Welcome to the world, Andrew!

Andrew Robert Hopkins
Born Monday, April 13, 2009
7:39am
8 lbs. 4 oz.
19 inches long

Jim and I after we arrived at the hospital

Kimberly and I just an hour before Andrew was born!

My first view of Andrew when he was born!


Just moments after he was born...

The nurse wrapped him up and brought him to Jim. We were so happy!
They started the c-section and at 7:30 and he was born 9 minutes later! Now
THAT'S the way to have a baby! ;)


The nursery nurse checking him over. Everything looked great!
We are so blessed to have a healthy baby boy!

My first moment to hold Andrew!

I like this one. His little hat looks like a clown. ;) Such a sweet face.


Andrew and his momma!


GoGo and Andrew

Pops and Andrew

Jim's brother John

The first time Christian met Andrew. His first words were "He is so little"

He instantly was fascinated with Andrew. He wanted to see his hands...


and his feet!

Christian was ready to hold Andrew all by himself!


He already loves his little brother!


Uncle John and Andrew

Aunt Kimberly and Andrew

Mischelyn and Andrew
We had a few friends come by the hospital to visit. Jeremi brought flowers, toys for Andrew, cigar for Jim and chocolates for me!


Jamie and Andrew

Jamie and Rachel


My sweet pea!

On our way home! We stayed 2 nights in the hospital and I am recovering much quicker than expected!


Andrew once he arrived home. He is wearing the same outfit Jim wore when his mom brought him home from the hospital. Christian wore it too.

Sleeping away in his bassinet! The first few days home have been great, he is sleeping well and eating every 2 1/2 to 3 hours. He has the biggest blue eyes and dimples too! Just like Christian and his mommy! We just love holding him (and so does his big brother!) Thanks to everyone for the well wishes! More pictures to come!

Easter 2009

I can't believe that this is our last Easter...just the three of us. :)

On Saturday, we attended our church Easter Egg Hunt. My women's bible study group, "Mom's Ministry" helps to sponsor this event each year at our church. I have never so frantically taped shut so many eggs before the big hunt!
Here is a picture of Christian next to the "blow up bunny"...

We had so many people attend the hunt! We opened it up to the community and had over 1,200 eggs for the children!

Christian made his Easter basket in his preschool class. They used milk jugs and made bunny faces, ears and even a tail on the back.

Let the egg hunt begin! It was a beautiful day!

Christian and the Easter bunny!

This morning, Christian woke up on Easter morning to see that the Easter bunny had left him a basket of goodies!


M&Ms, a chocolate bunny, a children's Bible, a jump rope, a Cars activity book and a Cars "Hopper" (a ball he can sit on and bounce around)

What a handsome boy!

After church, I did not want to cook and thought it would be fun to go out for lunch since it would be our last time to do so for awhile with baby Andrew about to be born! We headed to Gusano's pizza...

Like father...

like son!

Tonight we prepare for our last night before Andrew is born. We head to the hospital tomorrow morning! Thanks to everyone for the thoughts, blessings and prayers we have received as we await to have our second son. Keep an eye on the blog for pictures of Andrew to come!

A surprise shower of gifts!

Friday was Jim's last day at work before Andrew comes. He gets 2 weeks of paternity leave that is separate from his vacation time! Sweet! So yesterday afternoon, he was told he had to be in a meeting when all of a sudden he was surprised to find that his team had planned to shower him with gifts for our baby Andrew!

We feel so blessed to have received so many wonderful gifts...especially all the diapers!!!

39 week update!

Yesterday was my last dr. appt! Andrew's heartbeat was great and he is still moving around a lot though running out of room. We are scheduled to have Andrew on Monday! Only 4 more days until we get to meet him! We are so excited! I had lunch with my friend Mischelyn yesterday down in Fayetteville. It was fun! After that, I picked up Christian and we spent the afternoon walking around the promenade. Christian enjoyed pushing Mr. Bear around too. The weather was aBEAUTIFUL 75 degrees! All in all, I walked around 2 hours yesterday but no baby yet! I even went to Sam's to stock up on food for when we get home from the hospital.

Last night, I was praying I would sleep well last night since I had my women's bible study this morning (I missed last week because I was up all night with insomnia). Luckily, I slept great and was able to make it to my last class before Andrew is born. Thanks ladies for all your prayers and support! I hope to return soon with baby Andrew with me!
So now, I am spending my last few days relaxing and waiting for Andrew to come!! Can't wait to post his first picture on my blog!

One more week!

I can't believe I will be holding baby Andrew in exactly one week (or less)! These last few weeks have seem to last forever but have also flown by at the same time. I have really enjoyed spending extra time with Christian and also having some relaxation time for myself too. I have been nesting around the house like CRAZY! But I really enjoy just sitting and feeling Andrew move around in my belly. It is so amazing. Christian and Jim sit on the couch with me and feel Andrew moving in my belly every evening too. Last night, Christian was laying his head on my belly and Andrew was kicking it and he thought it was so funny. ;)
Speaking of my belly...here it is....

I know, I know...it looks like I stepped on a small child, but those are my feet down there. :)
Yep, this is my view. My belly has gotten so big, it has become very uncomfortable-thus, the aches, pains and some sleepless nights. I am dying to be able to lay flat on my back or on my belly soon! But until then, I am content with spending just a handful of days left feeling Andrew growing in my belly!

Fun times...

Friday, I spent the morning running errands and then went to see a movie. It was my first time to see a movie by myself. The Fast and the Furious came out Friday and I had to see it. Most people are surprised to hear that I like movies about cars and racing, but I do! Plus, Paul Walker and Vin Disiel are not bad to look at either. ;) After the movie, I went to spend the afternoon and brought dinner to my friend Dara and her new baby Charlotte. Dara looked great and baby Charlotte is so sweet. I can't believe that in 9 days (or less) I will be holding our baby Andrew! :)

Today, we took Christian to Jump Zone for a birthday party for his friend Tate. Christian calls him "my old friend Tate" because they have been in daycare and in preschool together all year.

Christian playing air hockey while his friends cheer him on!

The birthday party gang!

When we got home, Christian wanted to use his bubble wand that he got as a birthday favor at the party! It was so windy, it blew the bubbles away as soon as he would blow them!
Jim spent the afternoon playing golf with his friends. It was a fun day!

38 week update!

Yesterday, I had my 38 week appointment. Andrew's heartbeat is still very strong and my blood pressure was normal. Next week is my last appointment! Yeah!
After my appointment, I went to have lunch with the trade desk gang and hear all about my friend Jamie's trip to NYC. That afternoon, I took Christian to get a check-up, a physical exam with his doctor that is required for kindergarten. He did great! They asked him to do various motor skills like jumping, skipping, etc and asked him several questions about himself and to write his name, draw shapes, etc. He was able to do everything and then some for his doctor! Yeah!
Last night, I truly had the worst spell of insomnia yet. Jim and I went to bed around 10pm but I woke up at 11:30 and could not get back to sleep until 4:30am. It was AWFUL! It is 10:30am now and I just woke up a few minutes ago. I hope this does not continue because it is driving me crazy! I have been avoiding naps and trying to stay up later than normal so I won't wake up during the nap. But last night, that did not work. I pray that tonight I don't have the same problem. Wish me luck!