A day in the life of the Litvack's

PLAYING CATCH UP!

2010-09-11T21:55:00.003-05:00

It has been awhile, and I am getting really behind in these posts. Between school, moving and Cooper my days just seemed to slip away. I have completed my summer courses and I took my CNA test and PASSED! So I am officially a CNA, and now on to get my RN.

Since the last post I have moved. We are now in Libertyville and just a cul-de-sac over from my sister, so it is great to be so close. Now the boys get to see each other all the time. As they get older they actually play together instead of just sit together and it is so fun to see. We love our new home, we LOVE the neighborhood, and even more Kona loves the neighborhood. There is an open field just a block away, and Kona can run through that for hours. Needless to say, we are very happy where we are, and so glad we made the move!

Cooper just keeps getting older and cuter. He is now 10 months old and walking. He has been walking since he was 9 months old, but he is so much better at it now and it is way too cute! He has such a personality and has us cracking up ALL the time. I can't get enough of him! He also does "So Big"... which I think is one of the most adorable things kids do. He just learned it recently so out of the blue he will throw his hands up and start laughing waiting for me to say "So Big". Again, my little clown making jokes.

We also, started a Gymboree class so Cooper could have some friends his age instead of just mommy and daddy. He absolutely loves the class. He can't get enough of the music and all the monkeying around. Cooper learned how to say hello and goodbye with his hands. Now whenever we see people when we are out, he puts his hands out and opens and closes them both to say hi. I might be biased but he is way too adorable! He is learning something new everyday, and I love watching him discover. Like when he realized, after he has used Kona to step onto the couch, that if he turns around and puts his feet down first, he can get down. My little genius.

Anyway, I can go on for hours talking about him... I have become one of those parents, but what can I say he is the best! So I will shut up, and hopefully I can keep up with my blog and not wait 4 months to post again! Until next time...!

EXCITING NEWS ON THE HOMEFRONT!

2010-04-29T18:14:00.002-05:00

So there is something exciting I would like to share. I have decided to go back to school to get my nursing degree!! I have wanted to do this for some time, and have been bothering Michael about it. Then when I had Cooper I was talking to my labor and delivery nurse and she just confirmed it more for me in my mind. She was my age when she decided to go back to school to get her degree and she said it was the best thing she has ever done. So, when I got laid off AGAIN, when I returned from my maternity leave, Michael and I decided to do it now or I would never get it done. As of April 26, I enrolled in my first two classes. I need a few prerequisites before I can apply to the program, so I am getting it out of the way. But I am super excited, and the first class I am taking is to get my Nurses Aid Certificate so I am really excited to jump right in. Anyway, I wanted to share because I was super excited and I didn't want to say anything until I got in to these classes. I still have to apply to the program in the fall so I am not there yet, but I am one step closer! I AM A STUDENT AGAIN! YAY!

LONG OVERDUE!

2010-04-29T18:02:00.002-05:00

So it has been awhile since my last post. Cooper is almost 6 months old!!! Since the last time I posted he learned to crawl (currently the army crawl, but getting closer every day), sit on his own, and is pulling himself up on anything he can in his reach. This kid will do anything to get moving... he will not sit still for a moment. This need for movement has been going on since he was little, always rolling over and crawling on my chest when I hold him. He is just like his Daddy! Of course he is still teething and we NEED this tooth to pop. We have some sleepless nights while we wait patiently. Everything goes into his mouth, and if it is your finger be careful because it hurts. We had to move his crib mattress down so he wouldn't fall out of his bed... and I just love when he wakes up in the morning and he is sitting up in his bed playing with his pacifier and blanket! Cooper is growing up so fast and way too fast for me. I love how he is more interactive and mobile, but I miss my baby! Although, I have to say I do LOVE when I hug him and he snuggles his little head in my neck and hugs me back with a squeeze. He is my little snuggle bug, and I wouldn't change that for the world. I never thought I could love something so much, but sometimes I have to stop myself from hugging or kissing him to death. I could go on forever writing about him. Every day there is something new, something exciting, something worth talking about. Well, at least that is how I feel, but if I wrote about it you would all be bored, so I won't. Anyway, our little guy is doing great. Growing, learning and exploring, and I love watching him do it all. Pictures will be posted soon, so enjoy!

DOCTOR UPDATE!

2010-03-22T13:56:00.002-05:00

Just a quick update. We had our Children's appointment last week and we are happy to announce that Cooper is absolutely great, completely healthy, and we were told to never come back :)! So as you can imagine Michael and I are very relieved and enjoying our baby boy as he grows and changes every day!

HALLOWEEN IN MARCH!

