2nd Week at Home!

How Cute am I???

So far our 2nd week is going well. I'm feeling better everyday, Friday is getting more used to Emma, and Emma sleeps all the time so she seems happy here at home! We're still trying to figure out night versus day I think - seems like I see more eyes at night than I ever do during daytime - but that's okay. Even when you're exhausted - you look into those eyes and your heart can't help but melt! She's too cute.

So here's some more photos. We're stuck inside since I can't drive and the weather is cold and flu season hasn't ended yet. Hopefully we'll be out and about more in the next few weeks! If you haven't been over - stop by and see us! Even if you have - Stop by and see us!

We Love Visitors!!!

Grandma Debi is here this week - but we've slept through most of her visit so far! Tomorrow we go to the doctor again to weigh - and hopefully we're gaining weight!!! Cross your fingers for us!!!

My 1st Week Home

Grandma and Grandpa Hallquist came to Louisville to visit us for Emma's 1st week home. They were so excited to see her. They made it to the hospital on Sunday just in time to meet her doctor and for her to tell us Emma is well enough to go home! So we headed home and have only been out to go to the doctor a few times since then. The weather is cold and icy - so we're staying in. And hopefully the weather and flu season will be over soon so we can go out and play!

Emma's jaundice was a littel better when we left the hospital and looked like it was gone by our 1st dr appt the next day. We spent a little time laying naked in the sun - she looked So Cute! She had also lost weight (going from 6lbs 11oz to 5lbs 14oz). So we headed home to feed, feed feed! She had gone up to 6lbs 4oz by Wednesday so Dr. Poppalardo was very happy! We go back in on Monday to see how much more she's gained!

While my mom and dad were here, we played with Emma of course, and mom and dad were SOO Helpful with laundry and cleaning and cooking - which was wonderful because I was still feeling pretty sore! After a week - I'm feeling much better. Still sore - but I can actaully get around without much help and pain. Zach went to work a few days here and there - but has been able to spend more time at home with his little girl. She already has him wrapped around her little finger. Grandma and Grandpa Hallquist left this morning for their long drive home - we wish they could have stayed and cried when they left. Can't help but miss your Mommy right!

Zach has been the diaper God!!! He's been great since day 1 with all the diaper changing and making sure everything but feeding was taken care of. I'm sure he'd do that too if he had the goods! He even had his 1st cloth diaper experience this week. He handled it like a champ. I think I've got him convinced that it's not a bad idea! And she looks SOOO cute in her prefold and diaper cover! She's still so small so our cloth diapers are pretty bulky on her - but they work just fine. We're going to do cloth during the day at home - but we're still doing a little disposable at night. We'll see how it works and keep you updated!

Tomorrow Grandma Debi visits for the week and Emma can't wait to meet her! I"ll try to keep updating the blog for everyone that can't make it to Louisville to meet our little angel - she is beautiful!!!

Miss you all!

More Emma!

We know you all want to see more of Emma so Here you go! We're all doing well, but still in the hospital. Emma has a touch of Jaundice so she looks like a little Glow Worm right now laying on her blanket to help with that. She's doing great though. We're still working a little on feeding - but doing better each time. She's having a tough time staying awake because of the Jaundice, but we'll get through it!


We've enjoyed having visitors and she can't wait to meet everyone!!! See all our pics below!











"Aunt Renee" has been Wonderful! She's not only been by to see Emma - but she's also taking good care of our 1st baby - Friday. I'm sure Friday is loving seeing her as well!

Glenn came by and doesn't he look comfortable holding her!!!

Thanks again to everyone who has stopped by to see us and who have helped us along the way. We're so lucky to have such great friends and family! We can't wait for everyone else to meet this special littel girl!

Emma Paige Hensley is here!!!!

We began February 13th with the intent to go to the hosptial around 7 am. However the twelve delivering women who arrived at night had a different thought. After hours of waiting we finally made it to the hospital around 1:30 pm. After the Petocin drip we waited for around 2 hours for the doctor to break the water. When the water was broke, contraction began to happen around 5 minute intervals. Although, Val was still 2 cm and 80% thinned. At around 7:30 pm, Val had decided to get the epideral (to reduce pain and to hopefully calm her for her cerix to dialate more). Poor girl, doctor missed and knicked a bone (OUCH!!) Contractions we happening 3-4 minutes apart, but still 2 cm. Finally at around 10 pm, 3 cm, Val was comfortable but her butt was sore from sitting. At around 1:30 am good contractions and 4 cm, but babies heart beat was a roller coaster during contractoins. So, nurse put more fluid in uterus to stablize heart beat and would check on Val at 2:30 am. At 2:30 am only, 5 cm dilated and babies heart beat still up and down. Dr. Miller consulted us and said with all that is going on (13 hour slow cervix, babies heart beat, etc..) she suggested a C-section. We agreed just wanting to do what is best for the baby. C-section began around 3:20 am and baby was delivered at 3:40 AM. What a cutie!!! She was 6 lbs 11 oz and 18" long. See pictures below

Last Day Before Baby!!!

One last photo of the baby belly before tomorrow!!! We'll be heading to the hospital around 7 hopefully and will let everyone know when she arrives! Wish us Luck!!!

Houdini the Spinning Baby

Yes - I have Houdini the Spinning Baby inside of me. After all we went through last week - she turned on her own last night. I had a dream that she had - and when I rolled over I thought - "Wow - I'm actually comfortable!" So we went to the doctors office this morning and after discussing c-sections, she felt her and sure enough - she had turned! The doctor verified with the ultrasound and then we discussed how easily she turned! So now the doctors are worried she will turn around again whenever she feels like it - so we've decided we'll go in to the doctor next Tuesday and if she's head down, we'll be induced Wednesday the 13th. And if she's flipped again, then we'll schedule a c-section for Wednesday the 13th. Either way - she's coming out (or at least starting to come out) on the 13th!

So probably no more news until next Tuesday - Wish us Luck!!! Seems like we're going to need it with this little Crazy Girl!!!

Sick - Yuck!

I spent last night from around 9 PM until this morning around 8 AM with a stomach flu - NO FUN! After a long night of no sleep and running to the bathroom every 20 minutes, I finally got things under control and got a little sleep this morning. I spent the afternoon between the couch and recliner trying to fight off my temperature. But finally this evening, I'm drinking a little water and have actaully had a piece of bread. I'm finally feeling better and my fever is starting to go away.

Poor Zach has spent the day cleaning the house and disenfecting EVERYTHING. The last thing we need is to pass this stomach virus back and forth - excpecially since we only have one more week until the little one arrives.

No more news on the little one yet and we'll still be scheduling her birthday on Tuesday - so we'll let you know! Mom has been reading up on natural ways to get a baby to turn on thier own and it's getting pretty interesting! So far she thinks I should lay my ironing board at a 45 degree angle on the couch and lay down with my head close to the floor, play bad music up by the babies head and good music down where her head should be, and my favorite, go swimmming in a warm pool and do 5 handstands. Can you picture me in a swim suit first, and secondly, I'm thinking this big belly floats so I'd have to have Zach like Hold me down or something. Should be interesting for any spectators! At this point I'm not sure she can get back around though - and if she does it's going to HURT...I know she's trying, but she seems to get stuck right where the doctors did.

Anyway, more info to come on Tuesday!