Eli - 1 Month

Eli is 1-Month old today! I can't believe how fast time has gone! It certainly has been the sweetest time of my life and I know the same is true for Nick.

Eli's First Christmas

Our little Christmas Gift Kisses from Mom & Dad

Sweet Dreams

Eli with Cousin Hailey & Cousin Jake

Happy Birthday, Grandpa Tim!
The McLaughlins

We just had a great bunch of days full of family and Christmas celebrations. We kicked it off Christmas Eve at Nick's Dad's for dinner. Christmas Day we spent at Nick's Mom's and then that evening my parents and sister joined us at our house for until Sunday afternoon. Nick had to work Friday, so it gave my parents and sister a full day of Eli time. Saturday evening my Uncle Denny, Cousin Ian, Cousin Claire and her kids, Hailey and Jake came over to hang out. We also celebrated my Dad's 51st birthday on Saturday. Whew! It all flew by so fast, but it was all so much fun. Nick's gets 2 days off this week, so I am looking forward to the three of us having down time together.

Sweet Dreams

Eli often smiles while he is napping.... melts my heart everytime!

Dear Santa

We brought Eli to the mall today to meet Santa... right when we got there he fell asleep.

Eli - 3-Weeks

Hi Everyone! This is Eli. I am now 3-Weeks old today! I have come a long way in that time. I have gained some weight, I eat really well, and I like to sleep!

Yesterday, it was so nice outside, that my mom decided it would be a good day for our first adventure out on our own. So, she packed me and all my stuff up and we went to the mall. We walked around for about an hour. I really liked looking around at all the bright lights and all the people. Below is a picture my mom took of me yesterday.

Last night I went to a party at the neighbors with my Mom and Dad. I was really good. I even stayed up until 11:30 p.m. and slept until 4:00 a.m. Mom and Dad get all excited when I do that, so I will try to do that for them as much as I can.

Mom said this week is Christmas. I don't know much about it, but I guess I will see lots of family. Usually when we hang out with family I get passed around to different people. Which I don't mind as I am a snuggler!

Merry Christmas!

Love,

Eli

Eli - 2-Weeks Old

Eli - 1-Week Old

Nick's sister, Kelly, took some great pictures of Eli yesterday. You can see in the pictures that Eli is very animated!

Message from Eli

Eli had his circumcision today... ugh... after the nurse brought him back to us we noticed his little finger sending us a message of sorts. Poor guy.

November 29, 2008

After 12+ hours of labor (ouch!), our Doctor confirmed that Eli would not be able to make his entrance the "Old Fashioned" way. As much as I wanted to have a natural child birth experience; I wanted a healthy baby more.

We went into surgery about 11:15 p.m. and Eli was born at 11:56 p.m. Our Doctor and all the people taking care of us were so amazing. They made the entire experience very special for us.

Shortly after Eli was born, Nick took him to the Nursery for his check up/vitals and eventually Eli's first bath from his Dad!

When I got to the recovery room, Nick brought Eli in and I was able to hold my baby for the very first time.

He is a very special guy, to many people...

Eli & Grandpa Tim

Eli & Grandma Karen

Eli & Auntie Megan

Eli & Grandpa John

Eli & Grandma Lynn

Eli & Grandpa Mike

Introducing...Eli!

Eli Timothy Sundsmo was born Saturday, November 29th, 2008 at 11:56 p.m. He weighed in at 6 lbs. 11.5 oz. 20.5 inches. We are all very healthy and doing very well!

We got home Wednesday night and have been so busy getting acclimated to our new roles as Eli's Mom & Dad. We are just soaking in every minute together as a family before Nick has to go back to work next week.

Below are some pictures we wanted to share. I will get more posted soon!

The Baby Scoop!

I thought I had better update everyone on the scoop for Baby Eli. At our last appointment on Friday, Nov. 21, we learned that Eli is completely engaged in my pelvis and I was dilated at almost 2 centimeters. As you know, our due date is this Thursday, Nov. 27. Once you go past the due date, you become "High Risk", so they like to take matters into their own hands to get the ball rolling to get the little one out as healthy as possible. So! The plan is, if Eli is not born before Friday, we will begin inducing labor Friday afternoon. What they do first is try to get your cervix to soften, which can get labor going without pitocin. If after 12 hours nothing happens, then they will hit me up with the pitocin and soon after that... baby!

Of course, I am still hoping to go into labor the old fashion way and keep everything as drug free as possible. But, if this is what we have to do to get the little guy here safely, then that is what we have to do. Either way, Eli will be here at some point this weekend... Holy Crap!

39 Weeks

Average babies are about 20 inches and weigh a bit over 7 pounds.

Our appointment on Monday indicated the same as the week before. Baby good. Measurements good. My blood pressure good. Cervix 1 cm.

