Too Long...

It has been over 6 months since I've even thought about writing anything (or thought to have the time to write anything) on this blog. I guess it's a good thing that I don't get paid to do this. I'd be broke! Emilia is a little over 13 months now. She isn't walking but is super close. I'm assuming since we are trying to teach her two languages at the same time, she is taking her time actually speaking words. She can say "mama", "dada","baba"( grandmother in Slovak),"papa"(bye in Slovak), etc. You get the point. The pediatrician said that within two months she should be able to say 5 words. I better get to teaching. I try. I'm not fluent in Slovak but I do try. With Peter always working, it's hard. I mean, he is the one who "knows" the language. Anyway, I'm not too worried. She is perfect! I'll catch up a little later on as soon as I remember exactly where I left off (with pictures, too!).

Catching up... part three

So, we are at the end of our "catch up". As you can see, not too much has gone on. She just keeps getting bigger and bigger. At the 6 month check up (on June 18th), she was 15lbs 13 oz and was 26" long. She is right around the 50% for both height and weight. We do not have another appointment until September.

Emi and Daddy watching the FIFA World Cup. Slovakia was playing Italy (and won) in this photo.

Me and Emi watching the fireworks on the 4th of July. We all went to TN to visit my mom. We had a great time hanging out by the lake, playing volleyball and talking.

Emi smiling for the camera. She is getting really good at posing!

Oh, and I forgot to mention. For Peter's 32nd birthday, I bought him a motorcycle. What do you think?

Emi will be 7 months old this Sunday (July 18th). She still does not have any teeth and is not interested in crawling. Tummy time with her has been quite a battle. It usually ends with her screaming and screaming until I pick her up. However, for the few minutes she does enjoy it, she is able to scoot around and grab a toy or two. I know it will take time and she will develop at her own pace. I'm not too worried. Once she starts moving, my life gets more complicated. I'll just bask in the glory of "immobile but happy" for now!

Catching up... part two

This is all three of us at a cookout over Memorial Day weekend. The water was a bit too cold for her since the pool is pretty much shaded most of the time. We just hung out and ate great food.

Emi and Daddy enjoying a relaxing day in the pool.

The three of us out for Peter's Name Day. We went to Maggiano's. The waitress wasn't the best photographer (hence the cut off head and blinking eye).

Emi playing with her passport. We got it in the mail recently. So far we have only two trips planned: Jamaica in August and Slovakia in December. We are ready!

Catching up...

So, I haven't posted in almost three months so I'll get right down to the essentials. Below are a few pictures of what's been going on.
Emi's first feeding consisted of rice cereal. Yuck! She agreed.



She likes to jump around in her swing while mommy works.

First visit to the pool. She was apprehensive at first but got used to it.

Her serious look. She is playing in a baby pool with her friend Ethan. He is a little older than her but they have a good time together.

4 months old

Emilia is really starting to discover things. She loves to sit and play with her toys. She studies them very intently. She loves her hands and her feet. But, of course, who wouldn't!


We are hanging out together all day, every day. Daddy is working a lot right now so we are just being the girls at home (missing dad).



New sunglasses and a new hat have been purchased in anticipation for the spring and summer. We are looking forward to visiting the pool and hanging out on the deck. There is a park connected to our neighborhood. We go for walks, occasionally. She loves being outside in her stroller. So much to look at!

Tummy time is getting better and better. Some days are more productive than others. She roller over from her back to her belly for the first time yesterday. Soon enough she'll be sitting up, crawling, walking and then getting married. It all goes by so fast.

At her 4 month check up she weighed 14lbs 10oz and was 24 1/4" long. Our little girl is growing. I haven't introduced rice cereal yet. I bought it along with bowls and spoons but am a little nervous about our first feeding. I think I'll be ready next week. I know she is!

Too busy...

So, it's been quite a while since I wrote and posted something. As many of you know having a child takes up a lot of time but that isn't an excuse. Since my last update, I've learned to deal with the stress a little better. Each days gets a little easier.

