Tuesday, December 21, 2010

One Month



I cannot believe it has been one whole month since Emerson Marie came into this world. It feels like 4 days, not 4 weeks...it really has flown. Emerson has been a very good baby from the start...she LOVES eating, she actually cannot get enough. We have spent many days (and nights) "cluster feeding" or "On Demand feeding" because it can occur on an hourly basis at times. Emme was such a little doll when we brought her home, everyone that saw her would say how tiny she was, well she was/is- her birth weight at 7 pounds and 19.5 inches, she has rapidly gained both inches and pounds since. Her last doctor's appointment just about 3 weeks ago, she was already up just about a pound, and now her cheeks are filling out, her legs are getting chubby, her tummy is nice and round, and her newborn pajamas are just about too short. She is also in size 1 diapers, so things are progressing, Little Girl is getting bigger! Emerson has also endured her 1st cold- I have been so careful with her, we haven't left the house with her, and hand washing is #1 in our house, but when your 2 year old is still learning how to cover his mouth, it makes germs very difficult to stop. Emerson has been struggling with a very stuffy nose...so some nights have been more difficult. Poor baby. I guess they say this will only make her immune system stronger...

Emerson still has that "womb like" sleepiness to her. She spends the majority parts of her days sleeping peacefully. However, the few times she is awake (besides when eating), she is alert as can be. She does not like to be alone, and will cry if she notices others have left the room, she has given me a couple tiny smiles while I was talking to her, and she moves her head in the direction of voices- especially mommy's, daddy's, and Jacob's...
She loves to be held and LOVES to sleep on her tummy...only something I will allow her to do during naptime while I am in the room. She's not the biggest fan of hats or....HAIR BOWS!!! Oh, no! Mommy is working on that one.

The rest of us have been doing well. Rocky and I are exhausted, the days or evenings don't seem to include ANY down time as of yet. Late nights, early mornings, and 2 babies...it has been a learning experience. We seem to be handling it well so far...Rocky and Jacob have gotten alot closer during all of this- Jacob seems to be enjoying his new time with Daddy while Mommy is feeding baby. Jacob's new found love is making snowmen with Daddy...it keeps him busy, happy, and so ready for a nap/bedtime. Jacob also has taken a liking to his Little Sis. It took him about 2 weeks to get used to the major change of a new baby in the house, and sharing his time with Mommy. But now, he is very loving and gentle with Emerson. He helps me change her, bathe her, burp her, and hold her. He seems to be loving every minute of being a Big Brother- he enjoys new responsibilities and being treated like a "Big Boy"- so this new role is truly perfect for him. Jacob's favorite line- "Mommy, baby is crying, pick her up/feed her." He is already watching out for his Little Sister. Lastly, I am happy. Happy and content. I must say that I have never felt this way (content and satisfied with where I am at this time in my life). NOR have I ever imagined that I could feel this way while going through the "newborn stage"- but having Jacob and Emerson feels like my life is complete right now. I don't want to be anywhere else then home with my babies...even if it means I haven't showered all day or can't seem to complete a single task...they are demanding and full of energy...and though I would do anything for a full night sleep and regular naps, it is amazing to see these 2 people and call them my own. I am truly head over heels in love.

Happy One-Month Princess.

We love you!

Love,
Mommy, Daddy, and Jacob






Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Thank You


A special Thank you to all of our friends and family who have helped us out these last couple weeks...without you, I would not have survived. Recovering from a c-section, nursing a baby, sleepless nights, and an unhappy 2-year old...makes for LOTS of challenges...Thank you to my mom for coming over the first few days in the mornings to care for Jacob, take care of me, feed both of us, and let me take naps...Thank you for moral support and unconditional love. Also, a special Thank you to my mom for also helping me while she is caring for Baby Alyssa too (4-months old) since Karen has returned to work. My mom is super busy right now, but she still finds time to help us as well. We love you Grandma Joey! Thank you to Rocky's Mom, Olivia for all that she does for us...she has been coming over every morning by 7am to help me get Jacob out of his bed (since I haven't been able to lift him), feed him breakfast, and entertain him while I rest and tend to the baby. A major Bonus is she cleans the house too and it always looks fantastic- Thank you Grandma Olivia! Thank you to my sister, Loren and Baby Mason for making the trip to the Suburbs once a week the last couple weeks to make us lunch, entertain Jacob, keep us company, clean, and watching Emme while Jacob and I went to Spanish class one day. We love you Lowen (as Jacob says). Thank you to Cara for spending the day with Jacob while I was in the hospital - he LOVES spending time with his Aunt Cara- they did crafts, had lunch, played, etc. This was very special for Jacob, especially during this major transition in his life. Thank you Aunt Cara. Thank you to all of the visitors in the hospital and at our home. The gifts, cards, food, phone calls, emails mean the world to us. We are all so blessed to have such wonderful people who care about us and who will watch both Jacob and Emerson grow. We love you.Emme and her Big Cousin, Brenden
Aunt Loren and Baby Mason visiting and taking care of us
Emme and Tia Lorraine
Emme, Mommy's cousin, Rhonda, and Great-Grandpa Morkes
Emme and Grandma Joey


Emme and Pa
Emme and Uncle David
Emme and Grandma Olivia
Emme and Aunt Karen


Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Baby's 1st Sponge Bath



Emerson has been a very easy-going baby thus far...the only things that seem to upset her are hunger, getting her diaper changed, and/or being even a little cold while changing her, bathing her, etc...so she didn't mind the sponge bath as long as the bathroom was warm and her towel was covering her body.

Monday, November 29, 2010

Storytime with Daddy and Big Brother


I think Emme likes storytime just like her Big Brother...

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

We are most Thankful for Our NEW Family of 4!


Introducing...Emerson Marie~

November 22, 2010
10:11 AM
7 lbs. 19.5 inches
Proud Big Brother~ Jacob
Proud Parents~ Rocky and Jill

She is here!! We are just all so in love...

We checked into the hospital on Monday morning at 7:30- after only 2 hours of sleep from the night before (I could NOT sleep Sunday night- all I could think about was my C-Section first thing the next morning) and my C was scheduled for 9:30- once 9:30 rolled around, we literally walked into the OR, sat down on the table, and got ready for it all to begin. Once the spinal was in, the surgery began, and within 30-minutes, at exactly 10:11 AM, the moment we all had been waiting for finally arrived- Emerson Marie made her entrance into this world, and it was the best "cry" I had ever heard! She was here! After a quick peak at her as they brought her over to me, they continued with the rest of the surgery, and then brought me to recovery . I was in recovery for a long time because I had some extra bleeding, but I had requested they bring my daughter over so that I could atleast attempt to breastfeed...and guess what?! It was like she took some breastfeeding classes in the womb, she latched on like a pro- and has been doing great since!
Emerson was able to meet her big brother, Jacob who has been waiting to meet her. I believe it is the beginning of a beautiful friendship! Jake was a bit nervous for mommy when he saw me in bed, but after some time hanging out, he was able to get more comfortable with everything, and has looked forward to visiting us each day. My recovery is coming along, and Emerson is a dream come true. We have spent some very sweet Mother/Daughter moments together these past 36 hours, and I just feel so complete as I sit and cuddle with her...I don't want to be anywhere else right now, these first days are very precious to me, and I am not taking one second for granted. Here are some pictures of Emme's first days...







Sunday, November 21, 2010

Only a few more hours...


...until we meet our Baby Girl!(Sign Reads: I will be a Big Brother Tomorrow)