Meeting the family!

Alex's 1st Official Birthday Cake!!

Singing Happy Birthday to Alex!

Well, we made it through the first night. Alex hasn't been interested in eating yet. I'm breastfeeding, and he just hasn't quite got it figured out yet. I've been assured it sometimes takes up to 24 hours before they get the hang of it. I'm not going to worry about, because he's got enough weight on him to keep him going for a little while. Plus, the staff here is awesome and said there is nothing to worry about!

Dr. Savage, the pediatrician came in to visit Alex this morning. She said he looks great and is doing well! He passed his hearing test last night, and his blood glucose level was good as well. The first blood glucose test came back very high, but is common with newborns.

Alex met quite a few people yesterday in his first few hours of life. Nana and Papa, Grandma and Grandpa, Uncle Travis & Aunt Sara, Uncle Trevor & Aunt Ashley, Aaron & Liz, Trista, Manda, and Janis. It was quite a busy day for the little man, and we anticipate today will be just as busy. We're glad to show him off though!!

Uncle Travis brought in Twinkies and a candle and we officially celebrated Alex's first birthday. Travis says you only get one true birthday in life, and we were very glad to celebrate it!! We've decided this will become a Kershaw family tradition, and we are glad we were able to start it off celebrating the beginning of Alex's life!!

Thanks to everyone who has sent us well wishes and prayers. We truly appreciate it! This little miracle has truly been a very long time coming, but worth every step of the journey. Ok, I just started crying so I'm going to go now!!

It's a ...

...Boy! Alexander Stephen Kershaw was born at 5:10 p.m. He was 8 pounds 7 1/2 ounces, and 21 inches long. Mom and baby are doing very well. He is without a doubt the most beautiful thing this Dad has ever seen!! Here are a few pictures for your viewing pleasure.

Today is the Day!!!

UPDATE: I'm adding my final belly picture. We took it right before we left for the hospital!!

Well, Molly has informed me that this is part of my job today. My job is pretty easy compared to hers. Anyway, Molly woke me up this morning a little after six and said that she thought this was the day. So, I called into work (Williamsville will have to make it through report card day without me, and Aaron, Steve, and Paul will have to make it through a round of golf without me, too.)

It's now just past noon. At last check, Molly was dilated to a five. We're in our "birthing suite," and Molly's contractions have been getting stronger...I just had to stop in order to help Molly breathe. She said it's the strongest one yet. In any case, Molly has not had an epidural yet, but she might be getting one soon. Dr. Putman should be coming in to check her soon, and we'll see how we've progressed.

Nana Meehan is here, and so are Grandma and Grandpa (Grandad?) Kershaw. Papa Meehan is at the store, a little annoyed that Molly would have the nerve to have a baby on the first of the month.

Ok, it's now past 1:30. Since I started this, Molly's contractions came faster and stronger until they were about a minute and a half apart. Then, the epidural doctor came in and gave Molly some happy juice in her back. Dr. Putman has been in and broken Molly's water. He says Molly is dilated to a strong six, almost a seven, and breaking the water should push things along a little further.

So, everything is coming along very well. At this point, we're just waiting until Molly can push. Anyway, I'm very excited, and I look forward to posting something later today!

Since we've been here, the baby lullabye chimes have gone off three times. It's a busy day here on the maternity ward!

And the Beat Goes On. . .

Our dear little child is marching to the beat of it's own drum, and has decided to delay entrance into the world. I know I'm technically not due yet, but when the Dr. says you won't make it and gets my hopes all up it gets pretty frustrating!! I have worked quite a few hours over the last few days, even though the Dr. said not to and that hasn't even provoked labor!! Hopefully today is the last day of session, and that 's what the baby was waiting on.

Truly, there's not much to report. Adam and I just feel like we are sitting around waiting, as I'm sure many of you are as well. I feel huge, and am really uncomfortable today (more than any other day so far). Hopefully, when I go to the Dr. on Tuesday he'll send us to the hospital.

For the record. . . the blog poll has officially closed today, and the final vote is 26 voting Girl and 18 voting Boy!!

Stay tuned, as we will continue to keep you posted!!

Still Waiting

Adam and I went to the Dr. today. I am dilated between a 3 and 4, but still no contractions. My feet are swollen still, but my urine and blood pressure were good. In the last two weeks I've gained 3 lbs. I go back for another check-up next Tuesday, if I make it that long. Dr. Putman says he doubts I will. Because of my feet swelling so much he is putting me on work restriction, and I can only work 5 hours a day. I actually have a Dr.'s note which I think is funny for some reason!! Don't know how well that's going to work since this is the busiest week of the year, but we'll figure something out.

Adam went and had the car seat checked today at the DMV, so we are ready to bring a baby home!! Mom & Dad are coming over tonight to cook dinner for me and Adam. I think they are bringing my niece and nephew too!! Should be an enjoyable evening. In the meantime, it's back to lay on the couch per the Dr.'s orders!

The Bag is Packed & I'm Ready to Go!!

I finally packed my bag last night, and now I am officially ready to go. I feel like all I'm doing is sitting around waiting for this baby to come. I'm so glad I'm not going to be pregnant all summer because I can't imagine having a big belly and being hot!! It would be truly miserable. Basically, I guess this post is just to complain. Bring on the baby please!! We are ready!!

Dr's Visit--Baby Coming Soon!!!

37 weeks & 2 days

My new Mother's Day ring!!

Today I went to the Dr. for my weekly appointment. Gained a little over a pound, my blood pressure was up a little bit, and I had a touch of protein in my urine. The last two items are signs of preeclampsia, along with the feet swelling that I have been having. He said both my blood pressure and protein counts were up just slightly, but he wants to keep a bit closer of an eye on me, so I go back again on Tuesday. He also checked me and I am dilated to 3 cm and 70% effaced, so more than likely in the next week we are going to be proud parents of a little baby girl or boy!! Dr. Putman also said the baby was probably between 7.5 and 8 lbs.

It seems so crazy to think all of our waiting and hoping and praying is about to come full circle!! When I got home from work tonight Adam and I decided we better go get a little boy outfit and a little girl outfit to bring the baby home in. I picked out an outfit for a girl and Adam for the boy, so we'll soon see which one we'll be using!! We also went to buy the pack-n-play that we registered for only to find out that it has been recalled! The swing we wanted to buy was also sold out, so tonight's shopping was kind of a bust. Don't worry we went to eat at the Pasta House and it made it all better. And, today my Mother's Day present came in as well.

Feel free to let us know when you think the baby is going to come and how much you think the baby will weigh, etc. So, anyway that's the latest, as usual we'll keep you posted!!