I think they call this "hand to mouth" :)

Change of address

I don't know why I didn't do this ages ago (...probably because I didn't know I could...) but, The Journey has changed name and address. 

You can now find our family updates at the aptly named "The Daily Bennett"
Please update your bookmarks and sign up for email alerts if you'd like to receive The Daily Bennett as soon as I hit "Publish"!

Open...close

Bennett learned a new trick! And it's his favorite. He can open his
palm, and close into a fist.

Happy Fathers Day

Diner breakfast followed by an afternoon filled with technology
installation. (apple tv). What more could a dad ask for? Happy first
fathers day!

Saturday afternoon and a boys best friend!

Bennett pushing on Daisy and feeling her fur, but Daisy had other
"snuggle" ideas :)

10 weeks!

I can't believe ten weeks have already gone by. Every day brings
something new. At our doc appointment yesterday, Bennett got all gold
stars. He's up to 14 lb, 13 oz, 26-1/2" tall.

Just like his mom

Wait for it... Yup. Our kid's a thumb sucker. It's even the left, just like mom.

Tuckered out!

Bennett's wiped out after his first Mom & Baby yoga class.

Daily Bennett

It could not be a more perfect day. High seventies, no humidity and
leaves to shade. Bennett and I walked to Lawrence St beach to enjoy
the beach, the sparkling lake and perhaps a nap in the shade. It feels
like we're playing hookie!

Grandma tells such good stories :)

An evening with my baby brother!

Daily Bennett

If it's on WSJ, it must be legit

Mommy Thumb effects up to 50% of new moms.  See, not making this stuff up.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703350104575653223648778294.html

Mommy tendinitis

After weeks of pain in my thumbs, I went to a doctor. I have
tendinitis. And got a steroid shot and this awesome splint that I get
to wear 24/7 for the next four weeks. Anyone placing bets on how long
that will last? I'm sure Bennett is going to love it almost as much as
I do.

Smiles!!

Grandma Barbara went to great lengths to get this one!!

What a difference a month makes

Our little monkey is growing up so fast! Here's a side-by-side from 1-week, and today (6 weeks). I knew he was getting bigger, but it's quite dramatic to see side-by-side. We've already packed up a box with what he's outgrown in the first month. Needless to say, that striped outfit is in the box. And before long, the bouncer is going to have to be retired as well.

Milestones of the week:
* He's starting to follow things around with his eyes, especially mom and dad
* He's smiling a lot more, and in reaction to things (instead of just in his sleep)
* He's grabbing and swatting at toys
* He's sleeping through the night without a swaddle or pacifier (yay!)
* He's taking a regular 9a nap (the only reason I'm able to do more than post a photo today!)
* He's eating 6-9 oz a feeding
* He's found his hands and loves to chew on them in the afternoon when he's sleepy
* He's vocalizing, making 'coo's and 'ooh's and a few 'goo's. I even got him to mimic me making monkey 'ooo, ooo, ooo's! That was fun.

Coming up? We're working on tummy time and pushing up with his legs and grabbing things with his hands. In the next few weeks, we're thinking that he'll start to hold himself up on his arms when he's on his tummy. He's close now, but HATES it. We're hoping with a little bit more practice, he'll start to build up his strength and not find it so unpleasant.

Daily Bennett

FEED ME!! (note, he's holding his own bottle, with very little help from dad.

Another A+ checkup

Our little beast jumped off the charts! Although, I doubt anyone is
shocked by that information. At his checkup today, he weighed in at 12
lbs, 2 oz and it now 26" long. Over the 95th percentile in both
measurements. And apparently, the size of a three month old. More
importantly, he's happy and healthy and gets another A+ from the
doctor.

First Documented Smile

May there be many many more.

Repost

Looks like the picture didn't load. Enjoy.

Today is a grand day!

My son smiled at me three times this evening while in my arms. Who
knows what he was really looking at... But I'll say it was his dad.

Have a great weekend everyone.
Pete

Week 3

Out for a walk The sun finally came out. A beautiful day for my
beautiful boy. I can't believe how fast three weeks have gone by
already!

