2 weeks

Brooke had her 2 week check up and we found out she weighs 9 pounds and 3 ounces! They are suppose to be back at their birth weight by 2 weeks...Brooke went a little past that! She is a great eater and a very good sleeper. We are very lucky that she only gets up once during the night to feed. We hope this continues!
My mom was in town for about 2 weeks and helped out which was nice. After she left Brian's mom and sister Melissa came over and helped out a bit too. Now, Brooke and I are enjoying our days and keeping busy. We went to the library for her first outing and she was a very good girl. She already loves to listen to books.
Also, this week we have started going on walks with Daisy which is working out well. Daisy is still jealous when people come over to see the baby so we are trying to give her lots of attention too. Here are some pictures of Brooke!

Brooke Laura Cieslik

On September 7th, 2010 we went into the hospital at 6 AM to be induced. I was in active labor for about 9 hours and then pushed for 2 more hours. The doctor thought she was not positioned right and was not moving down so we had to do a C-section. I was SHOCKED when we found out she weighed 8 lbs and 10 oz! The doctor had predicted a little over 7 lbs! During surgery the doctor said, "Wow, this is a big baby you should call her Bertha!" Also, he said she could be on SNL because of her conehead.

Once I heard her cry I started crying right away! I was so relieved she was out and could not wait to see her!! She scored a perfect 10 on her apgar screening which is very rare. Brian was able to hold her right away but I had to wait about an hour, which was so hard. Once she was placed in my arms I feel completely in love with her. We were so excited to tell everyone her name. Brooke we found on a list and both like and Laura came from both of our sisters.

I really enjoyed being at the hospital. They took great care of me. I especially enjoyed nap time which would end with hot out of the oven chocolate chip cookies. The nurses were so great to us and very helpful. A lot of family was able to come to the hospital and meet Brooke.

On Friday we took her home and she was able to meet Daisy. We are now enjoying having her home and feel completely blessed to have a healthy, happy baby girl.

Day Before Birth

Here is a picture of me the night before I went into the hospital. My last day of being pregnant!!

Update

I went to the doctor on Monday and things are looking good! I am dilated 1 cm and 80 % effaced. We made an appointment at Bergan to be induced on September 7th. I am SO excited! I am hoping that baby girls decides to come earlier.
I have been pretty tired this week and have been swelling. I officailly now have cankles!! I am so anxious to meet my baby and hold her in my arms. Hopefully next time I post I will have pictures of my cute little girl!

36 weeks

Here is a picture of me at 36 weeks. I am still feeling pretty good but it is more difficult to walk. I feel like I am waddling now! It has been VERY hot here so I have been staying inside a lot. I went back to work which keeps me very busy. So far I am really enjoying my new school and job. I like that I am able to sit often. I am spending most of my time testing students and working with small groups.
At the doctor today the baby was not cooperating during the non-stress test she kept sleeping and we could not wake her up! So the doctor sent me for an ultrasound and she started moving right away! I think she might be a little stubborn, I wonder where she gets that from? ;)
The good thing was we got some 3D pictures! I think she has Brian's nose and lips. I can't wait to see her! The doctor said everything looks good. I plan on packing my bag tonight so who knows when we will get to meet her. Hopefully soon :)

33 weeks!

Here is a picture of me at 33 weeks. Baby girl is really growing! I have been going to the doctor once a week and she is doing very well. We have been doing a non-stress test as well and she is very active. She is still measuring a week ahead and the doctor said her growth is wonderful! We have been busy getting things ready. Brian and his dad put in a new window in the baby's room. Once the project is done I will post a picture. I go back to work next week and hope that I continue to feel good. Poor Daisy is going to have a rude awakening when I go back to work!

Work Shower

The ladies from Sunset Hills threw me a fabulous baby shower! The hostesses were Jill Assman and Marilyn Ivers. It was fun to get to see everyone over the summer. I received so many great gifts and lots of cute clothes that I am excited to dress her in! Here is a picture of me by the food which was delicious of course. I am really going to miss working with all these wonderful women. They have been great friends to me the past 4 years!

Happy Anniversary!

On July 11, 2010 Brian and I celebrated our first wedding anniversary! We spent most of the day with my family before they returned back to Chicago. We went to dinner at Vivace in the Old Market. It was our first time going there and we thought it was good. It definitely made us want to go back to Italy! After a yummy dinner we went on a horse and carriage ride through the Old Market and Heartland Park. It was so romantic! When we got home we dug into our chocolate and peanut butter (Brian's choice) year old wedding cake. We were so surprised that it was delicious!!

