'Nother hat

I'm insanely busy with classes and quarter-end at work. However, after Granny dropped by today with a new hat - I just haaaaaad to find time to post a pic of Amélie sporting it. Oh, and a few new milestones that cause excitement in our house include a deep-hearted chuckle (happy just like the daddy) and a fondness for brightly colored books (almost just like the mommy, except the mommy doesn't read books with color anymore - bummer).

Am I the only one that hears an old woman from Jersey coming out of the mouth of this child? What are we going to do with her?!



Btw, if you click on the picture it takes you to our Flickr site so you can see the really awesome pics that Craig took today. Seriously, do it!

Knock on Wood

Our house has been terrorized by viruses. It's horrid. There are an array of viruses out in the world - like the kind that make your nose run, eyes well up like fountains, and another kind where you become much too familiar with the dust and dead bugs in the corners of your bathroom. We had all of the above.

In order to make the house happy, grandpa made a special delivery today with V-day goodies for the family, we found out that the ceiling fan now takes #2 in Amélie's eyes.

Balloon's are numero uno, check it:

Supermodel Babies are All the Rage

Quick post here... Thought you'd like to know that our Amélie was recently featured in a photo exposé by The Denver Post. The girl is a natural. Look out Tyra, this kid is destined to be America's Next Top Model. She has the looks, edge, and work ethic of a high-fashion icon. Although, like many models, she desperately needs to break the habit of spitting up after large meals.

LINK: Denver Post

Shhhhhhh.

Okay, so technically the caucus is a secret "straw vote."

However, as soon as Amélie partook in her caucus (which was recently discovered to be the least attended precinct in the WHOLE state of Minnesota) she conked out. I'm very proud of the little wonder as she is so politically driven at such a young age, almost two months old! Wow, she is amazing.

All in all, we had a great night caucusing... we had heated debates about the Iraq war and property taxes. Have I mentioned I loooooooove politics? I hope everyone was able to get out and take advantage of their privilege to vote & caucus. What an amazing feeling!

Peace out - here is Amélie right after she marked the "X" in the box. What a cutie.

All in good taste...

Well, Sunday evenings at home are normally quite peaceful. Tonight is just a touch different as we're watching the Superbowl... UPSET! The Giants pulled it off, just as I predicted by 3 points. Yay! Oh, and one minute Amélie is calmly sleeping.



As is life, time flies. So we realize we looked away for just one minute and Amélie cruises through the living room telling us she'll be home by 10pm. Something about Giselle dumping Brady after losing the big game. HuH?!



It's embarrassing but you can tell that I don't wear make-up very often as Amélie could only "dress-up" in my early 90s cake eye shadow and pinkish/orange lipstick. I guess it's time I clean out my make-up bag. They grow up so fast...

The scoop

Well, some of you know that little Bwie is now little Luca. I don't have a picture yet but some details: he was almost 9lbs and 23 inches long! He was 9 days overdue and had a head full of fuzzy hair. If you go here you'll see his debut pics. What a sweetie.

Now, a couple updates re: Amélie. She now smiles, giggles, makes eye contact with everything in the room, and she loves hearing stories from the exciting tales of Civil Procedure.

She even enjoys kissy's from her mama. I think?!

Big news! Big news!

Amélie's boyfriend was born last night!! I won't give many details until Bwie's mom has named him and shared all the information herself. Because I'm too excited, I will give a tiny detail: his hands are bigger than Amélie's are today at six weeks old. Ohhh, and he is an adorable little newborn and I'm not even lying! He is cute, cute, cute! We can't wait until everyone is healed and better. What a lucky little boy to have such awesome parents. WE LOVE YOU - hurry home!

I will post pictures of Bwie as soon as we get some!

p.s. I was going to hang out with all the cool kids from law school tonight... but Amélie is begging to see her new boyfriend at the hospital instead. She remembers how lonely it was just laying in that little bassinet while mom slept. So, I hope there will be more gatherings in the future!? Plus, I really wanted to meet Indie's look alike...

Oye, oye, oye!

