My Whole World

One Week Late

EMERSON ROSE VACEK

December 11, 2008

11:26 a.m.

7 LBS, 3.3 OZ

20.5"

Mommy had a C-section after 13 hours of labor and 3 hours of pushing. Both Mom and Daughter are doing well.

The Day of Induction

Here I am, sitting in a hospital room, watching my baby eat ice chips and popsicles. The oxytocin has been administered because my daughter is stubborn...a week past her due date...She has been waiting all this time for her grand entrance. Today, it snowed. Snowed, in Houston. Enough to stick. Enough to cause panic on the freeways. But Kristen and I are tucked in the hospital room with a number of visitors. Its better anyways, Kristen hates the cold, and I am sure my daughter will as well. She just wanted to show everyone that she was important enough to have the snow fall on the day she would arrive.

But we sit here and wait. Will she show on the 1oth, one and a half hours left, or the 11th? There are merits to both days, The 10th, we get on to baby time faster. The 11th, she shares a birthday with a dear friend and has the fun 12/11/10 2nd birthday. Kathy says the 10th. Dr. Mata has informed us it will be the 11th. My money is on the doc.

Its almost eleven and shortly Kristen will be receiving an epidural for the discomfort she is feeling. I don't think it can get here fast enough. I won't give you the details, but Kristen does not like what is happening.

The drugs are helping. Kristen is in what she refers to as "a warm bath". Its great to see her finally settled, needing some sleep to prepare for what is about to happen. Sometime between 4 and 6 a.m. we will become parents. I'm going to be a Dad. I can't wait...

PNG Baby Shower

We are lucky. Very lucky. Yesterday we traveled "home" and Kristen was the center of another baby shower thrown by friends and relatives.

Michelle L., Michelle E., Courtney, Dijo, Leslie, Heather, Aunt Mary, Angie and Laura...I appreciate everything you did and I know Kristen does as well (thanks also to Bubba and Brandon, your help does not go unnoticed)...

Emerson is truly blessed to have so many people avidly rooting for her and wanting to meet her when she finally arrives, which, according to the Doctor (the real one) and several experts (every person I meet who has had a baby, had a loved one or sibling have a baby or seen a baby born on television) she could come at any time...anywhere...Why you ask? Well, my little girl has dropped into birthing position. She is head down, feet up, ready to roll at a moments notice. Now this doesn't mean she's coming tomorrow (not yet please, marketing presentation God...we discussed this...), but it doees mean she is preparing. That also means we better be.

I cannot begin to describe all of the gifts Emmy is receiving. The travel system (stroller +car seat) from Ada Beth and Aunt Sweetie Pie to the handmade quilts, pillows and bib from the Michelle's and Mrs. Poulter, to everything in between. Everyone is making it much easier to get ready for our new baby.


After the festivities yesterday, Kristen and her mother, that we will affectionately refer to as Toots until a different grandma name is chosen, completed the bed crown. It is unbelieveable! My baby girl has a princess-like crib that she will get to lay her head down in each night. Thats after we allow her to sleep there. I figure she will be sleeping and crying and eating and sleeping and crying and eating in our room every night for quite a while. The only sewing left is the curtains which will be completed sooner rather than later I am guessing. I think Kathy is ready for the sewing to be completed...and I am sure Tim is as well...By the way, since Kathy is Toots, that makes Tim, you guessed it, Tooter...Emerson definitely has the most "complete" room in the house.

Thanks again to all who are making my baby's pregnancy so special and who are making my daughter's early life much easier. We couldn't do this without all of you.

The Baby Shower

First, thanks to everyone that put together the baby shower for my baby and baby mama. I really appreciate the work that Betsy, Ann and Megan put into the planning, baking, painting, sewing, crocheting (Ann, it's all the rage...the young people are all doing it...) to make this shower special for Kristen. She was overwhelmed and loved every minute! She kept saying "It looked like my shower! It looked like my shower!", to which I replied, "Yes, that's because it was your shower." Then I got the look and the "You don't understand." Guess I don't. I do...but I don't...Thanks also to everyone that attended and for the gifts given for my soon to born daughter. We are blessed to know each and every one of you.

Three pregnant ladies in this picture...oops...sorry Megan...

