Halpert Baby Blog

It's starting already...The neighborhood boys are completely captivated by my cute and loveable daughter, and I don't blame them. She's the most precious baby this side of the Wilkes-Barre Airport. Now please don't mention this to the little boy's mother, but he's not good enough for Cece. First off, I've seen him eating dirt on more than one occasion. Secondly, he's missing teeth! And not to mention he has a super limited vocab. Fortunately it doesn't seem like Cece's too enraptured with him in this picture. I hope that means I have at least another year before she starts playing the field.

They grow up so quickly. Before long I'll be buying her makeup and smart phones, and dropping her off at her eighth grade dance. But right now I'm just going to happily enjoy rocking her to sleep and singing her sweet lullabies. No boys allowed ;)

This is my farewell baby blog post, as I've returned to work at Dunder Mifflin and my free time is pretty limited now. Thank you everyone for sharing all your stories and suggestions. Both Cece and I really appreciate it!

I thought babies were these peaceful quiet creatures - so not the case. Cece makes all kinds of loud noises. She makes this "SK" sound over and over (sounds like she's beat boxing). She's started making this low, guttural moan when she's upright (like she's possessed by a demon, but in a cute way). Even when she sleeps she makes snorting and sniffling sounds (the way I imagine Al Roker sounds when he sleeps). She's a very very loud (and adorable) baby.

Here she's making loud snorty sounds while sleeping, so much cuter that Al Roker, huh?

Cece has kept Jim and I on a pretty strict schedule of never sleeping. However, I think she finally realized that it's better for her if her parents are well rested. Today, I woke up to daylight coming in the window - daylight! It was so beautiful, so peaceful. Wait, why so peaceful? It was way too quiet. I bolted out of bed, positive that she had been kidnapped. But of course she was fine, lying in her bassinet, breathing (I checked) and staring at the ceiling fan. She just stared at it and stared at it. I couldn't take my eyes off her. How could a ceiling fan be so fascinating? But maybe she's a future scientist who was figuring out angles and wind displacement. Or perhaps she's a future poet caught in the beauty of the every day. I know they say babies this young don't really smile, but I swear she did. Jim said it's just that she had indigestion and a lot of gas. But I don't know how well I trust his opinion because he was lying in bed staring at his toes. It was almost as cute, but it's hard to compete with the cutest baby ever.

At my baby shower, a couple people gave me Baby Mozart CDs. I'm told listening to Mozart is supposed to help a baby's development; if nothing else it makes for a very highbrow baby...and drowns out her crying :-) I downloaded the music into Jim's iPod, thought that might class him up a bit. Listening to it helps me relax, but the harpsichord makes Cecelia act fussy. However, when Jim's iPod switches over to Bon Jovi (yes, he still listens to Bon Jovi), she gets very relaxed. And, for some reason, "Living on a Prayer" really soothes her and she starts to doze off. It's playing right now, that's how I snuck in the time to post this. So it turns out my little girl prefers hair metal bands to Mozart...I just hope she doesn't start flashing guitar players until she's at least 5.

If nothing else, Baby Mozart gave me the idea for Cecelia's Halloween costume...how cute will she look in a big powdered wig and ruffled bib?

What's wrong with this picture? I'll tell you what's wrong, when the baby's asleep, I should be sleeping too - not up, taking photos of her. Or I should be catching up on adult things, like doing taxes or brushing my teeth. I can't help myself though; my favorite thing to do is watch her sleep. This is exactly what Jim looks like when he sleeps (I think he even wore the same outfit to bed last St. Patrick's Day). So cute!

Okay...I better go brush my teeth...

Jim and I are at home with the baby. I started my maternity leave so I'll be home for several weeks; he goes back to the office this week (ha ha!).

Cecelia is doing beautifully. She's getting used to visitors and is now a pro at sitting through photos (I've taken like a gigabyte of photos since Thursday). A whirlwind of people came over this weekend: both sets of grandparents, Jim's brother and his wife, my aunt, Michael's stopped by 4 times...I've gotten parenting advice from everyone - "Always be careful not to drop the baby." Thanks for the tip, Dad.

