Maternity Photos & Maddyn's 2.5 year photos

I finally got the photos from our photo shoot uploaded. I was a little slow- sorry about that. They are on the shutterfly site so you can take a look. Gina did AMAZING!! She had loads of photos, I just posted the ones we really loved the most. She did a great job of capturing Maddyn's facial expressions at her best. :)

I took Halas's newborn photos this weekend- now I just need to download them from my camera and filter through them all. Once I get through them, I'll edit a few and post. I hope to have some to share by the end of the week- stay tuned!!

Everything else is going well. Nursing is still proving to be interesting with such a sleepy baby- but overall, everything else is great. We have Halas's two week appt in a few days- so we're hoping she makes birth weight. She is showing some signs of GERD like Maddyn so we're just noting them now and going to see what the doc says.

I am way behind on emails and thank yous, but wanted to let everyone know I hope to catch up by next week. I'm trying to get into a better routine this week. Today, Day 1 = fail. Trying again tomorrow ;)

Small updates- 1 week old

We are almost at the 2 week mark...getting closer. Things are definitely an adjustment. I have forgotten how little sleep you get when you nurse, those first few weeks. Aside from my zombie-like state, due to my inability to nap, things are going well. Maddyn is still in the "honeymoon" phase of loving her big sister status. I truly hope it stays that way, but I know the chances are slim. Dave went back to work on Monday so now it's just an adjustment.

I am hoping to take Halas's newborn photos this week. With the lack of sleep, my birthday and Dave going back to work- it was a crazy week. I grabbed a few yesterday, here's a sneak peak of just 2, but I'll post the rest on Shutterfly (again, link to the right of the page) shortly!!

Also, just a head's up that Halas's baptism will be around 5ish on 9/18/10 (Saturday, after mass again). I will be sending out invites in the next few weeks, but wanted to put this out there so folks can mark their calendars. We'll have dinner catered in afterwards like we did with Maddyn's and have the bounce house and toys outside for the little ones again.

We've had lots and lots of visitors- I'm trying to get those photos uploaded and posted to Shutterfly as well. I'm hoping next week will be a picture, thank you note, benefits, overall 'catch up' kind of week.

Stay tuned, more to come!!

Hospital Photos of Halas

I'll be taking my own "professional" photos of Halas this week. But here are the few that the hospital got of her:

http://www.our365.com/newbornportraits/babydetail.aspx?birthid=59f16406-a36d-4e07-883a-e3a27fd9dc89&babyid=d497b519-6d00-41b0-9981-62553e662b62

password: wags

Welcome baby Halas Nicole!!

On Friday, 7/30 at 1:23pm our daughter Halas Nicole was born. She was 8lbs 3oz. and 20.5 inches long. Having a scheduled c-section was a completely different experience this time around. Laboring for 30 some hours first really tired me out last time and made my recovery much harder. This time, I checked in about 2 hours before the surgery and was able to actually spend time with Halas in recovery.

To those that have asked, yes, we stuck with our love for all things football and the name Halas came from good ole Papa Bear George Halas. Maddyn and Halas, quite the pair! We plan to use the nickname of Halle (pronounced Hal-lee) as well- either is fine!

Aside from a few issues here and there along the way, recovery has gone very well!!! I have had some swelling and retention that was alarming at first, but they told me it's common. The hernia has caused a few issues- but none that are unmanagable. Halas has been a champion nurser, so that has been so awesome compared to the challenges I went through at the beginning with Maddyn. Right now, my biggest issue has been engorgement- and I'm hoping to be over that in the next day or two!

We should get to go home from the hospital tomorrow. Maddyn has been staying with family the last 4 days and is excited to meet us at home and introduce "baby sister halas" to Rylee. She's had lots of fun coming to the hospital and getting the royal treatment from the nurses and everyone. She's really been an AWESOME big sister so far, so we are hoping the helpfulness and excitement lasts once we are all home.

I posted some photos from the first few days on the Shutterfly site. You can view and download them there. I plan to get out my good camera and get some fancy shots of the baby and Maddyn this week. I'll be sure to keep everyone posted better. Now that I'm home I'll have more time for photos and blogging :)

Thanks to everyone for the gifts, cards, emails, calls, messages, etc. We miss you all and are looking forward to catching up soon!!