Rella May - the gymnist

When Rella May is awake, she is really awake


She steals my heart with her faces


And her Daddy's heart too. . .

Both her parents are enamored
Believe it or not, Rella could roll over only a couple of days after birth! Video coming soon :)


Her technique begins with doing ab crunches, and when she gets enough torque, she flips!

Definitely a feat!

Announcement Picts

Okay, Okay . . . so I'm a proud mom :)

A Miracle

Tuesday Evening Duane and I enjoyed a party at our friend, Irene's home. Shortly after arriving home, we decided to extend the party late into the night. We packed up our bags (and computers) and headed off to Prentice Women's Hospital. I was having contractions spaced about 5 minutes apart, was three centimeters dilated, and fully effaced (in non-Dr. lingo, I think that means ready to push out a baby)

Here is my Pre-labor dance:

First I was admitted to "triage" at about 10pm - which is a nice place where nurses decide if you really ARE going to have a baby, or just indigestion.

My doctor wanted to make sure before coming in that I was in labor, and suggested that I walk the halls for 2 hours. - And off I went.

During those two hours, I walked around Triage listening to "Radio Lab" by WNYC--it's my new favorite podcast about science and other cool stuff.

Then I discovered why they call it "LABOR".

At about 1:30 AM My water broke, and my contractions started coming 3 minutes apart.

Duane was right there by my side as the contractions progressed, and I gained immense respect for all mothers around the world.

When I was dilated to 4 centimeters, the nurses still weren't answering our calls, and Duane went out to the desk to discover that almost everyone on the floor was upstairs helping with an emergency C-section of a lady with twins.

The last hour between 2 and 3 AM, before going up to labor and delivery, was intense, and included lots of tears. My contractions sped up quite a bit, but Duane's calming presence made the difference.

Finally we were taken up to labor and delivery, and after another 1/2 hour, I was given some pain relief through an epidural.

JOY


I was in a much better place to prepare for PUSHING...

Which happened after a short 6 hour interlude of dilating the rest of the 10 centimeters. I could feel pressure, but very little pain, and I was grateful for the chance to store up some strength.

They gave me an IV and an Epidural (an IV in the spine)

When it was time to push, we had several people in the room:

• Susen, (the nurse with short white hair pictured at the bottom of this post), who was talkative and had 30 years of experience delivering at this hospital,
• Elaine, the nurse-in-training who was very sweet and ran to get ice chips when we needed them,
• Dr. Blumenthal - arrived for the "active phase of pushing" (when the baby is coming out) and was very encouraging and supportive, and
  
• Eric, a Labor and Delivery Resident who opted out of a C-section oppourtunity to stay with us through the labor (I would like to think it's the jokes I was cracking through the labor, but I think he was just a very kind guy that both Duane and I connected with) .

Because of Hospital policy, I cannot show any of the active labor here, but needless to say it went

SPLENDIDLY

Dr. Blumenthal and Eric coached me as I pushed at every contraction. I could feel the pressure of our baby (RELLA MAY) coming down the birth canal (what a FEELING) and was able to see her come out from a mirror that our nurse had brought in.

And Dr. Blumenthal complimented me on my strength in pushing. The entire labor was short for a first timer.

Rella May was born at 10:45 AM on Wednesday Morning, Jan. 27th


Since then we have been recovering (I did have stitches, but very little tearing) here at the Hospital where everyone has been so kind. I think the nurses adore Rella just as much as we do.


Miracles DO happen!!!

Seriously Folks, Can this belly get any bigger?

Hello Family and Friends,

Our little girl has been sending me the message "I'm not ready yet!" which is very good news for my schoolwork and organizing projects. I've heard parenthood teaches patience - I just didn't know it would start this early!!!

Duane and I looked at photography options - and decided to save the money and make some of our own glamour shots! That Idea was all fine and dandy - but these are not necessarily for glamour as much as to remember this last month of pregnancy :)


I didn't think my bellybutton would ever pop out (that's what happens to other mom's. . . Right?) but. . low and behold. . . my little girl is utilizing every inch of space (you GO girl)



I'll be posting again soon (cross your fingers) about our little girls ARRIVAL *stay tuned* :) P.S. I hope no one minds a bare belly in the shots - I have lost my modesty and replaced it with mommy-hood

Johnson Quotes

Reflections on City life:

Duane "This morning I woke up early and had the most wonderful experience watching the street lamps flicker off as the day approached"

Kelty "Yeah, it's kindof like watching the sun rise, in the city. I can tell which way is north by which side of the trees the garbage grows on"

Duane "Sometimes I look in the night sky . . . and I wonder how all that smog got there"

A typical interaction

Duane (on the computer): I'm sorry honey, what did you say?

Kelty: (sigh) I said "I'm tired of repeating myself"

Eyebrows

Kelty "you're eyebrows are looking a little hairy. . . we could cut them and donate the extra to 'locks for love'"

Chicago Bulls Game

Duane enjoyed an unusual treat from his company this last week . . . close tickets to a Chicago Bulls game! Though there are many fans who would look down on this comment, the first thing I asked Duane when he told me was:

"The bulls. . . they play. . . soccer, right?" (only half kidding)


Here is Duane at the game, what a neat experience! They really used their lighting technology to get the game revved up, here is a little clip:

Ohio Holidays

This Christmas Duane and I were welcomed with open arms into my sisters home in Columbus, OH (about a 5 hour drive from Chicago)


On the left is my Mom, on the right is my Sis (you can see where I get my good looks)

What surprised me was how enjoyable it was to watch my three young nieces enjoy their gifts


Pictured here is Brinley on the left and Avery on the right . . . this present turned out to be:


Yep, a girl rolling her eyes! No, actually, it was this amazing little kitchen set which Cody so lovingly assembled for the girls.

I wanted to include at least one video, because there were many memorable moments, but here is one of Avery (the Shirley Temple look alike :) helping her baby sis unwrap a gift.