Baby Shower

On Saturday I had a wonderful baby shower at my house thrown by my sister-in-law Kara Finley and my good friend Melissa Lindburg. I had such a great time! So many friends and family came to celebrate. My Mom, Dad, brother, sister, niece and Aunt Diane all came to Omaha for the shower. It was so much fun to get to see everyone. My brother, Bob, Kara and Hannah all stayed at our house which has gotten us so excited for us to have our little girl. She did wake us up at 4 in the morning which I guess is getting us ready for our little bundle of joy. Hannah and Daisy really hit it off! Hannah was giggling and laughing and loved watching Daisy. The only problem was Daisy really wanted to play with Hannah's toys. We will have to work on that!
I have been feeling pretty good. It is getting really HOT in Omaha! My ankles are hurting a little bit so I am trying to rest. I have another baby shower on Thursday night with the ladies from my work. Getting all of these wonderful gifts is making it seem so real that in just 2 months we will have a beautiful baby!

29 Weeks!

Baby girl is growing! When I went to the doctor for my 28 week check up we did an ultrasound and found out that she weighed 3 pounds! She was measuring at 29 weeks and is in the 73rd percentile for weight! I think she is taking after her father and might be a big baby.
This past weekend my Mom was in town which was fun. She painted the nursery which looks great! It is pink of course! We will be picking up the crib and changing table/dresser on Saturday and hopefully Brian will put that together and in the room. We also got the wall decal that I ordered so I hope to put that up soon. My Mom brought about 40 outfits from my niece which are all hung up in the closet. The clothes are so cute I can't wait to dress her in them!
The baby is very active! I feel her move all day long. So far I have been sleeping well at night and baby does not move around. I am still walking everyday and feeling very good.
Next weekend my family is coming to visit and I can't wait to see everyone! I am especially excited to see my niece Hannah.

We had a bit of a scare yesterday! We went out to our friend's cabin for the afternoon and Daisy and her BFF Koda were running around and they ran right into me and knocked me right on my back on cement. It was shocking because I did not even see them coming and then I was already on the ground. We were not sure what to do so we called Laura, Brian's sister for help. It's so nice to have a doctor in the family! She told us we had to go to the hospital right away. We were in Ashland so it took us awhile to get there. Usually Brian is the calm one but he was pretty nervous and it seemed like everyone was just out for a Sunday drive and going really slow!
At the hospital they hooked me up to a baby monitor to watch the baby's heartbeat and to check to make sure everything was OK. There was some irritability in my uterus so they made me drink A TON of water to try to rehydrate me otherwise they were going to give me an IV, which I did not want! They said they had to monitor me for 4 hours to make sure everything was stable with the baby. I did have a few contractions which was scary, but they said normal. They also drew blood to make sure my blood and baby's blood did not mix together. Luckily that test came back normal and after about 4 1/2 hours they let us go. We were SO relieved! As much as I want to meet my little princess I want her to keep cooking for a few more months! Hopefully we will not be back at the hospital till September.

26 Weeks

WOW It has been a long time since I have posted something! Sorry! The end of the school year became a very busy time for me. I had to pack up my entire classroom since I will no longer be at Sunset Hills and no longer have my own classroom. I was very excited to find out that I will be working at Prairie Lane, which is located around 114th and Center.
I am LOVING summer break! I am getting so spoiled! Daisy and I go on a walk everyday usually on the Papio Trial. We try to walk for an hour and then we both come home and crash. I tried to take a picture with her but she could not pull herself off the couch(Yes we are bad parents and let Daisy on the couch). The walks make her calm all day long which is nice. She has become my shadow and follows me around everywhere! It's so nice to sit down whenever I want and rest and to use the bathroom whenever I need to (Which is A LOT!)
The baby is very active during the day. Her kicks are getting a lot harder and more often. You can now see her kicking when you look at my belly. I feel lucky that so far she is very quite a night and is not waking me up.
I am almost in the third trimester! I can't wait for her to be here! Next week I am going to Florida with two of my good friends for a fun vacation. I am really looking forward to spending the day with people that will talk back to me (Unlike my days now, Daisy just listens). I will try to update more often now that I am not working. As you can tell my belly is really growing!

22 Weeks

Pictures

New Job

Some more exciting news is that I have a new job for next year! I have been hired as a Reading Coordinator in the same district for next year. This summer I will finish up my Reading Endorsement degree with one last class! The new job means that I will no longer have my own classroom but will work with students in a small group setting. I will see students in K-2 for 25 minutes at a time and then send them back to their teacher!
Teaching Reading is my true passion and am so excited for this new opportunity! I think it will be a great job for me to have especially with the little one on her way. So, now I am busy cleaning out my classroom and moving things to the new school and to storage in our house. Thank goodness we have lots of extra space in the house for ALL my books that I just can't get rid of!

It's a GIRL!!!

