One Week!

Look who survived a whole week with US!

2011!

Happy 2011! We hope everyone had a wonderful New Year's. Burke and I celebrated by going to bed early but we did manage a kiss at midnight. We have a cute little alarm clock that helped us ring in the new year. Marin is, of course, still perfect. She is getting into her little schedule and just an overall HAPPY baby.

She did get her first sponge bath the other night. She doodled a big ONE (and boy can she doodle...the whole neighborhood can hear the action going on in that diaper....) but it ended up all over her back so we thought we would clean that up!?!? She hated the bath. Hated it. Marin doesn't like to be cold so....


She was much happier to be in her cozy towel.

One of my favorite pictures of the week. I got this onesie for Burke when we first found out I was pregnant. So very cute.

This is usually what she looks like after she breastfeeds. Deep, deep coma. You could drop her on her head and she would still be sleeping.

This picture was taken tonight when Burke was singing "Your momma is a wackadoo. A wackadoo. A wackadoo." I guess its better she learns this about me at an early age!

Its weird to think that this time last week we were at the hospital getting ready to have her!

More of Marin

Marin is doing so well at home! She is getting on a little schedule and is such a happy baby!! She eats about every 3 hours and when she is awake, she is such a little observer.

We are using the bibs a lot because Marin LOVES to eat. Look at those cheeks for proof. Speaking of eating, breastfeeding is going GREAT! (Thanks Amanda for all your help.) I wasn't sure if it would work for us but honestly (this may be TMI), I love hearing her gulp when she eats. And my favorite is when she is done, she has a big smile with milk ALL OVER HER MOUTH. It really is just too cute. She gets her appetite honest though. Her mom and dad both enjoy a good meal.

Burke actually had to go to work today just for a day thing. Here he is saying goodbye for the day. I know Marin is the star of the blog now but I love Burke's face in both of these pictures. It kinda makes me tear up. He LOVES LOVES LOVES this baby girl. She is so very lucky. And so am I.


Our friends here in Chicago gave us these infant cards as a baby gift. They are black and white pictures of jungle animals.

Marin loved them!! She would just look and look at each picture. She is a genius, of course.

Trying out her swing....

And helping Mommy with dinner....seriously, look at those cheeks.

And no one really talks/prepares you for the "recovery stage" of pregnancy. Uh, ouch. I am still a bit sore but every day gets better and I know that one day soon I will be able to walk again without looking like a just finished riding a horse cross country without a saddle.....twice. :o) (Thank you Heather for all your help! I have great friends.)

And when does this go away?? Wasn't expecting elephant feet after delivery?!?!? Seriously, how do I make it go away? I elevate them when I can but it's hard with the all the other "uncomfortable issues" going on right now. Any suggestions?

But Burke and I are loving being parents to this precious little girl and want to wish everyone a Happy New Year!

Marin's Homecoming

We are home! Burke and I are relieved to be back home but we think Marin may be the most excited. She has got to feed and get in 2 good naps without a doctor or nurse interrupting her sleep. She is such a happy baby.


Her Daddy loves her! (and KU)

Her first diaper change in HER ROOM!!

A full tummy....

Snuggling with Daddy....

So happy to be home!!!

Marin's Arrival Story

Marin is here!! She made a surprise, unexpected entrance. We were putting away Christmas decorations and waiting for contractions to signal "the time" when my water broke at home. Not really knowing what I was experiencing, we went back and forth trying to decide what had just happened. We called the doctor and he told us to head to the hospital. We were excited but had expected hours of contractions so it wasn't as dramatic as we expected. :o)

Here we are leaving to go to Northwestern Hospital.

We arrived in triage and they ran some test just to make sure my water did break (and I didn't wet my pants) and then we were admitted. Once we were in the room, they gave me an IV with penicillin and potocin (sp?). I had tested positive for Group B Strep (apparently it's not a big deal just had to have penicillin during labor). With my water breaking, they wanted to try and progress the labor to prevent infection....so potocin for FOUR hours and I still hadn't "felt" a contraction or dialated past 3 cm. So they checked me out and I had an extra bag of water between Marin's head and my cervix (?). They busted the water bag and BAM! Contractions and dialation strong and hard. Woohoo!! Finally. I got my epideral (which HURT) and then we tried to rest before the real action began.

A little info on Dad: Burke was AMAZING!!!!! He was much more "hands on" than he had expected to be, he held a leg, and counted for me on several pushes. I couldn't have done it without him. Sidenote: Our labor nurse was a mix between Jillian Micheals and a Real Desperate Housewife. I kinda wanted to hit her. So Burke kept me smiling and pushing!

I pushed for 2 hours and 40 minutes and....

Marin Jordan Brednich finally arrived!

Our first meeting was perfect! She is PERFECT!

8 lbs and 15oz

20 inches long

Our first family photo! We love her so very much!

Precious!

In the room, the only time I got to hold Marin was to feed her. :o) Burke couldn't get enough of her and she of him! Here is reading her the New York Times from his Kindle. (Makes me smile.)

Seriously.....she's perfect.

We love you, Marin!