Good night and doing a quick test..

Since it was a good night last night I felt like I should take a moment and say so. It was a good night! 

Ms. Ella felt like sleeping quite a bit so that made mommy and daddy very happy! So of course she will be a holy terror tonight. :)

The test portion of this is just something Mac-related. I'm testing a new widget that I downloaded that I can use for posting quickly. Lets hope it does the trick!

-papa

Updated picts!

awww
Originally uploaded by mbowling.

I know you all have been clamoring for some more pictures of Miss Ella--so here they are!

Its been an up and down couple of days. She's been feeding really well, about every 2 hours right now, and that is just plum wearing out Amanda. But she's a trooper and knows that it will get better. Ella has been sleeping good some nights, and not so good other nights. Its been interesting to try to find what works for her and what doesn't when it comes to making her comfortable. Her parents are definitely on HER schedule at the moment.

Amanda has been sweet and trying to let me sleep more (since I have gone back to work now) but its wearing her out pretty good. Amanda gets to bed about 9 or so and Papa tries to keep Ella up until after 10:30. We seem to think (foolishly, of course) that if she stays up later, the more she will sleep overnight. Its about 50-50 on how that's working.

There has been some good nights, so we learn to appreciate those, and know when we have a bad night, a good night can't be too far ahead.

Ella's feeding better and better everyday. She's keeping her weight from when we left the hospital, so that's good. We need it to start heading upwards if we want to keep her away from formula.

At her doctor's appointment yesterday she measured at 21 inches! So apparently in one week she has grown and inch and a half? We are a bit skeptical, but as long as she is growing, we'll take it.

Gotta go for now--back to work! Thanks so much for all the love and support! We really appreciate having such a great support system!

Night Owls

Little Miss Baby Ella is asleep in my arms. It's our fourth night home from the hospital. She's so incredibly precious, but she has her days and nights confused. I am hoping for some good stretches of sleep. It's still early -- almost 1 am, so we'll see how the rest of the night goes. I know it will take some time for her to get switched around.

The last few days have been a blur. I always am asking what day it is. Outside of wanting more sleep, Mike and I are just soaking up how wonderful it is to be Ella's parents.

Mike goes back to work tomorrow. How I wish he didn't have to go back. As usually, he's been amazing and has taken to fatherhood quite nicely. He's probably changed more diapers than me, since I handle the feediings, and he is always helping comfort her or entertain her. I love watching them interact. It's apparent that I will be the bad cop. There is no way he can say no to her.

We've been blessed with many visitors. My mom left today -- it was so hard to say goodbye, but my brother Justin and SIL Brandi arrived today and will be with Ella and I tomorrow.

Okay this little one is out -- maybe I can get at least an hour sleep as the next feeding should be around 2:30.

Our minds our blown...

(I wrote this Wednesday evening, but its just getting posted now)

Its just after 9:07 in evening. Amanda is taking a shower and Ella and I have just spent some alone time with her sleeping on my chest.

Talk about peace.

There really is nothing else like a newborn fast asleep on your chest.

Today was a whirlwind. I swear I just got up. Here very soon it will be time for bed again.

We had lots of great visitors today, plenty of family and friends. There will be many more in the coming weeks. Its going to be stressful having so many people in the house off and on, but at least its at HOME.

Ella's been great, just busy waiting for some serious breast milk!

Sorry this is kinda short, but gotta get back to Ms. Ella!

Baby Ella has arrived!!

all wrapped up
Originally uploaded by mbowling.

Amanda and I are so very proud to announce the birth of our daughter,
Ella Christine Bowling!

Born on Valntine's Day, 2006 at 12:48 am. She's a healthy 8 pounds
7 oz. and was 19 & 1/2 inches long. And man, Amanda and I are just
beaming, frankly.

You will find a few pictures right here: http://www.flickr.com/
photos/macnmike

Amanda and I are just floored because we just thought up and down
throughout the pregnancy Ms. Ella was a Mister! So our jaws hit our
floor when the doctor asked me to reveal the sex when she showed our
new baby to me. I told Amanda "Its a.....girl!" and we were both so
surprised!

Amanda and baby are doing just great and we will be here until
Thursday at the latest.

Thanks for all the love and support!!

Clock still ticking...

Well, here we are sitting at Panera Bread, waiting out the contractions. Here's what we know so far:

1. Amanda's having real contractions.
2. They aren't very consistent.
3. Some are more instense than others.
4. They are still (after 6 hours) are about 30 minutes (average) apart.

So we are headed back home and going to take a nap.

More later!
-M

My New Love

How does the couple that is eagerly anticipating the arrival of their first child spend their last Saturday sans child? With a trip to Sheridan's, of course -- thank you Scott and Tricia for that! I discovered a new love -- Sheridan's wedding cake concrete. Oh my, it was so good -- wedding cake, frosting and ice cream. Who can ask for more? I most definitely enjoyed it because once this kid comes, Mike and I are committed to eating healthy and dropping this excess weight.