2010-03-07T15:44:00.003-06:00

So every year my sister and brother-in-law have a big Halloween party. This year they were not able to do it because they were in the process of moving! Instead they had a Housewarming/Halloween party. We were all so excited about it, but seeing that there are not Halloween stores in March this is what we did instead. If you have seen The Hangover you would understand this photo without an explanation. But seeing that not everyone would watch such a great movie I will explain. Michael is Allan from The Hangover, and Cooper is "Carlos" the baby they found in the closet of their hotel room the next morning. Michael carried him around like this all night and it was hysterical. At least to us! I am not pictured because my costume wasn't anything special, but I was Heather Graham's character and "Carlos" was my son! We had a great night, and although not many people dressed up, it was still just as fabulous as ever!

A LITTLE RECAP!

2010-02-25T21:51:00.011-06:00

So Cooper is almost 4 months, and I think it has been about a month since my last post. He is getting so big so fast, and I feel like he doesn't even look like the same baby I brought home almost four months ago. Since the last update he has learned to roll over from back to stomach. Now he can do the log roll around the house if he wants. We are hoping that now when he flips himself from stomach to back in the middle of the night... we don't have to come in and rescue an awkward turtle! :) He has also learned to "sit" up for short periods of time. It is fun to watch him slowly lean to one side and fall over. He is picking up toys and learning what he can do with his hands... and EVERYTHING goes into his mouth!He is thoroughly in awe of Kona. They are already best buddies. Cooper just watches Kona be silly all the time, and then they will have cute tender moments where Kona gives Cooper kisses, Cooper pets Kona, or they lay next to each other. It is just adorable. Cooper is talking up a storm, and seems to always have something to say. He is always smiling and laughing, it is the best feeling to get him in the morning and he looks at you with the BIGGEST smile.
He has founds his toes, and it makes for a very hard diaper changing time, but it is worth the excitement he gets playing with them. He loves loves loves bath time... and probably the only person who loves loves loves mommy's singing. There is just so much new that happens day to day I just want to be with him all the time so I don't miss a thing. Cooper is such a joy to be with and such a happy baby!This past weekend we were met with our first "troubled" time with him. Our poor little guy got an ear infection! Infants with ear infections are not a fun thing. They have no way to tell you whats wrong, and what hurts! I spent two days trying to figure out what was causing him to not sleep or eat, and just cry anytime I put him down. I slept maybe 2 hours in 48 hours. Finally Monday morning we took him to the doctor and sure enough he had an ear infection. He spent Monday night sleeping half the night in his car seat so he wasn't laying down... then the other half in my arms. It hasn't been until the past two days that our little smiling face has returned. He still has his moments, but it is nice to have my little guy back! So needless to say, Mommy and Daddy are REALLY tired and need sleep!That pretty much sums up what he has been up to. Next week we start him on his first solid foods... rice cereal! We are excited to see how he does with it. He is growing so fast... before you know it he will be running around the house AAAAAHHHH!!! Look at that precious face!

Just An Observation!

2010-01-11T14:50:00.002-06:00

I was reviewing my blog and all the pictures I have added and I noticed that in EVERY picture I am on Michael's left side (right side of the picture). I don't know why, but whenever we take pictures I am on his left. I don't know about any of you, but maybe subconsciously I have a better side and it just ends that way. If you would like to see a small series of what I am talking about, look at the title picture and all the pictures to the right of the blog... then laugh! :)

Mommy is a big baby!

2010-01-10T18:33:00.003-06:00

We had our 2 month check up last week. Cooper is definitely growing... gained almost 2 pounds in one month and grew a half an inch. His doctor checked his ears, eyes, nose and joints. He talked about all the great things Cooper should be doing in his second month, what to look forward to, and answered ALL of our questions. Cooper got an A+ and passed all the tests and was "talking" up a storm to the doctor and smiling. Although there is one concern so we have to take him to get some X-Rays, but he is great, and I will fill you in when we know more. The worst part is when the nurse came in. I feel bad for nurses, they are the ones that look bad to the kiddies because they come in with all the shots. So Cooper got his 2 month shots, which consisted of three shots in his scrawny thighs and one given orally. I placed him down on the bed so the nurse could do her job. He had my finger in one hand and Michael's in the other. The medicine given orally was fine, the first shot he cried but then quickly recovered, it was the second shot that all hell broke loose. He went into the silent cry where you don't breathe for a second, and his face turned purple. Cooper squeezed our hands SOO hard and did not stop crying until I picked him up after the third shot. My little boy was in so much pain I ended up crying for him. Now I really understand when parents say they feel the pain of their children! Needless to say we are both alright. He had a few cranky days afterwards, but we are back to all smiles!!

SMILES ARE CONTAGIOUS

2010-01-09T10:57:00.003-06:00

Sorry it has been so long since I posted... I have been a little busy, but there is one thing I can't get enough of and that is Cooper. No matter what kind of day I am having or what is going on in my life when I see that precious smile my world just completely brightens up. I can't help but smile, or even laugh myself. Michael and I find ourselves doing anything and everything to see that smile, and with Cooper's personality it doesn't take much. We are so lucky to have him in our lives, and even on our most tired days this always makes it worth while...

