School Is Officially In Session

We started our Labor and Delivery class last night - YEAH - and are now getting all the hands-on practical info we need to prepare us for the Big Event. The class we chose is focused on the Bradley Method of providing tools and coping mechanisms to help empower mothers to deliver through natural childbirth, and will also cover what to expect if an epidural or C-section becomes necessary. We chose to take a private class, so our class involves 3 one-on-one sessions with our instructor (Kim Collins) held in our home, each lasting roughly 2.5 hours.

Last night's class was great. We talked for a while about what to expect during labor and delivery, watched a movie of a labor and delivery using natural childbirth/waterbirth methods, and practiced some pain coping mechanisms, including gaining some insight into which methods work best for Jenny specifically. All in all, it was a very productive and informative night. We can't wait for Class #2 next week!

The Nursery is nearing completion...

Yes - it is true - the nursery is nearing completion and looking absolutely gorgeous!! Mike has been working hard to turn our former guest room into a beautiful nursery for Baby Keller. We won't spoil the surprise by showing any photos of the nursery until the room is altogether done, but fear not, it should be soon. And rest assured future guests of the Keller household, we moved the former guest room to the unused bedroom on the 4th floor, so you still have a comfortable place to stay.

Barn Girls' Baby Shower

Jenny's close circle of friends of "barn friends," all of whom share her passion for horses, surprised her with her first Baby Shower. Joanne was kind enough to host the shower for Jenny, and Alyssa, Penny, and Lisa attended. Decorations were provided by Joanne's adorable kids, Marco and Gabby. Thanks to everyone for their generosity and for sharing such a good time!

It's Time To Shower Baby Keller with Love

We're excited to post that it is indeed time to shower Baby Keller with love, or at least that's what Aunts Becky and Krissy say! They have graciously offered to host a Baby Shower in honor of Baby Keller, as follows:

Date: Saturday, December 1, 2007
Time: 12:30 p.m.
Place: Cryan's Beef & Ale House
24 First Street, South Orange, NJ 07079
(973) 763-7114

Formal invitiations should be mailed shortly.

And for those who have been asking... Yes, we plan on cloth diapering and breast feeding Baby Keller, and are registered at www.myregistry.com and Babies R' Us (see box on the left on this blog page for links and details).

Drum Roll Please...

We know many of you have been waiting on bated breath to find out our baby names, and since we have now finalized them (YEAH), here they are:

If we have a GIRL, she will be named GRACE SERENITY KELLER.
If we have a BOY, he will be named VAUGHN THOMAS KELLER.

Also, here are some Interesting Facts on Baby Keller.

Birth stone : Blue topaz, turquoise (December) or Garnet (January)

Chinese Year: Year of the Pig (fire) (2/07-2/08)
(FWIW, Mike was born in the Year of the Rat (water), and Jenny was born in the Year of the Tiger (wood).)

Astrological sign: Capricorn (12/22-1/20)

We're In Our Third Trimester

It's hard to believe time could have flown by as quickly as it has, but it's true, we are now in our third trimester - the home stretch. Jenny just had her gestational diabetes and anemia tests performed, as per standard course. We are pleased to advise that both tests came back negative, and she is well within the normal range. Jenny now sees her OB every 2 weeks until week 36, when she will switch to weekly appointments.

The prenatal nesting instinct has kicked in for Jenny as well. She is determined to rid our house of chaos and clutter before Baby comes. Tomorrow the Vietnam Vets are coming to pick up roughly 10 boxes of books and 12 bags of clothes for donations - and she's only just started! And that doesn't include the bags of garbage (stuff not suitable for donation) that we've already thrown out! Clearly she inherited her Dad's packrat nature, but she's determined to have a firm grip on it before Baby makes an appearance. Let's all wish her luck!

The techincal difficulties are over (we hope!)

Anyone who checked the blog for the last day or two would have noticed that the pictures in our last two posts were not working properly. Hopefully we have fixed this issue, and everything looks as it should on the blog.

Sorry about that folks.

Bump

After much request, here are some preggo bump pictures that Jenny took during Week 26 (a couple of days ago). Enjoy!

(sorry for the poor quality pics - they were taken by her cell phone)

To my Fellow Cat People

Here's are some pictures of our beloved Furry Felines. Pictures of Wally the Chihuahua to come.

Romeo

Romeo

Romeo & Gonzo

Gonzo

Merlyn

(sorry for the poor quality pics - they were taken by Jenny's cell phone and of uncooperative targets - especially Romeo!)

Nursery update

We'd be overly optimistic to say that work on the nursery has begun, but we can at least say… we’ve ordered the nursery furniture (ok, at least some of it). Here are preview pics of our crib (converts to a toddler and then full-size bed), changing table with hutch, and bureau – all will be a warm chestnut-colored mahogany wood:





And here's a preview of our bedding/nursery theme - It's called "Mommy and Me" by Lambs and Ivy: