Family Day at the Park

Yesterday, Sunday, we gathered at Irvine Terrace park (here in Newport) to celebrate my dad's birthday and say goodbye as he heads back to Czech, after spending the last 3 weeks with us. With the cool ocean breeze and beautiful views of newport harbor, we relaxed on the grass, ate ice cream bars, and played on the playground. Here are some cute photos we took:

Post-partum mama

They are not kidding when they say the first 2 weeks post delivery are difficult. Sleepless nights, engorged and leaky breasts, breastfeeding..... but the euphoria of being a mommy and staring at the angelic face of your lil creation makes it all worthwile, as well as having a good support system. Brad and I make a good team, and from the beginning Brad would take Taji when he would wake early morning (7ish) and do daddy-son tummy time, allowing me to sleep an extra precious couple of hours. I also quickly learned what a luxury showers are. As our schedule became more predictable, I also found the time to hop on my computer, do laundry, and straighten up the house, before our little man was ready to feed again. My mom has also alleviated a lot of the housework, and been cooking us some delicious Czech dinners, while also watching Taji for me.

So whenever I come across a product that really impresses me, I have to share it with the world and fellow pregnant/ postpartum mamas. I give you, the Belly Bandit.

This belly "band" wraps around your midsection and really deflates your tummy instantly. With one less post-pregnancy worry, this band sinches your waistline, helps the water retention, and I found than in less than a week I was beginning to reclaim the tummy I had prior to pregnancy..... and this even without pilates. I have to admit though, I'm having pilates withdrawals and can't wait to get my body toned again when I get the green light from my doctor at my 6-week postpartum check-up. Here are the before/ after pics:

at 39 wks of pregnancy:


5 days after delivery (this is only after 2 days of wearing it.... I began the day after we came home from the hospital):

Taji's 1st week

smiles and makes elvis lip curls in his sleep!:

tummy time with daddy:

loves to be swaddled:

got to meet his buddy Regan for the first time!:

loves hanging out with his babi and deda!:


and napping in his lamb swing:

My Pregnancy "PUSH" present

"Push" presents are the latest trend in women being rewarded by their husbands for the hard work it is giving birth! And I for one agree, giving birth (whether "pushing" or c-section) is the most difficult job women do..... not to mention the care and nurturing of the baby thereafter! My hubby spoiled me with my "push" present. Concerned about mine and Taji's safety when driving, he surprised us one weekend in early May by buying a 2010 BMW X5 in a gorgeous sapphire black color and tobacco brown leather interior! It is my first beamer and I feel like such a stylish mama! Thank you poopies, I love you very much :)

Then at the hospital, right after delivering Taji, Brad surprised me with beautiful flowers and a sweet message:


This is my message to my hubby: We made a beautiful baby together, and I can't wait to have more with you! xo

Our Greatest Acomplishment

Early evening Monday 5/17 at dinner at 6pm, I started having contractions. Nine hours later, at 3am early Tuesday morning, we were on our way to the hospital. After being admitted I went from being dilated 4cm to 6cm in less than 2 hours, and finally recieved my epidural.... which i have to say is the best medical invention EVER! I felt so relaxed, happy, and pain-free throughout the entire labor and delivery, allowing me to really savor the moment our son was born! I was then given Pitocin to speed up my contractions, dilated to 10cm, and I was ready to push! They gave me oxygen so that Baby Taj would get enough oxygen while in the birth canal. Then with my awesome coach Brad's counting, in 2 hours, we watched the birth (via a mirror..... yes that was also a spontanous decision) of our beautiful baby boy. The second he popped out and let out a cry, Brad and I lost it and bawled like babies ourselves! It was the most incredibly emotional experience either of us has had. Truly amazing!!!

Our greatest acomplishment, our baby boy TAJ LEON GROVER, was born on May 18th, 2010 (on his exact ultrasound due date!) at 3:28pm, 7lbs 5ounces and 21 inches of pure love..... and takes our breath away every second of the day......

after getting the epidural, ready to meet our baby!:


Proud daddy cutting the umbilical cord:


the first moment he was placed in my arms and instantly turned his head to look at his mommy..... my heart melted:


Taji reaching out for his mommy as she wept tears of joy:


our beautiful son, he is our angel!:


Looks like daddy!


our first family portrait:


going home, in his very special and traditional bonnet and Czech swaddle duvet:


we were tired, but relieved, happy, and excited to be going home....


first time in his carseat, ready to see his home for the first time!

DRUMROLL please......

With his amazing arrival into the world on Tuesday, May 18th 2010, Baby Grover is now officially.....


Our delicious little baby boy has been named TAJ LEON GROVER!