Having Peter's parents here was great. I really do love spending time with them. The language barrier thing isn't as bad as you would think. I speak some Slovak and they try really hard to know English. Plus, there are hand gestures (the good kind) and pictures and simple things that make it easier. Peter's parents fell in love with Emi at first sight. Peter's mom was a little nervous the first night because every time she held her, Emi would cry. Since Emi is such a lovable little person, they warmed up quickly to one another and it was smiles from there on out. We did not end up going anywhere as a small trip. Peter had to work the first week his parents were here. It was me, Emi and Peter's parents alone for a few days. No biggie! Time went by really fast. I missed them as soon as he left to take them to the airport. It took a couple of days to get back into the swing of things without them here. It was quiet and there was no feast for me every morning, noon and night. I think I gained about 10 lbs while they were here. Oh well!

Since Peter and I are not religious, we didn't celebrate Easter. I kind of felt Emi was too young for an Easter basket. My mother did make her one though. I kept the basket and will most likely do something next year. I want to teach Emi the customs of Slovakia too for all the holidays. I know it might be confusing at first but I think she will appreciate it later in life. Plus, I think it will make her feel special that she has something extra to share with her friends about her heritage when she is old enough.

I recently turned 28. I haven't really gotten to the point in my aging where it bothers me. Maybe because I am still in my 20s or maybe it never will. I guess we'll have to wait and see. For my birthday, Peter took me to see a concert featuring Guster and Ben Harper. It was a really good concert. We always like to get out of the house together for a bit. Unfortunately, Peter has to get up at 4am and go to work quite often so we don't stay out too late anymore. I don't mind too much since Emi wakes up pretty early in the morning and I have to get up as well.

Well, that is the past two months in a nut shell. I'll be more active about posting things. Pictures are next. Promise!

Quite Overwhelming...

As I prepared for the arrival of my in-laws, thoughts of running away started to fly around my mind. Trying to do too much was taking a toll, but I would, of course, push through. I sat for a moment with my head in my hands thinking, "I can't be everywhere all the time". However, I can apparently be everyone...
a wife
a mother
a daughter
a sister
a niece
a granddaughter
a great granddaughter
a grand niece
a sales manager
an office manager
a dog walker
a maid
a chef
a hostess
a friend
a sister-in-law
and for the next three weeks...a very happy daughter-in-law to the greatest in-laws!

Even though there is a slight language barrier, it isn't as bad as it would seem. I've made great efforts to learn Slovak and they to learn English.

Although it seems like a lot when written down and even when thought of for a brief moment (which is usually what I have), it isn't. It is a great honor to be all of this to all of these people.

Like second nature...

Having a laugh on Valentine's Day!


Chillin' in the tub!

Hanging out with mom!

First smile!

I can't believe yesterday Emilia was two months old! Time goes by pretty fast. We both have been really busy, hence the long period between posts.

At her two month appointment, she weighed in at 11lbs 6oz. Everyone was way off when I asked them to guess her weight. I guess that is a good thing. She is 22 1/2 inches now. In a short time, she will be out of 0-3 month clothing and into 3-6 month clothing. I still have only bought 1 or 2 items of clothing for her. We have been using all the goodies we got from the baby shower and the hand me downs from cousin Reagan and boyfriend Ethan.

She smiles at me all the time now and is interested in her toys. I think she likes the plastic keys and her purple elephant the best. She bats at them while in her chair.

Unfortunately, she is not sleeping in her crib, but a pack n play in our bedroom. However, she does sleep between 5-7 hours most nights. I am really loving that.

She loves bath time now. LOVES IT! She sits in her tub and kicks at the water. Too much fun.

Emilia and I talk everyday. She has a lot on her mind and is very vocal about it, just like momma!

Her hair is still brown and her eyes still blue. Too early to tell exactly what she will end up with but we know she will be absolutely beautiful either way.

The next thing ya know...

She is praticing again for her futre paparazzi run-ins!

Focusing on dinner!

Big beautiful blue eyes!

Monday was Emilia's one month birthday. Sometimes it is hard to believe that I am a mother. I still can't believe it (until I have to get up at 2 am because I hear a hungry baby crying)! We went to the doctor on today. She weighs 8lbs 13oz. We are very proud of our little chubby cheeks! Other than that, not much has really gone one since my last post. It gets a little more difficult to write because when I have down time, I am rushing around trying to keep the house clean.

