the spoils of winter

Hailey has had some major bowel movement issues off and on for about 3 weeks now and it's. THE. WORST.

I can't stand winter "bugs" that seem to go around and never stop. We don't even leave the house much but when she does see other kids, with their germy hands and hearty coughs, we regret it.

This morning we found her in a pool-I'm not exaggerating-of waste which was both utterly disgusting and stinky but sad and upsetting to see her in pain.

big messes mean bubble baths

At first we thought it might have been the switch to whole milk but determined that wasn't the case when I too had some stomach virus that had me hovering over our toilet in the wee hours of the morning...again, the worst. 

The Babe has been stuck on pedialyte and crackers, applesauce and everything bland. She's not gained any weight in a while but her appetite hasn't been phased in the least-she wants to eat everything! It's tough having to "wait it out" because she doesn't understand why she can't eat all the yummy things she used to. She's been a real champ about it all though-except when we visited the doctor during nap time. That was Alex's nightmare; he said so.

our sweet girl

Other than that mess...Hailey learned to walk!

Hooray Hailey! She's the best and walks with her hands in little fists near her ears, for balance I suppose. 

She started "cruising" when she was about 8 months old and we thought for sure we'd have a walker on our hands within the next few weeks...well, weeks went by, months, her birthday and you know people tell you not to worry, babies hit milestones at different times and all that and you try your best not to be too concerned but let's be honest, we were a bit nervous. It was all for naught though because once she started taking a few steps-she was off! She hardly falls and is very stable. 

It's so weird to see her walking around. She will sometimes just walk to and from the wall to the bed, to a chair, to the middle of the room and then just in circles-it's great!

accessorizing

she crawled under her crib and fit!

late church is no fun, this was on the way...not a good sign

so good at feeding her baby

Valentine's Day!
We love you Hailey!

Her first lollipop-she looks so serious but she LOVED it.

And then another great winter occurrence-snow!

That's right, here in the "dirty south" we got some snow and Hailey loved it! She walked around in it and she loves balls (she loves to play catch, where she throws it and we roll it back to her) so her and Alex made a snowball and threw it at me. We had tons of fun and of course everything shut down here, so it was nice to just have a relaxing, wintry day. 

So much fun playing in the snow!

Walking with Daddy (even though she didn't need his help).

With all that's going on this winter, I'd say it's turned out ok.

parenthood

Well, well, well. It's been over a year since my last post! What in the world happened? 

Hailey. Our baby. We became parents. Parenthood happened. 

And although I may have had time to blog and post updates, let's be real, I took naps instead-and I got Instagram, so I just posted a few goodies over the past year and if you're my "real" friend, you're pretty up to date.

Ok, so I might do a review of our first year as parents but for now I will just fill you in on what's going on now.

Alex got a promotion at his job which requires him to oversee a team of employees on the last shift of the day, or night rather. It really has been throwing off my groove but it's only temporary and don't get me wrong, we are super happy he was able to get the job! It's just taking some time to get used to.

So, with our mornings we decided to be active and we joined a gym! Let me just say that I've worked out twice since Hailey's birth and so I really needed this. It's been great so far...except Hailey is not a fan. We've never left her with anyone but family (and one super awesome family friend she is comfortable with) and she's been super attached lately so you can imagine how hard it is to leave her. I was at one of the machines across from the daycare place when the door opened and I could clearly hear wailing and gnashing of teeth coming from inside. I knew right away who's child it was and as I left the machine to get her I could hear the staff paging us on the mic. So sad. She'll get used to it though-at least that's my hope because I would like to work out and I'm anxious for baby swim classes to start back up so we can do that for the first time! Hailey LOVES her bath so I'm crossing my fingers that she'll catch on to swimming quickly and be our little water baby.

Other than that we've just been taking it easy; trying to spruce up the house a little more with some redecorating, reading some novels together and trying to find room for all of the babe's toys and books. Having a baby right after Christmas is crazy. I feel like we have toys and books out the wazoo! It's madness, but great for whenever baby #2 ever comes along *no, I'm not pregnant*. 

Some things I've learned over the past year are to live in the present and worry less. 

There have been countless days and nights where I've had to hold my sweet baby and I've looked down and thought, she will never ever be this small again. I've been trying to remember and cherish each moment I have with such a small baby (even though she seems so huge now) so that I don't forget anything and keep in mind how good God is: how real His love is and how great His plan is for each of us and that He blessed us with her sweet and fun spirit. Knowing the Lord's plan for us and having a Savior who has atoned for me and everyone I know, I have been working on stressing less because nothing really is ever that bad. If I or we as a family are ever in a pickle, I just think about that plan  and know we'll be ok, if we do our best and continue to have faith. Not only is it helping with any big problem we might encounter but the little, daily trials I might have; like the disaster that happens after feeding Hailey a small rice cake or trying to dress a child who thinks I'm torturing her.