I'm anticipating tomorrow coming and going without this child making an appearance. I've resigned myself to the fact that he/she will come when ready or when the eviction notice is served on Friday. Until then, I'm going to enjoy these quiet moments with my husband.

Still kidless

No baby. Nothing else to say.

Sorry so late!!

No, no baby. In fact, Amanda just called to say that she is still stuck at a 2, but she is 70% effaced. So there is a bit more of progress one way.

Her OB thinks baby may wait until induction day (exactly one week from today). Who knows!!

Thursday....and....

yep, still no baby.

But hey, that's okay! I'm thinking the longer he/she stays, the stronger he will be out here in the real world.

Time keeps passing, and its such and odd existence to be waiting wondering "is this the day, is this the hour, is this the minute everything will start?" Its like you have so many plans and so many people waiting to hear when things will start in motion. Its almost as if you are in the starting blocks at a race, for days at a time. All you can do is stand at attention and wait for the gun to start. But, of course, you have no idea when the gun will fire.

So, we will keep on waiting!

Still Here, Still Pregnant

That's right no baby yet.

Sunday is our official due date, but only this little one knows if he/she is coming before then or not.

I'm ready to meet him/her, but I don't know if I'm ready for the chaos that will most certainly follow. My coach last night reminded me not to look ahead down the schedule -- rather focus on the first game, which is L&D. He cracks me up, but there is some truth in him equating the battles of raising a child to the battles of the gridiron. Got to love him.

Baby?

Sorry folks--we are still here, still at work, and still waiting!

Or shall we say (in honor of Jack Johnson) we are "sitting, waiting, wishing".

So no baby yet!

But I do have a new crown in my mouth. Oh joy.

Nope...not yet

I've decided that I'm going to do a daily update for you all--just to let you know the status of baby. Nope, still not here yet. We are just trucking along waiting for baby to show!

On a side note: Mikey is very happy today because of this(iTunes link). Its Jack Johnson's new album of sorts. Its the soundtrack to the new Curious George movie So far I've listened to the whole thing once through and its pretty darn great. There is some happy tunes, so sad tunes, but overall it has a great vibe. Its more stuff to drive Amanda and my co-workers Lauren and Julie crazy with. We'll see how it goes. :)

Have a great Tuesday everyone!

No baby yet...

Hey folks--

Just a note to say "Nope! No baby yet!". We made it though the weekend, and although Amanda was almost positive the baby was coming Super Bowl Sunday, he/she has yet to make an appearance.

We will keep you informed!

(Amanda here -- commandeering Mike's post.) I wanted to wish my mom a Happy Birthday! She's been working around the clock and will be doing the same today, but hopefully soon she'll be able to relax. She's hoping I don't have the baby today because she wants the little one to have his/her own birthday, and she'd wants me to make it a few more days, so maybe she can leave when the baby arrives. I know it will be a crazy day, but I hope good things come her way today, just not grandchildren. :)

Induction Date

It seems unless the baby decides to come earlier, our little bundle of joy will greet the world on Feb. 17. I am scheduled to be induced that day if I'm still pregnant by then. The doc thinks there is still a distinct possibility I could go into labor before then, but she wanted us to schedule the date, if I need it.

At my doctor's appointment today, I was almost dilated to a 2, but not quite, and am a bit more effaced. I'm okay with keeping this kid in for a few more days. I can use the time. I know I'm an oddball, most women want their kids out at this point, but I need more time and so many people need me to wait. (Our neighbor Mike and soon-to-be Aunt Tricia are out of town until Sunday; Rene is out of town until next Friday; my mom can't get here until next weekend -- she keeps pushing it back; and my work isn't ready for me to ever go on maternity leave). So I'm trying to hold out, and, I still feel fairly good. I'm not miserable yet -- rolling around in bed is a little difficult, but that's my biggest complaint.

My blood pressure was good (120/80). I'm measuring on target, and the baby's heart rate was 129. I'm a little swollen, but nothing of any significance.

It's wild to have an induction date. I hope I go into labor naturally, but just knowing there is a definite end to this exciting. Mike and I would report to the hospital early that morning. (The doc suggested family/friends don't come at that time because it can be a long process and they'd be in a for a long wait, especially because I am not having anyone in the room with me except for Mike.) We'd then be in the hospital until early Sunday evening.

If I go until my induction date, my last day of work will be the 15th. The doc encouraged me to make it the 10th, but I can't sit at home for a week waiting for the baby. I'd go CRAZY, and I want my leave to be with the baby not waiting for the baby! My boss said we could see about me working 1/2 days if I find my energy is lacking, so I appreciate that option.

This weekend we'll be busy running errands and some general tasks. I'm hoping to spend some time preparing a few meals I can freeze for those first few weeks. We already have a lasagna in our freezer. I hope to make some stuffed shells and taco soup along with a few other things. I need to remember our freezer is only so big.

I also plan to do some resting, but baby watch has officially begun. We're appreciate everyone's excitement about this little one's arrival. Our phone has been ringing a lot this week! We may have to record a message with the latest update, otherwise we may find ourselves spending most of our free time on the phone.