citizenteasley

Yesterday I got up to get ready for work and I realized that your Mommy is already out of bed. She was having irregular contractions and they were so strong she couldn't talk through them. I went to work like regular but about 5:30PM, I got a text that I needed to come home. When I got there she was having regular contractions 5 minutes apart. We waited an hour and then we headed to the hospital.

I saw your Mom go through the worst pain of her entire life and sitting there with her I felt completely helpless. When it came time to push your little heartbeat slowed down and the doctor had to tell one of the nurses to prep for a C-section. Between pushes the nurses would rub your Mommy's belly to try and pick up your heartbeat. When it was up to regular they told Mommy to push. If your Mom hadn't pushed with such resolve then you would have been born in the operating room. Instead you were born with a big push at 4:41 AM today October 8th. I saw you enter this world and heard you cry for the first time, it was the most beautiful moment of my life.

We are sitting here at the hospital in post delivery suite. You are laying in the clear basket on the cart in front of me and your Mommy is to my left getting some well deserved rest. You were born with a full head of dark brown hair, my color eyes, your Mommy's nose, and according to your Mimi, my ears.

It seems only a short time ago you were this little apple seed and now you are the most beautiful perfect baby. I am so incredibly blessed and I hope that I will be the father that you deserve. You are squirming around quite a bit so first things first, I need to check your diaper.

I want you to know that I love you more than anything. Happy birthday, Alice.


Alice Margaret Teasley
6 pounds 9 ounces
20 inches

Thursday
9/1/11

We are just 6 short weeks away from your arrival. I can feel you move and see big movements on Mommy's belly everyday now. We start lamaze classes next week, we are also taking a little vacation next week too. I just finished booking a hotel down at the beach. We finally finished your baby room. We painted the walls, put up shelves and decals. Its all very girly. The only thing we are missing right now is a crib but your Mimi and Granddaddy said they would be getting you that soon. Its not really a big deal right away as you'll sleep in the bassenett in our room for the first little bit.

We are going to renew our lease here this weekend so, officially this is where you'll spend the first year of your life. I know this sounds crazy but sometimes your arrival does not seem quite real. Your Mommy said that she felt that way too. Not that we're not excited, I think it mostly is because we have no earthly idea what to expect.

Mommy wants no part of my stupid jokes. I think it would be hilarious the next time someone says, "OH when are you expecting?" for your Mom to take a step back, looking offended and say, "Excuse me? What is that supposed to mean?" She won't though. I think we're missing out on comedy gold.

Tuesday 7/26/11

Baby Alice,

Mommy startled me with the announcement today that you could arrive as soon as September 30th. I know that isn't much sooner than October 17th but your arrival seems like its rushing here now. Before it was always, "she'll get here eventually", now though its seems right upon us. I'm excited but there is so much to do still.

Your baby shower went really well, we had people come in from all over, it was so nice. Everyone is so excited about you. We got a lot of great stuff for you. I think my favorite is the picture of a bunny our friend Matt painted for you. It has a little message to you written on the back and everything.

Now, this may sound silly, but it has been something I've been thinking about. I hope you like comic books. There I said it. I love comics, I love superheroes, and I hope that you do too. Now I know that comics are geared more towards boys, but I hope that you'll also like something that I really enjoy. Mommy enjoys Manga and if you like that that's cool but I hope you dig American superhero comics. Of all the things I should be worrying about I know that is pretty far down on the list. Its just something I thought I'd share.

I love the idea of teaching you to say, "Avengers Assemble!" and also, "Mommy, Daddy's right."

7/14/2011

Alice,
I am so excited about your upcoming arrival. I think about it constantly. These past few months have flown by here in the blink of an eye. We're working on preparing your room and we've made a lot of progress. This is a big weekend because we're having your baby shower on Saturday.

The other day I found some clothes your Grandma already bought for you. I held them in my hands and it helped me to visualize holding you in a few short months.

You don't have to apologize but you kicked me in the face the other day. I had my face on Mommy's belly and I felt you smack me with your foot(or maybe elbow).

I think this week I'm going to read you a story so that maybe you can get used to the sound of my voice.

Sunday 5/30/11


Dear Baby Alice,
Last week we found out that you are made of sugar/spice/everything nice, although if you're anything like your Mommy you'll be pretty feisty too. I have to say, as soon as I found out you were going to be a girl I got worried. I want the very best for you and the first thing that popped into my head is when those boys start to come around, not one of them is going to be good enough for my little girl.

In other big news your cousin Noah was born a few days ago. I got off of work, drove to the hospital and twenty minutes later there he was. Very considerate kid. I like him. This whole labor thing could have gone way into the evening but he made sure I got home at a decent hour.

Your Mommy is officially a cop and I'm doing some corporate training with Enterprise starting in the morning. They have it set up so that I stay at a hotel in Charlotte but since I drive to Charlotte for work each day anyway I may just come home to spend time with Mommy.

