Samuel Micah Bowen

Our baby boy is finally here. After 21 hours of labor, Samuel Micah Bowen was born on September 2, 2009 at 5:34 p.m. He weighed 8 lbs., 8 ounces and was 20 inches long. He has already filled our lives with so much love and happiness and he is only one week old!! So far we have had so much help from friends and family that parenthood seems like a piece of cake :) Talk to me in a couple of weeks when all of our helpers have gone home.

But seriously, Sam is such a happy and content baby. We truly have been blessed. Sam has already had so many visitors and can't wait to meet more!! Here are some pictures of his first week on the outside...














(After the epidural had kicked in...)














Micah and Matt playing doctor



























Hello Momma!!




















Hello Daddy!!














We are so glad that Grandad Heidenreich could be here to welcome his grandson!!














Sam & GoGo














I love my Nanna ...














...and Papa D too!!!














Tiny Feet!!

Baby Bowen's Nautical Nursery

We are finally ready for the baby to arrive!! My mom finished the crib bedding and everything is all set up. Now all we're waiting for is the BABY (oh, and we still need a name :) - only a minor detail right!?!


















































































I'm not due till September 3rd, but we think he might come a week or so early (at least I'm praying he does). The doctor said he's still "cooking" at my last appointment - so he's not quite ready to come out, but from the way he is kicking me lately I think he might be ready!! Time goes by a lot slower without a million things on your to-do list, so I'm taking the advice of everyone and getting lots of rest - I'm now averaging about two naps a day ;)

We're Nesting

The bar exam is finally over and I couldn't be more relieved. That means I can get back to my life as I knew it before the bar, right? WRONG! Before I went into studying lock-down I was a mere 6 months pregnant and September 3rd seemed so far away. I'll do it after the bar is over...That's what I told myself about EVERYTHING. Well the time has arrived, and it looks like the bar exam threw up all over my house. Now I am running around like a mad woman trying to get ready for this baby - not to mention the fact - I am about to POP!! I didn't realize how exhausted I would be... I have zero energy and this heat isn't helping.

This is where my secret weapon comes in...















My Mother. The Queen of All Things Clean & Organized. Take for example this picture, what is she doing here...we're not sure exactly, but my best guess is that she is so excited to be cleaning or organizing something. I know its a bit scary, but trust me its a good kind of scary. Growing up I did not always appreciate this quality in my Mother, but over the years I have learned that Nancy Knows Best. If you're ever moving, remodeling, or...having a baby and freaking out about getting your house ready... you want her in your corner.

So today my Mom is coming over for the second time this week to give me some much needed motivation and organization. Thank you Mom!!

We are so Blessed!!

Thank you to everyone who attended my baby shower this weekend or sent gifts!! And a special thanks to my sisters for hosting such a cute shower - and Mom too for all you do!!

































They did a Nautical shower theme to match my nursery theme and it turned out so cute!!














Emily & Matt got us a Sailboat Mobile to hang over my crib!! I heart it!!

Everything is really starting to sink in... I'M HAVING A BABY!! I even have the goods to prove it now ;)

Micah's Puerto Rico Trip

Micah & Preston returned from Puerto Rico in one piece, but I'm not sure we can say the same about way they left Puerto Rico ;) From what I gather, they went scuba diving, drank and drank some more. Here are some pictures from their trip!
















































They also went on a Bio-Night Life Adventure to the "Brightest Bay in the World" and went swimming with glow-in-the-dark plankton!! Apparently, the plankton light up bright blue when they are agitated by movement in the water... They couldn't get any good pictures of their own, but here are some I found of the same bay they went to.

One Baby Shower, Five Pregos, One BIG Baby!!!

Yesterday I attended my first of five baby showers this summer. Don't worry, only two of those showers are for me, but there is definitely something in the water around here! Everyone is pregnant!!

So yesterday, I went to my sister's neighbor Jaclyn's baby shower. All the women were buzzing about how many pregnant girls there were there - Me, Emily, Nikki, another girl I don't know, and of course Jaclyn. Five of us, or should I say ten :) , in one room. Anyway, long story short, everyone kept coming up to me and asking me when I am due. They were all shocked to learn that I am due in September because I look like I am "about to pop".

One woman said, "you must be due any day now", I quickly told her I am not due until September at which time another lady, who I later learned is a mother of twins, was convinced I was having twins, and kept asking me over and over again if I was sure that there weren't two babies in there... I mean seriously?!?! I am only 26 weeks!!

Truth be told, I am about the same size as Jaclyn, who is due the beginning of July, so I guess I am pretty big for being only 26 weeks, but these women were really freaking me out!! What kind of Amazon child am I carrying around?

My Guilty Pleasure

I know, I know... I'm supposed to be studying for the bar, and I AM studying!!! But my all time favorite show just started back up, and I'm thrilled to take a break from the books to be so entertained by the fabulous dancers and choreographers on this show!! Its too early in the season to pick a favorite, but I'll be sure to update everyone on who I pick to win. I highly recommend this show to anyone who has any appreciation for the world of dance. I love it and secretly wish I could audition one day. But, considering the circumstances :), I think I've hung up my dancing shoes, at least for a while anyway.