Introducing....

Andrew Thomas

Andrew arrived last Monday at 5:05PM, and it's taken me this long to get on here and blog about it. Sorry about the delay, but I've been busy staring at this cute face.

Andrew is such a wonderful baby, and we're loving having him at home with us! He was over a week late, and I ended up needing a c-section so my recovery has been a little slower than I'd planned. Mom was here with us this week since Brian had to go back to work, and my mother-in-law is here with us now through the weekend.

Mom was just wonderfully helpful, and I can't thank her enough for all she did for us. I haven't had to do a load of baby laundry since I got home! And now Janet is picking up right where she left off. I'm so grateful for all the help.

Fenway has been very interested in Andrew. I think he's going to be very protective of him. The first night we were home Mom was in the kitchen and Brian and I had just sat down to eat dinner when Andrew let out a little cry in his pack 'n' play. Fenway went running in to check on him and then straight to the kitchen to get our attention. He wanted to make sure someone was going to take care of the baby!

I'm just loving being this little boy's mom! I feel blessed beyond all I could imagine.

It's Time

It looks like our baby is not going to make an appearance on his own any time soon, so we've decided to go ahead and induce labor.

Brian and I will head to the hospital tonight at 5PM to get things going, and then our little boy should be here sometime tomorrow depending on how things progress.

I'm a little disappointed we're having to go this route, but I'm so ready to meet our baby, and the end result will be the same no matter what - he'll finally be in our arms!

We scheduled this on Friday morning so I've had all weekend to continue to try to get labor started on my own. Kelsey was sweet enough to walk the mall with me Friday afternoon.

Then Brian decided to make the famous for sending women into labor Scalini's eggplant parmigiana for dinner. It took a little longer than planned, and he made enough to feed about 30 people. He used six jars of marinara sauce! I really wish I'd gotten pictures of the kitchen. It was such a disaster; it took him hours to clean up, but I was so grateful. We now have two almost full baking dishes of eggplant parm in the refrigerator. At least we'll have something to feed our visitors. :)

Brian volunteered to walk the mall with me yesterday. We were there for about three hours and stopped only to have spicy Mexican food for lunch. I was exhausted, but we decided to head to Matt and Kelsey's big St. Patty's Day party that afternoon anyway. We walked there and back.

Basically, if I were going to walk this baby out it would have happened this weekend, but no luck.

So I have some last minute stuff to finish up around the house, and then we're off to have our baby!

I appreciate all your prayers for a safe and fast delivery!

Baby Boy Nursery

I've had a bit of free time on my hands this week. I was sure I'd have a newborn to take care of by now, but since I don't I just keep wandering into the nursery and looking around. This room that only a few months ago was filled with old furniture, textbooks, guitar equipment and Christmas decorations is now ready for our little boy.

The crib

Bedding detail - it's sailboats, hot air balloons and airplanes.

This red chair actually goes back in our bedroom. It's a space holder while we wait for our blue and white glider and ottoman. It's on its way from Canada and is taking forever. I'm thinking our little boy must know that his chair isn't here yet so he's waiting it out. :)

Changing table and shelves. Brian worked very hard hanging those shelves.

Baby's first Red Sox bear - it's all about the important things.

I love peeking in his closet and going through all those adorable blue onesies.

We are planning to hang his name in cute letters over the crib once we've met him and decided on one. (I thought I was all set on a name, and then I think I may have changed my mind today. We're just going to have to wait until we see him to decided for sure.)

I'm waiting on the blue chair to arrive to pick out curtains since the fabrics will be so close to each other. And other than that, we're all finished with the nursery.

And here is my 40 weeks, 4 days belly picture. I'm wearing what Brian calls my Pregnant Ninja outfit. It's been my uniform the last 2 weeks, and no, I won't be sad to see it go soon.

I appreciate all your thoughts and prayers as we wait for our little boy. We'll be sure to update (with pictures! and a name!) as soon as he decides to make his appearance.

Open Letter

Dear Baby Boy,

It's March 7, the day I've been looking forward to since last summer, but you're still not here in the outside world.

I know it's cozy in there, and you don't have to worry about tough tasks like breathing or eating, but it'll be nice out here, too. I promise. We'll take care of everything you need.

We're ready to meet you already! Your daddy is so excited. He's been asking you to go ahead and come out every night now for the last few weeks. You're already loved by so many people. They just want the chance to hold you and get to know you and see your sweet face.

If you come on out you can meet the people you've been hearing for months. I think you'll recognize Fenway's bark right away!

Your room is all ready; your clothes are all washed and put away. The car seat is installed; your swing is ready and waiting.

We just need you.

Love,
Mom & Dad

Gloria's Grand Reopening

I'm now two days away from my due date, and today my doctor had me make another appointment for next Friday. He said he hates to tell people he'll see them next week, but that if he were a betting man he'd see me next week. So that was disappointing.

Our Gloria's has been closed for remodeling for the past 3 weeks, and I've been missing it terribly. It reopened today so Kelsey and I just had to go for lunch. The new patio is huge, and since it is currently 83 degrees it was a great day for outside dining. Everyone keeps telling me I need to eat spicy foods to kick start labor. Well I took it to heart and ate all the jalapenos on my plate and Kelsey's.

I don't know if it will help with labor, but I'm reminded that I'm so thankful for Prilosec.

When I'm not trying to bring on labor these days I'm watching reality television. It is so sad. I'm addicted to The Biggest Loser, American Idol, Top Chef, and The Amazing Race. Luckily TC is over so I have time to concentrate on the others. If only my DVR had more memory I could stockpile episodes to have on hand for marathon feedings if our baby ever arrives.