Preston & the Holidays

So...we're a little behind on the blog postings, but better late than never, right? Preston turned 6 months old today at 2:51pm and a lot has happened since our last posting. At 6 months Preston:

• Can sit up by himself for long periods of time (he's a little wobbly at times, but can generally catch himself from falling over to the side)
• Can roll easily from his back to his stomach and stomach to back and of course uses this as his primary mode of transportation
• Eats lots of solid foods-- rice cereal, apple sauce, pears, bananas (mashed up ripe ones are his favorite!), carrots, sweet potatoes, and peas (which he hates). We're eager to try more new foods now that he's reached the 6 month milestone.
• Loves to stand! He can push himself up easily but of course he's a ways away from doing any of this on his own.
• Doesn't yet have any teeth but loves to chew and has been drooling steadily for months.
• Has finally met his cousin Elena and Aunt Kristi and got to spend more time with his family over the holidays including Aunt Mische, Uncle Bub, and all of his grandparents.
• Hates his car seat and generally needs some entertainment in the back seat to keep him happy.
• Loves to smile big when he greets you
• Giggles when you get his good tickle spots-- especially under his chin
• Loves bath time with Daddy every night
• Has finally started to show interest in Jeffrey and Dylan (and no they don't like him at all)
• Got tons of Christmas presents-- toys, books, clothes, pjs, etc. Not sure where we'll put everything but surely it's enough to keep him entertained until he's 12.
• Was baptized at St. Andrew's in Nags Head
• Has had two cases of the sniffles (including 1 right now)
• Is a good sport at the doctor until the needles for the shots come out!
• Is mesmerized by his cousin Elena crawling around the room

We're enjoying every minute of Preston and feel so lucky to have such a sweet little boy. It's hard to believe that this time 6 months ago we were in the hospital with our new arrival and could only guess what was in store for us. We're really looking forward to what's to come in 2009!

What a Month!

Preston turned 3 months old last week and is 14 weeks old today and he's had lots of big changes! His nanny, Lauren, started last Monday and she's doing a great job with him...she will definitely be one of his favorite new friends. Preston also welcomed new girlfriends Alexandra and Riley as the baby boom continues. Here's a couple of short videos that we've taken recently and a photo-- who can guess who Preston looks like in this one? :)

11 weeks!

It's hard to believe but Preston is just shy of 11 weeks old. He's growing like a weed and changing every day. September has proven to be quite the month for him so far. Nancy went back to work on September 2nd, so days at home with just Mommy have pretty much become a thing of the past. Nancy was excited to have the intellectual stimulation again but misses Preston terribly during the day. The exciting part is who Preston has been spending his days with...Daddy stayed home with Preston the first week (it's not as easy as it looks, huh?) and then Grandma Jackie and Grandma Linda will split duties until Preston's nanny starts on the 29th. Preston's babysitters are doing a good job-- Preston rolled from his stomach to his back the first time on September 3rd (which he has yet to do again) and was a crazy man for Grandma Jackie with lots of kicking, cooing, and smiles.

We swear, he's smiling!

Yes, Preston is smiling socially now (it's not just gas)! The best time to catch him smiling big time is in the morning or just after he wakes up from a nap. We've tried to capture it for days now and we're getting closer, but pretty much every time we break out the camera, the smiling stops! Maybe Preston just likes to make us look and sound ridiculous trying to get him to smile for the camera...you be the judge.

Jeffrey & Preston

Many of you have asked how Jeffrey is dealing with the new arrival...well, the jury is still out. Jeffrey was curious at first, then resentful and jealous, then somewhat affectionate followed by periods of depression, and now he has resigned himself to the fact that yes, Preston is sticking around and his own standing in the family has fallen. But things are looking up. Some nights Jeffrey can even be found snuggling up on the sofa with Nancy and Preston.

Preston's Summer Vacation!

I know, I know...it has been much too long since we've updated Preston's web site and blog. But we have a good excuse-- we've been carting Preston around North Carolina on his summer vacation! Here's a video of Preston swimming in the pool at the Outer Banks (seriously, he likes it):

What else has Preston been up to? He's finally starting to smile (for reasons other than gas), he loves his new swing (see pics below), and he's 6 weeks old today!

(awake)

(and asleep!)

