Fun Weekend!

This weekend started out with a trip to Gymboree. I wasn't sure if they'd even have classes for children as young as Paeton but sure enough, they do! We tested out a 0-6 month class Saturday morning and had a great time. We sang lots of songs, played with Gymbo the clown, worked on tummy time exercises including looking in a mirror and feeling different textures and ended the class with bubbles everywhere! The bubble maker they have there makes these amazing bubbles that don't pop when they land. It was so neat to see the room covered in bubbles.

After Gymboree and lunch we came home and filled up Paeton's first pool! I wanted to have a hard shell pool instead of a soft blow up one - believe it or not I found just the perfect one at PetSmart but don't tell Paeton! We sat her in her Bumbo seat and let her splash in the water. She really seemed quite disinterested - more satisfying for her was seeing how long she could stick her tongue out which although didn't provide for the best pictures was still quite cute :)

That evening, Paeton played a lot in her Jumperoo Rainforest "jumpy" seat. She gets really excited when she's in it and likes to listen to the music. The seat is a little big for her so we try to fill it up by stuffing blankets in it. So far, it's worked!

Sunday, we took Paeton to her second Brewer game. It was extremely hot and our seats, unfortunately, were in the sun. We had to keep moving around to keep her happy and out of the sun. It ended up being a blow out so we didn't mind leaving early which turned out to be best for all. Despite the weather, we still had a fun time. We sat near two other moms with little baby girls. Paeton was very intrigued by other "little people" and kept wanting to look over my shoulder to see them. Too cute!


Paeton having tummy time at Gymboree. She loved looking in the mirror!





Paeton and Daddy enjoying tummy time together.


Mega bubbles at the end of class.


Paeton loved watching all the bubbles in the room.


Paeton in her new swimming pool.



Paeton and her tongue - 50% of her pictures are with her tongue hanging out!



Paeton in her Jumperoo - Jump Jump!



Paeton and Daddy at the Brewer game.



Mommy and Paeton sitting in the big mitt at Miller Park.


All 3 of us with a few members of the Racing Sausages!

Paeton Turns 2 Months!

On Sunday July 20, Paeton turned 2 months old. We can hardly believe that two months have gone by already! Paeton now recognizes us when we hold her and loves to smile at us which makes us just melt each and every time. She will follow us in a room with her eyes if we walk away from her. She really enjoys her activity gym and has now started to kick and grab at all the dangling toys above her. She sits upright in her new seat...the baby Bumbo! The one we got even has a tray that goes with it so we can bring it to restaurants and sit her on the table with us. No more laying bored in her car seat :( Here's some pictures of her from this past Sunday - we had a great day and hardly left the house!




Daddy sleeps in Sunday morning...Paeton cuddles with him but is wide awake!

Kona loves to guard Paeton while mommy does her hair and makeup. So cute!

Paeton on her tummy looking darling :)

Our baby girl can lift her head up sooooo big!

Paeton's First Brewer Game

Recently, we took Paeton to her very first Brewer game. We were nervous to see if she'd last through a tailgate and a ballgame but she did wonderfully! We went to the game with our friends Nick and Kelly. Both Jodi's parents and Jodi's godparents were ironically at the same game as well! We had a very relaxing tailgate in the shade and an exciting game which resulted in a win for the Brew Crew.




Nick holding Paeton at the tailgate.

Paeton wearing Kelly's sunglasses during the game - it was bright outside!

Go Brewers!

11 Day Trip to New Jersey - Paeton's First Plane Ride!!

For the last 11 days of my maternity leave, Paeton and I flew to New Jersey to visit with my family. I was nervous about flying with Paeton for the first time and especially, by myself! It turned out just fine - only a few yelps on the plane to wake the sleeping passengers!

Grandpa Marx and Aunt Michelle met Paeton for the first time and got to enjoy each day with her. We did a lot of relaxing, shopping trips with Grandma and enjoyed many visitors. Jodi arrived a few days after I did and enjoyed a very fun trip to New York with my dad to see a Yankees game. He was just thrilled!

Towards the end of our trip, my parent's hosted a 'Meet Paeton' party at their house. We got to enjoy lots of quality time with friends that we hadn't seen in awhile and who hadn't met Paeton yet. We were so happy to see everyone and enjoy the summer vacation.

Paeton napping in her boppy at my parent's house.

Aunt Michelle and Paeton in the pool.

My cousin Nancy and Paeton at the Olive Garden in Princeton, NJ.

Yankee Stadium

My sorority sister Jen holding Paeton.

My friend Amanda holding Paeton at the party.

Days at Home with Paeton

As my maternity leave comes to an end, I thought I'd show some pictures of what we do day to day that I have come to absolutely love and cherish. I try to spend every moment of her 'awake time' playing and interacting with her. Each day, Paeton has gotten more and more alert and playful. She has started to smile and giggle a little (even though I haven't caught this on camera yet!) and I think it's just the cutest thing ever! We do different activities throughout the day so she's not bored. These include long walks in her stroller, tummy time playing, sitting in her bouncy seat, swinging in her swing and of course cuddling (mommy and daddy's favorite).

Paeton is just like her mom in that she loves watching reality tv and reading US Weekly. In fact, her and I both can't wait to see who DeAnna chooses on The Bachelorette and we look forward to seeing the new celebrity babies each week when we read US! She can't wait each night for her daddy to come home so she can cuddle, play and eat with him.

I leave Friday morning for 11 days at my parent's house in New Jersey. Jodi will come on Wednesday to spend the holiday weekend with us. I'll be sure to post pictures and recap our trip when I get back!

Paeton loves tummy time!

Paeton also loves her Rainforest Bouncy Seat!

Just relaxing :)



Daddy with Paeton at the Milwaukee County Zoo.



Getting ready to go outside...her hat is a little too big!

Happy Father's Day!

It's hard to believe that tomorrow we will be celebrating Jodi's very first Father's Day! I know he can't believe it either!!! We are going to Oshkosh for the day to help Jodi's parents move into a temporary home while their new home is being built. They are so excited to be going through the process of designing a new home exactly the way they want it. They have wanted this for a long time and we are really happy for them.


The past few days have been rough. Paeton has not been sleeping (during the day or at night) as well as she was at first. She's been crying a ton and a lot of times I'm not sure what to do...she has a clean diaper on, was just fed and gave a huge burp so I know it's not any of those issues. I'll pick her up...she's fine; I'll put her down...she screams. Ahh...a day in the life of being a mom. I try to not get stressed out when I look around my house and see all the dirty dishes and laundry that I just can't get to. I have to put on a favorite tv show and hold my baby realizing she is worth so much more to me than a clean home.








Posing for a picture for daddy's office.

Our little angel...finally sleeping after a rough day!

Paeton's getting some good "tummy time" to tire her out!

Baby shoes are so darn cute!

Visitors Galore, Paeton turns 2 weeks and Grandma Marx says goodbye :(

Last weekend, Jodi's parents came to visit and spend the day with us and Paeton. Mark helped Jodi get a start on the firepit we've been wanting to build in the back yard which is turning out to be a lot more work than we had thought! They went back and forth to the stone yard several times picking up all the supplies and bringing them to the house. By the end of the day they were exhausted. We grilled out with burgers and all the fixin's that evening for dinner before they left to go home.

On Sunday, our good friends Phil and Lisa stopped by for a visit after the Brewer game to meet Paeton and catch up with us. We enjoyed seeing them and spending a few hours together.

That Tuesday (6/2) Paeton turned 2 weeks old. We went to the doctor in the morning and after her weight dropping the week prior, she was up to 8 pounds. We were so excited!

My mom and I continued the week with running errands and getting lots of little projects done around the house. She has been so much help during the 2 weeks she has been here. She leaves today for NJ and it will be a very sad good bye. I'm not sure what I'm going to do without her!

Grandma Marx and Grandma Ulrich with Paeton.

Grandpa Ulrich holds Paeton for the first time.

Leaving for church on Sunday.

Paeton turns 2 Weeks old!

Paeton taking a nap in her outdoor sun dome on the blanket Grandma Marx made for her.

Paeton's 1 Week Old, Our 1 Year Anniversary!

On Tuesday May 27, Paeton was one week old and we celebrated our 1 year wedding anniversary. It's hard to believe that she's been in our life for a week already. The days literally have flown by with all the adjusting and catching up we've been doing. However, despite all the chaos in the house, Grandma Marx baby sat for us so we could go out to dinner and enjoy a meal with just the two of us in honor of our anniversary. We didn't leave till late that evening because Jodi had to work late. By the end of the meal we were both yawning and ready to go home. I have to admit, I checked my phone several times to make sure Grandma hadn't called with any problems! Jodi told me that evening I have "Mom Syndrome". I'm not sure if there's help for that!

Grandma Marx enjoying every minute with Paeton!

Celebrating our 1 Year Wedding Anniversary

Jodi having some snuggle time with Paeton

Welcome Paeton Violet!

All I can say is what a whirlwind this past week has been! It all started Saturday night (5/17)...contractions. They continued over the course of the weekend and were so bad at times I just knew there was no way I could make it to work on Monday (5/19). I called into work that morning and tried to rest all day but the contractions just kept on coming. They peaked in intestity that night and finally at midnight Jodi and I decided to go to the hospital. After spending 5 hours in the hospital between midnight and 5am, they sent us home due to hardly any progression. I was so frustrated because my contractions were so intense and I felt completely helpless. Luckily I had my final doctor's appointment at 9am so I tried to rest for a few hours even though it seemed near impossible.



When we arrived at the doctor, my contractions were as bad as ever and I couldn't walk into the office. Jodi grabbed the nearest wheelchair to bring me in. Just as they called my name I had a very intense contraction and started crying out of frustration and sheer exhaustion. My doctor checked me right away and said the greatest words I'd heard in a long time..."You're having a baby today!"



We immediately were escorted to the Labor and Delivery wing and checked into the very same room (#12) we'd be in all night long. My dear friend Krista came right away to the hospital after bringing Kona and Brewer to the kennel and picking up lunch for Jodi. She brought magazines to read, comfy pillows from home and most importantly herself. Just having her and Jodi there with me all day helped me to focus through my contractions and rest when I could. She is truly a wonderful friend and Jodi was such an amazing coach.


In the meantime, we had booked a flight for my mom the day before to arrive that very night. Jodi called her continually from the delivery room and put her on speaker phone so she could coach me through my contractions. It was wonderful...I couldn't wait for her to get there! Unfortunately, her flight was delayed twice which didn't get her there till very late that day.


After laboring all day long, our little angel arrived at 11:28pm. She weighed 7lbs, 9.8oz and was 19.5 inches long. She had a huge mop of dark hair and the prettiest skin ever. Jodi and I were just smitten right from the first sight. Krista picked my mom up from the airport and they got back to the hospital just after she was born. We were all so tired but grandma and Krista got to sneak a peak at her for a few moments before they whisked her off to get checked out and cleaned up. At that point I was so starving after not eating all day. The nurses brought me a personal pizza which was just wonderful!


We spent the next few days in the hospital with Paeton recovering and enjoying every minute of being with her. This experience has been so completely amazing and she is worth every contraction and every sleepless night we've had so far. Enjoy the pictures!

A New Cousin for Baby Ulrich!

A new cousin for Baby Ulrich arrived today and we are so excited! Jodi's brother, Ryan, and his wife Laura gave birth to Fern Ulrich in Oshkosh, WI this afternoon. Laura and I have been pregnant for almost the exact same time....due dates that were only 11 days apart!


Ryan and Laura welcomed Baby Fern to their growing family now of 5. Included in the below pictures you will see their daughter Irelyn ("Irie") and their son Leo. May is a huge month for the Ulrich family in general. All 3 of Ryan and Laura's children have birthdays in May with Leo turning 2 and Irelyn turning 4 this month. Jodi and I have not only my birthday in May but hopefully our child's birthday and our wedding anniversary. What a great month for celebration!

I will post a "Baby Cousin" photo of the two new arrivals as soon as I can....so cute!