Julian Alexander

Finally!! He was taking his pretty little time, but we have a new sweet little BOY to snuggle!!
Here was momma 3 days before (40weeks) -literally about to POP

Around 3pm I started having contractions. They were pretty painless-but very consistent. Every three to eight minutes and lasting between  30-90 seconds.  Around 8:30 I called the doctor just to ask what I should do because they really weren't bad. She said since I was 3 cm at my last appointment to go ahead and come in and plan on staying. I started getting our stuff ready and called a few friends to see who could come once we got to the hospital and mom could come up. At 9pm the doctor called me back to ask where I was because she was worried I had delivered in the lobby or something. I said, no, we are on our way-just taking my time. I told Chris I felt silly going because I really wasn't in that much pain. So, we got to the hospital and got checked in and I was only 4cm. This was me.

 But, my blood pressure was high so they wouldn't let me go home because the only answer to that is to deliver. The doctor said this baby is ready to come out!  I told her (not my regular OB) that my doctor was a bit worried about the size of the baby and the shoulders. She told me she didn't think from feeling my belly that they baby was bigger than 8.5lbs.  I was super upset because after being induced with the boys I really thought I wanted to go completely on my own. The doctor said she would just break my water and let me walk around to do the rest, etc unless nothing happened overnight. She said she would be back in a few hours to check me and see where to go from there. That was at 1040pm. I called Mom and told her I would call her back when they checked me and she could head up then, because it was useless to come now.  By 1130 I thought I was going to die. This was Chris.

 My contractions were so close together I could barely breathe through them. I was able to walk around and go to the bathroom but it took years to go because I could barely move once I got there. I came out around 1145 and said to Chris, I need the epidural, I am in major pain. We called the nurse, but there was someone in front of me becoming pain free. By the time they came in and left it was 1:05am. I wasn't getting ANY relief and couldn't even cry if I wanted. The doctor came in and said, no relief because that baby is ready to make an appearance. I started pushing at 127am and after a few pushes the doctor called for back up for shoulder dystocia. My epidural never took so they loaded some more drugs around 145 and he was born with some nurses lying on my belly to help deliver at 151am. Perfectly healthy and happy. VERY BIG. And a third BOY!! We are so in love with this little (BIG) munchkin.

9lbs 15.6 oz, 21inches, 151am.

The wonderful Dr. Sharma. She said if she would have known how big, she would have suggested a c-section. 

                                             Grandma Diane got to visit before she left!

Grammy Dottie and Papa Don took the train up to see Julian

Mary came to visit in the hospital and brought yummy treats for Mommy

We only ended up staying one night because we were in a shared room and it was just strange. New hospital rules wouldn't allow the boys to come in because of the heightened flu season so we introduced them to Julian via FaceTime

Snowstorm Nemo

Being past my due date, we thought for sure the pressure change coming from the snow storm would do us in. We were wrong, but the boys had a blast in Nemo. I think we got about 8 or 10 inches so it was perfect to play in.  I was pretty bummed out that I couldn't go play (1-my coat quit zipping at about 20 weeks, 2-probably not a good idea to be on ice and snow with no balance, 3-what fun would I be anyway? 4-I didn't get to play in Snowmaggedon in 2010 because I was pregnant with Ryan). Grandma got the boys a new sled on Friday because we didn't have one here in the city. They were thoroughly enjoying playing on it in the apartment. Chris got them all bundled up on Saturday morning and did his normal wonderful job of taking them out. I got some pictures from a friend they saw and some that Chris took. They went out to Carl Schurz because it is closest and had a great time going down the crazy busy steps covered in snow and ice. Chris then built these little snowmen on the wall and said everyone started taking pictures of them because of how cool they looked overlooking the hills.

When the next snow storm hits in 2016-I'll be ready!!

Children's Museum of Manhattan

We were starting to go a stir crazy (okay, maybe just me) so mom and I headed out to The Children's Museum of Manhattan for the morning with Ryan.  We have only been once-about 14 months ago, so he didn't remember it at all. I didn't get a ton of pictures, but he had a really fun time. I could really tell that I sadly don't get him out to these places enough without his big brother because he was a little lost at first. Hopefully we will head out more soon! Can you tell which was the favorite? We will definitely be heading to the Transit Museum next.

Checking his mirrors like Grandma told him. We met our friend Mary afterwards for lunch at Sarabeth's which was delicious and then got some delicious cookies from Levain Bakery because who doesn't need 800 extra calories that late in pregnancy? Yes, one cookie=800 calories. Delicious, and I already lost my girlish figure so…...

Grandma's here and CANstruction

Grandma flew up last week in anticipation of little buns making his/her appearance. Unfortunately, that hasn't happen yet, so we have been trying to pass the time. Here are a few shots of serious pillow fighting.

 We then ventured down to Battery Park City for CANstruction.  It was a really COLD trip down there, but a really cool exhibit. Twenty-five different architects and groups build structures out of canned and non perishable goods. Everything is then donated to local food banks. Me and Andrew shared the favorite of the moon and rocket. Chris liked the top the best and the chess pieces.

NYC Elite Awards Day

Another over-priced semester of NYC gymnastics down!! Kidding aside, Andrew does seem to enjoy it. His normal teacher has been out the last few weeks so he has had a few different substitutes and his class was very small today. I wish they challenged him a bit more because he does love it, but at least it has him running around and getting some energy out.

Great Big Muscles

These are apparently the faces one must make to show off their muscles