You Can't Judge a Book By Its Cover.

The whole time I was pregnant with Baby Gray (BG) I wondered if he was going to look like his brother when he entered the world. I couldn't imagine having another baby who looked differently, and I would gaze at the LM's baby book, never considering that baby 2 could come out any other way. Even though I knew they would have similar features, when the moment came, I have to say, I wasn't prepared to have another baby that looked almost EXACTLY like the first. For both my husband and I, it was pretty shocking. Sure, there are small differences... BG's mouth is a little smaller, his hair shorter and lighter, and he looks like a peanut coming in at a 1/2 lb less. However, those things aside, I can't believe that these two look almost like identical twins. Yep, he's definitely my boy!

Take a look for yourself. LM on the left, BG on the right.

Freaky right?????

Let me tell you, as far as looks go, these kids could not be more alike. Their personalities? The ABSOLUTE opposite! The LM had quick wake and sleep cycles, he was restless, and loved to be held and stimulated. BG, well he is as chill as them come. He has 2 hour wake periods followed by 4 hour sleep cycles (even at night!) He is happy to lay anywhere, and doesn't seem to prefer anyone's arms over anything else. He never cries (unless he is getting changed) and it's crazy, but sometimes you can't even tell he is here. When it came to the LM, from day one you knew when he entered a room (this stands true today!!!!) Even their preferences are on the opposite spectrum. The LM couldn't go a minute without a binky and a swaddle, BG prefers neither. The list goes on and on.

I'm sure a lot of this has to do with the fact that this is my second time at the rodeo. I am soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much calmer with this baby, and SO much more confident. I have no doubt that the LM picked up on my fear, the first time around, but still, it's so weird to have such an opposite experience, with a baby that looks so much the same.

I guess it's true what they say... you can't judge a book by its cover!

Almost one week now (WOW!) and I can barely remember what it was like before BG was here. It's amazing how quick you can adapt!

I wish you all a wonderful weekend. I'll be spending it snuggling with my TWO boys!

Home Sweet Home.

We're home!!!!!! We finally walked through the door at 8pm on Monday, and I have to say I have never been happier to be back in my home than I am right now. I was a little anxious to see how the LM would react to our new family member, but from those fears were immediately alleviated (10 times over!!!!) Not only is the LM completely cool with having a little one in the house, but he has instantly become my "big brother helper" and surprisingly is a big help. (You've got to love that child labor ;))

Here are the boys (man, I love saying that) during their first few minutes home.

The "big brother dinosaur cake" that the baby brought with him definitely helped his chances of a welcome homecoming.

After only a few minutes, he received the thumbs up. (melt)

Soon they were best friends. That smile is priceless!

Today, he offered toys.

A binky.

And a whole lot of love.

 Oh, and baby Gray (or squishy as I refer to him) this is pretty much what he has been up doing all day and night.

Seriously, ALL day. I already have to wake him up at night every 3-4 hours to feed him (heaven) and was little worried that he might not be eating enough. Yesterday, he went to the pedi and was actually UP an ounce! Turns out he's just a happy, efficient eater, who loves to sleep! (I didn't know they actually made these kind of babies!!!)

If I haven't said it before, I'll say it now. We are so blessed, and I've never been happier.

Thank you ALL for your well wishes and congratulations. This has been quite the journey for our family, but we have learned that what they say really is true... Good things do come to those who wait!

Introducing...

Grayson Robert Anderson

Born July 23, 2011 at 2:01am

Weighing 7lbs 12oz, 21 Inches

Ten fingers, Ten toes. Pure Love.

It's Time...

Pardon the interruption....

....I'm off to have a baby!!!!!!

Be back soon!

(please feel free to have some drinks in my absence :))

That's All She Wrote.

I wish I had a real post for you all today, but since I look kind of like this:

And it's hot as this outside:

All I can seem to muster up the energy to do is lay in the AC, eat pretzel bread (my new obsession,) and watch things like A Baby Story, Bringing Home Baby, and Baby's First Day (sense a theme?) Oh, and at 40 weeks and 3 days pregnant, I find myself sobbing uncontrollably every time this commercial comes on (which during those shows is a lot!)

I went to the doc today, she says I "should" go into labor sometime before my induction date, which is Friday at 4. I think she was just being nice... or she's a liar... either way I'm pretty sure I am going to be pregnant forever! It is not lost on me that I tried for years to just get pregnant, and now I can't seem to get  un-pregnant. Guess I really wanted to get it right this time!!!!!

3 more days... I think I can, I think I can, I think I can...

Get Out Of My Belly.

Dear Baby Gray,

I waited 27 months to conceive you. 


I have carried you around now for over 40 weeks.


I have feed you, given you prenatals, made sure you were growing and happy.


I have dealt with your false contractions for the last month, and for the last week woken up hourly thinking "it's time."


Please, please, please, I beg you, if you have any compassion for your mother.... GET OUT OF MY BELLY. 


We can't wait to meet you. It's time to get this party started. 

Love,

Mom

Tough Guy.

Last night my hubby and I were discussing the baby.

"Do you think he's going to be tough like his brother?" he asked. 

"Let me see... out of 20 eggs he not only fertilized, divided into 8 cells on his own, and received an A+ rating, but was also the "chosen one" of 8 embryos. He survived 3 days in a petri dish, being picked up by a giant tube, dropped in a uterus, and not only attached himself, but began to immediately thrive. 18 weeks later he had a giant needle pierce his sac, suck out some fluid, and he wasn't affected in the slightest. For the last 40 weeks he has been poked, prodded, hit, kicked, kissed, and hugged repeatedly by his older brother. He has waited until his due date to enter the world, and as of yet doesn't seem to be exiting the womb anytime soon."