Cooper Harrison Litvack

2009-11-15T15:28:00.005-06:00

As some of you already know, Cooper Harrison Litvack came into this world on November 2, 2009 at 9:32 am. He weighed 8 pounds 11 ounces and was 21 inches long. He is my little bean pole who I think looks like Daddy. Michael and I were surprised he was a little boy because we had convinced ourselves that it was going to be a girl. He is such a good baby, and quite the sleeper, which is good for Mommy and Daddy. Kona absolutely loves him and protects him. Luckily Cooper's cry doesn't phase Kona, and Kona's bark doesn't phase Cooper. It makes life a lot easier when there is a lot of both. Cooper had his bris on November 9, 2009 and we all made it through it just fine. Michael can't keep his hands off of him and it is the cutest thing. He has his little boy, and we have our little family. It is absolutely amazing, and I am surrounded by all my boys! There will be more pics to come, but for now enjoy these from his first few days!

...AND DUE DATE PLUS 3!

2009-10-30T13:38:00.005-05:00

So we are still here awaiting the day that Baby Litvack joins us. I definitely want to wait another 24-36 hours so we don't have a Halloween baby, but as we can see I have no say in this matter so we will just keep our fingers crossed. If Baby Litvack doesn't show up, I have it scheduled to be induced on Friday November 6, 2009. So at least we see an end in sight :). I have attached a picture I took at 40 weeks thinking it would be the last pic I would take before the baby comes, but clearly I was wrong. On another note I had a very jealous moment this morning. On Facebook I was overwhelmed with the amount of pictures parent's posted of their babies dressed up all cute for Halloween. There was a little hot dog, a puppy, a teddy bear, a ballerina and so much more. I was so sure Baby Litvack would have been here by now, so I could have done something cute like a little pumpkin or something. Seeing that is not the case I decided to dress Baby Litvack up as a pumpkin anyway. Here are some pics of Baby Litvack for his/her first Halloween... before he/she is out to celebrate... ENJOY!

38 WEEKS!!! 14 days left... or sooner!

2009-10-13T16:31:00.002-05:00

Yay I am 38 weeks pregnant and probably going insane... haha! It is a matter of the waiting game right now, and my impatience is getting the better of me! Knowing now that the baby can come at any moment and be completely fine... I want the baby NOW! I know that sounds a little bratty, but I am just dying to see the baby, know what the sex is, and put a face to this precious being inside me. Not to mention my extremely impatient husband who has been like this for the past 9 months and now is just worse. We know that the baby will come when the baby is ready and not to rush anything, but I am almost to the point of trying those little tricks that could maybe speed up the process. I even thought that maybe the walk we did on Sunday would start things going, but no when I went to the doctor yesterday there was nothing. I mean the baby has definitely dropped, but there is no way of getting out just yet! I am also getting a little anxious about when it is going to happen. Most of the time Michael and I are not in the same place so we both are a little anxious as to what will happen. If my water actually breaks (which only 8% of women's do) then we are in more of a rush and plans might change, but if I just start contracting, then we have time for Michael to meet me wherever I am! I know this might be too much information, but the unknown is a bit scary, and "talking" it out makes me feel better. No matter what I have friends or family that can take me to the hospital and he meet me there, but I'd rather it be him! Needless to say, bags are packed and with me at all times, and we are just super excited for the baby to come! I have to say I do have my pamper day on Saturday with a hair, nail and toe appointment. Maybe that is all the baby needs to come out! We will see!!!

LIGHT THE NIGHT WALK!

2009-10-13T13:39:00.003-05:00

On Sunday we participated in Light the Night Walk for my brother Jory who is a survivor of Hotchkins Lymphoma Cancer. He has been in remission for 6 years now, and this year he was the honored hero at the walk. Which means he had a special tent set up, he made a speech, and he was the leader of the whole walk. It was so cold outside but there was a huge turn out! I think it was the biggest turn out yet, and we raised over $10,500.00 just for the J Team alone!! We surpassed our goal, and I just wanted to thank everyone for their love and support and helping to make that happen. I was just planning on sitting this one out, but with the whole hype of everything and Kona along side of me I just started walking. Before I knew it we were at the end. My mom was sure it would have induced the baby... but no baby yet! :( Anyway, everything turned out great, and I hope that the money we raised help more people so they can have the success story my brother has!

36 WEEKS AND SOME CHANGE!

2009-10-02T09:45:00.006-05:00

So we have reached 36 weeks which today makes exactly 25 days until Baby day! I had my check up yesterday and everything is going well. Baby is still head down measuring at about the 73 percentile. With all the calculations the doctor said I was measuring a week ahead at 37 weeks... so who knows! Maybe Baby Litvack would like to come a little early! :) I am on my weekly appointments now so I will have another one next week. At this point we are getting prepared for Baby Litvack to arrive at any point! Getting bags packed, figuring out how to get to the hospital in various situations, getting last minute things in order, and getting all paperwork together.

