Golf

We are doing our best to find things to do in the kitchen since our house is under construction.

Golf from Sarah McDonald on Vimeo.

NEW YEARS 2010

New Years 2010 from Sarah McDonald on Vimeo.

House Construction

The addition to our house is coming right along. It all started with Uncle Bobby and Bodie digging the hole. Now we have windows and doors and cathedral ceilings. Next is heating, plumbing and electric. Enjoy the short video and stay tuned...

House Construction from Sarah McDonald on Vimeo.

Let it snow!

Adoption Day

Today we went to the West Chester courthouse so that Heidi could officially adopt Bodie. The Judge and our lawyer were both wonderful - professional and kind. Everyone in the courtroom loved Bodie. He really put on a show. We are happy to have this done. The judge asked about the support of our family and friends and we were proud to speak about what great families we have and what an important part of our lives they are.

Bodie's First Year from Sarah McDonald on Vimeo.

Grandma and Papa visit

For my 1st birthday, Grandma and Papa came to visit! They were so much help. My moms said they couldn't have done the party without them. Papa grilled all the burgers and dogs and grandma helped set up everything.

Papa and Ed did a great job breaking open the pinata for all the kids too! I am so glad they came to visit and celebrate my birthday with me.

My First Birthday Party

August 1st was my first birthday and we had a huge party. Good friends, good food, good time!

Thank you to all of my little friends for coming and so many incredible presents... I have been having so much fun with my new toys!

Thanks to my Grandmas for making the cakes... Yummy!

The Beach

Last week uncles Curtis and Jim rented a huge house in Cape May, NJ and we went to visit for the day. It was my first trip to the beach and I loved playing in the sand and tipping over my truck of water. I also liked dipping my toes and legs in the ocean... ooh that felt good. Grandma and BaBa came too and played with me a lot. I hope we can go back to the beach real soon. Thanks uncles!

Party at Poppy & Grandmarnier's

This weekend Poppy and Grandmarnier had me over to celebrate my first birthday since they are going to be away during my big party. After lunch we had cake and Poppy let me smash the cake with my hands and then rub the icing all over my hair.

Of course Poppy had hats and I wore the fluffy ears

Sometimes I have to ask Poppy, "What are you talking about?"

They gave me a lion that I love to ride

Grandmarnier and Poppy threw me a great birthday party! Thank you.

9 Months Already

Today Bodie went to the doctor for his 9 month check up.  Here's the breakdown:

weight: 20 lbs 6 oz - 50th percentile

height: 2' 3" - 25th percentile

head circumference: 18" - 75th percentile

So he's average weight, a little short & really smart.  

He's doing something new everyday.  He's been trying lots of new food and he wants to eat what we're eating.  His favorite thing is pulling himself up on everything.  The doctor said that walking is in the not too distant future.  He can also give kisses - today he was kissing himself in the mirror on his excer-saucer.  Waving is his newest trick.  That has started in the last day or two.  Heidi and I are really enjoying all our time with him.  He is still a very happy baby.  We can't believe 9 months have passed!

Reading with Mommy Sarah

Reading from Sarah McDonald on Vimeo.

Jumping in the Rain

After 4 days of rain and 4 more days expected, Bodie is trying to make the best of indoor living! 

Jumping in Rain from Sarah McDonald on Vimeo.

Playing in sunshine

Today my friend Chase came over and we played in the sunshine. Then we went for a ride to the park. It sure was fun!

Crawling for First Time

We called Sarah's sister Leigh on Skype.

Bodie showed her he knows how to crawl.

It was the first time he's crawled forward so we are very excited.

Don't miss the high five between Bodie and Sarah.


First Crawl - High Five! from Sarah McDonald on Vimeo.

Jump, Jive & Wail

Go baby go.


Jump, Jive & Wail from Sarah McDonald on Vimeo.

Laughing with Rubber Ducky

Boden is really enjoying splashing and playing in the tub now.  Check out this video.

Laughing with Rubber Ducky from Sarah McDonald on Vimeo.

Facial Expressions

Making lots of faces at bath time!

Dig it

Check out my blue shovel!  I helped my mommies clean up the garden beds this weekend before the snow arrived.

