Grandma Time!

Both Grandma Bartels and Grandma Wallsch have gotten a chance to spend quality time with their new grandaughter. Grandma Bartels came over and watched Violet so that John and I could sneak off to a movie for my birthday. It was so nice to be out just the two of us but I was anxious to get back to her - now if I could just convince family to help out with Violet's late night "Very Awake Time" =)

Grandma Wallsch was able to come for a few days from Madison - it was soo nice to have an extra set of hands so I could do some of my favorite things - Shower / Potty / Eat.... hahahh Grandma & Grandpa Wallsch will be coming for another visit in Jan - I've already been warned that the "Grandpa's" are going to spoil Violet - teach her all sorts of stuff & when she is old enough she will learn all there is to know about A&W Ice Cream Floats. Too cute!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

Just wanted to post a quick picture of our family - I'll post an update very soon!

Xmas Pics

Here are some more pictures from last week:

Snapfish

We had to take a couple pictures for the Christmas cards, but it ended up being more hassle than we thought it would. There is only a limited window where Violet isn't eating, sleeping or crying. We had to wait until she was settled down and not being fussy, then change her outfit, settle her down again, and hope she didn't want to close her eyes and go back to sleep while we were snapping photos. I think we got couple good pictures (see the link above) out of the 40 or so we took.

A little update - Two Weeks

Well I can say John and I have survived being parents for over two weeks.

The pediatrician at our two week appointment said she looks perfect - she does have her nights and days mixed up but she was also very active in the womb at night too - the Dr. said she will take some time to adjust but nothing to be concerned about.

Violet has defiantly been a new adventure for us and we are soo enjoying all the special details about her. When she is feed and has gotten a good nap in, she is very alert and full of different facial expressions. We have started to call her "Little Houdini" because she does not like to be wrapped up and prefers to have her hands up near her face. (*You can imagine how feedings go when you have two arms blocking you.)

Besides my lack of sleep I'm feeling great and I'm enjoying being at home. John has been awesome with Violet and helps out as much as he can, I can tell he misses her when he is at work.

We will post more later - look for our Christmas Card - coming soon to all.

Home

Someone was not very happy when I took this picture....

I've posted more (and happier) pictures here:

Snapfish

Tona & Violet were given a clean bill of health by the pediatrician, so they were able to come home on Wednesday. Tona has been feeling better everyday, so much so that I have to tell her to take it easy and make sure she isn't pushing herself too hard. We both have been trying to sleep as much as we can, but I seem to getting more naps in than Tona.

Violet is doing well and is doing all the normal things a newborn does. We think she has her days & nights mixed up because she likes to wake up around midnight and stay up until 4am. We are hoping this will be just a short phase. Being at home with her the last couple days, I think we are starting to pick up on some of her habits and personality. She DOES NOT like to have her arms restrained. No matter how tight we bundle her, she will kick and squirm to get her arms and legs free. It's like a mini-Houdini. She won't cry when changing her if we get her while she is still sleepy. It's strange how finding out about little things like that make it so much fun to be a parent.

We would like to thank everyone for the great gifts we've received in the last week! We appreciate everything and it makes us (and Violet) feel very loved. If anyone wants to stop by, just give us a call as we are usually here.

I also wanted to apologize to everyone who has tried to call or email in the last week that I haven't got back to. With taking care of the kid, trying to finish the basement, and starting back at work, all of my spare time I have been sleeping and neglecting my phone.

Violet's 2nd Day

I will add an update tomorrow with more pictures, but I have had some problems with my computer, so it is taking longer than expected. I did take a short video of Violet when she was two days old that should be posted here.

Quick Update

Tona did not have to have the blood transfusion yesterday. She felt good enough to walk and her fever went away, so they felt there was no reason to have the procedure. Tona has been feeling much better and we are both ready to come home.

Both Violet and Tona have been taken off their IV's and are finally able to move around freely. It was nice to not have to hear all the different machines and pumps while we were trying to sleep last night. Due to everyone being healthy, we should be able to come home tomorrow.