I went and got measured for a nursing bra. I went to a little maternity store by my house. Come to find out, the reason I have been frustrated when trying on bras before was because I completely underestimated my bra size. Apparently, the gods have graced my post-partum body with a set of full DD size 36. I'm not necessarily complaining but I totally did not see that coming. I also bought my first post baby pair of jeans. These will help my transition between maternity and my pre-baby pants. They are sized weird so I'm not really sure what size they are (no, seriously). I think it's a good thing. I don't really have weight to lose because that is pretty much back to pre-baby but the squishiness of it all is unnerving. People keep reminding me that I just had a baby and I look "great" but still...

Emilia still isn't sleeping through the night. I hear we have about 8-10 more weeks before that will happen. She only gets up when she is hungry. I think once her little belly gets bigger and she can hold more milk, it will all be fine. I put her in her crib permanently last week. We have a sound machine and really good monitor so I feel much more comfortable now. My rocking-recliner should be here soon. I can't wait. I'll have a little area where I can feed her and chill.

We also transitioned her to the bath tub for bath time. She is in her own little tub. She seems to like it much better than sponge bathing. She sprawls out and lets her legs hang over the side of the swing insert like a frog. Very cute.

Bring on the New Year...

Here are a few pictures of Me, Peter and Emilia over the last

week.

Peter and I spent New Year's Eve with our new addition. Emilia wasn't awake to bring in the new year and if I hadn't awoken Peter, he wouldn't have been awake either. We are getting back into the swing of things. My mother came up this past weekend and watched our little one while we went out. I had sushi and a martini for the first time in approximately 10 months. It was delicious.

Nothing too much has changed. It takes a little longer to get ready to leave the house and I debate a lot more whether or not to go out but other than that, we just have a beautiful little person to take care of. I get a good amount of sleep. People ask me if Emilia is a good baby. Since I don't have anything to compare her to, I say that I'm really not sure. I mean, she doesn't really cry unless she is hungry. I definitely wouldn't trade her behavior for anything better or worse. We get along just nicely as a family. Peter insists on me taking a nap some days while he spends quality time with Emilia. I think it is nice. He spends time with his daughter and I get to rest, uninterrupted. Everyone wins!

And then there were three...

It has been a while since an update. I finally have a little time.

First, I would like everyone to know that I was in labor for 20 hours. However, to me it was only 6 hours because I didn't really feel anything the other 14. Once I got the epidural, it went really fast. I pushed a few times and she popped out. Literally! My midwife and the nurses were amazed at how everything progressed so fast and so well. They told me that the next time I have a baby, I better be at the hospital quick because it wouldn't stay in me long!

Second, she is back to her birth weight after only 7 days. We are super happy about that since we had a few problems with her having jaundice. Since she was 16 days early, she was more prone to have it. However, her liver kicked in on day 5 (like normal) and she will be fine. She is no longer that tinge of yellow. YEA!

Third, we are adjusting to life at home quite well. I actually went out on the Tuesday after we left the hospital. My two sisters were in town and watched Emilia while we went to a friends birthday gathering for 3 hours. I went because Peter really wanted me to. I don't want to treat my husband any different just because we are parents now. He was very proud. I feel like I am falling in love with him all over again! It is wonderful. I cried on the way to the party and for the first 5 minutes we were there. I was OK after that. It is different but in the best way possible.

It is back to work for me. Slowly, of course. Luckily, I work from home so it isn't too bad. I just have to make sure she is sleeping or content while talking to clients. Not too hard since she pretty much sleeps all the time anyway. How did you think I was updating my blog, anyway?!?

We had a wonderful Christmas. We had our traditional Slovakian Christmas on the 24th. Peter cooked all day while I attended to Emilia and napped. He insists on me napping at least once for at least an hour during the day so I am OK at night. Normally, she only gets up 1-2 times but occasionally, she will be up 4 times. Sometimes she is just more hungry than others. I didn't expect anything less with Peter as her father.

Everyone tells us that she looks like Peter. I definitely see it. She has his hairline and his lip shape. She has my plumpness of lips. We are still out on her nose. I think her eyes will be brown but we'll see. I was hoping for green or blue. Either way, she is beautiful to us. We just sit and stare at her.

Being parents isn't hard. It does take work but it is worth it. We love everything about it.

Birth announcements will be in the mail soon. Maybe with your Christmas card. I only got a chance to send out half since she came early. Sorry, to those people!

No, you didn't pee on yourself...