Anyway, an update on Hailey: she's almost 13 months old-ah!, she loves books and "reading". She loves to dance to music and to sing along with you if you sing to her. She doesn't walk on her own yet, just pulls up on everything and walks along it or with a walker. She won't go to sleep unless you hold her or lie with her, including nap time. She has 6 teeth and loves being outside. She like animals too and eating anything and everything. Hailey's a cool girl and so smart. If I ask her where her favorite stuffed animal, Hootie, is she will go find it. She loves to climb and does the stairs all the time. She broke her collarbone just after Christmas and before her first birthday-we still don't really know how but she's all better now. We also put her in a new car seat today for the first time and she liked it-she looks so small in it but so adorable. 

That's all for now. I'll try to be more diligent in posting. Now here are some photos.

I told you she was a cool girl.

She doesn't realize that this stroller was not meant for her...

She liked this new car seat!

the time she grew up

fixing to slide with daddy

Hailey Elizabeth

It happened. The birth of our sweet baby girl, Hailey Elizabeth Kjar. 

We LOVE her.

Here's how it happened:

When I went for my second to last doctor visit she told me that she had scheduled the induction for Saturday night and not Friday. So we planned on "checking in" to the hotel hospital at 5 pm. 

Christmas night my mom flew in and went with me to my last doctor visit (pre-baby). My doctor told me I was a tight 2cm so the induction seemed quiet necessary. Friday night we were with Alex's family and before we left for home he and his dad gave me a priesthood blessing. It was such a wonderful thing and the Spirit truly helped calm me and help me feel a little more ready.

In the last few weeks I've been checking the clock every time I have to get up and use the bathroom (you know to see how often I am going or if I really want to get up because I have only an hour left before I'm up for the day) and Saturday morning I woke up at 5:30 exactly. 

I kind of laid there and thought, This is weird, I don't have to go to the bathroom, why am I awake? As I laid there I felt that I needed to get up and go to the bathroom anyway, so I did. 

The whole week I'd been wanting my water to break on its own but with news at every doctor visit that I have no progression it seemed hopeless. I even told my family I didn't care where I was or who was around if my water broke I just wanted it to happen. 

So there in the bathroom the last of my plug came out (gross, I know) and then water! Victory! My body did it-figured out something and started doing what it was made to. I was so happy and relieved!

I woke Alex and let him know and then we got my mom up and let her know-they were both super excited. We all showered and got ready and headed to the hospital around 8am.

 They told me I was still about 1.5cm but my contractions were already 2-3minutes apart just not strong enough. So they started me on pitocin and by early afternoon my contractions were intense enough for me to get an epidural (I wanted to go natural but I'm glad I didn't :).

 I was able to take a much needed nap but when I woke up I had a fever so they gave me antibiotics and by early evening I was ok. By 4:30ish my doctor came to check on me and told us I was at a 10!  Oh yeah! It was that time-I started pushing and at 5:40pm, on Saturday, December 28th, she was born!

Her first photos: I'm one proud Mama!

Baby Hailey's feet!

It happened so fast and we are beyond happy to finally have our little one here with us! She weighed in at a healthy 7lbs 14oz, sporting a nice head of hair and measuring 20.5 inches long.

Our silly One Week Old

We've had her for a whole week now and are more in love everyday and happy that we have been so fortunate to add to our family and know a greater measure of the love the Lord has for each of us.

Hailey is the first grandchild on both sides of our family, the first great-grandchild on the Kjar side and the first great-grandchild on my entire side of the family to born within the covenant. We are truly so blessed to have her and are so glad that she chose to come to earth and get a body. She's so cool. 

pregnancy in pictures

14.5 weeks

17 weeks: GIRL

almost 18 weeks

20 weeks: Halfway

21 weeks

Full Term

Last week-feeling huge.

I just can't believe how close we are!

Ladies and gentlemen, we made it, we are full term! This Tuesday at my doctors appointment I was told that I was super tight and wasn't making any progress so she attempted (there's no way to know if it worked for sure) to strip my membranes-can you say uncomfortable and ow?! So when I went in to the office today she tried again to strip me. Apparently, I was at a "soft 1cm" and Baby is at 8lbs 1oz (Alex was a 9 pounder and I was 8 something) so we decided that if by next Friday, the 27th, I hadn't gone into labor on my own I will be induced. Insanity! 

I never thought I'd be one to be induced and am really hoping my body can figure things out on its own. We have two more visits next week and I had my last day of work today so hopefully things will start to happen! 

In other news we got Baby's blessing dress in the mail, my mom finally committed to a flight, we got a much needed oil change and I did this survey I stole from a beautiful friend's blog.

About the Mommy!

Name: Emily 
Age: 24 
Hair Color: Brown
 Eye Color: Brown

About the Daddy!