Now that we have finally moved into our new place I am in full nesting mode, which has become more difficult the closer we get to Due Date. I have the mind set of wanting everything done NOW, which is so unlike me, and no one is moving fast enough! I feel like I don't have enough time in the day to do it all and work full time, and I think I have officially driven Michael insane. At some point I just have to sit back and say "oh well", but that doesn't seem like it is going to happen! I know I just bring this on myself, but I can't help it. I have the need to make everything perfect for when the baby arrives and it is just not there yet. There is so much I want to do before because I am not sure when I will get to it after, and well you know it becomes a vicious cycle of impending stress and anxiety. Although Michael has been a tremendous help, some things just need to be done by me, and the cycle begins all over again! HAHA.

Other than my enormous need to be "Susie Homemaker" and "Mother of the Year" everything couldn't be better. The house is coming along slowly but surely, and the move went great. We had so many helpers, and I can't thank them enough for making it an easier move! Kona is well adjusted and loves all the space. We have actually come to the point where we can trust him at home by himself and not in a cage! He is such a big boy! Michael is starting to get a little anxious because of the unknown. The unknown of when I am going to go into labor, or what we are having, how the labor is going to go, and the after. He is super excited, but he is "slightly" impatient, and a planner, so the unknown is slowly killing him! HAHA.

Here are some pics to show how large I/Baby has become. Some times I feel like the baby is just going to drop right out of me, or that I need someone to hold my belly up! But the best part is when I lay in bed at night right before I go to sleep and I just stare at my belly and watch the baby shift from side to side. My stomach looks like a jello mold, and it is just incredible!

CAN'T FORGET MY FIRST BABY!

2009-09-08T16:34:00.005-05:00

After looking back at all the posts I have done so far, it has been consumed with posts about Baby Litvack, pregnancy, moving... and unfortunately I have forgotten about my first baby! So here is a post on how Kona is doing. He is now 10 months old and as cute as ever, and is so big. He is about 60 pounds, but mostly in height rather than width. He has the most precious little face, but becoming more of a "man" every day. Kona is the most friendly dog, wants to meet everyone and every dog. All he wants to do is play no matter the size of the other dog. He is thoroughly enjoying living at my parents right now because he has three playmates at his disposal every day all day long. Mind you all three of them are smaller than his head, but he doesn't care. He has become so protective of me. Follows me around when I am home, and greets me first when I walk in the door. He starts out sleeping at my feet, and then moves to the floor on my side of the bed. As I get up numerous times throughout the night he picks up his head to make sure I am alright, and doesn't go back to sleep until I get back into bed. Then when I get dressed in the morning he lays on the floor in the corner of the bathroom, then returns to my side of the bed to sleep with Daddy when I leave for work. Kona is such a love, and we are so lucky to have him in our lives. I just hope that when Baby Litvack comes he doesn't feel neglected and protects the baby just as well has he has been protecting me. He has truly been our first baby, and we love him so very much. Here are a few pics to see how big he has gotten since he announced we were expecting 5 months ago!

This is how Kona travels in our car ALL the time. He curls up on the passenger side floor and falls asleep every time without fail!

Kona watching us get ready for a wedding!

This is the "enough pictures mom" look!

This is just to show you how "manly" his head and face are getting... aww my little baby boy!

WE ARE MOVING!!

2009-09-04T09:20:00.012-05:00

We are officially moving on September 20!! Nothing like cutting it close right? I didn't want to say anything until we had the paperwork to say that it is ours, and now we have it. We are moving to Mundelein to a beautiful 4 bedroom, 3 1/2 baths, with a full unfinished basement house. It is exactly what we were looking for and we can't wait to move in. I am going a little crazy because I have all these ideas and things I want to do before the baby comes, but some of it is just going to have to wait. That nesting urge I was talking about has taken over me completely and I just need to get in there and organize so I feel better! Michael is super excited because A. we will have our own space, and B. he will be closer to work. I still have the 40 minute commut to Addison, no difference for me! I feel a little bad for Kona because he has gotten moved around so much in the past few months, and he has gotten use to having friends around all the time. When we move we are going to be back to just the three of us until the baby comes, and I just feel bad! Here are some pictures of the house, and as soon as we get settled in we welcome all visitors!

This is obviously the front of the house!

