Speed Bink

This post is for Pap who is amazed by how fast Roo can suck on her binky. Pap has lovingly titled this activity - one of her only forms of activity - "speed bink."

Today Roo discovered her reflection in the mirror above her papasan chair. Its unbelievable how much she grows - physically and mentally - every day. Although I miss my work, especially my collegues, I'm grateful for this time with her... so much so, that I'm going to stop blogging and go hug and kiss her!

Big Foot

Rylee's First Bath... ARGH!

Rylee Roo got her first big girl bath. It was very distressing! %20%20 '>Click here to see a slideshow of images from our TRAUMATIC first bath!

The World's First Infant Insomniac

So this is an apology... I'd like to apologize for all the missed phone calls, late "thank yous" and unmet commitments. It seems that Chris and I were flat out lied to by all the parenting handbooks and primers. They all say that babies eat, sleep and poop, but it seems our child doesn't sleep... at all! It's not that she simply has her days and nights mixed up -- she just doesn't sleep! Luckily for her, she's absolutely adorable. So she flashes us those baby blues and we forgive her sleeplessness.

Even though she looks EXACTLY like her Dad, it seems she did get something from her Mom -- my insomnia! Let's hope it passes before Mommy has to go back to work!!

Chris and I promise to return the phone calls and write those thank you notes -- just as soon as our sleepless bodies adjust to this new lifestyle. We appreciate all of your support and are grateful for all the wonderful cards, flowers and gifts. We cherish each and every voicemail, text message and facebook thread. Thank you!!!

New Photos on Flickr

Click here to visit Rylee's new pictures on Flickr

Welcome to the World, Rylee-roo!

Chris and I are soooooo proud to introduce the world to Rylee Campbell Gerber. Rylee (a.ka. "Roo") was born on a very snowy February 3, 2009 (just two short days after the Steelers Superbowl win) at 9:45 AM. She weighed a healthy 6 lbs 7 oz and measured 19.5 inches long!

Roo and Mommy came home from the hospital Friday evening and are doing great. Daddy is our hero. As we speak, Mommy is sitting on the couch with her feet up, Roo is sleeping comfortably in her pack and play, and Daddy is vacuuming. We love him very much!!!!

Last night was our first night at home. The dogs surprised us with their ambivalence. Neither care that Rylee has invaded their home. They both sniffed her once and went on with their lives. Their reactions have left us pleasantly surprised.

We are also pleasantly surprised that Roo is eating and sleeping like a champ. Mommy, Daddy, Baby and Brothers got a ton of sleep last night (she only woke up for one middle of the night feeding).

Thank you to all our well wishers! We've gotten a ton of visitors, phone calls, text messages, cards and flowers. We promise to return all those phone calls when things settle down and Mommy is up and moving around a little more. Hugs to all!!!

Vying for Chris' Attention...

The Gerber Baby and I are already vying for Chris' attention!

My FABULOUS sister-in-law and I went to see the maternal-fetal specialist on Tuesday morning. The ultrasound was great, but the monitoring revealed some issues with the location of the cord, so Dr. Principe called our OBGYN and sent us directly to the hospital. The expectation was that we would be monitored for a while and then the baby would need to be delivered by c-section.

To our surprise, the baby moved during transport and was no longer lying on the cord (or whatever she was doing in there...) so the monitoring went well in the triage unit. However, Mommy was having a very elevated and erratic heart rate and my usual high blood pressure. I've been experiencing tachycardia for about a week (which is pretty normal for me) so I didn't feel the need to call the doctors and alarm them about it -- but regardless, I needed to be admitted and see a cardiologist.

While we were in the hospital, the baby was monitored every four hours for an hour. All of their observations went well (except one middle of the night reading that showed the same results that the specialist originally sent us to the hospital for...) Poor Chris -- one minute he's worried about this daughter and the next minute his wife... then his daughter... than his wife! Little does he know that we'll be vying for his attention for the rest of his life!

I was able to return home today with a heart monitor. It's small and not too uncomfortable. The worst part is the bed rest! I'm not allowed off of the couch and for me that's the worst kind of torture. I'm nearly 39 weeks pregnant, so we're hopeful that the baby will join us soon and I can start to medicate my other issues.

Thank you for your positive thoughts and prayers. Chris and I have had a scary few days and have a lot on our minds -- but not too much to cheer on the black and gold this Sunday. Go Steelers!!! BTW: The OBGYN is expecting our phone call around 4 PM in Sunday ;-)

Notes to my Unborn Steeler Fan

To my daughter,

Your mommy is from a wonderland called Western Pennsylvania. A place where, for generations, people have enjoyed a more simple way of life. Your grandparents and great-grandparents worked in coal mines and steel mills, and they worked the land on country farms. It's a place where high fashion takes a back seat to work boots and coveralls -- where hunting season and football season are as revered as Christmas. A place where expensive dinners are passed over for Kielbasa and Iron City Beer.

Generations of our family have worked hard to put food on the table six days a week and sat in the same pew every Sunday. After church, there was always time to cheer on the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Rooney Family and the Pittsburgh Steelers represent many of the same values that Western Pennsylvanians cherish -- like hard work, loyalty and humility. In the Steeler organization, there is no place for Superstars -- only hard workers who are willing to fight hard to overcome any obstacle.