Let it snow...

When we woke up on Monday morning and it was snowing like crazy we knew just what to do. So we bundled up Bodie and took him out to see the snow and ride on his polar bear sled.  He was warm, he looked cute but he couldn't move because he was so bundled.

What's new with you?

I just got out of the bath and Mommy brushed my hair, now I'm ready for bed.  It's been a long two weeks.  I started day care, everyone hated it so we quit.  Grandmas Nancy and Barbara are going to watch me two days a week now.  Yippee!  I came home with a horrible cold, I wouldn't eat or sleep.  We even had to go to the Emergency Room at midnight on Saturday night because my eyes were swollen shut and I had a fever of 103.  It turns out I had an ear infection and pink eye.  Mommy Heidi also got a terrible sinus infection and pink eye and was in bed for a week.

But today we are all feeling soooo much better, finally!  Mommy Sarah has been an incredible nurse... thank you.

I can now sit up by myself.

I am eating turkey, chicken, carrots and mangoes... actually I like just about everything now.

I still love riding around in my car the best.

I am learning to jump in my door swing.

Vrrroooom

I love my new car!  Don't worry I have a seat belt and I know how to hold onto the steering wheel.

It sure is fun!

Talking, playing, squeaking...

Untitled from Sarah McDonald on Vimeo.

Yummy, yummy...not so yummy!

For Boden's five month birthday we decided to try cereal.  Here's how it went:

At first he had great anticipation, concentration and determination

Then when he finally had a taste it wasn't as good as he thought

In fact he didn't like it at all but we're still trying and bet by next week he'll be loving it

Christmas at Grandma Nancy & Barbara's

We had a merry, merry time at this Christmas celebration too.

Christmas at Poppy and Grandmarnier's House

Pictures are worth a thousand words...

Florida Christmas

We had a wonderful Christmas in Florida. Bodie loved meeting his cousins for the first time and watching them play. We went to the children's church service where the kids are supposed to dress as part of the Christmas story i.e. angels, Mary, Joseph, shepherds... Jude got it right dressed as a cow, Noah wanted to wear his Tigger suit and since our luggage was lost, Bodie went as Santa! I'm not sure if Santa or Tigger ever made it to the manger but the kids all had a good time. We were quite the crew.
We had a gorgeous weather while we were in Florida and Bodie enjoyed the sun and his first dip in the river.

It was wonderful to be able to spend the holiday with the McDonald-Wards and for Bodie to meet his family for the first time. We can't wait to see them all again.

Visit to Grandma & Papa's at the River for Christmas

River December 2008 from Sarah McDonald on Vimeo.

4 month check up

Bodie went to the doctor on Wednesday for his 4 month check up and everything went very well.  He weighs 15 lbs and is now in the 45% for weight and 55% for height - that's up from 7%.   The doctor was very pleased at how much he's growing.  He had  several vaccines which were not very pleasant but he did just fine.  

Skye, on the other hand, isn't doing so well.  She is having some trouble adjusting to having the new baby around.

Just Kidding!  Ed came over this morning to take some photos of Bodie for the Christmas card and we were trying to get a few shots of Bodie and Skye.  Skye gagged right as Ed snapped this photo.  We decided not to use it for the Christmas card but wanted to share it with you all.  The photos turned out great - thank you Uncle Eddie!  Here's a sneak peek.  Merry Christmas!

Happy Holidays

We have been busy over the holidays!  Thanksgiving was really fun at the Hunt with Poppy and Grandma-yeah (even though Bodie slept through all of it).  After the Hunt we went to Grandma Nancy and Baba's for a yummy dinner with Uncle Jim and Uncle Curtis.  

This morning we met friends at a breakfast with Santa in Unionville. Bodie didn't mind sitting with Santa at all.  He might have known something was fishy because he tried to pull Santa's beard off.  Leslie and her family were there - Bodie's friend Henry is not so happy in his Santa suit here.  

Every day Bodie is learning something new.  Yesterday he found his feet.  This morning he was making all kinds of new squealing noises.  He is a happy guy.  We're looking forward to seeing the McDonald-Wards for Christmas.  Bodie is excited to meet his cousins.  Hope you all enjoy the holiday season!