The entrance through the front door

The dining room

The Kitchen

The Kitchen with sliding glass door to the backyard

The living room

The Master Bedroom with great walk-in closet

The Master Bathroom

32 WEEKS = 8 MONTHS!!

2009-09-04T09:05:00.005-05:00

We are now in the home stretch. Only 8 more weeks to go... assuming the baby comes on time! Everything is going well, and the baby is doing great. Still head down ready to go, moving around like crazy, and has a great steady heart rate. My stomach has officially become a shelf and is larger than life. I just say that I make a pretty damn good home for my baby to live in for 9 months haha! I had some lady ask me the other day if I was having the baby in a few days because I looked like I was going to drop. I said no I have 8 more weeks haha! I have also started the crazy urge for nesting in the past couple of weeks. I want to paint, buy, furnish, decorate... all the things to create a beautiful home for the baby to come home to. Problem is that we are still living with my parents... so I am slightly jumping out of my skin with the itch! Other than that we are just chugging along and enjoying ever minute of it because it will be over before we know it, and Baby Litvack will be here! Here are some pics of the baby bump, or should I say boulder... I need someone to follow me all day and hold my belly!

30 WEEKS!

2009-08-19T15:28:00.003-05:00

So we have made it to 30 weeks... only 10 more to go! The baby is growing at an alarming rate. It is so cool to sit and watch my belly move around as the baby enjoys it's ever so comfortable home. We went to the Doctor and everything is looking good with the Baby. The baby is no longer breech, but head down and ready to go. Everything else is in it's correct place so as of now no C-Section... YAY!!! Also, I am RH negative and the baby is positive so I had to get an RH shot in my hip so my blood doesn't attack the baby's blood during delivery. My tummy is really growing... and the bigger it gets, the more tired I get. I am officially waking up about 3-5 times a night to pee, and not getting the rest I need... so lugging around my big belly is just exhausting. But again I really can't complain, I have had a really great pregnancy so far, and it is all worth it in the end. I try to not wake Michael up each time, but the good husband he is, he does wake up and each time asks, "are you okay?" In which I reply, "yes just have to pee again!" I just think it is nature's way of training us to function on less sleep because that is what will be happening for the next 18 years of our lives. Other than that we are all doing well... and just getting everything ready and squared away before Baby Litvack comes into the world!

THE ADIDAS BOYS!

2009-08-05T10:04:00.003-05:00

I just had to share this absolutely adorable picture of Michael and our nephew Jayden. So my sister came over with Jayden all geared up for his first soccer game, and when Michael walked in from work this is what we saw!

THEY MATCHED!!!

I think this is so funny... and a definitely glimpse of what our baby will look like... girl or boy... when daddy has a say with what they wear. Adidas will officially take over my life! But aren't they so cute?

28 Weeks... Only 84 days left!

2009-08-05T09:21:00.005-05:00

So we have made it to the 7 month mark. Everything is going great, I can't complain. The summer has not been hot at all, which is absolutely great. It has been absolutely beautiful so I am thankful for that.

At 24 weeks I had to take the routine glucose test... I FAILED haha. So two weeks later I had to take the 3 hour glucose test. For those of you who don't know what this is let me explain. By all means it is not difficult... it is just long, annoying, and disgusting. They make you drink a whole "red cup" of what seems to be Orange Crush which is doused in sugar. It is extremely flat and after a few gulps just makes you feel disgusting. Prior to drinking it, the nurse takes your blood. You drink the Orange Crush, and as soon as you finish the clock starts. So I put my college drinking skills into play and chugged it as fast as I could. Once the clock starts... you wait. Every hour for the next three hours the nurse would take my blood again. Again not the worse part, but it is never fun being pricked with a needle, and especially four times in the same spot within a 3 hour span. The worst part was the not being able to eat from 11:00 pm the night before until the end of the test which was 12:15pm the next day. Baby was hungry... and mommy was STARVING. Anyway, that test came back clean which is fantastic. It means I don't have to A. modify my diet and not enjoy the "eating what you want" during pregnancy, or B. worse case scenario take insulin shots for the next three months. Phew dodged that bullet. Now I just have to wait until Friday for my 28 week check-up to make sure everything is in its correct place and determine if I will need a C-Section or not. So keep your fingers crossed... I'd rather not have a 10 inch incision in my lower abdomen if I don't have to!

So with that said we are chugging along and the baby is moving like crazy. Some times I think the baby is literally break dancing inside. It was so cool the other day I was laying on the couch (when most of the activity happens) and I could see the baby moving from one side of my belly to the next. It was the coolest thing... I wish I had my video camera ready! Well, here are some pics of the every expanding belly. I have a few to show variety, and I will keep you all posted on the doctors appointments!

