Emerson Kate has Arrived!!!

I felt super good on Wednesday and had a lot of energy, so I thought something may have been brewing. Wednesday evening, Laura and I walked the kids to choir and then around Edison Park.  I felt good, but my back was feeling really sore.  I mentioned to Matt, half joking that maybe I was having back labor.  We went downstairs to watch a movie and I noticed that I'd been having mild contractions and must have had way too much water as the bathroom trips were numerous.  I think that Matt and I both knew something was up!  As soon as the movie ended we packed our bags, then decided we would try our best to get some sleep.  Unfortunately for me, the contractions were a bit too frequent and a bit too painful for that to happen.  I rested in bed until around 3:00, as laying down was no longer comfortable at that point.  I showered and waited and tried to keep my mind off how horrible I was feeling as the contractions were coming on strong and fast.  We called our parents at 4:00 - G-ma and G-pa left from Kokomo and my dad left to come to our house so the kiddos could keep sleeping.  I was in very active labor when we got the hospital a bit after 5:00 and the contractions were pretty much on top of each other.  I walked (I felt like I couldn't sit in the wheelchair) into labor and delivery and a team of nurses was there waiting for me.  I was at a 9, so they called the doctor, hooked me up and called the anesthesiologist.  Shortly after that, my water bag broke and I just felt like a big mess.  The nurses got a hold of the doctor and he told the nurses that he was on his way and to get the epidural to buy some time.  I was thankful, as one of the nurses made me think the epidural wasn't going to happen.  By the time the doctor arrived, the epidural had taken the edge off.  He got to business right away and said, "Well the baby can't get farther down unless it's out."  So on that note, the pushing began.  With the first push, the head was out.  On my next contraction, she was born.  I looked and said, "It's a girl!" right along with the doctor.  We felt like we had seen her before as she looked a lot like newborn Maddie.  We held her and fell instantly in love with our baby girl.

Her stats:
20.75"
7 lbs. 15 oz.
Born at 6:27 a.m.

Since she was born so early in the morning, she had many visitors on her first day.  I was pretty out of it since I was so sleep deprived and had a rough couple of hours!!!  

 Kristin and Addison came for a surprise visit.  Addison and Emerson are birthday buddies - exactly 6 years apart - so cool!!!!

 Maddie and Dane love their little sister very much.  Maddie wants to hold her, touch her and can't get enough of her.

40 Week 5 day Update

Matt and I went in yesterday for an ultrasound, non-stress test and exam.  The baby is measuring around 8 lbs. - just under, actually.  However, they said Dane would be around 6.5 lbs., so I am not too convinced about that!  I am guessing at least 8.5 lbs.  The fluid levels were good and the placenta looks good, so no concerns there.  The baby was super active during the non-stress test.  It was actually entertaining watching the heart rate go up and down and watch the belly move like crazy.  The nurse and doctor said ours was by far the most active baby of the day by a lot!  Since everything looked good, the doctor said there was no reason to rush an induction unless we wanted to.  When I went in past due with Dane, they wanted to take him as they were worried about his small size.  We decided that we will wait a bit longer and hope the baby comes on his/her own.  The doctor thinks there is a good chance we won't make it until Monday.  I am between 1-2 cm and 50% effaced.  We scheduled an induction for Monday should the baby not come by then and they don't like to go much past 41 weeks.  As for me, I feel pretty decent.  I sleep well every other night, so every other day is pretty good!  My back is feeling it as well, but I know it won't be too much longer so I can handle it!!

40 Weeks

This baby will follow Maddie and Dane and come after 40 weeks.  About a month ago, I thought this one may come early or on time, but after my appointment on Wednesday, the doctor has me thinking otherwise. I was only 1/2 cm and not very effaced.  I have a doctor's appointment/ultrasound on Tuesday and we may be talking induction at that point.  I am just nervous that I am going to have a 9 lb. baby!!!

Maddie and Grandma

While the boys were at the game, Maddie and grandma got special time together.  They made a list and were able to do almost everything on it!  They had a tea party, went to the park, read books and did special cutting projects.  But what was she most excited about?  Putting up the spider webs that she has been asking for since she first saw them on a house down the street.

Dane's First Bears Game!!!!

Grandpa, Daddy and Dane headed to Solider Field to watch Drew Brees take on the Chicago Bears.  The boys left early, as Matt was hoping to introduce Dane to Drew Brees.  It didn't surprise me that he made it happen!  Oh those good old Purdue memories and a proactive daddy! :)  Matt yelled down, "Drew - Matt Welke from Purdue!" Matt said Drew was running and then he turned around, saw him and ran over.  Matt said he'd love for Dane to get a picture and Drew was like, "Of course!"  The security guards tried to intervene, but Drew told them it was fine or something along those lines.

What an awesome day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Matt said Dane couldn't have been better and they had the best time!  A HUGE, HUGE thank you to E!!!!

Dane is 3!!!

My 3 Year Old...

