The Danes of Morrisville

March 01, 2009

... and Baby Makes Three!

Dear Family and Friends,

Our beautiful daughter, Ava Claire Nielson, arrived on February 25, 2009, 9:17 am. She weighed 8 pounds and 9 ounces and she is 21.4 inches tall. Her eyes are blue (for now) and her hair is dark brown. She is so tiny and sweet. We love her so much!

Mommy, Daddy & Baby are doing well and already home. Grandma and Grandpa Nielson are coming soon to see Ava and to help mom and dad. We can’t wait! Aunt Rachel (Rhonda’s sister) is coming in April. We’ll have so much fun with baby!

We will soon post photos of her first moments and days in the world. (Hopefully by the end of the week.) Thank you for all the well wishes you have sent (and are sending) and for sharing in our happiness. We send you all our love.

Sincerely,

Rex, Rhonda and Ava

PS: Mommy and Daddy are spending all their time with baby girl. Blog and photo updates will be sporatic over the next couple of months. Thank you for your patience.

February 22, 2009

Baby and Belly take a Bow

Well, it's been a fun ride ... especially for baby girl. She seems to have a very content and happy disposition already and would gladly stay where she is. However ... we have other plans for her. (I hope she forgives us.) Tomorrow, Monday, is her last day to come on her own. If she is still inside, we plan to induce on Tuesday night. That means she will probably be born in the early morning on Wednesday the 25th. We shall see if we all make it to Wednesday.

Except for her announcement and a few pics, this will probably be the last post for awhile. The blog should return in late MARCH with more pictures. Thank you for understanding that we will be spending all our time and attention on baby girl in the weeks ahead.

Much love,
Rhonda and Rex

Last belly update. Whew!

February 18, 2009

Happy Valentine's Day

We hope you had a nice Valentine's weekend. I know we did. On Valentine's Day we took a day trip out to a Civil War battleground. (interesting) Then we drove home and Rex made a yummy dinner for us. (so sweet.) We hiked by the lake the next day. (Saturday) Rex had Monday off so we went for a walk in a local park and then out to dinner that night. Normally, we wouldn't be living it up so much, but this was our last (romantic) weekend together, sans baby. We are excited for sure, but it was nice to spend some quality time together.

Here is a pic of us in Fredericksburg, TX from four years ago. We miss Texas and our friends there. We're so glad we can keep in touch with everyone via blogging and email, etc.

(and we miss our Utah family and friends!)

Fredericksburg, TX - June 2004

February 11, 2009

All About the Belly

This post is titled "All About the Belly". Gee, I wonder why? ;)

A walk by the lake. I think the baby has dropped.

The lighting isn't so good in this video so it requires a little patience and a keen eye. I'm sure you can see baby moving half-way through the clip.

February 01, 2009

Exposing Baby to the Arts II

Well, we are getting close and there isn't a whole lot left to do ... except for enjoy quiet moments with baby girl. (very special) During my intense nesting phase, back in November and December, a lot of things got done and everything is so quiet now. My super sweet neighbor Katrina and I talked about artsey pregnancy photos and sure enough that evolved into taking some. She took some great pics of baby girl inside Mom. I've posted a few. This blog has become all belly update all the time. (sorry) Not much else happening though. Rex and I did manage a short hike by a lake today. It was fun.

Rex is doing really great at his work and his ideas are getting some much deserved attention. Yay Rex!! He is in the next room working right now and waiting for the Super Bowl kick off. We'll be watching that tonight. Go AZ Cardinals!

Baby inside #1

Baby inside #2

January 25, 2009

Exposing Baby to the Arts

It was a quite weekend. We took a couple of drives in the country Sat. & Sun. (I'm not up for hiking right now.) The highlight of our outings was going to the Duke University Museum. We took pictures. (Some good belly updates.)

Rex at the entrance of the Nasher Museum of Art.

This one is called "Pregnant Lady and Crazy Sculpture #5"

Rex and a giant tapestry of a common store receipt.

Totally normal from the back.

Pow! Look out for the giant belly.

Rex and an ancient archway.

Another belly update.

Last one, I promise. (for "this" post)

January 19, 2009

Rings-N-Things

Opps, I should have taken my wedding ring off weeks ago because my hand swelled up so much that Rex had to cut it off my finger. (yes, really) We tried ice and butter and dish soap, but it just wouldn't slip off my finger. It took Rex about 30 minutes with various tools to cut it off my hand. My poor ring. I know I can get it fixed, but it's so sad to look at it all cut up. *tear* Good thing my husband has steady hands. :)

The deed is done.

