Harry is a wonderful little four day old. He learned to latch on the first night. Since then, he has eaten well, slept well, pooped well, and even read a few books. He’s a lovely little host, always behaving beautifully for those who come to visit. Here are some pictures of his friends and family in New York who have visited. Tomorrow he will meet Uncle Seamus and Aunt Erica, and on Sunday, he will meet Aunt Valerie and Uncle Marty. And then, so super exciting: next week, he will get to meet his Meme and Papa!!! He can’t wait!!!

About the only thing Harry has had a little trouble with is peeing. He nearly missed the 24 hour cutoff the first day, the little procrastinator. Then tonight he mastered both peeing and pooping at the same time…during a diaper change…projectile..made a big mess that got all over himself. I felt badly because he was crying and his parents were dying laughing. We could barely pull it together to help Harry regain his dignity in a clean diaper and onesie. But alas, he was set right and resumed his state of wonderfulness. maybe more aptly said: we at least remain in a state of wonder…

The most amazing, miraculous little one arrived in our world at 2:04pm on Monday afternoon. We are in love. Both mom and baby are healthy and doing well. Daddy is already the most amazing father. We heard Harry’s little cry when the surgeons took him from the womb and it was the most precious moment of our lives. Tears of joy. We are so blessed.

We are at the hospital ready for the big show! Pretty excited. This weekend was laid back, and we are all prepared to bring this little one home. Well, we are as prepared as can be….

I’m still feeling great and over the induction jitters. Par for the course, Eric had been amazing and so supportive. Like me, he’s a mixture of excitement, anxiety, hope, amazement, and a smidge of terror. 🙂

Should have baby pics before long!!

Last bump pic…41 weeks.

It’s a very special birthday today because I think about how this time 34 years ago, my mom was doing the very same thing I’m doing now: starting a new adventure with a new baby and dreaming of all that the future holds. It’s a new and strange thing to love this little unborn one, and I cherish the gift that is the love my parents gave and continue to give me…more on this birthday than ever before. Birthdays will never be the same…with much love and many heartbeats of gratefulness…today is a day I celebrate my mom!

Grandma made the most precious crib skirt, pillow, and blanket for the baby. Our “nursery” (ie corner of our 1br) is all ready for a little baby!

Going to see the Lion King on Broadway today!! Happy birthday to me from E! Had a great morning reading, eating yummy pancakes, and listening to Eric learn “That’s what love will make you do.” I don’t know when he’s going to start learning children’s songs, or maybe our children will grow up singing The Grateful Dead and Allman Brothers…

Still no signs of labor. In keeping with tradition, the Dowdells are hoping for a 29th baby, so if that wish comes true, it could be quite the eventful day! I’m not too keen on a 30th baby, though what better birthday present can there be?! Still, I don’t really want to celebrate my bday for the next several years with Dora the Explorer, Thomas the Train, Fancy Nancy, and the Wiggles. So E and I are still holding out hope for a 4th of July baby. We’ll see!

Stress test on Monday; BPP test on Friday. Will keep you updated!

Pic of me and E at Lion King. We clearly chose the wrong guy to take our picture…

Well, the baby apparently doesn’t have much of an incentive to leave the current digs. All are happy and healthy, but no signs of labor for me or baby either one.

If I don’t go into labor beforehand, I have a stress test on Monday, 1 July to see if the baby can handle being in the womb longer. If that’s okay, then we wait another week. If labor still doesn’t happen naturally, then I will be induced at midnight Sunday, and have an 8 July baby.

Keeping focused on what’s most important: the baby and I are both really healthy!! Baby is moving all around all the time. And unlike most pregnant women, I don’t mind being pregnant even at this point. It gives me more time to play before the sleepless nights begin!

Speaking of playing, we are trying to cram in as many hoorays as possible, which of course included a Yankees game. I ate a hot dog, cotton candy, and ice cream. 😉 E enjoyed a couple of brewskis. Good times. Oh! And I was a drunk lady’s hero, so that’s worth something!

With less than two weeks to go, we are excited about holding the baby in our arms so soon!!!

The aches are worse by the day, but Eric is making life as easy as can be…he even plugged in my dead kindle so I could read more baby books. I did make him a martini earlier though…

We are watching NBA finals game and hoping for a Spurs Wake Forest Tim Duncan victory.

My hero and baby daddy and his martini:

So I’m at 38 weeks today!! I keep forgetting to post of late. Life’s been busy as we get ready for the baby, frantically wrap things up at work, and enjoy our last weeks as a family of two.

Eric and I have gone to the botanical gardens and Central Park zoo. We had a picnic in the park and are trying to enjoy the park benches, Belgian bar, and sleeping late when we can.

I am not showing any signs of labor…none at all, so hopefully, the baby will be full term or late. I would like for the baby to grow a bit more. I hear larger babies eat and sleep better, which is what we are going for!!

See pics of us at gardens, the crib Eric put up, and the snow leopard at the zoo.

The last doctor’s appointment was blessedly uneventful. Everything is on target. I’ve started to ask a lot more questions about the birth plan and the birthing process. There is still so much to learn about, but so much of what happens is difficult to predict. The doctors seem laid back about the process, with a “whatever it takes to keep you and baby safe” attitude.

I also visited a pediatrician in Jersey who I absolutely love. She was great: decisive and opinionated but also intelligent, gracious and knowledgeable. She gave me a strong sense of comfort.

The schools I went to were less awesome. Still have lots of work to do to determine a good school or I will have to trek out to Jersey in July to start interviewing nannies. The good news is that one of the places I visited had an amazing infant room and infant care-giver. They were teaching the babies all kinds of great things like textures and motor skills. It was exciting to see.

We spent the weekend with Amy and James, and par for the course: their generosity and hospitality were exceptional. Amy knitted a blanket for the baby, and it’s absolutely gorgeous. See picture below. They are such great friends, and we are so fortunate to have them in our baby’s life! I wonder sometimes how we could ever repay all they have done for us. I’ve offered to help with the deck, but strangely, they don’t seem too eager to take advantage of my expertise…

Isn’t it beautiful?!?