2 months, 8 weeks, or 56 days old….

Emma Jo is officially 2 months old as of today!  I cannot believe how quickly these past 2 months have gone -- feels like just yesterday I was waiting (rather impatiently) for her arrival!

She continues to amaze Joey and I daily -- I don't know how it happens, but with each day I feel like I couldn't possibly love her anymore, but then the next day I seem to find a way to love her even more than I did the day before!  Amazing how much your heart grows once you have a child (and you seem to understand even more the love your parents have for you!).  All in all, these past 2 months have been the most rewarding, exciting, nerve-wracking, fulfilling, and loving months of my life and I am so excited to watch her continue to grow!

She now is awake a lot more than she used to be which is so much fun!  Don't get me wrong, she still LOVES to sleep and continues to sleep through the night (from about 11:30 pm to 5:30/6am)… lets just hope that continues to stay that way!

She now smiles when she looks at you and recognizes Joey and I when we talk and smile at her -- so rewarding when you get her to give you her big gummy grin! :)  She has also recently began "talking" when she is really happy and just kicks and pumps her arms like crazy!  She LOVES her playmat and staring up at all of her "friends" as we call them (a lion, elephant, monkey, and giraffe).  Here's a pic of her looking right at the camera while playing at Grandma Kate and Grandpa Larry's house last week :)

I took her to get her photos taken professionally for the first time today (she does not like being messed with and does not pose well, so I had been putting this off expecting her to just throw a big fit like she normally does… she did great though!)  Here are my favorites from the session today (she is in her Easter dress)!

I just can't get over how stinkin' cute she is!!! (I'm biased, I know)

We will be heading to KC for Emma's first Easter to spend it with Joey's family.  They are very excited to see her in her dress and Easter bonnet :)

We hope that everyone has a WONDERFUL EASTER!

Love, Carlie, Joey, and Emma Jo

Emma Jo Hajduch

Hello everyone!  Sorry it has taken me so long to post (being a mommy is hard work!).  :)

As you know, Miss Emma Jo Hajduch joined the world on February 23, 2011 at 4:27 pm!  She was a BIG girl -- 9 lbs. 2 oz. and 20.5 in. long (taking after her mommy who was a whopping 9 lbs. 3 oz.).

Emma is such a wonderful baby and she amazes Joey and I daily!  Really, she sleeps 95% of the day, so that's why I had to capture a little bit of her awake time on video (although she isn't doing anything interesting in it, I just love seeing her baby blues!).  This is us doing tummy time last night:

It is hard to believe that our little girl is going to be 1 month old tomorrow!  Where does the time go?!  It really has me freaked out at how quickly she is going to grow up :(  I know with each phase/age she goes through will come new and exciting things, but I am just enjoying her being a newborn so much (minus me panicking at every little sound she makes, constantly checking on her at night to make sure she's still breathing, and all of the "unknowns" I get so paranoid about)!!

As I mentioned, she sleeps ALL OF THE TIME!  I have to strip her down to wake her up for feedings (try to do about every 3 hours, except at night I just let her sleep until she wakes me up).  Once she's stripped down, she fusses, I feed her for 5-7 minutes, she falls asleep.  Then I have to do something to wake her up again (change her diaper, mess with her a little), then if we're lucky she'll eat for 10 more minutes (with breaks).  It is a big ordeal and lots of work, but all worth it!  I scheduled a weight check for this Thursday just to make sure she is gaining correctly -- fingers crossed!

Joey is such a great daddy!!  I love watching the two of them together -- he absolutely adores her and I'm so blessed to be the wife of such a wonderful man :)  

As for me, I absolutely love being a mom!  I wouldn't change a thing!  I just look at her and can't believe how beautiful she is and that she is actually here!  She is so amazing and I am so lucky :)

Many of you are probably wondering how our naughty pups are adjusting -- well, we really couldn't ask for them to be much better!  Preslie  just wants to lick her and give her kisses whenever she walks by her, it's pretty cute.  Here's a fun pic of the two of them :)

Preslie and Miss Emma

That's about all for now -- time for Emma's next feeding! :)  Just wanted to send a quick thank you to all of our friends and family for their unbelievable love and support!  THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!! <3  

HAPPY TUESDAY!!

Now that's a belly

No hiding this big thing!

The most recent belly photo taken last night:




38 weeks and 3 days


11 days to go...

HAPPY FRIDAY ALL! 

12 days and counting....

Well, the time is drawing near!  Just 12 days to go until March 1 -- hard to believe, but really, I have a feeling these might be the longest 12 days I've ever experienced in my life!  Just so anxious and excited!  Joey just keeps telling me to be patient and that he/she will join us when he/she is ready... easier said than done, but I appreciate his attempts to calm my eagnerness none the less :)

Had our weekly appointment yesterday afternoon and Dr. said I was 80% effaced and about 2 cm dialated!!  At last week's appointment I wasn't dialated at all, so this was great news!  Baby's heartbeat sounded good, baby is still low, and blood pressure was great!  It was a great appointment :)  When I went up to the counter after the appointment was over to schedule my visit for next week, the front desk ladies (who are awesome) asked me how it went and when I told them they were like "What are you even scheduling an appoiontment for?  We're not going to see you next week!"  I told them not to jynx me and my next appointment is set for Monday at 3:15! :)

I do have to say that I have heard a lot about women giving birth on full moons.  SUPPOSEDLY, delivery rooms seem to fill up on these days.  A co-worker was the first to inform me of this, and then the nurse practioner at my dr's office also said it.  Well folks, the next full moon is tomorrow, February 18 -- guess we'll see if there is any truth to it ;) 

This is all I could find on why the moon could possibly have an effect:
The book The Lunar Effect, brought the "biological tides theory" to the forefront and the author, Arnold L. Lieber, argued that the moon affects the human body in much the same way as it does the world's oceans. This means that if a woman is close to her due date during a full moon, the pressure caused by the moon's effect on the water inside the amniotic sac could cause it to burst.

Last weekend was a GREAT weekend!  Had my third and final baby shower on Sunday and it was wonderufl!  It was great seeing family and friends and people's generosity never ceases to amaze me.  Baby H truly received many great things and Joey and I couldn't thank everyone enough (yet again) for all of their love and support!

I also did a lot of walking over the weekend!  Exercise hasn't really been in my vocabulary during this pregnancy (whoops -- will try to do better at that next time ;)).  I told Joey, "okay, we are going to walk all weekend and get things moving!"  After the results from last week to this weeks appointment, I'd say maybe some of that walking worked :)  Sooo, Joey and I took the pups on a long (well long for me at 9 months prego) walk last night after my appointment.  Since it's supposed to be record highs today weather wise, I am predicting another walk after work tonight! :) 

On Monday night (V-day) Joey and I ordered takeout from PF Changs as I wanted to eat the only really "spciy" thing in my diet, Garlic Noodles (those things are hot!).  As everyone can see, I am totally falling for the wives tails of what is supposed to trigger labor. Obviously, since the baby is still in my stomach and not in my arms, the spiceness did nothing but give me heartburn. 

Anyway, I know this is a long post -- just so much going on!

We are definitely ready and just WAITING! 

Baby H, you are welcome to join this world whenever you want -- we're ready for you!! <3

READY!

THREE WEEKS TO GO!

 

I have a feeling, these next few weeks are going to feel like the slowest ever.  I have reached the point where I am just READY!  I told Joey on Saturday -- "ok, I'm ready to not be pregnant anymore." haha.  I also feel like today would be a great day for Baby H to arrive if he/she would like to come early, because the house is all clean, every piece of laundry is done, the dogs both got baths, teeth brushed, and nails clipped yesterday, hospital bag is packed, and the nursery is now 99% finished (other 1% will be finished once we know the gender and we can make it look more boyish or girlish)!  :) 

 

 

Crib and Armoire (view from the doorway)

Crib and lanterns we hung this weekend

Teddy Bear on the dresser is Joey's from when he was little... name is Sammy Bear :)

Rocker, changing table, and funky lamp.  Will add baby's initial to the wall once we know if it will be an "E" or "B" :)

 

Now that we are 37 weeks, the baby is considered full term and therefore, doctor said I could go at anytime!  Crazy to think there is a full sized newborn baby in my stomach (although it is very believable with how large my stomach is).  I noticed the baby had "dropped" on Friday of last week and I am now carrying him/her much lower... just a sign we are getting closer! :) 

 

Two of my best friends hosted a baby shower last weekend and baby received some really great things!  He/she is already extremely spoiled!  We are so lucky to have so many great friends... thanks to all those who were able to come!  I had a blast at the shower -- it was themed green and brown just like the nursery and we played some pretty fun games!  It was wonderful and I am so lucky -- thanks Kristin and Colleen!! 

