Our Life's Rollercoaster...

We can't believe it's been two months since our little miracle was born! First, let's start with our apologies for our delay in updating the blog. We've been a bit busy...and sleep deprived. Here's what we've been up to the past couple months.

At 7:30 a.m. on Monday, February 22, I woke up a bit confused. I immediately called our doula because either my bladder was leaking (which I've heard happens during pregnancy) or my water broke. She said to wait a few hours to see if it happened again. I called Jesse to let him know to stay near his phone. Within seconds of hanging up with Jesse, it happened again and I knew that my water broke! After Jesse came home, we ate breakfast and prepared for our stay at the hospital.

Last Day with the Belly

Although my water broke, I didn't seem to be having many contractions. Around 11 a.m., we checked into the maternity ward and started the waiting game. With the combination of walking and aromatherapy, contractions finally started around 1:30 p.m.

In preparing for childbirth, Jesse and I practiced HypnoBabies (http://www.hypnobabies.com/). Basically, HypnoBabies provides couples with techniques for using self-hypnosis to provide a drug-free and relaxed environment for natural childbirth. The video and pictures show how HypnoBabies worked for me. (You can tell a contraction is beginning when the green line near the bottom of the screen starts zig-zagging.)

During a Contraction

Under Self-Hypnosis

Jesse Reinforcing Self-Hypnosis with Additional Relaxation Techniques

After several hours of labor (which seemed quicker in HypnoBabies time), Lilyana (pronounced Lih-lee-ah-na) Hui (pronounced Hee) Shirley was born on February 22, 2010 at 11:02 p.m., 8 pounds 6 ounces, 20.5 inches.

Newborn

Weight Check

Cry Baby

All Bundled Up

Eskimo Kisses from Daddy

After an hour or so, Jesse gathered the family from the waiting room. (I had no idea they were even at the hospital!)

Uncle Casey, Halmoni Yong Hui, Gramma Libby, Auntie Amber, and Auntie Tricia

And thus began our sleepless nights...

Ready for First Ride Home

Love and Kisses from Mommy

Lilyana was proving that there's a lot you can't prepare for beforehand. From our troubles with breastfeeding to her experience with jaundice, we were riding full force on an emotional rollercoaster.

In less than 24 hours of coming home, we were readmitted to the hospital into the Pediatrics ward because Lilyana's jaundice levels increased. Spending the first week of Lilyana's life in the hospital was not how we envisioned the beginning of our family life.

In the Pediatrics Ward

Receiving Intensive Light Therapy

By the end of Lilyana's first week, we were so excited to finally spend time at home! And just to show off, Lilyana immediately started proving that she's a happy, healthy baby. At 2.5 weeks, she was already supporting her head, moving it from side to side, and discovering her hands. See the video at http://www.facebook.com/jovanashirley?ref=profile#!/video/video.php?v=741091769198&ref=mf.

Until next time, here are a few pics showing Lilyana's time at home during her first two months.

Eyes Wide Open

Sleepy Time

Grumpy Gus

Play Time

Daddy's Love Makes Me Smile

Uncle Casey, Lilyana, Cousin Liam, and Daddy

Where the Blog Have We Been???

It's been three months since we last updated the blog, so we have a whole trimester worth of catching up! Since October, not much has changed, except for the size of my belly! Below is your first belly pic. Funny story: Jesse calls that sweater my "magic sweater" because I thought when I had it on people couldn't tell I was pregnant unless they had a side view of me. That was one of the first days that complete strangers made comments about our pregnancy, and I kept asking Jesse how people knew. Apparently, I was a bit delusional about the size of my belly, so Jesse took this pic at our doctor's appointment to show me what I really looked like. Wow...and that was three weeks ago! Needless to say, my magic sweater no longer works!

My Magic Sweater

Baby Shirley is healthy and growing fast. His/her heart rate has been consistent in the 140s to 150s range. We are currently 36 weeks along and cannot wait to meet Baby Shirley! Until then, here's what we've been up to the past few months.

On December 5, our Moms and our friend Amber hosted our baby shower. Heartfelt thanks to the hostesses! We had so much fun and are so grateful to everyone who helped us celebrate!

Baking Cookies the Night Before with Amber, Great-Grandma Jean, and Grandma Libby

"Shirley Nest Is Growing" Theme

Buffet Style

Daddy Never Gets a Day Off

Parents-to-Be

Best Belly Buddies (Amber's due in April!) 

Cousin Liam, Halmoni (Korean for Grandmother) Yong Hui, and Jovana's Nina (Godmother) Terry

Diaper Changing Challenge

Decorating Onesies

Time to Open Baby Gifts

Lovin' the Baby Clothes

From Grandpa Rusty: Jesse's Baby Clothes for the Next Generation

(Yes, that Big Bird hat still fits Jesse's head!)

Jovana's nesting instinct was starting to kick in, so Jesse had to start building the nursery furniture.

 

 

 

And then after a few weeks of shopping trips, we finally got the nursery done!

Now, all we need is Baby Shirley! Hopefully, our next posting will introduce the newest addition to the Shirley family.