I am down to 1 pair of pants that I wear EVERYDAY (see photo above)! My other maternity pants are capri pants... it is just too cold for those right now. Other than the limited clothing situation, I am feeling pretty good! Ready for the little one!

Cankles and Man Hands

It's official... I have cankles and man hands...

Pregnancy Entertainment

Leave ambiguous messages for friends and family... time how long it takes for them to call back...

Happy Birthday, Kelly!

Wishing you a fantastic 30th! So much to look forward to this year!

We love you!

38 Weeks

Eli should be nice and chubby right now. Average babies weigh about 6.8 pounds and measure over 19 1/2 inches long. Our appointment this week went well. Eli's heart continues to beat at a strong and steady pace. I have started to dilate and was at 1 cm on Monday.

Some people think this boy is coming early... I thought so at first... But, I think this guy has a good thing going and is going to stay in there as long as he is able. He is the product of two very stubborn people and I am sure he will be the same.

My brain cells are gone... long gone! Sleeping? Either I am sleeping very hard for a very short period of time (along with severe drooling and wall-shaking snoring) or I am just laying there... thinking about sleeping. The majority of my day is spent in the bathroom, walking to the bathroom, or thinking about going to the bathroom.

My phone is ringing off the hook with friends and family checking in... it means so much to us that so many people are as excited about this baby as we are! Thanks for all the love, everyone!

37 Weeks

37 Weeks

Flash back to 27 Weeks

Here we are...full term! If the little man decides to make his big arrival... all would be fine. So bring on the spicy foods, Raspberry Leaf Tea, and all the other suggestions we hear that get things going! I am so ready!

Average babies at this stage weigh about 5 1/2 - 6 1/3 pounds and measure a bit over 19 inches, head to heel. My fundal measurement remained at 34-weeks at our appointment on Monday (same measurement as last week). The doctor explained that his head is so low that it isn't included in the measurement at all.

My fingers feel like stuffed sausages, my knuckles are no where to be found, I am rocking the Jan Brady Walk and when I attempt to get out of bed....I look like a turtle stuck on its back! While this isn't my ideal sort of existance; I am going to be a mother in a matter of days!!! I can't wait!

Victory!

Yes....!!!

36 Weeks/9 Months

36 weeks/9 Months

Flashback to 26 weeks

Eli is still packing on the pounds — at the rate of about an ounce a day. Average babies at this stage weigh between 5 to 6 pounds and are more than 18 1/2 inches long. At the end of this week, he will be considered full-term. (Full-term is 37 to 42 weeks; babies born before 37 weeks are pre-term and those born after 42 are post-term.)

We had our weekly doctor appointment on Monday and everything continues to go well. I asked Dr. Ye for her professional estimate for Eli's weight and she said about 5 lbs (just an estimate). My fundal measurement (measurement of my stomach) is about 2 weeks smaller than average, but Dr. Ye said it isn't anything to be concerned about. I am not dilated at all, which is good as he should stay in there at least a couple more weeks.

If you haven't already, please add your predictions below for when Eli will arrive and how big he will be! The winner gets to be the first baby-sitter!

Birthday Predictions

We are a mere 30 days out from our expected due date, but when do YOU think the baby will arrive? How much will Baby weigh? How long will the Baby be? Go ahead and post your predictions now (via the comment option below): birthday, weight, and length.

35 Weeks

Eli is now estimated to be over 18 inches long and tipping the scales at about 5 1/4 pounds. His kidneys are fully developed now, and his liver can process some waste products. Most of his basic physical development is now complete — he'll spend the next few weeks putting on weight (about 1 ounce per day).

He is still head down as he was 2 weeks ago. I have had some major pelvic pressure (ouch!) which is a sign of "dropping" or "lightning". Most first time moms "drop" between 34-36 weeks. It doesn't mean that he is coming early...just that I will be waddling until he arrives!

Happy Birthday, Nick!

Happy 29th Birthday, Nick!

I love you!

Thank you, Everyone!

Saturday, my Aunts (my mom's sisters) put on a Baby Shower at my Aunt Ruth's home. Some of the neighbor ladies, and other Willmar friends stopped by as well. I have to admit, the highlight for me was just playing Group Solitare with my counsins and Aunts. It is a family tradition my Grandma Delores got us hooked on. We played that afternoon and that evening as well at Ruth and Roger's Lake Home where we had a bon-fire and hung out.

(Aunt Cynthia, Aunt Julie, Aunt Deanna, Me, Mom, Aunt Ruth)

Sunday, my mom had a little shower with my Dad's family. It was another beautiful Fall day. We took Hailey to the park where she decided to push Nick and Grandpa on the Merry-go-round.... how many 83 year olds do you know would get on a Merry-go-round? While we were watching Hailey spin Nick and Grandpa, Claire and I experienced the joy of being pooped on by some birds high above....