I've been a busy girl. I've been keeping up on my daily tennis (the reason for oye, oye, oye), caring for Amélie, reading for class, and stressing about Bwie's mom.

I remember 6 weeks ago when everyone was calling, writing, nagging me about if "anything" was happening. I wanted to reply with, "why don't you ask my belly?!" It seems that Bwie has the same attitude that Amélie had, he is going to choose when it is time to arrive. She is now five days overdue and tomorrow will start her delightful inducing experience. I just know that it'll go more smoothly and quicker than mine. I mean, four days in the hospital without any progress is totally abnormal. Plus, Bwie's mom is a total boss - she'll make Bwie do something, I just know it.

In the meantime, while I'm pacing back & forth waiting for a phone call from Bwie's family... I will hope that my Maria makes it to the Australian Open finals and WINS!

Check out Amélie's latest photoshoot. In my biased opinion, I think this is her cutest pic yet.

Hat fashionista

Okay, so you all loved the last hat and this is the coldest week so far this winter. It is only appropriate for Amélie to post her second supermodel pose (see the pursing of her lips - hot!). Actually, she was pooping in this one - that's talent right?!

She says mmmmuah to her adoring fans!

Saturday = one-month!

Well, one month has passed. I think that means Amélie is an experienced baby and I'm probably considered an experienced mother, right? Okay, well, sort of...

Sure, Amélie might not realize why she has arms or hands (she frequently hits herself in the face) or understand why we have to give her a bath (slimy mustard yellow poops), or even why her parents make those silly faces and tickle machine noises (uncontrollable face-brightening grins).

However, Amélie has mastered drinking 6 ounce bottles without too much dribble & drool and last night she actually slept a straight 8 hours. To me, this equals an experienced baby, but again, this is coming from a one-month experienced mother.

Caucus me!

Just thought I'd share that Amélie and I had our first night of politics together. We eagerly watched the CNN countdown of New Hampshire's primary. Amélie did nod off & on but I heard her chanting something like, "goooooooooo Obama!" and "goooooooooo Hillary!"

I have to say, Amélie is quite bright, she says it's just too hard of a decision to make at this point. I listen objectively - what can a mother do?!

Although last night was a little surprising, all in all, we're satisfied with Iowa and NH's results. However, just remember that Super Tuesday (Feb 5th) is around the corner - so please get out & caucus! Let's give MN a strong voice...

Here is another cute picture - Amélie practicing her body language for when she is on the podium speaking to her supporters.

It's called... a life

Dudes, NYE was da bomb. Craig & I acted like we were 24.5 again except we were home in bed by 12:45am, which is a bit different than the ways of our early 20s. Oh well, it was totally boss (I'm going to start using this word, see movie Juno) we were able to go out and have fun; thanks again to my parents.

This new found "life" is filled with a hair appt, dinner plans for the evening, cuddling the Boo (so she doesn't feel neglected), and tennis plans for the 23rd (the exact date of 6 weeks after Amélie's birth). I'm overly eager to get back on the court. Hopefully, it all comes back to me. In the meantime, I can live through my tennis pros, as the Australian Open starts soon. Just a warning to Bwie's mom: if you decide to give birth during a really good match - I might just not have reception that hour; no matter that it's a landline phone. Teeheehee.

One fun update, Amélie now almost weighs 9lbs. The nurse came by today and said she looks much older than a 3 week old being that she can now make extensive eye contact, track our movement, and grins bigger than Craig when he puts on a brand-new pair of socks.

Here are a few cute pics, for good measure.

Craig being nosy:


The gang colors in our house are pink & purple - represent, yo:

HELLO new year!

I am going to blame the hormones again as I'm feeling quite sentimental today. It could also be the excitement and appreciation I have for my parents who offered to take Amélie for the evening so that Craig & I could have a "date night" on NYE! Yes, New Year's Eve! It's quite amazing and selfless of them - even after I warned them of Amélie's tendency to scream bloody murder at 4am requesting a bottle; they didn't seem to mind, go figure. This is just how grandparents act, I guess?! Well, it got me thinking back...

