What's in a name?

Savannah Reese

Evidently there is a lot to selecting a name. It's a huge responsibility and you always wonder if you got it right.

Even after 5 months of sorting through name books and web sites and receiving numerous recommendations from friends and family...it turns out that we arrived at the hospital with no definite baby names for JellyBean.

Once we found out that Jelly was girl, we began to think perhaps we were at least 50% closer to a name. But it turns out that we could not come to a conclusion and you have to select a name before you are discharged from the hospital. For three days, Jelly's bassinet read "Baby Girl Saunders". The night before discharge, we had selected the middle name, but couldn't decided on the first name. So we decided to let the grandparents help us decide...risk-y!

Turns out that the grands really struggled with the options we gave them. I am not sure any of them really liked them at all. So, we stayed up all night (not like we weren't up anyway) and pored through the books and sites again.

It wasn't until we spent even more time the next morning that we decided to choose Savannah. It was one of the names we had originally considered for Kendall and a tribute to one of the most beautiful places we have ever visited and we had such a wonderful time there. Reese is a name I have loved ever since I heard it on the actress Reese Witherspoon.

Here's another fun thing about both of our girls' names...there's a Kendall, FL and a Savannah, GA and we can take them one day to visit both places.

JellyBean is here! The arrival of Savannah Reese Saunders

Savannah Reese Saunders arrived on May 19, 2009 at 8:24 a.m. A beautiful, cocoa-colored, baby girl with a full head of black hair, Savannah weighed in at 7 lbs, 8 oz. and 20-1/4 inches long. No complications, perfectly healthy and very contented...she's a lovely addition to our family. Dad, big sister Kendall and both sets of grandparents were at Shady Grove Hospital in Rockville, Md. to witness the event.

We love you Savannah Reese!

JellyBean at 39 weeks

Here's Mommy on the way to the hospital!

Here is JellyBean at her final two days before delivery. We will see you soon!

http://www.babycenter.com/6_your-pregnancy-39-weeks_1128.bc?intcmp=timeline

Auntie Pops & Cousin Britt come to visit

Kendall Avery

Auntie Pops and Cousin Britt came to visit with us this week...just a few days before Brittany's 21st birthday (May 17)and a few more days before the arrival of JellyBean. It was a really cool time that gave them a chance to spend some quality time with Kendall before Jelly's arrival. One of the activities planned was to paint Kendall's new room, since the baby will be moving into Kendall's old room. We were having such a good time that we never got around to painting the room, but we did decide on the room's decor.

JellyBean at 38 weeks

JellyBean is 38 weeks...one more week to go! Today was my last visit to the doctor and everything is status quo...so I guess I will see you all next week!



http://www.babycenter.com/6_your-pregnancy-38-weeks_1127.bc?intcmp=timeline

K's new ride

Kendall Avery

KA has a new ride and it's a turquoise Mercedes. She fell in love with it a few weeks ago at her friend Xavier's house when we were there for a party. She spent the entire party in and out of this little car and so when it showed up at her house, you know she was mighty pleased. I am hoping to move this and the sliding board out into the yard/driveway so we can reclaim some of our home this summer. We'll see...

Kendall is 19 months old

Kendall Avery

KA turned 19 months on Saturday. We have noticed mostly that she gets very frustrated when she can't do things on her own, like putting on her sneakers. She's trying so hard to be more independent. This is a good thing, but tough for everyone.

http://www.babycenter.com/6_your-19-month-old_5989.bc?intcmp=timeline

JellyBean at 37 weeks

JellyBean
JB is now full term and can be born at any time with no complications. Here's JB's progress at 37 weeks:



http://www.babycenter.com/6_your-pregnancy-37-weeks_1126.bc?intcmp=timeline

A closer look at JellyBean

JellyBean
Here's a 4 D ultrasound of JB. Note there are all kinds of other things in the photo that make it distorted, but you can can get a sense of the nose and mouth.

Spring Parties

Kendall Avery
KA was invited to a birthday party last Sunday. It was a 1st birthday for twin girls Penina and Ancina--I used to work with their mother. Kendall really loved the party...from the food to the entertainment...a clown and the Animal Lady.