Understanding Chick Flicks

I was reminded tonight that chick flicks are so much better to see with chicks! Erik is a good sport when it comes to seeing chick flicks with me. But, tonight I was able to see 27 dresses and it was so good! I was with 5 other girls: my sister, two of her friends, and their sisters too. But, I felt like the entire movie theater was filled with my closest friends.

All the women commented at the same things and laughed at the same parts. We all "ooooh'd" at the same boys and "aaawww'd" when they did something cute. I didn't even have to sit by a stranger (I'm weird like that at the movies). This was also the first time I've been to the movies since having Max. It was so nice to be able to sit through a 2 hour movie without hitting up the bathroom! So cool!

I just love chick flicks. A nice peek into a dream world. Everything is perfect... cute and sweet and skinny. A boy would never understand.

Cry me a River

We are on hour two, pushing hour three of Max's crying spell. Our pattern went a little something like this: Rock, sing, feed, diaper change, sing, rock, bounce, diaper change, feed...pause...silence...mom and dad give a quiet high five in the air...too loud...rock, feed, diaper change, sing, bounce...

I gave up and passed him to Erik. Now I'm blogging. Nice, huh? I wonder what they did a hundred years ago without the internet during a time like this. I guess my little crisis is nothing compared to what they had to deal with 100 years ago. I still feel lucky, even with a little less hearing...

...it's quiet in there now...shhhh...

Is this the thanks we get?

Some call it vulgar, I call it a photo op! I could take a thousand pictures of him flipping me off. I think he got practice in the womb. It's my appreciation for feeding him. I didn't really want to put a photo of me nursing on here but it gives you and idea of how picky this little man is. Don't study it too hard but, it takes both of my hands to assist in the nursing process because 1) He's a heavy guy and the pillows don't give that extra support needed and 2) My fingers need to be placed in the exact same place EVERY time he nurses. That's not a joke. I have to be in the same spot on the couch, the same pillow below him and both hands "doing their job". It is getting better but he is also very picky about the times he nurses. Whatever works. Thank goodness for breast pumps, bottles and formula. Okay, enough about this. I'm probably grossing out my brothers.
Daddy gets to help feed too (again, that goodness for the above). I just thought this was cute. Max likes to stare at his Daddy and study his face. I think Max has a secret spell he puts on people by locking eyes with you. Watch out! Erik is not wearing a beanie here but they both look so cute in them. I love my boys!

How big is Max? SOOOOOO Big! (pretend you don't see red eyes)
I finally got a picture of him smiling. He smiles ALL the time in his sleep and it is the cutest thing. I get the camera all set up to take a photo, and he stops. I was hoping to get one of the best ones, it's a huge smile with his mouth open. I'll keep trying. We've noticed him with a little baby laugh to accompany the smile at times, while sleeping. So cute!

Be careful, he's casting a spell right now! I realize this picture is mean, But, if you click on it, you can enlarge it and it looks like Max has teeth! You will also notice his hairy face, whitehead covered nose and tough brow. After he finishes puberty, he'll be a hunk! Watch out ladies!

So Max had his 1 month check-up. He's almost back to his birth weight. He's at 12 lbs 1oz now. So we've done pretty well at having him put on some weight. His pediatrician was happy and said Max looked wonderful. He was impressed at how alert he is.

He's learned how to arch his back during a crying spell...that's super fun! He loves his mobiles and tries to grab for hanging toys. He smiles at people on occasion and in the right mood. He is such a fun baby, usually only waking up once during the night to eat. YAY! Erik has two more weeks off work then it's all me. Scary.

Alarming

Holy Moly! I just wanted to brag a little while I can. Max has been asleep for oh, say, about 2 hours now. And he just slept through the smoke alarm...THREE TIMES!!!! (It's very sensitive-we're okay). We (meaning Erik...thanks love!) were able to get all the Christmas decorations down (they honestly couldn't have come down any sooner.. I was getting anxious) and get a few other things done around the house. This is cool and he's in his crib, which is even cooler. We softened the lighting in his room earlier this afternoon and put a CD player in there too. Sounds romantic, huh?