TAJ:
Brad gets credit for the first name TAJ, and I loved it the second I heard it. It is a sanskrit name, meaning "crown." Taj is pronounced "tAj" (yes people, like the Taj Mahal!) :) The only other Taj we know of is a famous Australian Pro-surfer Taj Burrow. Throughout our pregnancy we have created a nickname that has stuck, Taji! He will also be referred to as "Tajik or Tajinek or Tajicek"..... these are the cutsy czech nicknames! ha ha! If you are wondering, mine just so happens to be Janicka!

LEON:
The middle name LEON means "brave like a lion", and it is derivative of the combination of our fathers' names: Lee (Brad's dad) and Jan (my dad, pronounced "Yan"... like my name!). I also love that there is a "lion" connection there because both Brad's and mine astrological sign is Leo, and we love cats! It just so happens that the lion theme is intertwined within the nursery!

and now for the nursery reveal.............. or Taji's Mahal as we like to call it!

the before BEFORE pic when Taji's nursery used to be a second guestroom:



then, after selling the bedroom furniture..... it was ready to be decorated!



Our nursery colors and wall design influence... Brad's Ripcurl surf shirt:



and now presenting..... the AFTER pic!




We decided on a very modern yet retro and vibrant style, incorporating the bright primary colors babies see first. With the earth tone that carries throughout our home, we went GREEN (using earth-friendly, organic, and recycled materials.) Only the cleanest and most natural for our baby!! The espresso-white furniture is Babyletto, Amy Coe lion bedding, organic Pixel "Lions, Tigers, and Kitties Oh my!" sheets.




We also used our recycled living room white linen curtains, and made a rug out of the scraps of our livingroom shag rug. I threw in some of my old stuffed animals for a retro touch (seen in the lower right shelf). And some final personalized touches: a custom "Taj Saves the Planet" book we made through Frecklebox.com, and Brad made & painted the wooden initials picture frames seen on the wall! (the first pic at the top)

The Belly Movie!

In celebration of Baby Grover making it to full term, and with less than one week to go until the 40 wk. mark due date........

My FABULOUS Baby Shower!

My sister always amazes me with her extraordinary creative style and attention to detail! How lucky am I to have had her host my baby shower?!! My intimate baby shower was the perfect initiation into motherhood, surrounded by close friends and our special guest.... my mom! My mom flew in from the Czech Republic a week before my shower and it was so wonderful to have her there!


Everything, from the invitations to the games, was customized and color coordinated by my sister (the colors were based on our nursery color theme), not to mention the vibrant balloons (41 to be exact, one for each week of pregnancy, and then an adorable baby boy balloon!).




The daddy-to-be stuck around at the beginning to greet our friends, then he had his own "man" shower on the duffy boat with his buddies!!

I felt so spoiled with love and gifts from my friends...... friends from each phase of my life (grade school, high school, college, grad school, work, and, my recent local CDM friends!) It was the best shower I could have asked for! Thank you Peti for being such a loving sister to me and already the coolest aunt, and of course the BEST party planner ever!

*check out the slideshow below!*

38 week update!

At our weekly doctors appointment this morning, I found out my cervix was effaced and 1cm dilated! My body is beginning the process of labor and I'm so happy things are moving along. Can't wait to meet our sweet little miracle!

Cankle ALERT!

So this 3rd trimester (thank goodness its the last!), I have endured pre-term labor, heartburn, acid reflux, 3-week painful sciatic back pain, and now CANKLES! yes, i couldn't believe it until I saw them myself. Lots of water retention these last couple weeks of pregnancy, my hands and feet are unrecognizable!

stay tuned..... i have lots of new posts on the way! xo

Maternity Leave Here I Come.....

I can't believe this is my last week at work, and next time I step foot at El Rancho I will be a mom! A couple weeks ago, my school threw Brad & I a baby shower, complete with a Baby Grover cake, balloons, gifts, and a generous monetary gift! They have been so kind to us, and I truly feel fortunate to work with such a great group of people that looks out for one another :)


Then I had the pleasure of attending my "twin" Michelle's baby shower, another good time was had with my work friends! Michelle and her hubby are math teachers, and they are due in July. They are also expecting a baby boy and what's really awesome is that they live in Newport, just up PCH from us, so we will have lots of playdates!


With our work ladies, including sweet Rhonda (who had her little darling Ryan this past January), whose mom will be taking care of our little guy starting next school year, and joining us on regular playdates!:

Welcome Regan Brandt!!

Our friends Jamie and Greg's baby Regan arrived in the world early this morning, 4/14/2010 at 12:30am, weighing at 6lbs. 11oz, and measuring 20 inches long. I had the pleasure of visiting the Brandts and seeing less than a day old baby Regan today at the hospital. He is so precious and beautiful, and looks like his daddy! Jamie was fortunate to have had an easy and quick labor as we had wished her, and I can only hope the same happens for me! Congratulations to the Brandt family! Now its my turn in the California preggo lady pool..... i have less than 5 weeks to go and simply can't wait to give birth to our little miracle!