Pooped out!

I'm sooo tired, I don't know how I'm writing this, ha!

We went to Champaign for 2 days, but we did so much stuff there it was exhausting. We went to the playground, we went to the museum, we went to the pool, we grilled out, we basically didn't stop much :)
They kids were great though, a little crankiness, but not much for no naps for 2 days straight.

We then got back today, unpacked the car, and then turned around and got loaded up to go to the lake. We went out with Beth and Will and had a good time. There was great company on the boat. Aydan was a little dare devil today. He got into water (with jacket) and was doing all sorts of things. He went on the beach, up and down, sitting in sand, playing with the bucket, basically had a BLAST!
Now I'm home, both kids were asleep by 8, and I'm heading there in minutes!
Goodnight world!

2 Doctor check up's!

I had Emma's 4 month appt. and Aydan's 3 year appt today. They are going soooo much! But the appt. went well, so that's great news.
Aydan: 3 years old
3'4"  31 lbs. Projected to be 6'3" !!! Whoa, taller than Mom and Dad. He's says he talks really well and will probably be an early reader. And last but not least, he told me not to be worried about the potty training, ha. We'll see.
Emma: 4 months old
2'2"  12.5 lbs. 98% for height. 40% for weight. She's doing good. She's sitting up (not on own), holding her head up nice. She cooooing and making good sounds. She's aware of Mom and people around her.

So proud of my kids and their good check ups.

4 months old!

Aydan at the park

Its been awhile

Ok.... ok... sorry, it's been awhile since I have blogged. I hit a wall. Then I didn't make the time. Etc, excuse, excuse.

I lot has happened since Mother's day (my last post):
*The school ended. Yay! More time with little Emma and crazy Aydan.
*I also got my contract to teach again next year and got tenture, yay!!
*Went on an extremely fun Wine trail weekend. My husband planned an early birthday present for me. We got a limo for the day and hit the wine trails, it was so much fun!!
*Justin turned 32
*I tried 29, 1 more year until I'm 30. I had a really fun night out with teachers and a nice night with my husband for a movie and sushi.
*We celebrated our niece's birthday where she turned 1, Avalinn, and our friend's son turned 1 too, Jake. Two 1st birthdays in 1 day.
*Emma went swimming for the 1st time, she also laughed the 1st time right before the pool.
*I was in a wedding. One of my best friend, Courtney got married! yay! It was such a beautiful day. And such a fun night. I haven't had that much fun dancing in a long time!
*We went to Chicago for Justin's summer conference. Emma's 1st trip there. We got to visit with my friend Heather and meet her son Brayden. He's a preemie, and such a spirited beautiful baby. I so happy for them. We also had a nice dinner out with Cory, Albrey, and Jay.
*We had a good 4th of July, took Aydan to see Cars 2, he enjoyed himself.
*I started cereal and bananas with Emma about a week ago.
*She drooling like crazy and chewing on Sophie the giraffe

*Emma turns 4 months later this week, crazy, the time has flown. I have her doctor's appt on Thursday, along with Aydan's 3 year appt.
I'll be back soon with her 4 month details.

The wine trail trip

Laughing at mommy

1st time swimming, she laughed this night

My mini-me

Emma at 3 months

Highchair for 1st time

Chewing on many toys

Her 1st Fourth of July

Mother's Day

I had the BEST mother's day. I felt very loved that day. It started out with Aydan coming in in the morning giving me a gift card for a few massages! (from daddy of course, but it was wonderful). Then Justin said we should leave early for Lauren and Drew's house and go over to the Galleria to the Cheesecake Factory for brunch, yum!! It was beautiful weather and we got a seat outside, such a nice meal. We then spent the day with family and friends! Aydan had a lot of fun playing outside, so much that he fell asleep in the car after 5 minutes. We had a nice evening at home that night. Great day in all!


Here's a picture of me with my two blessings that really made Mother's Day what its all about!

