Our Adventure

I have been wanting to write more about our experience ever since we got home from the hospital... (For those of you who don't want to read it all--skip to the pictures.) Now that I've had some more time to reflect, I'm glad that I didn't write this post sooner. With Sadie's birth I was able to immediately embrace my experience--I even remember telling Marc (right after it happened) that I knew without a doubt that I wanted to experience this again. This time around it took me several days to develop these positive feelings. I told Marc yesterday that I'm up for the challenge again. (Not for awhile however!)

One comment that I heard many times as I was pregnant is that "No two pregnancies are the same." I really understand that now! I was very prepared to have Kinnick early (2 weeks-like Sadie) and that certainly didn't happen. With Sadie it was just time to go to the hospital, there was no waiting, wondering, or second guessing. With Kinnick I thought so many times "Maybe tonight..." and then the morning would come. Even on the day of his birth I debated until the last minute if I should go to work or not. I kept thinking that if I stayed home he wouldn't come. I am however, very glad I did stay home! The morning of his birth was so nice--Marc and I let Sadie sleep in and after we dropped her off at the sitter's we went out for breakfast. Next we went grocery shopping and ran errands. We couldn't remember the last time we ran errands without Sadie and didn't feel rushed! When we finally got home I took Wrigley for a long walk (something else I hadn't done for a while). Marc made lunch for us and we sat down to watch TV. I finally decided it was time to go to the hospital but I wanted to finish cleaning first. I mopped the kitchen and Marc vacumed and mopped the wood floors.

My friend Liz works at the hospital and she was there waiting when Marc and I arrived. The nurses were expecting me b/c I had talked to my Dr. on the phone earlier in the day--they already had a birthing room ready for us! Although it seemed MUCH longer, it was only 3 1/2 hours of time at the hospital before Kinnick was born. This labor was much more intense then Sadie's. My favorite part was sitting in the whirlpool bath (I was looking forward to this before we even got to the hospital!) I layed there in my swimsuit sipping gatoraid through a straw--I told Marc "I'm pretending I'm on the beach..."

After the whirlpool, I bounced on a ball and Marc and I played war (we never finished our game, but my Dr. told Marc he was not allowed to win.) I remember at one point looking up at Marc and saying "We'll get to hear him cry soon..." That thought helped get me through the rest! When it was time to push, I really didn't think I could do it, I just kept telling myself it was almost over. Next of course--the best part of all, holding him in my arms--when I made it to that point I knew that nothing else mattered. Kinnick had arrived, he was perfect--the only thing missing was big sister. She got to come meet him for a few minutes that night. Tuesday, November 25th, 2008 is a day that I will always treasure!

Now for the pictures... We're off to the hospital!

Kinnick's debut--he came out screaming!

Marc cutting the cord...

Getting weighed & measured (an hour later!)

Sadie's 1st kiss!

After his bath (late Tuesday night)--I love his chubby cheeks in this pic!

Wednesday afternoon--Sadie comes for a visit. We got her a little baby doll stroller and she pushed up & down the hallway many times!

The nurses had fun doing his hair!

Our precious baby boy.

Mommy's little guy.

My Due Date has Arrived!

Well, today is my due date and still no baby... I concluded today that he's nervous to come out because his big sister is so crazy! This last week was long and tiring, but we kept busy so that made it go faster. Monday we went out to eat (w/ Sadie) after my Dr. apt. I spilled bbq sauce on my shirt (on the belly of course!) and she laughed hysterically about it! Tuesday we took Sadie swimming at the Y. She LOVED it! Her and I swam for about 40 minutes while Marc worked out and she still didn't want to get out of the pool. Wednesday night was "Burger King" night for our school (a fundraiser thing). So we took Sadie and she got to see several people she knew and some kids from my class. Thursday is our small group--she LOVES to play with her friends! Friday night I went to jewelry party and Saturday I had a training thing for school. Marc and I also went to a dinner party for his work last night.

I'm getting more and more anxious... I am planning on working this week as long as I am still pregnant (3 more days) and then I'll be done. Here are some pictures from our week...

Sadie and I have been bundling up to take walks after school. (She still wants to be outside all the time even though it's freezing!)

On Thursday she insisted on wearing her tiara (a baby gift from Moses!) to the babysitters. She kept saying "Princess Sadie."

"9 Month Belly"

This is Kinnick's "room" for now. We're working on Sadie's new room (it will be downstairs) but as of now we don't plan on putting them in the nursery together...

Marc and I after our dinner date.

