handsome little guy

We are quite foolish about him....

And he is hitting important milestones so rapidly. He was born so early that they said he may not be able to feed orally for a while (meaning he would be subjected to an IV) but he has already started taking a bottle successfully from the nurses and mom and dad. He is so strong and working so hard. We just want him to come home with us as soon as possible and he is ready. I think he wants that too!

As Promised

Here is another video, more pics and videos to come over the next few days!

-s

He's Here!

We are both so excited and instantly in love with our little man. Last night was the longest, of a already really long week. I am very pleased to say the mom and baby are both very healthy. There will be more updates to follow, but here is a quick rundown: Born today (02/26/09) at 4:54 A.M., he is 5 pounds 13 ounces, he is 19 3/4 inches long, with an APGAR of 8 to 9!

practice practice practice

I never thought pregnancy would be the way to a rock hard stomach, but at different points throughout the day, that is exactly what I have. I have braxton-hixed right and left. To the kitchen, to the couch, back to bed... At this point, it is pretty much something I am used to. Which I guess is a good thing? I mean, practice makes perfect right. I am practically an expert at this point. So I am bound to have some pretty darn perfect real contractions when this baby decides he is ready for the real deal and wants to make a debut.

The Shower

So at the risk of being so presumptuous, I wanted to say an early "thank you" for the shower and the generous gifts for Cooper. I found myself in Cooper's room the other day and looked around and couldn't help but notice all of stuff this little guy has...and how much of that "stuff" he acquired through the generosity of friends and family. Whitney and I are extremely lucky for having so many great people in our lives with big hearts...and so is Cooper!

With about 6 weeks or so left, the two of us are in countdown mode and we are anxiously awaiting the arrival of the little guy. He is not kicking anymore, instead he is doing somersaults, cartwheels, and back flips..and I'm pretty sure a little karate as well.

My favorite thing...

OK, so not my FAVORITE thing, clearly feeling the little guys flips and kicks and hearing his heartbeat are more amazing, but... well, this is just one of those things things that I am oddly infatuated with. My belly button.

In the early stages of the pregnancy I tried to gauge whether or not my tummy had grown by seeing whether the depth of my belly button had decreased. Odd, I know, BUT I am so glad I did because it serves as the baseline to which I have measured. Since then, every so often, I will feel my belly button and see if it is more shallow and it is crazy because it so is (maybe I should have been prepared for this, but I wasn't, and it has been something of constant entertainment for me over the past 4 or so months since I started showing)! I love it. It is so weird, I know, but I cannot help but share my fascination.

So, my belly button has not popped into an outie, BUT it is almost no longer a belly button. As my belly pushes it out, it stretches the skin out and all of a sudden the originality that makes up the belly button becomes just like the rest of my stomach. I had never really considered what the bottom of my belly button looked like, but I guess I had some preconceieved notion because now that I know, I am both surprised and AMAZED. I considered posting a video, but I will attempt to maintain my scant readership and spare everyone else. I will be posting a picture soon showcasing the belly- both to document for memories how BIG I am, and to compare to a few weeks from now to see if/when the baby drops (A phenomenon known as "lightening"- see, I did pay attention in "Prepared Childbirth: Part I").

Try not to fall off the edge of your seats : )

How can time both fly and stand still?

We are definitely in final count down mode here, but I feel like a watched pot that will never boil. I mean, I know we are close, but it still seems so far. One website advises creating a to-do list of all you want / need to get done before the big day (i.e. pack the bags, wash some baby clothes). This seems good, in theory, and we totally should do these things, but I worry we will make a list, check everything off, and I will be 32.5 weeks pregnant. (I am currently 32 weeks and 2 days pregnant). I mean, I know we will never be ready for what is to come - how can you truly be "ready" to have your life changed in immeasurable ways forever - but we are so READY!!!

Our wonderful grandparents to-be here in Chicago have already helped check off some of our to-do list, providing diapers and wipes to stock our nursery for at least the first weeks or months. A huge help and great big thanks!

I am going to keep this brief cause I almost did not want to type anything at all because it will move the little guy's pictures off the page and I hardly feel I can say anything that can upstage the baby pics so this seems almost a waste of space.... But, alas, I need an outlet to express my impatience...

As promised...

Here is a video of the 3-D ultrasound pictures. I couldn't get the printer to scan them, so I used the handy Flip video recorder we bought and made them into a video. Do not bother with the sound on this one (unless you REALLY want to hear me explain what I am doing to Steve with ambient football noises in the background) as this was really meant to be a picture montage.

So, it may take a moment to get your bearings when you first see these. Trust me, unless you have seen a 3-D ultrasound before, it will blow your mind (and it might anyways, because he is just THAT handsome).

The first one shows his handsome little face and you can see his hand covering the bottom of his mouth.

The second one looks like he is rubbing his eyes because he is sleepy.

The third one is my favorite shot of his mouth, because you can see his little lips all pouty, but he also appears to be smacking himself in the face, so the rest of him is a little squonched.

The final picture is what Steve and I call "The Thinker" since he appears to be impersonating the famous statue.

Now, seriously, tell me that is not the most beautiful baby you have ever seen. And, to think, he was only 28 weeks here. Imagine how much more handsome he is growing every day.

*Sorry about the weird red light. It is a result of my videography, we are not having a possessed baby. Feel free to pause and enjoy each picture....*