One week old!

Well, we've been busy the past few days. Last night, Cooper turned one-week old! To celebrate, we had a cake just for Cooper (courtesy of Susan and Samantha):

Enjoying our swing:

Go Kansas State!

Looking too cute in my bear outfit:

Saying hello to Aunt Bebe and Uncle Larry:

Visiting with cousins Dan and Erica:

And finally, the Gershman boys in blue (go Mets!):

Happy Christmas!

Well, Cooper is now officially 5 days old. He's had a busy few days, which we'll describe in pictures rather than words (since you all want pictures anyway!)

Family picture with the Krupas:

Family picture with the Gershmans:

Family picture with Mommy and Daddy and presents:

Out for his first walk (it's been beautiful here - in the 50s):

Chewing on his fingers in the bouncy seat:

The sleeping Gershman boys:

After his first sponge bath at home:

We hope you all have the happiest of holidays. We have a busy few days coming up - more visits with family and friends, so we'll be sure to keep the pictures coming!

Homecoming Day!

The newly expanded Gershman family got discharged with clean bills of health on December 22. Here are just a few shots of our first big adventure - the great outdoors and home!

Going home outfit:

Not so sure about this carseat thing (wearing a Great-Grandma Pauline sweater):

Oh, this motion thing is not so bad after all:

Look what the stork left for us:

Meeting Grandpa G:

Meeting Grandma G:

Cooper's hospital stay

Cooper (and Lorraine) had a fairly short hospital stay - only a day and a half. During that time, he met the Krupas, Aunt Bebe, Susan and Samantha, Clare and Jim, and Jenn, Christian and Holden. Unfortunately, we don't have pictures of all of those moments, so here's a few to tide you over:

Happy Birthday - to COOKIE MONSTER!!!

Well, here's the last picture of Lorraine and Alex from this pregnancy. Pardon how we look - it was midnight!

We got to the hospital a little after midnight, and Lorraine got very comfortable with the Pitocin pump and the epidural.

After a long day of contractions, it was time for Lorraine to push. After just 45 minutes of pushing, not-so-little Cooper made his debut into the world:

And here he is with his Mommy:

Just one more of our little Cookie Monster, a.k.a. Cooper Maddox:

Happy Birthday...to Alex!!!

Well, Cookie Monster decided that he wants his own birthday, so he stayed nice and warm inside Lorraine while we celebrated Alex's birthday. Here are two pictures from our dinner out with our friends Clare and Jim, and Matt and Jena (who also has a December birthday):

Happy Holidays!!

Well, we're just about coming to the end of the pregnancy, and here are just a few pictures to put you all in the holiday mood. It's very likely that our next update will be to welcome Cookie Monster!!!

(Yes, Lorraine has passed Alex in the big belly contest!)

Full term!!

Well, here we are, at 37+ weeks, and still plugging along. Lorraine's hanging in there, still working, but moving a bit slower. We'll keep updating you all as the day gets closer. We're busy getting ready for the holidays and Cookie's arrival!

Here are a few quick pictures - can you tell Lorraine's getting a bit tired? :-)

Not looking too pregnant here...

Whoops...guess she's quite pregnant after all!

And here's Hobbes checking out the fully assembled pack n play:

Thanksgiving!

Well, we are just about wrapping up a whirlwind long weekend. We both had Wednesday off, where we started the day checking out how Cookie is doing. He's head down, and a good size - estimated to be 6.5 pounds + or - a pound or so. And definitely a boy! The ultrasound also put his EDD at 12/18/07 again! So Alex may very well be getting a birthday present.



We then welcomed the Krupas for Thanksgiving. In a change from past years, the Gershmans were not able to join us since they'll be coming up for the holidays and (hopefully) Cookie's arrival. We had a lovely dinner, joined by our friends Matt and Jena, and did some shopping and played games. Don't worry - Lorraine took it fairly easy, and went to the movies with Mom in lieu of shopping!



Before the gang left on Saturday, we took some family pictures for the Krupa holiday card. Here's a preview (the actual picture will not be posted here so you'll be surprised when you receive it in the mail):






Hope you all had a happy Thanksgiving!

Even more love for Cookie Monster (a.k.a. Friends' Shower)

On Saturday, our good friends Clare and Jim were kind enough to host a shower for Cookie Monster at our house. And once again, we were blessed and touched by all of the generosity from everyone. It's unbelievable how much Cookie is loved by all, even before his arrival.

A picture of the food spread that Clare and Jim brought:

A close-up of the cake:

And the happy parents-to-be:

Next post - Thanksgiving with the Krupas!

How much bigger can Lorraine get?

Well, here are few "just because" pictures of Lorraine at 33 weeks - 7 weeks to go! She's rapidly outgrowing many of her outfits, resulting in frequent laundry nights!

"Lounging" on the bed:

A profile and close up shot of Lorraine and Cookie Monster:

A Deluge of Love (a.k.a. Family Shower)

A few weeks ago, Mom Krupa hosted Lorraine's first shower up in NY at a great restaurant (Joe & Joe's). There was a great turnout - it was so fun to see everyone! There was good food, good fun, and good company. And the gifts - everyone was WAY too generous. Cookie Monster is not going to want for anything, that's for sure!

Here's several generations of women on Lorraine's side of the family - Lorraine, Mom K., Michelle, Aunt Bebe and Aunt Jennie:

And several generations on Alex's side - Aunt Arlene, Alex, Rita and Michelle:


Just one of many presents for our Cookie Monster:


Lorraine and the two grandmas-to-be:



Thanks again to everyone who came or sent wishes our way - we are still overwhelmed by all of the love!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY...to Lorraine!

Well, it was a fairly low-key birthday for Lorraine this year. We hosted a poker night on her birthday, although we did celebrate with a dinner out the next night. As for how she's doing, 32 is going well so far, as is the pregnancy. Still dealing with lots of swelling, but otherwise hanging in there.

Here's a picture of us comparing bellies - Lorraine should take the lead any day now! (This is week 30):

(And yes, Lorraine's been wearing a lot of black, purple and pink these days!)

Next up - Lorraine's shower in New York!!!

Another wedding!

Upon Alex's return from Australia, we celebrated his co-worker's Jenn's wedding to Sean. It was a great wedding - a bit hot for October, but it's been hot non-stop here. While we don't have any good pictures of the bride and groom (sorry Jenn!), we do have some of us. (For those of you keeping track, Lorraine was 29 weeks at this point):