More to share soon, we are so blessed by his arrival.
With love, the Neckers Family.
With love, the Neckers Family.
Showing posts with label baby n. Show all posts
Showing posts with label baby n. Show all posts
6.03.2015
meet wells
Todd and I are thrilled to announce the arrival of our son, Wells Robert Neckers. Born on Wednesday, June 3, 2015 at 10:04 am, he came into the world weighing 7 pounds, 12 ounces and measuring 19 inches long.
5.24.2015
sprinkle
On Friday, I was lucky enough to be honored with a baby sprinkle for Baby Boy Neckers. My sweet friend, Sarah, agreed to host the sprinkle when she herself has a four-week-old at home. She's incredible. We talked about the possibility of a sprinkle a few months back and I told her that all I really wanted was to get together for dinner with some girlfriends before the baby comes, to have some girl time. She took things a step further and made the cutest centerpiece and favors and it really made the dinner feel special.
I realized that everyone who was there is a mother, all of whom I've known since before any of us had children. The group that gathered that night included women who I have been friends with since I was twelve years old, women I met in college, and women I met later on. We have seen each other through high school drama, bad boyfriends, worse breakups, the establishment of our professional lives, our weddings, and now motherhood and each of them provides such a beautifully unique perspective on the joys and struggles of it all. Each of them is a wonderful mother and has such love for their family. We all do things a bit differently and we are all raising great kids. We have all had our own challenges and I love that I can ask any of them about how they've tackled different parenting issues, if they had a feeling that labor was going to start before it did, which foods they introduced first, how they're dealing with limit-testing toddlers, how to navigate the challenges that parenting adds to marriage, and really everything and anything that has become part of our realities since becoming moms.
I realized that everyone who was there is a mother, all of whom I've known since before any of us had children. The group that gathered that night included women who I have been friends with since I was twelve years old, women I met in college, and women I met later on. We have seen each other through high school drama, bad boyfriends, worse breakups, the establishment of our professional lives, our weddings, and now motherhood and each of them provides such a beautifully unique perspective on the joys and struggles of it all. Each of them is a wonderful mother and has such love for their family. We all do things a bit differently and we are all raising great kids. We have all had our own challenges and I love that I can ask any of them about how they've tackled different parenting issues, if they had a feeling that labor was going to start before it did, which foods they introduced first, how they're dealing with limit-testing toddlers, how to navigate the challenges that parenting adds to marriage, and really everything and anything that has become part of our realities since becoming moms.
Sitting around that table, it struck me that it is such a special thing to be able to share the adventure of parenthood with such a great group of friends. I am so grateful to be experiencing all of this with them and can't wait to see what unfolds as we continue to watch all of our children grown up together. You are all great moms and I learn from you every time we're together. Thank you, girls, for being willing to share this adventure with me, to celebrate the exciting moments and empathize with the tough ones.
And thank you, Sarah, for getting everyone together and helping make this pregnancy feel just as special as the first one.
4.23.2013
welcome elia grey!
If you're reading this blog you likely know that our daughter, Elia Grey, was born last week. She came into the world at 10:49 PM on Wednesday, April 17. She's a little peanut weighing in at 6 lbs, 5 oz at birth and she was 19 inches long.
We were fortunate to have an amazing birth photographer, Allie of Allie Marie Photography, there to capture Elia's birth. To see those photos please visit Allie's blog here. She did a beautiful job of capturing the anticipation, joy, and emotion of the day and we're so grateful to her for that.
As you can imagine, this blog is going to be pretty baby heavy from here on out. We want to remember as many moments as we can in the midst of all of the new we are experiencing
Today I want to recap what she's done in her first six days on Earth.
Wednesday, April 17
We arrived at the hospital at 3:00 AM for induction. Elia Grey Neckers was born almost twenty hours later at 10:49 PM with two sets of loving grandparents anxiously looking forward to her arrival in the waiting room.
Biggest surprise: She is so little! We were expecting an 8 pounder.
Biggest challenge: Birth! Elia was taking her time so we had a little help in the form of a vacuum to get her out. She was born with the sweetest little cone head.
