The Month of December

I have been a bad blogging mommy!!! I am trying to catch up today before it is 2010 (HaPpY nEw YeAr!!!). Brooklyn turned 6 months this month on the 16th and she is as cute as ever. She can sit up all by herself without support and she is talking up a storm in her baby language.

Below is Brooklyn's trip to see Santa. We went to Downtown Chandler with our friends Rodney, Nicole and Tyler Smith to visit Santa. Tyler wasn't a fan and Brooklyn wasn't fazed by Santa at all. I really thought she would start crying as she is having stranger anxiety already. Santa was holding Brooklyn up so her dress is up too for the world to see her bloomers and tights!Now on to Christmas. I was so very blessed to have my mom and sister come to AZ to spend Brooklyn's first Christmas with Cory and I. Brooklyn LOVED all the wrapping paper and my sister said "I should have bought her a roll of wrapping paper!" Brooklyn was quite spoiled by everyone. It started the weekend before when we had lunch with two amazing ladies (Thanks Em and Cheryl Oliver). We are so thankful for everyone and to everyone who thought of us this year. My best gift was of course Brooklyn, especially since I was told it wouldn't be possible without the help of fertility drugs last year in August. I really wish everyone could have been around to be with Brooklyn on her first Christmas...


If you notice all the slobber on the front of Brooklyn's shirt it is because she is teething and actually has her two bottom teeth coming in.

Thanks again mom and Nique for coming to AZ to spend Christmas with us and witness Brooklyn's first Christmas with Cory and I! We love you!

Thanksgiving

I know yesterday was Thanksgiving, but we have been celebrating the day after since I became a nurse. Once I met Cory he adopted this tradition too. We both have jobs that are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year so holidays are included. Cory worked yesterday so we did dinner today. My mom is here celebrating with us, which has made the holiday really nice. I wish all of our family was celebrating with all, but they all have the reasons why they can't, whether it be distance, jobs or other things. Brooklyn has had a good first Thanksgiving and that is what is most important to me. I am very thankful for everyone in my life, but most thankful for the gift I have in Brooklyn. She makes life so much sweeter!

Oh how time goes by so fast

My baby girl is already 5 months. I am still amazed by this wonderful little person I have been blessed with. The time has gone by way too fast, I miss my newborn baby, but am loving how much personality Brooklyn has and wouldn't trade it for anything. She is such a happy baby. She is sick with an ear infection and you would NEVER know it, since she is just so happy. I told Cory it would be a lot easier to know when she is sick if she would be fussy and scream/cry, but she doesn't. I guess that is a good thing, but it would make it easier to differentiate when she is sick and when she isn't.
We are still trying to get Brooklyn to eat her rice cereal, with luck here and there. Last night she ate the entire serving and tonight she wanted nothing to do with it. If anyone has any tricks, I will gladly take them.

1st Halloween

Grrr!!!

Yesterday was Brooklyn's first Halloween. She was the cutest white tiger ever, too bad we were all too sick to go to the Tempe Family Halloween Carnival with all of our friends. Brooklyn has always been so happy and yesterday was no exception, even when sick. You can tell by her smiles in the pictures. We hope everyone had a safe and happy Halloween. Hoping next year will be a healthy one for the Hauber Family.

Not a Fan

Brooklyn is not a big fan of her rice cereal. Her first taste was on Thursday night. I just loved all the faces she made. She would spit most of it out. I will try and post the video so everyone can get the full effect of her silly faces (they were more disgusted faces) that the still camera just doesn't capture. The pictures at the end she seems happy that I am telling her she is all done (they say not to force them to eat it if they are crying or spiting it out so we stopped). We tried again on Friday night, and again not a fan!

Look who is 4 Months!

Brooklyn turned 4 months yesterday.

We Made it!

