All content and smiles

This boy is amazing. I seriously just sit and stare at him all day long and never get tired of it. This is the best.

His big deput...

I'm hearing you loud and clear. If it's pictures you want, pictures you will get!!!
Here's the little man... born Sunday August 17th, 2008, 1:29am.
Now back to before this little one made his appearance... (2 days before to be exact)

Yup, I was riding my bike up until the end. I loved the faces of the passers-by.
We went into the birthing center on Saturday the 16th (3 days after my due date) just to get checked out. I was having a lot of contractions the night before but not anything strong enough to think I was in full labor. My doctor was on call and told us that I was 2cm dilated and 75% effaced and if I wanted to stay and have this baby then he could induce me, I kindly accepted the offer.

Waiting for the petocin and epidural...
Can't wait!!! (little did I know I still had 12 hours to go)

Dan kept track of our progress with a nice visual, it helped keep us focused on the goal.
It actually was at 8 cm that things got a little rocky. We found out that Andrew was posterior facing making my progress slow significantly. Our doctor began talking about a possible C-section which has been my biggest fear throughout my pregnancy. I told my doctor that we needed to try everything possible to get him here without going to surgery. For the next 2 hours while the OR cleared out, we tried laying in different positions and prayed our hearts out. When our doctor came back to check I was at 9cm but Andrew had not dropped very much. He decided we should try pushing to see if we could get him to move down. Although our doctor sounded a little skeptical in my ability to get him here, I was feeling pretty confident. I was highly motivated and knew that all the yoga, bike riding, swimming, etc. I did during my pregnancy would pay off. After about 15 minutes worth of pushing my doctor was convinced. He got changed and told the people waiting in the OR to go home. We were thrilled, which gave us even more adrenalin. Dan turned on MIKA and I got my game face on. An hour later, our little Andrew arrived (by that point we had moved on to Shakira:). In the midst of pushing he turned anterior and made his entrance. What a miracle.A whopping 8 lbs 10 oz. Hopefully he's not self conscience about his weight, this picture makes him look like he's sucking in. Don't worry Andrew, we love your chub.
A little mommy-son bonding time in the early morning hours following his birth. Poor Dan worked so hard, he needed a little nap.
Lets get another look of this fantastic scene. I can't look at this picture without laughing. Gotta love the neck pillow.
After his power nap, Dan was ready for his daddy-son bonding time.Out of all 31 of my mom's grandchildren, this was the first she was able to see being born. The last delivery she was a part of was when I was born making this moment even more special.
Aren't newborns supposed to look a little more hammered than this? When I first saw him I kept saying "he's so perfect". I'm still trying to figure out if that's because he actually is or if that's what all new mom's think. I'm pretty sure I'm right though.
He did not enjoy his first bath. In fact, we are learning that he has a bit of a temper when it comes to diaper changes as well. Good thing he is easily soothed afterwards.
We enjoyed our hospital stay. Kinda like a hotel with room service, not too shabby.
Oh he melts my heart.
Check out this strong little guy holding up his head. Too cute. Gotta have a good double chin shot.
My two handsome young men.
On our way home after a pleasant 3 days in the hospital (yeah, we managed to squeak in an extra day).
Andrew's cousins gave us a warm welcome home.
Dan and Andrew have had plenty of nap time together since we've been home. I'm pretty sure this is Dan's favorite part about being a daddy.

Andrew was so lucky to have his Nana and Papa here to visit this week. Actually, my mom came the Wednesday before he was born giving us 2 1/2 fun filled days together before he was born. We went out to breakfast one day and lunch the next, swam, went to the farmers market, walked around the indoor community center track (it was a blazing 100 degrees outside), and talked, and talked. The timing of her trip could not have been any better. All along I had been praying that the timing would work out and that prayer was definitely answered. I couldn't have planned it better myself. After he was born, we then had a full week of Nana time and help. She was so helpful, cooked fantastic meals, and gave the BEST foot rubs. My dad came on the day we came home from the hospital. It was so fun to see him dote over his new grandson. FYI - he is the Robert of Andrew Robert. No better namesake in my opinion.

Andrew with his Nana, Papa, and quilt made by his Nana.

My dad has a way of captivating babies, it's a gift.
My mom gave a great demonstration of how to bathe a baby. I have yet to try it on my own, I'm a little nervous, especially since he doesn't seem to like it very much.
My little towel baby.
A few of Andrew's cousins came to visit last night. I think they are pretty fond of this little guy and I think Andrew was a little hungry.

My parents left this morning which is very sad, I will miss them, but I'm feeling confident about our ability to take care of this little one on our own. I'm feeling good physically, not 100% yet but getting better every day. I'm looking forward to some good family time with the 3 of us. I'm also feeling extremely grateful to be able to stay home with Andrew. All teachers report to work this week making me very grateful for my new job of being a mom. This kid gets a stronger and stronger grasp on my heart every day we have together. I'm hooked.

Not my own, but I'll take him!

I've been trying to keep myself busy to take my mind off the waiting game so I asked my neighbors if I could take pictures of them and their new little one. I'm not sure this did anything but get me even more anxious for my little guy to get here! Hopefully our little Andrew is even half as cute as this little one.

More on my photo blog...

Stuff for the "baby"

Between gifts, hand-me-downs, gift card shopping, and our own collecting, this kid is set. Who are we kidding though really. A baby only "needs" so much, all the "cute" stuff is for the fun of the mother. So here are a few of my favorite things "for the baby".

A crib from my parents and bedding from Target. Gotta love polka dots.

The teddy bear Dan got from his Aunt when he was two. He didn't use it much so it's still in great condition, perfect for the next generation.

A beautiful, home-made quilt from my mom, a diaper bag I'm totally excited about, a "hotsling" to tote around the little guy, the most comfy glider rocking chair ever, and a cute pacifier clip. Oh, "he's" going to LOVE it!

No baby yet, but a wonderful shower!

I had my 39 week doctors appointment this morning and it's official, I'm going to be pregnant forever. This kid is making no effort toward making his way into this world. As you can imagine, I'm THRILLED about it.

In the meantime, we can enjoy pics from the fantastic baby shower my sister-in-law, Amy, and friend, Kristine, threw for me and Andrew. Thank you to my 10 year old neice for the great pics! No baby shower is complete without the melted candy bar diaper game...

Some liked it more than others...Congratulations to our winners Chantelle and Bethany, they must have experience.Seriously, no child should be this spoiled. His closet is ridiculously stocked. The clothes hanging there are just the 0-3 month sizes! Most of them are hand-me-downs from wonderful siblings. He sure does have a lot of people who love him already! Thank you for all the generous gifts. Now if he'd only just get here already!