EJ is here!

It's a boy!!  Eric Jordan "EJ" Hemphill was born on December 3rd at 1:56 am.  He weighed an amazing 9 lbs, 12 oz and was 20 inches long.  He is absolutely incredible and we feel so blessed to have him join our family.  We didn't know how quickly we could fall in love with someone and we are so excited to watch him grow up.  Here are some pictures from his first week!

Weighing in at 9 lbs 12 oz!

Meeting EJ for the first time!

Happy Birthday to EJ! (Wink,Wink)

Being Kissed by Grandma Smoot

Meeting Grandma, Grandpa and Uncle Casey

Pondering his first car ride - home from the hospital

--- News Flash ---

Our little bundle could arrive any day now -- we're just 4 days away from the anticipated due date.  Prior to announcing the arrival of our little angel, we wanted to let everyone know about a name change...

--------------  Baby Smoot will Officially be Baby Hemphill ------

Here's the scoop -  on December 9th, Eric will legally change his last name from "Smoot" to "Hemphill."   

Sharing the same last name as his father is important to him, and with a little one on the way, it seems like there's no better time to make this change.   The name Smoot will still remain extremely important to him -- after all that's the name he's grown up with.  He broke track records as a Smoot, owns a successful business as a Smoot -- so yes, you can still call him "Smoot."  His new full name will be Eric Smoot Hemphill.   

We're looking forward to meeting baby Hemphill very soon!!

37 1/2 weeks and counting...18 days left!!  Unbelievable!  The past 9 months have flown by!  We are finally feeling ready and prepared to welcome our little angel!  The bassinet is up, crib is up (for later), bedding and clothing laundered, car seat installed, hospital back packed and love all stored up and ready to share with the little munchkin!  All the necessities!  We are trying to take advantage of our last few weekends and evenings "baby free" -- this weekend we enjoyed the 70- degree Chicago weather by walking around the Chicago Botanic Gardens, checking out some new restaurants and attending the Bull's game.  

Here are the latest "belly" pictures -- it appears that Eric isn't gaining the so-called "sympathy weight" that significant others often do.  Oh well, I'll catch up to him soon enough! :)

Baby Shower!

Last Sunday, two of Eric's clients - Rhonda and Gwen - held a beautiful baby shower for us.  We had a wonderful time celebrating our little bundle with so many of Eric's clients, family members and our friends.  We feel truly blessed to have so many special people in our lives and such a wonderful support group as we go through this life-changing time in our lives!  Thank you to everyone!

Opening some of the gifts!

The "onesies" before and after they were decorated!

With our wonderful Hostesses!

"Slow Breathing," "Ah-He," and "Ah-who"....

...the three breathing techniques to get you through labor -- if only it was that simple, right?

After completing our two lamaze classes, we are now self-proclaimed "experts" in all of the breathing techniques, relaxation methods and labor positions to get through the birth successfully! We spent the last two Sunday afternoons in this "marathon" version of the class, and walked away with a plethera of information.  So much information, in fact, that I heard a rumor Eric was testing his knowledge by quizzing his clients about what he had learned. Now what other "labor coaches" go home and do that?? I'm so grateful that he's the one I get by my side to help me make it through the day I give birth to our little bundle!  Of course, all of his expertise with various stretching techniques and his "redefined" knowledge will definitely be a plus as well. 

Although I definitely enjoyed all of the information that was provided, my favorite part was probably the tour of "labor and delivery" -- the area where I will most likely spend between 12 and 24 hours trying to get comfortable and avoid an epidural if at all possible. (Yes, I'll give into the epidural if I really have to - but I'm trying to keep it as a last option!) After all, I climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro and thought I was going to die, so can this really be any more miserable?? (wink, wink)  I was pleasantly surprised to see that the birthing rooms were quite spacious and "homey" for an older hospital.  The postpartum rooms, on the other hand, were quite cramped, but I'm thinking by then all the chaos will be over and I'll be happy that there's simply a bed to rest.

Babymoon

At 9 weeks left and counting, we decided it was time for a little getaway -- our last adventure together before we're traveling with a stroller, diaper bag, and infant in tow!  So last Friday we headed off to San Diego and had an incredible long weekend in the sun!   We drove along Highway 101, hung out at the beach, did a little shopping, ate good food and just enjoyed our time relaxing!  

(The picture to the left is overlooking the shores of La Jolla, the town where we stayed.)

The baby continues to do well - kicking constantly and creating a moving picture across my belly nearly all day long!  We've been able to feel either it's little foot or hand at times....and his or her little butt likes to maneuver it's way up underneath my lower ribs it seems.  It's so funny!  I continue to feel well, except for some nighttime leg cramps which seem to creep up now and then.  "I thought the baby was coming," Eric said, after I awoke in pain one night of our trip to a cramping left calf.  Needless to say, I've now made it part of my nightly routine to do calf stretches and that has seemed to prevent them for now.  If that's the only issue with my pregnancy though, I've truly been blessed.