Thought I'd post some morning awake time.

Happy Easter

Bennett is VERY excited about Easter. Hope everyone has a great weekend.

Little beast

Today we had our two week pediatrician appointment, and of course, Bennett passed all of the tests with flying colors. The biggest benchmark was for him to reach his birth weight. And to quote the doc, he's "never seen a baby with a double chin that didn't reach his weight". And boy does our chunker have a double chin. He's actually gained almost a full pound since being released from the hospital just over a week ago. He's officially 9 pounds, 13 ounces. Reaching this benchmark has big implications. The most important being that he can now sleep through the night if he feels like it. So, we'll keep our fingers crossed that he'll continue to sleep like a champ and mom and dad can get some sleep too.

Also, shout out to cousin Noah, who welcomes a baby boy, Dominick Alexander, into this world. Congrats Noah and Raquel! We're so happy for you.

Snow?!

In honor of the snow on the ground this morning, Bennett is rocking a
fleece outfit with penguins.

Yes, I thought that worthy of a blog post.

Aren't I cute?

One Week Old!

Bennett and Dad watch sports center to start the day.

Bennett goes to Starbucks

One happy gramma

We're back from the hospital and Gramma Barbs is loving her new role.

But not before we fix the car seat!!

He was too big for the newborn car seat positions!! We had to take out
the pads and adjust everything to a bigger position. What a chunker!

We're headed home!

Bella Baby Photography

If you know anyone who has delivered at Prentice, then you know about Bella Baby Photography. Our little star had his first photo shoot today, and was quite the ham.

Check out photos online
"View My Photos"
Password: edre0408bennett

The photos will be available online for two weeks.

Introducing

Bennett Alexander Zalinski

We're A-OK

Another healthy check up. They're letting me go all the way. Next doc
appointment is Monday. Think baby thoughts this week!!! We don't want
this kid to keep growing.

An amazing quote!!

An old family friend posted this on Facebook and I'm going to quote her because it so wonderfully applies to how I feel about our impending first born: "April hath put a spirit of youth in everything.”

William Shakespeare.

D-day + 7

The presentation at work yesterday went great, and we celebrated last
night with a movie out. How indulgent!

Today is our doc appointment where they check us out. I'll let you
know how it goes.

Our Worst Fear!!!

D-Day +5: Working from home

After three solid months of putting it off, I finally finished that beastly project I've been complaining about.  I present it tomorrow to the team.

With any real luck, my water will break tonight, saving me from the presentation, but that's overly optimistic.  Let's face it: this kid procrastinates like his mother.

D-Day +4: This sums it up

Waiting, waiting and some more waiting.

Even Daisy is waiting.

(and there's a good possibility that I also could have been napping,

since I don't remember this being taken)

DINK simple pleasure on D-Day +3

Waking up "early" at 8:30 to read the paper with a hot cup of coffee in the sunroom while the husband sleeps in. (or stays in bed watching home improvement shows until he gets hungry enough to emerge...)

Also, shout out to the Colorado Z's. Hope the TreadZ grand re-opening is a grand success! Can't wait to hear all about it! Www.treadzshoes.com or like them on Facebook to see pics of the new store.
(Erin, I'll be calling once my feet are back to normal size!)

Update from the Doc

Today, we went in for our 40 week appointment.  As per usual, we're both doing great.  I'm a whopping 2 cm dilated now.  Exciting news, I know.  It's a jump from the 'loose 1cm' I was last week, but still nothing worth thinking twice about. 

Our doctor has been fantastic through all of this. She's patient, supportive and I never feel like she's rushing out of the office.  She hangs out with us for a while at every visit just chit chatting.  She checks in to make sure I'm doing ok mentally, in addition to the physical stuff, and really understands what we're feeling, and what our plan is for labor.

We'll let you know if there's any more progress as the week continues.  I'm going to be done in the office on Friday, and will work from home next week if the baby still hasn't come.  I'm saving every possible paid day off for after the baby arrives!

