Road trip

My friend Melissa, her son Liam (2 1/2 years), Maya and I hit the road for a short trip to Mount Pleasant this past Monday. It was quite the trip with a 2 1/2 year old prone to throwing up and a 2 1/2 month old prone to blow outs in the diaper area. We headed to the beach on Monday evening and ate at Coconut Joe's, one of my favorite spots on Isle of Palms. My parents were at annual conference for the first night, but managed to skip out early on Tuesday. It was really good to spend time with them! On Tuesday morning we went to the SC aquarium in Charleston. Then Mom, Melissa, Liam, Maya and I spent about 3 hours at the beach that evening which was just wonderful. On Wednesday we went by Hibben UMC, my parent's church, to visit and let my mom have a chance to show off Maya. After that it was time to head back home. It was a great trip, although was way to short!

Arthritis Walk

On May 16 Joey, Maya and I walked in the Arthritis Walk. This meant a lot to me seeing as I have had Arthritis since I was a teenager. The walk was at the National White Water Center here in Charlotte, which couldn't be a better setting for the walk. We had great weather; it was a little overcast, making it perfect for Maya and not too hot. We did three laps around the center to equal three miles. Joey carried Maya in the Baby Bjorn and she loved it. She was wide awake for the first lap looking around and then slept for the middle lap and a half, but came in to the finish line strong again looking around at the crowd. Overall it was a great day, we even got to show Maya off to a couple of the nurses from my doctors office.

Two Month Check UP

Maya had her two month check-up this past Tuesday. She weighed in at 12 lbs 1 oz, measured 23 inches long, and head circumference is 41 cms. Weight and Length are both in the 75th percentile and Head Circumference is in the 80th, so she is doing great! Once again, she check out perfect just as expected! Maya didn't really mind the visit until the nurse walked in with the three shots and 1 rotovirus immunization that is given by mouth. She was not impressed! I must admit it wasn't very fun for me either! I have given multiple shots in my days as a nurse, but when it is your own baby, it is VERY different.  I guess it is just the first of many necessary evils that we will have to endure. As far as her two month accomplishments... she is now smiling all the time and trying to laugh at times, she is starting to "talk" a lot more now with coos and squeals, she is able to get up on her elbows and pull her knees under her when she is on her tummy, she reaches for toys, and stares very strangely at the thing that waves in front of her face every now and then (also known as her hands).

First Mother's Day

I had an awesome first mother's day, thanks to my wonderful husband. It all started with Joey getting up with Maya for her morning feeding and letting me sleep. Maya is working on sleeping through the night for the past four nights she has slept 8-10 hours, YAY! But, it is still really nice to have that extra couple of hours every now and then! Next, Joey made me breakfast in bed, including pancakes and bacon with some flowers to go along. After we were up and moving we headed out to the Daniel Stowe Botanical gardens and had a wonderful afternoon strolling through all of the gardens. Joey was going to cook us a big diner, but because we had a late lunch, I decided that ice cream from Marble Slab would be the perfect mother's day gift for me!! So, Berny, Wendy, Joey, Maya and I walked up to marble slab and finish the day of right! When I was talking with my Grandmother O'Shields last night to wish her a Happy Mother's Day, she said that the first mother's day is always so special. I think she is exactly right! It is such an awesome feeling to be a mom! I only hope that I can be as good of one to Maya as my mom is to me! I love you mom!

First Picnic

On May 2nd Maya experienced her first picnic. She actually slept through most of it, but hey, she was there. The Presby NICU has a reunion picnic each year where the "NICU graduates" and their families come from all over the state to reunite and catch up with the staff and other families. I look forward to this every year, it is always so much fun to see how the babies have grown. It is hard to believe that I have worked here for eight years. It is amazing to see some of the children running around and playing and think back to the times when they were so sick and I was taking care of them. I always enjoy talking with the parents and this year I had a lot to talk about seeing as most of them didn't know I was pregnant, much less had a new baby girl. 