Visitors: Grandma and Grandpa Lautenbach + Grandma and Grandpa Neckers
Thursday, April 18
We made it to the postpartum floor at 1:30 AM, happy and exhausted. Elia spent the next several hours in the nursery while Mom and Dad rested. That morning we enjoyed lots of skin-to-skin time and naps. Elia is a little jaundiced but not enough to need phototherapy.
Biggest surprise: She has hair! A full head of blonde locks.
Fun Fact: She has stork bites which we found out Great Grandpa Lautenbach has too - apparently if they run in the family, they'll stick around for good. Such a sweet connection to her family!
Biggest challenge: Staying awake.
Visitors: Grandma and Grandpa Neckers + Great Grandma and Great Grandpa Lautenbach + Aunt Emily + Grandpa Lautenbach + Miriam D.
Friday, April 19
At noon we were discharged and home by 12:30 PM. While we were in the hospital, Grand Rapids experienced a ton of rain that led to flooding - thankfully, our house was nice and dry for Elia when we got home. We had lunch while my parents and Aunt Emily visited and then I rested a bit before Uncle Joel, Grandpa N, and eventually Grandma N came to visit. Mom and Dad were in bed by 8:00 PM.
Biggest surprise: Confusion at pronouncing her name. We thought we were being quite phonetic. For the record it's pronounced El-ee-uh. Like "Ellie" with an "a" at the end of "Elliot" without the "t" sound at the end.
Biggest challenge: Staying awake.
Visitors: Jennifer C. + Norma R. + Grandma and Grandpa Lautenbach + Aunt Emily + Uncle Joel + Grandma and Grandpa Neckers
Lunch Provided By: Grandma and Grandpa Lautenbach from Olga's
Dinner Provided By: Grandma and Grandpa Neckers from Marie Catrib's
Saturday, April 20
Elia slept 5 hours straight on our first night home - wow! We had a nurse come for a routine welcome home visit then Brittny came to meet her before Aunt Emily came over. Grandma Lautenbach spent all day preparing a really delicious butternut squash lasagna complete with homemade sauce (if you knew Grandma better, you'd know how impressive this is, cooking is not her first love) for Aunt Emily's birthday dinner. After dinner Elia met Uncle Matt via Skype - he currently lives in Beijing so it will be a few months before he's able to meet her in person. After that call, she had her first bath. It wasn't her favorite thing in the world but we're guessing it will grow on her.
Milestone: Elia's First Bath!
Visitors: Brittny M + Grandma and Grandpa Lautenbach + Aunt Emily + Uncle Matt via Skype
Dinner Provided By: Grandma and Grandpa Lautenbach in honor of Aunt Emily's birthday!
Sunday, April 21
Before heading back to Chicago, Aunt Emily stopped in for one last visit. Since the weather here took a turn for the better, Elia went on her first walk around the neighborhood. We didn't go far but it was so nice to get out of the house and into the sunshine. After that, we took our first family outing on a drive down to the Grand River to check out the flooding. It turned into a big day with a spur of the moment visit to the pediatrician because of the amount of weight she'd lost so far. It was a little unnerving but we were sent home with a plan to help her gain more weight as she gets used to nursing. A bigger day than expected, for sure!
Milestone: Elia's First Walk
Visitors: Aunt Emily + Sue and Gary McLain
Dinner Provided By: Great Aunt Sandy
Monday, April 22
We kicked off the day with another trip to the pediatrician to check Elia's weight. My girl had gained 3 ounces overnight - what a star! After that we headed home and hung out until Sarah came over with Parker after lunch. We played for awhile and Sarah even brought over some snacks including two cakes that read "Welcome Elia" - what sweet friends we have! When Dad came home from work we took the stroller out for the first time on a short walk around the block before "meeting" Uncle Drew, who lives in Salt Lake City via Skype, What a fun day!
Milestone: Elia's First Stroll
Visitors: Sarah and Parker H + Uncle Drew via Skype
Current Nicknames: Bug, Sweetheart, E, Baby Badger, Peanut, Little One, Pumpkin, El, Darling, Sweet Cheeks
Tuesday, April 23
It was a quiet day today. We made some progress with nursing and had a lovely nap. Uncle Matt sent Elia a bouquet of beautiful spring flowers and Grandma Neckers came over to visit for a little while after work. After she left, we relaxed all evening.
