Christmas Past & Present (unclick sound to hear music with slideshow)

This thing is cool!

"This thing is cool!"

All a baby wants is to be close to his daddy. This is yet another great gift from Scott's brother.

Memory Pictures

My mom suggested taking a picture of Tyler next to a teddy bear or stuffed animal on a regular basis to see how much he is growing. It will be easy to tell from people that don't see him everyday, but for me...well, I guess I can tell...we think he's already gained 2-3 pounds! So here is the picture I will try to take every month or so.

I just love this pose...I wish we had done it the first few days...but at least it's done now (amature style!)

5 Straight hours!

This was Tyler at our small group Christmas Party last night, he spent the whole night crying, except when nursing or being held by daddy! Anyways, it's his nightly routine to cluster feed and cry (fight sleep) from about 7-10pm. We came home and calmed him down a bit and went to bed after we took some ibprofen! He slept from 11pm-4am! I couldn't believe it! I felt so good at 4am I almost couldn't fall back asleep! See sometimes you have to take some bad with the good.

New Family Photo

Yard Progress: Before and Afters

BEFORE: Back Yard, right side bushes

AFTER: Bushes gone (except 1) mom cut down trees and vines. Very neat and clean. BEFORE: Back yard, left side. AFTER: back yard left side: that tree had two stumps! And look at that great wall of vine!

It had to be done and we get to start our bushes over. There is no question that they will grow back, it's up to us to keep up with the prickly vines and weeds that spread throughout the bushes and of course to keep them trimmed up and neat. We definitely have a fresh start so wish us luck. Here are a few more pictures of mom's handy work around the yard. These pictures do not do all the work that was done here justice, but wanted to thank my family again for all their hard work....it really is amazing and it's so enjoyable to look out at my yard all neat and cleaned up! Love you all!

Neat Flower Bed that I can play with in the spring...of course require discipline of weeding and figuring out what all is planted there now.

Tiny Fingernails

I am terrified of cutting Tyler's fingernails. My best friend and my sister-in law said they just bit their baby's nails off. I can't even bite my own nails off so I have decided to leave it to Scott. Yesterday I knew we needed to cut his nails, so I so calmly came into the living room to get some instructions on how he did it the last time. Scott took over and here are some precious pictures of daddy's hands doing the most delicate of baby grooming.

Grandma's Departure (My mom)

Today was my mom's last day with us here in Savannah. She was here for 1 week before Tyler entered the world and stayed almost another 2 weeks helping out with the baby and around the house. In the last 2 weeks she even finished the yard work, made a valance for the blinds in the living room, kept up with the recycling (evacuation scare and all!), kept the kitchen clean every night after dinner. She played with Tyler, held him when I would take a nap and Scott was really sick, she let me go on a 2 hour shopping outing in between feedings. She did this and so much more in the last 3 weeks or so that Scott and I are flabbergasted. When our motivation was drained, hers was on high alert! Oh and a special thank you for making a great apple crisp...my favorite with double the crunchy topping.

To the best mom, now grandma, in the world-THANK YOU! We miss you already.

Sickness and Christmas Decor

I can't believe how the days run together and go so fast. Maybe it's the blur of the night that jumps me through the day only to come to another night of fear. What's going to happen tonight, is Tyler going to sleep in between feedings, moan and grunt all night, cry, or want my nipple all night? He is so unpredictable but so predictable. No matter what he is still the sweetest little guy and I love him so much! I feel so bad when he struggles to either relieve himself of the last feeding or when he has a hiccup attack right after a projectile vomit. We're figuring things out and even though it's a challenge, it's all worth it. Another big challenge is both Scott and I came down with a soar throat on Monday and Scott is still sick and has almost lost his voice. So Scott's solution is to wear a mask around Tyler even though Tyler probably has the best immune system in the house. Sunday Scott and I went out and bought a Christmas tree and later that night we decorated the house with Christmas decorations. I thought that we'd better do it while my mom was here to help or it might not get done at all. My mom did great helping me put up regular decorations and replace them with Christmas decorations. The house looks great, nice and festive. She even did some festive things outside. Here is a few shots of the the tree and the family.I had mentioned during the night that I was craving frosted sugar cookies. So what did my husband do? He made sugar cookies and he even had to run to the grocery store to get powdered sugar for the frosting. They were so good and just another reminder of how great my husband is. (Sorry about the legs hanging out, Tyler likes to interrupt major activities with a quick snack).My mom was bummed that we didn't have our headbands of antlers and Christmas bulb lights but she did make hot chocolate and we found a "traditional" Christmas music from yahoo Internet site. It was a little bit tiring and kind of ran into my nap time, which is usually from 8ish-12ish while Scott is on Tyler duty (he brings him into me if he needs to be fed). Then when Scott comes to bed I take over for the night until 7 or 8am. It's a pretty good system and Scott helps if I'm having a lot of trouble but I mainly want him to sleep since someone has to make some money and be functional during the day.

My mom's stay here is winding down, I'm a little anxious about her leaving but I know it has to happen. She has been a huge help and the house and yard look great thanks to her dedicated work. She plans on leaving sometime tomorrow so today will consist of helping her get packed up and ready. I feel bad that they won't see their grandson again for awhile...maybe 6 months or so unless they decide to make another trip down. Who knows maybe we'll get restless too and decide to make a trip to Iowa next spring. I can't wait for my whole family to meet him because he is so sweet! And I have a feeling he's going to get big really fast!