The past 7 weeks

Maya is 7 weeks old now and what a busy, exciting, tiring, and wonderful 7 weeks it has been. On March the 13th the Egan family arrived home as a family of 3. All of our visitors had headed home and we spent the weekend getting to know each other. Maya had her first trip to the doctor on March 16th and she checked out perfect just as we suspected! She weighed in at 8lbs 11 oz, almost back up to birth weight which usually takes 2 weeks- that's my girl! On March 17th Mike and Becky flew in from Portland to see their new niece. They were great company and even cooked for us several times! Grandma Thoma also came back to visit on March 19th.  On March 20th JT, our nephew made his grand entrance weighing in at 8lbs 8oz and 21.5 inches long.  March 21 I had my work shower, it was great to see everyone and we got some wonderful and generous gifts. Mike and  Becky flew back to Portland and Grandma headed back to the beach later that afternoon- it was sad to see them leave! On March 22 the Egan three headed to Spartanburg to meet our new addition and visit with MeMommy and Granddaddy Hunter and the Steeds. Maya had a weigh in at the doctors office March 25th and she said adios to the 8 pound mark and moved on to bigger and better 9lbs 1oz. What a whirlwind of a first 2 weeks! 

Maya had her first pictures on March 27th and left her mark with an explosive diaper all over the studio- not once, but twice! After the initial excitement things calmed down and we got some great pictures. Maya's cord just fell off March 29th (I realize that it is probably weird that I remembered this date!), always thought people were crazy for saving them, but have to admit it crossed my mind! 

On March 31st Joey and I celebrated our 2 year anniversary at 131 Main, a very tasty restaurant here in Charlotte. Berny and Wendy babysat Maya- it is awesome having the right across the street- we will try not to take advantage too often! 

On April 9th Joey, Myself, Maya and of course the dogs headed to Charleston for Easter. It was a weekend of first for Maya- first trip to Cosmic Dogs (a chuck town favorite), first trip to the beach, first Family Circle Cup tennis tournament, first church service (after which she left her mark on MeMommy and caused her to have to change her robe in between services!), and most importantly first Easter Sunday. We had a great time, but realized that traveling will never be the same. Maya did pretty well in the car, only needing to stop once each way, one of which we noticed a big sign for the "Correctional Institution 3 miles" as soon as we exited, therefore we promptly turned around in a very shady gas station and got back on the interstate with a screaming baby and two stressed out dogs!

On April 13th Joey headed out to Toronto for his first business trip since Maya was born. My Mom came to stay with Maya and I, which was a lot of fun. You never realize how much you want and need your Mama until you have a newborn at home! We had a great visit and managed to make it to Spartanburg to visit my sister and her family- which we are realizing that family  get togethers will not be as peaceful for a long time.

April 22nd we celebrated my 30th birthday. Maya's present to me was 8.5 hours of sleep- quite possibly the best gift ever! That Friday Joey threw me a party for family and friends which was  lot of fun and a lot of work for my sweet hubby (he's the best). He is also building  a patio in our backyard for my birthday gift- I can't wait until it's done!

So, as I said... a busy, exciting, tiring, and wonderful 7 weeks. Maya is such an awesome and beautiful gift from God and we have loved every minute (ok, most every minute) of the past 7 weeks!

March 11, 2009 IT"S A GIRL

On March 11th at 2:23 AM our beautiful baby girl Maya made her grand entrance.  Here's how it happened... My water broke at 0500 AM on March 10th and after breakfast (priorities!),  showers, and calling Nurse Gayle to make sure she was still working that day, Joey and I headed to the hospital. After confiming that yes, my water actually had broken (we had a false alarm about 3 weeks prior that landed us in the hospital with me having regular contractions for about 12 hours) we made our phone calls to parents and siblings to let them know that it was time. Around 1200 they started me on Pitocin to try and move things along. After cranking it up to 25 (usually they only go to 20) by the end of the day I was having regular contractions, but still not making any progress and not having any pain with the contractions. It is pretty strange to wait around all day be in pain!  So, at 0115AM on March 11th our OB decided it was time for a c-section. So, off we went. It was a pretty sureal experience. I have attened tons of c-sections as a nurse and NNP, but never had I been on the other side! The c-section went well and at 0223- we heard the OB say IT'S A GIRL! We were so excited! She weighed in at 8lbs 13 oz and was 20 inches long. She is beautiful! We had a good stay at the hospital; everyone was awesome. We headed home on March 13th as a family of 3! Our lives are changed forever- we have a new meaning to life and a new purpose!