We both made it through the first day of daycare. Cory and I dropped her off yesterday at 6:30 am and of course I cried. I actually cried all the way to work and just twice while there. When I got to work I was even asked by one of the ladies I work with if I was hungover - it was the one time I wish I were instead of just having dropped off my baby at daycare, I guess when I cry too much I look hungover (good to know:o). I only called twice to check on her and they said she was doing great, just not sleeping well, only 20-30 min at a time when she normally naps for 1-2 hours. I left work at 2:30 (I have the BEST boss ever) and went to pick up Brooklyn and when I got there she was just as happy as I left her. The best feeling is when she saw me she got the BIGGEST smile on her face. When we got in the car she was asleep before we made it out of the parking lot. She napped when we got home for 2 hours!!! I know this is going to be a great place for Brooklyn and she will get use to all the noise and nap just as if she always had. She is going to learn a lot and I can't wait until they start teaching her Spanish (her great grandma will be proud). Even one of the perks of the school is date night - you drop them off during their once a month weekend night out for parents.

Look at the picture below and see what they give the mom's when they leave their child for the first time at daycare...

I didn't open the bag until I made it to the parking lot at work. The letter inside made me cry even more. Thank goodness for the kleenex they also give you with the letter. (if you click on the picture you can read the letter). I again want to thank everyone for their support, all you mommies out there are AWESOME and I am grateful for you.

Also thanks to my mommy, who is the best support person a daughter could have!!!

Daycare

So Brooklyn will be starting daycare tomorrow and I am just beside myself. I know there are worse things in life, but she is my life and the thought of her being at daycare for about 10 hours a day just breaks my heart. I work long hours and Cory works about an hour away so by the time one of us drops her off and the other picks her up it is about 10 hours. The school looks like an awsome place and very educational from infants all the way up. I know (and I pray) she will be well taken care of while she is there 3 days a week (thank goodness for me it is only 3 days). I know she will have lots of fun and since she is such a good and happy baby, I am sure she won't mind at all (this is what I keep telling myself and hoping for). Thanks for everyone's support. They say being a mom is hard work and can be heartbreaking and they weren't kidding. On a happy note, my family was here over the weekend and we had a great time. Was so great to see everyone (my mom, grandma, uncle Matt, aunt Ida, aunt Dee, uncle Paul, cousin Mia, cousin Isaac, aunt Jeanell and uncle Norbert).

Picture Day!

Yesterday we went to Portrait Innovations (love it!) to have Brooklyn's 3 month pictures taken. We weren't very happy with JC Penny's so we thought we would try this place and would recommend it to everyone. They are so great with kids and we just LOVE all the pictures we received. Brooklyn had a good time too and she was even ready for the Mizzou game and win later that night.

3 Months!

Yesterday Brooklyn turned 3 months. My plan was to post this yesterday along with the picture but time got away from us and when I was ready to take pictures of Brooklyn she was way too tired to cooperate so we tried again tonight. She was tired again so the pictures aren't the greatest. Her poor left eye is red and irritated from her rubbing it (she does that when she is REALLY tired) and you can tell she isn't the happiest at that moment. But to me she is still the cutest in the world!

Rollie Pollie Brooklyn

Brooklyn is now a rollie pollie and is rolling from belly to back. Her first two times were on Tuesday while I was at work, which of course made me so sad that I missed it. Then she rolled over twice during the day on Wednesday and then she rolled the other way last night before bedtime. It was so AWESOME to see. I hope that next time we get it on video, I did wait with the camera to try and catch her roll so here she is:

Back to Work

So today was my first day back to work. 9 weeks just wasn't long enough. It was really hard to leave this morning. I cried last night, when I was in the shower this morning, on my way to work, while in the parking lot and a few times while at work. Surprisingly the day went by fairly quickly. I have a wonderful boss and she said if I needed to go home at any time I could and just come back to make up my hours, but I made it through the day. It was so good to come home and see her big smile and hear her "talk."
I have such supportive friends & family and many called or sent me a text just to check on me, I thank them very much! I am also very lucky that Cory gets to stay at home with Brooklyn while I am at work. She is already such a daddy's girl. I am back to work tomorrow and I hope it goes by just as fast.

