what a week!

I know. I know. I am adorable.




So, this week has been a trip. Nora is 3 weeks now and while that is very exciting, I unfortunately got sick again. So annoying. Come to find out, I had a breast infection (many of you I am sure don't want to know that). Amazing that such a small thing can cause such a fever and make you feel so awful. Nora and I had to just hang out in bed for 2 days because that is all I had the energy to do. I feel so much better now, but I think my darling daughter is a bit out of sync. And, she seems to just want to be held all the time and eat every hour. I think it may be a growth spurt. However, I can't get anything done. I am used to being very productive and crossing things off my "lists", but it has been impossible lately. I feel as though deep down Nora is laughing at me and saying..."not any more mom". Good thing I love her so much and she is so cute. :)

Happy Memorial Day (yesterday). We took Nora to her first parade. It was training for 4th of July.
She slept through the whole thing- all the cars beeping, the fire trucks, and the people clapping. She did get startled at the 21 gun salute, so I was happy I walked further away when those went off.







Perhaps Nora will enjoy the 4th of July parade a bit more.
Grandma and Grandpa LaDuca came in to meet Nora and enjoyed the parade as well.

Sweet Nora

Nora was enjoying her little play station. She may be more entertained by in a couple of weeks, as of right now she seems to be looking around...










Look at that smile!












Hi everybody.









Nora's first bath. She loved it.










Nora is approaching three weeks on Tuesday. I cannot believe she is almost 3 weeks old already. I feel like the days fly by even though we are mostly staying around the house. My days typically consist of feeding my little love muffin all the time, changing her, and then cleaning up around the house really quick. I love just sitting on the couch with her and hanging out with her. I am starting to feel much better since pushing out a 8lb 110z. little girl a few weeks ago. I am looking forward to going out more and even going out to dinner with my handsome hubby and Nora, of course.

I'm 2 weeks old today!

I am 2 weeks old today. Don't I look so much wiser?
"in the jungle, the mighty jungle, the lion sleeps tonight"

OMG my mom is SO granola. She loves this dress. It's the first dress I've worn since it's the first nice day in Chicago. Her friend Anne gave me this. Mom added the giraffe as a nice prop for the jungle theme. She is so wierd.





I can't believe Nora is already 2 weeks old. The weeks have seriously flown by. I am definitely getting more used to scheduling things around Nora's naps and when she needs to eat. I love just hanging out with her. She is SO DARN CUTE!





I love all the faces she makes. She has a little monkey face that we get to see often. I am mimicking it in the photo.
Also, I did not pick out the green shirt for myself to wear on purpose. It just happened. I am not quite fitting in my old clothes yet...some of my shirts though. And this happened to be one of them. But, it is really fun to match my girl.



We got Bailey groomed today. I think she is slightly embarrassed in this photo. She has never been cut so short. She looks like a puppy again.
She is forever trying to get a good lick across Nora's face. I am constantly watching her because I am still in the "phase" of thinking that is really disgusting.

It's gorgeous outside, and we're hanging out inside

So, today >Nora was able to meet Grandma and Grandpa LaDuca using Skype. She actually put her hand on the mouse by herself, we had to get a picture. Then daddy decided to pick up Nora and he said...I feel something went. I looked and it wasn't just wet...it was poop! T.J. freaked out. I was laughing so hard plus I was in a little pain, and we were both trying to figure out how to change her without getting poop all over her back. My sister was even trying to help. Poor daddy...you're pooping on him already.

This outfit is one of my favorites...she looks like wallpaper from the '60's.


We love you so much Nora.

Nora's One Week old!!!! (Yesterday)

Today, I am wearing an outfit daddy bought me. He went on a little shopping spree the day after we got home from the hospital.
Mommy said I needed some pink things.
I look so cute.





I am one week old today! PUT ME BACK IN THE WOMB! AHHHH







HIA-YA. I know karate...









This is my third outfit of the day. I sort of look like a boy.
Oh well, I'm still adorable.

First Days Home

This is our third day home from the hospital and we are still adjusting to the lack of sleep and constant feedings. We continue to be amazed at the little things Nora does and are so thankful for our perfect little girl. The first night home was a little rough. Katie's mom stayed the night to help, which we were so appreciative for. I don't know if we could have done it without her. Nora was waking up ever hour or so and Katie's mom was right by her side to encourage her and reassure her that she was doing everything right. Yesterday was a very long day for Katie given the lack of sleep form the whole week. I spent a large part of the day running all over town taking care of my girls. Each day is getting a little bit better, we are learning more and more about how to parent our little girl.

I for one, have already become pretty good at changing diapers. I am still working on changing clothes, it's a little difficult for me. I get scared her little head is going to roll off. I have done it a few times already, but her head is like a Weeble Wobble.