Name: Alex

Age: 25

Hair Color: Brown

Eye Color: Brown and green

Finding Out!

What day did you find out?: Cinco de Mayo, 2013
How did you feel when you found out?: SHOCKED, anxious, excited, and everything else
Who was with you?: Alex of course
Who was the first person you told?: Other than Alex...my parents!
How did they react?: They were on their way to the temple and so excited!

About the Pregnancy!

When was your first appointment?: June 16th

When is your due date?: Christmas Eve-December 24, 2013

Have you had any ultrasounds?: Yes, like 8 now. 

Have you heard the heartbeat?: At every appointment!

What was the heartbeat?: What kind of question is this-it's fast and so real!

Sex of the baby: Sweet Baby Girl

About the Birth!

Do you know what you are taking with you?: Hopefully everything we need and some cute outfits for Baby Peach.

Who is going to be with you?: Alex

Are you going to videotape it?: I would rather die.

Natural or Medicated?: As natural as can be, then medicine please.

Do you think you will need a c-section?: No, but you never know!

Will you cry when you hold your baby for the first time?: Maybe, I'll certainly be happy to finally see her!

Do you think Daddy will cry?: He might tear up

Do you know what you will say to the baby when you first hold him/her?: I love you, or something like that.

Do you have a name picked out?: We're pretty sure we agree on one.

Is your baby going to be named after someone?: No

About Week 39!

How far along are you? Too far, 39 weeks 3 days-4 to go!

How big is Baby? Today she measured at 8 lbs 1 oz

Weight Gain? Duh

Stretch Marks? Ugh, yes.

Sleep? When Baby lets me. 

Symptoms? Well it's flu season so I now have a runny nose along with all the other symptoms of pregnancy.

Movement? Of course, especially at night!

 Food Cravings? Not really.

Labor Signs? A few Braxton Hicks and fewer "real" contractions.

Belly Button in or out? In for life!

What I am looking forward to? Snuggling and kissing a little angel fresh from heaven!

Best moment of the week? Having a one last ultrasound of baby!

Other Random Questions!!
What was your first symptom?: Gas probably but Alex will say, missed period for a few months.

What is the baby’s room theme?: Grey and pink, I guess.

What was the first thing you bought for the baby?: We bought a pink blanket!

Will you cloth diaper?: No thanks. 

BFing or Formula?: Why yes, in that order.

What is your favorite pregnancy book?: I started two...I like Secrets of the Baby Whisperer

What do you look forward to doing again once you are no longer pregnant?: Breathing, laying on my belly...VOLLEYBALL and other sports!

What physical features do you hope baby will get from Daddy?: Those gorgeous eyes and perfect smile and everything.

What physical features do you hope baby will get from you?: Height

Is he ready to be a Daddy?: He has no choice but yes, he's the best!

Are you ready to be a Mommy?: Oh gosh, I think so-pray for me!

false alarm

It happened! On Saturday morning I thought my water might've broke. 

So naturally Alex went into panic and I went into denial. 

He was in the shower when I told him and he wanted me to call the doctor but since it was a weekend (after hours) they had to check me at the hospital, which is literally across the street from their office. 

Of course I hadn't packed my hospital bag so I did that first and took a nice warm shower all the while putting Alex over the edge-he really wanted to make sure everything was ok. 

When we got there we found out that the paperwork and insurance forms I had given them a week or two earlier was never entered and so we had to sit down and do the whole process right then and there. It was a good thing I wasn't really in labor!

It was a super slow day at the hospital so we felt no rush or pressure and were able to see what will happen when Baby really is on her way! The nurses were nice and a fellow doctor from the office I go to was there and super friendly and informative. 

After checking Baby's heartbeat and showing us that I was having contractions (just not "big" ones or any I could feel) they sent us home and we just relaxed for the rest of the day. 

I think we were both kind of happy to have a sort of test run and hopefully when out little peach does come we will be able to stay calm and have a pleasant experience. 

I am so happy that I have Alex as my forever soulmate and am really hoping Baby has more of his features than mine because he's so dang attractive! 

I can't believe we are growing our family and I am really hoping to be the best wife and mother I can be because I truly do have the best husband and baby!

the most wonderful time of the year

We got our very first Christmas tree! I love it! This will be our 3rd Christmas together and the first two we were college students that went out of town, Texas, to celebrate. This year we have no choice really in traveling or not so we'll be here in Georgia, having a baby, and celebrating with Alex's family and really starting some of our own traditions!

Also, can we believe it's DECEMBER!?! What in the world-we're having a baby this month-in weeks-in days! Things are getting more unreal. We had our hospital tour and doctors appointments every week, I don't know what to expect but I know I want to have baby out of my belly and into my arms to give her kisses and snuggles. I've tried telling her this but nothing has changed yet. C'mon Baby!