One Month Old

Ok, so it's taken me a whole month...and then some...to get things updated. But I do have good excuses! First of all, I guess I can say that we are all doing well, and making the adjustments to having a baby in our home. William started off with a broken collar bone (one of those minor complications of big babies) and a high bilirubin count so we had to bundle up the little guy and head off to the doctor a couple of days after we brought him home. Of course, by that time, things had improved and the Doc set us up with the usual 2 week visit. Unfortunately, I forgot the camera (I was a little preoccupied at the time) so I don't have pics, but he checked out great then. He was up to 10 pounds 7 ounces by two weeks. Ben even came with us to the appt. But he had to leave later that afternoon for Massachussetts. He had a week long training to attend. So once again, I was a litte preoccupied with survival--2 boys to get off to school, and homework to get done, a very nice preschooler (and wonderful helper) to keep busy and happy, and a new baby and mom (that would be me) to take care of. I'm can say, 'We survived!' and the kids only missed the bus one time--that was my fault! Michael helped take care of William and was so excited to help feed him a bottle. (Of course, I took advantage of the break for my hands and grabbed the camera) When Ben did come home, we were all happy to see him, but I think William missed him most (well, besides me). He was used to 'talking with Dad'. So the many faces of William is a sample of how he responds to Dad.

It's about time...

Well, what do you know. Joshua finally lost his first tooth! It's been loose for forever (or at least a couple of weeks). But if finally was just hanging on by a thread and I couldn't stand it any more. I asked him if I could take it out for him and he said yes. Of course, it came right out! Now we're working on a top front 'snaggle' tooth... (there isn't a tooth missing yet on top. That's just the space between his front teeth)

The many faces of William

Ok, so this is pretty self explanatory. Don't you just love to look at a baby face? (infant acne and all)My favorites are the smile (of course!) and Bill the Cat pose. Can you see the resemblance?

The Littlest Loveland

Well, finally we have news to share!!! The Littlest Loveland (but only slightly) has finally arrived. Please give me a few days to get pictures posted. He is controlling my limited computer time.
William Jesse Loveland arrived just after Midnight, (12:05, to be exact) early Monday morning on February 11th, 2008. Weighing in at a big 10 lbs even and measuring 22.5 inches---yeah, he's half grown. We are so happy to have him with us! He is truly a miracle and a blessing. We are all doing well.

The doctor who was on call Sunday night wasn't very impressed that Dr J had let me go so long. She stopped in at the hospital, infact, just before I was dischared to let me know she had talked with him and told him it wasn't kind to let her (or me) deliver such a large baby. She said, "he should have had to deal with it" with a smile! I appreciated that, since I've been trying to get me scheduled for induction for a few weeks, knowing that he was going to be a big baby. He would just respond with "oh, we can run into complications if he's born too early." Well, we can run into complications if he's born too late too! Of course, we are dealing; and thankfully they were only minor setbacks and everything is fine.

due date? maybe

Well, for what it's worth, I went to the doctor this morning. After being on the monitor for over an hour (non-stress test--a common occurance when you have a highrisk pregnancy (mine due to age)) and the baby not participating like he was supposed to, well, the doc sent me out for yet another ultrasound test. Turns out that everything is just fine. I guess he just wanted to make sure I didn't take a nap today. And then the great news... I'm now dialated to 3cm. Even if I stay that way (which I'm not willing to do!!) it's progress. I was as tight as a clam last week. Progress...That's my yardstick today. Doctor went ahead and put me on his schedule for Thursday, when he is next on-call for induction but prefaced that appt with "But I don't expect that you'll make it thru the weekend." I hope he's right!! I'll be walking out my part. And I hope to share some exciting news in the next couple of days. Stay Tuned...

News?...Not yet

I guess it's time for another post. I was hoping to have something new to say, maybe even some pictures to share. Unfortunately, all that I can say for now is we are still a family of 5. But the days are drawing to an end. I'm excited and feeling nervous all at the same time. My next Dr appt is Feb 1, and I hope to find out that my body is doing SOMETHING to get ready to release this sweet critter! Meanwhile, Ben and I had fun watching my belly 'morph' tonight. The baby hasn't been extremely active for several days--he's still moving, just not as much or as often as he did even a week ago. But tonight, after dinner, he must have really enjoyed (or maybe really disliked) what we had to eat because he was squirming like there was no tomorrow. (Actually, it reminded me of myself trying to find a comfortable sleeping position at night!) Anyway, all the movement gave some odd shapes to my round but often lop-sided belly. We both mentioned how we are enjoying this shape, and won't miss it too much when it's gone. But since it's such a wonderful blessing to have--one that we didn't plan to see again, it has been fun to 'love' it.
Meanwhile, Andrew, Joshua, and Michael are also patiently waiting for their newest little brother to show himself. I was watching a friend's little girl a couple of days ago, and Michael was so much fun to observe! He kept bringing her toys, or prompting her to come join him with his trains (she's barely 1 yr old). He played so patiently with her, and really seemed to enjoy having some new company. I think he'll be a wonderful big brother. He likes to sit beside me and lay his head on my belly while we read a book. Of course, every once in a while, he'll get a nudge from the inside and look up to me and say "Is that the baby?" It just makes me smile. Maybe tomorrow I can put up some fresh pics of us (mostly of the kids.)

an overheard conversation

Says Joshua to his little brother Michael, "Do you know what artifacts are?" (Dad is playing Mario-something, or Something-Mario and there are artifacts... and the boys are watching him play) Michael's reply, "No, what are they?" Joshua responded, "I don't know either, but they are in Egypt. It's like something that someone used to have."
Hmmm, Yeah, that pretty well describes it.
I thought it was funny anyway.