Erik did shoot a video of Max last night on the changing table SCREAMING his little heart out! It was actually cute. Is that mean? I don't know how to transfer the videos yet. So, when I do you all can enjoy his vocal skills!

They say to nap when your child naps. I find that hard to do. 'They' must have had a really messy house and dirty clothes.

Off to enjoy the peace!

Until Next Year

We managed to survive the holidays with a newborn!!!!

Erik's Mom, Gail, and Grandma, Dora, came up to Vacaville to celebrate Christmas on Sunday the 23rd. We had a nice visit, listened to Christmas music, Erik made a great breakfast and the little man was so happy to see his Grandma and Great Grandma. Grandma Gail makes beautiful stockings and we now have a "family" of stockings with Max's new sock. So much fun to look at. We have named Grandma Dora the Baby Whisperer because she seems to have the magic touch when she holds babies. A soothing touch that puts them at ease..then to sleep! It was so great to have them up for the day.

Every year Lubor and Ariane (Erik's Dad and step mom) host a holiday party on Christmas Eve. We all get to help decorate the tree and get ready for the visit from Santa. Max got to meet his cousins Roxy, Vivian and Ethan and he loved to watch them play. Lubor and Ariane prepared a delicious dinner and we had a fun time opening gifts. Last year I watched Erik hold Ethan (who was about 6 months old at the time) and I thought 'we could have our own baby next Christmas..that could be us next year..'. Sure enough, I got to watch Erik hold his own son on that same couch this year.

On Christmas Day we went to my parents house and enjoyed our last of the holiday parties. There were 9 of the 10 grand kids there so it's always the most active of the parties. My Mom and Dad fed us yummy food, had the house decorated beautifully and hosted another fun Christmas. We even pulled out the chimes again. We get better every year! My family is convinced Max doesn't cry. He does, I promise. Maybe he will be anti-social...he just chooses to sleep through all the activities so far.

We were really bad with the pictures this year. The one above of 'Neutral Max' was taken on the 23rd with Max's Grandmas here. Grandma Gail made the sweater and booties! The one with the tree in the background was taken on Christmas Eve at Lubor and Ariane's home. Vivian is on the left, then Roxy and Ethan. Our lighting was off in probably 95 % of the pictures that night. But, this one shows the kids with the tree and the pretty view of the water out the window. The last is our oldest niece, Kirra, holding Max. She just looks beautiful here so I thought I'd show her off.

So next is New Years...bah! Will thing ever calm down? Will things ever be the same? Probably not. Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas!

I haven't been very good at keeping up the blog...sorry. I went from posting about antacids to not posting anything about our little miracle. Bad. So, here are a few photos of our little man. One in a really cute outfit from Auntie Nini (Kristen). The others, well, they are failed attempts to make a cute Christmas card.

Max had his first appointment with the pediatrician yesterday. He's 22 inches long and weighs 11 lbs 3oz. So, there's a little difference. We have been advised to add more "food" to his diet. Hard to do when he doesn't want it. So, in addition to breastfeeding, we have to give him bottles with either pumped milk or formula. We'll see how well that goes. But, anything to keep the little big man happy.

He's already learned so much in just two weeks. He's a strong boy and can hold up his own head for a majority of the time. His legs are already helping him push off of our laps. Maybe we'll start some muscle training and he can grow up to be a professional wrestler someday! haha

I probably won't post anything before Christmas. And we didn't quite make it in completing the Christmas cards. I love how we can already use the kid as an excuse for everything!!! So...

Erik, Max and I would like to wish all of you a wonderful holiday! Happy and healthy wishes for the new year!

It's a boy!

He's finally here! Maxwell Lubor Mrazek joined us on Friday December 7th, 2007. He weighed 12 lbs 3 oz and was 21 inches long. Yes, it says 12 lbs, that's correct. It explains a lot. And it makes me realize how lucky we are to have the beauty of epidurals...and C-Sections. Or this true linebacker would have never made it out!

