Photo shoot, visit with Grandmas, and 1st piece of mail!!!

We had another busy week, and (as you might expect) Emerson is getting cuter by the second! On Tuesday, we made a trip to the mall, and hung out with Auntie Jessi during her lunch break, and then Jason during his! On Wednesday, our amazing photographer, Julie Ranee, came to the house to get Emerson's newborn pics. We had a beautiful day, and were able to get some inside and outside shots of Em, Jason, and me. We got some cute nudies too, can't wait to see them! On Thursday, Emerson had a visit from the Lomaxes, and got to hang out with his buddy, Ivan. It was so cute how Ivan just wanted to touch him! Friday, we made a trip to Lancaster to visit all of the Lancaster-based Grandmas...Mia, Grandma F, Grandma L, and Nana Vicki. They all had some quality time with Emerson, and he was a doll, of course. Uncle Jared got to show Emerson how he holds a football, using Emerson as an example. Poppy had the flu, so he's absent in all the pics. Saturday we had a visit from Auntie Jessi and Meredith, and Auntie Jessi brought a delicious dinner for the grill! Jason and I were so appreciative! And this was the first time in almost a year that I've had more than one beer! I had three! I know...crazy. Saturday night was probably Emerson's worst night since we've been home from the hospital, Jason and I were up from about 3am on. So Sunday was a very mellow day, napping in and out whenever Emerson napped.
I am amazed at how Emerson changes so much from day to day. Right now he's very aware of his arms and legs, and is constantly moving them. This is adorable, except when I'm trying to feed him, and he's squirming. He's very serious about his food, as you can see from his chins and rolls. We get some little smiles and my favorite Emerson moment is when he laughs in his sleep. It's by far the cutest thing I have EVER seen. I love every inch of him.

Motherhood is the most amazing experience, and I love every new challenge it brings. Jason is a natural father. Jason let me sleep in an extra hour on Saturday, and got up and got Emerson bathed and dressed. That extra hour was incredible. He and Emerson had their first solo outing on Saturday, to Lowe's and Target. I ran to the grocery while they had their outing. I cried when I left though, this was the first time I had been apart from Emerson. Ever. I had no doubts about him being with Jason, but it was still a hard moment.

Enjoy the pics! Jason got a pic of his first piece of mail, from the social security administration...Emerson actually exists now! He's legit!

A big weekend for Emerson Rex!

We had a big weekend! It started Friday afternoon with a hair appointment. Auntie Terra met us at the spa and hung out with Emerson while I got some much needed haircare. He was so well behaved, and very doted on by all the girls at Jolie Laide. Friday afternoon, Jason's sister, Melissa and her family came into town. Emerson got to meet Auntie Mel, Uncle Gary, and his three cousins, Spencer (5), Macy (3) and Kendall (15 mos.). After dinner in, we went for ice cream and then settled in for the night. Saturday was another full day with a trip to Coffman Park (which Emerson napped through) and then an afternoon and evening at the Rudnicki's. Emerson had lots of attention from the Aunt, Uncle, Great Aunt, cousins, second cousin (Cameron) and of course Michael and Hollie. Today, Jason's parents were in town, and got lots of quality Emerson time. And we had a couple weekend visits from Auntie Jessi. Tonight, Emerson was on the webcam with my Mom and Dad. The boy really gets around! Our photographer is coming by this week for a newborn photo shoot.

It's been a great week! Emerson is getting cuter by the minute, and gaining by the second! At his first Dr. appointment yesterday, he weighed in at 9 lbs. 12 oz.! Holy chunker! We're trying to work in all of the newborn outfits that we got, since he entered the world the size of some toddlers.

Today was Jason's first day back at work, and Emerson and I got along swimmingly. We had a very relaxing day, and don't really plan on being productive for another week. We pretty much eat and sleep. We've been watching a lot of the Olympics, which has been great! I am sure we'd be tired of talk shows by now. We've had some visitors, and expect some more this weekend.

All is well! Enjoy the pics!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Loving the comforts of home...

So we're home, and settling in. We left the hospital midday on Friday, and took our first car ride with Emerson (home). Only about a 10-minute ride, but he slept through it all. We spent our first afternoon home in and out of sleep, screening phone calls, and just enjoying every minute of this new baby boy's face. Saturday morning, we woke up, although still tired, feeling much better overall. Emerson had some visitors Saturday and Sunday, and lots of well wishers bringing us adorable baby boy outfits and some much welcomed food! We've been taking non-stop pictures, and love capturing Emerson with open eyes, or mid-yawn. We think every little noise and movement is the cutest thing we've ever seen. Jason has been very doting, to both Emerson and me. He makes sure there's always something to eat, that Emerson always has a clean and dry diaper, and that we don't miss any Phelps coverage.

I can hardly set Emerson down. Not because he is crying, but because it just feels so perfect to hold him. He is a WONDERFUL baby (knock on wood) and almost never cries. He fusses a bit when he's hungry. But I suppose that's to be expected of a 9lb. 7oz. baby. We call him a mogwai (sp?) when he's hungry b/c he grunts and makes pig noises looking for something to put into his mouth. Does everyone remember the fuzzy little creature on Gremlins? Coming by it honestly, he makes us laugh all the time! He often finds a finger or the back of his hand, which provides quick satisfaction. I really am amazed at how little he cries. But I suppose he's just a mellow little boy, which would make sense, since I had such a great pregnancy.