Visitors: Grandma Neckers
Loads of Baby Laundry Done Today: 2
We are madly in love with our little one and can't wait to see what each new day brings!
We were fortunate to have an amazing birth photographer, Allie of Allie Marie Photography, there to capture Elia's birth. To see those photos please visit Allie's blog here. She did a beautiful job of capturing the anticipation, joy, and emotion of the day and we're so grateful to her for that.
As you can imagine, this blog is going to be pretty baby heavy from here on out. We want to remember as many moments as we can in the midst of all of the new we are experiencing
Today I want to recap what she's done in her first six days on Earth.
Wednesday, April 17
Biggest surprise: She is so little! We were expecting an 8 pounder.
Biggest challenge: Birth! Elia was taking her time so we had a little help in the form of a vacuum to get her out. She was born with the sweetest little cone head.
Visitors: Grandma and Grandpa Lautenbach + Grandma and Grandpa Neckers
Thursday, April 18
We made it to the postpartum floor at 1:30 AM, happy and exhausted. Elia spent the next several hours in the nursery while Mom and Dad rested. That morning we enjoyed lots of skin-to-skin time and naps. Elia is a little jaundiced but not enough to need phototherapy.
Biggest surprise: She has hair! A full head of blonde locks.
Fun Fact: She has stork bites which we found out Great Grandpa Lautenbach has too - apparently if they run in the family, they'll stick around for good. Such a sweet connection to her family!
Biggest challenge: Staying awake.
Visitors: Grandma and Grandpa Neckers + Great Grandma and Great Grandpa Lautenbach + Aunt Emily + Grandpa Lautenbach + Miriam D.
Friday, April 19
At noon we were discharged and home by 12:30 PM. While we were in the hospital, Grand Rapids experienced a ton of rain that led to flooding - thankfully, our house was nice and dry for Elia when we got home. We had lunch while my parents and Aunt Emily visited and then I rested a bit before Uncle Joel, Grandpa N, and eventually Grandma N came to visit. Mom and Dad were in bed by 8:00 PM.
Biggest surprise: Confusion at pronouncing her name. We thought we were being quite phonetic. For the record it's pronounced El-ee-uh. Like "Ellie" with an "a" at the end of "Elliot" without the "t" sound at the end.
Biggest challenge: Staying awake.
Visitors: Jennifer C. + Norma R. + Grandma and Grandpa Lautenbach + Aunt Emily + Uncle Joel + Grandma and Grandpa Neckers
Lunch Provided By: Grandma and Grandpa Lautenbach from Olga's
Dinner Provided By: Grandma and Grandpa Neckers from Marie Catrib's
Saturday, April 20
Elia slept 5 hours straight on our first night home - wow! We had a nurse come for a routine welcome home visit then Brittny came to meet her before Aunt Emily came over. Grandma Lautenbach spent all day preparing a really delicious butternut squash lasagna complete with homemade sauce (if you knew Grandma better, you'd know how impressive this is, cooking is not her first love) for Aunt Emily's birthday dinner. After dinner Elia met Uncle Matt via Skype - he currently lives in Beijing so it will be a few months before he's able to meet her in person. After that call, she had her first bath. It wasn't her favorite thing in the world but we're guessing it will grow on her.
Milestone: Elia's First Bath!
Visitors: Brittny M + Grandma and Grandpa Lautenbach + Aunt Emily + Uncle Matt via Skype
Dinner Provided By: Grandma and Grandpa Lautenbach in honor of Aunt Emily's birthday!
Sunday, April 21
Before heading back to Chicago, Aunt Emily stopped in for one last visit. Since the weather here took a turn for the better, Elia went on her first walk around the neighborhood. We didn't go far but it was so nice to get out of the house and into the sunshine. After that, we took our first family outing on a drive down to the Grand River to check out the flooding. It turned into a big day with a spur of the moment visit to the pediatrician because of the amount of weight she'd lost so far. It was a little unnerving but we were sent home with a plan to help her gain more weight as she gets used to nursing. A bigger day than expected, for sure!
