INTRODUCING...Alexander Thompson

We are so happy to introduce Alexander Thompson to the world. He is an amazing baby and we feel so blessed to have him in our lives. We are overwhelmed with love for him each and every second of every day.

Here is the story:
At 7:00am on Thursday, September 15th to be induced. After a little IV drama, I was offically induced at around 8:30am. Everything was trucking along nicely. We spent the morning with family and some close friends just hanging out in the hospital room listening to music, chatting and preparing for the little ones arrival. Once folks left for lunch is when I really started to feel the contractions and go into a lot of pain so a few hours laters I got the epidural.

The epidural was a lifesaver and I was able to rest and sleep a lot of the afternoon. I continued to dialate and by midnight I was ready to push. The nurses kept telling me that he was so low it shouldn't be long before he was there...I was prepared for about 20-30 minutes of pushing but nope....2.5 hours of HARD pushing later, Alex made his arrival at 2:36pm.

He is here! Mom and Alex just minutes after he arrived.

Big boy!

Our beautiful family...I am so overwhelmed by our family.

Grandma Russo

Uncle Michael

Grandpa Russo - a little in awww

Great Grandpa Russo and Great Grandma Russo

Grandma Thompson

Grandpa Thompson - 3 generations

You are one loved little boy, Alex! Welcome to the world, my son!

Last Night of Pregnancy

Tonight is my last night of being pregnant. Tomorrow I go in to the hospital to be induced and to bring new life into this world. Wow...What a feeling!

I have so enjoyed this journey of pregnancy. To watch my body evolve and grow to accomodate a little baby is truly one of life's greatest miracles. I would say one of my highlights throughout the process have been feeling him move. It is a bond so precious between a mother and child - and we have a little strecher in there so we will see if he will be active in the outside world too. I have also really been suprised by the love and kindness shared from so many people. Not only my wonderful friends and famil, but from complete strangers. Random people that tell you "You're glowing!" or get excited to share their newest story about their baby granddaughter. It is an experience that really brings people together.

Now, we prepare to enter the next phase. The phase of parenthood. Where the bond between parent and child grows even stronger and where we get to finally learn what makes the person that David and I have created so unique and special. And I am ready!

Looking forward to meeting the new man of my life and introducing him to all of you in only a matter of days!

Oh My...how he has grown!

Nursery Photos

Here are a couple photos of our nursery. It has been fun preparing a room for the newest member of our family.

Watermelon

I am 37 weeks and technically full term today...the websites say that our baby boy is the size of a watermelon. I love this because watermelon has been one of my strongest cravings!

I am working through the daily emotional balance of wanting him to be here NOW but also enjoying the time I have with D, family, friends, work etc. I am trying to enjoy this "quiet" time when I am settled into the routine that is familiar to me. But I do keep daydreaming of what our little one will look like, what his personality will be, what interests he will have and I am quite frequently taken over with the longing to know him!

Soon enough :)

For now, here is a picture of me and the little man at 37 weeks!

Summer Dates!

The past couple of weeks have just been good ole' summer fun! We have had a lot of great stuff going on and have really been trying to live up Portland's summer. Here are some photos from our adventures!

Our date night with Leila, our beautiful Goddaughter!

Our date night with John Legend and Sade!


Our date day with Bob and Mary at Sauvie Island Beach!

Our date night on a farm - and egg and poultry farm! We went to Plate and Pitchfork with some of David's co-workers...I would definitely recommend it.

It's raining...it's pouring

We feel incredibly loved and supported as we enter this new journey of parenthood and grow our family. We have had some beautiful baby showers lately and we want to thank everyone that helped to host and that was able to attend.

I currently don't have photos from my Tucson shower or the Girl's shower that Mary and Becca hosted but when I get them I will be sure to post!

Photos from our Couple's Shower:





Thank you to the wonderful hosts, Peter, Maddie, Bobbi and Denis!

Photos from my work shower:




Thank you to my wonderful hostess, Anna!!

34 weeks

David and I had an awesome picnic in the park last week for date night. We are trying to make the most of our date nights as we know they will change once our little man gets here. But we are definitely getting more and more excited (and anxious) to meet this little addition to our family. I am 34.5 weeks now and only 39 days to go according to my trusted ticker above.

Here is a belly shot...more on my awesome baby showers soon so stay tuned.