More Updates

Papa Mark can still make a baby fall asleep fast. (He has always had that special touch)

Baby Claire is now a little over 24 hours old. Tonight she will be able to ring in the new year with everyone.

Claire's First and Only Day of 2008

Today the physicians gave Claire the big thumbs up on her exam. They performed a hearing test which she passed with flying colors. Shannon is sore from her c-section but is all smiles about baby Claire. We will be watching the New Years ball drop from our hospital room! Harry Sr. is sure he heard the word papa out of Claire's mouth, but the likelyhood of a one-day-old baby speaking is pretty slim.

CLAIRE ELIZABETH DURBIN

Claire Elizabeth Durbin

Born: December 30, 2008

Time: 5:33 PM

Length: 21 1/4 inches

Weight: 7 pounds, 9 ounces

IN THE DELIVERY ROOM

Shannon and Harry D. just went into the delivery room. We should see them in about an hour with a new baby!!!!!!!!

Stay tuned...more updates coming soon.

IT'S ALMOST TIME

This is the diaper cake Amanda made for the baby. Isn't it so cute?!?!?!

We are all in the hospital room. Shannon and Harry D. are due to go back for a C-Section any minute now. The nurse told us it would take about an hour for the procedure once they go back. It's been a looooong day, but I think they're ready. Harry D. and Shannon have been here since 5:30 and the rest of us since about 7:30.

Here's a recap of what's gone on:

• Dr. Tsaltas came in broke Shannon's water


• They started the contractions shortly after
  
• Harry D. has taken a couple of naps


• Baby Claire is stuck so the doctor decided to do a C-Section


• Dave and Erica came to visit and brought Baby Claire her first baloon


• We're all waiting
  

Stay tuned...more to come soon.....

Christmas

Harry and I had a great first Christmas together. Believe it or not, Claire had the biggest Christmas celebration! We are looking forward to her real 1st Christmas. (she already has a dress to wear) Thank you to all our friends and family for a wonderful Christmas.
We really enjoyed making Christmas dinner for The Durbin's. We can't wait until the day we have our own house and can make a meal for all of our family.
Tuesday the 30th is still the big day! One of my presents for Christmas was a video camera, so we will hopefully learn how to load videos of Claire onto the blog, but Harry will definitely be posting some pictures once she is born.
I am so excited that our next post will be to announce the arrival of little Claire!

Keep Praying!

Our Last Appointment

We had our final appointment today. The doctor's office was crazy! After waiting 2 hours, we finally saw Dr. Tsaltas. He felt my tummy and said she was really low. We talked about the induction process and are all set to be at the hospital on Tuesday at 5:30 am. Harry and I are SO excited!!
Sophie is at the groomer today so she will look her Christmas best tomorrow. Harry and I are going to the Christmas Eve service at Cokesbury this afternoon. We really miss not seeing all of our family during this holiday season!
The Durbin's will be here tomorrow. Harry and I have a huge Christmas dinner planned. The menu is: Appetizers: Cheese Dip and Sausage Balls. Caesar Salad. Main Course: Pork Tenderloin. Sides: Green Beans, Macaroni and Cheese, Mashed Potatoes and Gravy, Deviled Eggs, and Sister Shubert Rolls. Dessert: Fudge Pie
My parents along with The Durbin's will be traveling to Knoxville on Monday. Please pray for safe travels!

Merry Christmas!!

38 week appointment

Today we received an "outstanding report" at our appointment. (Dr. Tsaltas continues to make me laugh at my appointments) Nothing has changed since we last saw him. We go back on Christmas Eve. That will be our last appointment since I will be induced on December 3oth. We can't wait to meet little Miss Claire!
Harry's family will be coming to visit us on Christmas Day and the day after. We are very excited! We hope everyone is enjoying the Christmas season and remembering what the celebration is truly about.
Keep Praying! (I am counting down the days until I can post pictures of our sweet little girl on here)

Good News!

Harry received an offer for a financial advisor position with Northwestern Mutual today. We are so excited about this opportunity!
We also had a doctor's appointment today. Dr. Tsaltas said we had a "glorious exam". He could feel Claire's head and thinks she weighs 7+ lbs. I asked if he would like to participate in the poll, but his guess was sometime after the 27th. If he is correct, Harry and I will be spending our first Christmas together here in Knoxville, but we will still plan on a trip to Memphis shortly after she is born.
Keep Praying!

It's finished!

After 3 days of painting, the belly cast is finished. Mom and I will be buying ribbon today so that we can hang it in Claire's room.

Tomorrow is our 37 week appointment. I am hoping I have made progress. I will update tomorrow.

Keep Praying!

Belly Casted

Harry casted my belly tonight. It must now dry for a few days before I paint it. For all of those that have said I am not big, I think this picture shows just how big "we" are getting.

The End is In Sight

We are still waiting for little Claire. Everyone always says that you learn so much from a child and I think she is definitely teaching me patience. (something that I have NEVER had) As I was searching the internet, I came across a really cute idea, a belly cast. Basically you plaster your pregnant belly and then you can decorate it. I think this will be a great memory and a creative thing that we can hang in Claire's room. I want to decorate it as a ladybug since her room has a ladybug theme. I will post a picture once it is complete.
My mom is coming in town tomorrow for the week to celebrate my birthday. We are all hoping Claire will come while she is here, but we will just have to wait and see.
We are really hoping to come home for Christmas and see our family. If Claire isn't here by December 30th, I will be induced at 5:30 am.
Harry and I wanted to thank everyone for continuing to check on us. We love hearing from you!
Keep Praying!

36 week appointment

Good news! Tomorrow I will be 36 weeks. We had an appointment this morning and everything is looking great. I am now 80% effaced and 1 cm dilated. Dr. Peeden estimates that little (or maybe I should say big) Claire is 6lbs 6 oz.
Another good thing is that I am able to get out more now. Harry and I are so excited about Claire and I am trying to be patient.
Keep Praying!

Shannon