Baby Dean has arrived!

I'm sorry I haven't been as quick as I'd like to post the pictures of our new little boy but these days with all of the social media it's hard to keep on top of things. We've updated facebook, email, text messages, snapfish photo albums and now I'm on to the blog:) We're doing well settling in as a family of four. Of course, I will say we have a lot of great help from Grandma's and family members these last two weeks. Ella is as busy as usual so she's been spending time with Daddy and Nonni and Grandma while I tend to the baby. She always asks where the baby is and likes to help bring him pacifiers and bounce him or help him swing in the baby swing. Unfortunately, she did have a cold when the baby came home so that made things a little harder for our little girl but she's feeling a lot better now. The baby is doing great. He's starting to get a little more into a routine with eating which is nice for mommy and he sleeps great during the day. The last two nights he's stretched his feedings to 3-4 hours which is much more manageable than the 2 hour stints before so we're all feeling a little more normal. All in all, we're tag teaming the two kids and getting our naps in when we can. Basically what you would expect for a family with two kids under 2:) We are definitely blessed to have two healthy happy children and can't wait to watch them as they start to interact more and we grow as a family. More to come from the Andersons. Wishing you all a great start to the Spring Season!

Girly Girl

I had to post this shot of Ella playing dress up with the Tutu Aunt Chandry bought her and the bling jean purse that she got from my Nana on her 1st birthday. She was twirling around in her get up and posing for the camera. Yes, she is pretty much a girly girl at the moment. She loves babies, bottles, tea parties, kitchens and giving lots of hugs and kisses. Of course, that doesn't proclude her from being a tom boy and playing sports later in life as Jake would tell you. She is just too precious though and we're having a lot of fun with our 18 month old daughter. She can say a few words now...baby, ball, dog, cheese, shoes, etc. Most of them are baby talk (meaning Mommy can only understand) but "baby" is the one that's clear as day lately. We've been teaching her that baby goes in the car seat and the baby swing so she knows when the little one comes that those are his things. When we get in the car (by the way we got a new car but that's a long story...and yes, it's a mini van) she points at the baby car seat and says "Baby"! She also says "Hi" and "Bye" about 48 times a day. Every time she leaves a room or one of us takes her on some errands she makes it a point to say "Bye" to the other one in the sweetest voice that just makes your heart melt. Today a dog walked by our house and she kept saying "bye" to it as it passed until she couldn't see it anymore turning the corner. Sweet Ella.

On the pregnancy front, I'm 39 weeks along and we're all ready to meet our little man. I had a Doctor appointment two days ago and not a lot of progress but that's okay. It still could happen anytime. I'm setting my sights for closer to the due date of March 10th so I don't get discouraged. If that date passes my final time is a scheduled induction on March 15th but let's hope he makes his appearance before then:) All of my serious "nesting" projects are almost complete (will be after today) and Ella and I have been having some fun mother-daughter time with play dates, story times, walks, and lunches out on the town. We'll keep everyone posted when little Dean arrives! Hope all is well.