AFTER 1 WEEK WITH ALEXANDER

My baby boy is 11 days old today and we have all learned a lot in the past week and a half! Chris and I learned how to swaddle and Alexander became an escape artist, so we had to learn to swaddle better. Chris and I have become pros at changing diapers, Alexander has learned to despise having his diaper changed and cries like crazy every time (Sorry Buddy, this one's necessary). Alexander and I have learned to breast feed and I have learned how big and leaky breasts can become. (My apologies to anyone who didn't want to hear about that!) Chris learned that little boys have fire hoses that spray long distances without warning and Alexander and I learned that this is hysterical!!! We have also learned that Alexander loves the Baby Bjorn carrier in the grocery store and that Chris loves all of the attention he gets for carrying around the cutest baby ever. To be fair, they were quite the handsome pair.

Anyway, so far our learning experience has been the best 11 days of my life. I've also posted some new pics for you to enjoy.

ALEXANDER BURKE TROYER

Alexander Burke Troyer was born on Thursday, July 16, 2009 at 11:43am. He weighed in at 7 lbs 10 oz and is 21" long. And I will tell you that he is absolutely gorgeous!!! I won't go into details now because it's been a long couple of days, but I will say that I was scheduled for an induction Thursday morning at 6am. I woke up that morning having some contractions and standing in front of the hospital waiting for Chris to park the car, my water broke! Perfect timing. We checked in the hospital at 6 and had a baby by noon. Not bad for my first time!

We made it home today about 1:00pm and we're all doing well. Alexander seems to be settling in nicely to home. I think we're all much happier to be out of the hospital.

Here's a couple pics, but I'm also uploading a ton onto Flicker which you can view to the left under Troyer Pictures. I'll write more later and post more pictures. We're going to try to sleep.

AN END IN SIGHT...AND A BABY ON THE WAY!!!

I went to the doctor today for my last prenatal appointment!!! I'm dilated 3 cm and I'm scheduled for induction on Thursday morning at 5:30am. My doctor stripped my membranes today (not a fun time, but no worse than the cervical exam) so we're hoping that I go into labor on my own. Please keep your fingers crossed for us.

Before everything happens I just want to comment on how amazing and wonderful my husband is. Chris is so excited about Raisin's arrival and has been so supportive throughout my entire pregnancy. I truly am the luckiest girl in the world to be married to such an awesome man. I love him with all my heart and cannot wait to bring our son into this world and raise him together. We are blessed in so many ways.

WE HAVE PROGRESS!!!

Okay, so we went to the doctor today and we have some progress!! I have dilated 2 cm and I am 80% effaced and as before, his head is all the way down. Also, we just found out that my doctor is actually going to be out of town over my due date for a couple of days so we might induce next Thursday!! They are going to schedule it and then I go back to the doctor on Tuesday to see how I'm doing and then we'll decide if that's what we want to do. I'm hoping that I go into labor before then, but I love the idea of having a baby by next Friday!! Chris and I are both super excited and are now on super alert. We're just waiting for action. We'll keep you updated!

THE FINAL STRETCH

Today marks 38 weeks of pregnancy. By now I am definitely ready to have this baby. Every morning I wake up wondering if today will be the day. And so far I am still pregnant. At our weekly doctor's appointment this past Wednesday the doctor checked my cervix and there was still no real progress. She said his head was "right there" and I was softening but there was no dilation or effacement. And oh by the way, did I mention how painful that process was? Ouch! I do not look forward to that procedure again this week. Hopefully, we'll have some good results from it though. I only wish that someone would have warned me about that pain.

Chris's parents have been in town visiting this weekend and it has been very nice. We've been eating well and enjoying our time together. They leave tomorrow and the next time we see them they'll get to hold their grandson. I can't wait!!!