Sheffield has been great, and has been guarding Emerson whenever we're holding him. He still likes to be nearby, but has shifted his role a little from the baby of the house to the dog. He sniffs him a bit, but is generally disinterested, and has not been jealous at all.

Here are a few pics over the last couple of days. The one above was the first trip in the carseat (Look how blonde!). The below pic was the mogwai, with socks on his hands b/c he always scratches up his face. When I have more time (I know...never) I'll upload all of our pics into a slideshow, including some of me and Jason. Until then!

Emerson Rex Zielinski is here!!!

Well, we did it. We welcomed to the world the most beautiful little boy we've ever laid eyes on. Emerson Rex was born at 9:09pm on Wednesday, August 6, 2008. He weighs 9 lbs. 7 oz. Yes, seriously. He is 20 and 3/4 inches long, and looks absolutely perfect. He has long blonde hair, platinum really. And no joke, they were giving him mohawks in between pushes.

As many of you know, we had a scheduled induction at 7pm for Wednesday, but Emerson had different ideas. I woke up with very mild contractions at 7:30 Wednesday morning. Over the next 2 hours, they got progressively stronger and longer. I called Jason at work at 9:30am and let him know he should probably come home. I mostly needed someone to confirm that these were in fact happening, and happening when I thought they were. We timed them for the next hour, and once they were 50+ seconds and occurring every 5 minutes, we called the doc and headed to the hospital. They admitted us quickly (around 11:30am), and put us in a labor and delivery room. My contractions were pretty intense. I did everything I could...sat on the exercise ball, did all the right breathing, etc. After intense contractions lasting over a minute every 2-3 minutes, I told them I needed the epidural ASAP, and they listened! I was dilated 3 cm when we were admitted, and was progressing about a cm an hour. The pain was definitely intense, so I was thrilled when they gave me the epidural (around 1:30pm). Epidural = magic. The pain quickly went away, and we basically just hung out for the rest of the day while I continued to dilate and efface. Around 7pm they told me I was completely dilated and effaced, but that they wanted the baby to "labor down" a little more so I wouldn't have to push as long since he was a small giant. This was fine with me, especially since I couldn't really feel anything at this point.

At 8pm we started pushing. Emerson was out a little over an hour later. For a baby that size, I hear that's good!

I knew there was a big baby in there, and I guessed over 9lbs., but I was still impressed with how big he was! When they say labor, they mean it...it wasn't easy. Definitely the hardest thing I've done in my life. And the best. Jason was incredible and didn't miss a minute of anything. He was incredibly supportive and encouraging, and I could not have done it without him. He kept me smiling and laughing, and thanks to the lovely epidural, I had a very happy demeanor through it all.

We head home tomorrow (Friday) morning, and very much look forward to it. We're all exhausted, and can't wait for the comforts of home. Here are a few pictures...much more to come!!!

Plans to induce!

We're getting induced tomorrow night at 7pm! Hooray! Jason and I loved the idea of the middle of the night "Ohp...it's time!" but at this point, we're definitely just ready for this baby to be born. I'm emotionally and physically exhausted with pregnancy, and Jason is likely exhausted with me being exhausted. I've had a wonderful pregnancy, but when the end is in sight yes just a little out of reach, it gets to be a struggle.

I am on official maternity leave now from work. I've been working the last few days from home for two reasons: 1) I didn't want to use up vacation time when there was no baby and 2) I would go absolutely stir crazy just sitting around waiting for something to happen.

We have one last night at our house without a child, which is a bit surreal. We'll have news for everyone on Thursday. We're so excited! We can't wait to meet Baby Z!!! The little bugger made us wait for what seems like forever!

Where is Baby Z?

So...we have yet to meet Baby Z. I feel like we've had more doctor appointments than I can count, and still no baby. At my last exam, I was 80% effaced and 1-2 cm. dilated. This baby is definitely stubborn, which makes perfect sense if you know both Jason and me well. The tardiness is a bit baffling...although there are times that I wait in the car for Jason while he finishes getting ready. It's not that his routine is that long, it's that he waits until the last possible moment to get ready and is always hitting a snag of some sort...needs to iron, can't find a shirt, wants a different hat, needs a hot pocket for the road, etc.

I've been following every wives' tale for inducing labor...pressure point massage, pedicure, hot sauce on everything, pineapple, long walks, etc. Apparently, a baked potato with an obscene amount of Frank's Hot Sauce makes this baby very happy.

We have an afternoon appointment today, and should know after that when this baby is coming. If nothing happens by then (and we all know it won't) then they'll likely schedule an induction for later this week.

I am incredibly anxious and exhausted. I'm averaging about 4-6 hours of sleep a night. It's very hard to find a comfortable position when I am carring a cinder block around with me everywhere I go. I suppose this is nature's way of preparing us/me for little to no sleep in the near future.

p.s. This baby is big. I am talking "epic".