If people would like to visit, we would ask that they either come tonight while we are here at Woodwinds, or wait until Friday. Tona would like a couple days at home to rest and recuperate from her surgery. We like having visitors (seeing as we have been cooped up in a hospital room for almost a week), but just call before stopping over.

Day 2

I finally got to hold Violet this morning! They let me try to feed her, but she was feeling too snuggly and wanted to sleep instead. I tried a bottle first, but she wasn't too interested, so I took some breast milk on my finger and tried to get some into her mouth. She clenched up her lower lip and went back to sleep. She looked exactly like Tona when she did that.

Tona is feeling and looking better this morning. She might have to have a blood transfusion soon as she lost quite a bit of blood in the surgery yesterday, but her temperature is back to normal and the hives are starting to go away. She will just have to take it easy for the next couple days.

Evidently, Tona got to breast feed in the middle of the night. I was sleeping a foot away from her and missed the whole thing. Violet took very well to the feeding and Tona was VERY happy she got to hold her daughter.

I've posted more pictures on Snapfish this morning. I apologize that you have to register to see the pictures, but Yahoo Photos closed down and I had to post them somewhere.

http://www2.snapfish.com/share/p=24631196697573758/l=329340500/g=114741814/otsc=SYE/otsi=SALB

Violet Mae Bartels

It's been a long couple days. But was all worth it.

This morning Tona had dilated to 4cm, and everything was looking good. She got to 8-9 cm by 11am, but ended up staying there until 3:30pm. She also started running a high temperature and started shaking. The doctor was concerned that she had an infection, and that she still wasn't fully dilated 22 hours after her water broke. We then decided to do a c-section. It was a little hard to hear after 3 full days of labor. They got the staff ready very quickly, and before you know it I was gowned up and watching the surgeons cut open my wife.

At 4:52 pm, Violet Mae Bartels was born. She was 8 lb 9oz., and was 21" long. She did not cry after being pulled out, which caused some concern for the doctors. I just thought that she was tough like her mom. The doctors let Tona hold her for a second, then took her away to get her on some antibiotics. Both her and Tona are healthy and are resting to get better.

Violet is right across the hall from us, but since Tona is on bedrest, she can't go see her yet. I think Tona is a little sad that I've been to see her 6 times already, but they are going to let her breastfeed tomorrow morning, so she will feel better then.

I just wanted to thank everyone who had called or sent messages. It means alot for us and our new family!

PS. I will post more pictures when I get time tomorrow.

Waiting for Violet (Day 2)

Tona was induced again today, with really not much to report. She is still at 2cm, but at 75% thinned, which is supposed to be pretty good. Because of that, the doctor broke her water about an hour ago. If all goes well, Violet should be with us by tomorrow.

Waiting For Violet

Tona developed hives over this past week that got progressively worse. The doctor felt it would be better if they induced early so she wouldn't have to suffer until Violet was born. We went in last night to the hospital, and they started inducing early this morning. Her contractions are around 4 minutes apart, but she is only dilated 2cm. They took her off the drugs and are letting her rest tonight so she can try again tomorrow. I also told Violet not to come out today so she wouldn't have to share her birthday with Pete.

Tona is doing great and both her and the kid are healthy. It's just going to take some time for her to come out. We brought a bunch of DVD's and books to keep us entertained, so it hasn't been too bad so far. We are staying at Woodwinds hospital, which is considered one of the best in the cities, and I can see why. The staff are friendly and helpful, and the facilities are great.

We do not have access to the internet at the hospital, and we are supposed keep our phones off, so it will be hard to keep in touch with people for the next couple days. I just wanted to let everyone know how much we appreciate your phone calls and messages, and helping us out with Frank & Brute. I have to head back to the hospital, but I will post more when I can.