Do I think he's going to be a tough guy? Yeah, I'm pretty sure we can count on that one.

Carrie Bradshaw All Grown Up.

Have you all seen this photo spread of SJP from the August issue of Vogue? Um, I die. I think this has to be one of my favorite features of all time, showing what I can only imagine is the reality of having multiple young kids, at home, in one beautiful apartment (something I am about to experience first hand, yikes!) Of course, when I say reality I realize that most mums (or any for that matter) aren't hanging around the house in stilettos and an evening gown, but the whole ying and yang is what makes these pictures so phenomenal!!! Just gorgeous!!

P.S. The first thing I wanted to do when I saw these photos is run around and clean up all those toys, clothes and dishes!!! Oh boy, I have a feeling that I am about to be in for quite the reality check of my own in a few days!!!!

P.P.S. My favorite picture is the one where she is sword fighting with her son.... that is something I can seriously relate to! My own little sword fighter only likes to wrestle with me on the one night a month when I am dressed up and heading out the door. Something about Mom looking "fancy" (his words, not mine) seems to bring out the wild animal inside!!!! Little boys melt my heart!

Having a Baby? There's An App For That.

Admittedly, I am am already a little bit app obsessed. I mean, how can you not be? They literally have an app for EVERYTHING. I have a math app to keep my kid quiet in line at the grocery store, an app to program my DVR and home alarm, an app to give me up to the minute weather, one to tell me what song is on the radio, one to help we translate what the hell my kid and husband are saying to each other (they both speak a second language)  and one to tell me the minute the next train is coming... the list goes on and on. At this point I'm a little surprised that they don't have one that will impregnate itself, gestate a baby for nine months, and then do all of the pushing for you at the end. This might not exactly exist, but I have found that they can come pretty damn close. Here are some of my favorite "mommy" iphone applications.

First, you have your app to help you to conceive. By "help" I mean track your schedule down to the minute to tell you exactly what and when you need to "try" to have that baby. Once you are done it even keeps of how many home pregnancy tests you have taken. For this diagnosed "infertile" I'm a little scared to look back at this one... I may or may not have kept EPT in business the last 3 years ;).

Fem Cal

Then you have your baby "tracker." For the next 40 weeks, day by day, detailed instructions on what it going on inside that growing belly. Complete with checklists, and to-do's, this app does everything but carry the baby (something my back would REALLY be grateful for right about now!)

Baby Canter

Then you have you labor timer. I found this baby the other night while tracking my nightly 2 hour bursts of contractions. Apparently, a using a pen and a piece of paper is sooooooo 4 years ago, because this free app does all the timing for you. I can't wait to walk into labor and delivery with a detailed screen shot of my contractions. Prepared much???

Full Term Contraction Timer. 

This next is the one that I am the most psyched about. After a had the Little Man it took me a few weeks to get my head on straight. With the lack of sleep I couldn't remember which way was up or down, let alone which boob I last nursed on. This amazing app keeps track of everything, down to the last diaper change, so you don't have to! Yes, please!!!!!

Nursing Log

This one has been a long term favorite in our house. We are noise machine addicts, and I can't tell you how many times we have traveled somewhere and remembered that I left the dang machine at home (I blame the 5am flights.) This app allows us to put the LM to bed and actually relax, aka have some drinks with our friends, in the next room without worrying about waking the monster. Priceless.

White Noise Baby

The above applies to this next app, and while I have yet to try it, I can assure you that this could be the answer to all our travel prayers. If we could ditch the noise machine and the monitor... well, that just sounds too good to be true! I'm not sure exactly how this thing works, but I have a feeling that we will soon find out!

Baby Monitor Foscam

I have yet to find an app that will wake up and feed the baby in the middle of the night, but when I do I promise to share it all with you!!! C'mon Steve Jobs, you've got a week to make it happen!!!!

Are there any apps that you've found make your life easier????

Labor or Not Labor????

I thought that actually having been in labor before would help me to figure out this time whether or not I was in labor. So far it has not. While we haven't had any hospital false alarms, I have, more than once, called my husband saying, "I don't know.... today might be the day." He, of course, tells me to "chill" and alas, another day passes with no baby. While I don't feel that anxious about when or if it is going to happen, my recent google searches tell a different story....

Oh, and I think my kid got 5ths disease from camp, which (according to my doc) is only a big deal if you are in the EARLY stages of pregnancy, but either way he now feels like crap too. Just another reason for this baby to stay put for another week!

Maternity Portraits, Part Two.

After seeing the amazing pictures that Gregory Katsoulis, from momphoto, captured of my growing bump a few months ago, you know I had to go back for one more shoot before this little guy came out. Yesterday, Greg again worked his magic, and here are the amazing results!

Just to see if I still could, we had to get in one last headstand picture!!! I thought this might help start the labor process, but alas this little guy is staying put for now...

I am soooooooooooooo happy with the way these pictures turned out, and I cannot recommend Greg, Boston's maternity photographer enough!!!!

For all you readers, Greg is running a special for the weekend of July 9th, 10th and 11th! He's offering half off for any studio maternity session and if you mention 'Diary of a Yummy Mummy'  while booking, you get your choice of 10 digital negatives free! Talk about a killer deal!!!!!

Get those big bellies photographed, you won't regret it and speaking from experience, you never know if you will get this chance again!!!!