Hospital Pictures

Here's a link to the official hospital pictures that they took of Alex.  He's already changed so much!  

http://www.our365.com/newbornportraits/babydetail.aspx?birthid=50a4b62c-28ca-4363-b490-6f744d6b80ed&babyid=491310f7-7574-4127-b7b6-8e7bf31a0056

At home

Alex arrived home late Friday evening.  We were slightly delayed leaving the hospital due to some issues with jaundice.  Thankfully, he started doing better, and we got to go home.  He has been doing great!  He is a good sleeper, good eater, and good pooper :)  He has a really sweet disposition, and doesn't cry unless he's hungry or being changed.  And even then, he's easily soothed.  I really couldn't have asked for a sweeter (or cuter) baby.  

We've had lots of visitors over the weekend.  Aunt Lynne, Uncle Scott and the boys; Great-Grandpa and Joy; the Smoker Clan (with a fabulous dinner!); Aunt Bonnie and Uncle Jim; neighbors; Uncle Kray from Cleveland; and Adam, Andrew and Todd all the way from New Hampshire.  We also decided at the last minute to drive to Indy last night to see my Mom's side of the family.  The one time a year we all get together is Memorial weekend for the Indy 500.  Grant and I were watching the race on tv and my hormonal self burst into tears when the famous words "Ladies and Gentlemen, Start your engines!" came on.  We jumped in the car around 5:00, drove an hour and a half (little guy slept the whole time), surprised the family, hung out with everyone, and then drove home (again-Alex slept the whole way), arriving at 12:30am.    We were a little tired today, but it was definitely worth it to see everyone and to let Alex meet all of his cousins and great-aunts and uncles.  

As a last note-our camera won't download...so we have all of these adorable pictures, and we can't share them!  We're working on it, and we'll have more pictures for you soon!

Alexander William

Just a few pictures to get you started!  Alex was born at 3:09pm on Tuesday, May 20, 2008 by c-section.  He weighed 6 pounds, 14 ounces and was 19 inches long.  He is adorable and already breastfeeding like a champ!  He loves his Grandma and Grandpa and Auntie Sarah and Uncle Danny already.  

In the Hospital.....

Well---We're at the hospital!!!!!  I went for an ultrasound yesterday, and they decided to induce me due to low fluid level.  They gave me a medicine that had to stay in place for 12 hours, and in about 30% of women it kickstarts them into labor.  It worked for me!  My water broke on its own around 10:15 this morning.  I've been having really strong, regular contractions--but since my epidural--I don't even know it!  Praise the Lord for good drugs!!  As of 1:00, I'm 3 centimeters and progressing well on my 0wn.  Grant, Mom, Dad and Sarah are here keeping me company.   Stay tuned...we'll post pics of Alex when we can!!

(By the way--Happy Birthday Jacob!  You get a little cousin for your birthday!)

A Light at the End of the Tunnel

Well...I have an induction scheduled for next Thursday night at 10pm.   So, Alex should be here by Friday the 23rd, whether he likes it or not!  Of course, I'm hoping he'll make the call and come out before then....but who knows!!

No Baby Yet.....

Looks like Alex has staked out his claim for the long haul.  There's only two days left until my due date.  So we'll see when the little guy decides to come.  The house is clean, the nursery is ready, my substitute is teaching and doing well, the thank you notes are written, the hospital bag is packed.....now I just have labor and delivery to check off the list!

(The good news is, they'll only let me go a week over my due date, so he'll be here for sure in the next 9 days!)

Flying Pig

Grant ran in the Flying Pig Marathon Relay last weekend.  He was the first leg of the relay, which was about 7 miles.  The race started at 6:30am--good grief!  He did awesome and had a really good time.  

Here he is after his run:

Here's his teammate Mandy taking off on her leg:

This guy was running the marathon in his full fire-fighting gear in honor of two of his fellow firefighters that recently died in the line of duty. He was running with a group of paramedics.  3 miles up the road from where we saw him, they saved the life of another marathoner that had a heart attack on the course.   I had chills when I read the story in the paper the next day.

Soo.. I had to park about a mile away from the race track.  Here's a really nice pond and overlook that we passed on the long, uphill walk back to the car.  (Lots of ducks too!!!)

All in all, in was a really cool experience for all involved.   Grant and Sarah (not me-the other one) are thinking of running the half marathon in Columbus and then go for the full Pig next year.  I can't even comprehend the idea of running over 26 miles--so more power to them!

Bittersweet

Today was my last day at Rapid Run.  My long term substitute was just finalized yesterday afternoon.  She came today to shadow me, and she's starting Monday.  I had to tell all of the kids today, and it wasn't fun.  I also had to tell them that I'm not coming back to Rapid next year.  

I am really happy with my decision to be a full-time mom.  I know I'll be fulfilled and that I'll have so many adventures, but I am also sad to end this chapter of my life.  I've truly enjoyed my job, my co-workers and my students.  It's been really special working with Grant everyday and sharing our jobs.  I have to admit, I sat at my desk and cried today when all the kids finally left.  

Such a mix of emotions right now--excited about Alex coming soon, sad to leave work, happy to be starting my life as a mom...and many, many more.

Baby Shower #5

My college friends decided to throw us a baby shower.  It was a lot of fun!  There was a lot of good food, lots of girl talk, and lots of adorable presents (including a 6 pack of Bud light for me for AFTER the baby comes!  Leave it to the college friends to make sure I have my favorite beer :)  

Here's the gang:

Jenn (the hostess) and I

The Sarahs

(Sarah is such a trooper--this was the third shower she came to!)

Baby Shower #4

We had a baby shower at our school a few weeks ago.  One of the teacher's wives made us a BEAUTIFUL cake.  (It was a double shower-so the pink baby is for another teacher who's pregnant.)  We saved our little blue baby pea pod, and we're going to try and shellac it and make it into a Christmas ornament.  

Grant opening the "Octo-tunes" toy.  Each leg is a different note, and the musician in Grant loves it!  Plus, it has a really nice vanilla scent to it.

My goofy husband :)

All in all, it was a great shower.  I'll definitely miss all of my teacher friends next year.