(Hailey spinning Nick & Grandpa on the Merry-go-round)

Claire & Me... after we cleaned the bird poo out of our hair...yuck!

A big thanks to everyone! It was such a great weekend just hanging out and enjoying the beautiful fall we are having!

A Family Name

One other cool thing about the name Eli... when I told my Grandpa Mac/McLaughlin we picked the name Eli, he told me that his Grandpa's name was Eli Rosera (who would be my Great-Great Grandfather). Eli Rosera was from Wisconsin and worked as a Lumberjack. How cool is that?

34 Weeks/8.5 Months

Eli now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds and is almost 18 inches long (both estimates). His central nervous system is maturing and his lungs are continuing to mature as well. If he were to be born between now and 37 weeks (full term), he would maybe need to stay an extra day in the hospital for observation. Only 3 weeks until we are considered "Full term" and 6 weeks until we are "Due"!

It’s quite amazing how fast time has passed. Sometimes it feels like I have been pregnant forever, then other times it feels like it has not been anywhere near long enough to be giving birth in just 6 weeks!

Nick is doing well. I think he is beyond ready for the little guy's arrival! He has been so wonderful throughout everything, but I am not surprised... he is the best!

P.S. You like my pink pajama pants?

Thank you, Willmar Girls!

My dear friend "Megan P." had Girls weekend at her place last weekend and threw a baby shower in there as well (thank you, thank you!). These are the girls I have know for so long... and no matter how much time passes, it's always like we are little girls again...just having a blast!

We have seen each other through braces, boyfriends, weddings and now babies. Thank you for everything this weekend, Megan! And thank you to everyone for the very thoughtful gifts. I love you all so much!

33 Weeks

Welcome to Week 33... This week my fingers have retained some water (see fat fingers in photo above) ... the doctor said this is completely normal as my blood pressure remains low (thank you Mom & Grandma Delores!).

This week Eli weighs a little over 4 pounds and has passed the 17-inch mark (this is of course an estimate). He continues to give me strong jabs in the ribs, hips and on my sides. The doctor confirmed today that he is head down and that his feet are in my right rib. Only 7 weeks to go until Due-Date-Day and 4 weeks to go until he will be considered "Full term". Whoa!

Damn Squirrels!

One evening I was bringing the recycling to the end of the driveway when this dumb squirrel started barking at me. It was looking right at me, which freaked me out even more... So, I Googled to see if anyone else in the world has heard of a Barking Squirrel and sure enough... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFN_Yfx6fUM This video is exactly the noise the squirrel was making at me. Thank the Lord someone got evidence!

After the barking incident, I decided I needed to take action! So, I did some research on Squirrel repellent. After I learned the best stuff on the market is Fox Urine (gross!) at $30 a gallon; I knew I had to get creative and come up with a more cost effective and less nasty option. One day as I was watering my plants, it dawned on me! My hose with the Super-Power-Jet-Stream attachment! I shared my idea with Nick. I told him the next time one of those rodents even looks at me, I am squirting it! Nick just laughed and told me I need to chill out about the squirrels. Then one day while Nick was outside he noticed the nasty Albino Squirrel that moved into one of our trees. Take a wild guess what he did? Yep, he turns on the hose and shoots the nasty Albino Squirrel right out of the tree! The dumb Squirrel fell out of the tree and ran away! Neither of us have seen it since!

I know some of you people think they are cute...some of you even feed them peanuts off your deck (you know who you are!). If the dumb things wouldn't bark at me, I wouldn't hate them so much. My goal is to simply let them know if they come to The Sundsmo house, they are going to get hosed!

32 Weeks/8 Months

This week Nick and I started our Birthing Class at the Hospital. It runs for 6 weeks on Tuesday nights... Basically we will be covering everything... The laboring process, discussing cesareans, pain management and options, relaxation techniques, etc. Everything rookies need to know!

I am feeling great and Eli seems to be enjoying himself as well. By now, he should weigh around 3.75 pounds and may be about 17 inches long. He will gain a third to half of his birth weight during the next 7 weeks as he fattens up for his big arrival. He continues to give me strong jabs here and there. One of his favorite things to do is punch me in my left hip and kick me in my right rib... at the same time! I am thinking this guy might be a little on the long side... I guess we will find in a matter of weeks!

Month of the Honey Dew Melon

31 Weeks

We had our 30-week check up on Monday...we are measuring right on the mark. Our Doctor estimates Baby Boy is weighing between 2.5 to 3 lbs. His heart rate remains steady and strong... Speaking of strong, lastnight I was laying in bed and all of a sudden POW! Eli kicked the hardest he has ever kicked; it completely startled me! It startled me so much I gasped outloud... startling Nick! He only weighs about 3 lbs right now... what is it going to be like when he is 5 lbs? ... 6lbs?.... I am scared!