Getting ready to find our spot at the beach in Del Mar

Eric's 30-week belly

Cruising in the VW Convertible -- a "must-have" California rental

Week 30!

First of all - I wish I had a better picture to post, but it's late at night, I'm tired and I figured I better at least get a snapshot of the 30-week belly -- even if it is in my sweat clothes!!

Now -- back to business --- an update for all of you...

Wow! Time really flies! I can't believe there's only 10 more weeks to go until there's a new little person that Eric and I are responsible for!! I'm now on the "2-week plan" at my doctor's -they want to check in with me a little bit more frequently. Everything continues to go extremely well - the heartbeat was strong at 148 today, the measurement of my belly was right in line with 30 weeks, my glucose test was good, I'm loaded up with my first injection of Rhogam...and I'm still feeling great!! I'm waiting for the 3rd trimester fatigue and tiredness to hit soon - but for now, I'm taking advantage of my energy level and trying to get lots of things crossed of my long "to do" list!

Since our last posting, I was lucky enough to travel back home to Seattle for a "girl's weekend" with three treasured friends. It was so exciting to spend time with them, especially since we're all spread out amongst the country, and was fun to have baby meet his honorable "aunties" - even if it was through the belly wall! I also was able to celebrate my brother's birthday and spend time with my special family. Next time I see everyone, it'll be for them to meet the little munchkin' live and in person!

Eric and I are off to San Diego tomorrow for a "Babymoon" - the last hurrah before our lives are turned upside down. We're looking forward to relaxing, walking on the beach, sleeping in, seeing the sights and enjoying each others company, along with all those baby kicks! (It seems that nearly constantly the baby is holding a serious kickboxing class in my belly!)

Next update will be some photos from our trip....

Smoot Family gathering

This past weekend, we traveled to Wisconsin Dells to meet up with some of Eric's family members. His mother, sisters, cousin and a few nieces and nephews were able to meet us there for some fun and relaxation. We all really enjoyed our time together -- sleeping in, meals together and of course swimming and playing in the water park at the Great Wolf Lodge! Hopefully we can do it again next year and the newest addition to the Smoot family can splash his/her legs around in the water too! Here are some pics of Baby Smoot's family members..

"You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them." - Desmond Tutu

Our lil' Halle or baby Barack??

What will our little angel look like?? I think that's something that nearly all parents-to-be ask at one time or another. And it really is amazing to think about --- genes from two people creating an entirely new unique human being! Wow!! Eric has brought this up often in the past few weeks as he watches my belly grow larger. "Do you think the baby will be our little Halle or our little Barack?" he's asked a few times. Blue eyes, brown eyes? Straight hair, curly hair? Darker complexion or lighter complexion? Well, only 15 weeks until we find out - how exciting!

We can't believe how fast the time has gone already!! We will be traveling the next few weekends to spend time with our wonderful family and friends in Minnesota and Seattle, so we will post lots of pictures of the baby's special families in the coming weeks! He or she is so blessed to have such great people who will be part of his/her life!

Dresses, dresses and more dresses...

At the 22 week mark, I've come to LOVE dresses!!  That's right Mom - the daughter that you've previously known to dislike dresses and skirts - she now LOVES them!  

As my belly has started to expand the past few weeks, my outfits of choice are now dresses - if I had a different one for each day that's probably all I'd wear!!  Loose...comfy... no tight waist band...no unzipped pants needing the "bella band" holding them up -- they're absolutely perfect!!  Now I just have to get Eric to take me on a shopping spree for more - he should be excited, right??  The girlfriend he's always known to wear pants now wants to wear dresses!  When's the trip to the mall??

Outside of my latest wardrobe update, things with Baby Smoot are going well.  He/she is moving bunches - constant little tiny kicks and flutters to let me know how things are going in there.  Eric was able to feel the little munchkin from the outside for the first time last week also - which was pretty exciting for both of us!  

Thanks for your continued love and support!

Baby Feet - 20 weeks!

"I think he/she will be a runner," Eric said after leaving the ultrasound appointment yesterday. "Did you see how long the leg bones were?"

This was Eric's first time seeing the little angel on the screen and I think he was excited to finally see what I've been feeling in my belly the past 20 weeks. This whole event, which has been a bit surreal so far -- finally became reality in the ultrasound room.

Our little munchkin weighed in at 12 ounces and measured 10 inches long -- right on target! Keep getting healthy and strong little angel! We love you!

I turned the rest of today's posting over to Eric...

