IT'S A GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Evelyn Jewell Soyka arrived 16 days early! Her timing couldn't have been more perfect though, because Dan was up in Appleton with me for the weekend, when my water broke at home on Saturday, 1/24 at 6 AM.

We took our time going to the hospital, though contractions started coming as Dan was loading the car seat in the car so at that time I think I told him we had better hit the road soon! When we arrived at the hospital, I was progressing on my own and contracting every 6 min. so was very glad I didn't need pitocin to speed things up.

Labor was definitely intense but I spent as much of it as I could in the tub, which helped me to relax in between contractions. Dan was wonderful as he breathed with me, held my hand, and kept me nice and calm. I had done lots of preparation for birth by reading, so knew what to expect and was very thankful that I could go naturally as I had hoped. I dined on popsicles, broth, and Jello, as my family started accumulating in the waiting room. Thankfully, my Mom, Dad, Jackie AND Kelly were all able to Neenah for the weekend! Sharing the day with them meant the world to me. I will never forget the awed looks on their faces when they came in the room once she was born.

9 hours later, after an AGONIZING 6 min. or so of waiting for the Dr. to arrive before I could push (ladies who have experienced this- you know what I'm talking about), our baby was born at 2:58 PM!! The Dr. held her out to me as I announced "IT'S A GIRL!!" What a thrill and joy that was. Holding her to my chest right after she was born was the most wonderful feeling in the world. Here are some pictures from that magical weekend at the hospital!!

The Nursery

The nursery is almost done! It was fun spending a few days in Madison during this holiday week to put it together. Dan put the furniture together, and I did the decorating. I love it! We are a bit limited with white apartment walls and beige carpet, but I am excited with how it turned out and now we just need to add baby Soyka. :-)

This elephant tapestry was the inspiration for the nursery. I saw it in a night market in Bangkok last February when Dan and I were traveling in Thailand, and I knew we had to get it! I probably made Dan a little nervous since we hadn't had the official baby making plans laid out yet- but I think he has come to appreciate my artistic vision. :-)

Happy Holidays!

Merry Christmas!! We had a very nice and relaxing Christmas break in Wausau. Lots of visiting and card playing. :-)

Happy Hannukah Everyone!!

Dan and I lit the Menorah (thanks for the new one, Beth!) and made potato Latkes from scratch last night. I think I ate too many though because when the baby started flipping around in there, I didn't feel my usual delightfulness to feel the movement. :-) In fact, felt sort of sick so Dan nursed me back to health with some water. as did not get up from the couch. Either the pancakes, or I felt sick from the Packers TOUGH loss AGAIN. Those stupid Bears- we are definitely a superior team!!

Anyway, we are so excited to be able to share two holidays with our baby around this time next year.

What a handsome husband I have!

This is at the Real Estate Party at the Madison Club on December 12.

Baby Shower

On January 2, my family surprised me with a baby shower in Wausau! We thought we were gathering for cake to celebrate my Mom's birthday (1/3), but when we downstairs for this alleged "cake", found the whole room decorated for a baby shower. Everybody was in on the surprise except for Dan and I!! It was such a wonderful way to celebrate!

Highlights for me:

1. Watching my uncles act out nursery rhymes, which Dan and I had to guess and then recite to earn diapers

2. Kelly and Adam busting out a guitar to sing their own version of "Hey, Hey, Baby, (I wanna know...if you're a boy or a girl!)"

3. Seeing aunt Janet feed Mary's hair applesauce (blindfolded!) I could not catch my breath I was laughing so hard!

4. Thinking about my mom and dad engineering that that diaper cake together for us. :-)

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On December 7, my friends Amy, Stacey, and Jen threw me the most BEAUTIFUL and MEANINGFUL baby shower in Appleton. I loved every minute. Thank you to all for your support and love, those who were able to make it, and those who sent well wishes from afar!

This was the cutest cake I have ever seen - and tasty too! Dan did manage to get some leftovers :-)

Thanks for making the drive up from Chicago- Adi and Norah!

I am so excited to bring our baby into the world, and this was a great way to help me prepare for motherhood!

Belly Pics - 3rd Trimester

1/18/09 Baby update:
At the 32 week ultrasound, we discovered our baby was frank breech. (Butt was happily tucked down in my pelvis, with both feet up by the head). By 36 weeks, it was highly unlikely they are able to turn head down on their own, so we opted to let the Dr. try an "external cephalic version". This was done in the hospital on Friday, 1/16 and was quite the experience! Happily, it was successful!! It only took three people pushing and pulling as hard as they could on my abdomen to budge that baby! I was numb with a spinal injection, but rather sore and bruised the next day. We are so lucky that this worked, because now we still have the option of a vaginal delivery. I am thrilled!

This is me recovering for 2 hours after the procedure, with apple juice (finally I got to eat- couldn't eat all day). I did NOT enjoy being under anesthesia at all. I felt like Lieutenant Dan in Forrest Gump, being moved all around without legs. Plus, my blood pressure bottomed out twice and I felt like I was going to pass out.

36 Weeks

35 Weeks

Christmas Day- 33 1/2 weeks

32 Weeks-

Taking the baby to Dan's Real Estate Black tie party!

29.5 Weeks - Happy Thanksgiving!!

28 Weeks

Halloween in Madison:

(Blind ref and pregnant 80's prom queen)

Ultrasound Pictures- Meet Baby Soyka!

32 Week Update-
We will meet with the specialist again this week (12/17) to make sure the baby's growth is still on track, due to a little bit of "restrained" blood flow in and out of the placenta which was detected last ultrasound and being monitored closely.

The good news is that the baby is EXTREMELY active these days, and is beginning to keep me up a bit at night with all the antics. Also, I get a real kick out feeling the hiccups. Sometimes up to three times a day!

28 Weeks

Here are the first pictures of our baby, from 9 weeks (last picture), up to the last ultrasound we had at 24 weeks. This is the first time we were able to see the face and it was love at first sight!

The baby is moving around all the time now, especially when I sit down or lie down after being active. It is the best feeling in the world.

Baby's first picture at 9 weeks: This is the picture we used to tell our famillies that I was pregnant.

Belly Pics

19 Weeks

My Birthday!

21 Weeks

25 Weeks