Update: Together Again

While ordering Calypso Chicken burritos for Mindy and myself at Habanero in Newport recently, I saw Chris Welsh finishing up dinner. Before I could build up the nerve to approach him and get his thoughts on his now infamous JTM commercial, he was gone. This leaves me with 2 additional questions: 1) why to I keep running into local celebrities at area Habanero locations? and 2) does the hoagie know Chris Welsh has been seeing a burrito behind its back?

Baby Edwin

Hi, Mike Brown. This is Edwin. And he’s my first. So far his talents include keeping his mom awake all night and stressing out our dog. That, and making his mom's and my heart pound every time we look at him. And so, Mike Brown, when you retain yourself as GM and refuse to hire an adequate amount of scouts leading to another 40 years of Bengal mediocrity, were you counting on Edwin as a fan? Because if you were, you can’t have him.

We've Mastered the Car Seat!

If anyone saw the last car seat picture, no worries...we have mastered the art of buckling Edwin in! Thanks for all of the concerned emails.

Week 40 - An End to One Journey and a Beginning to Another...

Week 40!

I wanted to finish my 40 week journey with our final picture.

I can't believe how exciting weeks 39 and 40 were!

Career Planning

Edwin is well into his second week of existence, and yes, we're on the same page as you, The Ross Experience reader: it's high time he gets serious about his future. Lucky for Edwin, I'd began working on his career plan years before he was born.

It all started sitting around the fraternity house some 10 year ago, discussing ideal jobs with my friend, Chris Flood. Since his uncle was a history-making athlete, the conversation quickly turned toward jobs in professional sports. We nearly settled on 3rd-string NFL quarterback; however, after further analysis it didn't take us long to arrive at the right answer: NFL punter. (I'll spare you the details here...if you want the full story, come on over to the house and I'll go through it with you, but bring a sixer of Oberon...it could take a while.)

Currently, the average AFC North punter pulls in over $850k per year (see here, here, here and here), not bad for what amounts to about 5-6 leg extensions every autumn Sunday.

So working backwards from the NFL draft, I figure you've got college football + soccer, high school football + soccer before that, middle school soccer before that, and youth soccer before that. Therefore, we're currently searching for 0-6 month soccer leagues here in the tri-state for Edwin to start in the fall. Until then it's 1-on-1 leg-exercise personal training sessions with Dad and baby:

Yes, that's a Bengals blanket in the background. It sure is convenient that Edwin will be growing up in such close proximity to an NFL team that can't convert a 3rd down.

Look for Edwin on NFL Draft Day, April 2030!

Patience

We apologize. Edwin's really been devouring our quality blogging time. We promise more posts are on the horizon. To tide you over, watch some of the favorite cartoon intros from our youth here and here.

P.S.: thanks to Nick Gavey for the nickname idea of "Little E".

My Life Has Changed...For The Better!

Edwin Randall Ross has arrived...I can hardly believe it! I knew my life would change...everyone told me that it would...but it is AWESOME! I love being a mom. Sure, it is hard work - harder than anything I've ever done...but it is so worth it! I know I'm biased, but Edwin is PERFECT! I'm warning everyone that this might be a long blog - I apologize in advance. Edwin is sleeping, so I finally have a few minutes to reflect.

First, HAPPY FATHER'S DAY TO DAVE! Dave is an incredible dad. His dad would be so proud of him. I can't imagine going through this adventure without him. Since we found out we were pregnant, he has been the most supportive and caring husband I've ever seen. He is the first to say that he's had it easy - but if you know me, you know that isn't true. I'm somewhat of a baby and need a lot of spoiling, so he's had his work cut out for him since day 1. I can't wait to see Dave and Edwin's relationship grow with each day! Dave, I LOVE YOU!!!!

Second, I wanted to take a minute to thank everyone for their kind words, prayers, emails, thoughts, gifts, etc. Edwin is one lucky boy! So far visitors include: Grandma Ross, Grandpa Randy, Grandma Smith, Mike, Joyce, Aunt Jessica & Uncle Isaac, Great Grandma Shirley, Cody & Taylor, Treva, Tamara, Regina, and our neighbors - the Johnsons. Of course, Sedona is one proud older sister...after a few moments of growling and trying to figure out who this new person was - she quickly adjusted to concerned protector and follows the baby from room to room keeping a close eye.

