4:00 comes early when it's baby day!

4:00 a.m. is earlier than I care to wake up. it's early. I don't know if those of you out there have ever actually seen 4:00 a.m. (other than when you've been awake until 4:00 on certain Saturday nights in college) but I can tell you that it is dark and meant for sleeping. As my dear friend Maria Moser pointed out at Georgetown a few years ago, "2:00-6:00 a.m. are the hours of faith. I have faith that they exist, but I would rather not ever actually see those hours to confirm that existence." that's all I've got. the baby preparations are underway. Petosin starts in another twenty minutes. Pictures will be posted presently. Wish us luck!

Checked in and ready to go!

So in episode number two of the Bowman Baby Bonanza, we are once again at Northside Hospital in Atlanta. We were planning on having this kid in a couple of weeks... you know, like you would expect if the due date was December 5th.

But this kid is already a troublemaker (and a big troublemaker at that) and decided to be the size of a small horse. Seriously, in the ultrasound this morning the doctors and the ultrasound tech both did triple-measuring of the child... "This is what we call a B.A.B.," she said. "a big ass baby."

So best laid plans were out. All my meetings for the week (which I had stacked so that I would get them out of the way before Thanksgiving and before the baby came) were cancelled or covered for by my awesome coworkers. A call to my mother (who is awesome) and she seemed to break the land speed record getting from Charleston to Atlanta in time to watch David for the evening. We had a fantastic dinner at Stony River, where Amy was treated like a queen, and then we drove down 400 and checked in about a half hour ago.

For those of you who remember my last posts from the delivery room two years ago, the night we spent in the hospital was not that fun. Since they had no beds available in the delivery area, we spent the pre-labor prep night in the dungeon of the hospital. The old, small, cramped, foul smelling, stained-floor wing where I slept in a chair. (scroll waaaaay down in the blog and you can see the photos.) This time however, we're in shangrila! No joke, this is like the presidential suite with a big bed and full bathroom and tv and internet and a bed for me (more like a cot, but I'll give it the benefit of the doubt) and controllable air conditioning... and get this! because we don't have to move wings in the morning in order to get re-checked-in, we get an extra hour of sleep! nice!

We'll need all the prayers and good vibes and snide comments and movie quote pick-me-ups we can get. So bring 'em on! Post and text message Amy and me and post to Amy's facebook. We're going to sleep now, but we'll be up bright and early to keep you updated as to progress!

Apple Picking

We went apple picking today up in north GA. What a great day! They had wagon rides, a petting zoo, pony-rides, pig races, cows to milk, and tons of other stuff that David LOVED exploring. Then you buy a bag and walk through the orchards to pick apples. David would pick one off the tree (or sometimes off the ground), put it in his mouth and go..."mmmmm." He was in his glory! The giant slide was one of his favorite parts. He FLEW down that thing. Wow! He'd get all the way to the bottom, clap, and say "mo..mo...mo..mo." Then Kenneth would have to walk him all the way back up to the top. It was great!

When we got home we made apple crisp for dinner. Yummy! Our house smells awesome! We still have tons of apples left. Luckily the recent edition of Bon Apetit had a whole section dedicated to apple desserts and baked goods! This is gonna be a yummy week!

David's first haircut

Last weekend on our flight to CA, EVERY ONE at the airport and on the plane called David a girl. Despite the fact that he was wearing khaki cargo pants and a blue shirt with trucks all over it, we still got confronted with questions such as "Is this your daughter's first flight?" and "How old is she?" Even Kenneth's grandma commented that it was probably time for a haircut. Soooo....the decision was made and David got his first haircut yesterday. Tear, tear. He's not a little baby any more. He's a big boy....emphasis being on BOY. : ) He's so handsome! Anybody that mistakes him for a girl now must be blind!