24 Weeks = 6 MONTHS!!!

2009-07-08T15:50:00.007-05:00

Again, there have been many requests to see the baby bump that is rapidly growing by the second. Here are two pictures that doesn't do the baby justice, but I find it a little awkward to take pictures by myself. The baby seems to be growing as far forward as possible, which is throwing my equilibrium off little by little. Baby Litvack is moving around like crazy all day long. There are pretty much certain moments of the day that I can guarantee some rapid movement, and it is to the point that people have been able to feel as well. Most of my immediate family and some of Michael's family has had the pleasure to get a kick or two. There has also been a few that I could physically see my stomach move and not just feel. It is the coolest thing. So far Baby sleeps when Mommy is sleeping so no waking up there. But lately, typically around 3 in the morning I wake up with the feeling that my left hip has dislocated itself from the rest of my body causing some excruciating pain. At which I stand up, walk around, go to the bathroom (because my bladder is the size of a pea it seems like) and lay back in bed. Well, the other night I did my normal routine and when I laid down the baby was moving like crazy. In a desperate measure to get Michael to feel the baby dancing, I woke him up to feel. There was one kick that I think scared the crap out of him... and that will be the last time I wake him up in the middle of the night to feel the baby moving haha!! Well, here are the awkward pictures. I tried to get a good one of the belly, but unless I show a pic of me in my bra and undies this is the best I can do. So enjoy!

And the infamous bathroom shot!

Influenza A... A.K.A Swine Flu

2009-07-07T16:40:00.004-05:00

So get this... two weekends ago it was parents weekend at my 10 year old sister's overnight camp. She had been there for two weeks for the first time at overnight camp, and my sister Emily and I thought it would be nice to join my parents in seeing her. We pack up the car with the four of us and baby Jayden and drove the 2 hours to Oconomowoc, WI. As we pull up to the camp and file in line to pick her up two counselors start walking down the lines handing out this piece of paper. She reaches our car, askes who we came to pick up for the day, and hands us the paper. My sister and I read it, and as we reach the middle of the page clear as day were the words SWINE FLU. Two girls from the Kallah group were sent home last week with the swine flu, and a few others with the regular flu. Horror struck both of our faces with the first time new mom and baby on one side... and the overly protective soon-to-be first time mommy on the other. What to do? So we pick her up to find out the two girls sent home were in her bunk, and she had to start on Tamiflu. Trying to stay away from everyone and enclosed areas at the camp site, we decided to wait in the car until she was checked out.

Needless to say, we went home that day to get a phone call at 7:30 the next night that someone had to come pick Maddie up from camp because she has the flu. After picking her up from camp, my dad took her to the doctor the next morning to discover it is indeed Influenza A... A.K.A Swine Flu. Now mind you all Michael and I have recently moved in temporarily with my parents after our house sold, so the swine has infested my space. The doctor immediately puts her on medication and recommends that everyone go on Tamiflu. Then there is me who goes into panic mode. A. I don't want to get any kind of flu because that would suck, and B. I don't want to take any medication while pregnant... I don't even take Tylenol. So what do I do, I go and get a hospital mask and wear it around the house with a bottle of Lysol for two days straight until we left for Michigan for the weekend.

Luckily Maddie is alright, and spent 5 days quarantined in her room. I made sure every inch of the house was Lysoled, and probably drove the fam insane. Maddie's fever subsided and she was able to go back to camp that following Saturday! So that was my interesting week, and another motherly instinct moment. But good, things are all okay and everyone came out of it as good as new! After the whole thing we found out who the source of the Swine Flu really was!

One Down... Another To Go!

2009-07-07T11:47:00.004-05:00

It's Official! The house sold, and our first home together... and Kona's first home is in the past. On to the future and to find our new home for the baby. So happy that one stress is behind us, but so much to do before Baby Litvack arrives. We are currently living at my parents and in my little sister's room. Mind you the room has a white picket fence painted around all the walls with flowers. The bed is a double with a pink comforter and flowers. There is a tiny arm chair in one corner, the dresser made for little people on the opposite wall, and a tiny little tea table which is currently holding our computer. I feel like I am in Alice in Wonderland or...

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs!

Even the toilet seat was made for small tushies and the shower head was set at the middle of my back. It is definitely an experience and we appreciate the accommodations made for us to have a home in the in-between, but it is pretty funny watching Michael sit at the little table on the computer with his knees in his throat. All of our belongings are in a storage unit, and only our essentials have made the journey with us. Kona is loving it because now he has two friends he gets to play with whenever he wants. I just think he forgets that he is 50 pounds and they are 20 pounds COMBINED. Anyway that is where we are for now, more fun stories to come!

5 MONTHS... HALF WAY THERE!

2009-06-12T10:02:00.004-05:00

So we have reached the half way point successfully. I had my 20 week check up with the ultrasound technician. Everything looks wonderful, and the baby looks healthy with 10 fingers and 10 toes. Baby Litvack didn't not stop moving around the whole time. Flipping and twitching and moving all it's limbs. The baby is already so much like Daddy... uh oh haha! Anyway, it was great to whatch Baby Litvack's little world in there and what he/she is doing! The technician was able to tell what the sex is... but she promised not to spill the beans. But it is good to know that he/she is definitely one way or the other haha! I have attached a photo of the baby bump... not the best of mommy so early in the morning, but at least you can see the bump. This time it is not in the bathroom at work, but I woke Michael up to take it for me haha!