(We were thrilled to learn this weekend that Emmy will have not only one but TWO Borchardt cousins. Megan and Keith are due in early June!)

The beautiful decorations thanks to Mrs. Bowser's business!

YUM! RJ Goodies Cake!

Betsy's first rocking chair! I think she may be joining the business!

I guess we can read something other than "All Hippos Go Berserk", but it's still my favorite!

My daughter, although I have not met her yet, is going to be a Diva (Kristen's words). She already has so many clothes, so many toys, custom baby bedding, bed crowns, fabric galore, custom rocking chairs, cutom blankets, cutom quilts, little girl fans! More than I could have ever imagined! She is spoiled beyond belief and has yet to take her first breath. I can only imagine what Christmas will be like! I haven't even had a chance to spoil her. I know, my days are coming. I am sure there are grandparents and great-granparents and great aunts and uncles and regular aunts and uncles that are just waiting to help me out.

The "incomplete" bed crown. A work in progress.

Puffy letters courtesy of Tutu Wahini and Aunt RARra

Kristen and I are down to approximately six weeks, 45 days if you want to be exact, and I do...trust me...Emerson will be here and our lives will change forever. Kristen and I have both been so busy that this weekend was a help in realizing that this is about to happen! Sometimes I can't believe it! The other day Kristen asked me if I thought we would be diappointed that we did not take more time to just be together and enjoy the small things about the pregnancy. I said yes as I put my head down to finish my finance paper on the current financial crisis, and my estimate for a new project at work and my presentation on Singapore Airlines for my marketing class and...

But its been great, with the best yet to come. Thanks again to everyone for making everything so special.

From Kristen: THANK YOU to everyone for my FABULOUS shower this weekend. I am SO blessed to have you all in my lives and my daughter is one lucky girl! I loved every minute of it. Thanks for making me feel SO special!

Our First Present

Emmy's 1st Christmas Present.

Thanks Lannie and Boppa!

The Diva

For the past three weeks Kristen and I have been trying desperately to get Emmy to reveal herself for us and a number of our family members in a 4D ultrasound. Unfortunately for everyone involved, Emmy did every single thing she could to keep her face hidden as we peered into Kristen's belly. She covered her face with one hand, she criss-crossed her face with both hands, she placed her foot on her face, she twisted her body into a complete pretzel...

...and she even rotated her entire body away from us...giving us a "mooning" of sorts. The only thing she was interested in showing was, you guessed it, her female parts. Thats my daughter. Like the day we found out her sex, we also found out about her exhibitionist agenda. It seemed that no matter how much we wanted to see the little girl's face, she had her own agenda and was not interested in letting us get a chance until she got the chance to see the light of day.

That of course was until yesterday. You see, Kristen and I had one last attempt, the 3rd out of three tries to make this happen. Because of our previous failings, we did not ask the entire family to join for yet another opportunity to see the little ones bottom, and amazingly (as expected) Emmy decided to cooperate after a little coaxing. In the waning minutes of our third attempt, the diva gave us a glimpse of what she may look like when she arrives. I think the technician was excited too! She allowed us to stay over our time limit to get the best possible pictures since we had been so patient.

I have included some of the shots below. You can also see the attached video of our little one moving around in her mother's tummy.

The End of The World

My daughter is not a fan of our current situation...

Celebrate, Celebrate, We Gonna Celebrate!

IT'S FINISHED! For the last two weekends Kristen and her mother have worked diligently to complete the baby bedding that our new bundle of joy will one day, as Aunt Mary says, use as her personal toilet tissue. I asked Aunt Mary which of her daughters would have done such a thing because she made the statement as if she hasd personal first hand experience. Of course, she wasn't talking, but I have my suspicions...cough cough Angie...just kidding Angie :)...As I have said in previous posts, the bedding is amazing! My wonderful wife and mother-in-law, I mean "The Grandmother", have done a magnificent job putting it together.

Talking with them tonight, it sounds as if its a once in a lifetime project. They asked me earlier this evening to come and witness what they had completed and give them a supporting congratulations. I did what I could, but as most of you know, I am not the best at making a scene. So, those of you that see the pictures on this blog, please give Kristen or her mother a pat on the back for a job well done next time you see them. I bet they would even like phone calls. I guess thats how I will make a big deal about it...I will get others involved...

