'Twas the night before Christmas . . .

'Twas the day before Christmas and this is no joke

Jack called us to say Jenn's water had broke

So I cooked and baked and wrapped things and such

Then off to the hospital we went in a rush

And what to our wondering eyes did appear

A beautiful baby so precious and dear

21-1/2" long from his foot to his head

At 8 lbs 8ozs he seems to be well fed

His eyes how they twinkled, his dimples how merry

His perfect little face, his lips like a cherry

Big hands and big feet and a round little belly

It shook when he cried like a bowl full of jelly

He is chubby and pink - a right jolly new boy

You'll smile when you see him - this bundle of joy

He'll be known as "Duke" but his name is John Wayne

And after seeing him, we'll never be the same

Having him in our lives makes everything right

So Happy Christmas to all and to all a Good Night

Written by Mary Lu Horgan

Christmas Day at the hospital with our best Christmas present EVER!

Duke's first Christmas outfit.

Duke and Daddy just hanging out.

Our beautiful baby boy.

Duke at "0" months old.

First sponge bath

First trip out of the house to the Dr.'s.

The poem above pretty much explains it all. At 2:00 AM on Thursday, December 24th my water broke. I always wondered if I would know if I were in labor or not and I sure knew. I was so excited and so nervous all at the same time. I woke Jack up and called the Dr. and we were off to the hospital. It was such an exciting and crazy day. We got to the hospital at about 3:00 AM and got all checked in. I was only 1 cm dilated so that made me nervous but I knew my water had broke for sure so that they would admit me. Sure enough, we were moved to a labor and delivery room and after about4 hours of just waiting and having sporadic contractions, my Dr. came in and said they were going to speed things up a bit and make me a little more "uncomfortable"! They sure did. Things started happening at a faster rate now and I was getting more nervous and more excited. By 9:00 am I was getting my epidural and by 12:00 pm the Dr. said I was 10 cm dilated and ready to go! So for an hour I pushed with Jack at my side helping all the way. I thought he might pass out when I heard him holding his breath every time I had to push :-) After an hour, I was ready to just give up. I didn't think I had it in me for one more push but then there he was, the most beautiful baby boy I had ever seen. I didn't think I would stop crying, I was so happy and relieved. He looked wonderful and healthy. It was the most AMAZING experience of my life. I could cry every time I look at him, we really couldn't be any happier.

The stay at Abington Memorial Hospital was great for my recovery. They were very accommodating and friendly. I couldn't believe I was going to leave the hospital with a baby. We spent all of Christmas day in the hospital but that was just fine with us. We had the best present we could ever ask for. Aunt Peach and my mom brought us a tree for the room and mom-mom got him a first Christmas outfit just in case and good thing she did. He also got the cutest santa hat from Jack's Aunt Beth that we put on for some pictures.
So that is the story of how Duke arrived. I have tons more pictures to share but for now I need to go snuggle with my baby. Life is grand.

Snowfall 2009

Every year Mom-Mom's family has a Christmas party at the West Point firehouse. Every year Santa shows up and hands out gifts to each person there and good food is served along with great company. This year mother nature decides to throw a curve ball. We got about a foot of snow and it canceled the party. BUT for the Colavita's, they said snow or no snow, there will be a party. So over to the Rhoads' we all went for our Christmas gathering. Santa even found us so all the kids got their presents!!

Some of the kids playing Rockstar on Wii. The song was "Yellow Submarine".

Some of the bigger kids getting in on the action too.

After the party we came home to relax by a fire and enjoy being snowed in for the night. I was in charge of dessert for the cousin Christmas, which was supposed to be today, but was canceled by the snow too. All the boys (men) were out plowing snow all night so we are having the cousin party in January!! No parties are ever truly canceled. Back to the dessert - we were in charge of bringing dessert and not knowing whether we were going to have the party or not, I had a cake to make. I got the recipe from my boss, Kate, who makes the most delicious cakes. At our office holiday party, Jack LOVED this Ice Box Cake that she made so I had to try it. Unfortunately with the party being postponed, Jack and I are left to eat the entire cake ourselves :-)

The snow that tried to cancel it all

It wasn't so hard to make and there is NO baking involved. A little time - maybe 45 minutes to an hour to whip and assemble but that is not so bad. It was my first cake so maybe the time will decrease the more I make. We haven't tasted it yet but I'll get back to you.

