For the love of Pete! You're HOW big?

So I had Emerson at the dr. yesterday for a quickie check of his not-completely-healed belly button, and they began the visit by weighing him. I was very interested in seeing how big he was, since I feel like I carry a cinder block around all day. He weighed 13 lbs. 12 ozs. That's almost 14 lbs. Which is exactly 2 lbs. less than I weighed when I was a YEAR old! Did I mention that he's 7 weeks old today? I can't believe the rate that this baby boy is growing! Definitely takes after his father that way.

We had a busy week! Friday night, Terra, Andrew and I taught Jason how to play euchre in preparation for a euchre party we're hosting next weekend. Saturday, we went to a cookout at Donald and Beth's and Emerson got to sit in Teddy Sheppard's baby chair! (Teddy is expected to greet the world on November 8th.) We also watched the last Yankees game at Yankee Stadium on Sunday at Michael and Hollie's. Emerson got to play with his cousin Cameron. I should have gotten a picture of him decked out in his Yankees gear! Speaking of decks, ours is getting demo'd as I type! We have a new patio being laid and the entire project should be complete by the middle of next week. Hooray!

We also had a visit to Lancaster this week, and got to spend some quality time with Mia and the newly svelte Poppy. Emerson had a nice nap with Poppy and got to spend some time with Uncle Jared as he popped in to load furniture and rob the canning room of all unused pots, pans and dishes for his new apartment.
In addition to growing by the second, Emerson is changing in so many other ways too! He coos and laughs a lot, and is incredibly responsive to people talking to him. He loves tummy time, and is very strong. He is sitting up in the boppy (circular pillow) already, and spent a couple minutes in the bumbo (rubber chair). I limit all of this time, as he gets tired and wobbly after a few minutes. Emerson and I read a new book every morning, and have lots to choose from thanks to all of the books we got as gifts! I realize he's not supposed to be doing this yet, but Emerson is rolling over! He rolls from front to back during tummy time, regularly. He has the busiest legs ever, and if he can get leverage on something, he kicks himself over! I think it will be a little while before he does back-to-stomach rolls.

Emerson and I got to the park almost every day, and have been running a bit. It's harder to run with the jogging stroller on the street, so we prefer the paved walking path around the park. Emerson loves being outside and usually sneaks in a nap at the park, during which I steal the time to read or return phone calls.

"Wait, I'm NOT supposed to be able to do this yet?"" But I like to sit up like this!"
"And I can talk while doing it!"

Emerson enjoying his playmat! He's CONSTANTLY talking!



The process of rolling over... starts with thinking about it.

Then he gets halfway...

And uses his momentum to roll himself over!

Very strong neck! I think he's yelling at me in this one.

Just enjoying some tummy time!

He's holding his burp cloth like a blankie...whatever works!

I took these two today...he's this alert most of the day!

And yes, Auntie Rules! (courtesy of Auntie Jessi)

"Say what?!?!?!"

Emerson Rex has earned lots of nicknames with his unique first and middle names, as well as his size...they include E.R., E. Rex, Chunky Monkey, Chub-A-Dub, Sexy Rexy (a strange, but favorite one started by Andrew), Baby Z (which is too cute coming out of his cousins' mouths!), Em, and Mogwai. People often asked when they heard his name "What are you going to call him?" I thought this was weird, b.c. DUH, his name is Emerson, we're going to call him Emerson. I've been proven wrong. I think this baby boy will have lots of nicknames over the years.

Emerson is very interactive right now. He loves "talking" and finding his voice to respond to someone talking to him. He laughs and smiles. We love getting him going in the morning, which is his peak time for the fun faces. He kicks like he's a pro soccer player, which Jason loves. He also pushes off of things with his feet. I am quite certain he's strengthening his legs for flip turns!

One of my favorite "Emerson-isms" is the sigh/hum he makes after a sneeze. Like, "oh man, that was tough." He does it nearly every time, and it's too cute!

We've had a busy couple of weeks. We spent the past weekend in Toledo, and got to spend time with Mimmy and Dzia Dzia (grandma and grandpa Z.) and great grandma and grandpa Z. Emerson is the namesake on that side of the family. He's the only boy with the last name Zielinski!

Auntie Jessi stayed over for a few days this week b.c. she had no power, like most of Columbus. We had lots of fun with her! Uncle Jared came up and stayed last night, and will pretty soon be around a lot! He's moving to an apt. in Grandview, so we hope to see lots more of him.