Emma's 2 month appointment

Emma was 2 month last Thursday. She had her appt. on Friday. The big SHOTS day, booooo. She did really well with it actually. She had like delayed crying, but as soon as I held her hand and talked to her, she calmed down. She was a little crabby the next 24 hours, but she was sooo brave and dealt with the fever afterwords so well. yay!! Break my heart to have to have her take that pain in.

At 2 months, she is 11.1 lb, in 75th %. And almost 2 ft, the 97%. Yup, that's right we're going to have 2 crazy tall kids. Doctor said she's as healthy as can be. She's doing great holding her head up and that of course she was so beautiful! hehe.

LOVE her smile here. She sticks her tongue out when she gets excited, its pretty cute.

Getting Aydan to eat.. grrr!

Well I'm ready to admit that Justin and I did a bad thing for our son already. Aydan is the slowwwwwest eater ever. And to just get the meal over with quicker we have always just spoon feed him ourselves. He's totally capable of doing it himself, but he play and chews slowly (like hr and half on his own, goo), so we hurry him along and spoon it in, remind him to keep chewing and to speed it up basically.
But now with two kids, I don't have time to sit and spoil him rotten anymore like that. So the last week and few days, I've been trying to break him of it. NO toys to the table (distractions). He gets his meal, spoon, and fork and he has to eat everything on his own. Sometimes I put a cartoon on in backround. He has to leave the table occasionally for time out. Some meals still take over an hour, but some good ones are only 30 minutes. We're getting there. We did it for so long, so it may take awhile to break it, but I'm sticking to it! He may always be a slow eater, but he'll eat on his own, or his won't eat! As his grandpa says (a doctor), he'll eat when he's hungry, he'll be just fine. :)

Emma's Sleeping habits

So.... I have been blessed with two great children. Aydan was a such a good baby, slept well, hardly fussed, etc, etc, etc. Emma is not as good as that, but she is still such a good baby. She's so happy in the morning and smiles at me already, melts my heart!!!
She has been sleeping in her bed for about 2 and 1/2 weeks now. I've been back at work for over a week now, and she since the 2 day back at work, she hasn't eaten anymore during the middle of the night anymore. The 1st night I did it and she then didn't want to eat at 6/630 when I got up, so I stopped that right away, ha. The 2nd night, she made me go back in every 30-45 min to give her back her passy.. but by the 3rd night, we were in buisness!! She sleeps from around 8:30 until 6:00-6:30, yay!!! She of course has some off nights and gets gas before bed (such as last night) and then she fusses til 10 or later to fall alseep, but I still feel so LUCKY to have 2 great sleeper babies!

Emma's Baptism

Emma's Baptism was last weekend. It finally stopped raining that morning for it. We had some family and close friends come for the ceremony at church... which was also a very nice service too! I proud to have my daughter baptism!!
Emma's new godparents are Will and Beth Sandusky, and I'm sure be a great guidance for her to look up to.

I don't have the church pictures of her yet. Going to get them from my sister-in-law tomorrow. But, this picture is her back at the house in her princess dress. We have people over for snacks and lunch, so she was styling for that too. I'll get a picture of baptism up eventually. 

It was a great day for Emma and the beginnings of her faith to come!

Emma's sleeping is getting better

Emma is now sleeping in her crib. She has been for a week now. Which is actually twice as long as Aydan got in the pack in play next to our bed. He only got 3 weeks with us, but mind you... he was perfect, did cry, make scary noises, move at night, anything. So there were no worries. Emma on the other hand, make scary squeaks all night. She got 6 weeks in our room. The last week or two before I moved her out, she went through some "fussy"ness before bed. Don't know if was belly aches or gas, but would take her much long to fall asleep. Once alseep, she slept great and long, but took awhile.
Saturday night before Easter she was a great night. Out like a light quickly and slept great. She had 4 nights like that, until tonight, as I'm typing this, ha. I screwed myself by speaking too early prob. I'm trying to be strong by letting her cry (hard), but its the way I trained Aydan into be the best little sleeper I know.
But I'm def still bragging on Emma, because she's a good girl and a good sleeper for mommy. We still get up once to eat aroun 3:30-5ish and then back to sleep til 7:30-8. That's awesome! She's only got about 3 more weeks until I'm be getting rid of the night feeding, just like I did with Aydan.
Unfortunately the whole sleeping til 8 thing is disappearing next week. Its back to work, and I'm soooooo sad about it. Can't imagine being away from her so long. I haven't let her go as much as I did with Aydan. Thankfully, only back to work for 5 weeks, and then its summmmmmmertime! Then I get 10 weeks with my baby girl again.

