How Sweet It Is!

How sweet it is to bring home a new baby! This time, for me, it was equally as sweet to be in the hospital, enjoying my new baby. I didn't want to leave! I had my favorite nurse Julie, a window with a view and the baby mostly to myself. Now, being home, I share baby Drew with his very adoring siblings and Daddy. Drew is truly the sweetest baby around, we have never had such a relaxed, yet alert newborn (knock on wood, I know he's only a week old). Enjoying every moment with new baby Drew has been my goal, letting house chores, returning phone calls and other life necessities go for a time. This of course is made possible by my good Mother and other supportive friends and family who have been so generous with their time. Having a baby is the most rewarding experience I have had in my life. I feel fulfilled and blessed. Now, off to sneak a nap in cuddling my little 9 pound bundle.

Welcome, Welcome

Drew Kelly

9 Lbs 13 oz

21 inches

June 4, 2010

10:33 a.m.

We welcome so lovingly Baby Drew. How lucky and blessed we feel to have this sweet new baby boy in our family. His name holds a great significance to Kelly's family as he was named after Kelly's younger brother, Drew David, who died of Spinal Meningitis when he was 14 months old. I'm impressed to think that his name has something to do with the extra special spirit Baby Drew has brought to our family. I'm loving this newborn time, and am truly grateful for a healthy, beautiful, baby boy.

Lady in Waiting

Fresh Mani/Pedi- CHECK
Hospital Bag Packed, Checked, Re-Packed- CHECK
Hair Trimmed- Negative, Ashli, what are you doing Thursday, do you have time for a quick clip?
Baby clothes washed, folded, organized- CHECK (as much as I can not knowing the gender)
Meals in Freezer- CHECK (as many as I had the energy to make and the room to store)
Names- Still working on those, but want to see baby first
Hypno Birth cued on IPOD- CHECK
Clean Sheets on Bed- CHECK
House Cleaned- CHECK (but each day it becomes messy again and I'm running out of steam to continue to clean it)
New P.J.s to lounge in post baby- CHECK
Children Prepared- CHECK CHECK CHECK (they are begging me to have the baby)

Am I missing anything? Because apparently the baby thinks so- why else would I be almost 5 days late? Luckily, my OB has been out of town these past few days and I really didn't want to have the baby without him. So, now, I will begin to entertain advice on how to naturally induce labor. Lets hear it! Otherwise I will be forced to continue my regiment of daily napping and sweets indulgence, which really has been quite relaxing and enjoyable.

Happy Cheers

Each time we prepare to bring a new baby into our family, I go through a period of mourning. Not mourning because I'm sad to have a baby, but mourning because I'll miss my youngest being "my baby". Max has been my little one for 3 1/2 years now, the longest of any of our children. How I've enjoyed him. I've relished in the time we've shared together, just Max and Mommy. He has been my back-seat buddy, my entertainment while running errands, my snuggle pal for afternoon naps, my excuse to buy soft serve ice cream and drinks from McDonald's and my right hand man who helps me with my day to day jobs with his "strong muscles". He has made me love parenting a little boy, I appreciate so much more as I pause to see things from his perspective. I admit that I dote on my little Max, and have done so intentionally. Will it change with baby #4? Perhaps. It will no longer be Max and Mommy, Mommy and Max. We will have a new addition to our club, Max seems completely fine with the idea, excited really. I know this baby will add nothing but love into our home; but just for a moment I want to focus on what was. I want to pause, remember, and feel thankful for the few years of Max and me. May they live forever in my memory.........in the words of our third child...."HAPPY CHEERS" for Mommy and Max!

Guess Who

Okay everyone, it's the post you have all been waiting for...... predictions for the gender of our baby. I thought this week, the week of my due date (wow!), I would dedicate some posts to our new baby, who ever he/she may be.

So, for your reading enjoyment and for my own entertainment, I have done a little research and have found it quite fascinating:

I'm carrying High- Girl

The baby's heartbeat is always around 130-135- Boy

Chinese Zodiac calendar- Boy

Craving Sweets- Girl (I call this baby my little cupcake, for good reason)

Needle on thread over tummy- Boy

My Nose hasn't doubled in size (I don't think at least)- Boy

Parents Magazine Gender Predictor Test- Boy

Childbirth.org Gender Predictor Test- Girl

Old Wives Tales Test- Girl

Asian Ladies at the Mani-Pedi salon- Boy

My Pregnancy compared to the other three- different, in someways like Max (the first 4 months especially) in other ways like Lizzy (these last few weeks for sure), with some elements of Rosie (throughout). So, you figure it out!

Rosie- Boy

Lizzy- Girl

Max- A brother, named Charlie Brown

So there it is. And now, I wish to poll the audience. What do you think? I'd love to read your predictions!

Great to Be 8, Part 2

I suppose we had a water themed birthday this year including a friend (and Nana, who really is a playmate) swim party, a mermaid cake and then a baptism. Hmmmmm, I didn't really plan it that way, but I'm liking the idea. I'm also liking the idea of the festivities being over and done with, so I can now put all of my focus on baby!

Yes, 8 really is Great!

On May 8, 2010, Elizabeth was Baptized. In was a momentous occasion:
Dear neighbors and close family friends were in attendance,

along with best of friends,

her school teacher,

all three of her Great-Grandma's,

and almost all of her extended family.

Her Father had the privilege of baptizing his first born,

while the rest of her family cheered her on, and was so delighted to do so.

Another event to note: Rosie and Max made their musical debut singing a duet for the Program. I'm certain you can expect to see great things from that duo. We enjoyed listening to our Grandmothers and Great-grandmothers share their testimonies with Lizzy, they are such lovely Ladies, so lovely in fact that we pray Lizzy will grow to be just like them.

Now, it's on to new adventures for our Lizzy D, the first one being Activity Days. She may not get a uniform of sorts, like the cub scouts do, but I do believe that this outfit that she put together for her first activity will do! Happy Birthday Elizabeth, Congratulations and thank you for making your parents look so good.