It's another boy!!

Allen Edgar arrived on 10/08/07 measuring 21" long and weighing in at a whopping 9 lbs. 3oz.. Mom and baby are doing just great. For those of you who read this on a regular basis, forgive the lack of blogging whit that normally accompanies the posts Amanda creates. Here are a few photos of Allen, mommy and her boys, and the new family.

Pumpkin Patch!

On Saturday we went to the pumpkin patch to celebrate fall. Granted, it was 90 degrees and insanely hot, but it is October and we didn't know when we would make it out on such an adventure again! Drew had a great time - he painted a little pumpkin, ran through the hay bale maze, ventured through some corn rows, and rode the hayride to the pumpkin patch to pick out our pumpkin. He found one his size and could not be convinced to leave it behind, so we ended up with both "Daddy's pumpkin" and "Drew's pumpkin". (Mommy didn't get to ride out to the field...we were a little afraid of the bumpy ride and the distance we were from the hospital!)

Still the plan...

Had another uneventful appointment today...everything looks the same so we are still on for induction on Monday morning. We will update the blog with photos and details as soon as possible that day!

Drew has had a fun week - yesterday he went home from preschool with Aunt Celeste and Amelia and had a big afternoon playing at their house. I met them at Jay's baseball game last night. After the game, Jay's team was having their little team meeting on the hill and Drew walked over and plopped down next to Jay like he was one of the guys! It was adorable. Today, Grandma came over to play and took Drew to the park while we went to the doctor. He is definitely getting a little spoiled by all the attention!

There's an end in sight...

We went Thursday for our weekly check up and everything still looks the same. Baby brother has dropped some, indicating he is getting ready for his appearance. My doctor scheduled me for induction on October 8 if I don't go into labor before that on my own. Patrick said once we hit October 1 he will start walking with me to see if we can move things along! At least we have an end date in sight and I am very much looking forward to meeting this VERY active little boy!

I have been laid up with a stomach bug since Thursday night and I am just now feeling better, though still quite weak! It's one way to loose your baby weight...down 4.5 pounds in 24 hours! Not that I recommend that diet program. It was rough!

Camping Trip

We had a wonderful weekend camping with our extended family (9/13-16). There were 23 of us there which made for a crazy but fun time. It rained almost continuously Thursday night and all day Friday, but the weather cleared and was beautiful and wonderful the rest of the time. It cooled off enough on Saturday night to make the campfire a necessity more than just a pretty addition!

My wonderful husband tracked down the lady who made a cake for a baby shower I attended a few weeks ago and had a cake made for the weekend so we could all celebrate Baby Brother. My mom and all the "ladies" in the family brought gifts and threw us an impromptu baby shower. It was really sweet and fun!

Baby Brother?

Well...we went in to check on baby brother yesterday and we're still waiting. I am 3 cm dilated, but that really means nothing at this point. I had a couple of routine tests done, but no ultrasound. We go back next Thursday for another regular check up and hopefully schedule an induction date. It is looking more like the week of October 8 will be his debut.

Patrick and I were able to take a tour of the hospital unit where I will deliver. Since we had Drew in KC at a wonderful, small, community hospital, we were determined to find a small setting here as well. I did the best I could with the physicians on our insurance and we are at a smaller community branch of a larger hospital chain, but there are still many more rooms and many more babies born here than we experienced last time. But the good news is that the whole unit was redone about 2 years ago so it's all nice and new. I think everything will be great - the nurses all seemed quite nice and the rooms were very comfortable. I told the baby about it...it didn't seem to phase him!

Baby Brother Update

We had another ultrasound this morning and got to see baby brother again. He was crazy active during the entire scan! Everything looks good so far. We are still very ahead of schedule - measuring right at three weeks ahead. Today his estimated weight was 7 lbs 7 oz. Yep...that's the average weight of a full term baby! Next week we will have a regular appointment (with no ultrasound...how odd!) and at that time discuss setting a date to induce. However, she said that if I go into labor naturally after 9/24 (37 weeks) that she would be completely happy and not really surprised. Otherwise, it will be around 10/8 for an induction.

We're off to camp for the weekend in the Cherokee National Forest! No...I'm not sleeping in a tent. Patrick's parents "live" in a very nice camper so I'll have a bed and air conditioning and a shower and everything! YEA!

Little Gym

Drew started classes at the Little Gym last month with Daddy. I went along tonight to take some photos and see all of the things he has been learning. It's so adorable and I love that he is in a night class where Patrick can take him (since he is much more fun and active for Patrick) and there are lots of other daddies there too.

Playroom Changes

During all the massive changes we are making around the house, we decided to move around the furniture in the bonus room to open it up and give Drew a little more space to play while still giving the grownups their own area. Also, we broke down and got Drew a train table a little early (it was supposed to be for his birthday!) But I will admit that it was for me as much as him...I wanted my coffee table back and his toys out of "my" space! Here are a few pictures of Drew's new play areas and the prized trains and track!





As for the other rooms in the house, we are making progress...though not as quickly as I would like! We have put some finishing touches on Drew's room but we will have to wait for his dresser for about another month. The baby's room looks much better and I feel confident that I could bring him home at this point if necessary. (Then again, I hear you cannot leave the hospital without a name, so I guess that is not a true statement!) Our bedroom has new paint on the walls thanks to Patrick's hard work all day today. We're getting there...the to-do list is finally shrinking!

This upcoming weekend is our "annual" family campout and we are headed to Tellico Plains and into the Cherokee National Forest. I am definitely looking forward to the trip and the chance to spend the weekend with our extended family. I have a doctor visit and ultrasound on Thursday morning to make sure all looks well for me to be almost 2 hours away, but I'm sure all will be fine. Keep your fingers crossed!!

Big Boy Bed!

Drew got his new bed yesterday and was so excited about it. He talks a lot about his new "big boy bed" and thinks it is pretty great. We have had two naps and one full night in it so far...the night went great but the naps are going to take some getting used to. He seems to think that reading books and playing around in his room are more important than sleeping!


First look at his new bed...

Oh Boy! Climbing right in...

"This is my big boy bed!"
(and then he sat and pointed out each train on the bedding...)