Good Golly Miss Molly

We got home yesterday and we're settling in and adjusting to life as a family of 4. Patrick still seems smitten with his little sister, I hope it continues. Molly is still sleeping more often than not. Patrick was very awake and alert as a newborn so it is nice to have a sleeper this time around! Last night was the first night where she was awake for any great period of time (maybe 2 hours?). The first few nights we had to wake her up every few hours to nurse and then she would go right back to sleep. Maybe we'll be super lucky and end up with one of those babies that sleeps through the night at 6 weeks! :)

Molly brought Patrick a present, a real life firefighter costume. Patrick was beyond thrilled with it and has pretty much worn it for the last 4 days straight. Here's Patrick giving Molly a kiss...



This is how Molly spent her first few nights of life. The hospital encouraged co-sleeping (which was a new thing, I don't remember that with Patrick).



Getting ready to go home...



Leaving the hospital. Tom looks so happy!



First time at home as a family of 4...



Patrick holding his baby sister...



And is anyone else amazed that I had an almost 9 pound baby inside of me? I am still in complete shock over that. TMI warning... My doctor said it was a very good thing I did not attempt a VBAC as my uterine wall was very thin near my c-section scar. I'm very thankful we're all healthy and OK!

Isn't She Lovely

Introducing....

Molly Catherine

Born on April 24, 2007 at 8:31 am

Weighing in at 8 pounds, 14 ounces

20 inches long

More pictures to come this weekend when I get out of the hospital. Everything is going well and so far (knock on wood) she's a much better sleeper than her big brother. Yeay!

Ready To Go

I actually made it through everything on my calendar! Friday afternoon I got my manicure and pedicuyre, and on Friday night we went to a beautiful birthday party for my great Aunt Bea who had a milestone birthday. On Saturday Patrick's friend Calvin had his 3rd birthday party. We spent Saturday afternoon buying a few last minute baby things and stocking up on convenience items at Costco to get us through the next month. Baby laundry is done, there are clean sheets and towels in the house, my suitcase is packed and I am ready to go. Tomorrow I go into the hospital for an anethesia consult and some bloodwork. Then bright and early on Tuesday we'll be meeting our new daughter! It's sort of surreal to think that she'll be here in less than 36 hours. So please think positive thoughts for us on Tuesday!

I'm Still Standing

Still here. Still pregnant. That is all.

Waiting

So I'm at the point now where the phone calls have started. People calling innocently enough "just to check on me" with questions like "How are you? Any news?". Well I'm still pregnant! And other than being super tired and a little immobile I'm feeling OK. Tomorrow I have an appointment for a manicure and a pedicure, I will be ticked if I go into labor before then ;)

(Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear

I'm a little late in posting these, but on Monday Patrick had a birthday party for his playgroup friends at Build A Bear. The kids were all VERY cute and seemed excited to pick out their animals and dress them up. Patrick chose a dog but did not want him to wear any clothes, rather he wanted him to ride on a skateboard. Turns out HE wanted to ride the skateboard, even since we got home he's been insisting it is his and he wants to ride it in the kitchen. I don't think so.

Waiting to stuff their animals...


Kissing the heart before it gets stuff in with the dog...


The kids lines up with their new creations...


Patrick with his skateboarding doggie...


And more cake!


And guess what? I'm still pregnant! :P Only a few more days until my c-section. No one thinks I am going to make it that long except my doctor. He said that the baby dropping is no indication of when she will arrive. Well it sure feels like it should be!

Boo Boo's Birthday

Happy 3rd birthday to our sweet little prince!

Patrick had a great day, we started out the morning with a tour of a local firehouse with our playgroup. Patrick was in heaven and loved seeing the firefighters, the firetrucks and all of their equipment. At one point he asked the fireman giving the tour if he could see the jaws of life. The fireman laughed, and explained that those were only on the rescue trucks.







Patrick got a new bike for his birthday. We were very surprised a few weeks ago when in a quick visit to a local bike shop Patrick hopped on a 12" bike and started riding around the store. We didn't really think he was old enough for a "real" bike, but there he was having a blast and asking for a new bike. So for his birthday we got him a little bike and a helmet, both of which pleased Patrick to no end!



And finally tonight we had family over for pizza and cake. Patrick had a great time playing with his cousins (he even showed off his trumpet chops) and he got lots of fun toys as gifts, including a fire chief backpack that he quickly filled with all of his little treasures.







Here's a quick little video of Patrick riding his new bike this afternoon. I was running in the street to keep up with him so this is slightly shaky!



It's hard to believe how fast the last 3 years have flown by. Patrick's personality has really come out in the last year. He was so shy a year ago and he's now such an outgoing and talkative little boy (just today we were in the grocery store with my mom and my mom ran into a friend from high school, she introduced us and Patrick stretched out his hand and said "Nice to meet you!"). It's nice to be able to carry on a conversation with him and understand his wants and needs better. He's really such a joy in our lives, and though I feel a little guilty about turning his life upside down with the arrival of his baby sister I know our new addition will be a positive force in all of our lives and I'm really looking forward to watching Patrick grow as a big brother.

So happy birthday Boo! Know that you are very loved and appreciated!

Baby Girl

I am so absolutely and completely done being pregnant. But my c-section isn't scheduled for 11.5 more days (and yes, that half a day is important!). I've been having frequent, mostly painless Braxton Hicks contractions for the last few weeks. I am pretty sure the baby is trying to make an exit straight through my abdominal wall with vigorous karate kicks. And she's dropped, which Patrick never did, which is a rather uncomfortable sensation. The only time I'm really comfortable is lying on my side, which isn't really possible with an almost 3 year old. We have places to go and things to see, today included lunch out with friends (which included a toddler version of a bar brawl complete with stool throwing), several errands downtown, and a birthday party in the afternoon. I am exhausted.

And speaking of almost 3 year olds, notice my ticker up above. Tomorrow is Patrick's big birthday! We're starting out the day with a tour of a local fire station with our playgroup. Patrick should be quite pleased. Tomorrow night we're having family over for pizza, and then on Monday morning he has a birthday party with his little friends. I just need to make it until Monday afternoon and then I am golden to have this baby.

Easter Egg Hunt

Just a few quick pictures from today, Patrick really enjoyed hunting for eggs. But more than that he enjoyed the chocolate the Easter Bunny was kind enough to bring. I think I spent the entire day answering his questions about when he could have another piece of chocolate or another "jelly egg". We were lucky enough to have beautiful weather today, based on the news it seems like the rest of the country had a cold snap, including a bunch of snow in Cleveland (sorry Dad!).








And just a little funny I had to share. The other day we were in the car and Patrick piped up with this gem from the backseat...

"Hey Mama? Turtles don't sit in high chairs. They live in the water. And turtles don't wear hats and they don't talk."

So true!

Easter Bunny Hop

On Saturday we took Patrick downtown to meet the Easter Bunny. As you can see it went swimmingly :P