Benson

He's Here!

Benson Matthew Brady surprised us all by showing up ten days early. He was born September 15, 2010 at 8:51 AM after a long night of labor :) He weighed 6 lbs 15 oz and 18 1/2 inches long. Both of us are doing great. They even let us come home a little early.
Pics to come...

Newton was on to something...

Sunset in Naples

Naples Beach

Here we are at Naples beach. It's on the west side of the state, in the gulf. Vanessa really liked how shallow and calm the waves were. She went in up to her waist on her own. We're pretty proud of our little fish!
We stayed late and watched the sunset over the beach. It was beautiful! We took some pretty neat pics, so check back again soon.

ALMOST full term

I am 37 weeks this Saturday, and as the addition of a another family member is inevitably about a month away, it has brought about some recent ponderings.
A few of them I realized tonight as we were taking our childbirth class.
#1 Even though I get daily shots and have had innumberable blood draws associated with my blood clot from Vanessa, I still hate needles. They showed a woman getting an epidural today in a movie and it made me sick. Jon finds them fascinating.
#2 I can't stop talking about Vanessa's birth and how I really hope this one is different (even though the ending was perfect). I really do realize it's been 15 months and more importantly, that no one cares! I just can't shut up sometimes.
#3 I am way more chill about the whole birthing thing but still horrified by stirrups and episiotimies (saw one of those tonight too and also cringed).
#4 It is in no way a reality to me that I am having another tiny little newborn. Sometimes it is, I guess. But most days, it feels like it's still forever away.

Weekend with Matthew and Laura

Fort Lauderdale Beach

The hot pregnant women at Dania Beach
Stanley C. Panther and Slapshot

Matthew, Elliot and me at the Dolphins game

Sun Life Stadium - home of the Marlins and Dolphins

Riding the Water Taxi

Matthew and Laura came to visit us for a few days. We had a wonderful time with them. We went to several different beaches, including Hollywood Beach after dark and in the rain (the water/waves were great). We also went to the Dolphins game while the ladies went shopping, took the water taxi up to Las Olas Blvd for dinner, and of course relaxed at the apartment playing wii, watching movies, playing games and swimming. Vanessa loved having Matthew and Laura here and has been saying "Wawra" over and over since they left.

Always having fun

We put her out on the porch and this is what she does.

Trying to keep up with her new friend... pretty flexible if you ask me.

Nothing better in the world than getting hugs from my little girl.

Playing peek-a-boo...

until she found her nose.

Still half asleep.

Another day at the beach

Walking with Vanessa

She likes to play fetch with rocks

This is her new "scrunch" face

Random

My cousin took this back when Vanessa was about a month old. She's with her cousins Micah (3 years) and Macey (6 months). It just turned up the other day and was too cute not to post.

32 weeks

So I had my 32 week check up today. Everything is good in my opinion, but my doctor kind of drives me crazy. I am just glad she won't be delivering this baby! I met with a midwife in the same practice at my last appointment. She said she can co-manage my prenatal care with the doctor and then be the one to deliver the baby. Because of the clot though, she can't provide sole prenatal care. For the most part, that's fine, but man oh man, my doctor is so cautious about everything! I guess a lot of people feel that's comforting but it just kind of drives me nuts. It means extra blood draws, extra ultrasounds, and extra time at the doctor's (my least favorite place in the world, I would take the dentist any day).
Here is what bothers me about overly-cautious doctors. If I happen to mention something that I don't think is a big deal, I want them to validate that it's not a big deal. Not make it a big deal. This doctor makes EVERYTHING a big deal. It's just lame and I'm really hoping I only have one more appointment with this lady.

The Belly

It's really more like a giant beach ball I guess. I've felt bad that I haven't posted anything about this pregnancy. I really am pregnant, and doing well. Vanessa keeps me busy and active so hopefully we'll keep the clots at bay this time ;)
The baby is starting to throw punches and kicks, rather than just general wiggles. Actually, I think he is head down so it's probably more kicks because it's usually directed at my ribs. Apparently they get in his way. Guess he doesn't know they were there first.
Anyway, I am feeling super excited and nervous and anxious all bottled up into one. Throw some hormones on top and I'm sure I am Jon's favorite person ;) It'll be interesting to see how Vanessa does with a little one around and having to share attention. She's a pretty spoiled little girl, but she's just so darn cute, how can a person resist?
We're hoping for a natural birth this time around (or at least I am, I don't know that Jon is so particular, he just wants us both healthy). I guess we'll see how that pans out. Natural birth in Florida is, shall we say, unheard of? The hospital's C section rates are around 40% (yikes!). Needless to say, we'll let you know how it goes.
In the mean time, only about 8 1/2 weeks more. But really, who's counting right?

A weekend with Tommy, Nicole and Brooklyn

At the Marlins game

Brooklyn and Vanessa
Walking Las Olas Blvd
Brooklyn loves her cousin

Waiting for the Water Taxi

We had a great time with Tommy, Nicole and Brooklyn. We soaked up the rays at three different beaches, bbq'd at the pool, relaxed to a leisurely ride through the channels, saw the Marlins beat the Braves, and enjoyed each others company.