Over the last few days, I've reached a new level of exhaustion - not that I'm complaining. I love being a mom so far! Cecelia looks so cute in her bassinet in her tiny pajamas. I love singing to her songs with the word "baby" in them: Baby Love, I Got You Babe, and Hit Me Baby One More Time (although when I sing this song out loud it doesn't feel appropriate to sing to my days-old baby).

So far maternity leave is awesome. I might have a second kid just to get the time off - don't tell Jim. :-)

We did it. She's here. Friends and family, allow me to introduce Cecelia Marie Halpert, 7lb, 2 ounces, 18 inches.

T minus 7 days everyone! Can you believe it?! Jim and I feel really prepared, like soon-to-be-parent superstars. But I signed us up for a childbirth prep class this morning, just to be extra safe. Jim poked fun at me, however it ended up being a real eye-opener.

The instructor started by asking what our biggest fears are. One guy said he was scared to be in the delivery room because he can't stand blood. Jim laughed and whispered, "Where's he from, Wussconsin?" But then we watched a natural childbirth video and Jim either nodded off or fainted - depends on who you talk to. He said it was because he hadn't eaten anything, but we both know we stopped at Wendy's on the way over.

The instructor talked about contractions next, and said the husband should time them. That's when Jim started to get really serious. He realized his watch was missing and he suspected people of stealing it. "I bet it was Kevin! No, it wouldn't fit around his wrist. It was Creed! He's always asking me where he is and what time it is." I reminded him I dropped it off to get a new battery, and we both decided we should pick it up pronto. We tried to sneak out, but it's hard to sneak anywhere with a 14-inch baby bump. We got yelled at and had to sit back down. To top it off, the instructor said she hoped the fathers had been working out because the umbilical cord is hard to cut through. Jim freaked - he hasn't been to the gym in years. Apparently that was just a bit of doula humor, but Jim was still concerned. He's spending the rest of his day lifting weights, and stopping by Sam's Club to buy watch batteries in bulk. He's going to be such a cute dad.

Do you guys have any words of wisdom or comfort to offer us before the big day? We just want everything to be perfect. Thanks everyone, and wish us luck :)

I don't know if you guys are keeping track or not, but my due date is only a couple of weeks away! I'm getting super excited and I feel pretty great. Jim is actually the one who seems to be experiencing most of the unfavorable third trimester symptoms...

I've been reading that dads go through changes too, and I totally believe it. Jim's gained a couple of pounds, he's had mood swings, and yesterday morning he even threw up in the kitchen sink! It was the sweetest thing I've ever seen. Okay, so maybe it's because he shared my breakfast with me - relish on saltines. He thought it was apricot jelly. Now that I think of it, he's eaten a lot of my concoctions over the past eight months. Some on accident, but some that seem to be true sympathy cravings: tuna fish with soy sauce, fried grapes, Hawaiian chips dipped in hazelnut spread. He really enjoys the chips dipped in hazelnut. At least I hope he does because we've had it for dinner two times now. I guess that sort of explains his extra pounds. Either way, it's all an extension of his affection and it's so cute!

Does anyone have any interesting food combinations they'd like to share? I've only got a few days left until I start to think this stuff is gross again.

Jim and I are brainstorming baby names. Have any suggestions? Don't be upset if we don't use the name you suggested - it's nothing personal, it's just because we think you're bad at suggesting baby names :-)

COMMENTS WE'VE RECEIVED SO FAR:

If it's a boy, Michael Scott.
Michael Scott

Taylor! Works if it's a boy OR a girl! Cool kids always have the name Taylor: Taylor Swift, Taylor Lautner, Taylor Momsen, Jonathan Taylor Thomas...
Kelly Kapoor

If it's a girl, Michelle Scott.
Michael Scott

Make sure the baby has the biological father's last name - makes all the legal stuff easier down the road.
Meredith P.

If not Michael, how about Scott? But Michael's better though.
Michael Scott

I like the name Roman for a boy. Anne Marie for a girl.
Penny Beesly

Kandi
Kevin

Butt-head - after the baby's father and a classic cartoon character. Love you Pam, stay hot!
Pete Halpert

Martin is a good name. It's my brother's first name.
Angela M.

Julian.
Larisa Halpert

Mary Jane
Creed

If you're having triplets, how about Gary, Scott, and Michael?
Michael Scott