March Madness!

I love basketball!!!  My Mom and Dad have been watching a lot of it lately - they say it's called "March Madness" and they've been saying "Go Dawgs" or "Go Boilermakers" a lot.  When they have the TV on, I like to turn my head and watch the boys running up and down the court.  It looks like so much fun - maybe I'll try playing basketball one day.  

This weekend I got to wear my Purdue outfit while we cheered on the Boilermakers playing Texas A&M.  Later this week, I'm putting on my Husky jersey to watch Washington beat West Virginia.  This might be my favorite time of year! 

Ready to watch a Purdue victory!

With Mom in our Purdue gear...

(don't worry - she's still a Husky!)

EJ's First Vacation!

My Mom said she didn't get to go on an airplane until she was 8 or 9 years old...but I got to fly at only 3 months!!  My parents were a little worried about how I would travel - but I traveled like a pro!! No crying on the plane at all!  I loved Puerto Rico - I didn't have to wear layers of clothes like I do in Chicago, I got to go swimming and take lots of naps outside in the warm breeze.  It was a great getaway for all of us! I can't wait until our next family vacation!

2 Months Old!

I can't believe I'm already 2 months old - and my parents can't believe it either!  Mommy took me to the doctor this week for a tough visit - I had to get my 2-month old shots.  But I did great!  I only cried a few seconds and then smiled.  I think it was harder on my Mom then it was on me.  

My Nana Nita moved here a few weeks ago from Seattle.  It's nice having her so close because now I get to see her almost every day.  I like talking to her and cuddling with her.  Her and my Mom took me on my first road trip last week - we drove up to Minnesota to meet several relatives.  My great-grandma Jeanne turned 90 and I felt so lucky to be there to wish her a Happy Birthday.  I also got to meet some of my great-aunts and second cousins from my Mom's family, and my Auntie Erika and cousins Luke and Jewel on my Dad's side.  I was excited to give my Grandma Dorothy kisses again - she hadn't seen me since I was a newborn in the hospital.

Earlier this month I also got to meet my great-grandma Hemphill.  I can't believe I have two great-grandmas who are 90 years old - I hope I get to live that long!  I have really started to enjoy my baths - in fact sometimes, I get really mad when Mom and Dad take me out of the water.  I can't wait until I get big enough for swim lessons!  

Saying Happy 90th Birthday to my Great Grandma Jeanne

Meeting Great-Grandma Hemphill

Visiting Grandma Dorothy in Minnesota

Meeting Auntie Erika for the first time

Loving my bath time with Daddy

5-weeks old

This weekend I got to meet a new friend!  I was so excited when Mom and Dad told me we were going to church to meet Sebastian and watch him get baptized.  It was hard to try to be quiet for the service, but I did it and I was so proud.  My favorite part was when Sebastian got dunked in the water three times for the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit -- I was a little scared for him, but he did great!  His Godparents were there and lots of his family and friends came to help him celebrate his special day!  I can't wait until my special day - I know it's so important to be baptized.  God Bless Sebastian!

I was especially excited to meet Sebastian since his Dad works with my Dad.  I kept hearing our parents say that maybe Sebastian and I will be the next-generation owners of Redefined Fitness!  Even if Sebastian and I don't end up taking over our Dads' company, I'm sure we will certainly grow up running around the gym as Junior Redefined Partners in Crime!  I can't wait to see my new friend again soon.

On the way to meet my friend Sebastian!

Sebastian and EJ

Junior Redefined Partners in Crime

Our Proud Moms

Our Proud Dads

EJ's First Month

EJ turned 4 weeks old this past Thursday - we can hardly believe how much he's changed and grown in just one month!  He's brought so many smiles and so much joy to our lives already -- it's hard to remember what our lives were like without him.  It's also quite amazing how much time we spend just watching the little guy!   His accomplishments so far include learning to smile, rolling from his back to his side and finding his thumb to suck on!  We're still working on the sleeping schedule - for now he likes to party at night and rest up during the daytime hours, so he had no problem staying up to ring in the New Year!  

Here are some photos that were taken over the past 4 weeks....we'll try to be better about keeping weekly updates/photos going forward.  Thanks to everyone for all of the generous baby gifts, love and support!  If you haven't met EJ yet, we look forward to introducing him to you sometime soon!  Happy New Year!

Dressed up for his First Christmas - Ho, Ho, Ho!

The Best Christmas Gift Ever!

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!