A baby swing my wonderful neighbor is lending us and baby's crib that Rex put together.

Nesting for me has turned into this need to label stuff. I don't know why it feels so satisfying right now. Maybe it makes me feel like I'm in control of something. (a great illusion)

My favorite pregnancy photo. (New Year's Eve 2008.)

Baby is turning. Go baby go!

January 10, 2009

Nesting and Resting

The past few weeks have been very task oriented. Final touches on baby's arrival are being made: Setting up the crib, stocking up on diapers and wipes, washing and organizing baby's clothes and blankets, doctor's visits, starting a baby book and a million other little things that need getting done so mommy won't bug daddy so much with her urge to NEST. Must fight ... urge ... Oh, that reminds me, I have to check our order on Amazon for the car seat. Gotta go.

xoxo!

Rex & Rhonda

January 07, 2009

A Little Transverse Lie

I had my monthly (soon to be weekly) doctor visit yesterday and I found out that the baby is due on February 19 instead of February 14. I could swear they told me the 14th in my first trimester, but the size of the baby indicates that I am at 33 weeks. (40 being full term) Well, that gives me an extra week to get ready. Also, the baby hasn't turned head down yet. She is in a position they call "Transverse Lie Presentation" At 36 weeks--if she hasn't turned--they will try to massage her in to place. If that doesn't take, they will schedule a C-section, but there is still time for her to turn. Rex and I are very excited and we both feel great. Pics below. Warning: extreme pregnancy close up.

Transverse lie presentation. - This is how baby girl Nielson is positioned.

Normal head down position: 33 weeks

December 31, 2008

Welcome 2009!

We are wishing you all the best for the new year, where ever you are around the world. (Be safe.) Here are some pictures from Christmas at Cousin Sarah's in Highlands, NC.

Decorating the tree at Cousin Sarah's

A finished tree.
_

Red Cardinal topper.

Tobais, the Christmas kitty.

Warm by the fireplace.

Rex on the pond.

Rhonda and Sarah on the pond bridge.

Sarah's piano.

Beautiful tree.

Three short holiday stories by Truman Capote.
_

Pretty view.
_

Tobais jumping for his toy.

Rex and Tobais playing.

Happy Holiday Buddha.

December 21, 2008

Merry Christmas!

Well, I'm sure few could be happier about Google Earth and global positioning satellites than Santa Claus himself... except for maybe Rex, who got a GPS for his birthday & Christmas. It's calm, robot voice has been guiding us around our area of North Carolina for three days now and it's great. We are discovering parks and restaurants we didn't know were so close. What a great device.

We are traveling up to my Mom's cousins house in Highlands, NC in the Appalachians Mountains for Christmas. She has a cozy mountain cabin with a warm fireplace. It's the closest thing to being home (without acctually being there). We wish we could be in Provo Canyon with the family this year. We will miss you, but maybe, if we can get the internet where we are, we can Skype in for a visit. We look forward to pics.

Christmas came early for baby girl Nielson. She got a very pretty six drawer dresser with the shower money we got. I'm sure she'll love it. I know mommy does.

Be safe where ever you are. Merry Christmas to all our friends and family!

Piglet waiting for baby girl in the top drawer of her dresser.

December 15, 2008

Boxes and Postage and Shipping Oh My

I'll just take a moment to wish everyone a happy Monday the 15th. I'm zipping out to get a few extra things and then I'm going to rush over to the post office to stand in line. You're probably doing the same. Be safe!

Rex and I went on a hike to an old mill this weekend, but the camera ran out of batteries right away. Oh well. Instead of pictures of the mill, here are some bonus pics of a pioneer trek I took with my friend Cheryl in June of 1985. Enjoy!

Coming down the trail - Tooele, UT Desert (sooo hot.)

The wagon train (hand cart train rather)

Resting on the first day (6 days total)
_

Me with my water cup tied to my waist
(Maybe I should go back to this hair style.)

The road that lay ahead. The mountains we trekked up.

An evening rest.

December 08, 2008

So Much to be Thankful For

We had a wonderful thanksgiving trip. 6 fun filled days of visiting with family, eating ourselves silly and recieving every cute baby gift you can think of. Thank you Melissa for such a wonderful baby shower! It was perfect. We loved staying with Mom and Dad in "the Dell" and playing with all the nieces and nephews. Most days we took some fun hikes and most nights we fell asleep watching movies by the fire. What could be better? Here are some photos from our trip. We love you all very much!