The New Normal

Preston turned 3 weeks old today at 2:51pm. In between all of the feedings, diaper changes, and trying to keep Preston from getting bored, we almost missed it! He is certainly proving to be a handful, but we love it. Here's a few things Preston did this week:

• Went to the pool for the first time (John swam laps while Preston and I sat under a big umbrella...he slept and I read)
• Went to the mall for the SECOND and THIRD time
• Attended his first baby shower for Baby Brunn
• Lost his belly button and got his first real bath
• Visited the pediatrician (again) and weighed in at 9 lbs, 4 oz
• Had his first bottle
• Met his Great Aunt Debbie when Grandma Linda and Debbie stopped by on their way to Asheville
• Had TWO lunches out
• Hung out at the park and went to the farmers market-- his new Saturday morning routine

This week Preston's favorite uncle is coming to visit and then we go to the Outer Banks for a much needed vacation. Looks like July will end just how it started-- hectic and full of firsts!

It's been a busy week!

Whew! Preston's first week home has been busy! When we came home from the hospital last Tuesday, July 1st, Nancy's mom and John's parents were here holding down the fort and helped stock the fridge and clean up the tornado that we left in our mad dash to the hospital. That afternoon, John's sister Mische arrived from Seattle to meet the little man. It was wonderful to have some of Preston's extended family here to welcome him home (and we certainly didn't mind the extra help either). Those first couple of days were hectic and filled with firsts-- first trip to the mall (we were dying to get some boy clothes), first trip to Target, first July 4th get together-- and all in all, it was a great celebration for our new addition. John's grandparents came to visit on Saturday and Nancy's dad and his girlfriend Beth arrived the same day. Friends also came to visit and now we're just waiting for Preston to meet the rest of his extended family, including his Uncle John!

Now we're on our own and enjoying every minute with our little boy. Although it's exhausting, we're having a blast. Below are a couple of videos that show Preston in action...

Preston Pictures

Once we get his web site up and running, I'll post pics there but in the mean time, I wanted to get some up. Sorry it has taken us a while but we're just getting settled in at home!

Surprise Delivery!

It's been a busy day...just about 12 hours ago exactly, the newest members of the Eddins family finally arrived! Preston Myers Eddins, weighing 8lbs, 5 oz and 20.25 inches long, decided he just couldn't wait until his scheduled arrival on Wednesday. And although he took Mom and Dad a little off guard, we're so glad he decided to come early!

About 12:45 Sunday afternoon, I was just finishing up some work when I felt Baby Preston kick. Turns out it wasn't just any old kick. He broke my water! Looking back, I had been a little more uncomfortable than usual for about an hour before this all happened, but I didn't think too much of it. Now I know I was having contractions.

I yelled for John and I've got to tell you, I've never seen him move so fast! While he threw everything remotely baby related into the car (even packing the stroller), I took a shower. Yes, a shower. I wasn't prepared to have our baby looking the way I did. You see, we were planning on going to the pool so a shower wouldn't come until later. And now I'll pat myself on the back for getting ready faster than I ever have before!

We flew to the hospital-- John may have a back-up career as a Nascar driver-- were quickly admitted and the rest is history. Our determined little boy was born shortly after at 2:51pm. Even though we haven't slept much (or maybe any) and have had an incredibly hectic day, we can't quite seem to put him down long enough to get some much needed sleep. He's without a doubt, the best surprise either of us have ever received.

Yes, I really am this big

Many of you have asked, so here are the lastest belly pictures with one from January when I thought I was showing. Apparently I was clueless. An older woman in the grocery store asked me today if I was having twins. When we said "No," she said "Then it's going to be a big boy!" She could have set off some serious waterworks had she caught me at a less opportune time.

Nursery Pics

12 days and counting...

Welcome to Baby E's blog! Yes, I shamelessly stole this idea from Bub, Kristi, and Elena but this is the easiest and best route to go to keep everyone updated about the newest addition to our family. Plus it's 2008, so it's not that original. :)

Well, it looks like the big day will be July 2. Little Peanut isn't cooperating and has decided that it prefers to be head-up (can't say I blame him/her) so the baby will be arriving via scheduled c-section in 12 days. John and I can't believe it's almost time and are ecstatic that we'll be able to meet the baby so soon. And since I'm such a planner, we really don't even have much left to do before the baby gets here so we'll be able to enjoy our last week or so as just a couple.

So stay tuned and we'll have more to share soon, including some very flattering pictures of me.

Nancy