Next, everyone has been asking how I'm feeling - I'm feeling great. Definitely tired...but feeling good. I'm so thankful that my pregnancy and labor experience was relatively easy. I know Dave already blogged about our birthing story - but I want to add that my water broke at home around 7:30am...by the time we made it to the hospital at 8:30am - I was 5 cm dilated with contractions every 4 minutes. Once we got pain medication - everything continued to progress. They came in at 2:30pm and said it was time to start pushing - I couldn't believe it. I figured I'd have to push for a long time...but I was prepared! But to my surprise, 1 hour later (at 3:33pm) Edwin joined the world...St. Luke East was great. Our nurse was AWESOME! She made the experience as comfortable as possible and stayed by my side from admission to post delivery. Our Dr. was great...and I'm so thankful for the nursery staff who helped us get through our first couple of nights and nursing 101.

Congrats to Lisa Frustino, a great friend in Phoenix, AZ who won the Baby Pool. Although her guess was one day off - she had the gender correct and was close on the other information. Edwin will be sending something special to Lisa...

Now, our adventure continues...I have a lot of work to do. Losing all of my baby weight and becoming the most healthy and active mom I can be...it's strange how much more complete your life can feel with the addition of a baby!!!

Can't wait for Edwin to meet all of our other friends/family. Stay tuned as I keep updating with pics/updates as we go...thanks again!

Potential Nicknames for Edwin

Mindy and I have been getting numerous requests for what we're planning on calling Edwin. It was definitely not our intent to name him one thing and call him something else. So for now, we're going with plain Edwin. However, we're not so naive to think that with an easily-shortened name like Edwin, he won't eventually go by a nickname. I should know...I went by my full name, David, until it was shortened to Dave by my buddies at age 12 (lesser known fact: Mindy went by her full name, Esmindarella, until age 9).

That said I decided to take a crack at potential nicknames:

Ed (obvious)
Eddie (or Eddy, with or without "Fast" in front)
E.R. (Clooney's got nothing on this kid)
E-Ros (a la A-Rod)
Err (easy for a mumbler like me to say)
Sir Edwin (shouldn't be too tough...even Mussolini got knighted)
Mr. Ed (of course, of course)
E-Dawg (Randy Jackson's choice)
Dwin (doesn't exactly roll off the tongue)
Edraro (grasping at straws for a 10th option)

Any other ideas?

Does this mean we have to buy a crib now?

Just kidding...the the entire house has been thoroughly prepared for the arrival of our little Edwin. If all continues to go as well as it has been, that arrival is slated for tomorrow afternoon.



Fortunately, the last couple of days have gone relatively smoothly. Since this blog is theoretically accessible to the public, I'll spare you any unnecessary description (if you interested in learning more about the childbirth experience, check here), so here are the Cliffs Notes:

Yesterday, in the span of just over 8 hours we realize Mindy's starting labor, gather our hospital bags, make the 2 mile drive to St. Luke's, undergo some tests, do a little pushing, and pow, Edwin is born.

I know what you're thinking: "8 hours, wow, that's less time than it takes Dave to decide whether or not to call a raise in a $20 poker game". Well, they don't call him Fast Eddie for nothing!

Mindy and I can't be more satisfied with our experience so far, especially since one of the few cable channels they carry is FSN-Ohio, so we can watch the Reds (as I type they're leading Boston 3-1...for details on the last time the Red Sox played in Cincinnati, check here). Everyone's been great: the doctors, the nurses, the lactation consultant, the people in registration, and even the janitor.

Coming soon: Dave's post on whether Edwin will be a Steelers or Bengals fan (he's a good looking kid, so that could signify Steeler fan, but he's done his fair share of crying, which is vintage Bengal fan). Coming soon (by the end of this weekend): Mindy's 1st post as a mom. Coming soon (by the end of 4th grade): Edwin's 1st post as a human.

It's a Boy!

Edwin Randall Ross has been unleashed onto the world...

The particulars...

- time: 3:33pm

- weight: 7 lbs. 6 oz.

- length: 18 3/4 in.

Mom and baby are doing well.

And Dad? So far so good...

Cankles by Request

Week 39...or 42?