It's a miracle -- to think that this little person is a part of both Jennifer and I. It was unbelieveable to see what a clear picture the ultrasound can give you - it all suddenly becomes so real! All of the body parts and organs -- the eyes, nose, spine, ribs, toes, fingers, liver, brain, heart, lungs --- were so incredible to see! It's such a blessing to see that everything with the baby's development is going so well. This experience was very emotional...I felt shocked, happy, blessed and absolutely amazed all in a matter of a few seconds.

A little update...

We've made our decision ... our 20-week ultrasound is on Monday -- and we will be able to find out if our lil' munchkin is a boy or girl. However, we've decided to leave it a surprise! We think it'll be more fun to wait until he or she joins us to find out if it's a little princess or prince!

The baby is beginning to let me know he/she is around -- little flutters and movement are quite frequent in my belly - especially after I eat. Sorta strange but very cool! I haven't felt any definite kicks yet, but I'm sure they'll come soon enough. It's amazing to think that the baby is already about 6" long and weighing about 1/2 pound - we'll find out the exact measurements on Monday - so be sure to check back. We'll post some recent pics then also!

Finally, thanks to everyone for all of the encouraging words and support that you've already provided to us as we spread the news and get more excited about this next step in our lives!

Have a fun and safe 4th of July weekend!

What's Our Story?

I've had a few requests from some of you wanting to hear more about our story together. Well, here you go....a very, very brief synopsis...

Jenn -- a very busy Physician Assistant working in family medicine in the daytime, pediatrics on Tuesday nights and with honorable military men and women on the weekends -- has always wanted to be a Mom! For how long? Probably since I was carrying along my "baby doll" everywhere I went as a child. Looks like my wish has come true, and I couldn't be more excited!! Most days I am in awe that this little miracle is actually real - growing and developing inside my body!

Eric -- a personal trainer and business owner of the largest personal training/rehab studio on the Northshore of Chicago -- is probably a bit busier then Jenn. (Working is something that both of us will need to balance out once this little guy/gal joins us!) An All-American track runner at Purdue University -- we wonder if our little munchkin will pick up track&field like dad, basketball like mom, or something totally new!

Our Story -- Eric and I met almost 3 years ago. My mom likes to tell people, "He knocked on her door." However, that's not quite true. Yes, I guess he did "knock on the door" -- but it wasn't my house nor was it intentional. I just happened to be nannying for one of my favorite families, when Eric stopped by to drop something off for them. (The mother happened to be one of his clients.) Well, within a week or so, we had both let Marie know that we were interested in one another. Our first date came a few weeks later and we dated for about a year and a half! Hitting some roadblocks as life often presents, we decided to take a little break - mainly to make sure this was what we both wanted. (Of course, at the time we made that decision, I thought it was the worst idea possible, but looking back now, I think it was the best thing that ever happened for us!)

Our trip to Africa this past February "rekindled" things for us - and wahlah - look at the souvenior we brought back! I really don't think it could get much more special than this! We're proud to say that we are stronger and better than ever as a couple and are excited to see what the future holds for both of us and our little "miracle-in the making!"

Latest Count - 16 weeks!

So I'm at the 16 week mark already!  Wow - time is flying!  I visited my doctor for a check-up today (no fun ultrasounds this time)...but everything is still going well.  The little one's heart was beating at 154 beats per minute - and even though I've heard it before, it's still such a cool thing!  I figured it was finally time to take a "belly" photo while it still looks like there's no evidence of a baby.  I know that will change in the next few weeks as I begin to pop out a bit.    

At 16 weeks the little one is already making facial expressions, hiccuping, making fists and even has eyebrows and eyelashes.  Oh yes, and he/she is spending lots of time on muscle development and strengthening - watch out Redefined!

Next up - watch for some words from "Dad-to-be" coming soon!  Also, be sure to participate in our poll -- should we find out the sex of the baby?? We'll be making that decision in the next 4 weeks before the next ultrasound!

2nd Baby Picture at 13 weeks - May 19, 2009

Measuring 3 - 1/2" already! First "headshot"

Baby Smoot at 8 weeks old -- April 13, 2009

Just a little peanut...

Exciting News!

By now, most of our family and friends have heard our exciting news -- we are expecting a baby this November -- on Turkey day to be exact! It's been a bit surreal the past few months, but after some ultrasound pictures and my clothes beginning to feel a bit tighter, the news is finally seeming to set in!! The Little Smoot news came as a bit of a surprise and I find the following quote quite fitting -- "Life is what happens when you're busy planning other things." We think it's so special that this new "little life" is finding it's way into our lives and we can't wait to meet him or her! Since our family and friends are spread out in so many different cities and states - a blog should be a perfect way to keep you all updated! Hope you will enjoy!