Now, you might be curious to see how long I can possibly stay pregnant.  The answer is - as long as another two weeks.  We scheduled the 41 week appointment for next Wednesday, where they do an ultrasound, measure the amniotic fluids and monitor his heart rate for an hour to make sure it's all 100% normal.  If there is any sign that he's not happy as a clam, then they'll induce me.  If he's doing fine, they'll let me go for another few days.  Then, on 4/11, I go in for another visit.  if he's still camped out, they'll plan to induce me on the 12th, one day shy of 42 weeks. 

So, unless you hear otherwise, those are the next key dates to keep in the calendars:  4/6 (The appointment is in the afternoon).  and then 4/11 (mid-day).  Fingers crossed I don't go that long, but it's a possibility.  Part of me is glad that the doc is taking this approach.  It reinforces their support in letting me do things naturally, and makes me feel safer, knowing that they aren't drug pushers, attempting to keep things on schedule.  She feels strongly that it's easy for everyone if labor happens naturally, and while I'm not the biggest fan of waiting around, I agree with her and want to let my body do what it was made to do. 

Until then, we're holding steady, looking forward to the big announcement.  Thanks for all of your love, patience and support.  We're hanging in there!

40 weeks!!!

Come on Baby Z! We're ready whenever you are?

Effective

Now I get laughter and head shakes instead if the question. Much more
effective, and not nearly as annoying!!

Time/Space Continuum

I just realized that the baby is due 'the day after tomorrow'. 

How often has that expression been used to talk about a coffee date, or the day the cleaning lady comes, or even a vacation that you've been looking forward to taking.  But in reference to having your first child, it's a bit surreal.  Especially after all of these months of referencing 10 weeks, 20 weeks, 30 weeks.  Forty weeks?  The day after tomorrow.  That's just weird. 

We had another weekend filled with mindless activities to keep ourselves busy.  Friends came over last night with a two month old, so Z got to at least scratch the "I want the baby NOW!" itch by holding her.  Let me tell you - it's much harder to hold a sleeping child on my fully formed preggo belly.

Back at work today, I've actually started working on my Beastly Project in earnest.  I might actually be able to make the presentation this week.  (We'll see if I can stay motivated as my energy and attention wanes).  I got a whopping 3 hours of sleep last night, and my eyes burn already.  Wish me luck getting through the day! 

xo L

Baby watch 2011: still no baby

We had our fingers crossed for some baby action this weekend, but
despite hours walking around doing errands, bouncing on exercise
balls, and lots of spicy food, he's still camped out in his climate
controlled aqua suite.

Returning to work tomorrow is going to be rough. There will be loads
of "Are you kidding me?! You're still here!?" commentary, which you
know I love. Even Z is getting it as his job.

What can I do but buckle down and finally do that one last project
I've been deliberately avoiding. (we'll see if I can actually get it
done...) and after weeks of winding down his work load, Z's been added
to new projects again, just to keep him busy. Our bosses are ready to
kick us out!

Z put it perfectly yesterday. We feel like the actual pregnancy ended
two weeks ago when I hit 38 weeks. Now, we just wait until he shows up
to his own birthday party.

If you have a countdown going:
* 4 days (including today) to due date
* And the doc says she'll wait until April 12 to induce.

So, baby is guaranteed to come some time in the next 16 days. Stay
tuned. The waiting game continues!

Healthy Check up

The doc says we're healthy.  And he's still bottoms up.  I'm no closer to 10cm than I was last week, but at least we're both still doing well. 

On the positive side?  Now that I've dropped, I can pull the panel all the way back up on my maternity pants without cutting off circulation to my lower half.  Thanks Baby. 

39 Weeks: With a little perspective

As many of you know, I'm in a book club that meets once a month.  It's a great group of women and since we only see each other in monthly intervals, there is always a lot to catch up on.  Last night, I went out in attempts to shake off my mood.  As I looked around the room, I had a dose of perspective as we all caught up on our stories.  Turns out, I'm not the only one waiting. 