Flooding in GA

Most people heard news of the freak flooding that took place in GA a couple of weeks ago. It was pretty crazy. The park where I take David to play was completely under water. You couldn't even see the swing-sets, it just looked like one giant lake. We were very lucky in that we only had a minor leak. Many neighbors and friends had some major damage. Much of our backyard ended up in the front yard of our neighbors accross the street. These pictures were taken in our backyard and driveway. You literally could have taken an inner-tube and gone for a ride down our driveway.

San Francisco October 2009

We went to San Francisco last weekend to celebrate the wedding of Kenneth's cousin Erin to Pete. While the flight out there was pretty much the closest thing to hell you could ever imagine, it was all made worth it after having such a great time visiting with family that we don't get to see very often. David got to explore fisherman's wharf where he saw the sea lions and went on his first carousel ride. Grandma St. John was also able to come for the weekend. That was awesome because David got spoiled rotten while Kenneth and I were able to enjoy all of the wedding activities and family visiting time without the stress of running around after a 16-month-old. It was a win-win-situation for every one. Here are a couple of pictures from the trip.


David's first ride on a carousel. He was a little freaked out at first but was totally into it by the end of the ride.


Kenneth and his grandma at Erin and Pete's wedding. She's 95 and still sharp as a tack! Her dance card was full all night!


The family at Erin and Pete's wedding.


Kenneth and his brother, Mark.


Amy and Kenneth. A night out without the bambino. What a treat!

Couple More Summer Pictures

This picture was from Hana and Tommy's wedding in California. Isn't he ADORABLE in his "big boy outfit!" The wedding was awesome and David was SO well behaved the entire week in CA.

Also from the wedding. He's like a little model baby...seriously...what a stud!! (Not that I'm biased or anything!)

Reading the Sunday paper.

Our neighborhood has a fourth of July parade where all the kids decorate their bikes/wagons and walk down the main street. Super cute!

David and Daddy while visiting with Great Grandma Coughlin in CA.

Summer time is here!

All set to go to the pool for the first time this summer. What a little prince. He just sat back and enjoyed the ride as I pulled him to the pool in his new red wagon (courtesy of Grandma St. John).


Notice the drool tracks. It's so gross. David's back teeth are coming in which causes him to drool like a fountain!! He's still super cute though!

Mother's Day Present

Kenneth got me this AWESOME video camera for mother's day. It's the easiest thing you've ever seen. This is one of our first "test videos." I hope it works. Enjoy!

Just one of David's many bumps and bruises

Now that David is walking on his own, he frequently shows up with new bumps and bruises. Check this one out above his right eyebrow. This one was black and blue for a couple weeks!

Easter 2009

David LOVES enchilada's.


Getting into trouble....as usual! He figured out how to crawl behind the TV and pull out all the cords.


Hey look...an Easter present from Grandma and Grandpa Bowman!


Dressed in his Easter best and ready for Church!

California March 2009

David's first In'n'Out!


Grandma's bathtub was broken so we had to use the kitchen sink. David didn't seem to mind.


We went to California to celebrate Grammy and Grampy's 75th Birthday. Grandma threw a big party at her house and everybody was able to come to it. David and Erin came from Chicago, we flew in from Atlanta and Corey came from Ohio. They were very surprised and they had a great birthday!


We also got a chance to visit with Great-Grandma Coughlin while in California. She was amazed at how David never stopped moving!

Hanging around being adorable!

Can you believe he is crawling now!! He's getting so big. He pulls himself up onto everything...keeping us very busy.

My first swimming lessons

David just finished his first round of swimming lessons at the YMCA. He LOVED them. Mommy was SO proud of her little fish. He never cried once and totally "went with the flow."

Baptism

David was baptized at the Catholic Church of St. Ann on December 28th. The baptismal gown he wore was the same one worn by his daddy and his Uncle Mark. His godparents were his Uncle David and Aunt Erin. We had a big party at our home afterwards to celebrate with lots of friends and family.

David with his Great-Grampy