Stacking . . .

and stacking . . .

and voila!

with peppermint sprinkles on top

Update on baby Duke - he is not here yet. I had a Dr.'s appt on Friday and nothing is really going on at the moment except that his head is down and hopefully getting in position, which has been the case for a few weeks now. We were hoping to have him this weekend 1. so we could be home for Christmas and we could have Duke around Christmas morning and 2. because my Pappy Wood's birthday is today and we all thought it would be nice. But baby Duke has other plans and we are o.k. with that. We'll just let him come out on his own time and when he is ready.

Horgan Family Christmas

We had the Horgan family Christmas early this year because we are waiting for one little man to arrive and are not sure when that will be. SO, Friday night we had an amazing dinner over at mom and dad Horgan's and just had a really nice and fun family night. The kids are at such a great age for the holiday's and they, of course, make the night entertaining for all of us.

I am so pregnant!! I don't think my stomach can get any bigger!

The cutest little red head wore the turbie towel I got all the girls from QVC this year. I saw them on QVC and decided that that was going to be my girls gift this year because I love mine. I never thought that a 2 year old would love it too but she wore it most of the rest of the night. I have a QVC addiction during the holiday's. I just love to watch it and keep it on while I am working and doing things around the house. Occasionally something will come on and I'll have to get it.

Of course Uncle Jack playing with all the kids in their pj's. Little Christopher is dizzy from his spin ride on the couch pillow and next it is Loucky's turn.

Duke's first tree ornament from mom-mom and pop-pop Horgan!

Our Christmas tree at home. It is new this year and our first artificial tree. I thought it might be easier to keep up with during the pregnancy. Maybe in years to come we'll do two trees, one real and one artificial with all the ornaments we have but this year we did minimal decorations. I happen to love our tree this year.

And finally our attempt at a family Christmas picture with the dogs. It didn't really go all to well because Bubba wasn't in the picture taking mood. We tried. Maybe we'll take another go at it next weekend.

Shower #3 Luncheon and Turkey Day

We went back home to western, PA for Thanksgiving this year since it will be my last trip home for awhile with the baby on the way. My mom, gram and sisters had a really nice lunch for me at my favorite restaurant back home, Luigi's. I had a really nice afternoon and the food never fails to be delicious. The tomato salad there is amazing!!

My Gram had cowboy boots put on the cupcakes for Duke.

My sister, Annie, was there too but somehow she escaped having her picture taken.

Of course, my first child, Rose. She will always be my little baby girl :-).

Pappy Wood with his first grandchild/dog. They like to pick on each other.

As for the pregnancy, it is almost over! I am 37-1/2 weeks and I am so ready to have this baby. I waddle around the house and can barely get out of bed to get to the bathroom in the middle of the night but not much longer. The anticipation is nearly killing me. I feel like a 7 year old does at Christmas time just waiting for Christmas morning. I am glad that the holiday's are here to distract me because I would be buying every item of clothing, blanket and toy that there is or fretting so much about the actual delivery.
I had a Dr's appt. today and so far there is nothing going on. His head is down and that's about it! My due date is two weeks from this coming Sunday but I am hoping that he comes on the 20th for my Pappy Wood's birthday!! That would be a real treat. A woman at Target today told me she thinks I am going to deliver on the 20th and all my MO family thinks so too so let's all hope!!!
Joelle Watt took some photos for me after my lunch so I would remember my first pregnancy. I was very apprehensive about having my photo taken at such a large size but Joelle is such a fantastic photographer that I knew she would not let me look like a stuffed pig. She captured the pregnancy perfectly and I LOVE how the baby booty charm that Jack bought me for my birthday hangs down in some of the pictures. To see the pictures click here. Don't stop at my pictures though - Joelle is AMAZING at her craft so look at all her photos. They are all truly amazing.

Christopher Turns 2!!

Time flies! I can't believe our nephew Chris is two already!! He is getting so big and is adorable. He had his birthday party at mom-mom and pop-pop's house with Elmo all over the place. His mom, Kim, made an awesome Elmo cake for him to make the theme complete! I think he had a good time playing with all the kids and his uncle Jack.

It's my party - who says I need to wear pants??

Duke's Room - 3 weeks and counting!

We got the last piece of furniture for the babies room today. The bookshelf is assembled and I think that we are all ready to go as far as the room goes! We need to finish some wall hangings and filling picture frames but we did get some things hung. Avah painted a lovely picture for her Christmas Cousin that we framed and hung above the glider (I LOVE THE GLIDER!) and she also gave us a bulldog poster months and months ago that we bought a frame for and finally hung up too. We needed the perfect spot for it. Now we need to hang the letters to his name and put pictures (of the dogs) in the blue square frames.

All we need now is baby Duke.