chloe is 8 weeks... thats like 2 months. woah.

As you can see, Chloe's expressions are keeping us on our toes, laughing and warming our hearts! She is smiling much of the day, and just being such a little dear! She is reacting to our faces, voices, and kicking and playing during her active times. She loves to lay on her back, look around and kick kick and squeal. We are still working on tummy time - we force her to do it for a few times a day as long as she can tolerate it, and she's getting better. The last 2 days I've noticed her right on her side at least 3 times. I think rolling over is soon to follow!



Chloe has had a few great sleeping nights... May 2, she slept from 9:30pm till 4:00am, had one feeding, then went back to sleep in the co-sleeper from 5:00am-8:00am. It was the best night of sleep we've had since she was born! Last night wasn't quite as good, but still not too bad. We're getting there! I think we're going to move her into sleeping in her own room and crib in the next week or two here. I'm kind of dreading it though because breastfeeding is sooo much easier when I don't have to get out of bed - although to be honest, I end up out of bed usually to take a potty break! :)

Mom and dad (thats us) are doing great. I am adjusting to this little girl now, the changes, and just loving her and life. I can't believe I've been blessed with this adorable sweetie. I often look at her and cuddle her and think - she is literally the most beautiful baby I've ever seen! I'm sure every parent thinks that about their child though ;)

I bought a few new toys, a new nursing cover I love and a gorgeous Mei Tai carrier - I will post about them another time.

another wedding today

Feeling ok this morning other than some digestive issues this morning. I've been reading more and more about how early in pregnancy the digestive system can be so out of wack due to the hormones messing with how it all functions. I was worrying it might be bad for the baby, but after looking around at some pictures and seeing how my uterus is pushing everything around in there, even this early, I can see now how it's all separate and why certain things are hurting and seemingly malfunctioning. And now I understand why in the second trimester I'll stop having to pee SO much cuz my uterus will raise up. It's actually VERY weird, and realizing that in a few months all my intestines are going to be pushed up into my abdomenal cavity is freaking me out! haha. If you're interested in seeing some detailed interior organal woman pictures, you can click here. I'm sure it's not for everyone.

Well today I have a wedding to shoot (as usual) :-) and I'm not dreading it AS badly as I have been. It's more of a 7 hour deal instead of 8-9 and there is no album to put together afterwards, so I feel a bit more relaxed and excited to just do what i do. And knowing there are wedding photographers ALL over the country, and we're all working hard, makes me feel like part of the photog community :)

Just want to stay focused, energized and excited. It's tough sometimes - I kinda just want to stay here on the couch :-)

1st sonogram

Well, I was still having some mild shoulder pain today as well as some very low pelvic pain (which I thought might be a UTI), so I decided to just call the OB and see if they thought there was anything to be concerned about. Surprisingly, they asked me to come in and just have my ultrasound today, instead of waiting until next week. I was shocked by this, but I guess it's only a week difference and they wanted to just make sure that everything was where it was supposed to be.

I was shocked and elated, and so we went in at 3:45 and saw Baby Lusky for the first time. It was a surreal experience - and I laughed/cried as I first saw that little tiny peanut with a fluttering heart. The baby is still very tiny so we really couldn't see a whole lot but the form of the baby and how it was positioned in the uterus, when she moved around we could see the fluttering heartbeat, 164 bpm, and the head and brain and tiny bumps where arms and legs are forming. It was thrilling, and I am just so freaking psyched. We are so blessed ... and so grateful.

discomfort & confusion

So much is going on right now - my grandpa is still at Hamot for a fever that just won't quit. The doctors are afraid there may be a blood or heart infection happening and ran some tests. It turns out he has a collapsed lung. WHAT? This is all so crazy.

I started having some mild shoulder pain earlier, which if I wasn't pregnant I wouldn't worry about at all, but I've read from multiple sources that shoulder pain can be a sign of ectopic pregnancy. Now I've got myself in a tizzy about it, and I think if I wake up tomorrow and still have it, I may call my OB - why risk anything? I know I can be hypocondriac about all this - but this is a crucial time and if something is wrong like this, it could be so dangerous.

I'm praying and trusting that everything is totally fine, and I am stressing about nothing. God give me faith and peace, and please help the shoulder pain to disperse and my abdomen to feel more comfortable.

things you don't like to hear while getting blood taken

"ugh, i don't like this arm."

"i just can't find the vein."

"did they tell you your veins are deep?"

"nope i'm not getting anything."

"sorry honey, i'm going to have to go to the other arm"

which, consequently, must have just burst forth with blood cuz she had no problems and it didn't hurt at all.

i might start declining all future blood work ;-)

8 weeks

Well I believe I am 8 weeks today. Babycenter.com says that webbed fingers and toes are poking out from your baby's hands and feet, his eyelids practically cover his eyes, breathing tubes extend from his throat to the branches of his developing lungs, and his "tail" is just about gone. In his brain, nerve cells are branching out to connect with one another, forming primitive neural pathways. The baby is the size of a kidney bean, and is constantly moving and shifting, though you still can't feel it.

Yesterday was very emotional for me at church. I was having waves of nausea and fear, and guilt and joy - all at once. I almost had to leave a few times... a friend sitting next to me kept saying "are you ok??" wondering about the mood changes on my face. It was wild. Good though always to have a friend near you telling you you are semi-normal!

The emotions involved in this while feeling pretty much 'sick' all the time, are just bizarre! Hopefully I am on track to really start feeling better in a month!

I'm just hanging on for that first sonogram Aug 5. I can't wait.