The Kecks

Less than 12 weeks to go until we meet baby #2! My check-up on Friday went well and aside from a nagging cough and sleep interruptions, I’m feeling good and happy to be in the third trimester now. I don’t have any inclination regarding the gender of the baby; since I was positive Lauren was a boy, I’m not even going to throw out a guess. The heart rate was 140 bpm; looking back, Lauren’s was 135 bpm around this time, but Josh thinks I’m carrying lower this time, which indicates a boy by an old wives’ tale. Check the baby poll in if you’ve got a guess for the gender and arrival date!

Lauren has become more interested in my growing belly and likes to pat it and say hi to the baby. She’s not patient enough to leave her hand there long enough to feel any movements, though. She’ll say it’s a baby sister or a baby brother depending on the day, but every time someone asks her what we’ll name the baby, her reply is “Dora”. Whether we bring home a boy or girl, the baby’s name will unfortunately be a disappointment!

• 476Comments(5)http://www.keckweb.com/blog/2010/01/13/week-29-2/Week+292010-01-13+19%3A55%3A54Josh

If you haven’t heard by now, we’re expecting again! Baby #2 is due March 28th and so far it has been an uneventful pregnancy. I’ve been feeling good, just tired, and this past week I’ve been feeling definite kicks and movement of the baby. The ultrasound is Friday so we are looking forward to seeing the little one and we’ve decided to keep the gender a surprise again. Lauren will occasionally ask if there is a baby in my tummy and pat my growing belly, but she has no clue what she is in for- hopefully she loves a brother or sister as much as she loves her baby dolls!

Lauren had a fun Halloween- although she told her daycare teachers that she was going to be a dinosaur, she didn’t seem to mind her Snow White dress. She was very excited about all the candy but has mostly forgotten about her stash… we’ve found that a couple peanut butter cups before bedtime does not help her settle down to go to sleep!

• 438Comments(3)http://www.keckweb.com/blog/2009/11/08/baby-2/Baby+%2322009-11-08+19%3A18%3A06Steph

I can’t believe Lauren is over 2 months old and I go back to work next week- where did the summer go?!? She is getting to be so much more fun; she is giving us many more smiles and has even started “talking” to us… we love all of her little sounds and facial expressions. When she’s not sleeping or eating, she likes her Baby Einstein activity playmat and interacting with us… she really focuses on our faces and other objects now. Lauren went in for her 2 month appt. last week and is up to 11 lbs 4 ozs and is 22 3/4 inches. That puts her in the 50 percentile for both weight and height so we’re happy she’s growing so well- she’s definitely getting some rolls in the thighs!

Josh and I took Lauren to her daycare center yesterday to meet the providers and go over specifics- it really hit home that my maternity leave is quickly coming to an end. They are excited for Lauren to start and I know she’ll be well cared for… but that won’t make it any easier to leave her there next Tuesday! I’m hoping to ease back into working, going a couple days next week and then a short week after Labor Day. Part of me is looking forward to working again but that will probably change after a few days back on the job :)

We are headed to the lake this weekend- Uncle Charlie and Aunt Marilyn are here from AZ so it will be fun to spend some time with them. Lauren will definitely get lots of cuddle time from everyone!

• 75Comments(3)http://www.keckweb.com/blog/2007/08/21/2-months-old/2+Months+Old2007-08-22+02%3A55%3A12Steph

I can’t believe how fast a month has gone by!  All of our travels these past few weeks have kept us busy and we’ve had lots of visitors at home, too.  Lauren got to meet her uncles this past week and it was fun to see them with her… Uncle Jeff and Uncle Jonny sure love their little niece :)  We spent a fun weekend in Detroit Lakes with the Fedje relatives and I even got to play some golf- Lauren spent the morning with Grandma and although I knew she was in good hands, I still called to check in several times.  She was barely put down all weekend with everyone taking turns holding her… I don’t think Josh got his hands on her until we were home on Sunday night.

Lauren is so fun in the mornings- she is very alert and loves to hear our voices.  She is so close to smiling and cooing!  Nights are still a little tough; she really hasn’t been sleeping more than 3 hours at a time.  I was able to get in a 2 hour nap this afternoon which felt amazing- I’ve got to do that more often!

• 70Comments(3)http://www.keckweb.com/blog/2007/07/18/1-month/1+Month2007-07-19+02%3A10%3A12Steph

We’ve survived the first week! It’s definitely been a week of ups and downs (and a few breakdowns), but we’re all adjusting and hope that each day gets a little easier. The Grandmas have been such a tremendous help this past week, I’m not sure where we’d be without them. Between feeding every few hours and trying to get some rest throughout the day, I don’t seem to have much time to do anything else… Motherhood is by far the best thing I’ve ever experienced and also the hardest at the same time!

Lauren is such a good baby and sleeps most of the day- we actually have to wake her up for feedings and then she’s right back to sleep again. All of us (including Koda) just can’t help but sit and stare at this wonderful little miracle that has entered our lives.

Thanks for all of your supportive comments and notes of congrats- it’s hard to get back to each of you individually, but know that we appreciate your thoughts and well wishes. We can’t wait for you all to meet her.

• 66Comments(5)http://www.keckweb.com/blog/2007/06/21/first-week-home/First+Week+Home2007-06-22+04%3A01%3A03Steph