Easter 2011

We had an excellent day today!!!
1st off, Emma gave me an Easter present... She went to bed last nightat 9pm WITHOUT fussyness or gas, slept until 4:30, ate, and then back to bed until 8!! yay!
Then we hurried to get 2 kids ready and got to church, on time! yay again!
After church we had a very nice meal at Justin's parents house with his sister and family. We visited. Did a mini egg hunt inside because it was raining outside (still). And then home to relax.
I had a great Easter day, hope it was for the kids too!!

My little bunnies

All dressed for church... took many shots to get this one :)

The family, Easter 2011

Soooo cute

Hehehehe

Aydan's 1st big boy haircut

We took Aydan over to Fairview Heights today for his haircut. Thought it would be fun because they have fun cars you get to sit in and a tv that plays a movie for them to watch. Well, none of that mattered because he was mad the minute she tried to put the cape around his neck. So, he wins, we didn't use one. Then he acted like she was killing him throughout the haircut. Cried. Kicked. Tried to get away from her. I had to hold his head still at points during it.
Thankfully the lady was awesome. She moved quick! And she did a great job on him. I hope it only gets easier from here on out. We'll see.

The before picture. Love it.

Half way down. The sides have been shaved.

Almost done here. Here's one of his locks from the ground.

The finished product!!!

A day out shopping

This is a little late to blog, but still worth a laugh I think. So, a few days ago we went to Evansville to run some errands and do a little shopping. Day was starting out ok, except the spitting rain that wouldn't quit it. But... then we got to the first store, Toys r Us. I had feed Emma in the car before we went in and couldn't get a burp from her. So as Aydan is playing at the Thomas train table, Emma throws up, rainbow style, onto the table from her carseat. Gross! It was so not fun to change her and clean up in a cart right there in store. But, I have to laugh about it now. She was fine the rest of the day. The rain, sleet, wind, etc was no good the rest of the day though. Made for interesting trying to get 2 kids in and out of stores quickly. ha.
We then went to a wedding reception that evening... with no nap for Aydan... and he was good until about 8:30, until he broke down crying telling me he wanted to go home. It was so cute actually! So, then we headed home.
Good family day for sure.

My class meets Emma

I took Emma into school while it was in session today. I had promised to bring her in for the class to meet her, so I had to hold up to the bargain. They were shocked and surprised to see both of us. Crazy, how I miss them but still not ready to go back yet... because then would miss Emma tooo much. It'll be nice to spend the last month of school with them though.
They said they missed me and that the baby was very cute.
It was a nice day!

1st Cardinals game of the season

We took the whole family out to a Cardinals game last week. I was nervous about taking 2 kids under the age 3 to a game, ha. Aydan was a good boy. Didn't watch a ton of the game, but he did watch some. He was really excited on the metro, right when we got into the park, and when we got popcorn! He had no fits while there, so that was good! Emma slept almost the whole game, until I changed her diaper and it woke her up. People around us were very impressed with how the kids were acting, esp Emma, who they said didn't even realize there was a baby there until the end when I got up with her. Justin even got a haircut at the park too, for gentlemen's day!!

My big boy Aydan!

The fam

It was a very nice family day in the end, and I think Aydan had fun.

My nieces 2nd birthday

Smiling girl

Emma passed out before the cake was cut.. hehe

You want me to do what with those candles?

Hurry mom, I'm ready to dig in

The baby basket we got her and she put her cat in : )

So... 2 of my nieces turned 2 a couple weeks ago. But 1 of them lives too far away to attend her birthday party, so I missed Olivia party. I did however get to celebrate and sing Happy Birthday to my niece Vivian. Funny thing is both their moms got them a Dora cake, the same one!

