So Long Blog, We Barely Knew Thee

With the announcement of Jessica and I expecting our second child, we have created a new family blog at www.zellersfamily.wordpress.com. Please come over and check out what’s new with us!

Andy

It’s the Final Countdooooown….

Time has flown…. it is nearly time for Jessica to kick off the flip flops and put on the dress shoes and head back to work! I am so glad she’s had the opportunity to spend the last two months home with Rowan.    BUT – I will try and get her to blog about it sometime this weekend.

Sorry for the quick note, but I did want to check in and say hello. We are in for another busy yet fun weekend, i can feel it!!!!

Also, we’ve added a new friend’s blog to our roll!   Brookeanne does a great job, check it out! http://www.brookeannefam.blogspot.com/

Long time no blog

We are doing very well… so well in fact that the blog has gone neglected for awhile. Rowan is walking and exploring, really interested in his world. He is so unbelievably smart and adorable. We love this kid so much, and cannot wait to see him continue to grow into the man he’ll become!!!!!

Rowan Goes to the Fair – Pics!

On Sunday we went to the Spencer County 4-H Fair. Rowan’s cousin Tristan was showing his hogs at the fair so we went up to support him.

Rowan had a great time checking out all of the barnyard animals like the sheep, goats, cows, and hogs. Jessica and I got to enjoy some tasty fair fare, each having a grilled pork tenderloin sandwich and a corn dog. We did share with Rowan. He felt left out and wasn’t content hanging out with his other cousins Riley and Kaden.

We watched intently as Tristan led his hogs effortlessly across the arena… in the end, he finished with a Blue Ribbon. Congrats Tristan!

This weekend we are off to visit Grammy and PawPaw at the lake. I am sure we’ll have lots of fun pics to post!

Back to Life

We have returned from our Great Pacific Northwest Adventure. We got to visit with Mike and Salina, who graciously opened their home to us. Rowan was a trooper and did as well as you can expect a one year old to do on a long plane trip. We took turns trying to entertain him while trying to not bother the other passengers around us. It was a challenge!

Jessica and I have both managed to be sick since getting back on Monday, and I am in fact sitting here bleary eyed and snotty pounding this post out. I am feeling a bit better tonight than I have for the past day and a half or so, so hopefully some relief is on the horizon.

Pictures and videos are up. The one with him playing with the balloon is my favorite… enjoy!

Seattle Trip 2009: Top 10 List

10. Rowan is a walkin’ fool – can he make it on foot though Evansville,  Chicago O’Hare, and SEATAC?
9. We have only two nights left to get ready – we haven’t packed one thing
8. Jessica did a great job hammering out the details and getting us booked
7. Andy can’t wait to get out of town for a few days…
6. New luggage makes the upcoming trip easier
5. Jessica doesn’t trust the GPS
4. Mike has bought entire too much booze for a four day visit
3. Salina will not be able to partake of the “distilled waters” with us due her state of impregnancy
2. Andy thinks Rowan will be a perfect angel on the flight
1. Jessica thinks Andy is full of shit

Birthday/Moving Weekend

Thanks to our families who were able to be here for Rowan’s first birthday, which we celebrated with a small gathering yesterday. It’s hard to believe our baby is now one, though he makes it easier and easier to believe as he gets more confident with walking, eating, and of course, dancing. He’s started pushing buttons on some of his favorite toys just to hear the music and have a chance to wiggle.

I was reminded today, however, that he is still a baby in some ways. See the new pictures of us trying out one of his birthday presents (thanks, Jyl and Ryan!); the inflatable whale pool. He was quite afraid of it, though we imagined it’d be a similar experience to being in the bath. Rowan has this other inflatable plastic toy that he’s always been afraid of for some reason, but hopefully we’ll be able to help him make friends with the nice whale.

This was also the weekend that my sister Amanda moved to Evansville. She’ll be working where I do, though in a very different capacity, and we’re thrilled to have her here. This is the first time she and I’ve lived in the same state in 12 years, and now she’ll be working in the same building as me, and living a mile and a half from us. It’s already been great having her around, and we all look forward to more time with her.