Bed Rest

Tona was put on bed rest by her doctor yesterday due to signs of pre-eclampsia (or toxemia). There is not much she can do other than taking it easy, keeping her feet up, and having the baby. Other than that, everything is going well with the pregnancy. Violet is in the right position for birth and her head is down. She hasn't dropped yet, but we think it will be soon. The doctor also thinks that she is average weight, but might be a long baby. She also thinks that she is going to come sooner than later. That would be great for Tona, but I am hoping that she waits until after Dec. 1st so I can go to the Vikes-Lions game.

I think I just jinxed myself.

Tona @ 36 Weeks

Here is Tona at 35 weeks. The due date is coming up quickly, but we are all ready to go. I have my bag packed, and we've also made over two weeks of dinners and put them in the freezer. Tona is hoping Violet wants to move out early as she feels she can't possibly grow any bigger. Unfortunately, that is what Tona said at the end of July.

Bathroom Complete!

I finally finished the remodeling of the main upstairs bathroom. I'm afraid to say that I started on it over a year ago, but I am glad to have it behind me.

Now I just have to finish the basement....

Nosy Noserson

This is what I have to deal with when I am trying to work on the computer:

Halloween Party

Tona & I went out to Jamie & Melinda's for a Halloween party this past Saturday night. I went as Dick Enrico from 2nd Wind Sports (see this site if you don't know who he is: http://www.2ndwindexercise.com/) and Tona went as a ladybug.


Here's Joe as Larry Craig.

Paul & Michelle Hemming - Wedding Day!

Awesome friends of ours got married two weekends ago... it was an intimate ceremony with family & then a beautiful reception downtown Minneapolis for friends and family. It was nice to have an excuse to dress up and enjoy a night out with our friends. I can defiantly say I have not danced that much in a really long time & my feet were defiantly sore the next day. Here are a few pics from that night. (*sorry about the red eyes)

The happy couple are honeymooning in Hawaii!

33 Weeks - Wow time is flying!

I can't believe how fast the time is going - soon our little Violet will be here. I can defiantly tell the "nesting bug" is kicking in again. I have been trying to put away all the baby "goodies" that we have received so far & making the nursery ready for baby. I think I have rearranged the room three times now. I have to admit this pregnancy has been very nice - there isn't much that I can complain about. I am now just starting to feel more achy but other then that things are going very well. Violet has been a very active baby so John has had alot of opportunities to feel her move around and kick me. He says " She is "Feisty like her Mom" =) It's been fun trying to imagine what her personality will be like. It has also been fun to see how anxious & excited John is about becoming a Dad. =) He has been diligently working on our house projects, trying to get things finished before baby comes. We will post pics of our new bathroom soon! He has done an amazing job, and I can't wait for my first bubble bath. =) We will post more pics soon!

Madison Baby Shower

Sorry everyone - we misplaced our camera connector to post pics.
A few weeks back my mom hosted my first baby shower for Violet - it was nice to be home and to catch up with family and friends I don't get to see very often. The shower was amazing and I can honestly say Violet is already spoiled! Here are a few pics from the party. Thanks again Mom!

Julie was kind enough to send us a picture from a housewarming party we went to a couple weeks ago. I guess Violet won't be a test-tube baby after all!

Busy Month

It's been a busy month and we haven't had much time to update our blog. We also lost all of our pictures since mid-August, so there was not much to put on the site.

Labor day weekend we spent up at my 50th Phi Kappa Tau Reunion, up at Michigan Tech. It was a fun relaxing weekend, and it was great catching up with old friends. Joe has pictures up from that weekend on his site (see sidebar).

Last weekend Joe & I met up with Chuck at Tech for Todd Brassard's wedding. It was a fun wedding. I did have one too many fishbowls the night before.

We've also spent most of the last month trying to get projects finished up around the house. Here is what we got finished:
- The main bathroom sheetrocked, primed, painted, and have most of the electrical in.
- The basement has been sheetrocked and primed.
- The driveway has been refinished.
Tomorrow I will be putting the vinyl flooring into the bathroom, and Saturday I hope to get the toilet in. We're trying to get the bathroom and basement finished before Violet moves in. I'll put some pictures up when the projects are complete.