Introducing the crib!

Bodie has now graduated to his big crib in his own room.  He is sleeping very well there and his mommies are getting more sleep now too.  When he was in our room in the bassinet, he made noises all night long.  Although he was asleep, we found it hard to sleep through his coos and grunts and groans.  The first night without him was hard because we missed hearing him and knowing he was ok but now everything is fine.  He even likes his 'alone time' to watch the mobile and listen to Classical music.  He likes 'alone time' just like his Mommy Sarah... Enjoy the video.

Who's a big boy?

Bodie went to the doctor today for his one month check up.  In two weeks, his weight went from 6lbs 4oz to 7lbs 8oz!!  The doctor said he was a very healthy boy.  His lungs are healthy too - he screamed the whole time.  Probably because I had to wake him up, undress him and let the doctor poke and prod.  By the time we left, I was sweating but I had a big smile on my face because he's doing so well.  He took a good long nap after the exhausting doctor's visit.  Heidi and I are very happy and proud.  He's such a good boy.  As Heidi said yesterday on his 1 month birthday, "Yeah us."   

Boden's First Month from Sarah McDonald on Vimeo.

After Birth...

Here is a video montage of pictures from the first two days of visitors and more pictures of Baby Bodie.


After Birth from Sarah McDonald on Vimeo.

Slideshow

This isn't Ben's best work but he wanted to share this video with you anyways:


Stills of the Birth of Bodie Fenstermacher from Sarah McDonald on Vimeo.

Correction

(This is Ben)

I spelled the name wrong... epic fail... anyways, the name is BODEN, not Bowden, for all you fans of embroidery out there.

Welcome Baby Bodie!!

Boden McDonald Fenstermacher was born at 11:53 pm last night.

He is 6 lbs 6 ozs and is 19 inches long.

Sarah and Bodie are both doing great. He had to have his breathing checked out for about 2 hours, but everything checked out fine and he came to have his first meal with mom sometime during the night.








More pictures can be found on Ben's Photo Gallery (check back often as new photos will be posted there)

Waiting Room

This is how we stayed entertained for 12 hours...


Dancing Barbara from Sarah McDonald on Vimeo.

Almost there...

Posted by Ben
-------------------
Sarah is 9 cm and almost ready to push!

Friday afternoon update

This morning started at 6:45 am when I called the hospital to see if we could begin the induction. They told me to call back at 10. When I called back at 7:30, the told me to call back at noon. This was frustrating, but Heidi kept reassuring me that it would all work out.

Ben (oh yeah, did I mention that my brother surprised me and just showed up with my Mom!) decided to use this time to get Mom signed up for Facebook and began setting everyone up on Twitter and even set Bodie up with his own Twitter page (which is were we are providing more up to the minute details, but they are also located on this page, over to the right).

Ed came by and picked up Skye so that we wouldn't have to worry about her (THANKS ED!) and he has just informed us that she is "adjusting to her new life as a second class citizen very well."

I called again at 10:30 to ask if I could eat (as they had instructed me not to), and to see if there was room at the inn yet. They said no, but then they called back 30 minutes later to ask if I wouldn't mind getting my butt into the hospital. So Heidi, Mom, Ben and I jumped in the car and headed to the hospital.

Once we got there they check me out and decided that they should start with Cervidil, and told us that it may (and usually) takes around 12 hours for that drug to work. The clock started at 1:10 pm for that. Once that drug does it's job they will start me on Pitocin which should cause the contractions to start.

So we have been waiting and being entertained by Aunt Sue, Barbara, Nancy, Lois.

Cramping is increasing and the pain is increasing, I (or my pen writers) will keep you updated.

Pre baby events video

Here is a video that Ben edited together, from the fancy camera that Curtis and Jim got us:


Bodie Pre Birth Activities from Sarah McDonald on Vimeo.