Dr Appt

Brooklyn had her two month Dr appt today. The doctor says she is doing great.
Here are her stats: Weight = 11 pounds 7 oz Length = 22.25 inches
She also had her shots today, 4 total and you would think me being a nurse I could stand to watch her get them, but I couldn't and Cory suggested I stand outside the room, which I did. I could hear her cry outside the room and of course it made me cry. I think when I return to work I won't be able to poke another baby ever again. I guess that is a good thing for the babies I care for :o)

2 Months!

Here is a picture of Brooklyn at 2 months!! She is sitting up in her Bumbo (thanks Kelley!). She really likes sitting up in it, if you can't tell by her big smile.

One more week at home until I have to go back to work :( Trying to enjoy every last minute. Thank goodness I only work 3 days a week. I have loved every minute I have had so far with this beautiful little girl. I am truly blessed!

Post Surgery

Brooklyn is doing so much better since her surgery. She is eating well and keeping it down. She is no longer miserable and though she was already a happy baby she is so much happier. We went to her post-op appointment on Wednesday and they said everything looks great. All her steri-strips are gone and her scar looks pretty good. I think in a couple of years you won't even be able to notice it. Brooklyn is already 8 weeks and time has gone by so fast. She is cooing and "talking"a lot and it is the cutest thing EVER! She took her first trip outside of AZ last weekend to go to a wedding in New Mexico. We went by car and everyone said it is the easiest time to travel with a baby by car since all they do is sleep. WRONG!!!! Not in Brooklyn's case - she slept so good at the start of each way but then was not a happy baby the rest of the way unless we were out of the car. She did enjoy the cool breezes up in the mountains and I can't wait for it to cool off here in AZ so she can enjoy the outdoors. It was so good seeing my family while in New Mexico and everyone just loved Brooklyn, especially her grandma (my mom) who we miss so much and can't wait for her to come and visit us in September!

My Poor Baby

Brooklyn had surgery on Saturday August 1st at Cardon Children's Medical Center. She had been throwing up for about a week or more and we took her to the doctor who diagnosed her with reflux (honestly, I knew it wasn't reflux and kept telling Cory I thought it was pyloric stenosis) and they started her on medicine. Brooklyn was not too fond of her medicine (zantac) but she had to take it. On Friday July 31st her vomiting got worse and would shoot across the room (classic sign of pyloric stenosis) and by Saturday it was even worse and she was so miserable. We called the nurse triage line and they said to take her in since she was so little and throwing up so much it could cause dehydration. We went to the ER and they did blood work, started an IV (she had to be poked twice and I think I cried worse than her) and she had an ultrasound which confirmed what I already knew - yes she had pyloric stenosis. "Pyloric stenosis is an uncommon condition that affects the pylorus — the opening at the lower end of the stomach that connects the stomach and small intestine. In babies who have pyloric stenosis, the muscles of the pylorus become abnormally large. This prevents food from entering the small intestine. Pyloric stenosis can lead to forceful vomiting, dehydration and weight loss. Prompt surgical treatment is important." They took her to surgery at 8 pm that night and it took an hour (the longest hour of my life) and they said she did so good. We stayed in the hospital for less than 24 hours when we were originally told it could be 2-3 days before we could go, we were so ready to go home. We were well taken care of while in the hospital from the time we arrived in the ER until we went home. We were lucky to stay on the unit I work on (Pediatric Oncology, thanks Laura & Aimee) and had the best care (thank you Emily, Ryann, Terri, & Lisa and everyone who came to visit Brooklyn). We are home and she is doing so good, she is no longer miserable and keeping all her food down, NO MORE THROWING UP!!!!!! I am still sad that she had to go through all of this (throwing up, surgery, pain) but happy that she is feeling so much better.

1 Month!

Brooklyn is already 4 weeks today. Wow how a month has already gone by! She is changing and growing so much day by day. It makes me kinda sad how time goes by so fast, but I am looking forward to the changes and growth to come! She is more alert and playful, she is cooing and we always ask her to tell us all about it when she is "talking." Here are some more pictures. Brooklyn and daddy doing tummy time and Brooklyn seems to like it by the smile on her face.

Here she is in her 1 month onsies, thanks to pickysticky.com.

