of the Earth

Long time, no post. Life has been busy, what else can I say.

I was hoping to post some pictures along with this entry but for some reason I cannot find the folder on my computer that has the pictures I'm looking for. Hmm...moving on.

About a week and a half ago, Seth and I decided that a mini get-a-way was in order for us before the baby's arrival (just 3 weeks till the due date, not that we're counting!) and I took the initiative to secretly book a room at a B&B south of Hermann, MO (about 1 1/2 hrs from Columbia) for last Thursday night. I told Seth what to pack and how long we'd be gone and he just went along with the surprise. Our accommodations were at Second Creek Farm B&B, located on 135 secluded acres with hiking trails and two stocked ponds for fishing. We hiked the trails for a spot to picnic for dinner and Seth caught 3 fish before sunset. I'm eager to post the photos as words don't do justice for this place. The B&B is modeled after a 1850's log cabin and has four guest rooms, but the house is HUGE!

On Friday, we drove into Hermann to explore the town, minus the wineries that usually would draw us there. I booked massages for us at a therapeutic spa and while I enjoyed a 45-minute pregnancy massage Seth opted for a short 15-minute chair massage so he could keep his shirt on. I came out of my massage to find Seth sitting in a vibrating chair (different from the 15-minute massage chair) reading a newspaper with his feet soaking in a bubbly foot bath and an herbal warmer around his neck. He had a big grin on his face and was really enjoying the pampering! Needless to say, he enjoyed the experience and said he'd do it all over again.

We also had a doctor's appointment Thursday morning before we left for our get-a-way. Everything is good. The doctor even said that if Baby Allen wants to make an early appearance then that would fine. Both of us are in good health. We'll meet with our doula later this week and then we've got two more follow-up doctor's appointments on the 13th and 17th. I am so anxious for the baby's arrival. It can't come soon enough!

Well, I'll post pictures later this week from our B&B and Hermann trip (if I can find that darn folder). Until then, have great days!

-rebecca

Baby stuff everywhere!

I took some photographs this weekend of some of the stuff in the baby's room. We're getting anxious for the baby to arrive... five weeks and counting till the due date! Once I finish getting the crib ready (I'm sewing a skirt for the bottom) then I'll take an overall photograph of the room to show everyone the set-up. We've got 2 rocking chairs (one for us and the other is toddler-size, both handcrafted by Grandpa Charley) and then a dresser, in addition to the crib. We decided not to get a changing table and I think we'll manage fine without one.

NOW, FOR THE PHOTOS...

...a quilt that Grandma Rodgriguez made, hanging over the side of the crib...

...a tray with picture frames and albums (there's going to be pictures of this kid EVERYWHERE!)...and a basket of essentials for diaper changes that we can take from room-to-room since we're not using a changing table...
...a basket stuffed with toys and teethers and rattles, etc... and a CUTE stuffed animal that Grandma Nita bought to accompany a book on children's songs...
...this shelf is crafted from peices of an old table that Seth used during his bachelor days, and now it's fit for holding pregnancy and baby books that we've been given...and of course, a photo of the parents-to-be...
...this isn't actually in the baby's room, but I am SO EXCITED about finding it a garage sale earlier this summer. I really wanted a wooden high chair and found this solid oak one for a steal at $20. I love the turned spindles and carving detail on the backrest...

...we have a built-in cubby of shelves in the baby's room and opted to use that for storage instead of a changing table. The baskets are filled with diapers, bibs, booties, hats, changing pads, wipes, blankets, bath items, etc. It's quite handy...and oh, so Martha Stewart-ish, which I'm a little embarrassed to admit (insert sheepish grin)...
...here's the toddler rocker that Grandpa Charley made from cherry wood. It's absolutely adorable and believe it or not, even though I'm pregnant, my rear-end fits in it! Ha ha! The blanket that's draped over the back of the chair was made by Kate, the mother of my good friend Rachel from back home. It's beautiful and something we'll cherish for years to come...
...a hat puppet that our neighbor, Angie, gave us. It's propped on top of a CD player attached to the crib...
.... a giraffe hanging from the mobile, one of many hand-me-downs from a friend--we are so fortunate to know so many people who already have children and are willing to give us stuff that they don't use anymore--THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!...

Doctor's appointment update:

We are pleased to say that things are still looking good as far as the baby's and my health is concerned. We had our first two-week appointment last Friday and met with the obstetric nurse. She checked the baby's heart beat (fine, normal); size (fine, predicts average weight in the 7-lb area); orientation (fine, head down but kind of at an angle--the butt sits propped under my ribs on the right side and the baby is streched out like a backwards C-shape around my belly button). We will work on a birth plan over the next few weeks, hopefully with the help of our doula. Our next appointment is July 26 and then we go once a week! The anticipation is almost too much to handle!

-rebecca

Meet Mr. & Mrs. Moss!

Co-workers Amy and David were married on June 30. The ceremony was at First Presbyterian Church and the reception was in one of the ballrooms on the Stephen's College campus. As always, I had my camera in-tow and I photographed some casual shots at the reception. Of course I didn't take nearly as many as I would've liked to, but I didn't want to get in the way of the official wedding photographer. Here are a couple of select images from the evening.

Even more baby stuff...and an AWESOME surprise!

We had a great time in Owasso with my family last weekend! It was a short trip but still very fun. Next time we're there, we'll be a family of three!