Hope both of them had a good birthday!

Emma Jane is 1 month old

My little baby girl is 1 month old! I can't believe it, time has flown : (  tear.

She had a healthly check up. She weighed 9 lb. 8 oz, which is in the 80% and was 22 1/2 in long, which was in the 98%. She was able to follow the doctor moving and impressed him with her super human baby powers to hold her head up! All in all, he said she was a very healthly looking baby. He started her on vitamin drops to make up for some that she losing with only being breastfeed.. they smell gross, but she took her 1st one like a pro.

Next month when she goes back, it'll be time for shots, booo. Mom will have to cry again I'm sure.

Emma next to her big bunny, eventually she'll be bigger than her bunny.

Emma is crying, Aydan got jealous and wanted to be int he picture and her smiled great.

A up close and personal picture. Sooo cute at 1 month. She does smile sometimes, but not on command yet, so no smile here.

Bridal shower

One of my best friends is getting married in about 2 months. Her sister threw her a lovely shower last weekend that I went up for. Had a great time. Hadn't seen some of my friends since Kristie's wedding actually, so the visit was nice. It was a nice day, little windy! The food was good, too good, for someone trying to lose baby weight, hehe. Courtney made it really cute opening up her gifts with such excitement... it makes the wedding time really start to feel close.. I'm sure even closer for her : )
That night, I got out for my 1st adventure away from Emma for almost 2 hours. Of course, was worried about her the whole time, like any other new mother, but I had a GREAT time getting drinks and catching up with two of my friends.

 The beautiful bride to be...

P.S. have been away from blogging for a couple weeks, so I have some catch up to do..  I'll have a new post every day here for next week, trying to catch up. : )

Happy Anniversary to US!

Today is our 3 year anniversary! Its been a crazy fun 3 years. We've moved into our 1st house, Justin won the State's Att election and moved home, we had our son Aydan, we had our daughter Emma, took many trips (1 being our 1st drive to FL).... but most of all we've had a wonderful 3 years of our marriage! I look forward to what we have in store for us in the years to come!

March 22, 2008

Photo Shoot Day

Emma had her 1st photo shoot today. She was a trooper with all the different posses and outfits I brought for her. Bethany had the studio nice and warm when we got there. She didn't sleep through it as much as I thought she would.. but that's ok, we got to see her big eyes in most of them.

So... of course we did...
*the knit cocoon and hat outfit, laying in a long bowl
*just the diaper on her yellow blanket with her name on it
*tried some close ups of her holding my finger, me clasping my hands around her feet, and my feet and her feet together
*her in a cute little dress outfit
*close up of her wearing sunglasses and a passy that said Supermodel, ha...  it should be cute, and prob a little too diva, ha
*little pink outfit with big pink bow in hair
*naked wrapped in a bowl with a pink blankie

The 2 hr session was a blast. With 2 feedings in that time to try to get her to sleep.
I can't wait to see the pictures. Beth posted 2 of them already on facebook for a preview for me.. and they look amazing! In a couple weeks, I get to see the rest of them.

Emma is 9 days old already!

Emma Jane is 9 days old already! That's why I haven't blogged much lately. My new life has consisted of feeding her and trying to sleep when I can... which to be honest is not much, but that's ok.. still love my little girl to death.
She is a very sweet little girl. She is a good baby and hardly cries... except when hungry : )
She has a lot of features from me... yay! My chin, my color, hair color, and face. She has her daddy's nose, just like her brother. She also looks a little like her brother when she has a hat on that completely covers her hair.
Its def been fun dressing her.. girl clothes are so much more fun! We went shopping today (our 1st outing) and I got her Easter dress... oh how cute.

Had to add this! Caught he smiling while sleeping, it was sooo cute!

She was sleep (of course), waiting to go to the hospital to re-take her hearing test.. which she passed, thankfully!

