Well, I wanted to take this time and thank all those mothers and fathers who have provided us with insight and advice over the past 35 weeks or so.

Each of you have provided us with unique information which we greatly appreciate.  I didn’t expect to discuss such private things with a lot of you, but deeply appreciate your candidness.  It has helped ease some of our worries/concerns.

I’ve tried to thank most of you personally, but some of you I don’t talk to or see as much as Victoria, so I figured this might be a better way of saying thanks.   So…

THANK YOU!!!!!!

As most of you know, I have taken quite an active role in Victoria’s pregnancy.  From reading books to going to every doctor’s appointment, I have been there to help Victoria understand and decipher what is being said as well as help educate me on what to expect.

Well, tonight we went  to Motherhood to look for a “pregnancy support belt” (at least that is what I am calling it).  Victoria is carrying quite low and Jaime recommended giving one of those a try.  We went into Motherhood and the woman working in there was very helpful.  She opened up the package and started to help Victoria put the belt/brace on.  She started to pull it tight, but said she was a little nervous and didn’t want to pull it too tight so she asked me to help.  Which I did.

Then she was showing us another location to loosen/tighten the belt.  At this point I was just watching.  The store clerk started to pull on the strap (it is velcro) to loosen it.  At that moment, I was kind of caught off guard and remembered how she was a little nervous/unsure of herself earlier.  So I must of thought the belly was going to drop to the floor after she unhooked the velcro.  So, I quickly grabbed for the Victoria’s belly.  I think I kind of frightened her.  It was hillarious…she even chuckled.

Soon after this, Victoria was looking at robes so she could have one at the hospital.  At this time, the store clerk and I started to have a discussion about the Medela breast pump.  Explaining to me how a double is better than a single (I’ll leave it at that — most women will know what I am talking about).  Only if I had a tape recorder — you all could have a laugh.

Victoria turned 38 today and she said it is one of the best birthdays she has had in a while.  It started with me making her breakfast and giving her two birthday cards (one from me and one from Connor).  I made her french toast and then we attended church this morning (with her Mom and Dad).

She relaxed for the rest of the afternoon and then we went out to dinner at The Bonefish Grill.  It was nice because we were able to sit and talk for quite some time (something we haven’t had much time to do lately because we have been getting ready for Connor and Christmas).

Afterwards, we went to Motherhood in the mall (I have a funny story to tell about that).

Happy Birthday Victoria/Mommy!

Jaime sent me a link to this…

Now I know what to buy him after he gets a set of clubs.

Thanks Jaime!

It has been a while since I have posted something. Well, I’ve been busy finishing up things around the house before Connor arrives. With Christmas and all the little projects around the house, it has made it difficult to update the blog.

Victoria is feeling fine and is getting much bigger (or should I say Connor is getting much bigger). Victoria has been taking little naps during the day and keeps her feet elevated to help minimize the swelling. Other than that, we are anxiously awaiting Connor’s arrival.

Hard to imagine that Connor will finally be here in about 5 or 6 weeks. We are feeling more of Connor now and he keeps Victoria busy by pushing and kicking her.

I’ve been singing (poor kid) into Victoria’s belly more frequently. That seems to do the trick — if all is quiet, it just takes a few verses from Daddy’s “homemade lullaby” to get Connor stirring. Maybe he is trying to tell me I should be on American Idol.

Daddy is talking about being nervous/scared and not being in control. Boy oh boy, what does he think Mommy and I are going to go through? I mean, I am standing on my head for the next 8.5 weeks. God only knows what it will be like when I come out.

Mommy is getting larger, her waddle is getting wider, ankles are beginning to swell, and she is just tired. Imagine how Mommy must feel wondering whether it will be painful, how painful it will be, will she be able to do it, etc… I know this is what she has been thinking, I hear her talking to herself (especially while she is in the childbirth class).

Can someone calm Daddy down before he freaks out?

Good night and see you in about 8 weeks.

Love,

Connor James

Victoria and I (as well as Connor) have all been getting ready for our new arrival. We got together this weekend and put together a “to do list” and a “need to buy” list. Boy, we thought we were pretty well prepared but didn’t realize all the loose ends that needed to be done (ie. minor home repairs, photography business work, etc…). Looks like we have most things identified and plan to start knocking most of this out real soon. Of course, Christmas just adds to the “to do list”.

I mentioned that Connor is getting ready too. Well, we visited the doctor today and the doctor believes he has rotated and is now head down. I asked if he was going to stay like that and the doctor said that usually they don’t rotate much once they go head down this late in the pregnancy. Yet another sign that Connor will soon be joining us.

We are excited, nervous, scared, worried, and excited (did I say that already?).

We are quickly educating ourselves on breastfeeding because Victoria wants to give that a try. We went to a class on it and ordered a DVD from online.

The grandparents are getting ready too. They have their pack-n-plays and are anticipating the moment.

I feel like I have read so much that I won’t be able to remember any of it. I am sure a lot of it will come natural but it definitely is a scary feeling not knowing what to expect or how to care for an infant. Most of you know that I am some what of a control freak and like to have things very structured and in my control. In the past few months, I have begun to realize that things are and will change in that respect, so I am slowly letting things happen as they will.

We both are very exciting and looking forward to this new chapter in our lives.

We are off to Richmond to have Thanksgiving dinner with my mom and brother (his 1st Thanksgiving in his new home).  I’m sure Connor is anticipating a delicious meal, so hopefully Danny and Kristen will deliver!

We hope all of you enjoy your Thanksgiving and have a wonderful time with family and friends.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Victoria, Donnie, and Connor

Alright, we haven’t had much controversy since the “name the baby polls” came out. Here is one sure to get everyone voting.

Based on the 4d ultrasound (movies and pics), who does Connor look like? Be sure to vote to the right. Baby pics of Victoria and I are displayed below the poll.

Not that I am trying to sway your vote, but since this is gonna be an election year, I’ll start campaigning now:

1. He had is foot up near his mouth the entire time during the 4d ultrasound. Remember the 8mm video of me in September 1972…I had my foot in my mouth. (Like father, like son.)
2. Ok, my baby pic may not look too much like him (I am missing the cheeks). But here is a pic of me when I was a little older — I had cheeks!

Victoria (and Connor) continue to grow. We both thought her stomach was pretty big but in the past 4-5 days, I have noticed that it has grown even larger. Victoria started to feel some kicks in the upper middle section of her belly this week. She wondered if it was the baby positioning himself, but the nurse during our birthing class said it was a little early for that. It has been a little cold lately and it is dark quite early now, so Victoria and I haven’t had much of a chance to get out and take a walk. We did manage to take two walks today (1.5 miles each) — one in the morning and one during this afternoon.

As far as the lonely husband part…

Thomas (the orange cat) continues to be with Victoria no matters where she goes. He sleeps in between us on top of Victoria’s snoogle. If I am laying on Victoria’s lap while watching TV, Thomas finds a way to snuggle up with her and make it uncomfortable for me. I joke with Victoria and say that Thomas is her new boyfriend. He is definitely one loving cat and we are so happy that we brought him inside (from being a stray). Hopefully once the baby comes, all three will adjust fine. We believe they will because they have adjusted well to one another.

Here is Victoria on Sept 28, 2007 at Va Beach:

Here she is tonight: