And now we are complete.

Oh, hey there. Long time no blog. We've been busy around here...you know, adding to our family and stuff. In the last week we've gotten new furniture, a new shed, and a new baby. We sort of go all out when it comes to chaos and change.

But what you really want to know...we're all doing great. Better than great, actually. Harper's birth story will come later when I have more time to sit and thoughtfully write it, but the Reader's Digest version is that it was a night and day version of what it was with Alex. If I can go so far as to say it was an amazing experience, I will say that. Other than the dizzyness of coming down from anesthesia (which can't really be avoided), I felt and continue to feel amazing.

As for Harper, she's the world's greatest (and most beautiful) baby. If you don't already, check out my Instagram feed (link at right) to see loads of photos. She eats like a rock star and I'm not exaggerating in the least when I say she already damn near sleeps through the night. She goes down at 11 or 12, wakes up at 3 for a quick 2 oz bottle, and then sleeps again until 6 or 7. I actually feel like a human, instead of a more seasonally appropriate zombie.

As for Alex, he was BORN to be a big brother. He's so loving and protective of her and loves to hold her and feed her. He wants her to do EVERYTHING with him--here they are in a Sunday morning snuggle, something I hope continues at least into their teen years. He's adjusting well and I'm a proud Mom to report our house is a peaceful, happy, sleep-filled place for all.

For your viewing pleasure, here's the video taken when Alex met Harper for the first time (thanks for capturing it, Mom!). And yes, he's wearing toddler scrubs that say "big brother" on them...a real hit with the nurses! (Available here.)

 

TOMORROW.

OMG. The day I thought would never, ever arrive is FINALLY HERE.

As the great Mary Katherine Gallagher would say, my feelings would best be expressed through a monologue of song sung by a magical (then) 2.5 year-old boy who's going to become a big brother...you know, TOMORROW. I feel how he does riiiiight about :48 into it. Fist pumps all day, yo.

SUPERSTAR!

Hump Day, Bump Day: THE GRAND FINALE.

bV is the size of a watermelon!
Baby keeps growing, despite being so crowded in there. She probably weighs around 6.2 to 9.2 pounds and measures about 18.9 to 20.9 inches.

bV at 39 weeks:
- She's probably able to flex her limbs now.
- Her brain is still rapidly developing -- she's getting smarter by the week!
- Her nails may extend past her fingertips.
via thebump.com

Bonus photo this week--me, giving her my "wtf" Mom face. Like, SERIOUSLY kid. You should be out by now. We've asked very nicely for the last week. I officially stop asking nicely on Friday, at which point you will be formally evicted.

We can't wait to meet you!!!

Salutations from my couch.

It seems that all my very strong gut feelings that this girl was going to come early were dead ass wrong. I had an appointment this morning and she's all warm & snuggly up in there and probably not making her appearance until Friday. At least she appreciates a schedule?

Which is fine.

And also not fine.

So in the meantime, I'm eating copious amounts of Qdoba and ice cream while plopped on my couch watching the last 3 weeks of Chelsea Lately that I have on the DVR. It's like I'm living the dream, only I have to get up to pee every 5 minutes, so it's not as relaxing as it sounds.

In other news, big brother Alex is getting more and more antsy by the day. In fact, last night when we went to check on him before we went to bed, we found he had stuffed all his stuffed animals ("sleep toys," as he calls them) in his shirt. It was so cute - I think he was trying to be like Mommy and keeping all his friends safe and sound.

I suppose I'll see you around here tomorrow for the world's last "Hump Day, Bump Day." I'll bring the bump, you bring the tequila.

Work yo' magic.

Still here. Still pregnant.

However, I'm getting a massage today at 3 and I'm going to tell him to hit every labor pressure point he can find on my body to get this girl a-movin'. EVICTION.

In related news, it's our last Saturday as a family of 3. Time to enjoy it!

Hump Day, Bump Day.

bV is the size of a pumpkin! 
Baby is about 18.9 to 20.9 inches long and weighs about 6.2 to 9.2 pounds. Her head is now about the same circumference as her abdomen.

bV at 38 weeks:
- She may have about an inch or so of hair already.
- She's slowly shedding that white goo on her skin (called vernix caseosa) but you might see some of it at birth.
viathebump.com

Worst case scenario this is the second to last bump update you will ever have to read from me. Best case scenario, it's the last. Other than that, I have no new information for you. I'm still very large. I'm still very sore. I'm still very tired. I'm still very anxious. I'm just eating more cookies to deal with it all. Since I can't have tequila.

In case anyone wants to have pity on me, she kept me up ALL night last night with contractions. Which, for the record, I find to be TERRIBLY unfair. It seems that women who have scheduled C-Sections should not have to bear this sort of torture. And also for the record? Turns out Doctors don't think it's funny when you try to bribe them with Starbucks gift cards to move your C-Section date up a week. Or more. Whatever.

The littlest fan.

Yesterday, Harper got to attend her very first MLB Postseason game, thanks to her Poppi who is a very cool old man and got us all the tickets. (Thank you, Poppi!)

Although it was a tragic Tigers loss to the Oakland A's, it was a great day! Everyone was hopeful that all the up-and-down the steps of the stadium would push me into labor, but no luck. I'm still here today, pregnant and annoyed about it.

The whole fam-damily, minus the Connecticut piece of us.

Harper and I managed to squeeze into this delightful non-maternity hoodie.

Also? Hi, Paws!

'Merica!

And I don't have photos to prove it because it all happened so fast, but Harper also got on the Jumbotron during the game! She's totally famous.

On why babies are the meanest.

Contractions all night on Friday.

But, you know, they were the "fake" ones. AS IF THERE IS A DIFFERENCE.

Also my pelvis is pretty much shattered by now.

I pee more than might actually be humanly possible. Someone at a University should study me.

I'm starving 24/7. This is actually not much different when I''m not pregnant, so make the connection however you see fit.

Sleeping is a real pain in my ass.

C'mon, little girl. Let's do this.

In case you were wondering.

I know what your question is.

Please click here for your answer: HaveYouHadThatBabyYet.com

Hump Day, Bump Day!

bV is the size of a winter melon! 
Yay! Baby has reached full term. She likely measures around 18.9 to 20.9 inches and weighs about 6.2 to 9.2 pounds. She's gaining about 1/2 ounce each day.

bV at 37 weeks: 
- She's practicing some skills: inhaling, exhaling, sucking, gripping and blinking.
- She's getting her first sticky poop (called meconium) ready for her first diaper.
via thebump.com

Fun Fact: I don't know what meconium looks and/or smells like, because I never actually changed a diaper in the hospital with Alex. Super Dad Joey was all over that. Also, I just realized that fact was not, in fact, "fun". It was actually rather gross.

Anyway, it's just a lot of hurry-up-and-wait around here. Alex wants his sister to be here every day, and the doctors actually seem shocked to still be seeing me in the office week after week. All the loose ends at work are more or less tied up, my bags are packed and her room is ready...so, we're ready when you are, little girl. Also? Please don't be 9.2 lbs. Love, Mom

Dear Dad:

Thanks for the premature greys. Not.

Dear Harper: Please don't arrive prior to Saturday (aka hair appointment day). Momma doesn't want to look a mess in the hospital.

P.S. - Isn't my cell cover the cutest?!?