Toby Time!

I think it's time for another post and an update. Tobias William Borne is three and a half months old! He is such a joy and blessing.

Daddy dressing Toby for the first time at the birth center.

This morning as I was changing him, he looked me in the eyes and gave me the sweetest smile. It completely melted my heart! My emotions instantly overwhelmed me, and I wanted to laugh and cry at the same time. 

Uncle Andy and Toby - one day old

Toby had to be under these Bililights for 5 days to cure his jaundice. 

He arrived a week early, October 22 at 8:42am. He weighed 9 lbs and 2 oz; 22 inches long. The day before, I started feeling small cramps, and thought it was false labor. They lasted all day, and by evening they were getting stronger. I explained what I was feeling to Matt when he got home from work. We decided to continue with our plans and went out to dinner...last date pre baby! As we left the restaurant, I felt one long contraction and knew it was the real deal. We made a quick stop at Target and went home to begin timing contractions. I called my Dad and Jan to tell them, and then talked to Niki through about 30 minutes of my contractions. By that point it was getting too intense to talk to anyone. We waited until 11p to call my midwife. She said that she would get ready and call us when she got to the birth center. Between contractions, we packed everything in the car and made a few more phone calls. It was 1:45a by the time we got to the birth center. I felt very confident when we walked in. The lights were dim, relaxing music was playing, candles were lit, a warm bath was drawn, and one white sheet was on the bed. By 4am, I felt the need to push. Unfortunately, Toby's head was turned to the side, so I ended up pushing for over three hours trying to turn him. It was hard and exhausting.

Tummy time! 6 weeks old

 After his head came out, the midwife got the camera ready to take a picture of Matt catching Toby. She told me to give one big push, so I did, but Toby didn't budge. She said it a second time, and I pushed again, but he was not coming out. She dropped the camera and began performing a series of steps to unlock his shoulder; Toby had shoulder dystocia. The last two minutes of labor were very scary, but the midwives released his shoulder, and he came out with only minor bruising on his face. After hearing his size, I understand why it took so long to push and why he got stuck! My brother, Andy, arrived at 4p, and helped us pack up to go home. It was so nice having him there the next couple of days. I think Matt and I each got about four hours of sleep the next few days...new parent excitement and worries.

Christmas morning!

Toby is a trooper and seems to take after Matt's laid back personality. He is so sweet, and I am amazed at how much I love this little guy...I didn't know my heart could feel so much. I truly believe he, and every baby, is a miracle by God. Toby is a great sleeper (11 hours straight at night) and is super giggly and chatty when we go to his crib once he wakes up. Right now, it's my favorite part of the day.

Dog my mom made for my first child. She recorded a sweet message on it.

Final Days

  With just 10 days until Tobias' due date, we have crossed a lot off of our To-Do list. This past Friday was my last full-time day of work, and my office really spoiled me. It's been nearly 3.5 years since I started at RemitDATA, and I don't think it has fully hit me that I will not be going into the office anymore. We have everything packed for the birthing center, and phone numbers plugged in for Uncle Andy to send updates. I deep cleaned our house today...just finishing that makes me feel so much better...the nursery is complete, car has been inspected and cleaned, maternity photos taken, reorganized our guest room, chosen our pediatrician (finally!), and filled up our social calendar for the next week and a half ;) We have been so blessed with a great pregnancy, and I cannot believe we're down to the last couple of weeks. Whenever I call anyone, I feel like my first words need to be, "Hi, I'm not in labor." Matt has been encouraging Toby every night to make his debut next Wednesday, the day after Aunt Niki arrives! We shall see...

We are so thankful for all the Lord has done to help prepare us for this new life. I had this verse printed and framed for Toby's room to be reminded of God's greatness. "Just as you cannot understand the path of the wind or the mystery of a tiny baby growing in its mother's womb, so you cannot understand the activity of God, who does all things." Ecclesiastes 11:5

38 1/2 weeks

~ 1 Month

We have about one month until Toby's due date! I haven't posted pictures in awhile, so here are a few from the last month. Three more weeks left of work and then I'll go to ~5 hours/week from home...a huge blessing! Toby's room is just about complete, so hopefully that will be my next post. 

At a wedding on 9/10/11 - Week 33

Week 34

At the Greek Festival - Week 35

Baby Shower for Tobias William!

Last Sunday, some wonderful friends threw a beautiful baby shower in honor of our little bundle that will soon arrive, Tobias William Borne. The theme was Bow Ties, and My new little man! I loved it. It was at Linda Hughes' new home, and it looked so lovely! I enjoyed every detail! Each guest was given a half sheet of card stock with a letter on it and was told to draw pictures of things beginning with that letter...this way Tobias can learn his alphabet...so creative. It was fun to see the different ideas everyone came up with and such a fun way to do a guestbook. I can't wait to see the final product! There were tons of yummy desserts - I was instructed to bring home anything extra. I brought home two plates full, and it didn't last long. It was such a fun and memorable time. I am so thankful for everyone who came!

