9lbs. and Climbing

So, Michael Dean had his 2 week checkup last Friday (yah, I'm slightly behind on here!) and he is up to 9lbs. and has grown an inch to 21.5 inches. He's a big, little man who just keeps getting stronger. We arm wrestle each time I feed him and he usually wins. (Well, that's what I let him think at least. We all know mom will always win...)

We're doing well. He's not sleeping as great as he was at first but we're still getting around 4 hours at night, so I can't complain too much. He's such a trooper, though. My beautiful brother, sister-in-law and niece surprised us and flew in last Friday and stayed through yesterday. So, we ended up having a busy 3 days and MD did wonderful. He had had it by family picture time (at 10pm Monday night) though. Can you blame him? He made it beautifully through a couple different restaurant trips and many different peoples' arms. Gosh, I just adore that little boy.

Here's some updated pics. Enjoy...

After his 1st bath. Look at that red, I mean blonde hair!

1st time in the baby massage chair

Smiling sleeper

MD doing his 1st load of laundry

Hanging out with mom and his big sister

1 Week @ Home!

Well, we took the plunge and decided to leave our comfy nest at the hospital and come home. A bit scary (at first) but we've settled in quite nicely.

Michael likes his new bed (pack 'n play for now) and swing and bouncy seat and car seat. He's a pretty easy-going baby (so far). Thank God! He's eating great and (hopefully) growing. We have his 2-week checkup on Friday and we'll find out if he's fattening back up! (He started at 9lbs 3oz and went down to 8lbs 6oz when we left the hospital.)

He's just beautiful and we are enjoying him so much. Wow, amazing how you can care so much for someone you've barely known for a week. (Well, for me...a little over 9 months!)

Some more pics (of course)...

Ready for bed...and wide awake!

In Grandma Donna's fingers

Mila giving her baby brother kisses

Holding onto Grandpa Fred

Fast asleep

Michael Dean's Hospital Adventures

So many pictures, so little time! I'd like to share with you guys some of our hospital adventures...

For my first stay in a hospital, it went quite well. There's definitely not enough space (or interest!) here to share everything so I'll let the pics do the talking.

Basically, Michael's arrival was Saturday morning and we went home Tuesday afternoon around 12:30. Our time in the hospital was amazing. We took the time to get used to our little man while sending him to play with his new friends in the nursery each night so we could get some shut-eye.

We were blessed with many lovely visitors who showered us with gifts and MD with kisses. Oh, and the food wasn't that bad either.

Donnie getting a little "good-bed" time since most of his time was spent on a couple of cardboard boxes they called a "chair/bed"

Dr. Jones, the man who pulled Michael Dean into this world (Oh, and the best doctor ever)

Happy Birthday, Michael!

Our little bunny

Finally going home...

Welcome, Michael Dean!

Our little man is finally here and snoozing away right now. But, this will have to be quick!

He arrived Saturday (7.7.07) at 9:22am weighing 9 lbs. 3 oz. and was 20.5 inches long! Wow, such a big boy!! (The doc was quite confident we made the right decision going the c-section route.)

Here are some pics...there are plenty more where these came from and I'll get them up sometime!

Michael Dean can't wait to meet you all :)

The Last Day...

Well, today is 7.6.07 and our little man is going to enter this world on 7.7.07. That's tomorrow...Ugh!

I've been ready for tomorrow since November and now that it's finally here the nerves are setting in...for both Donnie and me. Neither of us are sleeping too well (well, I haven't been sleeping too well for a while now...man, my belly and hips are sore!) But, we are so crazy excited to meet Michael Dean that we'll somehow make it through today, tonight and the trip to the hospital tomorrow morning.

Please keep us in your prayers as we start this next phase of our life. You know, crazy thing is Donnie and I aren't too nervous about that part. It's the hospital part that we're most nervous about! All of those unknowns (HUGE fear of mine!!)

We love you guys and the next time you hear from us on here, a lot will have changed. Oh, and the pictures will probably look a lot different, too :)

Courtney's Day Out

This past Saturday (6.30.07) my thoughtful husband surprised me with a pampering morning out with Michael's 2 grandmas and his Aunt Tina! I got a wonderful, preggo massage (got to lay on my belly for the 1st time in months) and then all 4 of us were treated to manis & pedis and then lunch at the Olive Garden. Wow! What a morning.

Donnie completely surprised me (which is hard to do!) and I was and still am sooooo grateful. Let's just hope the big surgery on Saturday doesn't require I strip off my new french pedicure.

I love you, my adorable and caring husband. I couldn't make it through this without you.