The past year

Well, after over a year Joey and I have decided to retart our blog. We have had a big year. Joey and I celebrated our one year anniversary, a little early in February, on the island of Maui. We have discovered that we LOVE Hawaii, I'm not sure who wouldn't, but we are definitely addicted! We had a wonderful trip. We stayed in an awesome bed and breakfast called the Ho'Oilo House which is up in the hills of Maui overlooking the ocean, it was amazing! It was peak Whale season while we were there and we were blessed to see multiple whales every time we looked at the ocean. Other activities included snorkeling, turtle sightings, a Whale Watch trip, and just exploring the island. 

March was a sad month for the Hunter family, because my Grandmama Hunter passed away. 

She is so missed and loved, but we know that she is in a happier place.

In May Uncle Larry decided it was time for a family trip and back to Hawaii we all went!!!  In June, Marilynn, Uncle Larry, Arlene, Barry, Mike, Becky, Joey, and I hit the Big Island of Hawaii and had a blast. We snorkeled, hung out on the beaches, played golf, ate great food, visited an active volcano, and just had a great time hanging out with family and watching the Larry and Barry show. Thank you, Uncle Larry for the wonderful memories!!!

Other trips of the year included the O'Shields family beach week, my Grandmama O'Shields 80th birthday party at Isle of Palms, and several other weekend trips to the beach (it sure is nice to have parents that live at the beach!!) and mountain house.  

Joey also had a work trip to Seattle Washington which I tagged along on. It was the first time in Seattle for both of us and we had a great trip. After Seattle we headed to Portland to visit Mike and Becky for the weekend, which is always a blast!

We also decided to take one last pre baby trip (see below) to Denver, Co. We had a lot of fun exploring the area including: Colorado Springs, Pike's Peak, Estes Park, Boulder, Red Rocks, Coors brewery, and the city of Denver.

The biggest news of the year came in June when Joey and I found out we were pregnant!  And now, 9 months later we are expecting a little one any day now! I have had a great pregnancy with only one bump in the road when my arthritis flared up and I needed a short Prednisone course and to restart my Remicade at around 32 weeks. Fortunately, after restarting my medicine I was a different person and have felt great since. Joey and I decided to let the gender of the baby be a surprise- much to the grandparents chagrin. But, we will find out soon enough and can't wait! 

Our family was also blessed to find out that my sister is pregnant with a little boy, she is due just 3 weeks after us. My cousin is also pregnant with a little girl and she is due at the end of June!  We are all so excited that we our babies will be so close in age, it will be a blast!

Steel City Weekend

On Wednesday, November 14 - we headed north to Pittsburgh.  The trip was two fold.  The first, was to see Bruce Springsteen in concert on his Magic tour.  The second, was to visit Cammie's Uncle Randy and Aunt Jane.

Mom hitched a ride with us from Charlotte.  We arrived in Pittsburgh around 3pm on Wednesday.  It was great to see Randy, Jane and Lee.  We spent the afternoon catching up before the big show that night.  We eventually headed down to Mellon Arena and arrived at 7:30pm.  We were joined by Mom and Aunt Diane as well.

Bruce and the E Street Band hit the stage around 8:15pm, and for the next 2+ hours I was in my element.  Bruce and the band were in great form and gave us incredible set list including:

• She's the One
• Reason to Believe
• Code of Silence
• The Promised Land
• Night
• The Ties That Bind
• Gypsy Biker
• Badlands

Check out the entire setlist.

We spent the next three days with Randy and Jane.  Highlights include gourmet meals by Master Chef Randy, The Incline, The Strip, lunch at Primanti Bros., Four-Wheeling, Deer spotting, the first snow fall of the year, touring Randy's work, and stopping at the New River Bridge.

Randy, Jane and Lee - thank you for your hospitality.  We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and we will be sure to visit again in the summer.  Hopefully the other slacker family members will get up there!

Grizzly Dude turns 60

Uncle Larry turned the big 6-0 on November 4th and was treated to a weekend of fun in Orlando. UL, Mom, Aunt Diane, Mike and I converged on Orlando to spend three days of fun in the land of Magic.  Here are the highlights of our trip:

• Mom's tuck and roll into a nest of chiggers.  A CLASSIC!
• Mom on the Duelling Dragons roller coaster
• Great burgers at Cheeseburger in Paradise
• Joey, Nike and Grizzly Dude's WET ride on Dudley Do-Right
• The Mummy Coaster
• Grizzly Dude's futuristic cell phone ring
• Grizzly Dude staring into the sun
• Summit Plummet