Loving every second!

It has been awhile since I posted.  Jeff and I have been preoccupied by Kendley and spending every second with her!  She has already grown so much since we brought her home.  When she was born, Kendley was 6lbs 5oz.  Now, at 6 weeks, she is probably close to 9lbs.  She is starting to grow out of her newborn clothes and into her big girl 0-3 month clothes :).  Everyday we fall in love with her a little more.  I just wait all day to see her toothless smile and love her snuggle time.  Jeff is an amazing dad and seeing him with her makes me love him even more!  This weekend we are taking our first road trip to O'Fallon for Kendley to get baptized.  We are excited to see our family and friends!!!  Here are some recent pics.  She is between 4 and 6 weeks in these. 
If you haven't yet, be sure to checkout her newborn professional pics at www.tooxhouseproduction.com!









Her first smile caught on camera!  

                                                                                    Just hanging out with Mommy

Forgot to turn off the flash on the camera!

 Belly time :)

 Still a little small for this, but I put it together and wanted to see her in it.  She wasn't a big fan.









She looks like a baby doll in this pic!

Kendley's first Kansas City BBQ Festival

Kendley Faber Elchert is here!!!!

At 3:30 Saturday morning, I woke up with contractions.  5:30 am, I decided to wake up Jeff and tell him to get ready to go to the hospital.  Jeff, my mom and I went in around 6:45 and they monitored me for an hour and I was admitted into my own room around 8:00 am.  After several hard contractions, I decided it would be a much more pleasant experience for me and Jeff if I got an epidural.  The epidural wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.  I could still move my legs, they were just a little numb feeling.  During the afternoon, Kendley didn't like contractions and her heart rate would fluctuate with almost each one.  Around 6:30 pm, I was ready to push and by 8:02, I had my little girl.  She had the cord wrapped around her neck two times, which was causing the heart fluctuations. She was 6 pounds 5 ounces and 20 inches long.  Kendley is perfect and we are so blessed to have her.  She has met her grandparents and already is so spoiled by all of them!  She is excited to meet more of her family in the up coming weeks!  We were able to come home on Monday afternoon.  Jeff is such a good dad; it is clear that she already has him wrapped around her little fingers.  Thanks to everyone for the congratulation phone calls/emails/posts and for your thoughts during this exciting time for our family.  Here are some pics from the first few days with many more to come! 

4 weeks to go!

Jeff took vacation last week. We were able to get a lot of baby stuff done, as well as spend some time together before things get super crazy here! We have finished birth class, new born class, and took a tour of the maternity center. St. Luke's has a very nice, safe area and have been great to work with so far!

At the last birth class, we were supposed to be laying on the floor and practicing our breathing techniques while the husbands rubbed our backs. Nurse Jackie said something funny, so I looked back at Jeff and laughed. As I looked back, I noticed Jeff using the massage tools on himself rather than me! I guess he has a pinched nerve in his neck that he was trying to work out??? It was so funny, I had to put my head in the pillow to laugh so that I didn't disturb the mood of the other couples intense breathing practices.

While Jeff had some time off, we took the opportunity to visit different restaurants and shops in Kansas City. It was really hot outside, so we had to do as much inside as possible. Jeff got me an iPad for my birthday! I didn't think that an iPad was something I would use much, but have been on it everyday since he got it for me, and am using it to blog right now!

This week is Jeff's last week in school. After this week, he will officially be a graduate of Benedictine College's Executive MBA program. He has worked so hard this past year; I know I wouldn't have been able to stay as focused and motivated as he has been able to. Working and going to school and having a pregnant wife probably is a pretty rough combination!

Jeff's mom has been asking for some pictures of me lately, so I thought I would make her happy. 36 weeks of pregnancy doesn't make you want to be the person in the picture, more like the one taking the picture! Mrs. T, these are for you :)

























Can't have a blog without a pic of the dogs! Mav has a cut he won't stop licking, so he has to wear a cone for a little while. He actually does pretty good with it on.

Baby Room and Birth Class

Carlos pretty much has a completed baby room now. I have pictures posted below. Jeff put up her initials and then covered them with foil so that it stays a surprise until she is born.

Jeff and I started birth class Monday. It was pretty funny because everyone is so serious about the process. There were people taking notes like they were going to pull them out when they went into labor. There is some information that is helpful, but for the most part kind of unnecessary. The funniest part was when the lady told us (the prego people) to take a deep breath in and release and I heard Jeff doing the exercises :) We have 2 more of these classes, a newborn care class and a tour of the maternity ward. Everything is coming so quickly, I can't believe how fast this has gone by!

Still doing great!

Yesterday, Jeff and I went to the Dr. and got to see Carlos again. This was just a checkup from the first ultrasound that I had (with the particles) to make sure she is gaining weight and still looking good. It was fun seeing her and we were happy to hear that everything looked healthy. She is 3 lbs 12 oz, has a little hair, and likes to stick out her tongue. Next week, we start birthing classes; I can't believe how fast everything is coming and can't wait to meet her! She needs to stay in a little longer and gain some weight though :)

Down to the single digits!

I am finally in the single digit weeks for Carlos to come! I read the other day that she will start gaining a half pound per week from here on out. I don't know how/where she is going to fit, but I'm sure she'll find a way. She already is about maxed out on space, kicking my ribs, stomach, bladder...I guess the only way to grow now is out :(

Below is a pic of my mom, dad, sister and I celebrating our long time family friend Jackie's high school graduation/birthday party in Louisville, KY. Next time I see them I'll have a baby!

Jeff and Sloopy snuggled up for a nap. Sloopy is going to think that the baby is her and Jeff's love child :)

May Flowers and Baby Showers!

Over Memorial Day weekend, Jeff and I took a trip to St. Louis for a baby shower. My mom, Jeff's mom and Beth did an OUTSTANDING job, and I had such a great time. Carlos very well could be the most spoiled unborn baby in the Midwest! Jeff and I are so excited to meet her and introduce her to our amazing family and friends. The weekend was full of back yard bbq's, games, and a lot of laughs. I'm pretty sure I am going to get yelled at by the Dr. next week for all of the weight I have gained from the weekend, I did love that chicken salad! I think Jeff and I both agreed it was our best trip back by far!

When I returned to work on Tuesday, I had a staff shower that also was great. I have enjoyed every second of working at LJH this year, which is a nice change from where I was :)

Thank you to everyone for all of the love!

Finished Product

Jeff has developed an interest in woodworking the past few years. His Grandpa Elchert liked to woodwork and after he passed away, Jeff decided that he wanted to do it too. He has made a potty chair, like his grandpa used to make for the grandkids, for our godson Tyler and a few other small pieces. For Carlos, he decided he wanted to make a glider. He did an awesome job on it and I know his Grandpa Elchert would be proud!!