Dane has always been my sporty guy and that is still very much the case.  He loves playing all sports and loves wearing sports attire.  He changes his clothes often during the day and always gets himself dressed.  He can often be found wearing his football helmet around the house!  His favorite sport is probably still basketball, but he is pretty into t-ball/baseball, soccer and football as well.  He will be starting a sports class now that he is old enough and he can't wait!  He also loves riding his bike and scooter and he zips around well on both of them.  Music is Dane's other interest.  He loves drums, guitars and has been asking for a tuba.  He is a good eater and especially loves mac and cheese and fruit.  He is also a great milk drinker and loves chocolate!  Dane adores his sister and watches out for her.  If someone gives him something, he will often ask for one for his sister too.  He is pretty easy going and he is definitely the easy one to put down when it's time for bed.  We love our Dane Train, D-Train, "Bro" and Daney Boy so very much!

Dane was very excited about his birthday this year.  Maddie woke up early on his birthday to help decorate before Dane woke up. She was super excited when he woke up and couldn't wait to start his special day.

 Dane got a SUPER cool trampoline and awesome big kid trike.  Thanks Aunt Tami!!!

 Licking the frosting off the birthday candle!  YUM!

 Dane's baseball cake, by request!  Thanks Grammie!

 A DRUM SET!!  He was so excited!  Thanks Grandma, Grandpa and Cesta Family!

Dane got himself dressed, as usual.  He likes his jersey on backwards these days so he can see his name.   He is also sporting his new hat from Grammie and Papo and pants from Baby James!  He got really cool sports stuff from the Newtons, Auntie Jill and Grammie and Papo.  What a lucky guy!

 The kids puts on a show - they were wound up!  Dane and Claire collided and he was done. I enjoyed the cuddle time with my 3 year old!

 Hyper Mads and Claire tackled a tired Papo...

3 Year Old Doc Visit

Dane and Maddie were super sick the night before his 3 year old visit to the doctor.  Dane was in better shape than his sister and was feeling alright when he went to the doc.

Dane's Stats:

Weight - 30 lbs. (50%)

Length - 37 1/4" (50%)

BMI - 15 (25%)

39 Weeks

People are very into asking the gender of the baby these days.  When I tell them that I don't know, most insist it's a boy!  We will see soon!  The waiting game continues!

38+ Weeks

During my last few doc visits, the baby's heartbeat has been right around 130.  Maddie and Dane were always significantly higher, so maybe this will be my chill child! :)  I am measuring right on and the baby is head down.  Hard to believe that baby is due in 10 days!  I will do another update after my next appointment on the 8th.

Chalk Wall Masterpiece

Maddie's first masterpiece on the chalk wall.  She drew Claire, Aubriana, herself and Nappy.  I am sure there will be many more works of art to come!

Fremd Homecoming

 Maddie did a great job this year walking out with the homecoming court.  Dane, however, was not about to walk out there.  Maybe next year!

 Maddie and her buddy, Maddi, from Little Vikes.  These two were happy to see each other once again!

The FCS Kiddos!
Rocking out to the marching band...

Birthday

Just love how happy everyone looks in this picture.  Thanks to my parents for having us over for a nice celebration! :)

One Month To Go!!!!

This pregnancy has flown by!  I can't believe I am due in a month.  We haven't been so great about belly pics, so Matt insisted that we take some today.

 Maddie and Dane are showing that I am 35+ weeks pregnant (and really starting to feel it)!!!

Dino Exhibit

We headed to Brookfield Zoo to check out the Dinosaur Exhibit and show Daddy our favorite things at Brookfield Zoo.  We had been working really hard on house stuff and needed a little outing.  The kids loved seeing the dinosaurs and really want to go back again to see it before it leaves in October!

Block Party

We had our block party last week and it was a success!  One of our neighbors wanted to bring it back, so we got on board to help bring it back.  We ended up with a great turn out and it is officially back on next year! :)

 The fire truck and ambulance came to the party! The kids enjoyed checking it out!

 Dane got himself dressed for the party.

Maddie had been wanting to have a lemonade stand for the past few weekends.  She decorated it with homemade works of art 3 or 4 weeks ago.  Well, she finally got to have her stand (it was free!) at the block party.  She went through about 6 pitchers of lemonade and loved serving her customers.  She asked me to pick up different color cups ahead of time and she asked each customer what color cup they wanted before serving them a 1/2 glass of lemonade.  Of course, Dane was her first customer!

School Days

Maddie and Dane are officially in school!  Preschool, that is!  We dropped off supplies last week.  Dane was super excited and couldn't wait to use his Micheal Jordan backpack.  I let him pick out a backpack at the store and thought for sure he would end up with a typical little boy pack, (Spiderman, Superman, Diego, etc.) but as soon as he saw the Jordan one, he knew that was the one!

 Maddie and Dane with their teacher, Mrs. C. on supply drop off day.

Before daddy left for work, he gave the kids 3 rules on their first day:
1. Have fun
2. Have good manners
3. Be nice to all of the other kids

 Maddie wanted to wear her dress from Hawaii and wanted a little braid in her hair - easy enough!

 Dane, on the other hand, wouldn't wear what he called the "church outfit" that I picked out.  He was having a clothing melt down up in his room for quite some time.  He REALLY wanted to wear his Batman sweatshirt (it was in the 90's today) and then a whole bunch of other lovely choices.  He finally picked his anchor shirt and I went with it.  He came downstairs worn out and Maddie was very sweet towards him and told him that it was an exciting day and to be happy!

 Starting to come around...

They ended up having a great first day.  There are about 8 girls in the class and 2 boys.  Dane really liked the race cars and Maddie had fun at the art table.