Milestone: Elia's First Walk
Visitors: Aunt Emily + Sue and Gary McLain
Dinner Provided By: Great Aunt Sandy
Monday, April 22
We kicked off the day with another trip to the pediatrician to check Elia's weight. My girl had gained 3 ounces overnight - what a star! After that we headed home and hung out until Sarah came over with Parker after lunch. We played for awhile and Sarah even brought over some snacks including two cakes that read "Welcome Elia" - what sweet friends we have! When Dad came home from work we took the stroller out for the first time on a short walk around the block before "meeting" Uncle Drew, who lives in Salt Lake City via Skype, What a fun day!
Milestone: Elia's First Stroll
Visitors: Sarah and Parker H + Uncle Drew via Skype
Current Nicknames: Bug, Sweetheart, E, Baby Badger, Peanut, Little One, Pumpkin, El, Darling, Sweet Cheeks
Tuesday, April 23
It was a quiet day today. We made some progress with nursing and had a lovely nap. Uncle Matt sent Elia a bouquet of beautiful spring flowers and Grandma Neckers came over to visit for a little while after work. After she left, we relaxed all evening.
Visitors: Grandma Neckers
Loads of Baby Laundry Done Today: 2
We are madly in love with our little one and can't wait to see what each new day brings!
3.23.2013
thirty six
If I were a better blogger my first post of 2013 would have come months ago. If I were a better blogger, I'd have written about each of my fantastic baby showers including beautiful photographs of each of the events. If I were a better blogger...well, you get the picture and the fact is, I'm not a better blogger. I'm busy and tired and thirty six weeks pregnant and I haven't updated the blog in months.
Since the last post much has happened including multiple baby showers with family, friends, and co-workers. Todd and I continue to be overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support that we've experienced through each and every week of this pregnancy. I feel like a broken record saying it but we are so, so genuinely grateful for all of the wonderful people in our lives and BGN is so lucky to be so loved already.
As I mentioned, I'm not a better blogger and therefore, I did not beautifully photograph each of my baby showers but thankfully I have at least some photos from each one largely thanks to my mom who is a total trooper and happily attended four (4!) of my baby showers.
We have amazing, loving people in our lives. What fun we had celebrating.
Twenty three days until she's due. Then the real party begins!
Since the last post much has happened including multiple baby showers with family, friends, and co-workers. Todd and I continue to be overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support that we've experienced through each and every week of this pregnancy. I feel like a broken record saying it but we are so, so genuinely grateful for all of the wonderful people in our lives and BGN is so lucky to be so loved already.
As I mentioned, I'm not a better blogger and therefore, I did not beautifully photograph each of my baby showers but thankfully I have at least some photos from each one largely thanks to my mom who is a total trooper and happily attended four (4!) of my baby showers.
Twenty three days until she's due. Then the real party begins!
12.30.2012
comfort and joy
Comfort and joy. For us, those two words sum up the last ten days or so rather nicely. Todd and I have spent lots of time with family and lots of time with each other. We've had time to really, really relax - sleeping in late, reading, taking our time to get the house in order, indulging in late night TV marathons. It's been pretty fantastic.
Christmas is always a wonderful time of year and the perfect prelude to the coming season. With just over 100 days left until my due date, we continue to look forward to meeting our little girl with excitement and joy. Mini received quite a few Christmas gifts from excited grandparents, aunts, uncles, great aunts and uncles, and even Santa knew she'd been a good little girl. Yesterday, I washed the cutest and tiniest load of laundry I've ever done. It was so cute that I've already folded it and put it away and that NEVER happens this quickly. It's hard to believe that our daughter will be here, wearing those tiny outfits in just a few months and we are just continually blown away by the generosity and love that my pregnancy has been met with. Our little girl is already so loved by us and so many others - we are all so, so lucky. Have I said that already? If not on the blog, I have to Todd, almost daily. It's amazing and overwhelming in the best possible way.
So, in the next 106 days, we will put together her crib, paint her nursery, do more cute laundry, and wait for her with all the patience we can muster.
Oh, and this thing...
