Happy Halloween

We are approaching the one month mark with Addison- I can't believe we are there already. Addison continues to surprise us with her sweetness and sassy self. I am continuing to recover from surgery and I look forward to the upcoming weeks when I will be feeling a hundred percent.

Scott goes back to work tomorrow so I am on Addison duty by myself. I may be calling a lot of you for help or just a sanity check. This being a full-time mom thing is HARD! Give me a cranky union representative any day.

We have tried to do a little bit of tummy time with Addison in the last couple of days. The main time she is awake is right before she eats, so when I put her on the pillow she immediately tries to eat the pillow and her hands and arms, it is quite a funny sight. Ollie really gets excited when she is accessible during tummy time, so he is right there to lick her. He is extremely gentle with her.

We will be doing a modified Halloween with my parents so we don't have to fight the dogs at our house each time the doorbell rings. Hope you all have a great holiday! Enjoy the candy!

Here are a few pictures of tummy time:

Pacifiers, Bottles, Swings, Fussing . . .

So much to know about and figure out as a new parent. Each article and book has a different take on what to do and what not to do - it is hard to sort it all out. I am starting to realize that my friends with kids are right, we have to just sort of figure out what works best for Addison and us!

Addison made her first outing last Friday to my office to attend a co-worker's baby shower. She slept the entire time and looked cute in a new little blue outfit.

She's been out with us a few times now and so far so good - we wait until she is asleep and hurry around getting things done before her next feeding. It feels good for me just to get out and have contact with the outside world. As most of you know I am not a stay at home type of girl - and so this has been a big transition for me. I try to plan at least one outing a day, even if that is just Scott running an errand for us and Addison and I sitting in the car.

Scott played in a tournament yesterday at the local casino and placed 3rd. It was nice for him to get out - and he won some mollah in the process - can't beat that. It gave me a few hours to practice "being on my own".

Scott's parents are coming tomorrow and will get the chance to see Addison, that is exciting. I can't believe our first three weeks are almost over.

Check in next week to see if I survive Scott's return to work. :)

First Bath

Greetings! We are continuing to learn how to settle into life with baby. Scott got a terrible cold that has caused him additional missed sleep from coughing. I've had a few odds and ends complications myself - but all that being said, I think we are starting to find a fit for us. Addison is a blessing and looking at her makes it all worthwhile - she is so sweet, even when she is yelling and red-faced. :)

Tomorrow will be two weeks! I can't believe that we made it this far. Each day is such a new adventure. Next week will be Scott's last week at home with us, and I am a little freaked by the prospect of taking care of Addison all day by myself. More adventures I guess! Take a look at what we did today!


Addison's First Bath - she didn't like it much at first.



Once we got her going she calmed down and actually seemed to tolerate it pretty well.



She was all snuggles as she was getting dried off.

The First Week

Hi All!

Okay, everyone tries to prepare you but I don't think you can really be prepared for how dificult it is to bring home a newborn. I have an amazing husband who is right in the mix with me and between the two of us I still feel out of it. We had a few really good nights with Addison and then one really terrible night resulting in perhaps 1 hour of sleep. I really didn't know I could be so tired and emotionally exhausted.

I cry all the time (apparently this is normal), I hurt from the surgery but then I take one look at little Addy and I can't believe how lucky I am. Anyway, enough of my 1 week crazy ramblings. I am going to post a few shots here.

This one is just a cute picture of her sleeping. Aren't her cheeks cute?





A wise person suggested I pick a stuffed animal and photograph Addison once in a while to chart her growth. So this is her one week photo. My great friends Ann, Allison and Joni got Addison this wonderful bear.





After we got Addison's shot our dog Ollie decided it was his turn!!

WELCOME ADDISON BRENNA DAUKAS!!

Scott and I are so happy to introduce to you our new baby girl! I think I left off the tale from the point where we knew something was going to happen this last week but we didn't know what...Last Monday we had an ultrasound and confirmed that the baby was good sized and not engaged, contractions had stopped and we had some choices to make as the due date approached. Scott and I talked a lot about it, consulted with the doctor, and decided to have a primary c-section on Addison's original due date, Thursday October 5th. It was exciting to know it was going to happen but I was extremely nervous as well. There was no way getting around an epideral or spinal block with a c-section, and as many of you know I was counting on pain to help me overcome my fear during labor. Wednesday Scott and I were off work and it was a surreal day as we got ready to welcome our baby. Scott and I and my parents were at the hospital bright and early on Thursday morning. I'll spare the full details here only to say that it was amazing, scary, wonderful, scary, and rewarding. At 8am Addison was born, coming out of my tummy screaming her head off. (Clearly she gets her lungs from her daddy) She was 8lbs 4 oz, and 20.75 inches long. Most importantly, perfectly healthy!!! And I came through sore, tired, in a little bit of shock but really proud of our little girl and I am recovering nicely now as well. Here are some of the first pictures of Addison:

This is Addison in the nursery getting all cleaned up and weighed. Scott and my parents were with her during her first bath and weigh in, while I was getting finished with surgery and in the recovery room.

Scott was able to bring the baby to me in the recovery room so that I had my first opportunity to hold her and give her kisses. It was overwhelming and beautiful to get to see her and touch her for the first time.

