how we're progressing

Vital stats:

• Abby's 9lbs 3oz at last weighing, in the 75th percentile for weight.
• She's grasping our fingers when we touch her palm.
• She smiles, probably not intentionally, but we'll take it.
  
• She's finally allowed to sleep through the night, which she does admirably. I say finally because, though she slept a lot at the beginning, she needed more feedings to gain weight and thus we had to wake her up every three hours. Now we get up when she cries, which is about every 4-5 hours. Yay!
• Nursing has gotten exponentially better--the first couple weeks were awful--but is still problematic.
• She continues to be the cutest baby ever. Seriously. Have you seen the photo?
• We're totally in love.
  

hard work

It is surprising to me how much hard work goes into taking care of a baby. Loving Husband says it's like being entrusted with a poop machine that we have to keep in good running order for a set period of time--everything goes back to that one function. I just had absolutely no idea how hard this parenthood thing would be. It's one of those moments where only the experience of doing it prepares you. Beforehand, you have this theoretical knowledge that it will be difficult--afterwards, you know. Kind of like adolescence--before, you've no idea what the changes will really be like nor what growing up is about, and after, it's all there (though admittedly jumbled).

The sleep deprivation, the emotional exhaustion, the mess in the house--who knew? Anyone who's had a kid, I suppose.

The smell of her hair, the joy in seeing a smile (even if it's from gas), the warmth of her little body sleeping on yours--who knew? Anyone who's had a kid.

new arrival

After all this time, she's finally here. And of course it's taken 10 days for us to figure out how to get the photos off the new camera...

Click here for a few photos of Baby Connor, now known as Abigail Elizabeth Connor.

what we think we need

Grace and peace, friends! Welcome to our sort-of registry for Baby Connor.

We are very aware of our ecological footprint on this earth and we would like to outfit our nursery with either "green" products or reused items. If you are so moved, please look over the lists below for items you might have from your own children or which you could purchase second-hand or from a green manufacturer. Items which are listed in boldface are also on a limited registry at Babies R Us so you might have a choice between second hand and new. Certainly it goes without saying (but we'll say it anyway!) that used items should be clean and safe for Baby Connor. Please feel free to use the comment section for questions or notes about what you might be purchasing.

Below you'll find three lists: (1) a website where we are registered for reusable cloth diapers, (2) a list of items we think we will need with asterisks beside those that should be bought new, and (3) a list of home improvement tasks we may need to complete before the baby arrives.

Thank you so much for your love and support!
Leighton and Alice Connor

---

(1) We now have plenty of cloth diapers from Nicki's Diapers. Thanks so much!

(2) Things we think we need for Baby Connor: (again, asterisks=need to be new, boldface=on registry at Babies R Us)

• teethers*
• baby mittens (hand-knitted, anyone?)
• organic, washable baby wipes (available from Nicki's Diapers)
  
• toilet sprayer
• white or off-white receiving blankets
• "splat mat" (one assumes for under the high chair)
• car seat undermats

• cool-mist humidifier--given by the Graners
• crib--given by the Staffieras
• stroller and carseat--given by the McNeills
• rocking chair--given by the Van Brunts
• diaper bag--given by Bleyle/choir
• baby bouncer--given by Boron/Conrey
• changing table, paint-able--given by the economic stimulus package
  
• bathtub (though I have photos of my brother and me being bathed in the kitchen sink...)--given by anonymous and Trevor VB
• playpen--given by the Andersons
• baby rectal thermometer*--given by Trevor VB
• infant first aid kit*--given by Trevor VB
• infant monitor--given by the Graners
• wet bag--given by the Burket Ragases
• infant car seat carrier cover--given by Boron/Conrey
• clothes (bodysuits, caps and booties, side-snap shirts, pullover shirts, sleepers, socks, gowns, overalls, etc.)--given by Boron/Conrey (seriously, we've got tons of onsies!)
• something like this sling--given by the Graners
• bibs--given by the Redeemer staff
• baby health care kit (syringe, brush, nail clippers, etc.)*--given by Redeemer staff
• doorway jumper--given by Redeemer staff
• baby sunshade--given by anonymous
• changing table pad (one of the largest sizes, probably 18x34 or so)--given by the Connors
• high-chair--given by the Connors?
• changing table covers (white or off-white, preferably)--given by Redeemer staff
• diaper pail*--purchased
• Boppy infant nursing pillow or similar--purchased
• Boppy slipcovers--purchased
• wash cloths--purchased
• baby carrier (one of those backpack/frontpack kinda things)--given by Connors
• rattles--given by Redeemer women
• cloth diapers and inserts (see #1 above)*--given by Burket Ragases, Redeemer women, and cousin Rebecca
• nursing pads (see #1 above)--given by cousin Rebecca
  

(3) Home improvement tasks:

• repaint molding in nursery--given by the Connors
  
• sand and reseal part of floor in nursery--given by the Connors
  
• install new ceiling fan--given by McGonagle
  
• install curtains--given by the Connors
  
• unstick the door--given by Trevor VB
  
• clothesline in back of house--given by the economic stimulus package and Tom VB