Again, thanks for all the birthday wishes; this weekend has definitely been an important opportunity for us to celebrate that which we hold most dear: our family.

Happy Birthday! Part 3

Doing the “live blog” from the hospital was fun.   It was a way for me to keep everyone in the loop without hanging on the phone all day, and also document the days events for all time.   I would absolutely do it all over again, and hopefully get the chance to do so someday.     it is so fun to go back through and re-read all of the  posts, look at the pics, and read the comments.    I have to admit – some of the comments made on this blog were flat out funny.   We had such a fun time going back and reading them in the days after he was born, and they still crack us up.    Of all of the comments, the ones on the Rounding Third post – which was the last one before he arrived, were the best.   There were over 50 comments made on it in about 4 hours, and the banter was lively – and funny!   Below are the comments from that post… thank you all for keeping tabs with us that day and sending us your prayers and good vibes!

Whitni – We LOVE YOU GUYS!!!!! Push em out…WAAAAAY OUt!!! You can do it Jess!!!  

Salina  - Hmm. Picturing Whitni with pom-poms here.    You guys are the best EVER. You are going to make the greatest parents. Now go take care of your wonderful wife and be there to welcome your awesome new son. We love you guys so much!

Whitni -  Cheerleader across State-Lines!!! LOL

Michael – WOOOOO HOOOOOO!!  Come on down Rowan!

 

Salina – Here we go, Rowan. Here we go! (Clap, Clap)

 

Michael – Okay, i have to go to the chiropractor but i’m taking you with me on my blackberry.

 

Salina – Happy thoughts for mom, dad and baby

 

Michael – Okay totally off topic but I had to share with Andy. The chiro just tole me that drinking whiskey for my back was probably better than taking muscle relaxers and pain killers. Just thought you’d appreciate that.   Happy thoughts to all 3, come on Rowan we’re waiting!

Whitni – Rowan…we are anxiously awaiting your arrival!!! Love you guys!

Salina – The Suspense!

Whitni – I hear you!!!!!

 

Salina – Hang in there, Jess. You can use this for leverage for the rest of his life.

 

Alana – No news yet? I just can’t take the suspense anymore!

 

Salina -  I know. Poor Jess!

Whitni – Jess we are pulling for you!!!! Love you, Love you, Love you – All of you!

 

Jessi – oooooooooooooooooh the suspense is killing me, too! I wanna see that little baby so badly… what do you think? red haired Rowan? Or dark haired like Jess?

 

Whitni – What about Auburn…..

(Rowan was born between these posts…  )

 

Salina – It would be fitting (because of the name) for him to be red-headed. But I would be willing to wager that he’ll look more like Jess. Either way, he’ll be the cutest darn kiddo EVER!!

Salina – That would be cool, Whitni

Salina – WE NEED SOME PICTURES OF YOU, ROWAN!!! HURRY UP!!!!

Whitni – I hope Jess is doing okay…She’s been pushing for a While….

 

Lindsay – C’mon, Rowan! I want to meet you!

 

Salina – I know. I really wish Andy would at least post that she’s doing well.

Lindsay – C’mon Rowan! I want to meet you!

Whitni – Yeah…but then I can see him needing a Doctor….Because Jess would stop pushing just to kick his ass! LOL

 

Salina – Michael and I are rolling over here. We get the visual on that one.

 

Salina – Funny thing is that Dr. Harpole wouldn’t even turn her head to help him out on that one

Whitni – Nope…she’d just say…Get up big boy and help! She’s awesome like that!  

Salina – Ok, Whitni.  You’re closer. Start driving down there and see how our Jess is doing.

Whitni – Right now is when I wish I had a teleporter machine or a jet pack….I don’t know which would be cooler….LOL

 

Salina – I wish I had a cell phone number for one of the Boyles . . .

Whitni – TRUE DAT!

Salina – Crack I tell you. Crack.

