Thurston Blogging

The Aud Stands!

The Amazing Audrey can now crawl, stand and even pull herself up.  Here is another YouTube video of Audrey - this time she is playing in her kitchen.  Note that I dressed her, which accounts for the Nine Inch Nails t-shirt and the Adidas track pants.  It was Saturday, so she donned her formal wear.

The Doodle says Da-Da

My daughter is a genius.  She may not have any teeth yet, but she has quite the vocabulary.  Her first word was "ma ma".  A week later, she doubled her output with "up".  On Friday, I received a voice-mail from the wife at the office saying Audrey had just said "da da".  Today, I got to hear it for myself.  Awesome.  Aud is also closing in on "duck", as she as a few duck bath toys that she has become quite attached to.

Audrey goes to Taco Bell

Yesterday, Team Thurston took a small road trip.  Sharon and I loaded Audrey in the Envoy XUV, and took her to lunch.  We dined at the Taco Bell in Lowell.  Daddy had a Nacho Supreme with no sour cream, a bean burrito and a chicken Fiesta burrito, and split a small Dr. Pepper with his baby's momma.

Audrey wasn't that amused with Taco Bell.  She got impatient as Daddy was finishing his last burrito and wanted to leave.  So, we left.

Afterwareds, we stopped at the Farm Stand in Lowell, near Exit 52 of the highway.  We got blueberries and fresh green beans.  Afterwards, we hopped on 96 and drove into Cascade, where we took Aud to the library for the first time.  She enjoyed that very much.  She was alert and quiet the entire time.

Audrey goes to McDonalds

Today, we decided to take a road trip with the baby.  Sharon and I took Audrey to McDonalds for breakfast.  In Ada, we don't have traditional fast-food restaurants - there is an ordinance that you cannot have drive-through windows.  So we have a McDonalds Express. 

We thought if Audrey goes on a crying fit, we'd simply go in and make our breakfast order "to go".  However, she was great in the car and in the restaurant.  So, we ordered our food and ate outside on their picnic tables.  Aud was wide awake and taking in the scenery while Mommy had her Mcbreakfast sammich and Daddy chowed down on two breakfast burritos.

 

This went so well that we're going to try and take her to the Taco Bell in Lowell next weekend.

 

Welcome Audrey Violet

Last Tuesday morning, our daughter was born.  Audrey Violet Thurston was born at 6:00 AM to two very proud parents.  Audrey was born weighing 6 pounds and 5 ounces and weighed 5 pounds 13 ounces when she left the hospital on Friday.  She's been eating well since.

Aud went to her first pediatrician appointment today, where she weighed in at 6 pounds 5.5 ounces.  Daddy is the diaper-changer, fashion consultant and illusionist.  Daddy makes Audrey's nose disappear. 

To see a few photos of Audrey, click here.  I post a few when I can, so keep checking for new shots of the baby.

Here are a few of the favorites:


 

The Night Watchman Keeps Waiting

She was due yesterday.  Friday, June 22nd marked the 40th week that Sharon has been pregnant.  TCO (The Chosen One) was supposed to make her debut on the world stage yesterday.

 

We now have an appointment to induce on Thursday evening.  However, TCO may decide to arrive any time between now and then.

For the past few weeks, I feel that I've been sleeping with one eye open.  The thought that I'm going to be tapped and told that, "It's time" is keeping me from sleeping.

The baby's nursery is ready, the bags are packed, the car seat is installed and we are as ready as we can be.  I was asked yesterday - "What do you need a bag for?".  Well, I have packed the following:
* Digital camera
* DVD Camcorder
* extra t-shirt (Chicago Cubs)
* toothbrush and toothpaste
* deodorant
* book on being a Dad
* 5 one-dollar bills
* 4 quarters
* 3 granola bars
* 1 bottle of water (Meijer brand)

I will also pack my 80 Gig video iPod and my Bose QC2 noise-canceling headphones.   In fact, they are brand-new.  I called Bose on Thursday as my old pair broke.  Sent them back to Bose via UPS, called Bose with the tracking number - and they sent a new pair overnight to me at no charge.  No wait at all on the phone - Bose rules. 

Since I'm waiting for the baby to come, I thought that I would find the best video about waiting.  Allow the sweet sounds of the awesome Richard Marx to brighten your day.  The wife looked at me strange when I was playing this clip.  She suggested Journey or Lionel Richie.  Forget those guys, man - I'm bringing Richard Marx back!  Who-hoo!

No-Name Thurston Hits 36 Weeks

No, we still don't have a name picked out.  We're close - the list has been shrunk to three (maybe four) names.  TCO is now 36 weeks old.  Mommy is now dilated to one centimeter.  Daddy makes dinner.

Next week, she is technically considered full-term, although 40 weeks is the target.  Baby Thurston is now close to six pounds and 19 inches long. 

TCO's Blackout Baby Shower

Last Saturday, Friends of TCO threw her a rockin' Baby Shower.  Everyone was very generous and got her some great clothes, toys, as well as diaper bags and a cool stroller.

Thank you to everyone who was able to attend and special thanks to Teams Sleper/Hastings, The Traverse City Mafia (Kurt and Courtney), and Jackson, Jackson, Jackson. 

Here are a few photos of the fandango:

The Baby T is 35 Weeks

Baby Thurston is now 35 weeks old.  She is now a five pounder - about the weight of a bag of sugar.  TCO is approximately 18 inches long and growing like a weed.  Her kidneys are fully developed and her little liver is working now as well.

Here is a rendering of what she looks like inside "the bump":

34 Weeks for Baby Thurston

Baby Thurston is now 18 inches long and 4.75 pounds.  If you haven't seen it yet, earlier this week I posted a picture of Sharon and TCO, and you can see that they both are getting bigger.  Today, we met with a potential pediatrician.  My barber cut her grandfather's hair, as well as he son's hair.  He said she's a good person, and that's good enough for me. 

Here is what TCO looks like this week: