Mason is officially a big boy!

We have been in denial, but today it all became very real!  As of this morning, he was still in his crib (although he had climbed out before our Disney trip) and was also still napping and sleeping at night with his paci (shame on us).  Today, Mason transitioned into his toddler bed  and finally said goodbye to his wubba aka paci!   It was an easy transition but find myself  a little sad about the reality that he is a truly a big boy now!  A 39 1/4 inch tall. 36.5 lb . 3 year old boy!  Slowwww down!!!

Mase Taking a Snooze

All this Springing ahead has sure made Mase tired  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXhxNtaMICM

Emma is TWO months old!

What is Emma doing at two months?

• Smiling & Cooing
• Sleeping 4-5 hour stretches
• 4-6 oz bottles of formula
• Rolling front to back (every once in a while)
• Loving bath time
• Tummy time on her playmat

Weight: 11 lbs 13 oz 

Height:  22 inches

Head Width:  39 cm

Native Charlottean!

It's Oscar time!

Emma is ONE month old!

Emma went to the doctor for her one-month checkup and is now 9 lbs 11.6 oz and 21 inches long.  Her head is growing too and is now 37.5 cm.  

E has been such a good little girl and so so snuggly.  She has been sleeping for 3-4 hours at a time and is very mild tempered (so different from her big bro).  

Mason loves being a big brother although a little jealous at times.  Time is flying on by and we are loving every second of it!

Click here for more of Emma's birth and newborn photos.

Emma meets a few of her favorites..

Mason came to the hospital to visit with us the day after Emma was born.  He was actually very shy when he first met her and really just wanted to look at her like he is below.  Once we got home, he adjusted pretty quickly but does have fits of jealousy from time to time.  

Mason checking out his baby sister for the first time!

Geema meets Emma

Auntie and Emma

Auntie Rach came for a hospital visit!

"I think it's funny too GaGa"

Ms. Claudia came over for some afternoon snuggles!

Grandpa Gebby and B meet Emma!

GaGa and Pop Pop with their Carolina grandbabies.  <3

Auntie Risa flew down to visit!

"This sleeping thing is exhausting Cammie!"

Newborn Photos with Angela

Click here for more Birth/Newborn photos of Emma.

Emma's Birth Story

New Year's Eve was Emma's "eviction" date meaning if I didn't go into labor by then, then I would have a scheduled c-section at 9:30 am.  We had full intentions of trying for VBAC if I was to go into labor before then.

We were going about our day on December 30th and while laying down for a nap during Mason's nap time, I woke up to find that my water had broken.  Since I had not had any contractions thus far, I didn't think much about it.  After another hour or so, we were eating dinner and my contractions became apparent and were now a consistent 10 minutes apart.  My mom and sister insisted I call the doctor and after speaking with a nurse, they told me to go right to the hospital.  We quickly packed bags, tucked Mason into bed (I cried hysterically saying goodbye to our little man who would no longer be my only love) and off we went.  Contractions were about 7-8 minutes apart when we got to the hospital and I was excited for my chance for VBAC!

We were admitted pretty quickly and they got me all hooked up only to realize I was only 1 cm dilated. This was going to be a long night!  The doctor came in to talk with us and let us know that we would start pitocin in an hour if I wasn't progressing as they would only let me go a certain amount of time with my water broken due to higher risk of infection.  An hour later and nothing, so pitocin it was.  

By 3 am I finally got my epidural but was only 3 or 4 cm.  I felt instant relief until 45 minutes later when the nurses came rushing in and started flipping me all over the place since they could not find baby E's heart on the monitor.  It was the LONGEST 5 minutes EVER but we were back on track (thank goodness) and things were looking good!

The doctors switched at 7 am so around 8 o'clock we checked again and I was still SLOWLY making  progress.  By 2 pm we were still picking up lots of decels on the heart rate monitor and my cervix was now swelling making it feel more like a 7 cm.  After all of that, it was time for a c-section.  

