It's A Boy

And now presenting:

Ronan Michael

Our little man was born at 2:21 am, June 11, 2011; 7 pounds, 15 ounces; 20 3/4 inches long.

Just look at how much Momma adores him already!

I started labor early Friday morning, and after a lot of walking, waiting, counting, waiting, visiting with everyone else who had come to wait, sunshine, counting, visits to the playground with Moira, eating, waiting, counting...we headed to the hospital to arrive at 1:32 am and find out that I was 7 cm dilated.  Guess I should have taken some of the "waiting" out of my day!  Less than an hour later we finally got our little surprise...a baby boy--healthy, beautiful, and in the words of Mary Poppins, "practically perfect in every way."

It took a couple of days and a couple of classic, quotable moments ("He stays at the hospital", "No, I do not like him", "I have my own baby"), but by the time we got home from the hospital, Ronan's big sister was smitten.

Moira says things like, "He is delicate", "I wanna kiss his head", and "He is so tiny".

She also soothes him when he cries--"It's okay buddy"; does "This Little Piggy" on his toes; and repeats his name over and over again.

And she has started to take care of her own baby-dolls like Mommy and Daddy take care of Ronan...

Complete with baby and apron...such a little Donna Reed!

 He is a joy.  We all love him so very much.  It is amazing how much worry I had all during my pregnancy about finding the love and energy to care for another baby the way I do Moira, and now that he is here it all just comes naturally.  We are so blessed!

:)
Anne

Fun with Onsies

Monday I will be 39 weeks and once again, I have much baby on the brain.  I am even dreaming about giving birth...or falling asleep during labor and waking up to a new baby.  Could that ever even happen?  It did in my dream last night!  Needless to say, I am ready.  Come on baby!  Let's go!!!

For the second time, Steve and I don't know if we are having a boy or a girl.  It is all very exciting.  The mystery, the wonder, the predictions you hear from complete strangers and the reasons behind it--you're carrying low, you're carrying up front, you had heartburn, you had morning sickness, you have nice hair, you aren't breaking out, you crave chocolate, you don't eat your vegetables, you blah, blah, blah...

The downside?  You have to have all "gender neutral" things.  No bruiser blue or princess pink here.  That will all come after.  In the meantime, we have to rely on the yellows and greens that retailers offer.  OR...

make our own fun baby onsies...

which I did...

With some colored felt and no-sew Heat n' Bond ironed together...

I traced some fun pictures...

Cut them out...

Ironed them on...

And finished some with Sharpie.

We are even prepared to be festive for Independence Day!

And what is a baseball season without...

You bet!

Even though it feels like the end is not nearly near enough, soon we will meet this baby and see if there has been a little man or lady pummeling me these past months.  The rest of me is ready to get this show on the road so, again, I can enjoy:

• A Sahlen's hot dog (I love these Buffalo-made hot dogs and my last one was in October);
• A full cup of coffee (I end up dumping everything after the first 2 sips down the drain because it just doesn't do it for me);
• A turkey sub (or any other deli meat...another thing taken for granted when you can eat it whenever you want);
• Sushi (love my raw fish);
• An ice cold beer (probably a Sam Adams Summer Ale, with my husband, on my back deck on a nice hot day);
• A 5 mile run (I think I may already have my next half-marathon picked out...ichin' to get back in those running shoes);
• Touching my toes (goes along with running, I can't wait to be able to stretch and bend like the good ol' days).

:)

Anne