Thank you so much to everyone that has dropped off meals, gifts for Nora, and flowers (our house looks like a flower shop... it is beautiful). We are so lucky to have such great family and friends.







Little Nora with her pink teddy bear from daddy






Nana Bosko bought this hat for Nora to wear home from the Hospital. The flower is as big as her whole head. One may say this is child abuse.... others would say it is freakin adorable. She needed something pink to wear home. (Thank you to everyone that has sent flowers, cards, emails, phone messages, etc. We want to call everyone of you back to thank you personally, and we will but things have been a little crazy around here.)







My little angel sleeping in her swing. (Thanks Grandma and Grandpa LaDuca. She loves it.)






We will keep you posted with more pics soon.

If we don't get to post tomorrow- Happy Mother's Day to all the moms that read this.

Nora meet Dad, Dad meet Nora








Awwwwwww







My sweet baby girl.
















You can't really tell that I was balling. As soon as I heard her cry I lost it. We are so blessed.

Oh baby Nora

TJ brought the laptop to the hospital so we are now able to share some pictures.
Nora is the best little girl in the world. She is so beautiful and healthy.
I am still working on the nursing and getting used to things. I was nervous about delivering a big baby but it really wasn't so bad after all. I am just so happy she is healthy.
She is so tall. No wonder I felt her head low and up till deliver she was still hurting my ribs. I look at her now and cannot believe such a big girl was inside me. She is just so darn CUTE!

We are such suckers all ready. The hospital has a photographer come to take pictures of the baby. Of course we bought the whole disk.
Here are just a few pictures and we will continue to post more. We love her SO much.

10:30 pm on May 4th. Water broke!









At hospital waiting for things to move along.









YUP, in pain and waiting.








Waiting for THIS beautiful little girl! 45min. of pushing and here she is.

Nora Kay LaDuca has Arrived!!!!!

Nora Kay LaDuca was born yesterday (5/5/09) at 8:16 am weighing in at 8 lbs 11 oz. and 21 1/2 in. tall. She is healthy, beautiful, and all together perfect.

Katie is doing great, she amazed me how great she did. Her water broke on Monday night just before bed time at around 10:45 pm. After calling the Dr., we got everything ready and arrived at the hospital before midnight. At first the Dr. was not convinced that her water really had broken, which quite honestly was a little frustrating because we knew it did. After a few hours of some pretty painful contractions Katie requested the epidural which really helped make her feel better. Then around 7:00 the Dr. checked and Katie was still at just 7 cm dialated. We were told that it could be a little while before things happen, but Katie and Nora had something else it mind. Then next thing you know by 7:30 am she was fully dialated and was starting to push. It took only 45 mins. from then for Nora to enter this world... and I can not begin to tell you how shocked and excited we both were to see that we have a little girl. I for one was completely convinced we were having a boy. The heart rate all throughout the pregnancy was on the lower end of normal, which people say means it is a boy. The whole experience was just amazing.

For now, we are at the hosptial and will be able to come home tomorrow. I am sure everyone looking at this blog is dying to see some pictures. Don't worry... there are a ton. I will load some on this afternoon for you all to see.

We both want to thank everybody that has sent messages and called us for support. It is so comforting to know we have such great family and friends that already love our little girl as we do.

We will keep you posted... and now this blog will really start to get fun.

TJ was SO excited to receive this in the mail the other day. I was actually sleeping and he woke me up to show me his special delivery. Apparently he ordered this a while ago and has been anxiously awaiting it's arrival. He was thrilled it came with a little football and blanket. It will be perfect for the season opener in September- boy or girl!



Two days before the baby's due date and we are all dressed up for Erin's wedding. TJ and I danced so much. I was sure it would move things along. When this baby is older I am going to be sure to let him or her know how thrilled I was being pregnant and how stubborn he or she was about coming out.

I looked and felt absolutely enormous, but we had a great time. From this point on, we will have to find babysitters for events like this. How exciting!

Due Day

Well, here we are- May 4th, the due date and the baby has not decided to come out yet.
I suppose that is good though. I have actually been quite sick with a virus the last few days and am just now starting to feel a little better. I plan on doing whatever I can to move this baby along after today.
This past weekend was my cousin Erin's wedding. I was supposed to stand up in it, but when we found out I was due two days after her wedding, I had to back out. I suppose I could have been in the wedding after all. Anyway, Sat. I was feeling pretty good actually and had a plan of dancing so much I would naturally induce labor. Clearly....my plan did not work and instead, I got more sick.
Sunday, I woke up feeling so crappy and wasn't feeling the baby move around very much I scared myself enough to take a trip to the hospital.
Everything is fine, the baby's heartbeat was great and I just have a virus. However, I am only dialated 1/2 cm. :(
Hopefully, that changes within the week and I can have this baby as naturally as possible.