I am also having a hard time getting Tona to pose for pitures of the belly. I guess I will have to tell Violet that she was a test tube baby, since there will be no proof that her mom was pregnant. Poor Violet....

John

Luau '07

I'm finally getting pictures from Luau up on our site (even though it was three weeks ago). Julie also has pictures from that night here:

http://juliebartels.shutterfly.com

Violet's Room

I've gotten a few requests to see what Violet's room is going to look like ... this is what I've come up with soo far. (*I've also included a new photo to show you how round I've gotten - 23 weeks)

Minnesota Bridge Collapses - Tragic Event

Tragedy too close to home ... we were alerted around 6:00 last night that the bridge leading to downtown Minneapolis that travels over the Mississippi river had collapsed. There had been some light construction on the roads leading up to the bridge for general upkeep ... no one expected this to happen. Our TVs and radios are full of stories from survivors and emergency officials ... all are just in shock as if this was just a terrible nightmare. We fortunately do not go over that bridge much during the work week and our family and friends have all been accounted for. This has been a very unreal event and will be a long road of recovery not only for the families that were affected but just to rebuild the bridge. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those families.

Luau Coming Up!

Just a reminder that Luau '07 is coming up this weekend. I thought I would share some pictures from Luau's past.

Kiddie Pool

Tona & I went out & got a kiddie pool this past Saturday for Frank & Brute (and me). Frank isn't too sure about going in, but Brute loves it.

Big Bruise

This is what happens when you disagree with Tona.

(*Tona's version) - this is what happens when your wife comes to watch you play softball and you try to catch the ball with your leg. =)

Tona @ 19 Weeks

It's a Girl!

Now Lucy will have a cousin to play with. Tona & I went in for her 19 week check up and ultrasound today. We found out that the baby is healthy, all the correct parts are there, and that we are having a Girl. We have also picked out a name for her, Violet Mae. It's hard calling the baby "it or kid" for 9 months, so it was nice to finally give her a name. We have also posted some pictures from the ultrasound. The 3-D pictures made Tona & I nervous as it makes Violet look like an alien, but it is cool nonetheless. Only 5 more months to go!

Christiane & Lucy

Here is a pic of one of my favorite mommy's holding our newest niece... she is such a doll & has John and I totally excited about becoming parents ... Love ya Lucy!!

John and Tona

I just noticed we didn't have a picture up of us... this was a pic we took while visiting Michigan for Dylan & Andrea's wedding . Say Cheese!!!

Active Kid

Tona finally felt the baby kicking late last night. It was pretty strong, so I got to feel it too. Evidently, the kid was trying to show off as he/she kept the kicking up this morning too. I think we have a soccer player in training.

Frank

Tona & I cought Frank in the backyard yesterday waiting under the large maple watching the squirrels run around. Since he wasn't paying attention to us, we were able to get some photos.

Doctor Visit - 15 Weeks

Tona went in for a check-up yesterday and we are happy to report that everything is going well. The baby's heartbeat was 152 bpm and sounds very strong. I am getting the feeling that the baby is a girl, but our family thinks it will be a boy. Either way, we will find out on July 12 when we go in for our 19 week check-up.

I am trying to post some pictures of Frank, but he doesn't like cameras so he turns into a ninja and disappears when he sees one. All the pictures we have of Frank look like an orange blur. I will work on getting a good picture this weekend.

Family Member - Brute

We can't have a blog about our family without including a picture of Brute.

Ultrasound at 12 Weeks

Tona & I are just starting to get this blog together. We are hoping to start posting pictures soon, including baby pictures and any other updates we might have. To start off, here is a picture of Tona's first ultrasound (taken at 12 weeks). The due date is set right now at December 5th, but that could change depending on our 20 week visit.