* Lori - Has had tarps and buckets in her living room for months, waiting for roof construction to be finalized in her brand new condo.  Just after she closed, over a year ago, there was a sudden storm that exposed serious roof damage and flooded her new apartment. She had to endure the entire winter in a demo site, repairing floors, interior walls and other damages costing thousands.  To make matters worse, she can't fix the ceilings until the roof repairs are complete, so the tarps and buckets remain.
Good News Update:  The roof repairs have finally been finalized, and she'll be ready to start her internal renovations before it's her turn to host book club!

* Brittany - Had to sit in the waiting room at Children's Hospital for over 3 hours, waiting for her 18 month old to come out of a major surgery to correct structural damage to her hands and feet.
Good News Update:  The surgery was a success and within two days, little Reagan was back to her resilient self, despite the casts on both of her hands and one of her feet.

* Katy - Has been trying to sell her family's home for almost two years.  With a 5 and 2 year old.  Can you imagine having to keep things clean, organized and 'show'-ready for that long with two young children?
Good News Update:  At the open house last weekend, they received not one but TWO offers and have accepted one of them.  Fingers crossed for a successful closing.

* Susie - Has finally met a man she wants to marry after 34 years of the wrong guys.
Good News Update:  They are moving in together next month!!

* Me?  Feels kind of silly for being so upset about waiting for something as special and important as our first child.  Thanks for all of your words of support and wisdom yesterday.  I certainly needed it. I head to the docs today for my weekly check-up.  Hopefully, we both continue to be healthy and on track... regardless of when the little guy decides to be born.
Good News Update:  TBD!    

7 Days to go until D-Day.  Fingers crossed he doesn't show up late to the party. 

Are we there yet?

A general public service announcement:  I'm in a foul mood.  And have been for days.  Consider yourself warned. 

All of those weeks and months of feeling great are behind me.  I think my body some how stored all of those crazy pregnancy hormones and is releasing them now en masse.  Everything is setting me off and it takes ages to snap out of it.

It's been gloomy and gray for the past few days and I think that has something to do with it.  But really, I think it's that I'm fed up with the waiting game.  I could deal with the waiting if I felt great.  But I don't.  For weeks I've been experiencing early labor pains, but they aren't getting any worse, and they aren't doing anything to kick off labor.  Every afternoon contractions start, but they don't build or get any more painful, so I go to bed.  Then, by the time I wake up in the morning, they're gone.  It's so frustrating to never know what's coming.  And dealing with the excitement/anticipation, and the subsequent let down on a daily basis has a significant effect on my outlook. 

By the time I get out of bed, I'm fielding questions, text messages, emails and calls asking how I feel.  It's great to know that there are so many people who are anticipating this baby as much as we are, but the daily reminders about how little progress has been made is making me crazy.  It's been 6 weeks since people started saying "Any day now!?"  It's three strikes against me before I even start my day.  And to make matters worse - there's no part of me that doesn't hurt.  I'm sore from tip to toe. 

Luckily, the replacement that they hired for me at work started two weeks ago and is fully up to speed.  But that leaves me with little to do during business hours but show up and pretend to look busy.  Have you ever tried to kick a bad mood when you're bored to tears?  It's not easy.  The only project I have left is a giant painful one that I really don't want to do.  And knowing that I could (possibly) go into labor at any moment isn't great motivation to get it going.

Silver Lining:  my doctor reminded me last week that I won't be the first person to stay pregnant forever.  The baby WILL come.  When he feels like it.  I just have to focus on that, and stop obsessing about when. 

So that's it.  I apologize for being cranky.  And I appreciate your love and support through all of this.  One of these days, you'll get The Call, but until then, keep your fingers crossed that I don't have to wait until 41 weeks to deliver this child. 

DINK weekend

How did we spend our baby-free weekend?

Yoga
Run through trader joes in 20 minutes
Quick stop for tacos to go
Dog park
Spring cleaning & laundry
Drop off the dry cleaning

Last night, A movie with girl friends (her) and march madness with the boys (him). 

And, today? We watched not one, not two, not even three but FOUR movies in our streaming Netflix queue. And I even managed to knock off a book this morning before the movie marathon started. 

Now, try doing all of that in a weekend with a newborn!

Sent from my iPad

Her Side

Isn't my husband sweet?