Our experience at the hospital was wonderful. we really got attached to our nurses. We were there for 5 days and got emotional when it was time to leave. Well, I'm getting emotional when I drop a sock these days. But, we really were happy being there. Happy to be home too. I think we both got about 8 hours of sleep in those 5 days. Luckily, Max sleeps well and we have been able to catch up easily.

Max is wonderful and we couldn't be happier. Maxwell is from my Mom's dad, Delbert Max. And Lubor is Erik's Dad's first name. Max is very lucky to have those names, both are very special men in our lives. We are happy to pass them on to another very special man in our lives.

We feel very blessed for Max. We are both very much in love with him and miss him when he sleeps. He does sleep a lot so we can still pick him up and cradle him while sleeping, he doesn't budge until he is ready. He is very stubborn like his mommy. We love his chubby cheeks and squishy body. He likes to cuddle already and we take full advantage of that! He's a wiggle worm and is very strong. So getting him dressed is like a cat and mouse chase.

We made it through the delivery. Now, we just have to figure out this parenting thing...wish us luck!

Eye'm Waiting...

So the day is here. We just called the hospital and we are expected to arrive at 7:30 pm. This might just be a little too weird for me. It's never me...it's always my sisters or my girlfriends doing this. I'm usually going to visit or getting very impatient by this time.

Lots of emotions are starting to sink in. The house is ready, but are we? Are you ever ready for this? It's so close, yet so far away...wish us luck!

40 weeks!

Well...not much to post about today....aside from the fact that IT'S MY DUE DATE!!!!!!!

There isn't really much to write though. No activity here. Some pressure, no pain. Still feeling kicks. It's weird to think that I've officially met my date. I had the feeling I would deliver early. Wrong!!!

I thought I'd post about the hospital too. If I haven't gone into labor before then and the hospital isn't full already, we will be at the hospital on Thursday evening. According to my doctor the process could take 24 hours. So, as far as visitors go...there probably won't be much to see until Friday night. If that is how the process works, we might be at the hospital through Saturday afternoon, possibly Sunday morning. We just won't know until it happens.

In addition to going into this blindly, we have asked my Mom to join us for the actual delivery. Partly because of her experience but, more because she's my Mom. Erik is fabulous and I know will be excellent in the delivery room. But sometimes, a girl just needs her Mom.

We welcome visitors and hope (expect) to see most of you there to help us welcome the little monkey. Don't feel bad if you can't make it though. We completely understand different schedules and driving issues. As long as you don't feel bad if you are kicked out of the room. We have no idea how the timing will work. But, you are all on the list for calls.

Hospital visiting hours are from 9am to 9pm. I connected the hospital link for FAQ's, directions, etc. We are lucky enough to have a family full of kids. But, I don't know how flexible the staff/security will be with bringing in cousins (cousins under 12 that is). It says "siblings to the baby only". We can try, but I don't know if they will believe we've already had 13 kids!! So, as much as we want to share the experience with the cousins, they might have to wait to meet after we get home.

Keep your fingers crossed for a smooth delivery!

I'll post more if anything happens!

Anyone free Saturday night?

Erik called me this morning from work to check in on me and the conversation turns to our work Holiday parties. My office dinner was last Sunday, we didn't go because we realized that Sunday was our last full day together of "just us" for the rest of our lives. So, we missed out on a really good dinner and we enjoyed each other alone.

His Holiday party is this Saturday, the 8th. It's at one of the doctors homes. Last year it was catered Chinese food and was really fun. We ended up taking the huge amounts of leftovers to the ER at midnight to feed the staff that couldn't make it to the party. (If you have ever met anyone that works graveyards, you know they love free food at midnight!!)

So Erik continues to tell me that he RSVP'd a maybe. I quickly asked my usual "Areyouserious?" (Yes, it sounds like one word) and his usual quick comeback was, "Well, yeah, I just told them it all depended on how you felt that night."

What?

So, if I'm feeling well enough...who wants to babysit?????

(Yes, I'm kidding).