The Baby is growing by the minute in there, and as you can tell so are my other body parts haha! Well, that is all I have for now. Still packing up my home to be out next week. Life is a little crazy right now, but all good things so I can't complain. Thanks for reading and I will talk to you soon!

IT'S OFFICIAL!

2009-06-08T10:44:00.003-05:00

So I can officially say that the little flickers in my stomach are indeed the baby moving around! I have been feeling these since I was about 15/16 weeks but I was unsure if it was ALL the baby or a little of me wishing it was the baby. It was for the past week for sure that I knew without a doubt that Baby Litvack was making his/her presence known inside there. Some people say that it feels like little butterflies fluttering about, but I would have to say it feels a little different for me. It feels as if someone is flicking you under water and you are wearing a scuba suite. Like it is not skin to skin, but almost there. At this point I could tell the difference between the baby kicking/punching and the baby rolling over. It is probably one of the coolest things ever to experience, and I have been waiting four months for this moment. So I am even happier than a clam. In fact as I type the baby is having a dance party! :)

The sad part is looking at Michael's face when I let him know the baby is moving. The first time I was absolutely sure it was the baby moving I excitedly announced it while we were sitting on the couch watching one of our guilty pleasures. Michael jumped up all excited and said, "can I feel?" I had to explain to him that it couldn't be felt from the outside and that it is only a flicker with a demonstration of me flicking him on the arm. The sad look on his face crushed me! I told him to give it a month or two and you will be able to feel the baby and probably see the baby as well. He is just so excited for the baby to come, and because he is slightly impatient wants the baby NOW! I am just really lucky that I have a husband that is so excited for this new journey in our lives and is completely embracing it instead of running in the other direction. Anyway, so now that I know Baby Litvack is moving like crazy in there I don't get up in the morning until I feel something and I won't go to bed until I feel something. This whole experience is just incredible, and I can't wait for all the other changes I have yet to experience! Talk to you soon! :)

TO DO OR NOT TO DO... THAT IS THE QUESTION?

2009-06-05T13:51:00.004-05:00

So good news our house sold on Wednesday and we are officially moving out of the city and to the burbs. The bad news, or not as good news, is that we have to be out of the house in 2 weeks!!! Yikes! Clearly we do not have our new home lined up yet so that is not an option, but we need somewhere to go with Mommy, Daddy, Baby Litvack, and Kona. Our two options are: Move back with my parents until we buy our own place. Save money, have some family bonding, and not really have to worry about anything but finding a place. Or two get a hotel room for a month or so until everything comes together and leave our stuff in storage?

Feel free to share your opinions I would love to hear them. We are leaning towards Mom and Pops for the simple fact that A. I love my parents and B. It is the more logical and economical sane idea. Plus our stuff could be stored there so we wouldn't have to put it in a storage facility. Anyway that is what is recently going on at the Litvack's. We are so happy the house sold so we don't have to worry about down payments and other financial stuff... and would rather be in this situation then the other way around. It is just humorous the situation we are in, and that we actually have 2 weeks to get out! Until next time! ;)

MY VERY SCARY NO GOOD VERY BAD NIGHT!

2009-05-31T13:13:00.003-05:00

On Friday night I went to my parents house for dinner with Eric, Amanda, Maddie, Emily and Jayden. Michael was working late, and I couldn't resist one of my mom's home cooked meals. Needless to say a two hour dinner turned into 4 and at 10:30pm my sister and I packed our separate cars and caravaned home. Everything was fine until we reached the Armitage exit on 94 while driving in the third lane from the right. A small white car swerves from the far right lane, running into a silver Honda Pilot in the second lane from the right, which in turn fishtailed from the front end back towards my car in the third lane. I slammed on my brakes trying to avoid her when she slammed the side of her car into mine. In the process a few cars back, my sister with 3 week old Jayden in the car slams on her brakes successfully missing the car in front of her, when an AT&T truck slams into her from behind. Needless to say this is what my car looks like now: After a lot of police work, and reports we were free to go home. My sister, Jayden and I with our husbands went over to Prentice hospital to get checked out. I got hooked up to machines to check my vitals and then check the babies. They monitored for contractions, the babies heartbeat, and I finally got to see an ultrasound and see the baby moving around happy as a clam. After three hours at the hospital I was free to go home. My sister had to stay over night at the hospital to monitor Jayden and finally got to go home at 12pm Saturday afternoon, and everything is fine. Everything is okay, babies are okay, and mommies are okay, but it was definitely a very scary, no good very bad night!