On Saturday, Mom, Jenna, Rachel, Kate, Sarah and I gathered for lunch at The Marketplace, a large home-decor store with a cafe and ate a wonderful meal of sandwiches, wraps, fruit and desserts while I opened presents. It was perfect place for a ladies luncheon.

GIFTS, GIFTS GALORE...
As always, everyone was so generous with their gift-giving! We received a pack 'n play, homemade quilt, onesies, burp cloths, bowls, sippie cup, bath products, hangers, baby shoes, books, disposable changing cloths and bags for diapers--the list just goes on and on. Thanks to all the ladies for your kindness and generosity!

Mom and Dad are probably going to buy the Bjorn baby carrier for us and bring it with them when they visit for the birth of the baby. We're going to purchase a new mattress for the crib and Gloria and Charley have offered to buy the car seat which will probably be delivered in the next week or so. After that, we'll be set to go with everything we need and a whole lot more! We are so thankful for everyone who has showered us with gifts and advice.

ANTICIPATION...
With 5 1/2 weeks to go, we're getting anxious to meet our little one! We haven't finalized our name choices yes, but we're getting close! We've got an appointment with the obstetric nurse on Friday to discuss our birth plan and then we'll meet with the doctor on the 26th. Then I think we'll meet once a week after that. Now, if I could just put in a special order for the weather to stay below 85 degrees with a cool breeze, that would be perfect!

THE SURPRISE...
And now, it's time to share the most awesome surprise of all from this weekend! Rachel had a special gift for me to open at the shower. In the gift bag was a baby brag book which I immediately loved because I like all things photo-related. Kate encouraged me to open it up and look inside, so I did thinking there was more to it, perhaps it was a scrapbook with stickers and such. But to my surprise, it already contained one photograph--an ultrasound image of Rachel and David's BABY! I had no idea she was pregnant, Rachel wanted to tell me in person that they were expecting and the gift was a perfect way to share the news! I am so excited for them...and the baby is due on Valentine's Day! How cute!

-love, rebecca

Catching Up with the Allen's

It's been a while since I posted on the blog. Life just seems to get away from us sometimes! Recent happenings:

• We had an OB appointment last Friday and all went well. The baby is hopefully on it's way to turning head-down (he/she was kind of sideways or "transverse" last month) and my weight and measurements are on target. I've gained 35 lbs! We spent a lot of time talking to the doctor about what our expectations were for the labor and delivery of the baby and the doctor shared her philosophy on medical procedures and what is necessary and what is not. We seem to agree on most things, which is important if I am to follow through with a natural birth with no medical interventions.
• Gloria and Charley; Seth's brother, Travis, and his two girls, Shawna and Kate; and Travis' friend, Casey, made a trip to Columbia last weekend to help us with some home improvement projects. I'll be posting some pictures of the work in progress once I actually get the camera out and take some pictures. Did I mention, it's been a busy week? The biggest project (which still needs some finishing touches) was building new wooden front porch steps over our existing, crumbly, concrete ones. I love the new entry way! The men did a great job working in the rain.
• We met with a doula, DeeDee Farris-Folkerts, and hired her to attend our birth as a personal birth coach. Her website is http://birthrhythms.com/ We are very excited to have found a doula, and DeeDee has over 12 years experience, in addition to being a midwife (although we did not hire her for that purpose). She will be instrumental in coaching both me and Seth through a natural, gentle labor and delivery.
• We're heading to Oklahoma tomorrow so I can hang out with my Mom, sister Jennifer, friend Rachel and her Mom for a ladies luncheon. It should be fun, I've never been to the restaurant that we're eating at. It's called The Market, and apparently it's a retail store and a restaurant, all in one. We can shop after we eat-- a perfect place for a ladies luncheon. Seth will hang out with Dad for lunch and meet up with the ladies at the Dimon residence for further refreshments and socializing. Then we'll have dinner at home and hopefully Jennifer and Jacob will join us. Then it's back to Columbia on Sunday--we'll hopefully be on the road around noon, if not before. It'll be a short trip, and our last one before the baby comes!

I hope to have pictures for the next post. Stay tuned...

-rebecca

Andrea + Joel say "I Do"

I am SO EXCITED to post some images of Andrea and Joel's wedding. They were married Saturday, June 23 at Sacred Hearth Catholic Church in Columbia and hosted a dinner and reception at the Stoney Creek Inn. I met Andrea and Joel over a year ago through a referral from the event planner, Kat York, at Stoney Creek Inn. Kat used to be my manager when I worked at the University Club as a server. She was kind enough to give them my name as a potential photographer since she'd seen some of the event and food photography I did for the Club on occassion. Andrea and Joel were great to work with and Joel was so patient during the couple's formal portrait session.


Fluffing the veil...

Beautiful bride...Beautiful bride, with veil...The flower girl...Joel's tux... he looked great!Father and Bride enter the church...

A funny moment during the ceremony...Husband and wife...finally!
Joel is a volunteer firefighter and I had the exciting opportunity to make some portraits of them with the fire engine. It was so much fun!

Ah, what a beautiful couple...The ring shot...

The bridal party flowers adorn the head table...The first dance... Mood lighting on the dance floor...

The wedding cake, simple and elegant....

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE NEW MR. AND MRS. PAULEY!