So, I guess my post earlier can be disregarded. I am currently in the hospital hooked up to a fetal heart monitor and I have an IV.

So, the story goes...

I was on my way home from Publix where I had just told my friend Erin that I wouldn't be going into labor any time soon. Ten minutes later when I arrived home, my water broke. It wasn't a gush of water but trickles here and there. Instead of going to the hockey game, we came to the hospital where they checked to make sure everything was on the up and up. Sure enough, I'll have a baby on December 18th.

Pictures to come later!

"You look ready..."

Really? Do I? What gave it away? My size or the painful look of happiness on my face when you make a ridiculous comment? If one more person randomly tells me "I look ready" whilst out shopping, I could explode. (um, maybe that wouldn't be so bad...)

I went to my weekly doctor's appointment yesterday. I am exactly the same as I was a week ago. I'm assuming my midwife didn't remember giving me a pelvic exam last week because when I told her I was really uncomfortable because the baby's head was down, she looked at me and said, "It only feels like the baby's head is down". Then she did the pelvic exam. What did she find? That's right! The baby's head, DOWN. Then she was all like, "Wow, you must really be uncomfortable! Well, it doesn't get better. You only have a couple more weeks. Hang in there". I left very agitated.

I have come to terms with the fact that I have approximately 3 weeks left. I will have to go through Christmas and the New Year in unbelievable discomfort. I no longer believe she will come early and do not plan on trying any other natural labor inducers. I don't believe they work.

I was on Facebook right before I wrote this post. Facebook wanted me to reconnect with my husband. I think that is funny. I'm pretty sure we did enough connecting to last me a whole 9 months!

And to end my post, I would just like to say that being pregnant has made me miss the simple things in life, like putting on socks. Today it only took me 4 minutes!

Nice of you to finally drop in...

Here I am at 37 weeks. I went to the doctor this past Wednesday. My midwife said that she (the baby) was "way, way down". I already knew that because I can finally breathe again. Also, it is much harder for me to walk. I'm still going though. My mind is blank most of the time. I've recently lost my Sam's Club card (at Sam's Club) and I forgot about Slovak lessons on Thursday even though Slovak lessons have been on Thursday for over a year now. Oh, and did I mention, I forgot to pay for them, too! My wonderful teacher had to remind me!
Peter said he is hoping to have a Christmas baby. I really don't care as long as she comes soon. I know the chances of that happening are slim to none but a girl can dream, can't she? I try to nap a little during the day but sometimes I am way too busy. I guess I'll regret that when I go into labor at 9 pm and have to be up all night with contractions. I also haven't packed a bag or picked a pediatrician. I think I'm probably way behind. I don't know. I've never done this before. I figure everything will work itself out.
Maybe my next post will be about how beautiful my baby is or it could be about how miserable I am. Who knows?

Here are some pictures of me at 35 weeks. I have gained approximately 25 lbs thus far. The doctor told me that my measurements and weight are good. She also told me to expect to go past my due date. Peter has come to accept this. I,however, am still holding out! I have several anecdotal stories to tell regarding my everyday life; unfortunately, by the time I sit down to type, I have pretty much forgotten all of them. If you see me two days in a row wearing approximately the same thing, don't worry, I just forgot what I had on the day before.

Everyone continues to ask me if I am "excited" because the due date is so close. Just to clarify, I AM VERY EXCITED! I know I may not show it exactly how everyone else does, but I'm not like everyone else. If anyone has any hints as to how I'm supposed to act excited, please let me know. I hate to disappoint.

I broke down and bought a few more maternity pieces. One pair of pants and two shirts. I'm hoping to be able to wear it through giving birth but everyday I feel bigger and bigger. So, we'll see.

Peter brought back several books in Slovak for the baby. I am attempting to learn a few nursery rhymes to say to her. We have books for the first few years. It should be fun!

I go to the doctor every week until the "big day" so expect more frequent updates. Hopefully.

So close...

So, I went for my last every two week appointment today. From now on, I'll go every week until she pops out! Yea! I can't wait to pay $4 every week for parking until my baby is born. My midwife said I am right on track. She told me that I am now measuring and weighing perfectly! Now, I have to pick a pediatrician. This is the first decision I will be making for my little girl that may affect her. What if I don't pick a good one? I can switch but then I have to go through the whole needing the records copied and it's such a pain. Much research will go on over the next few weeks.