Picture this, approximately 20 years ago: Craig wearing his neon snow-pants (it was the late 80s/early 90s, folks) either out on the hill snowboarding or dreaming about snowboarding. It is highly likely I was sitting at my grandma & grandpa Taylor's house begging my grandma to give me a perm (it was the late 80s/early 90s, folks). I highly doubt either of us would have imagined ourselves as parents (to a dog, cat, and new baby girl) or even as a husband/wife.

Boy, being 10-years old sure seems easy... when your biggest worry is if you'll get to snowboard that day or if you'll get your hair to resemble a spiral-curled poodle. Today, even though we don't have much in the worry department as we have it pretty easy; Craig probably never thought he'd be changing a diaper instead of changing his boot straps and I never would have imagined my grandparents would have passed so early from my life, leaving me to miss them almost everyday. These thoughts are especially striking now when Craig & I are in the midst of building an amazing family of our own.

I mean, Indie is the best dog we could have ever ended up with and even Goomsie isn't too bad. However, it's this most amazing kid chilling next to me that gives me goosebumps. Today, as we say goodbye to 2007 and Craig & I move farther away from our childhood memories and as we start the new year - we will be adding brilliant new ones for Amélie. Many of the new memories will include our awesome family as both sets of grandparents have already shown us how amazing, helpful, supportive, caring, and genuinely obsessed they can be... even over the span of three, short weeks of life.

So, as we readily accept the offer from my parents to have a "date night" on such a special evening... we'll be sure to bring in 2008 both with anticipation of these awesome new memories and especially thankful for the old. Oh, and I will be drinking a beer (outside of my living room and not smelling like rotten milk) tonight - finally.

Happy New Year!

Oh, one more thing...

She is still the boo-boo baby.

Merry Christmas!

We've been MIA lately, I'm sorry. I take my two finals next week, so after Friday - I will be back in commission. I will probably even drink a beer to celebrate; I'm so pumped! I just hope they allow me to come back next semester...

Just so you know, everything is going well at the H-dub household. Amélie is still adorable and she is learning quickly. Last night she slept for about 6 hours without needing to chow, so that was a great night of sleep. Not only have I been studying and cramming for Contracts, I've learned that breastfeeding is difficult and never take as many laxatives as the doctor prescribes. Seriously, why do people need laxatives? I'm guessing my addiction to granola and oatmeal probably works to my benefit, eh?

I am a bit sad that Craig goes back to work tomorrow. I guess we'll have some bonding time, just the girls. That is, in between the studies.

I have to admit that I'm very proud of the Boo lover, she is a nice doggy to her new sister. Plus, she is a poopy diaper radar; if Amélie has anything going on down below - Indie is all about sniffing it out. It's a nice alert before Amélie starts crying out of discomfort. The picture below is proof of the careful eye that Indie keeps on the new baby. I couldn't have a cuter family.

The Daddy RoCKS!

This is a tribute to the best new Daddy ever born!

I've been begging Craig for days to change my banner. I think the new one is amazingly adorable. It totally shows off those delicate little fingers that are constantly being kissed. Craig has such a knack for being creative and fun. I blame it on his being left-handed. I hope Amélie gets his creativity.

Craig has also been waiting on me for the last week or so. In such a way that when I need a glass of water, he's already filling the glass before I ask. When I need my glasses that I left upstairs on the dresser, he's on his way to get them for me. When I realize that I cannot believe I have to take two finals within the next two weeks, he's right next to me comforting me and telling me that it'll work out. I hope Amélie gets his caring and genuine personality.

Amélie secretly told me this morning (when Craig took a couple hours to go snowboarding) that she was so happy to have a daddy that is teaching her how to smile, laugh, and be happy. I'm a bit stunned at how Craig has jumped into the role of daddy... immediately. As soon as the nurse placed her in the warming basket in the hospital, he was by her side helping to bathe her, swaddle her, and tell her stories about how the world works. I hope Amélie gets his positive and smart outlook on life.