TGIF

Friday is the day. Sarah is going in to be induced on Friday, August 1. The process is to call the hospital at 7:00 am on Friday and if there is space available we go in. If they're busy we call back at 10:00 and so on. We have learned that this whole process is a waiting game so that is what we're prepared to do. They'll start the inducing process and then we wait some more. No one knows how long it will take. After nine months and the last 6 weeks on bed rest, we are excited to be going to the hospital for the birth of our baby and not just monitoring. This last week has been filled with final preparations in the nursery. Thanks for all your help Nancy and Barbara. We look forward to Lois coming in town on Thursday evening and being with us throughout this process and for Ron and Edyie to come back from Arizona just in time. We really wish everyone could be here. We're nervous and excited but most of all we can't wait to meet our son!

One Month To Go

July 16th means that the due date is exactly one month away. Heidi woke up saying that this is our last month ever without having a child. This month will go quickly and at the same time we're so ready and excited that it will go slowly. Sarah has been feeling well and is doing a pretty good job following her doctor's orders for bedrest. Her blood pressure has still been high but other than that she has felt great. Heidi has been doing a fanatastic job taking care of her and making sure she has enough of the food she craves, chicken and blueberries, to get her through the day. We appreciate all the phone calls and encouragement. We're still getting prepared for the baby's arrival. We purchased a nice camera so we can capture all the moments with the bambino. These pictures were taken with our new Canon Rebel camera. The nursery looks great. The pictures are hung, the clothes are put away and we even made the giant bear fit! We're as ready as we can hope to be.

ALL we need is the baby

Now that we have ALL of the baby stuff that one could imagine, we are putting it ALL together, trying it ALL out and finding places to keep it ALL. Thank you to ALL who gave to us so generously. On Sunday Nancy, Barbara and Gail came over to "help"...and we got carried away as you can see in the photos. We figured out the highchair and practiced using it with a watermelon! We decorated the fill-in baby with a baseball hat, a beer, a pinstripe bowtie and Frye cowboy boots.

In other news, Sarah received a good doctor's report last week...Yippee! Her blood pressure was lower than it's been and her bloodwork was all good. The doctors said she can work part-time and rest a lot. Only 5 weeks to go!!!!!

Baby Shower at The Edgars

Our good family friends, Chris, Georgia, Lynne, Susan and Suzanne threw us a lovely baby shower at The Edgar's house last weekend. The food was scrumptious, everyone wanted the recipe for the eggs. We received so many nice, nice gifts that we now know we need a larger house. The life-sized stuffed bear from Poppy got a ride home in Curtis' convertible. Thanks to all of our great friends and family for helping us celebrate our baby boy to come. Our friend Leslie had her baby boy, Henry Daniel Mariani 5 days after the shower and all are doing well.

Nursery Top Ten

Our Nursery Top Ten:

10. The tiny room is painted orange
9. The white wainscoting is finished
8. The white blinds fit perfectly
7. The new overhead dimmer lights are installed
6. The fun toys are in cute little bins
5. The many good books are on the shelves
4. The cute little clothes, bowtie and cowbow boots are all put away
3. The stuffed animals are displayed
2. The crib is assembled
1. The love and excitement are building

Baby Shower at the Party Barn

Pictures are worth a thousand words..

Thank you very much Nancy, Barbara, Lois, Aunt Gail, Curtis and Jim for a beautiful shower with delicious food and much fun. Thanks to all of our great friends for enduring the hot weather and for the wonderful gifts.

We're Staying Active Too!

We have been busy this summer at parties practicing our parenting skills. All of our friends seem to think we already know what we're doing. Little do they know that we give their kids a taste of beer and brownies. That keeps them quiet and happy.



Every morning we go for a hike with Skye; and Sarah has been feeling great because of it. Last weekend we went to White Clay Creek State Park with Sarah, Leslie, Skye and Rosco. The dogs swam a lot and we enjoyed a beautiful long hike.

He's Active!

Our baby boy has been moving a lot recently. Sarah woke up at 5 am yesterday because she said it felt like the baby was on a trapeze. He was pushing from one end of her belly to the other then from the top to the bottom. You can now see it when he kicks or punches or butts Sarah's belly. It's so cool! He also gets the hiccups every morning. You can tell it's the hiccups because the movements are rhythmic.

We are almost finished decorating the baby's room...yippee! The painting is nearly done but thankfully Grandma Lois is going to help finish the windows when she comes this weekend. The white wainscoting is up and looks terrific. We picked up the crib, bookcase and swivel chair so we're looking forward to setting up the room. Here's a sneak peak.

