The first of many firsts

Just thought I'd throw a few cameo firsts of week one for

everyone to experience:

1st beach visit with mom and ang:

1st jam session:

1st hot weather nap lesson from dad:

1st "Hey ma quick messin' with me I'm trying to sleep!":

We're hoping for a heat break so Brin can put on all her fancy new clothes but we are pretty much diaper only right now. Brinnon, not Court and I, though that's not a bad idea.

She must dot her T's because she sure crosses her eyes

Hey everyone just a little Team Bartz update of week 1 of Brinnon on the outside. This week Hot, Hot, Hot. It's tough to cuddle with your little girl when both of you wind up moist in minutes. But through it all we have perservered with holding her almost 24/7. We have also had many great congratulatory calls and visits (grandmas & grandpa, aunties, Katy b, Jessa, Katy O, Lil' Debbie, Angaroo), thanks everyone. Brin went to her 1st doctors appointment and checked out all good and tall, real tall. I guess stretch will have to be added to her ever growing list of nicknames. Some examples: stretch, squish, turtle, turt, liger.

this is a video my sis took when Brin first came home (it's all about the sound):



Brinnon the lion from Kelly and Vimeo.

Superman

Saturday was my release date from the hospital, which was somewhat of a scary reality for me. Part of me wanted to stay there forever, it was so safe and cozy. The staff was beyond wonderful, helpful, and amazing. Since being home I've found the same in my lovely Kelly. I continue to refall in love with this man for his ability to be the most wonderful partner in this chaotic and surreal journey. My first night home I was overwhelmed with feelings of being useless and scared things would never feel 'normal' again. Restrictions set on me by my doctor to not lift anything greater than 10 lbs., go on a walk, clean my house, water my flowers and other everyday activities became so unbearable that I just wept. Then the thought that I was even feeling such emotions made me cry more. That's when Kelly steps in and reminds me of what we just went through. He reminds me how intense these past 5 days were and to just 'slow down'. He reminds me that we have this new little miracle home with us to focus on and that is my job, he will take care of the rest. It all seems like too much sometimes, how can he possibly do this all on his own? Somehow he feeds me, cleans up after me and Brinnon, changes EVERY diaper, reminds me to take my pain meds, does the laundry, dishes and keeps the house going without muttering a word about any of it. It is moments like these that I remember I have the best partner alive and Brinnon and I are two lucky ladies. We both thank you, Daddy, with all of our hearts!

...And in the pink corner weighing in at 8lbs. 12 oz.....

20.8 inches long - hailing from Duluth. MN with a birthdate of 7/17/07 3:51 pm.

"The cancer with the answer"

Brinnon McLuen Bartz!

Momma is healthy recovering for a few days. Little Brinnon is eating, sleeping, pooping, being the cutest thing ever. More details to follow but we wanted to get out what really everyone wants to see, Brinnon's birthday photo montage-

Sorry all the contenders out there but we have a new undisputed cute champion.

Judged by Dad.

D-day (due date) + 3

no baby yet.

Team Bartz rally cry.... OR objects in the rearview mirror may appear exactly as close as they are

As promised pics of the little lady (note: letters in bold and italics denote sarcasm) 12 days to the due date!

We are beginning to prepare emotionally and physically for childbirth. At least that is what the first lines of some of the books we just opened say. Kidding, Court and I have read at least a book and a half collectively about childbirth. A t least a 1/4 of my readings include the pamphlets that are on the wall wilst I wait for Court to get measured, weighed, and tagged at the doctor's office. Ok, I'm still kidding a little. The readings have pretty much solidified we have no idea what to expect; when they state labor can last from 2 hours to several days and the pain can be bearable to indescribable, it really doesn't give me the clay to sculpt our perfect labor scenario. The books are good because they are getting us talking about it and what we don't want to have happen. I guess that is a loose form of plan.

Also, Courtney and myself, as many of you know are not the best of planners. We have been known to take vacations with no particular destination...... in foreign countries. We have started epic trips with very little planning (and what planning we did was completely useless). We have orchestrated several of our friends and family members to plan a gala of music, food and celebration that was executed seamlessly (except for the cake in the lap, sorry dad) and will be remembered as one of our best days ever (with another soon to come). My point is we do well with little structure leading into big events. We are learning as much as we can but know when the time comes we will have to rely on one another, assess, adapt, and act. That sounds like I just pulled it out of an army recruitment pamphlet but I just made it up. They can buy it from me though and call it the r.o.o.a.a.a.a. strategy.

We have done well with this philosophy thus far. These unplanned escapades have us meeting lifelong friends, seeing a private jaguar sanctuary, eating pineapple from a pineapple farm, releasing baby turtles into the ocean, both getting Montezumas revenge, walking almost the length of the US (the short way thank god), seeing deep into other very different cultures and still being in the US, walking a lot, getting living down to the most basic efficient means..... and still getting along, more walking, getting all of the loved ones we could muster into one place at one time, partying and dancing with them, getting Nashville pros to play (thanks Casey), telling each other in front of everyone what we already knew, and getting the place cleaned out by 1AM! And these are just a few positives of 3 experiences we've done together. I got 8 years of these stories people.

sure I'm nervous about the babe coming, who wouldn't be, but I'm also confident it will be one of the best things we've done together..... and we have some doosies. But we are a good team and we'll figure it out just like we always do.

Hell Mom helped Patti deliver Phoebe in tent how hard could it be......... right?

just an add on

Hello everyone, Kelly here, Tia asked about what we used in the kitchen so I just thought I'd share.
The floor is marmoleum http://www.forboflooringna.com/framework/DesktopDefault.aspx?menu_id=223&old_menu_id=223&ssm=1
the counters are richlite http://www.richlite.com/countertop/
the cabinets are from a little known company http://www.menards.com/
the bar, future backsplashes and trim will be bamboo from http://www.calibamboo.com/bambooplywood.html
...and of course Mylo, though grey in hue, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_panther
Court is ever growing and doing well.
Her nights are partly sleepless with a chance of snoring. There is a growing pressure system in the area so the calm conditions are in a holding pattern temporarily with an eminent front moving in and growing in intensity. That's the forecast. We'll get some belly shots up soon.
adios