Big brother on the ground laying on the edge, so far.. he's a great big brother!

Our sweet little girl!

We took Aydan home yesterday from the hositpal. We had a good 1st night with her last night. She squeaks a little big and moves a lot while sleeping, but stays asleep. We got up twice to eat, the 2nd time once a great feeding, but overall I think she was such a good girl last night!!

My last picture pregnant with Emma

Emma Jane Hood

The 1st day she had a mohawk!

Hanging with her daddy.... snuggling

1st time Aydan sees Emma!!! What a moment! : )

My little princess getting ready to go home!

That's its for today... pretty tired still!

Emma is here!!

Emma Jane Hood was born on March 7, 2011 at 7:42 am. She weighed 8 lbs, 7 oz, and 19 1/2 in long. She has a full head of hair and it stood up like a mohawk the 1st day. She's the sweetest thing ever, and we all love her to pieces!
Aydan is a proud big brother. He smiled really big when he saw her! We'll see if that changes when she comes home with us!
I'll post more and some pictures when I go home tomorrow or Thursday.

Less than 15 hours!

Well in less than 15 hours we will have our little new bundle of joy! We're very excited... as is the rest of the family!
I will get a few pictures up as soon as I get home later in the week. My husband doesn't know how to use this thing and the hospital doens't have internet.

I hope everyone has a good week and I'll be seeing you later!!
(Sorry, have a lot more to do tonight before going to bed early!)

Love, the Hoods (to be family of 4!)

2 days!!

We're down to 2 days now!!

We had a nice family day. We went to the pancake breaksfast at the high school in town. We then took Aydan to see the new movie Rango. He didn't like it as much as we thought he might.. but he did like going to the "movies" and getting to get popcorn. We then went to dinner with Justins parents. We had an excellent steak dinner and some excellent strawberry cheesecake for dessert!!

Have some last minute things to do tomorrow before we go to the hosptial on Monday!

3 days!!!!

Well really.. only 2 days, because today is almost over.. and then 3 nights. We go in Monday morning at 5 am to start getting prepped for surgery.. which won't be until 7:30 am.

Today was a long day. I had to pre-cert reg at the hosptial today. I had to go through admitting, blood work, meet with the anestheisa doctor, and go through all the info/paper work with the maternity ward.
Then it was back to work (late because the hosptial took so long) for the afternoon. We got our very long art project I started done and I meet with my maternity leave teacher to go over late minute things.

We plan on relaxing and having some 3 person family time this week... until Monday when we become a 4 person family!

38 weeks and 1 day = last doctor's appt.

I had my last appt today. The doctor said the heart beat was great and that everything else looked good. Basically I just have to hang in there until next Monday, unless things start to really pick up, contraction wise.
I think she's going to stay in there stubborn, just like her brother, until she is ripped out, ha. I must be a really good incubator!!

I will keep everyone posted on the next week and if anything changes!

A great pick-me-up for a Pregnant lady

Today I had a GREAT pick-me-up. I got some beautiful flowers from one of my good friends! It was a good surprise, a very sweet note on the card.... and seriously made my day! Thanks to Courtney and Nate for being so thoughtful!
Here is a picture of my kitchen window now: My favorite is the pink vase and the white lily in front with splashes of pink on it!!

Almost 38 weeks.....

I'm almost 38 weeks.. but I don't know that I'm going to do another picture this Sunday... we'll see. I just got my maternity pictures today in the mail... and I love them! I took a couple pictures of 2 of my favorites, minus the one I already put up with the blocks.

Ok, tried turning them about a billion times, and its not working.. for some reason when load into blogspot they turn, don't know why.. aren't like that are my hardrive. Anyways, you get the idea is turn your head as to what they look like.

Here's also 1 of the many projects I did this week: (well over last 2 weeks, it took awhile with all the sickness around my house.
Inspired by my sister, who loves potta dots!

Other than that.. Justin is doing better. Aydan is off and on.. seems better and then throws up again! gooo

But its 10 days until my c-section... and really hopes he's back to normal by the time the baby comes.