Rumor has it, my belly will continue to grow. I know, some days, I can't believe it either - it seems impossible that my belly could grow any larger but with 15 weeks to go, I still have room to grow (though I'm not sure I can say the same for some of my pants...).
Despite my growing belly, I still feel great. Still no weird cravings although I've eaten more Frosted Flakes in the past two weeks than I had in the last ten years. Todd went to the store the other day and came home with three boxes for me because they were on sale...and they don't last long around here. What can I say, they're grrrrrreat!
I hope that all of you have had a wonderful holiday season too - comfort and joy all around.
Christmas is always a wonderful time of year and the perfect prelude to the coming season. With just over 100 days left until my due date, we continue to look forward to meeting our little girl with excitement and joy. Mini received quite a few Christmas gifts from excited grandparents, aunts, uncles, great aunts and uncles, and even Santa knew she'd been a good little girl. Yesterday, I washed the cutest and tiniest load of laundry I've ever done. It was so cute that I've already folded it and put it away and that NEVER happens this quickly. It's hard to believe that our daughter will be here, wearing those tiny outfits in just a few months and we are just continually blown away by the generosity and love that my pregnancy has been met with. Our little girl is already so loved by us and so many others - we are all so, so lucky. Have I said that already? If not on the blog, I have to Todd, almost daily. It's amazing and overwhelming in the best possible way.
So, in the next 106 days, we will put together her crib, paint her nursery, do more cute laundry, and wait for her with all the patience we can muster.
Oh, and this thing...
Rumor has it, my belly will continue to grow. I know, some days, I can't believe it either - it seems impossible that my belly could grow any larger but with 15 weeks to go, I still have room to grow (though I'm not sure I can say the same for some of my pants...).
Despite my growing belly, I still feel great. Still no weird cravings although I've eaten more Frosted Flakes in the past two weeks than I had in the last ten years. Todd went to the store the other day and came home with three boxes for me because they were on sale...and they don't last long around here. What can I say, they're grrrrrreat!
I hope that all of you have had a wonderful holiday season too - comfort and joy all around.
11.12.2012
eighteen
Today I am 18 weeks pregnant. 18! That's just two weeks shy of halfway through with my pregnancy. I can't say that it has gone quickly but that's not a bad thing. I don't want my pregnancy to fly by, I want to enjoy it.
I may have said this before but I always thought that I would like being pregnant. So far, that has held true. I've been lucky to have avoided morning sickness, by and large. I have no weird cravings or aversions, only an insatiable appetite which suits me just fine - I think it's always been there, I'm just happy to indulge it now. My little pumpkin needs the food to grow! I know that as my body continues to grow that I will experience discomfort, that I will feel large as a barge. I hope that I'll be able to stay positive and think about why I'm uncomfortable and focus on the extraordinary process that's happening inside of me.
Though I am doing well physically, I have been experiencing some parental impatience. In just over two weeks we will have our first ultrasound. I did not have an ultrasound to confirm my due date. I have not yet seen our baby and I am itching with anticipation to see him or her swimming around in there. To see that everything is in place. To know whether our baby is he or she.
Every time I see a cute baby outfit (which is basically daily, thank you online shopping and Pinterest), I want to buy it. I'm restraining myself...for now. And the nursery! Thank goodness that furniture is largely gender neutral - I've at least been able to pick out the baby's larger nursery goods.
Of course, I've still been planning two different nurseries in the meantime. One for Baby Boy N and one for Baby Girl N. A travel theme for Baby Boy N and a French/Parisienne theme for Baby Girl N.
Here are some inspiration shots:
Aren't they both so sweet? I'm loving the French idea and might incorporate some francophilia into the travel theme if our pumpkin is of the masculine variety. What do you think?
You can see all of my nursery pins here. Don't forget to follow me on Pinterest!
I may have said this before but I always thought that I would like being pregnant. So far, that has held true. I've been lucky to have avoided morning sickness, by and large. I have no weird cravings or aversions, only an insatiable appetite which suits me just fine - I think it's always been there, I'm just happy to indulge it now. My little pumpkin needs the food to grow! I know that as my body continues to grow that I will experience discomfort, that I will feel large as a barge. I hope that I'll be able to stay positive and think about why I'm uncomfortable and focus on the extraordinary process that's happening inside of me.