Today we had our week 39 dr. appointment. Baby Ross must be really comfortable because there has been no progress since our last appointment. I'm measuring 42 weeks - so my belly thinks it is time to have this baby...

Our next appointment is Wednesday, June 18th...and at that time they will make a decision about next steps - induction/how much longer to wait/etc.

My feet have swollen to about twice their normal size...sleep is very difficult at this point. All normal for this point in a pregnancy...so nothing really to report.

The good news - sooner or later this baby will come out!

Together Again

What gives with the Bronson Arroyo/Chris Welsh "Together Again" JTM commercial? If you haven't seen it, watch it here.

Who's together again: Chris Welsh and the hoagie? I'm not sure this makes sense. Can anyone help me figure this out?

Truly Amazing...

We had our 3rd ultrasound today. The dr. ordered it in order to get a better indication of the baby's size/weight. GOOD NEWS! Baby Ross is doing great!

Approximate weight is 6 lbs and 13 ozs.

The technician was also able to tell us that the baby has hair...how exciting is that?

The heartbeat sounds strong and movement is good.

So, the waiting game continues...

Changing of the Seasons

This week marks the end of another always-too-short spring outdoor running season here in the Greater Cincinnati area. It's not like this is some sort of formal regulation (that's not to say I'd be surprised by another government restriction on personal freedom...especially on the Ohio side of the river). Spring outdoor running season is simply my own creation based on 1) me being a wimp that prefers to run outdoors only when the temp's between 60 and 72 degrees and 2) the tendency of the climate here to hit the fast forward button between winter and summer.

Oh well, it's been a fun 8 weeks (or so), and you can look for me on the streets of Newport circa October for the start of autumn outdoor running season. Until then it's on to (4+ months of?) summer treadmill-in-the-basement running season for me.

As much I'll miss running outdoors, I will actually be looking forward to spending more time at the house (or, depending on your perspective, need to spend more time at the house). If you saw Mindy's 38th week picture, you can see as easily as us that our kid'll be here faster than Chad Johnson can change his mind again about whether or not he wants to be a Bengal. Anyway, a couple postless days here on The Ross Experience most likely signifies Mindy and I are probing around St. Luke's East to see if we can't make it out of there with a baby. I'll be sure post updates when possible.

So I guess along with the changing of my running seasons comes the evolving of my post topics...

38 Weeks!

So, I've officially reached the 38 week mark. My how things have changed since my week 24 picture. Don't think I can get much bigger...so we're just hoping Baby Ross decides to make its grand entrance sooner rather than later. We have a 3rd ultrasound on Friday - the doctor is worried that the baby is large (I'm measuring 2 weeks larger than I should be for this time), so it could literally be ANYTIME.

I'm not scared...but I'm anxious. I'm so excited to meet Baby Ross...and find out who's been in there all of this time. I'm so excited for Dave and I to start this new adventure of parenting...still don't know who the disciplinarian will be?

I think Sedona knows something is about to happen. She has been by my side every possible minute.

Dave takes his CFA Level II exam on Saturday - so my sister is "mom-sitting" during the test. We're hoping Baby Ross will wait until after the test to arrive...keep your fingers crossed and wish Dave your best!

More soon...

Blog Adds Canine Reader

Sedona checks out what all the buzz around The Ross Experience Blog is all about.

Air Conditioning

We have yet to turn on the A/C this year. I wonder how long we'll hold out...

June has arrived...

It feels like I've been waiting forever for June to arrive. I can't believe the adventures of prego Mindy are coming to an end...and I'm excited for the adventures of Mama Mindy to begin.

I don't know how women are pregnant during the summer months. This past weekend was hot and humid...it is no fun carrying all of this extra weight. Dave and I tried to take a walk on Saturday and got just a few blocks before I was ready to turn around and come home. Tremendous amount of back pain these days...

Everyone who knows me knows that I live my life making lists. The pre-baby to do list is slowly getting finished up. I think all of our major projects are complete...the items left are things that we could finish post baby. So, that feels good!

We have our next dr. appointment on Wednesday - hopefully things continue to progress and Baby Ross joins our family soon.

Dave takes the CFA Level 2 exam on Saturday - so we're hoping the baby will wait until he's finished with that...then - anytime!!!!