Photos of the Family

It's a BOY!!!!

Garrett William Russell arrived at 5:59am on Tuesday, December 23, 2008!!! He was born at 9 lbs 10 oz and 21 inches long - he was HUGE! Details to come after Mom has rested.....

40 week prenatal appointment

So....Annie says I'm now dilated to 4 cm and I have a really bulging bag of water (that's good)! It shouldn't be too much longer now - if you scroll back you'll also see that she said I wouldn't make it to my 40 week appointment! Love you Annie! Baby is very low and taking his or her own sweet time! At 4 cm the hospital would admit me but I would rather labor at home and not stuck in a maternity bed or walking the carpet in the maternity ward! This baby will come....sooner rather than later as we are all waiting to meet him/her!

Going to be pregnant forever

At least that is how it feels....I've tried everything to get this baby moving and still nothing =/ I have an appointment with Annie this afternoon and I'm hoping she has some good news for me because I'm starting to think that this baby bump may become a permanent fixture on my body!

Keep your fingers crossed that something starts to happen soon...

35 weeks 5 days down...2 to go!!!

No baby yet....FYI

Murphy's Law...

So I have 3 more days until the dreaded due date approaches and I honestly have NO IDEA if this baby is going to come before then or not =/ I'm having good contractions during the day and early evening but then things seem to taper off - I'll continue to walk because other wise I just sit and beg this baby in my belly to come out! I figure that something must be going to happen soon as Matt came down with a terrible case of food poisoning from our dinner out last night (he is still at home sick as a dog) and it's storming like crazy outside...these are both key ingredients for this baby to deliver...right?!?

What do you think?

How adorable is this little outfit? Now I just need two things: 1) a baby to wear it before Christmas & 2) for it to actually arrive before Christmas! It says "My 1st Christmas" just below the Santa Claus!!

No baby

I've been walking like it's my job and still this child resides in my belly! This baby is hanging out, nice and cozy with a little chuckle! At least I know I'm dilated and things are moving along...I'm going to hang on to that for now =)

Anytime...

While I'd love to go into full detail about the latest happenings with my pregnant bodily functions I'll go ahead and spare you the details! Let's just sum it up by saying that things are moving along just as they should be - I'll continue to walk and we can all keep our fingers crossed that we have a healthy baby arrive before the 22nd =)

39 Week Follow Up

Good news - this baby is making progress!!

We are now dilated to 3 cm and baby is very, very low! My midwife is confident that I will have this baby before my December 22nd due date (famous last words...right) but I've started the walking routine in an effort to get this kid OUT! Overall I've been as comfortable as any 39 week pregnant woman can be aside from feeling like I've ridden a bike all day everyday!

Madison loved me a WHOLE lot and arrived one day early - I have no idea what it is like to watch your magical due date come and go and I am keeping my fingers crossed that I don't have to experience that this time around =)

Everyone wish me labor luck!!!

Winter Wonderland

Annual Trip to William's to find the perfect Christmas Tree

Madison posing for the camera!

Madison and Boris

While Nikki wasn't interested in playing with Madison and Boris she was a perfect puppy for taking this picture!

Madison and Mr. Snowman - too bad the recent rain melted most of him =(

Full Moon

My cousin, Kristin, has informed me that tonight is said to be the biggest full moon of the year and you know what they say about full moons!!! Any hospital labor and delivery will be a busy place when a full moon rises...maybe I'll be lucky enough to get myself one of those rooms =)

38w3d Belly Pic

What a kid!!

Madison is growing up to be such an amazing little girl! Each day she looks a little bit older and as much as it makes me sad I am so amazed to see her mature into such a caring little girl right before my eyes!!

Here is a photo of Madison having a PB&J while watching one of her many recorded shows...I would like to take a poll to see just how many of you could watch TV and eat your snack in this position?? Anyone??
Here is a photo of Madison and her American Girl Doll - Gracie - in their matching jammies! How cute are they?!?!?

38 weeks down, 14 days to go!

Today marks my 38 week of being pregnant...I'm slowly getting to the end of my rope =) Just 14 days left until my due date and 10 more days of work before starting my leave - whoohoo!! I have an appointment with my midwife this afternoon and will be sure to update everyone.

**UPDATE** No breaking news to report, just an update from my appointment this afternoon! Everything is moving along, baby is now lower (which is a blessing because this baby is finally off my ribs!) and we are dilated to 2 cm!! Whoohoo for progress but the honest truth is that I could stay at 2 cm dilated for a long time =) I told my midwife that I'm mentally prepared to stay pregnant until the 22nd but it's all about intervention after that!! Madison was one day early - so I really have no idea what it is like to watch my due date (yes, I understand its just an approximation) come and go!!

So - everyone keep your fingers crossed that this baby loves me as much as Madison did and will arrive ON or BEFORE the 22nd!!!

My 37 week belly - doesn't look so scary from this angle does it =)

Swollen toes to match my swollen belly...at least they look

pretty (THANK YOU AUNT LYNN!)

19 Days To Go!!!!

I can't believe it - we are in the teens!!! Only 19 days until Baby Russell is here and our life takes on a whole new definition of crazy!!!

Happy Anniversary!!!

Madison and I were treated to pedicures this weekend (THANK YOU Aunt Lynn) and we had such a good time! Madison woke up Sunday morning and asked if we could go get another pedicure!! What a kid, she gets her first pedi at the age of 8 and now I think she's hooked!!!

Yesterday Matt and I celebrated our one year wedding anniversary and in true Northern Michigan fashion there was a snow storm - far as I know there has been a snow storm on December 1st for the last three years!! Madison lucked out with a snow day off from school so she joined me at my 37 week prenatal appointment with Annie and then we were able to hang out for the day!! I'll post some pictures of the cute gingerbread house Madison and I made together!

Most week nights seem to be a little crazy at our house so we decided to celebrate our wedding anniversary with a family dinner out to Bower's Harbor Inn. With the snow storm coming in we happened to be the only diners in the whole restaurant which is something Madison thought was pretty cool!