Alice Margaret Teasley. Mommy has had this name picked out for a long time, I really like it. I hope you will too. It could be worse, you could be a Jr., Jr., Jr. Its a funny story, ask me about it some time.

I love you little Alice, I have a feeling you're going to be a total Daddy's Girl. This is week 20, the halfway point. You're now the size of a Cantaloupe.

Saturday 4/30/11

Baby Orange,

When we found out about you your Mom and I redoubled our efforts to better our financial situation. The way we hear it, you're going to be kinda expensive. Just saying. So, despite both of us having degrees we had not had much, or rather, any luck finding decent jobs. No more! Since my last post your Mom and I have both found much better employment. I'm now with Enterprise, which I really enjoy, and your Mom is about to be sworn in with the Kings Mountain police department.

In other big developments you are making Mommy's belly stick out so much now that there is no denying that you are on the way. Just a few days ago Mommy said she could feel you. The way she described it, it feels like a light touch for a few seconds, as if you're just stretching your little arms a legs out for a second. I get excited when your Mom grabs my arm and tells me she can feel you. I can't feel you move from outside just yet but I love being there as your Mom experiences your little movements. Time seems to be flying now. You'll be here before we know it.

Saturday 3/19/11

Baby Olive,

Two days ago we finally got to see you on ultrasound. They call me back and they set up the equipment. I have a better view than Mommy though, and before the doctor can point you out on the screen I make out your little head and body. It just kept getting better, the doctor pointed out where your little arms and legs were, and in the middle there was this little spot that kept flickering. That would be your heartbeat. Mommy and I were happy just to see you on the screen and hear that everything is going like it should.

As we were just taking a second to look at you, you suddenly MOVED! We didn't expect it but suddenly you flailed your little arms and legs. I thought the only movement we would see at this point would be your heartbeat but you were in full on wiggle mode. It was amazing. The doctor printed out four different pictures from the ultrasound but the one he gave to us is probably the worst of the bunch in that you look very unbaby like. Its OK, I saw the baby wiggle action for myself, I know how you really look. I will get to see you again on May 18. That will also be when we find out whether we'll be painting your room blue or pink. It was amazing to finally see you, Baby Teasley.

Monday 3/14/11


Baby Olive,
Last Thursday was our first prenatal check up, or so we thought. Instead it was mostly a pre-check up check up. The big event was Mommy giving blood. She is incredibly scared of giving blood. So much that we made a special 90 mile round trip to get medicine to numb the area on her arm where they draw the blood. It turned out that they couldn't let her use it use it when they went to draw. She was very brave and handled it like a champ. I was very proud, and besides, you're worth it.Our first actual check up will be this Thursday, and this time we'll get to hear your heart beat and see you on ultrasound.

On the baby prep home front we've started to move things out of our spare bedroom/office/storage room so that we can turn it into your room, or rather, your nursery. Your Granddaddy and Mimi gave us a copy of this newspaper article on baby proofing the house, and now I'm nervous. There is so much to do, I don't know if we'll even be in the same house when you're crawling around but I'm already planning the baby proofing in my head.

The other night your Pop said something to me, he said "You have no idea how tired you are going to be." Still, I'm looking forward to it.

Friday 3/4/11

Blueberry Baby,
Reading What to Expect When You're Expecting is an eye opener. For instance, the amount of work your Mom's body is doing to help you grow is mind blowing. When shes just sitting on the couch she's doing work comparable to that of a marathon runner. I believe it. She's exhausted most of the time. You are quite a bit of work my lil' blueberry. Mommy is working hard and is drained of energy but let me tell you something, last night when your Mom was passed out in a chair, she looked more beautiful than I think I've ever seen her. You and I are both very lucky.

So yesterday I thought I'd go for a bike ride around the neighborhood and I was huffin' and puffin', it is clear to me just how out of shape I am. Also, its clear I have to change this before you arrive because I hear that baby care takes quite a bit of energy. I want to be in good enough shape to take care of everything you and your Mommy need me to do.

Mommy and I are really excited by our first doctor's visit this Tuesday. We'll get to see you on ultrasound and hear your little heart beat. Its gonna be a big day.

Sunday 2/27/11


Sweet Pea,
Yesterday we attended the baby shower for your cousin, Noah. Your Uncle Paul, Pop, and I just kinda hung out on the porch while all the girly stuff went on. We came back in for food and gifts. Looking at all the stuff for Noah really opened my eyes as to how much stuff you'll need. Its quite a bit. Your Mom already has a theme picked out for your room, if you're a boy its going to be a jungle theme, and if you're a girl I think she said its bunnies. She shot down my Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters theme, but theres still time. Alternate theme:Jedi Temple. We could do these themes boy or girl, as in we could get started now. I'm only kidding of course, but I do know that as my kid you definitely get these references.

Also, tomorrow you will be the size of a blueberry.