We were SO surprised to find out we are having a baby girl! Almost everyone, including us, thought it was a boy. We now are looking at names but think we will keep her name a secret till she gets here. So far we can't agree on anything! Also, we want to see her before we decide on her name.
She is moving and kicking like crazy! She does not like it when Daisy barks and kicks like crazy. Brian has been able to feel her move too. I am definitely showing now! This last week I have had a cold which has been miserable since I cannot take any medicine to help. But I am finally feeling better.
We were VERY relieved to go for a second ultrasound to see that her heart is completely HEALTHY! Thank goodness! Thank you for all the prayers and positive thoughts. Now we are ready to start shopping for her!

20 weeks!

I'm halfway there! I can't believe I'm already 20 weeks along! I am definitely showing and am now wearing maternity clothes. Last weekend Brian and I went to Chicago to visit my family and to attend Hannah's (my niece) baptism. It was very special especially since Brian was her Godfather! I have included a picture of my family at the baptism. It was so fun to spend time with Hannah, she is so cute! She has grown so much since I saw her last. I love her chubby cheeks and hearing her laugh and talk. I can't wait to have one of my own!
While I was at my parent's house I felt the baby move for the first time. It was so cool! It feels like bubbles in my stomach. Now the baby is moving all the time!! We find out tomorrow the sex, hopefully! So far most people think it's a boy. Brian and I are just so anxious to find out! We will be so happy either way as long as the baby is healthy. Once we find out the sex, let the shopping begin!!

I woke up at 18 weeks and noticed that my stomach had really grown! It makes sense because I have been eating everything in sight! I just had spring break where I was able to spend lots of time with Daisy. We went for many walks and to the Cieslik cabin for a day. She is going to be very upset when I go back to work.
Yesterday Brian said, "Wow your stomach has really grown! It looks like you are pregnant, this is getting real!" We are so excited to find out in 2 weeks if we are having a boy or girl! I think it's a girl and Brian thinks it's a boy...we will see soon!
This week my allergies have been really bad. The doc said I could take Benedryl but that just knocks me out! Hopefully I will start to feel better.
Brian and I are exited to go to Chicago for the weekend for our niece Hannah's baptism. I was able to Skype with her and my mom last week which was really fun! I was able to see her smile and laugh and can't wait to see her in person soon.

Here is a picture of me and Daisy at 16 weeks. Daisy looks a little happier, she is coming to terms with the new addition! I went to the doctor for a check in and he said everything looks great! Brian came with me and we both were able to hear the heartbeat, right away! We scheduled our appointment for our 20 week ultrasound (April 26th) where hopefully we will be able to find out the sex of the baby. Right now I think it's a girl and Brian thinks it's a boy. We can't wait to know for sure and then start to look at names and the most fun, decorate the nursery!
One of my students told me that my stomach was getting bigger although right now I can still fit into my regular clothes. I am ready to feel the baby move and to get more of a baby bump!

Growing Tummy

Here I am at 14 weeks with my precious Daisy Dog!

Here is a picture of the baby at 13 weeks. They were not able to get a good picture because the baby was so active and moving around too much! I think this means the baby is going to take after Brian and keep me very busy!!
If you look closely you can see the head(where it says face) and on either side is his/her arms. Other than that I can't tell much!

First Trimester

The first trimester was a little rough! I was very sick but after many days of not keeping any food down my doctor gave me some medicine which was a God sent! I was able to make it through the school day without running to the bathroom.
I could not believe how tried I was! Usually I would fall asleep around 7 on the couch and Brian would wake me up and make me go up to bed. I felt exhausted all the time.
When I was 9 weeks I was able to go to the doctor and see our little baby. The picture to the left is from that visit. The neatest thing by far was being able to hear the heartbeat. It made the whole experience feel so real and amazing!
One of the hardest things of the first trimester was not being able to tell any one. I was so excited to share our good news that it was a difficult secret to keep!

First Blog!

Brian and I were married on July 11, 2009. After that we spent 2 wonderful weeks in Italy on our honeymoon. We had such an amazing 2009 that we thought 2010 would not be able to compete! We quickly changed our minds when on New Years Day I took 2 pregnancy tests and realized we were going to have a baby!!! We realized that 2010 would be an amazing year and would change our lives forever! I am creating this blog to give friends and family some insight on this unbelievable experience.
Baby Cieslik will be arriving around September 12, 2010. Our current baby (Our yellow lab Daisy) is a little worried about the new edition and how much attention the baby will receive. We continue to talk with her and hope that she gets along well with the new baby. Taking care of Daisy we hope has somewhat prepared us for parenthood.
I will try to update the blog monthly and post pictures to give information about this journey we are going through! Enjoy :)