Introducing our sweet Jonathan Joseph

Mama and Papa are overjoyed to announce the birth of our beautiful son
Jonathan Joseph Leonardo
Born Monday, August 18, 2014 at 12:13pm
7lbs, 2oz 20.5 inches long

The whole OR was filled with excitement as Mama was given her spinal and scrubbed down. It's not often that Mamas and Papas don't know whether they are having a boy or girl so everyone was very excited for us and our surprise. Papa was all ready in his scrubs :)

And when Dr. March asked Papa to have a look at his new baby, Papa stood up and broke in to a huge smile. Tears filled his eyes and he started to laugh when he told Mama we had a new boy! He was so excited to hold you and bring you to Mama so I could feel your skin and whisper how much I loved you!
Then you were taken to a nice warm room with Papa and measured and weighed. You will see the TONS of photos your proud new Papa took of his gorgeous new son!!

My handsome boys

One VERY proud Papa

Finally meeting and holding my sweet baby!!

You are just so gorgeous and so perfect and we feel so very, very blessed! And already we can see your sweet personality shining through. We have been basking all afternoon in a little quiet family cocoon, holding you, smelling you, and telling you how much we love you! And your Papa began drawing up basketball plays because he is just too excited....three boys and he is ready to coach! :)

Not long after Mama was settled in, your big brothers came to meet you! Their name tags/passes said it all "Proud Big Brothers!". I wish I could post the video of this wonderful moment when they first met you, but it's too big for the blog.
Mama and Papa kept it a surprise all day and did not tell your brothers until the minute they saw you if they had a new brother or sister. You should have seen the absolute joy in their eyes when we introduced their new little brother! You were a HUGE hit! And the next hour was spent passing you back and forth between brothers who want more than anything to hold and love you every minute!

Mimi and Ga were also so excited to welcome their Lucky #7 grandbaby! It was so special to have them here and they are so in love with you. Jonathan!

You are finally here and we feel so very complete! My three ducklings all in a row! :) My three beautiful boys....a dream come true!!
We can't wait to begin this life with you, Jonathan! You are our angel from heaven and we love you forever!!!

Our sweet Jonathan

And with this post, we close the door on your Belly Blog and open the door to your own special blog where Mama and Papa will follow all of your upcoming milestones and adventures. What an adventure it was carrying you for nearly 10 months my sweet boy and imagining who you would be! And here's to the amazing journey ahead and all you will become!

On your way....

Saying goodbye to baby belly one last time

We love you sweet baby!

The day is here! Mama and Papa are bursting with excitement!!
We said goodbye to your brothers and Mimi and Ga and had a quiet drive down to the hospital. We talked about finally getting to meet you after all this time, the special names we have chosen for you, and Mama's nervousness about the surgery. Mama is so lucky to have Papa by her side. He is and always will be a wonderful teammate!

This is all still so very surreal for us. By not coming early and creating a surprise arrival you have given us the opportunity to pay attention to each and every detail of these moments leading up to our meeting. There is a special calm surrounding us as we make our way in to triage and get Mama all set up for action. :) Your Papa knows just what to do to make sure I am comfortable.

And then we're off..... soon you will be in my arms. We've been dreaming of this moment for 39 weeks!
We love you little one!!!!!

One last Baby Belly pic

It's almost here.
Tomorrow we will MEET you!!

Words can not describe how excited we are to meet our third angel!!
Your Mama is a ball of emotions....I have loved having you inside me for these 39 weeks. I am so grateful for this gift! I feel so sad to be spending my last night pregnant; what a joy to share this time together, just you and Mama! But I can not wait to hold you, smell you, and kiss you! And your Papa, brothers, Mimi, Ga, and EVERYONE are so excited to have you here!
I love you so much my sweet baby! For the next few hours your Mama will cherish all of your baby wiggles and we will SEE you tomorrow!
All my love, always little duckling!

A "first" purchase for three :)

Your Mama couldn't resist......
The fall decorations are out everywhere including at a small antique shop just down the road. And there were three little metal pumpkins hand-made just for my three little ducklings.

Mimi and Mama had a lot of fun shopping on Saturday. :) And it was officially Mama's "first" purchase for THREE (instead of two) little darlings.
I can't wait to put these out on the front porch in just over a month. Your brothers are waiting for you so they can "pick" who gets what pumpkin :)
Mama is so excited for her Baby to be here!

Pre-op Appt....Check!

Can't believe it! For the first time ever, your Mama made it to her scheduled pre-op appt. This is all very surreal :)
Each pregnancy we've had these appointments scheduled but Baby always comes days (or weeks!) before! Not this little one! You are happy as can be in Mama!!
Blood tests are all done, special bracelet is in place (and can NOT be removed for the entire weekend!), all elements of the surgery have been confirmed, and every member of the baby OR unit is now giddy that on Monday morning, they get to be a part of a very big surprise :). You make people happy who don't even know you yet! :) We are set to meet our little Baby!
And PS....this bracelet scares just about everyone when your Mama walks in to a store. The Baby belly combined with the hospital bracelet makes everyone think I am in full labor right then and there. Hmmmm.....clearly these folks have never seen a preggo lady in actual labor :)

Mimi made it!

For the first time in Leonardo Baby history :), your Mimi made it to Raleigh BEFORE you decided to make your official appearance. :)

Mama and Papa are so excited to have her here. And your brothers are in heaven! Ga will be following in just a few days. We wonder if you will wait around for everyone to be here?!
Your Mama and Papa just can't believe how happy you are in there! :)

August 11.....comes and goes :)

Your Mama was SO convinced you were going to arrive on August 11!! And just as you surprised us when you came down from heaven after the doctors said you wouldn't.....Mama's 38 week mark came and went on August 11 and you are nice and comfy. Even your Papa was up all night expecting Mama to tell him we had to go to the hospital. But you have your own plan in mind. :) We shall see if you come this week, early, or if you, unlike your brothers, decide to wait until your scheduled arrival on August 18.
Whenever you do arrive, we will be SO SO SO excited to meet you!!
We love you!

Making Memories of your Beautiful Baby Belly

Mama, Papa, and your brothers had a lot of fun capturing your beautiful baby belly, my sweet little one. You are so very precious to us!

Pure love!

Daydreaming about you in your nursery

Kisses from your whole family :)

We love you so very much!

So ready to be big brothers

Anxiously awaiting their new forever friend and family member!!

These boys LOVE LOVE LOVE you!!

 They just can't wait to meet you!!

Happy Birth Month!

It's here; August 1, 2014!

We made it to August!! Can't believe how fast this year has gone.
You will be here soon!!
Happy birth month little Leonardo!!