It's a GIRL!!!

The wait is finally over...it's a GIRL! Little Emerson Reese Hurtubise joined the world via C-section on January 27, 2009 at 8:43 am, weighing in at 5 pounds and 10 ounces and measuring 19 inches long!
After a long few weeks in and out of the hospital and being on strict bed rest, for whatever reason, the placenta wasn't functioning properly and our little one wasn't getting enough fluid in her little world. After an ultrasound showed extremely low levels, we decided it would be best to bring her into the world immediately (35 1/2 weeks). Since she was still breech, a C section was really our only option. After several delays, we were scheduled Jan. 27 at 8am. All went well and Jim got to announce the sex of our baby we have waited so long to meet. He had to do a double take to make sure, but our second little daughter is such a blessing!
We were discharged from the hospital this morning and our first day home has been SO nice! The girls all took a great nap on the couch and we are settling in to life as a family of four.
We look forward to all the memories we will create together and the fun times we get to share in as a family!
Enjoy the pics!

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Life in the Hospital

Bed rest is going fairly well so far...I try not to focus on the time or the day of the week, and that helps. I am keeping busy by doing some work for my Midwife, as well as reading and getting some things on the computer, as well as catching many a CSI and Baby Stories on TV!

I found out that I will be on bedrest for the duration of the pregnancy, which we are 35 weeks now and will go to at least 37 weeks, at which time we will re-evaluate things with little Kiwi and figure out what to do from there. I would like to prolong the delivery until Kiwi decides it is time to join our family, but there are several things we have to factor in...like is he still breech, what are the fluid levels and what does his growth look like over the past few weeks! Until then, we just wait and incubate this little one to help him get ready for life outside the womb!

Here are some cute pics of family time at the hospital! Yesterday, I got the OK to go outside for a bit with Jim, so we enjoyed that time together! Then we all hung out tonight and watched Aladdin! Enjoy the pics!

P.S.
Jim has started a Caring Bridge website that he will update as we go throughout the rest of the pregnancy. You can see pics, sign the guestbook and just check on what is happening! Check it out! www.caringbridge.org/visit/courtneynaparlohurtubise

Playing Catch Up

My computer crashed right after Christmas and I just got it back...luckily with all of my pictures still on it! So, I have finally been able to update the blog! Check out all our new posts, including Christmas, as well as the new slide shows on the left hand side! Enjoy the pics!

Daddy and Bryden Time

Since I have been on bed rest, Daddy and Bryden have had a chance to spend a lot more time together. Today they went roller skating...well, does 2 laps around the rink count?!?!?!? Bryden is not so good on the skates, so Jim had to hold her up the whole time, which is quite the workout, not to mention Jim isn't really what you would call an "experienced" skater either! BUT, it is all about having fun and the memories created, and I know they both had a blast! Tonight, Jim was hosting a poker game, so he and Bryden were practicing playing poker in the garage! Enjoy the pics!
I guess Jim wanted to make sure Bryden always knew where he was by wearing his neon orange jacket!


These are their poker faces. Intimidating!
"I'll see your 10 and raise you Daddy!"

Pregnancy - 34 Weeks

Well, these last two weeks have been interesting with the pregnancy. I went in for an ultrasound before Christmas and my amniotic fluid was a little low, so I had to go back right after New Year's. My fluid went down even more, so I was admitted to the hospital (at 32 weeks) for an IV to try to increase the fluid. I was there for four days and my levels increased, so I was sent home, BUT, on strict bed rest for the duration of the pregnancy...UGH...8 more weeks! So far, Kiwi is doing well and I am able to keep my fluid at a decent level at home while resting. They are thinking that for whatever reason, the placenta is not working as efficiently as it should, but they don't really know if that is it, or why it is not working right. Jim has been amazing with helping me do nothing...he has stepped up as Mr. Mom and Dad! He keeps the house running and clean, takes care of getting Bryden to and from school and doing everything for me! Plus, our neighbors and my family have been totally awesome! We have had dinner made for us nearly every night...and REALLY good food too! Bryden has done really well too. She understands that I can't do much, but we do get to play when she gets home from school a bit and in the evening, we just have to pick a place to be and stay there. They good thing about bed rest is that Jim and B are getting to spend LOTS of time together, which is always nice!

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Happy New Year

Happy New Year everyone! The Walczack Family (Mr. Tony, Ms. Lisa, McKenzie and Mason) came down for New Year's Eve dinner and celebration! We were all pretty bushed though and had our own countdown and celebration at about 10pm...I mean, the next day is still going to the January 1st, so what difference does it make if you are actually awake when the clock changes or not?!?!? We all decided it made no difference...so, we were in bed by 11pm...Yeah, we're losers! Hey, we still celebrated and it was still 2009 when we woke up! Enjoy the pics!

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