 

Collen, myself, and Kristin at the shower.

 

 

I have another shower this upcoming weekend which I am really excited about as well!  This one is hosted by my Aunt Christie and cousins Emilie and Meredith.  Looking forward to seeing everyone!

 

This week on the to do list is to get a pediatrician figured out for the baby.  We have a couple of options, but just need to nail one down.

 

Thanks for everyone's support throughout this entire pregnancy -- Joey and I are very blessed and thankful to have so many wonderful people in our lives! :)

 

Please continue to keep us in your prayers for a safe and healthy rest of the pregnancy, delivery, and recovery!  

5 weeks to go!

Hard to believe there are only 5 weeks left (4 weeks and 6 days if we are being exact)!!  Since June, we have had March 1 circled on all of our calendars and it seemed so far away... it is amazing that the day is almost here!

We are starting to get so excited and can't wait to meet our daughter/son! :)

We have recently had a major breakthrough... we have decided on names.  I know, hard to believe.  But we both really love both of the names and it feels great to have mutually agreed on both a boy and a girls name!  We'll just keep everyone in suspense on what those names are until he/she arrives :)

We took a belly shot last night and I have to tell you, I knew I was getting big, but until I saw the photo, didn't realize just HOW big!  Camera puts on 10 lbs though, right?! haha

35 weeks pregnant!

We have our last childbirth prep class tomorrow night -- we are supposed to bring our bag with us to class that we are planning on bringing to the hospital.  Guess that means that we need to pack our bag tonight! 

We had our most recent Dr's appt on Monday and the baby's heartbeat sounded strong and rate was around 140... hearing that heartbeat never gets old :)  Dr. said she thought the baby's head felt like it was down and she estimated that the baby weighs about 5 1/2 lbs!  We will now have weekly appointments until delivery day comes.

We went shopping Monday night to mommy's favorite store (Baby Gap!) and picked out a baby boy and girl outfit that our little one will come home in.  Plan is to have Grandma Kate wash the outfit once we know what it is and bring it to the hospital for us.  It's amazing how excited I seem to get about little things like this :)

I continue to feel pretty good.  I am starting to get to that uncomfortable stage, however.  I easily wake up 3-5 times per night with either heartburn or to have to pee... poor Joey gets awakened every time.  Guess it's just prepping for when the little one actually arrives! 

That's about it for now!  Happy Hump Day everyone and here's to a great rest of the week!

Childbirth Prep

So, Joey and I started our childbirth classes last Thursday night and now have completed two courses (have two more to go).  I'm not going to lie, sitting in there and listening to some of that stuff really gets my heart racing -- especially since the women in the videos they show appear to be in so much pain.  Don't get me wrong, I know it is going to be painful, but, I mean, can't they show videos of women with freakishly high pain tolerances to make it appear to be a little less painful?!?!

Joey had me laughing so hard last night in our class.  They talk a lot about your "coach" (aka: Joey) and what all they are responsible for: massaging, supporting, picking out new breathing techniques, praise, being a focal point, etc...  Joey leaned over to me last night and said: "I'm not going to lie, I really had no idea it was going to be this hard[refering to himself].  I just kind of thought I was going to show up and hang out."  Even as I write, that still makes me laugh :)

The teacher of the class asked all of us what one thing we wanted to accomplish to help better prepare for baby prior to next week was:

My task: purchase the coming home outfit (we are going to buy a boys outfit and a girls outfit) -- so excited about this :)

Joey's: he wants to purchase snacks for his "coach's kit" (bag he takes for himself to the hospital).  Again, he makes me laugh :)

Hope everyone has a great Friday!!

Just about 6 weeks left to go!!!! Can't wait!