Ever Growing Austin!

Exactly 3 years and 4 days after we were blessed with Reagan-came our little guy Austin. He was an answer to prayer. I found out I was pregnant in December 2004. I decided to surprise Derek by letting him and all of our friends know in our pre-printed Christmas Card. I signed it, "Love, The Bakers....Derek, Melissa, Reagan, and baby." It was a very difficult Christmas because only days later, when I was only 5 weeks pregnant, I miscarried. Not exactly the way you want to remember the Christmas season, especially when we have such great memories of Reagan being born just 2 years before on Christmas Eve.

Well, the Lord doesn't make any mistakes and His timing is perfect. The doctor said I was textbook for an early miscarriage-something just wasn't right this time and that I shouldn't have any problems getting pregnant again.

Just 3 months later I was pregnant! It was so fun to think that I might have another Christmas baby like Reagan. My due date was Jan. 4th. Being pregnant with Austin was so terribly easy it was scary. He was even easier than Reagan-who was a piece of cake! I made it past Christmas with ease and started showing some signs of labor on the day of my 39th week. While at the doctors office with daddy- the midwife said I was already 3 cm and should just hang out in Va. and then head over to the hospital if things progressed. Derek and I ate at Panera Bread and caught "Chronicles of Narnia" at the theater. During the movie my contractions increased to the point that I could not watch any of the movie. We got to the end and hurried to the hospital. Nana, Papa, and the Coopers met us there. Nana, Derek, and Aaron were present during the delivery. Is was amazingly easy! December 28th, 2006....6 lbs. 11 oz...18 inches long...one week early!

Just days before delivery!

Austin's first picture at home!

I know, who is this? This is Austin at 2 montsh!

Austin at 4 months!

Austin at 6 1/2 months with Paw Paw!

Austin at 8 months!

Austin at 11 months!

Austin at 1 year- after his birthday party!

Austin at 14 months!

Austin at 16 months-asleep on the kitchen floor after a long day of wrecking Aunt Shelley's house!

Austin at 18 months!

ICE PRINCESS

Reagan had her first ice skating lesson! Mommy, Daddy, Aunt Shelley, cousin Anthony, and brother all piled in the van to see her skating debut. She was as calm as a cucumber on the drive over while we were all giddy and nervous for her.

Well, she ended up having a private lesson with her teacher Mr. Robert. I think he was under the impression that this sweet looking little 4 year old would relish the idea of having him all to herself. Reagan on the other had decided that he didn't quite understand why she was there. He kept telling her to "wiggle" and "march". She would irritatedly reply...I don't want to wiggle, I want to skate! She would then procede to turn in very slow circles showing him that she already knew how to turn around, something that HE had not taught her...how slack of him! Eventually Reagan complied with all of his requests, but only after mommy burned holes in her sweater with embarrassed glares from off the ice.

We'll see how it goes-she has 6 sessions and then we'll see if it's something she will want to pursue. I think she will love it...as long as Mr. Robert can get with the program!