This weekend is going to be so much fun! Sarah's mom is coming to town for the big baby shower at Nancy and Barbara's barn on Saturday night. We're expecting 60 people and they're calling for 90 degrees and high humidity. We want to thank our hosts Nancy, Barbara, Lois, Curtis and Jim for all of their hard work and know the party is going to be wonderful! We wish everybody could be here, we'll miss you Leigh, Frank, Sherry and Ben.

Visit to Jacksonville

At the end of April Sherry threw us an incredible baby shower in Jacksonville. Many of Sarah's high school friends were there as well as family and longtime friends. We had a great time and received a lot of very nice gifts.

Thank you Sherry!

While we were in Jacksonville we also went to Sarah's 20th high school reunion. It was great for Sarah to catch up with old friends and for Heidi to meet some of the oldies but goodies.




And of course the best part was visiting with Noah, Jude, Sherry,Ben, Lois and Don! Thank you all for a great trip.

6 MONTHS

We have started the third trimester and are anxiously awaiting the new arrival. Only 3 months to go! Sarah has been feeling great and all of the doctors appointments have been positive.

We have been busy nesting: we cleaned out all of our closets, the attic and the basement. We emptied the baby's room of all of our clothes and rearranged our room. We even have an empty closet in this tiny house, which we know will soon be filled with baby paraphernalia. We have not yet decided on the color and look of the baby's room but are trying some orange paint with white wainscoting this weekend.

We are really looking forward to the shower at Nancy and Barbara's house on June 7th. Curtis and Jim are helping too and we know it's going to be tons of fun.

Well...well...well... About a week ago the baby asked for chicken and Sarah ate some roasted chicken at Nancy and Barbara's house. Let's just say she hasn't looked back since. Heidi cooked barbeque chicken for Valentine's Day, Suzanne and Kde Edgar delivered chicken salad and she's ordered organic chicken at Sovana Bistro twice this week. Heidi's dad says the baby is going to be born with feathers! In case you were wondering, Heidi has not had the same urge, even with coaxing from Sarah. So put your worries about Sarah getting enough protein to rest. Everyone feels great and we are looking forward to our next doctor's appointment on March 3rd. Bawk...bawk...bawk!

that baby can move

Because I am over the age of 35 (37 to be exact - almost 38), my doctor suggessted that I visit Maternal Fetal Medicine for a first trimester screening to make sure that all is ok with the baby. Heidi and I struggled with the decision of whether or not to go to the appointment but after talking to many friends, we decided to go in the end - mostly because I had heard that the ultrasound was super cool. We love getting a chance to peek at our baby. The first half of the appointment was spent speaking to the genetics counselor about the type of risks I might have (my age, family history...) and then we got to the good stuff. The ultrasound was awesome. The baby started out face up and we could see an amazing profile. It has a cute nose! Then it started to move. It flipped onto its side, then its back. The nurse needed the baby to be on its back so she could look at the fluid in the back of the neck. I was laughing because the nurse kept pressing me in the belly with the ultrasound thing to get the baby to roll back over onto its back.

After about 15 minutes of this, they said everything looks great. I think we need to be prepared for an active baby. And for all you who are wondering (I know - many of you don't want to know) they can't tell if the apple has a stem yet (as Edyie said).

Baby Blog

We have set up a blog to share the updates on our baby. Hopefully coming soon... some photos of a "showing" Sarah.

First Doctor Visit

Heidi and I went for our first visit to the ob/gyn today (Chester County Ob/Gyn). We had a long two hour visit where we got to hear the baby's heartbeat which is always a reassuring sound. They said everything looked good. I am in my 12th week which means I will be done with my 1st trimester next week! My trip to Salt Lake went very well although I am sooooooo tired. I slept 11 hours on Sunday night! People say the tiredness goes away after the 1st trimester. I hope so. I'm not showing yet although my pants are getting a little tight. I tried on my first maternity pants and am not looking forward to those at all. (Although, most people say you appreciate them by the end.) I've felt great overall & can only hope it keeps up. I hope you are all well and will keep you posted.

Love,

Heidi and Sarah