When I first saw Craig change Amélie's diaper, I giggled at the care he took with each movement. He slowly unbuttoned her onesie, softly lifted her legs, delicately untaped the diaper, and carefully replaced it with a new one. Now, after I've come to watch him with Amélie over the last week - I realize that he is just that delicate in all respects. I've had a realization that this is Craig's nature; there is no haste or hurry. He is calm, respectful, and such a great role model. I hope Amélie and I inherit these most important values and traits.

I owe SO much to my baby's daddy. He is amazing and I love him more than I thought I ever could... Seriously, how did I get to be the luckiest girl? I have the nicest, sweetest, smartest, most caring, handsome, and creative beau... ALL in a package carrying such a fine toosh?! Not to repeat myself, but I hope Amélie gets his fine toosh too.

New look coming soon...

So, it's been three days and about 8 hours for little Miss Amélie. Isn't it crazy that you can measure someone's life by hours or days?!

The last 48 hours have been really rough on us all. It's not the typical newborn fussy baby syndrome but rather Amélie had a little eye infection. We set up an appointment at Children's Clinic and they ended up feeling her infection was concerning being she was only 48 hours old. Well, they admitted her in the NICU on Friday morning at Children's Hospital and here we sit. Apparently, all the labs and tests are turning out A-okay and she is on antibiotics. We can tell she is feeling much-much-much better. As long as the eye cultures remain the way they are, it seems we'll be bringing her home from the hospital (repeat big event!) tomorrow, Sunday.

PHEW, this hospital stuff has gotten old. It will have been more than a week in hospitals when Sunday arrives and we'll be thrilled to go home and be "normal" again. In the meantime, let's talk about good news. I noticed that many are asking how much she weighs, height, eye color, etc. Here are the det's:

When she was born: 7 lbs 6.8 oz, 21 inches, dark-dark blue eyes, very calm temperament, and perfect rosy skin.
Today: 7 lbs, 21 inches, lighter blue eyes, calm moving towards a more composed and mature temperament, and of course, perfect rosy skin.

In case you haven't seen this one yet, it's one of my favorites. We'll update you early next week on her adventures in the west side of St. Paul once we ditch these hospitals!

We Made a Human!?!

Amélie T-W made her first appearance last night at 3:42am and was warmly received by two happy parents and a team of doctors, nurses, and family. The parents are taking the day off to catch up on rest. More details to follow.

Click on the photo for more pictures..



Thanks for everyone's support!

Dec 11, 2007

Quick update again..



Jill's water finally broke! Actually, seeping is a more accurate word. She's really showing her mental toughness, as the most recent contractions have been the strongest yet. Seems like visualizing our dog running through the yard is finding her comfort.

At this point the doctors feel that the next course of action will completely depend on the events in the next several hours. Their decision can't come soon enough for Jill.

Tick Tock Tick Tock...

Craig here. I'm updating from the Maplewood McDonald's since it would seem that the rooms at St John's Hospital do not come equipped with wi-fi internet, nor quarter-pounders with cheese.

It's been nearly 24 hours since we first checked in and settled into our room in the maternity ward. Last night the nurses applied various gel treatments and other techniques in an effort to promote dilation and break our baby out of confinement and onto planet Earth. It wasn't a very comfortable night for any of us. I cocooned myself in a pair of sheets and claimed space on a short couch, while Jill struggled with the tangle of monitoring equipment and midnight bathroom breaks. The nurse was kind enough to comment on Jill's earrings, explaining that they closely resemble a freshly expelled placenta [not kidding].

This morning the doctors upped the regimen and implemented a hearty dose of Pitocin via Jill's first I.V. drip. So far, it appears to be encouraging contractions, though at this stage the strength of each cramp is decidedly weaker than we had hoped. There is talk about sending her home to sleep it off, with the possibility of returning Wednesday or Thursday for another try. Until a decision is made, my baby's mamma has buried herself in law books in anticipation of Saturday's final at school.

More to come.. most likely around lunch or dinnertime, and during McDonald's normal operating hours.