Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

December 2009

Well…that time of year is upon us again and as Santa Claus would say, the Caugh’s have had quite an adventurous “sleigh ride” of a year for 2009. We are definitely counting our blessings as so many changes have taken place for us for the better!

As we mentioned in our newsletter last year we had a bouncing baby boy in July. Thomas Solomon Caugh came “Caesar’s” way in July after 32+ hours of labor but it was all worth it and we couldn’t be happier! Susan said she would do it all over again as Thomas is just the happiest and most delightful infant! He is four months old and doing all the appropriate things; drooling, cooing, laughing, crying, smiling, and rolling over. His newest trick is grabbing everything in sight and putting it in his mouth. Knock-on-wood, we haven’t been sick at all this year! Thomas has been the best blessing to us! He just loves his Daddy and gives him the biggest toothless grins ever!

Carter was busy this year building all of the nursery furniture. The crib, changing table/dresser, and lamps are all made with the marbles Carter won when he was a child. It was neat to see that incorporated into our son’s furniture. Carter is just amazing. You can see the construction and finished products on our website! Carter is still working for the railroad. He has been there for 5 years and we have been very lucky that he doesn’t do a lot of traveling; he mostly stays in Memphis and works in the Memphis yard. He has been able to spend a whole lot more time with the family this year.

Susan worked up until her due date in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Germantown and at Le Bonheur as well as St. Francis NICU PRN and was able to take four months off. This was the best time off she has ever had! The first month was rough (not that we’re complaining) but once Thomas was on more of a schedule, especially at night, we were all a little more rested. She has since gone back to working weekends at Germantown NICU and is off during the week to spend with Thomas!

We were very fortunate that family from Tucson and Syracuse came to visit and meet Thomas. Mary Ellen and Barbara came out and stayed for several weeks after Thomas was born which was a HUGE help to sleep-deprived parents! Once the moms left we decided that we should put our house on the market, four days later we had an offer on the table and were signing a contract. We had to find a new house fast! We found a beautiful 5 bedroom home in the heart of Cordova, TN and we just love it! Larry visited for a few days as well as Kathy, Liam, and Mary Ellen.

Barbara has temporarily (hopefully permanently) moved to Cordova to help watch Thomas on the weekends so Thomas’s mom and dad could work without worrying about childcare. She has been a huge blessing to us and Thomas and we feel so lucky that she has chosen to stay with us and Thomas!

We are so excited and blessed to have baby’s first Christmas this year. We send our love and have a happy healthy new year!

Love, Carter, Susan, Thomas, Zena, and Petey

Visit us on YouTube at: http://www.youtube.com/user/zena1zena#play/uploads
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Almost Two Months Old

Sweet baby Thomas is nearly eight weeks old and getting so big, and developing in colossal ways more and more every day! He is smiling up a storm and lifting his head. He even mimics when Mommy or Daddy stick our tongues out! He is such a happy baby and Mom and Dad feel so blessed. Attached is a video of him smiling so big for his Daddy!

More to come....stay tuned.....

Welcome to the World Thomas!

He's here! He's finally here! After 32+ hours of labor Thomas Solomon Caugh entered our world on July 19, 2009 at 5:22 pm weighing 8.1lbs and 20.5 inches long! We can't stop watching, staring and looking at him. He is precious and we are so grateful to have him in our family!

Baby Shower #2!!!

The nurses I work with at Germantown Methodist Hospital threw me another sweet baby shower! They are some of the sweetest, generous, and thoughtful coworkers I have ever worked with. Baby received some of the most adorable outfits, books, toys, diaper bag, diapers and so much more! We celebrated at the Olive Garden and had the best time! Below are some pictures from the fun event!

One of my most favorite gifts is a hand-painted canvas by the amazing artwork of my nurse educator Karon Steen. Since our nursery theme is baby turtles she painted the most perfect piece of art. We just love it! Thank you, Karon!

As we get closer and closer to our new arrival we will be keeping you posted!

Carter and Susan

Just over 37 weeks.........

New Birthday

Since our sweet little baby has decided to stay in the breech position for the last 9-10 months we have opted to schedule a Cesarean section to help him get out into the world. His birthday (tentatively) will be July 18th, 2009, just a week earlier than planned! We can hardly wait until he gets here. Although, with this new date, mom and dad are working like crazy to get the nursery ready. The dresser and changer are ready, the glider/rocker are ready for late night feedings and baby's "big-boy-bed" is ready. The only thing left is the crib. Daddy is working hard every day sanding, painting, and tweaking the crib so it is just perfect for baby boy Caugh! Daddy also put the Pack N Play together as well as the stroller and carseat, so we are just about ready to go!



Mommy has washed all of the onesies, outfits, washcloths, burp cloths, and towels. The last thing left to do is pack the suitcase for the hospital! We will keep you all apprised on "junior" and his cameo appearance into the world!

Nursery Lamps!

In keeping with the marble theme in Baby Boy Caugh's nursery Carter built marble themed lamps that have a night light built right in! They are perfect for the nursery and give off just enough light to peek in on the baby, hopefully,without waking him! We are so blessed to have such a talented and creative "daddy-to-be!"





The night lights shine through the marbles on the bottom of the lamps!

Carter is working away on the crib and it is beautiful! He has the foot board and head board all trimmed out as well as the side rails!. More sanding, staining, and tweaking to do but "junior" will have a beautiful nursery ensemble that will be a Caugh heirloom for generations. Stay tuned for pics of the crib....





Almost 36 weeks.......

A Wonderful Visit!

We felt so blessed to have both of our moms make the time to drive cross-country from Tucson to Memphis to help with our garage/yard sale and celebrate the baby shower with us! Here are some fun pictures we captured of their visit!

My birthday dinner and the silly hat I "got" to wear!

We were very lucky to get a visit from Susan's sister, Sara, nephew Jake and Boe along with Boe's sister's family. We had a wonderful time eating good ol' Memphis BBQ at The Commissary!

Three pretty girls and one handsome boy!



Only 7 more weeks 'til we meet our little guy!

Baby Shower!

We couldn't have planned a better day for the baby shower which happened to fall on my birthday! It was so much fun! My work friends from Le Bonheur came, and my Mom and Mary Ellen drove from Tucson to celebrate with me! We had a great time!

Mary Ellen, me and Mom before the shower!

The cake was adorable and delicious and made by a nurse friend of mine who has a cake business on the side!

Sandi and Thea Stoll celebrated with us too! It was so much fun to have all my friends there!

My best friend Holly who made it all possible! You are a true friend Holly! :)

Leave it to NICU nurses to find the CUTEST baby items and clothes! :)




It was a great turn-out and we had so much fun! Thank you all for the gifts and accessories! We can't wait to meet our little guy and start using all the new baby things!



Nearly 33 weeks.

Baby Caugh in 3D!

We had our 3D/4d ultrasound today! The pictures and DVD are amazing! He already has hair and opens his little eyes! It was hard to get him to take his hand away from his face, at one point it looked like he was rubbing his little eye! So sweet! We think he has his mommy's lips and daddy's chin! :) His routine is to sleep during the day and perform acrobatics at night so most of these pictures are of a sleepy little boy! We just can't wait to meet him!

30 Weeks, just 10 more to go!

Nursery Furniture

Carter has been a busy Daddy-To-Be making the nursery furniture. Baby Caugh and Susan are lucky to have such a creative and talented "master builder." :)

He was even able to incorporate the marbles he won as a young boy into the dresser! More pics to come of the crib and the rest of the nursery! Stay tuned.....

29 Weeks