Hostesses left to right: Shanas Harris, Jodi Corbin, Linda Hughes, Erin Benson, Me, Traci Eifert, Brittany Ware, Crystal Duran (4 of us are expecting and 2 have a child less than one year old! Must be baby season!)

Matt and Regi Corbin worked on our nursery most of the day Saturday, putting up the crown molding. The room looks so well finished, and once we get the carpet cleaned we can move everything in! Yesterday marked two months until Toby's due date. It's hard to imagine how much everything will change once he arrives. I have 7 weeks left of work, and then a couple weeks until my sister-in-law, Niki, comes to help - the first of many loving and helpful family members! 

Matt and I are enjoying every day and packing our already busy schedule with things we know will be more difficult to do with a baby. A couple of weeks ago, we traveled to Iowa to visit the Bornes. I got to experience the Iowa state fair, eat some sweet corn, visit with Matt's childhood friend, Rich and his family, and try Matt's favorite - homemade rhubarb pie. It was a quick weekend trip, but we tried to pack in as much as possible. 

Beating the Heat!

It has been quite the summer with more than 40 days in a row with temperatures over 100 degrees! Apparently we are about to set a new record. I think at this point I am just as warm as everyone else, pregnant or not.


My cousin and her husband, Elizabeth and Tony, came to stay with us this last weekend, and the first thing she did was paint the nursery! It looks so nice and clean, and I am so appreciative. It was great to spend time with them, and we are looking forward to their return! We are almost done furnishing the room - minus the dresser/changer. I keep holding out that I will find something on craigslist; which has been my only source of baby related shopping. I have found such great bargains on there that it makes it really difficult for me to pay full price! I realize my time is running out though, so we shall see! 


Matt started a new job two weeks ago, and is enjoying the new atmosphere and challenge. I have enjoyed carpooling with him to work since we office in the same building! What are the odds of that! He is working for Arrow Electronics in their technical sales department. Once he is adjusted in his position, he will office from home. We understand we will need to set boundaries, but ultimately think this will be a blessing. 


I am 28 weeks along and really starting to grow. My appointments have picked up to twice a month now that I'm in my third trimester. My morning jog has now slowed to a wog (walk/jog), I am winded after one flight of stairs, and my meals have started to shrink as my stomach is getting pushed out of the way. This really has been a wonderful last few months and an experience I never fully understood until now.  

NYC

Last week we decided to take a last minute extended weekend vacation, and after a little searching for flights and hotels, chose NYC as our destination. We booked our flights and hotel on Thursday evening and left Friday afternoon. Since this was my first trip to the Big Apple, we hit most of the major landmarks: Statue of Liberty, Central Park, The Rock, Empire State, Grand Central Station, Times Square, Little Italy, Wall Street, saw Jersey Boys, ate lots of yummy Italian and filled my craving for desserts. As we walked through Manhattan, we dreamed of what it would be like to live there and how little square footage the cost of our home would translate to. Our feet were so sore by Tuesday night, but it was definitely worth it. 

The Friday we left, I started into my 25th week! We still haven't picked a name, but have a few we like. It's hard to believe we have nearly three months until our little 'Bamboo' arrives! We start our first parenting class this week at our church. We are very excited to take it along with four other couples we are close with. Matt and I are also going to a parenting class on Tuesday evening held at a Christian pregnancy center just down the street from us. Not only are we wanting to take advantage of every learning opportunity we can, but we also hope to connect with other couples and find a way to serve our community.  

22 Weeks!

We are 22 weeks, and our little Bamboo (nickname until we decide on his name) is very active!  We've purchased a few big items for the nursery, and I have chosen fabric for the bedding. I am so thrilled about it, because Shanas, a good friend of mine since childhood, is making all the bedding! What a blessing! As we have started to research what we want, it's become difficult not to get caught up in all the baby must haves. There is a lot of pressure to have the top notch items, cutest decor, and everything else the baby industry throws our way. Matt and I have been memorizing Romans 8, and spending a lot of time meditating on how that passage applies to us. One aspect I've felt convicted on relates to vs 5; "Those who live according to the sinful nature, have their minds set on what that nature desires, but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires." My materialistic, sinful desires want to have all the nice things and a room worthy to be photographed and placed in a baby magazine. Although there is no sin in having nice things, it's not to become my obsession or goal. I've been praying lately that my mind will be set on what the Spirit desires, with baby planning and everyday as I strive to live my life worthy to be called His child!

Matt has been working very hard getting our yard finished - a project that has been in the works since he moved in nearly 2 years ago. He is such a good landscaper! Just this last weekend, we replaced some old shrubs that were in front of our house, and he planted some Hydrangeas for me! He replaced damaged sections of our fence, tilled the backyard, and I think we are laying sod this coming weekend. What a treat it will be to have it complete, and we can enjoy all his hard work! Here he is grilling on his new grill, compliments of his parents and aunt!