But seriously, my daughter has priceless bedding to go along with the uber-expensive furniture. By the way, if anyone wants a handmade set for their newborn, Kristen and Kathy have said they will complete another for the bargain basement price of $5K. In fact, if any of you would like a set like it and are willing to pay $5K, I will sell you the original! Don't be mad at me Kristen, I'm just kidding...or am I...

What have I been doing you might be asking? Well, I took the time this weekend to construct shelving in the little ones closet. See I did help. Kristen at least tries to make me feel like I contributed to the cause by telling me how great it looks every time she goes into the nursery. Thanks Baby!

Its my contribution to the preparation. I also added a zebra to the African safari that Emmy now has. SO THERE!

By the way, in our weekend of hyper-productiveness (Kristen coined that term), we made time to fill out a registry at Babies R Us. So...if any of you are feeling giving...

More updates as they happen.

A Surprise

The countdown to the arrival of our baby girl has finally nudged under one hundred days. CRAP! Kristen will be starting her third and final trimester next Wednesday (9/5). WHAT!?!? Even this early, I already have quite the relationship with my unborn daughter. For example, this past Tuesday she decided to act out on behalf of her mother. I got home from school (unfortunately the fall semester is upon us) and placed my head on Kristen's belly. Lately the little one has been acting out her Mike Tyson aggressions on her mother's insides. All of a sudden, she kicks me...square in the face...that's right, pre-birth my daughter has already smacked her father around. We have a very tight father/daughter bond. Somehow I feel it won't be the last time this happens, pre or post birth.

The nursery continues to be a work in progress. Kristen and her mother have been diligently working on the baby bedding. They slave away at it on weekends, whenever there is time. Its amazing what they have done! I have looked at my share of baby bedding over the last few months and what they have produced puts those $1K + sets to shame.

We've also added a fan...

...a painting (which Kristen bought from a street vendor in Plaza Mayor in Madrid)...

...several new stuffed animals (along with some old reliables...poor Snoopy lost his nose)...

...and clothes. She passed me long ago in this department and continues to receive more on almost a daily basis...

According to Kristen's online pregnancy tracker, the little one is a cucumber. So, to commemorate the occasion last night Kristen's parents brought us, I mean the baby, a present. I am now officially jealous of the number of Polo outfits she has hanging in the closet...

During our dinner with the soon to be grandparents we also unveiled our daughter's name. We can finally quit calling her peanut, squash or cucumber. We decided on a name that has been gaining popularity, could be shortened to a little girl's name and then coupled it with a family middle name. It's beautiful as I know she will be. On a side note, Google has produced a band that sports the same name (see below)! I have also been messing with my Photoshop and have come up with one fun graphic.

Things are moving quickly now. It will only be a matter of time (one football season) until Emerson arrives. We'll be ready...at least we think we will...

A Little Practice

Saturday night Kristen and I got some much needed practice in child rearing. My sister asked us to take care of our niece, Abby, for the night and we happily agreed. At this point, Abby is a 30" bolt of lightning. Nothing is funnier than watching her, head down, running down the hall to catch Kristen or I. If I am ever fast enough to capture a video of the action I will post it. For now, imagine Gizmo from the Gremlins, arms pinned against his side, fists pumping, head forward trucking down the hall...yep...that funny...

Kristen was a trooper, 5 months pregnant and lifting and lifting and lifting a 30+ pound toddler all night long, that for some reason, did not want anything to do with Uncle Blake. Saddened, I was able to buy some love during the night by being the "ice giver". Apparently, this was my purpose for the evening.

We took the little one on a walk down the street and played in the backyard. Rather she walked us down the street and ran us around the backyard.

I have never seen a kid more captivated with the birds buzzing around the neighborhood. Its great to see how "amazing" she still thinks everything is. You wonder what it would be like if we took her to a place like St. Mark's Square (see pics from blogs May 2005)...She would go absolutely bonkers with the pigeons scattering in hundreds of different directions!

She also LOVES her dog Cash. See pic. She adores giving him sugars...lots of sugars...

After a long but great night (Megan...anytime...call us...) we were able to take it easy the rest of the weekend. We still have some re-arranging and sewing and cleaning to do before our little one takes the world by storm.