Cruise pics by Jen

When I was home over Christmas my sister, Jenni, took some great pictures of Cruise. She's a fabulous photographer and I thought I'd post some of the pictures. I also developed and framed several of these and they are now displayed all over the apartment. =) Keep in mind that Cruise is only a month and a half in these. He's sure changed a lot since then!

Cruiser-ruiser

So Cruise is making the cutest talking/cooing sounds. He is also smiling adorably. However, it is really hard to get it on camera! He sees that camera come out and usually goes silent and still. We'll get a good straight on smile eventually!

Two months old!

I can't believe that Cruise is already two months old. He has really gotten big in the last couple weeks. It's kind of sad, but it's also nice that he doesn't seem so fragile. Christmas was tons of fun with both Eric's family and mine. Eric gave Cruise his baby blessing, which was so nice, and we had a great get-together afterwards at the Baker's. Our families both adore Cruise, so of course he was passed around constantly. I really started to miss him, actually. =)

Here are Cruise and Grandpa Baker.

So I haven't had much time to post pictures, but I thought I just needed to get a few on here at least. He is so sweet and cute and fun and adorable and precious and... you get the picture. I'm having so much fun with him. He really makes the days go faster--which is good because Eric's schedule is not getting better.

Studying for finals with dad.

I think he's so cute when he's sitting...

Grandma Baker bought Cruise an adorable crib set. I love it!

Enjoying some tummy time.

Isn't this seat great? He looks like such a big boy!

Cruise Preston Baker

Perfect little Cruise entered the world November 13th, 2008, at 7:42 am. He weighed 6 lbs 11 oz and measured 18.5 inches long. In my last post I said that I hoped he came early enough that I wouldn't be able to get a 'one week until due' picture. Well, I wasn't even able to get a 'two weeks until due picture'--he came two and a half weeks early. Cruise is so beautiful and sweet; Eric and I feel so lucky to have him in our family.

Labor and delivery actually wasn't bad at all. Of course, I'm sure that was all thanks to the epidural. You were right, ladies. =) Eric was a stud the whole time, getting me whatever I needed and keeping me calm. When Cruise was delivered he made the cutest little whimpering noise. He never cried, he just whimpered. It was adorable.

So, in our simple understanding of genetics, Eric and I figured we had a pretty good chance of getting a redhead, although Eric was hoping that wouldn't happen for some reason. One of the first things the doctor said to me after the delivery was, "Well, he's got red hair like his dad!" I was so happy to hear that. His hair definitely has a gorgeous red in it, as well as quite a bit of blond. We'll see how it turns out. I for one hope the red stays.

You all can tell me who you think Cruise looks like. He seems to be a pretty even mix to me. My Aunt said it pretty well: the top half of his face looks like Eric's; the bottom half looks like mine... except he's much cuter.

In the last couple weeks my mom and Eric's mom have both stayed with us for a number of days and have helped me a ton. I really appreciated their help--all the grocery shopping and cooking and cleaning, etc. Thanks, Moms!

Eric and I are having so much fun with Cruise. It really is the best thing in the world.

Counting down....

I cannot believe that I'm due this month. I haven't taken enough pictures of myself pregnant (for a reason) so I thought I would at least take one a week until I pop.

Here I am with 4 and a half weeks to go:

Here I am with 3 weeks to go:

My doctor thinks the baby might come early because I have constant Braxton-Hicks contractions, and because the baby is bigger than average, so I'm hoping I will get a picture of myself with 2 weeks to go, but not one! It probably won't happen so early, but I'm optimistic. Eric and I are trying to get everything ready just in case. We just put together a baby bouncer and a swing. So fun. I have a feeling, though, that no matter when it happens I'm going to feel unprepared.

Aaa! I am so scared of labor and delivery.