Though I am doing well physically, I have been experiencing some parental impatience. In just over two weeks we will have our first ultrasound. I did not have an ultrasound to confirm my due date. I have not yet seen our baby and I am itching with anticipation to see him or her swimming around in there. To see that everything is in place. To know whether our baby is he or she.
Every time I see a cute baby outfit (which is basically daily, thank you online shopping and Pinterest), I want to buy it. I'm restraining myself...for now. And the nursery! Thank goodness that furniture is largely gender neutral - I've at least been able to pick out the baby's larger nursery goods.
Of course, I've still been planning two different nurseries in the meantime. One for Baby Boy N and one for Baby Girl N. A travel theme for Baby Boy N and a French/Parisienne theme for Baby Girl N.
Here are some inspiration shots:
 |
| Travel theme for Baby Boy N |
 |
| French theme for Baby Girl N |
Aren't they both so sweet? I'm loving the French idea and might incorporate some francophilia into the travel theme if our pumpkin is of the masculine variety. What do you think?
You can see all of my nursery pins here. Don't forget to follow me on Pinterest!
10.07.2012
lub-dub, lub dub
Earlier this week the most incredible thing happened.
After weeks of anticipation and excitement, we went to our twelve-week prenatal visit. As a first-time mom, I've had my share of concerns and I knew that this appointment would leave me feeling reassured and calm my fears. Sitting in the doctor's office I almost couldn't stand the wait. I just wanted to get onto the examination table and roll up my shirt so they could listen for my child's heartbeat.
The nurse of course, had other plans. A few questions, a flu shot, small talk with the doctor, clinical talk with the doctor. And then, after all of that build up, finally, I was lying on the table ready to hear the sound of the life growing in my belly.
Lub-dub.
Lub-dub.
Lub-dub.
There it was. Beating fast, beating strong.
Our little one is growing and we can't wait to meet our little guy or gal.
How far along? 12 weeks, 6 days - my second trimester begins tomorrow!
Maternity clothes? Not quite yet but my regular wardrobe has shrunk considerably and my normal work pants are out completely.
Food cravings? Nothing specific, basically any carbs or starchy foods. Maybe next trimester I'll start craving broccoli or something equally unlikely.
Baby's nickname: Pumpkin.
Gender prediction: Boy but Todd thinks it's a girl most days.
Of course, now that the world knows we're expecting, I've been all over the internet adding things to my Pinterest baby board. It's been fun to browse and soon, we'll start to get things ready for our little one.
After weeks of anticipation and excitement, we went to our twelve-week prenatal visit. As a first-time mom, I've had my share of concerns and I knew that this appointment would leave me feeling reassured and calm my fears. Sitting in the doctor's office I almost couldn't stand the wait. I just wanted to get onto the examination table and roll up my shirt so they could listen for my child's heartbeat.
The nurse of course, had other plans. A few questions, a flu shot, small talk with the doctor, clinical talk with the doctor. And then, after all of that build up, finally, I was lying on the table ready to hear the sound of the life growing in my belly.
Lub-dub.
Lub-dub.
Lub-dub.
There it was. Beating fast, beating strong.
Our little one is growing and we can't wait to meet our little guy or gal.
How far along? 12 weeks, 6 days - my second trimester begins tomorrow!
Maternity clothes? Not quite yet but my regular wardrobe has shrunk considerably and my normal work pants are out completely.
Food cravings? Nothing specific, basically any carbs or starchy foods. Maybe next trimester I'll start craving broccoli or something equally unlikely.
Baby's nickname: Pumpkin.
Gender prediction: Boy but Todd thinks it's a girl most days.
Of course, now that the world knows we're expecting, I've been all over the internet adding things to my Pinterest baby board. It's been fun to browse and soon, we'll start to get things ready for our little one.
Happy browsing and have a great week!
10.03.2012
welcome to griggs & woodward
Our family is growing. With this new beginning comes excitement, new anxieties, lessons to be learned, and pure joy. I can't wait to share the journey that lies ahead of us with you.
Welcome to Griggs & Woodward.
