He's Here!!

This past Friday, May 28th, we welcomed Adrian Shawn Harding into the world, into our family, and into our hearts. My c-section was scheduled for noon. After a relaxing morning, we headed to the hospital to be prepped for surgery. The whole experience was incredible. The nurses were awesome, the spinal worked wonders, and by 1:43, we had our little boy! He weighed 6 pounds, 11 ounces, and he measured 18.5 inches long. He just needed to be observed for six hours, but after that, he came into our room and started nursing right away. He is a champ! I felt so much better this time around, too. I was out of bed around 6:30 and really starting to feel good by the next morning. We were even discharged a day early! Riley has done a great job as a big sister. She loves helping out with Baby Adrian, and she makes sure she keeps her own baby dolls swaddled now, too.

Allison and my dad came down from Virginia and spent the weekend with us. Allison got to stay overnight with me in the hospital, and though we should have been sleeping, it was nice chatting in the middle of the night like we used to do when we were kids. Dad and Allison both helped so much with Riley and getting us situated back at home before they needed to leave. It was awesome having them here with us to share this experience and meet Adrian. Allison, thanks for making me laugh so much I had to hold my stomach together! Dad, thanks for the awesome signs and balloon and trip to Target. Thanks for everything! We miss you already!!

A big thanks to Caroline, too, for spending most of Friday at the hospital with us. Shawn and I were both pretty tired and drained after the c-section, and Caroline kept Riley entertained. She also doubled as a nurse for a bit, too, helping me get out of bed and down to the nursery to see Adrian for the first time. Thanks, Caroline! You rock!

And thanks to all of our friends who called and came to visit us in the hospital!

We couldn't have asked for a better birthday weekend! What a special time to be surrounded by family and friends. I am so in love with our little man already. I love watching him sleep and stretch, and I cannot believe he is mine.

Enjoy the pictures!

Big Day Tomorrow!

Wow! I cannot believe we will be adding a little boy to our family tomorrow. Really, I find pregnancy and motherhood to be such surreal experiences, filled with wonder and magic and so much joy. I cannot wait to start all over with a newborn, and I am thrilled for Riley to have a sibling. At the same time, it has been nice spending lots of quality time with Riley this week, cuddling on the couch, giggling while watching Buzz Lightyear before going to bed, and sharing lots of hugs and kisses. She is going to be a terrific Big Sister. I told Shawn that now it seems so manageable - working, playing and taking care of Riley, keeping up with the house, finding some leisure time, writing and reading. I know we will get back to that point again, but I am so looking forward to the craziness that comes along with a new baby. I love having someone to take care of, someone who needs me so much, and I cannot wait to give my love and care and time and attention to Adrian.

Okay, enough sentimental pregnancy ramblings! Time to play some Mario and count-down the hours. I just had my last meal (a delicious mini-apple pie from Natasha!! Yum!!), my bag is packed, and the room is ready. Baby...here we come!

What Riley's Been up to...

Just wanted to post some adorable Riley pictures. She is at such a fun age right now: a little crazy, a little mischievous, so active, and so much fun! Of course, I had to post some swimming pictures, since that is all she wants to do these days (and on the weekend, three times a day!).

The makeup pictures are from yesterday. Instead of taking a nap, she thought she would practice dolling herself up with my makeup. Even though in the end she ruined my mascara and concealer, I have to admit I was more amazed by what she accomplished and amused than anything. She knew to put the mascara on her eyes (and thankfully, none ended up in her eyes!). Too cute! Plus, I had an excuse to buy some new makeup!

This morning, we decided to make cookies before nap time. We made cut-out sugar cookies in the shapes of flowers and footprints. Plus, we added an R, M, and D for Riley, Mommy, and Daddy. Flour was everywhere, but Riley did an awesome job cutting out shapes and even trying to roll out the dough. And, she is the sprinkle queen!

Enjoy the pictures!!

Oh, and one more cute Riley story for now: We've been asking her what is in Mommy's belly to prep her for this coming Friday. Usually, she says baby right away. Last weekend, she thought it would be funny to say fries and then laugh like crazy. I told her that would be a lot of fries!

Let the Countdown Commence...

So we've got some news! It looks like Baby Boy Harding will be here in two weeks or less! I am closing in on 36 weeks, but as of an ultrasound today, my fluid level was low and my placenta was looking old. Basically, I've just got to monitor movements for now,drink lots of fluids - and, next Thursday, have another ultrasound. In the meantime, my doctor is putting me on the schedule for sometimes around 37.5 and 38 weeks, so I should have a date tomorrow or early next week! Not gonna lie, the situation has me a little nervous, since it is kind of like what we went through with Riley, but my doctor is not worried at this point, so I am going to try to follow her lead. At the same time, I am so excited to meet our little guy!!

Good thing Shawn and I decided on a name: Adrian Shawn Harding.

My Amazing Mom!

This past week, my mom came to visit. The goal of the visit was to spend time together, hang out with Riley, and nest like crazy! Boy, did we ever accomplish those goals. I am so fortunate to have a mom spend a week of her vacation time helping me getting ready for our little boy with some serious hard work. Mom, I cannot tell you how much the past week meant to me. I loved organizing and cleaning with you. We make such a good team. We also enjoyed some quality down-time at several G-ville restaurants and out on the back porch with our cups of tea. What a great, great week. Now, I am just sad that we live too far apart and cannot spend more weeks or weekends together. Someday...someday...:) I love you, Mom! I admire and respect you so much - your attitude, your work ethic, your generosity. I hope I can be just like you as a mom to Riley and her little brother. Thank you for all of your help and for visiting us this past week. Thank you for inspiring me!

I will have to post some pictures soon, but for now, enjoy these stats:

1. 5 bags of donation for Goodwill.
2. 9 bags of garbage.
3. 6 vacuum-sealed bags of Riley's clothes, bedding, and blankets.
4. 1 fixed vacuum cleaner.
5. Countless stains removed from Riley's baby clothes!
6. Tons of laundry!
7. 2+ hours spent at the pool with Riley.
8. 3 closets cleaned out and organized.
9. Only 1 trip to the mall. :(

Baby Shower Fun!

This past Sunday, Caroline and Irene organized a baby shower/sprinkle for me at Sisters restaurant. Thank you, ladies! What a lovely, lovely (and hot) lunch! I had so much fun hanging out with women I adore and talking about babies!! My mom was able to come down for the shower all the way from Virginia, which made the get-together that much more special! I received beautiful boy clothes and bibs, some awesome books, the bottle rack I have been drooling over (see Skip Hop.com), and great tips about taking care of a newborn boy. A big thank you to everyone for coming and for the wonderful gifts. It was great getting the chance to celebrate our baby boy's upcoming arrival with good friends and good food.

Monkey Riley!

Girl loves her parks and gymnastics! Here are a few pictures of Riley in motion. She hung by herself from the monkey bars for 23 seconds in a row! And she's a big fan of her leotard now, too. Some nights, she even has to wear it to bed just because. Riley has pretty much mastered somersaults now, loves to jump, and can walk a balance beam forward and backwards by herself. I am so amazed at how fast kids pick up new tricks - and, how fearless they can be! Oh, to be 2 again...:)