She's still alive... So are we...

So it seems that our productivity is shot now that Rorey is here. What used to take one day to accomplish now seems to take 2-3, but she's cute so we don't mind. We apologize as we know many of you have been waiting anxiously for updaes and more pictures. So without further adieu, here you go...

Baby Showers: It seems, everywhere we turn, somebody is throwing us a baby shower. Those of you who know us well, know that neither of us like being the center of attention, and it seems there is no way to avoid that at a baby shower for our baby. We had one with family and friends, Dr. Pepper/Snapple Group (where Leigh's mom works) threw a surprise one for us, and the nurses at the hospital Leigh worked at last year had one as well. We're so grateful for everyone's generosity, and crazy as it sounds... we still have two more! One when Leigh goes to Houston with the girls from the TexasA&M Women's Rugby Team, and then one when we get back to Boone. We are actually now going to have to rent a U-Haul trailer to drive back everything we have received. We are not lying when we say we are so truly blessed!

Rorey is doing well. She went to the doctor last week and weighed in at 6lbs 8oz... meaning she gained a pound in two weeks. Andrew keeps joking about filling her bottle with whey protein so that he can get her up to 8lbs and put her in the baby bjorn and not have to carry her around like a football (he has however mastered his Heisman pose). We are extremely blessed to be surrounded by family and friends that have been wonderful in stepping in and helping out. We found out last week that Rorey has acid reflux (which turns out to be common in babies for the first 6 months), so she's had a rough go of it the last couple of days. The doctor has her taking some medication to ease the pain but there was a point where she had pretty much lost her voice and it was hard not to laugh a little whenever she would scream.
This past week was a busy one for all of us. Andrew's mom, sister, and brother in law came down to visit last weekend. We had a lot of fun having them here, even if we did max out the bed capacity at the Vernon home.

We're doing well. Rorey has some nights where she'll sleep 4-6 hours straight, others 2. We have gotten pretty good at going back and forth regarding who gets up with her. We are grateful to have some great friends and some great nieces and nephew that we have had some practice on. Leigh has fulfilled everyone's belief that she was meant to be a mother as she handles every crisis with a bit of patience, compassion, and humor. Andrew is still on the bike 4-5 times a week, so we're hoping this continues when we get back to Boone (sadly, he had to be convinced this past week that he no longer has a 34" waist but is moving towards a 36"... the joys of old age we guess). Chaco and Emma are doing well, I think they're getting adjusted pretty well to having a little one around. Chaco is taking on the protective role and Emma the "I'm excited, we should play, what are you? Squirrel!" role.

So here is our shameless plug... these are some of the things that have been our saving grace the past few weeks: Nap Nanny, Mylicon Drops, Playtex VentAire bottles, and last but not least, Leigh's parents' big screen TV and Blu-Ray DVD player (oh and the DVR as well for those late night feedings... Andrew and Rorey have a pretty regular 3:00am date with Sportscenter).

And here is what you really want... more pictures:

One of the funniest gifts we've received, a close friend of the family gave us these pink cowgirl boots!

Doing our best to accept being the center of attention...

It seems the University of Texas alumnus in the family were not too fond of all the pictures of Rorey's pictures in a Texas A&M beanie. She now has apparel from App State, Texas A&M, UT, UCLA, and Indiana University.

After Rorey's first bath... "Mommy, I like you this much right about now..."

We call this her Rocky pose... eat your heart out Mike Tyson.

Rorey with Lola (Leigh's mom Jan).

Rorey with Grammy Bammy (Andrew's mom Vanalee), who Andrew often refers to as The Bamminator!

Chillin', learning to hold in her own pacifier... yes, she is still that small.

Showing off her manicure... thank you Marianne!

One of our favorite post eating faces.

This is what happens when Leigh does her hair, really though, there's not much else to do with it.

We had to put this one in, this is Emma after finding out that a bird had fallen down the chimney into the fireplace. Not to fear, Leigh's dad Bob caught the bird and freed it outside, after Emma had a thorough search of the fireplace.