its GO time!!!

Have been at the hospital all day (since 7a)... we are in the delivery room and waiting for the planets to align. Water has broken, contractions are going, dilation is happening ... just need to progress further so here we wait.

Ashley is truly being a rock star mommy! She has been a champ and is in great spirits.



Posting a picture of what will probably be Alekzander's first outfit... will be fitting since it looks like he could be born after midnight tonight which will be THANKSGIVING!

2000 and Late!

Is it really possible that there is an 8 pound 8 ounce baby inside of me??? That is the estimate from the qualified pro today at the doctor's office. I think its time that he comes out... as it is now, I'm so 2000 and LATE!

At our 40 week + 1 day appointment today, we had a non-stress test (NST) for baby, an ultrasound, and then a chat with the doctor...

Regarding the non-stress test, this little guy is far from stressed. He had to be woken up several times by jingling keys in front of my belly and massaging my belly. All he wanted to do was sleep. I think he was boycotting one of the nurses (who is not my favorite) and just wanted to be left alone. The stimulation amidst deep sleep caused him to pass the test; his heart rate (baseline of 144 bpm) jumped the appropriate 15 beats each time he was jolted awake. But all was well with the NST.

For the ultrasound, we learned that he has plenty of fluid. On a much more shocking note, he is estimated to weigh close to 8 and a half pounds. The average baby measures in the 50th percentile at this point in the game. Our big boy measured in the 79th percentile. Andrew complimented me on making a good baby home... maybe too good??? We did get to see a profile shot of his little face... complete with chubby cheeks and a little button nose!

When we finally got to see the doctor, he said everything looks great. I told him that the baby really is ready to come out. He asked for proof. I told him that he's 8 pounds 8 ounces... isn't that enough? The doctor's first response was - "That's not so big..." By the end of the little consultation, I think he called my baby big about 3 or 4 times. Not quite the pep talk I wanted!!!

Regardless of his size, he will come out one way or another. Hopefully soon. The receptionist told us she hoped we'd be holding our own little "butterball" by Thanksgiving. I hope so too!

40 Week Pleadings!

Dear Alekzander,

You are a very anticipated, prayed for, and popular little boy. Today - as I reached 40 weeks of pregnancy - that is 10 months in case anyone is counting!!! - I received numerous phone calls, messages, and even a visit from friends and family who are so excited about your upcoming birth. Don't you want to meet all these people who are so excited to meet you?!

Of course, only God knows the day and hour of your birth, which I was also reminded of more than once today, but here are some of the guesses we had about when you would come...and the silly reasons why (in no particular order):

1. Milk expiration dates... its only natural that when we come to the end of our milk's life your life will begin... right?! So far we're 0/3. The current milk in our refrigerator expires 11/27 in case you're wondering.
2. Auntie Tessa's day off from work.
3. Tessa's birthDAY - the 17th (but in July not November).
4. Multiple offers to "share" a birthday with you.
5. Church gospel concert would excite you enough to come.
6. Numerous requests to meet you before they leave for Thanksgiving vacation.
7. Before Thanksgiving - because you really want to be here for turkey and pie.
8. During a football game - be it Panthers, Broncos, Steelers, or App State.
9. During the nationally televised SU basketball game... Dad would have traded any of the SU wins this week to meet you!
10. 11/23/09 @ noon - to be perfectly on time.
11. After eating a jalapeno infused meal.
12. As soon as the Marko-fam made it up the mountain to Blowing Rock.
13. After our 39 week OB appointment and lovely internal exam.
14. Immediately following a special trip to get pretty toes.

I'm sure there are many more hopes (disguised as creative guesses) as to when you will come (soon, buddy, soon!), but we will try to be patient. We just really can't wait to meet you. We love you already.

Love,
Mom and Dad

SMILE!

These days, there are very few reasons NOT to smile... we know that in just a short time, we will be meeting our son who will bring us an infinite number of smiles for years to come.

Our sweet friend - and wedding photographer - Abbey Lesher - graciously took two sets of maternity pictures for us...the first at 34 weeks, the second at almost 38 weeks. We have so much fun with Abbey because we can be our silly selves...and she loves for us to talk and tell stories while she takes pictures.

These are a few pictures which she narrowed down from the hundreds she took over the course of 2 days. It was hard to choose my favorites...

Single Digits...

We're down to single digits. Today was officially 7 days until Alekzander's due date... I think we're both anxious to meet our son...and the excitement grows each day. Even though the due date is still a week away, for the last 2-3 weeks, we've been hearing from family and friends, "Are you ready?" Of course we're ready... this adventure has been nearly 10 months in the making, and we know that we have so much to look forward to as parents! But, no matter how ready we are - or our house isn't - it doesn't really matter because only God knows when this little man will come into our lives.


A friend shared something she had read before she became a mommy... it seems like the perfect explanation of the love you have for a child. Without a doubt, it was written by a mommy! "You [will soon] have a piece of your heart that lives outside your body." You'll cry when he cries, hurt when he hurts, smile when he smiles... I can't wait to meet the piece of my heart in the flesh... in just a few (hopeful) days.

Photo by Abbey Lesher: In Alekzander's room @ 34 weeks w/Ultrasound picture from 18 weeks.

November 9, 2009 ... The Big Day

Not necessarily THE big day (ie: Alekzander's birth), but certainly A big day in our household. Monday night is the match up between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Denver Broncos. My favorite NFL team versus Andrew's favorite NFL team... we'll be civil of course, but it is going to be a tense night during Monday night football!

Originally, our primary care physician estimated our due date as November 10th... since then all our ultrasounds and measurements have indicated November 23rd as Alekzander's due date. So... an exciting Monday night football game may or may not bring Alekzander in to the world... to at least one ecstatic parent (as a result of the game's outcome). If he does come earlier than expected, naturally we'll both be thrilled regardless of whose team walks away with a big W!

Steelers Outfits from my PA relatives!!


Andrew's 2009 Father's Day Present from me and Baby A
More Broncos gear to come... without a doubt

Gifts from Marko-Grandparents
AMAZING hand-knit bunting and "helmet" made with love by my mom

Halloween 09

The Preg-o-lantern

Ash the gumball machine & Andrew the SU Basketball player

Showing off all of the gumball 'bling' ... 2 rings, 2 bracelets, necklace & earrings!