I had an old Vietnamese woman touch my stomach the other day while walking into a restaurant. I was on the phone when it happened. Once again, I felt ambushed. However, I'll over look this incident too since it was an old Vietnamese woman. I guess all old people are exempt from my wrath. And, I'll even allow that person to decide whether or not they are old as not to offend. For example, my grandmother has been 25 for the last 22 years or so. To each their own!

I would like to tell everyone not to be too jealous this coming Thanksgiving dinner. I'll be eating and eating with my stretch top pants not feeling like I'm about to pop out of my clothes. See, I already feel that way and have for some time now so, sorry, but this is my time. Nothing like a good pair of maternity pants to get the holidays going!

Almost there...

So here I am at 32 weeks. I can't actually believe I am so close. Or can I? I still feel really great, other than the constant appendages in my ribs. I have been given two baby showers; One was given by a great high school friend Scott. The shower was awesome. It was a brunch theme. Not too many people could make it which made it even better and more intimate. I got to spend several hours with really great friends. The second baby shower was given by my two sisters, Kelli and Samantha. They did a wonderful job. The food was great, the decorations weren't quite over the top and I has a great time. I pretty much got everything off my registry. Now the question of the day: Where do I put all of it?

Peter and I put together the stroller. Then, he proceeded to push it around the house as fast as he could like he was in a race. It was quite amusing. We learned how to use the car seat and a few other items.

I keep getting asked how much weight I have actually gained. As of 32 weeks, according to my records, I have gained 22.28 lbs or 10.1 kg. The doctor's office is still about 5-6 lbs off on their scale. However, with 8 weeks left, I think I'll be OK with the whole weight gain thing. I officially started to see my midwife. She is really great and relaxed. She doesn't tell me I'm too heavy and need to see a nutritionist or anything like that. It's really nice.

I have officially entered the "pregnancy brain" stage. I made it this far so,... I kept telling the waitress the other morning at breakfast, "I don't mind eggs in my eggs". I must have said it 3-4 times. Then I told Peter, "I need some butter before my biscuits get warm". I completely forgot about an appointment we had on Monday night and I will go into the downstairs restroom to use it but end up doing laundry and forgetting. I feel like I'm going crazy! Not too much longer, I hope!

Baby's Room

Here are a few pictures of the baby's room. Peter worked his butt off to get it finished in time for the baby shower this past Saturday. We will still install an organization system into the closet and put some pictures on the wall. Other than that, we are ready for baby Mokan to come home (in approximately 8 weeks)!

Big lips and chunky cheeks...

I had a 30 week ultrasound this past Thursday. I am still measuring about 1 week ahead of schedule. The doctor said that this baby was "unbelievable healthy" and "to keep doing whatever it is I do to make this true". They took all her measurements and looked at all her organs. Everything is in perfect working order. They told us she currently weighs 3lbs 13oz. They did not have a length for us even though they measure the femur bone. We did get to see her straight on. She has big lips and chubby cheeks. Not sure where she gets the big lips?! Many of the nurses and doctors I speak with say that they wouldn't be surprised if I was early. I hope so but I am not counting on it. I am a pretty big procrastinator, so if she is anything like mom...

Unfortunately, Peter got really sick on Thursday night and was couped up all weekend in bed. I'm not imagining the baby's room will be finished for the baby shower given the short amount of time and the large amount of work that needs to be done. Such is life. As long as my husband gets to feeling better.

Very Odd...

So, I finally broke down and went to Babies R Us for the first time recently since I actually got pregnant. I have been there many times before, but never for myself. It was tiring, fun and odd all at the same time. I registered for a pack of ten bibs (very practical, I know). Next to the practical bibs, are the ones with all the cute little blurbs on them. The one that caught my eye was the one that said "100% boy". I thought that was odd. Why? Because, unless your child is a hermaphrodite, it will be 100% boy or 100% girl. Furthermore, if you have a hermaphroditic child, I seriously doubt you will brand him/her. The other item I discovered and found to be absolutely unnecessary was this little sock thing that you apparently put over a little boy's penis so he doesn't pee on you. It had a dog or something like that on it as a decoration. Even my friend, who has a little boy, thought it to be completely dumb. There are several more items like these two throughout the store. Too many to even mention.