Whitni – Worse…more addicting, but without that small side affect of ruining your life….Need…to..hit…refresh…again…Must…do…it…

Dora – Hey you guys….waitin anxiously…..you can do it!!!

 

Whitni – What up Lindsay? Kiss that boy for me when you see him!

Carol – Just heard 8 lb 7 oz, 21″ long. All doing fine.

Whitni – AWE!!!!!!

 

Salina – Andy says they are fine

Salina – Welcome to the world, Rowan! Congratulations a million times, Andy and Jess!!!!!

 

Lindsay – Will do, love!

 

Whitni, – CONGRATULATIONS Guys!!!!!!! Love you!

Lindsay – YAY happy healthy baby! Congrats!

 

Tyranni - WHAT still no Rowan!???
What the hell, my hand is cramping from hitting refresh every 2 minutes….damn Jess hang in there!!!

Whitni – Linds – You know I meant Kiss Rowan right LOL Good night, Be Happy and enjoy all 10 fingers and 10 toes…I bet he’s adorable. I cannot wait to see pics….Geez…only minute old and the kid already had a fan club!!!

 

Lindsay – Aww, youknow he’s gotta be cute!

 

Tyranni - damn you dial up!!!   Ahhhh yay yay yay!!!!

 

Scott, Sandi and Olivia – Come on Rowan! I just know you’re gonna be super cute. We can’t wait to see you. Jess, you are really doing a great job! Thanks for all the great updates Andy!

Terra – I’m so excited, I can’t wait to see little Angus! Rowan, I know, I know…But in my heart…

 

Alana – OMG you guys are PARENTS!! Congratulations you two! I’m so happy that he’s healthy and that everyone is doing good. Can’t wait to hear all the details, but don’t worry about that tonight, you all need to rest.

 

Michael – Yes where are the pictures of the little R.A.Z.cal?

 

Dora  – Congrats!!!! Andy, I’ll be lookin for details!!!!! I’m really happy for you guys!

 

Jessi – BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The end.

It is so good to know we have so many friends and family that were excited and anticipating Rowan’s arrival as much as we were.   We are so happy to be celebrating his first birthday today! 

Happy Birthday! Part 2

Ok, below are a few pics of Rowan from the first day.  The one of him screaming and covered in slime is the first picture ever taken of him.    I have a video very similar to this pic that I will post tonight.    ENJOY!

 

Happy Birthday! Part 1

May 29th, 2008 started very quietly.    It was day very similar to today – sunny, warm, slightly overcast, but with a nice little wind blowing.    The end result however was anything but quiet.   

One year has passed since Rowan was born.   Thinking back over the course of that day,  the most tender and poignant memory I have is Jessica and I talking – just she and I – just before the nursing crew came in to have her start pushing.   Jess had endured around 12 hours of labor at that point, and she was running on fumes.   I was a ball of nerves, concerned for both she and Rowan.   I held her hand and sat close to her as we talked about how this was it – the last private moment we would have before our lives were changed forever.    In a few minutes we’d no longer be just Jessica and Andy.   We are going to be parents of this child for the rest of our lives.    We had endured such pain and heartbreak over the previous years to get to this point.  Now, here we stood on the brink of bringing a child into the world.   

We said a long heartfelt prayer, praying to God to protect Rowan as he entered this world, and protect Jessica and she endeavored to push the little fellow out.     It was literally seconds after that the nursing staff and the doctor came in.   What happened in the following minutes/hours is a blur.   But, as we all know, the end result was amazing.   

At the end of that day a baby cart was next to the bed, Rowan resting after an exhausing entry.      All I could keep thinking was that it was such a blessing for him to be there.   I remember weeping from sheer joy.     Rowan has enriched our lives in ways we never could have imagined.     Who were we before we were parents?    We find ourselves still asking this question.  

Okay folks, as promised, I am going to make numerous posts today to remember the birth of Rowan one year ago.    

I invite everyone to go back and read the blog entries from May 29th, 2008.    This link will take you to the last page of the entries, but they go from page three to page on in chronological order, starting with the condensed entry from the day previous.

In the next post I will post some pics from the day he was born.