Andrew is 2

Our newphew turned 2 on Friday November 30th. We all celebrated last night with a nice BBQ dinner, winnie the pooh decorations and cake and ice cream. Andrew was very excited to celebrate and had lots of help from his 2 older brothers Matthew and James. Matthew told me that now that Andrew is 2 they are taking away his passie. Then he says (6 1/2 years old) "It is going to be a real challenge!" I thought that was such a grown up thing to say! They all are getting so big! All three cousins really enjoyed getting to see their new baby cousin Tyler. Matthew said that Tyler can play with Andrew...because they are closer in age. I told Matthew that he has to be a good role model for Tyler since he is 6 1/2 years older than him.

And on to opening presents. Being 2 years old every present he opened was the best thing ever! He was so adorable! Andrew got a play doggie that he can walk around the house. It also barks and wimpers if it's being ignored.

We got him a transformer Mr. Potato Head, 2 pop up Christmas books, and a monkey paddle ball. On a side note: Between feedings I made a dash out of the house yesterday to Target where I got to explore the toy section. It was very entertaining and nice to get some fresh air. Even though I missed my little peanut!

Then Andrew got his first Big Wheel (isn't that what you call them). His mom put it together for him, in what I thought was record time. She turns to us and says are you ready for all this? Looks like fun to me, but then again maybe Tyler will be blessed with some of those hand me down toys from his cousins and then they'll already be put together!

And then there was Tyler who miraculously slept through the entire night. Even with his 3 excited and extremely hyper cousins running around the house as if their heads were cut off. Our 6 day old son has now officially been to his first birthday party!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANDREW!

Family Photo

Top Row: Scott, Grandpa Denny, Grandma Connie, and Uncle Rob

Bottom Row: Carrie, Tyler, James, Matthew, Andrew, and Aunt Amy

Cubs Fan

My mom and grandma are HUGE baseball fans. This is the outfit my mom sent to Scott for father's Day this year for our new baby boy. My grandma watched this Cub Bear be made specially for Tyler. Tyler is now officially in The Cubs Fan Club.

I love Daddy

Tyler had his first Dr.'s appointment today and he did great. He is on the way back up to his birth weight and my milk just came in today! The Dr. says we can skip the 2 week visit and come back in a month! He has perfect color and of course he is just the cutest little peanut! Like I said before my milk came in today and we have experienced lots of hiccups, drunk naps, and spit up. I just snapped this photo of the first bib that he's worn due to his exessive eating. He is just too excited about having real food. So here we go, the true fun of a new baby begins. eat poop sleep...eat poop sleep...eat poop sleep.

Tyler loves his Daddy!

Tyler meets himself

More Tyler pictures.

This was Sunday night at the hospital...my mom, dad, brother, soon-to-be sister in-law, Scott, Tyler and me (looking a little worn out!).
Grandad John and Tyler having a chat Monday night at the hospital. Boy do they look a like!

We made it home with his NEW onesie!

Tyler Scott's Birth Day

We have been blessed with our first child.


Tyler Scott Shippy

November 25, 2007 ~ 11:51a.m.

9 pounds 9.2 oz ~ 21.5 inches
(and mom is still alive!)

Proud Parents,
Carrie and Scott

Due Date, Thanksgiving, and More Yard Work

Scott says I can't start complaining until 12:01am. I think this stork (pelican) sitting on our piling is holding out on us. Also my belly shot at 40 weeks...where are you Tyler?We had a great Thanksgiving yesterday...here is the family shot taken at our house and a few shots taken at Rob and Amy's where we had an amazing Thanksgiving meal. Today the whole gang was out in the yard on a mission...no I didn't round these folks up at the big Keller's Cow, they are my family! The yard looks twice as big and so clean! It really is amazing...even my dad had a reaction!

Anyways, I've tried everything today including a long walk, spicy chicken wings, and soon to have spicy enchilada's (prepared by Jenny). I'm now on the hunt for a jump rope...ummmm. Stay tuned, the arrival of Tyler is imminent!

John-E and Jenny made it to Savannah

My brother and Jenny made it to Savannah. They also surprised us with a HUGE bag of goodies for Tyler...I would list everything out, but they are sleeping in Tyler's room right now. Anyways, I had a rough night last night thinking that our whole house was being gased. I then got scared and was throwing up, but it didn't spawn any contractions...darn it! My mom and Scott stained some stairs and I guess the fumes ended up reaching our bedroom. I was OK in the morning after we aired out the house all night. My mom worked out in the yard all day while my dad played with the chiminea. He later helped Scott install some windows in the guest bedroom. I took my mom to Home Depot to get a new rake (she was working so hard she broke ours) and then we picked up a Honey Baked Ham for tomorrows celebration. I was a little drained/emotional from last night's ordeal that I took a nap in the afternoon. The boys all went golfing again and as soon as they got home John-E and Jenny showed up! We had a great Lasagne Dinner, thanks to a friend that prepared it for us!

Now it's time for bed...Happy Thanksgiving everyone!