Now, of course - I'm disappointed that a weeks worth of contractions have amounted to nothing, but instead leaving the office wanting to rant, we left with a dose of perspective. (Our doctor is fantastic). And I needed it. No more being annoyed with getting up in the middle of the night... I'll knock out a few more pages in my book. No more being bored at work... I'll wrap up that last project that I've been procrastinating on (that's been hanging over my head). Bring on the birthday parties we have planned for this week... it's going to be one of the last times we can go to a bar without a time limit!

Another thing that I've been overlooking? The simple fact that this is the last time in our lives that we'll be children free. Forever. And while I feel like a moose and am sore in every joint and muscle, I can still do what I want, when I want, how I want. (Yes - for the last time, it's still ALL ABOUT ME!)

So, instead of rushing through these final days in anticipation, I'm going to enjoy our DINK status while I can and let Baby come when he's ready. Patience has never been my particular brand of virtue, but I can change my perspective and treasure a few more selfish days of enjoying our life, and our freedom pre-baby.

Who knows. Maybe he'll see how much fun we're having out here and decide to show up!

Look How Beautiful!!!

After today's doctor's appointment there is no progress to announce other than Leah and Baby are all perfect and healthy. I will venture to say that the doctor and I agree that Leah is blessed with a wonderful pregnancy. I am so proud of my wife and so lucky to have such an amazingly attractive love of my life carry our first born.

ISN'T SHE SO CUTE AND FASHIONABLE?!

38w + 1d and counting

Update:

As you know, we're into 38 weeks and the baby can come at any time. Unfortunately, he's choosing to not. We had some stirrings to start of the week, but they haven't progressed in any actionable way - so the waiting game starts anew.

Now, I know you're all anxious for The News. Trust me, I understand the feeling. We're so excited to meet the little guy already, but he, apparently, is on Uncle Mikey time and will show up when he's good and ready.

Thanks for all of your sweet notes and calls, etc. checking in. It's nice to know that our closest family and friends are looking forward to meeting the newest Zalinski/Selwyn-Baker as we are.

In attempts to move things forward, we're trying every trick in the book (except the Castor Oil, YUCK!) And I've even gone so far as to continue to book up our social calendar. My hope is that the plans will serve as a jinx to trick the baby into coming early... but if that doesn't work, at least we'll be entertained instead of sitting around the house waiting.

I have my next weekly docs appointment tomorrow. Hopefully, our week of "hurry-up-and-wait" has moved us in the right direction. If I'm still only 1cm dilated, expect a rant to soon follow.

Everyone send good baby ju-ju out there for us. And keep your fingers crossed for good news SOON! xo

Cleared for takeoff!

The doc gave me the ok to go to Michigan. Union Pier, here we come!!!
(she's doing the "Michigan hand" if you don't recognize it)

17-27-37

17 Weeks - 27 Weeks - 37 Weeks

How fast time has gone by.

I'm ready for the little guy whenever he decides to make his appearance,

(although - I'd love to be able to go to Michigan this weekend!)

One last hurrah in Union Pier before we become PARENTS!!

Ding!

37 Weeks! He's officially full-term.

Bed time for the little monkey

Thanks Aunt Em for the darling bedding set. Our little monkey will
sleep like a jungle king in his new crib. (don't worry if you're
anti-bumper... He'll be sleeping in the co-sleeper bassinet in our
room until he's a little older.)

Baby Z's first Bulls Game

We went to the Bulks/Heat game last week. It was thrilling! We had
great seats and Derrick Rose handed it to LaBron James. Baby Z loved
all of the noise and the excitement. Added bonus? Kanye West was
sitting court side. He's the second one in (next to the red head) on
the left side of the court. You could see his hold watch sparkle from
where we were sitting.

Daisy's getting ready

Daisy loves all of the soft baby things. We've been working hard all
weekend getting ready for the baby. It's insane how much laundry we
have already!! But at least we can rest easy. The car seat is in and
the hospital bag is packed. I can't believe it's March tomorrow. We're
into the final count down.

Parents of the Year

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> As we get closer to our due date, here's a nice reminder of what NOT to do.
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> Enjoy...Parents of the Year
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