2 Weeks

Brooklyn is a little over 2 weeks, how time flies by. It makes me so sad that in 2 weeks she will be a month old. She is such a wonderful baby and we are so lucky to have her in our lives! She sleeps so well at night as long as we don't get off our feeding schedule during the day. Yesterday we went to the hospital to see the girls at work (I just had to show her off) and everyone just loved her, but then again what's not to love?!?! Just not sure how I can go back to work and leave this little girl, but it has to be done and I am just trying hard not to think about it and enjoy all my time with her while I can. Here are some recent pictures of her:

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And Baby Makes 3!!!

Cory and I are now a family of 3 as of June 16th at 7:47 pm. Brooklyn Simone Hauber (named by her proud daddy!) was born at 7 pounds 15.4 ounces and 20.1 inches long, after 27 hours of labor. She has the most hair I have ever seen on a newborn. It is so soft and straight (it curls when it gets wet but when it dries it goes back to being straight), so unlike my hair. She is so beautiful but I am a little biased. It is so awesome to see how much in love Cory is with her. Even the doctor today at her check up noticed it and said something. My mom and Cory's mom were at the hospital with us when she was born (but just Cory and I were in the room with the doctor and nurses) and my sister came at the end of the week to see her niece. Here are some pictures: the day of induction (Cory and I), me (while getting pitocin, notice the smile - even before the epidural), after she was born, Cory holding his new baby girl and my mom (grandma) holding her when we got home from the hospital. Thanks for all the well wishes and the congratulations!

Going to the hospital and we are going to have a baby!

So our little one has still decided she is comfy and not coming out on her own. We are going to the hospital tomorrow and I will be induced. I am so excited but very nervous at the same time since I have no idea what to expect (I have heard MANY stories, many people saying being induced is "sooooo painful" - thanks people :o). I will be ready for my epidural as soon as I get there!!! I have had a lot of wonderful support as well, many well wishes via phone calls, text messages and facebook posts. Thank you all - we will keep everyone posted on when she arrives and send/post pics as soon as we can.


Love -
Chisa and Cory

Come and Gone

So my due date has come and gone (I was due yesterday) and it doesn't look like she wants to come out to see what goes on here in the world!!! I am scheduled for my induction on Monday, so I guess if she doesn't want to come out on her own she will have no choice come Monday. We are getting so antsy and just want to meet and hold her. Cory asks me everyday "is she coming today?" and I always say "I don't think so." because I just don't feel like it is going to happen. I wish she would prove me wrong :o) My mom will be coming to AZ tomorrow so she will be here for Monday's big event. The part that makes me so sad is that my sister can't get off work to be there Monday. With the mix of hormones and being so sad she won't be here, I cried and cried yesterday. I never, ever imagined my sister not being there the day I delivered my first baby and now she won't be there (so there will be no pictures of her holding her niece minutes/hours after she is born in the hospital, just breaks my heart). I love it here in AZ but it sucks not living in the same city or state as my family. We will keep everyone updated on her arrival as soon as she makes her grand entrance. If it is 3 am we will wait and let people know the next day :o) Wish us luck!

3 days & Counting

Today is June 7th and I am due in 3 days - WOW!!!!! But to be honest I don't see her wanting to come and meet everyone anytime soon. Went to to doctor last Thursday and there were no changes (still 3 cm and 50% effaced). My doctor said if I haven't had her by Sunday June 14th I would be scheduled for an induction on June 15th. I received a call from her nurse on Friday and my induction has been scheduled for June 15th in the afternoon. I guess if she doesn't want to come on her own before then we at least know that we will get to meet her either June 15th or 16th! So I guess it may be more like 3 days to a week and counting!

Today is also National Cancer Survivor's Day and I am happy to be apart of a team that has the privilege of taking care of kids with cancer!!!

One week to go!

I can't believe we have one week to go!!! There were a couple of nights when we thought it was going to be the night we would get to meet her, but the contractions came and went. Cory's guess is she will be here this Thursday (June 4th) and my guess is she will be here late (June 15th - 5 days late). I am hoping his guess is right! The pictures are before and now pictures of her room (it will be finished when my mom and sister get here as I always imagined they would help me get the baby's room ready). The picture of me is at 38 weeks.