Welcome Declan Thomas Whelan

I can't believe he's finally here. Our little boy we've been waiting for nine months and beyond finally arrived on Friday, April 27, weighing in at 8 lbs. 3 oz. and 22 inches long. We had an interesting delivery experience, but our little boy is healthy and beautiful. The day began with a scheduled induction at 10:30 am. Labor progressed quickly and before we knew it, he was ready to make his appearance. But, there was one little problem...his hand(which was holding the ambilical cord) was coming out first instead of his head. Instead of being a quick delivery, I had to push hard for over an hour with two doctors trying to reposition the little guy. Finally, he arrived and Billy and I were in love...he's a dream. Anna came to meet Baby Dex at the hospital with Gaga and Bapa. She was a little freaked out at the sight of her mom in a hospital bed with IVs, but she was immediately amazing with Dex. She has continued to be such a wonderful big sister...helping and loving him every step of the way. We're certainly still adjusting to the new schedule and life with two kids, but we couldn't be happier and feel more blessed. We have two beautiful children that we absolutely adore. Dex is a great baby, sleeping and eating like a dream, and Anna is amazing with him. We are truly blessed in every way. I can't wait foe what the future holds. But until then, I'm going to try to enjoy every second of these precious times with my toddler and infant. I've posted a couple of initial photos, but many more are to come...

Marco Island and Disney World

What a trip!! Not only did we stay for two weeks in Marco Island with the Whelan family, we tacked on a couple of extra days and took a "magical" trip to Disney World so Anna could finally meet her idols...the Disney Princesses.

Marco was a lot of fun. Since I was pregnant, I obviously couldn't partake in all of the usual merriment, but this trip was truly for Anna. She spent every day doing pretty much the same wonderful things: swimming in the pool, going to the beach, swimming, eating ice cream, swimming, going in the hot tub, swimming and more...all while spending every waking second with her cousins. That was the best part - Anna was able to get in some really valuable and fun "whelan cousin" time.

The highlight of the trip was most certainly Disney World. What an incredible place for kids and what an incredible experience as a parent taking your own kids there for the first time. I wasn't prepared for how emotional and wonderful just one day at Disney with my little Anna would be.

We started the day at the "Cinderlla's Table" breakfast inside the castle. We has a wonderful gourmet breakfast while each princess came up to our table to meet Anna, talk to her and sign her autograph book. We met Cinderella, Snow White, Ariel, Belle and Aurora. She was completely beside herself...just mesmorized by the "real" princesses. I really have never seen her so excited!

We then went to meet her favorite - Rapunzel. Then, on to Tiana, Tinkerbell and so much more. While there, we saw (and participated in) a super fun parade and even caught a princess show. We went on some of the rides, including the tea cup, Small World and more. Anna was a trooper and loved every minute of it.

Although the day was long and tiring for a three-year-old and a pregnant lady (and even for Billy, considering her had to carry her through most of the park), we had an amazing and memorable day. The pictures and video tell the story!

Dancing the Nutcracker

Anna has fallen in love with the ballet! Well, as much as a three-year old loves ballet...it's more about the tutus than anything else. Anyway, as a holiday treat, we took Anna to a fantastic event the City of Chicago hosts, called the Nutcracker Dance-Along. Little girls get to learn real ballet dances and dance along right next to the cast of the Nutcracker.

It was such a fun day. Anna loved all the music and dancing...she's a natural. I was impressed with how adorable the entire event was. I think this may be a new holiday tradition for our family...little boy Whelan will have to learn to love it. :)

I've attached some photos and video to view the day.

Christmas 2011 - Santa definitely visited...

Merry Christmas!! We had a wonderful Christmas with all of our family. As in past years, we went to Bapa and Gaga's house on Christmas Eve and hung out with the Aunts and Uncles, opened their amazing gifts and had a great red-meat dinner. It was super fun. I think the highlight (at least for Anna) was Aunt Maggie and Uncle AJ's gift. Anna went crazy over the blue ballerina tutu, shoes, etc. She made us put it on right when she opened the gift and wouldn't let us take it off for the rest of the night.

Aunt Katie and Uncle Steve (among other things) got her the most adorable personalized fairy book and Gaga and Bapa got her her first digital camera (yes, it's a Fisher-Price kids camera) and her first boards games like Hi-Ho Cherrio and Shoots N' Latters...so fun.

However, my favorite part of Christmas was early in the morning, when it was just the three (whoops, four) of us. Anna woke up super early and could wait to run downstairs to open the presents. She went right for the biggest gifts right away...smart girl. Santa made it a "Rapunzel-themed" Christmas this year, so Anna was in Heaven.

That afternoon, we left for Marco Island, but that's for a different post. For this post, I've attached a bunch of pictures and videos of Christmas Eve and Christmas morning.

It's a BOY!!!!

We're having a beautiful, healthy and very active (already) baby boy! Bill and I are excited beyond words.

Not only are we thrilled that our new baby is a healthy one, so far, but, we're both really excited to that we'll be able to experience both genders...we have our beautiful girl and now we're going to be able to have our boy.

We already have a name for our little guy, but we're saving that to announce when he's actually born...and we LOVE it.

Just a little note to my precious boy:

I can't wait to meet you. I grew up with sisters and already have a girl. I can't tell you how blessed I am to have you, an adorable little boy in my life now. I will do my very best to be the mother you need, want and love. I know that I will love you endlessly and unconditionally, from the day you arrive in my arms and every day after that. We will all love you and help you grow into the man you're meant to be in this world. I can't wait to hold you...I already love you.

H-A-L-L-O-W-E-E-N

As we continue on with "all things Disney Princess," Anna chose her Halloween costume this year and it was a beautiful (and absolutely adorable) Snow White dress. Of coarse, she wore it everyday for at least two weeks and spent most of her time dancing and singing - ya know, general princess merriment.

The day of Halloween was as fun as it has been every year in our neighborhood. We do it up here in the city, with neighborhood garage parties (thanks Eagans), street closings, fully catered Trick-or-Treating and just mobs of awesome little kids running around high on sugar and their parents with bottles of wine in their Radio Flyer Wagons...love it!

Anna was loving all of it...telling me to stay behind while she bravely went to each door, said trick-or-treat and got her candy. It was a great day and we can't wait until next year