It's a Boy...or a Girl!

We're halfway there! My belly has surpassed the "baby bump" stage as Baby Shirley wants the world to know he/she is growing quickly! Jesse's been experiencing sympathy pregnancy. He requires more sleep than I do! However, he's still fixing most of our meals and making sure we're happy, healthy, and comfortable. Since the baby's ears have developed, Jesse has been reading to the baby and me almost every night. Our favorite book so far is Oh Baby, The Places You'll Go!, an in utero introduction to the wonderful world of Dr. Seuss. The baby flutters around when hearing Daddy's voice, and the rhythm of the story puts me into a sound sleep.

After we both survived the flu, we finally got to meet our little one again during our delayed 20-week checkup. At 21 weeks, 3 days, the baby's measurements are right on track. Baby Shirley is 15 ounces with 150 heartbeats per minute. In the spirit of preserving one of life's greatest surprises, we chose not to find out the sex.

Maxin' and Relaxin'

Here's Looking at You

Kickin' It

(Hello Goodbye) I Say Hello

Although we watched as the baby threw some punches and kicks, Jesse thinks the baby luckily has his temperment as he/she was mostly calm, even when the ultrasound technician gave extra pokes attempting to get better pics. Here's to hoping the baby gets the best from both of us!

***Editor's Note: In the last post, we introduced Liam Shirley. Liam is our nephew (Jesse's brother's son). Our baby, Baby Shirley, will arrive around February 27, 2010.  

One Shirley Stronger...

The past few weeks have been exceptionally eventful!

On August 29, William (Liam) Harper Shirley was born. As proud papa Casey says, "The world is one Shirley stronger." Be patient, Liam; your first cousin will be here soon!

Adorable Liam

On September 9, Jesse and I celebrated our third year wedding anniversary (and our seventh year first date anniversary). We vacationed in Orlando and went to Universal Studios, waded in the ocean in Ft. Lauderdale, and took our first cruise to the Bahamas. Good times, but we have a feeling this will be the last vacation we take for a long time!

Departing from the Bahamas

Then, pop! I've got a baby bump! We are 16 weeks, 3 days; Baby Shirley's heart rate is in the 150 range. We can't wait for the 20-week checkup because we get another ultrasound to see Baby Shirley! We will not find out the sex of the baby or reveal any names, so stay tuned for surprises due around February 27, 2010!

It's Official...

We've made it past the first trimester...and still so excited!!!

Our last appointment was yesterday; no pictures to share this time. Baby Shirley is doing great with a heart rate of 153 beats per minute.

So far, I've gained three pounds. Most clothing still fits (with the exception of a couple pairs of jeans that must be worn unbuttoned). The queasiness and exhaustion have subsided for now, and my appetite is growing. Most days I don't "feel" pregnant, but every now and again, I have the strangest sensations in my abdomen area. It's sort of like a stretching feeling or mild cramps, as if I can literally feel the area growing. Don't worry; the doctor said this is normal!

Jesse says he can tell my belly button has changed. How observant! I'm guessing this is a sign that I'll "pop" any day now!

Bust a Move...

Jesse continues to feed us good, healthy food (and I'm trying to sneak in ice cream whenever I can). Although the queasiness seems to have passed, I'm still learning that I need more rest than ever. I'm feeling better every day and cherishing every moment!

Baby Shirley received his/her first gift—a sock monkey named Jojo from Grandpa Rusty and Grandma Cindy Lou! We know the baby will love his/her new friend.

Baby's First Present

Thanks Grandpa Rusty and Grandma Cindy Lou!

Baby Shirley is right on track. He/she is 10 weeks, 4 days old. His/her heartbeat rate is 174 beats per minute. We can't believe how much he/she has grown in only two weeks!

Likes to Groove
Ultrasound August 5, 2009

Then, we sat in awe as we watched our baby bust a move! It was amazing! One second he/she had his/her head on one side, and then he/she completely flipped to the other side. He/she wiggled around so much—maybe he/she inherited Jesse's comedic performance or my dancing skills!?

Bust a Move

Ultrasound August 5, 2009

Our Little Gummi Bear...

What an experience! I've been nauseous, lost my appetite, and more tired than I ever thought possible—but I'm loving every minute of it! Jesse's been so supportive. He makes "us" (baby and me) breakfast, lunch, and snacks every day to ensure we're eating healthy. He does the grocery shopping, cleans our home, and even personally delivers flowers to me at work—all to keep us stress-free, happy, and rested.

Today, we had our second ultrasound. Again, we were counting down the days until we could see our baby. In the full body ultrasound, Baby Shirley's head is near the yolk sac with little arm buds sprouting below. As Jesse says, Baby Shirley has a Cabbage Patch doll's head with a gummi bear's body.

Full Body Ultrasound July 22, 2009

From head to hiney, Baby Shirley measures 1.94 cm.

Measurements Ultrasound July 22, 2009

Then, the most amazing thing happened. We could hear the heartbeat! Words cannot describe the overwhelming emotions and the instant unconditional love that comes from hearing the baby's heartbeat for the first time.

Heartbeat Ultrasound July 22, 2009