16 WEEK CHECK UP!

2009-05-15T10:06:00.000-05:00

So everything went well yesterday at the Doctor. I can officially breathe again knowing the baby is alright. I heard the heart beat, and checked out the head, the fingers, the toes, the spine. The Doctor says everything is going along smoothly and don't worry, and that I should start to feel the baby moving around inside soon. Baby Litvack was pretty much taking it's afternoon nap during the ultrasound so no back flips or summer-salts, but we did get a little wave and some kicking of the legs. I don't want to post the actual ultrasound pics because it feels sort of private and personal, but I do have a picture of what a baby looks like in the womb at 16 weeks if any of you were interested in seeing! Like I said Baby Litvack is about the size of an avocado, the eyes and ears are pretty much moved into place on the head, and everything else is just continuing in it's development more! Again, thank you all for your love, support and interest in this exciting moment in our lives. I will continue to try and keep up with the blog to keep you all informed, and in the meantime if there is anything you want to know more about or hear about just let me know! Until next time!

BABY BUMP #2

2009-05-12T13:30:00.000-05:00

I am currently 16 weeks = 4 months a long. The baby bump has not grown too much since 4 weeks ago, but I am showing a little earlier than most so I guess that is a good thing. The baby is about the size of an avocado, and is growing just great. I have my 16 week check up on Thursday, which I can't wait for. Luckily the nausea has stopped after 10 weeks, and obviously the baby is too small to feel moving around inside, so I am just really anxious to hear the heartbeat and see the baby moving around. We are not finding out the sex of the baby, I apologize for anyone who was itching to know. We just think it is the one surprise you have no control over, and it is one of the best surprises there are. So we will continue thinking of names and prepare for a little girl and little boy until the doctor says "it's a..."! Right now I am feeling great, the fatigue has lessened greatly, and I am just hoping the rest of the 5 months go as smoothly. Lastly, I can't forget our first baby who has been so great so far. There are times where I find him laying his head across my belly as if to protect the little baby inside. So here is a pic of him... he is getting so big!

JAYDEN DAVIS GOLDKIND!

2009-05-05T18:02:00.000-05:00

Baby Jayden was born May 2, 2009 at 8:57am. He was 7 lbs 3 ounces and 20 inches long. My sister did great through the whole thing, and my brother-in-law was very helpful. Jayden came on his due date which makes him my brother-in-laws child. Everything is planned and scheduled, and Jayden came as scheduled. Look at this precious face, he is so perfect, I want to eat his little face!

He is so tiny... can't get enough!

Mommy and baby just moments after giving birth... my beautiful sister is amazing!

Look how peaceful... pure perfection!

Daddy and his little boy... he is so good with him, and taking care of my sister!

His little cubs fan... the youngest cubs fan!

Grandma and Grandson!

Mommy and baby are doing amazing. They are home and had their first night last night. He is so precious and a perfect addition to the family. We all love him so much, and welcome him to the world! xoxo

Baby Bump

2009-04-22T09:02:00.000-05:00

I've had many requests to show the baby bump so here it is! This is me in the women's bathroom at work... the best I could do sorry haha! This is me at 13 weeks, and the little munchkin is growing by the minute in there. So far so good, the nausia subsided after 10 weeks, and I am keeping my fingers crossed that it stays that way. No morning sickness or anything, so I consider myself pretty lucky at this point. We had our 12 week ultra sound last Thursday. It was the coolest thing, Baby Litvack wouldn't stop moving around, just like daddy. We saw two arms, two legs, the spine, the head, the body, and the best part was that the baby was sucking its thumb! The heart beat is so fast, and it is just an amazing experience. I can't wait until I can finally feel the little munchkin moving around inside! Until then there is really nothing telling me I am pregnant other than my growing tummy... so I am extremely anxious for the next doctor's visit at 16 weeks to see the baby moving around again! Again thank you all for the kind words and warm wishes. We are so excited for this time in our lives, and can't wait for Baby Litvack to come in October!

OUR LITTLE KONA BEAR

2009-04-17T11:02:00.000-05:00

On January 4th Michael and I were in Michigan and we fell in love with this little guy. He didn't want to be put back in his kennel, and couldn't wait to play with us! It was love at first sight, and we just had to take him home with us. He slept in my lap the whole 3 hours home as we discussed what is going to be the best name for our little boy! We came up with Kona after our favorite island in Hawaii where we went on our honeymoon. The more we thought about it the better it fit because there is a brand called Kona Coffee and our buddy is the perfect shade of chocolate brown. Well at the first doctor's appointment he weighed in at 6 pounds, and was a shy little guy always snuggling on the couch with me. He was the apartment complex favorite and it didn't take long for everyone to know Kona. Look at that precious face... couldn't you just eat him up?!?

NOW... at 40 pounds he is definitely NOT shy. He goes up and meets and plays with EVERYONE he sees! I would have to say that he has a special bond with Daddy because they get to spend quality time together all day long, but at night he is still a momma's boy. Kona definitely has a personality that will crack us up. He's so outgoing & such a character we're so lucky to have him in our lives.

Well, being the character he is, he wants to tell you all something himself...