Today Brody met his Great Granny and Great Grandpapa. They (my Dad's parents) were so excited! Brody was awake during a lot of it, so they got to see his crazy kicking and arm flailing. Good time had by all. Tomorrow, Rudy's kids are coming over to meet the little guy. Last night was much better. He slept from 2am - 10am only waking for a few feedings. The breast pumping is coming along much better too. Finally my milk came in and although I don't have enough yet to feed him exclusively breast milk, it's the majority. Well, it's feeding time again....gotta go. BTW, I'm up for visitors now, so if you'd like to come over and meet Brody, give me a call!

I can't believe that Brody is one week old today! This has been probably the most exciting week of my life! He has already had so many firsts...first vaccination, first doctors appointment, first lunch out with Mom and Dad to Heroes West, first pee in his face (!)....and many many more which I sure only Rudy and I care about!!! He has met both sets of grandparents and is going to meet his great-grandparents on Saturday. Exciting stuff!! Can you totally tell I'm a new mom? These are the new things that I am loving! Brody has been giving us a hard time at night. That's when he likes to be awake! He doesn't cry or scream at night... but around midnight, his eyes fly wide open and he looks around and kicks and waves his arms until between 4-7am. Well, I am exhausted from last night and am going to try and get some rest.

I am no longer pregnant!!! Brody Philip arrived at 8:38 pm on January 1, 2009 after a long and hard amount of labor. The lil guy was 6 lbs 8 oz and 19 inches long. What an experience! I am forever changed. I am thinking about continuing my blog writing about my adventures as a first time mom....comments? Here are some pics of Baby New Year. Thank you so much for everyones well wishes!

Day 6 of bedrest. Today Mom is coming over to help me get some stuff done. I think that labor may be nearing, but really do I have any freaking idea? I would say that in my opinion the baby has dropped, which has cause some wonderful dark red stretch marks to form on both sides of my belly button! Lovely! I think I've had a couple of contractions, but still nothing that is becoming progressive. I'm due back at the doctor tomorrow evening. We are hoping for an induction. The car seat has been installed, my bag is packed and in the car. Please come soon, baby boy!

Day 4 of bedrest. Really getting bored. Highlight of my day was going outside to get the mail. Rudy almost killed me when he realized I had gone outside. What weird weather today! I woke up in the middle of the night last night because of thunder and lightning! And then today there is a tornado watch in Will County until 4pm. Very strange Armageddon type weather. At least there is a Flip This House marathon on A&E today, so that has helped pass the time. Still having NO signs of labor whatsoever. This baby is just not ready to be born. But that is ok. Tomorrow I will be 38 weeks which puts me at full term, which was the goal from the beginning, no one wants to be early. I go back to Dr. Ambrose on Tuesday. Hopefully she will give me some good news (like I am dialated and its time!) Keep your fingers crossed for us! And thanks for everyone's well wishes and thoughts!

This was a boring Christmas eve! I sat at home all day with the exception of going to get my blood pressure checked. It is about the same as yesterday...so that is not bad news. Rudy went to his Mom's for a couple of hours for presents and to spend some time with his kids. I watched some Christmas movies on ABC Family Channel. My doctor is out of town Friday to Saturday, so I am not taking any chances doing anything besides laying around!

Had a Dr. appointment tonight and she definetly threw a monkey wrench in our Christmas.....BEDREST! I was shocked! Although I have been feeling like total crap lately, I pretty much thought that was par for the course when it came to being 9 months pregnant! Well, my blood pressure is elevated and I'm swelling. So the only 2 ways to cure that are 1. bedrest or 2. delivery. So we are going to try bedrest first. The baby is not ready to be born yet according to the doctor I'm not dialated at all. SO....I'm going to keep my blood pressure monitored and if it stays the same or goes down all's good. If it goes up, I may have to be induced. But the worst part is that she wants me at home doing NOTHING! So I'm done with work (can't really complain about that!) and Christmas is going to be spent in bed or laying on the couch this year. A little depressing, but better to be careful and listen to the doctor. I don't really care to be driving all over in this weather anyways. And I am to avoid any stressful situations. haha! So I will keep everyone updated on this blog. Hope you all have a very Merry Christmas!