Fun in the Snow!

Caroline showing off her snowman. Yes, the nose is a zucchini and the eyes are grapes (all we had!). Five minutes after it was built it fell over and in Caroline's words, "snowman go boom?"

Photo collage of all our snow pictures:

When the snow started falling, I don't think Caroline quite understood what it was. Ben and I enjoyed watching it fall, and I even propped Andrew up in his carseat so he would have a good view of it all :) When Caroline awoke from her nap on Sunday afternoon, she was amazed at how "white" her backyard had become. She was ready to go out and "PLAY!" We layered her up w/ fleece pants, slick pants, 2 pair of socks, baggies over her tennis shoes, a warm coat, hat & mittens. She really didn't want all of the layers on, but if it meant she could go out and play in the snow, she was willing to appease us. Caroline and daddy built a snowman, had a snowball fight and chased Dixie around the backyard. I was mainly the photographer and videographer. I did manage to bundle Andrew up for a quick pic outside (I know what is a week old baby doing out in the snow...shame on me, but it was a photo op I wasn't willing to miss).

Caroline watching the snowflakes fall on her eyelashes.

Ben teaching Caroline to make snowballs.

Andrew's first snow!

Life as a BIG Sister

Well, it has been one week since Caroline "officially" assumed her role as a BIG Sister. She has met or exceeded all of our expectations. She has proven to be quite the protective, BIG Sister. When Ben was helping undress Andrew for a feeding to help wake him up, Caroline ran over and immediately started trying to put his clothes back on and crying, "da-da put his clothes back on, he's not hot, he needs his clothes!" She also likes to always make sure An-rew (as she calls him) has either the toy elephant she gave him or his snuggly bear. If asked if she is a BIG Sister, she responds enthusiastically, "Yeah, I'm An-rew's BIG Sister -- and, He's my baby brudder?"

Caroline just missed getting to meet Andrew the night he was born. She waited about an hour at the hospital before it got to late and she had to go home and go to bed. She worked on several craft projects to welcome Andrew to our family, and she even wore a special BIG Sister shirt in honor of Andrew. Caroline first got to meet Andrew on Thursday. She was very excited to see him and said, "An-rew's not in mommy's belly anymore?" "An-rew is here?"

Although she doesn't quite understand why An-rew can't share her chick'n nuggets, play in her playroom or watch Caillou with her yet...she has come to understand that babies sleep an awful lot! She has even given Andrew her favorite bunny to sleep with and tried out his carseat to ensure it is safe :) Ben and I feel very blessed to have such a sweet daughter who is already fulfilling her role as a BIG Sister by looking after her baby brother.

Andrew Benjamin's Arrival!

We could not be prouder to announce the arrival of our son, Andrew Benjamin, born on Wednesday, February 18th at 8:52 p.m. He weighed 7lbs 10 oz and is 21" long. The doctor induced labor around 10:30 on Wednesday morning and then my water was broke around 6pm. Unlike Caroline's fast delivery, this delivery took a little longer; however, I did not feel the first contraction...so basically we just sat around all day awaiting Andrew's arrival (while I was comfortably numb from an epidural). At 8:40 pm, I was told it was time to push and at 8:52 pm out popped our precious, baby boy. We think he looks a lot like Caroline did as a baby...see what you think.
Andrew just after his bath and post-birth testing and shots.

10 long skinny toes!

Right after delivery

Being held by Mommy for the 1st time

A proud Nana & Papa

GG left Caroline at her house asleep with Papa Joe to come to the hospital

Andrew's 1st Bath

Father & Son!

The Appling's: Family of FOUR!

A Room For Andrew

The walls are antique blue and the nursery theme is nautical.

Nautical Paintings hang over Andrew's changing table

The nursery is finally ready and we are now just awaiting Andrew's arrival. The small teddy bear in Andrew's crib marks the spot where he will first lay his tiny head. The paintings over the changing table were lovingly painted just for Andrew by Gigi (Ben's mom) and the glider ottoman was recovered by Nana (my mom). Everyone has made a special touch on the room -- with Ben painting it, me decorating it and many friends and family helping to outfit it (including my dear friend Julie who loaned us the nautical bedding set).

Andrew's Baby Shower - Jan. 31st

My Aunt Barbara blessed us immensely by hosting a shower for Andrew at the end of January. The shower definitely helped fill our home with many items we were lacking, including lots of BLUE, bath towels, adorable boy outfits to fill Andrew's closet & other baby essentials. We are so thankful to have such great friends and family. Below are some pictures from the shower:

Sue, Me and Aunt Barbara (my mom's best friend for over 40 yrs)
Blue balloons, plates & napkins w/ tiny footprints and lots of yummy food!

Some of the guests that made the extra effort to make this day truly special
Andrew's 1st Boy Toy...a pop and roll choo-choo train!

My dear friend, Jennifer, who is expecting a baby in April (if not sooner).
We can't wait to meet Andrew's playmate.

Lots of Prego's from our Young Married Dept at church --

yes, the nursery will be exploding soon!

Thanks to all of the wonderful gifts we received, we are now all set for Andrew's arrival!

Glamour Girl soon to be BIG Sister!

Caroline has become quite the "Lil' Glamour Girl" lately. She loves to priss around the house, help mommy put on makeup, wear mommy's high heels and host tea parties. She is such a nurturing mommy to her babies, bunny and elephant. I am confident that she will be a great help to me once An-rew (as she calls him) arrives next week. She has regressed somewhat with the potty training, but she definitely gets the concept. We are amazed each day at her expanding vocabulary. She is a very vocal little girl (gee, I wonder who she gets that from). Thankfully, she still continues to be a great sleeper...taking 2-3 hr naps each day and sleeping 12 hours each night....yes, Ben and I are spoiled and somewhat fearful of going back to sleepless nights once Andrew arrives.

Current Caroline Favorites:

Books: Dear God & God Bless (which she can practically recite)
Food: chick'n nuggets, ketch up (which she says with a big pause), french fries
Restaurant: Chick-fil-A
Place: My "new" house, in my play room
Show: Caillou
Movies: Care Bears
Toy: My Lil' Ponies
Clothes: Anything Princess
Animal: Nee-haw, giddy-up, giddy-up (her terms for horse)
Place to Visit: Mall of GA Play area or the Park

This is what Caroline does when you say, "Say Cheese!" If she'd only open her eyes, we'd have some great photo opportunities...but she always squints when she does this.

Our Lil' Glamour Girl!

The Incredible Expanding Woman!

It's hard to believe that this pregnancy is quickly approaching the end. At my 38 week appointment, the doctor went ahead and scheduled an induction for Wed, Feb 18th. So...unless Andrew has other plans, we will meet our precious, baby boy next week! The reason for the induction is to put me in a controlled environment to ensure I receive an epidural (which is a definite desire of mine). Since Caroline arrived in just over 5 hours after my water broke, and it is typical that your second child comes quicker, the thought is that I may not have time to get an epidural if Andrew decides to come on his own. Either way, keep checking back in next week as we should have a post announcing Andrew's arrival (hopefully with pictures).

nearly 38 Weeks
36-1/2 Weeks

34 Weeks (above & below) --The belly is taking over me!!

29 Weeks--Christmas

20 Weeks--The day we found out we will be blessed w/ a BOY!

16 Weeks--Old House

9 Weeks -- 1st Ultrasound