You're inheriting a long legacy of fandom. I promise that being a Steeler fan will serve you well. You'll have moments of disappointment and moments of overwhelming pride in your team and in your family's roots.

I've put together a small list of notes to get your started --

Ben Rothlisberger is a God. Yes, he spends too much time in the pocket, but just when you think he's been there too long (and your Dad starts screaming "Get rid of the f-ing ball!") -- that's when the magic happens. Big Ben makes things happen. Be patient and you'll rarely find yourself disappointed.

Terry Bradshaw is a traitor. He obviously learned nothing about loyalty or humility during his time in the Steel City, but he helped us win four Superbowl rings, so we quietly and respectfully disdain him. That being said, feel free to jeer him at home, but never in public (even when your Dad starts screaming "f-ing traitor!"

Always swing your Terrible Towel with pride. Myron Cope, a Pittsburgh legend, invented the Towel, not to make money, but to show his Pittsburgh pride. Myron Cope was a fan in the truest sense. I wouldn't be opposed if you want to learn words like "Yoy" and "Double Yoy" before "Mom" or "Dada."

But most importantly, when you've grown and move away, always call your Dad at half time to discuss the game and the next morning for arm chair analysis. Those conversations will be priceless.

Best of luck, sweetie!

Mom

Here We Go...

Congratulations to my favorite boys in black -- the mighty Pittsburgh Steelers! My team is headed to the Superbowl for the seventh time and are trying to earn their sixth Superbowl win! To top it off the black and gold are playing the Gerber Gazette's third favorite team -- a team Chris and I have aptly named "Pittsburgh West" -- the Arizona Cards.

Thanks to the "Stillers" upcoming trip to Tampa -- Chris and I can pretty much guarentee that the Gerber Baby will arrive on February 1st. My sister-in-law promises me that Hackensack U. Medical Center has televisions in the delivery rooms and Chris and I have already packed our little girl's first Steeler snowsuit for her trip home ;-)

Speaking of Baby's First Steelers Gear -- someone who loves us dearly sent us a great Steelers Toddler Bib and a fleece blanket and football. But there was no card or indication of whom sent the package (aside from the Pittsburgh Steelers store). If you are our Secret Steelers Santa, please let us know so that we can thank you properly -- with a rousing rendition of "Here we go, Steelers, a virtual hug, en at...

We're off to the doctors tomorrow for our 37 week check ups! Wish us luck... and keep your fingers crossed that our newest Steeler fan arrives before the Superbowl -- God knows when she'll be able to experience another one!!!

On my last nerve...

The Gerber Baby is on my last nerve... literally. We went to the doctor for surveillance today, and as I assumed, she is laying on my sciatic nerve. She has no room to go anywhere else, so apparently, I'll be in pain until she decides to arrive (or Dr. Seidner pities me enough to schedule her delivery ;-)

She is growing nicely and all looks well. Although... the little BRAT stuck her tongue out at me during the ultrasound. This type of behavior is inappropriate... she never would of pulled this crap in front of her dad ;-)

Taking Suggestions...

Although I've been off of work since December 24th, Chris didn't go back to work until this AM, so it's felt a lot like a holiday vacation. But now Chris is back at work... it's 9:24 Monday morning and I'm bored already... I've already had my morning cup of tea and a bowl of cherrios, checked my work email, my home email and facebook, cleaned my room and the master bath, washed the dishes and had about 20 meaningful conversations with the dog. (Just Simon... Marley's not too chatty today -- still pissed off that everybody thinks he was named after John Grogan's dog).

What, oh what, am I going to do with myself???? Everyone just keeps saying "Relax. Take it easy. Put your feet up!" Sorry, folks, it's not in my nature -- and if you've ever met my mother -- the energizer bunny -- you'd understand why.

My frustration is growing by the day and the Gerber Baby isn't due to arrive until the beginning of February. So, I'm now accepting suggestions on how to pass the time. Any and all suggestions are welcome...

Happy 2009!

Chris, Baby G, Marley, Simon and I wish all our readers a happy and healthy 2009!

We've had a happy and eventful week. Our New Year's Eve was one of our happiest yet, because we got to meet our new niece -- Caroline Suzanne Kinney! She's absolutely perfect!!! Knowing me as well as they do, Jon and KrisAnne let me hold her almost the entire time we were there, so I could get my fill. But, of course, we miss her already and can't wait for her to meet her new bestest friend.

Speaking of, Chris and I have decided that our little munchkin doesn't like ANYTHING on top of her! Last week, I was rocking Ryan in the glider and the baby kept kicking him in the belly. I told Dana, "He might have some bruised ribs. His cousin is startin' fights already." Then yesterday, the only times she was active were when I was holding Caroline. I could almost hear her scream "Get her off of me! I'm trying to sleep." And of course, she hates the monitors they put on my belly for our weekly non-stress tests...

Speaking of tests, all of our appointments went well this week. It seems that our princess has finally decided that she likes her watery home. She snuggly in there and growing nicely. Now weighing in at 5 lbs 4 ounces. Her Daddy got to come to the appointment with me -- and got to see her little chubby cheeks. Its probably the last time he'll get to see her... before he sees her!