We had another mama and baby yoga class today, which we absolutely love. You can see Em's new shirt from Auntie Jessi! It really put him in the mood, he was awake the whole class and LOVED it! He also made a new friend, Zane. Zane is 3.5 months old, and the same size as Emerson! We go weekly, at least while I'm still on maternity leave. I'll have learned most everything by then, so I hope to continue yoga at home with him once I go back to work. Speaking of, I'm halfway through my maternity leave, and it's been so wonderful! I love being at home with Emerson, and we find lots to keep us busy. It's hard to believe I'll be back to work in 6 weeks, but I love every minute I get to spend with my baby boy. We have a daycare that we love, and I also have a career that I love. Mixed emotions definitely, but I also have some time to get used to the idea. When I do go back, I'll have Fridays off to spend with Emerson.

Namaste!

Here we go! This boy has a LOT to say!

A visit with Great Grandma Z
Zonked on the mini-boppy Zonked with Dad
More playtime! I love the "come on, people" look in the first one!
5 weeks old!
Hanging with Dzia Dzia (Grandpa in Polish) and cousins Kendall and Macy in Toledo

Hanging with my buddy Brutus. Before the big disappointment on Saturday.

Emerson Phelps...and One Month check-up

Before the quick turn in weather, I set up the new baby pool that Emerson's Auntie Melissa bought him, and we took a dip! Well, Emerson did...I have a good 10 months before I plan to be in a swimsuit again. He loved it! In his summer hat (courtesy of Auntie Jessi), he just relaxed in the water! I think he would have stayed there all day!

Emerson also had his one month check-up yesterday, and he's been classified as a small giant. He weighed in at 12 lbs., 6 ozs. and measured 23 1/4 inches. That's the 97th and 95th percentiles, respectively. I knew he was big, but WOW! And unlike his Dad, he has a normal head. He was 80th percentile for that. He also had a shot, and took it like a man! He was startled for a second, and after a quick cry, he was asleep in a minute. You can see the Wile E. Coyote bandaid on his leg in the photo.We've been going on lots of walks, and even broke out the jogging stroller, although, truth be told, there was no jogging. We rocked out to the speakers in the canopy though, and Emerson's favorite song was "I kissed a girl". We also started Mama and Baby Yoga, and the boy is a natural! Namaste! Mom's first night out with girlfriends for sushi and martinis...for Leah's birthday! I desperately missed both menu items during pregnancy!
Jason and Michael stopped by during lunch, and Michael shared a beer with Sheff while Jason burped Emerson. I'm glad they didn't get those two confused and burp Sheffield and give Emerson a beer.

Emerson has been enjoying some tummy time, and is sooo strong! It amazes me how he can lift his head and move all around! He's moving his arms and legs all over the place, and coos and smiles in response. We love it!

First bath, and trips to see Poppy in the hospital

What a week we've had! My family is the epitome of "when it rains...".

Last Sunday (8 days ago) my Dad went into the hospital after having been VERY sick for more than a week. They admitted him, and got him on an IV, and were watching him. On Tuesday morning, they decided he needed exploratory surgery ASAP. They were focused on g.i., but identified some other potential issues. Dad's body was "throwing clots" and that's what deteriorated part (3.5 feet!) of his intestine. They removed the 3.5 feet and he went to PACU recovery unit and remained on IVs, blood thinners, and oxygen. He moved to another room yesterday and was able to have some clear liquids this morning. He hasn't eaten in a week! He's doing much better now, and will go home from the hospital toward the end of this week. They haven't yet identified why he was clotting, so he will remain on blood thinners, probably forever. They initially thought that the clotting was caused by a hole in his heart. This hole typically closes 5 days after birth. Dad's never closed. But apparently that's NOT what is causing the clotting. Emerson got to watch his first Ohio State game at the hospital! Dad really enjoyed having Emerson nearby, as you can see from the pics. And Emerson really likes taking naps with Uncle Jared!

Needless to say, we've made numerous trips back and forth to Lancaster, and Emerson had his first overnight stays there! He's such an easy baby, and made the trips doable.

A couple other events this week include Emerson's first REAL bath! His belly button took a while to heal, so I think he was very happy to get REALLY clean! Jason followed bath time with a book. And while we stay busy with Emerson, Sheffield stays busy with the baby toys!

We have newborn pics back...I hope to compile and share later this week! They are INCREDIBLE! If you want to take a look sooner, you can visit our photographer's online gallery at: http://www.julieraneephotography.com/index2.php?v=v1 and enter the "Clients" section. Once on that page, you can use our password "Zielinski" and be sure to capitalize. We are in love with every one of these!