We're Still Here...

Now that we have completed the second week of life with two boys, I have discovered very little down time to do things like update the blog. And that is with almost full time help from my mother-in-law and my mother! So, while I promise I will post new photos of Allen as soon as I can, I cannot promise when that will be! Here is one to get you by until then...

We're Home!

We were discharged Wednesday afternoon and had a good first night home last night. Allen had a check up at the pediatrician this morning and his bilirubin level increased dramatically overnight so we started light therapy today. It is not fun, but we are hopeful for lower levels in the morning so we only have to do this for one day!

We will continue to update the blog with new photos as we have time to download them to the computer!

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.