Baby Update

Well, I've made it to 39 weeks! (and officially 7 days past when Sadie came...) This week was hard mentally b/c I was preparing myself to have this baby early. With Sadie I didn't plan on having her 2 weeks early so it was a huge shock. This time around I keep thinking, "Maybe today..." I've been having LOTS of contractions--they're just not getting stronger or regular. I really can't complain b/c I'm not too uncomfortable (Marc would probably say otherwise based on my comments at times!) I'm usually pretty tired at night after having worked all day.

The good news is I made it through my Parent-Teacher conferences and I'm super prepared for my maternity leave. (However, my optimistic principal scheduled me for an evaluation next Thursday--3 days before my due date!) We also have our house clean & ready and bags packed for me and Sadie! (All of this likely means that I'm still going to be pregnant for awhile!) I do feel like I can relax now and just enjoy (as much as possible!) the last few days of this pregnancy. At this point, my biggest desire is to be holding my baby in my house on Thanksgiving... we'll see!

Maternity Photo Shoot

Pregnancy Pic

This picture was done by my 4-year old (almost 5!) nephew Jaren... I thought it was adorable!

8 Months!

I can't believe we're down to 4 weeks (or less!) It's going really fast...

7 Months Pregnant!

6 Month Belly

I'm really starting to feel BIG now... which I don't like b/c I still have 3 months to go!

Hiking at Starved Rock

Saturday morning we decided to go for a hike... This was the first time Sadie rode in the back-pack hiker. She wasn't sure at first, but she enjoyed it. It didn't take her long to figure out how to climb her feet up daddy's back to try and get out! She also discovered toward the end of our hike that she could pull daddy's ears and take his sunglasses--this was great fun for her! With Marc carrying our 23 pound baby and me carrying our 1lb. 2 oz. baby, we were tired after about an 1 1/2 hours of hiking. On our way home we stopped at a small local ice cream/hot dog place for lunch. It was a great morning! Sadie & Daddy
Looking out at the river...
On "Eagle's Lookout" overlooking the river.

5 month belly!
Sadie & Mommy
At the end of our hike, we let Sadie out to walk--she loved exploring the trail!
Daddy found her a "walking stick"--she proudly carried it until she broke it.
Enjoying a grape slushy after our hike!

It's a...

BOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Yesterday was our ultrasound. I was very excited and nervous to find out. I didn't really have an expectation and I knew I would be overjoyed either way, but I can't explain the excitement I felt when I know it was a boy. About 5 minutes into our ultrasound (after seeing all those oh-so-important parts) our tech finally asked us if we wanted to know. OF COURSE! She said "Well, I think it's a boy, but we're going to get a closer look." Sure enough the little guy gave us a clear shot of his manhood! (I've heard that boys enjoy to do that at even this young age...)

After our appointment, we had a long day of car shopping (I'll share more of that later...) and I couldn't resists making a final stop at Children's Place. I can't even describe how much fun it was to walk in and go to the "Boy's Side". It was so great to shop for baby boy clothes (and believe it or not, I didn't buy a single thing for Sadie today!) Of course I wanted to get a little 0-3 outfit, but the bargain shopper in me couldn't resist all the great deal on clothes for next summer--I got all of this stuff for $22! What a great day...

Half Way!

So I haven't been very good about keeping you all updated on my pregnancy... I will try to do better! This picture was taken Saturday (20 weeks exactly!) I can't believe how fast the first half of this pregnancy has gone! Hopefully the second half won't fly by as quickly, because right now I'm just not ready for 2 kids!

Our due date is November 23rd. (I'm excited to have a baby during my birthday month!) I haven't been nearly as sick as I was with Sadie, but am still experiencing occasional "morning" sickness (whoever named it this apparently didn't throw up at ALL times of the day!) I don't think I'm getting as big as quickly as I did with Sadie (I wasn't expecting that at all!) However, I think I will need to start getting out some maternity clothes in the near future--I noticed during our vacation last week that my shorts were starting to get tight! My next appointment is July 23rd and I will have my ultra-sound scheduled then. I am SUPER anxious to find out if this is a little boy or girl. It killed me not to be able to shop for the new baby during our vacation! (Although I did do plenty of shopping for Sadie!)

Vacation pictures coming soon...

Bits & Pieces

Just some cute pictures and notes I wanted to share...

Sadie with all of her birthday presents... She has been loving playing with all of her new toys!


Thank God for the beautiful spring weather... this picture was taken at Starved Rock last weekend. Marc and I were able to enjoy some time hiking. The weather was gorgeous--this is a picture of our favorite canyon. (We always enjoying this particular spot, because you're bound to see something funny--people trying to climb the sides, or get things out of the water... sometimes Marc is involved in the funniness! One time we even saw a mom holding up her child to go to the bathroom!)

What a BIG girl!

Sadie is reading her birthday cards!

Grandpa makes me laugh!