We were prepped quickly and ready to go to the OR.  While they got me ready for surgery and Anthony waited outside, we heard an announcement over the speakers... "Emergency, Emergency".   My doctor came in and told me she was so sorry but had to do an emergency c section next door and to hang tight for 20 minutes or so... she'd be "quick".  Apparently NYE is a popular day to have a baby!  

So there we waited for 25 minutes with Anthony holding my hand and keeping me calm as we listened to music in the OR waiting for baby E to make her debut.  About 10 minutes later another doctor who I had never met came in and told me he would be doing my c section as I had started to spike a fever and likely had developed an infection from being in labor so long after my water breaking. We had to get the baby out now!  After what seemed like forever, Anthony and I heard her cry out and cried tears of joy and relief when we looked up and there she was.  A whopping 6 lbs of perfection! 

Emma Marilynn Valente

Born at 3:46 pm

December 31, 2013

6 pounds 11 ounces 20 inches long

We are so in love and can't wait to take her home and for her to meet her Super Big Brother Mason~

Proud Dada!

Absolute Perfection!

First Kiss! <3 Love at first sight!

Merry Merry Christmas 2013

We wish you a Merry Christmas!

A quick family photo!

Christmas Morning... Mason was a very good boy this year!

Mason loved Santa this year

One more week until Emma arrives!  We are so excited and so READY to meet her!

Happy Turkey Day 2013!

Happy Thanksgiving to all those we love near and far!  We have so much to be thankful for this year and had great time with GaGa and Pop Pop!

Our Thanksgiving Feast was complete with Gluten Free stuffing!  We were "shocked" that Mason didn't eat a thing.  

He did, however, say Amen after we thanked god for our blessings!

Pumpkin Picking with the Tates

So much fun at Aw Shucks Farm!  We met the Tate's for some pumpkin picking and then went out for some pizza.  Fun times had by all!

Fun with friends!

LOVED the tractor!

Mason loved the Grain Bin Slide so much he threw a fit when we had to leave!

Mason goes to School

Mason started school today at Ballantyne Preschool of the Arts.  He had a rough start but they said two minutes after I left having a blast and was so happy to see Geema when she picked him up!

Such a big boy!  Thanks to the Smith gang for this awesome backpack!

OBX with the Q Clan

We had a great time in Corolla with the Q clan!  The green surf board house was all that we had hoped for and more.  The kids had a great time at the beach and the weather was pretty great for us too!  We all can't wait to do it again but next time with two additional kiddos!

Mason and Liv loved building sand castles!

D and Mase enjoying our favorite meal.

Look at his smirk!  They LOVE each other!  <3

Starting them young...

Liv took such good care of Mason when they were filling their buckets for sandcastle building.

The Bary Family came to visit.  Addison, Mason and Liv played soccer on a windy beach day and had so much FUN!

Mason and Dada enjoying all of the Kittyhawk Kites "flying in the sky"

Giving Mamma some love! 

Beach soccer at dusk with Dada!  Mason looks so determined!

"Bye Bye Beach.  See you later."

Mason turns TWO!

Happy Happy 2nd Birthday to our strong-willed, funny, loving, energy-filled and especially handsome little man!  We love you to the moon and back Mason and have brought such joy to our lives since entering the world that amazing August day!

Two Year Stats
Weight: 30 lbs 6 oz
Height: 36" 
Head Width: 51 cm

Mason had a great time celebrating Birthday with a Sesame Street party at the Fieldstone Farm Pool!

Mason checking out Connor's goodies!

Auntie is working hard at Oscar's Tattoo Parlor!

Family hugs with our birthday boy!

Allie, Elmo and Katie going for a walk

Mason and Geema posing for a quick photo.

Pop Pop, Mason, Abby and GaGa saying "cheese"!

Genivieve rockin' her shades!

Mason loves the water!  He spent most of his pool days this summer jumping in the pool over and OVER again for someone to catch!

Ellie giving Grover some love!

Allie and Katie being silly!

Lucky to celebrate with family and friends near and far!