She is a camera hog just like her mom already. I get a camera out and the girl is ready to go for photos.


Stay tuned and we will get a slide show going to showcase her first week in the next few days.

Today is Sunday, we have been home with Addison for a day and a half and we find ourselves constantly just staring at her in wonderment. We've got 3 weeks to figure it out before Scott heads back to work and I am alone with Addy. It's been a lot of years since either of us have spent a Sunday night not preparing for work. Instead, we've spent the evening holding our baby and sharing our joy with you! My parents have been a blessing for us in these last few days -- they've provided us with food, company, and extra arms to hold Addy with when we get tired. :) Thank you so much Mom and Dad!! (or should I say Grandma and Grandpa?) We appreciate all the well wishes and feel really blessed to share this occasion with all of you.

What does the future hold?

Hi All!

Well, Thursday is my due date and so far not much is happening. As some of you know I kept saying I just knew that this baby was going to be early, and she only has a day to two left to prove me right.

We had an ultrasound today to check on her weight. Supposedly she is around 9lbs. Can you believe that? I can, because I am carrying it around with me. I am including a couple more pictures, I continue to grow and grow. These were taken more then a week ago and I swear that I am bigger still.

Tomorrow we will discuss a delivery date with the doctor's office - as it doesn't seem like the baby is going to come on its own at this point. I'll keep everyone posted once we know more details.

Regardless the countdown continues . . . does anyone else hear that Europe song in the background - its the final countdown!

More to come . . .

Odds and Ends

At my doctor's appointment this week things continue to look good, the baby is already weighing in at 7.5 lbs! I am feeling okay for the most part, a little tired from restless and frequently interupted sleep but trying to stay focused on the end result! Only two and half weeks to go - both Scott and I are getting so excited. Our families are excited - it is really the final countdown now. I think I can honestly say we have things pretty well ready to go. (Of course I am sure when we actually bring her home, we will find all kinds of things we needed, didn't need, etc.)

This year I am excited to say that I have decided instead of fighting the fantasy football rage at my house, I am embracing it to the best of my ability. That is right, I have my own league - a pro-pick'em league that I am in with Scott and some other friends of ours. It has helped me to enjoy more of the football talk and TV then I have in the past. Although like always by the end of the year I am sure I'll be ready to see another season done. But I am happy to report to all you women - that right now I am kicking butt against all the boys. I am right up there at the top of the league after the first couple of weeks!! How's that for putting all the useless knowledge I gleen on accident to good use?

Last weekend we hosted Scott's monthly Olympia Poker Tour game and it was quite a bash. Lots of cards, food, drink, etc. The morning after (cleaning time) our youngest pup Cinnamon thought it would be a good idea to check out the left overs, she managed some chips and dip and a few licks at the half empty beer cans. I've included a shot of her up on the new poker table Scott bought off of a friend that makes them as a hobby.

I have to end tonight with giving a thought out to my dearest friend Karen - she got married on Friday! I couldn't be there (they don't let you fly this far along) but I thought about her all weekend. Karen - I hope you enjoyed every second of your special day and I can't wait to hear all about it.

Have a wonderful week everyone!

Latest Dr. Appt.

So today I had my 36 week check-up. Sounds like things are going well despite my continued claim that practically peeing your pants every minute of the day can't be normal.

We had a small surprise when the doctor informed me the baby is breech because the heartbeat is up top of my big belly - but everything turned out fine, it seems Addison's bottom provides the best heartbeat sounds. Go figure.

Supposedly she is about 6 and 1/2 lbs at this point and locked up nice and tight. No indication the little one might like to come a bit early. When I asked the doctor how much more she would grow he said a pound a week - which gave me pause thinking 10 1/2 at 40 weeks seemed a little much. Then he relented and said that isn't really the case - probably another 2 lbs or so. Much more reasonable. :)

I continue to have miserable sleep and the most vivid and crazy dreams. Last night I was in the audience at American Idol auditions and out of no where I began throwing eggs and pencils (?) at contestants. I got into quite a lot of trouble. Don't even tell me what this dream means . . . I am sure I don't want to know.

Anyway, keep checking back there will be an actually baby here at some point. :)

Closing in on 36 weeks . . . and counting

It seems like it has been forever, but my due date is actually getting really close!! In days . . . I only have 33 days! Can you believe that? I am including a couple of pictures of my belly so everyone can see how big I am. I feel huge, and ready to pee my pants at any time. I think she has dropped a bit, because all of a sudden the pressure is different.

This weekend we are getting the suitcase packed and the carseat in the car - just in case. I am still nervous to bring her home (what if we can't handle it) but at the same time I am overwhelmingly excited to meet her and hold her.

Enjoy these silly pics!

Jessica's Baby Shower Slide Show

Make a Free Flash Slideshow

Baby shower picture with the O-town girls!

This is a photo from my baby shower last week -- the O-town girls (Xuan, Tina, and Trisha) had a great turnout, including little Kayla. Thanks so much for coming and sharing this special day!

Our first post!

Welcome to our blog! This is our first post of many...we hope you enjoy the pictures and the updates we give on Addison's arrival. More to come!!!