Snowball loves Jeremy

The funny thing about Snowball is, LATELY whenever Jeremy cries, she has to come and see what is going on. I was looking through the different videos I found this one. She has now adopted Jeremy and wants him to know that she is there for him. When he cries, she will lick his face to tell him it is ok. When she sees something of his, she will make sure that she rubs on it to let him know she is there when he needs it.

As long as she doesn't try to feed him...we are ok!

(and don't try to pet her when she is rolling on Jeremy's blanket)

Jeremy makes his first political statement

So, officially yesterday Jeremy was able to make his first political statement by joining the party of BALD IS BEAUTIFUL. Yup...I have told him since he was born that chicks dig the bald guys. With the Hartke family hairline, I am proud as a father that he has embraced his future.

Rock on Jeremy...rock on.

Jeremy says HI!

Jeremy was in a one of his talkative moods while mommy was in school, so we thought that we would record a message for everyone. Now...Jeremy has gotten to the point where he is talking (only in language that mommy and daddy understand), but he sometimes gets camera shy as you will see.

So, HEY from all of us!

NINJA JEREMY!

Ok...it has been a while and I (Matt) have been catching flak for not updating this. Sorry...things have been busy. BUT you will be happy to know that Jeremy's favorite thing to do in daddy time is to play Ninja Jeremy. It is fast becoming a requested game by those students in the Youth Ministry as Jeremy displays mad punching power as well as a ridiculous amount of stealth as he can sneak in through unlimited cuteness to attack his prey without being seen as a threat. He is already a champion as you can see by his gloves. Be afraid. Be very afraid.

He's too cute not to share!

Jeremy has gained a COLOSSAL 1.5 pounds and has grown a full inch over the last week! As you can see from the pictures...it is quite possible that he broke the cuteness scale when weighed.

After much anticipation and the plethora of questions about when Jeremy will make his public debute in cold Indiana, the date has been set! Jeremy will be baptized on February 10th after the 10:45 service (and Grandpa can do it!). The countdown is on...and now it is time for a diaper change.

Much love!

M&M&J

CLEAN!

Today was the big day...BATH DAY!!! After a good breakfast, Jeremy didn't know what to think about his new bathing experience. So what did he do? He had to think about it. Jeremy didn't cry ONE TIME. The trick to this new miraculous method of parenting perfection you ask?

A SPACE HEATER!!!

(Mommy had to strike the Jeremy pose after it was all done)

Thumb sucking and the first night...

Not real sure what to make of this...but, apparently Jeremy is part of the whole NEW AGE thumb sucking techniques. I (Matt) have learned that I am old. Where are the days of the "ball up your fist and stick the thumb in your mouth" method gone? Apparently, I have a lot to catch on to.

First at home night in the books. Was restless for the first half of the night. He didn't want to sleep in the cradle, so Misty took him to the family room where he slept on mommy for a couple hours. When Matt WOKE UP (fell asleep at the first feeding) and took Jeremy to the family room, he went to sleep for about 4 hours (after screaming for the first 30 minutes...but that was a test of will. Jeremy is already playing games with my emotions).

So...any advice out there on what Matt is supposed to do other than falling asleep on Misty as she feeds Jeremy? Problem is, after i fall asleep...i don't hear Jeremy scream for a couple hours unless I am holding him. Any dad (or CONSTRUCTIVE *aka* "not make fun of Matt because he snores"...chick) advice out there? Hook a brother up...

(Jeremy is still ridiculously cute)

Homecoming and siblings

We FINALLY were sent home on Wednesday (at about 4:30 in the PM). After much anticipation, Jeremy was introduced to his brother and sister. Tiger was curious, but not curious enough to care(still doesn't). Snowball...well...she wasn't all that excited about the whole screaming, attention grabbing, bundle of something smaller than her. She wasn't impressed.

Later on, Matt was able to hold Jeremy for a while. When Snowball saw this, she made her statement as to WHO was daddy's favorite. I haven't had the chance to talk to her yet...so that conversation will have to wait with Snowball.

(Snowball says hi Alli)

JEREMY!

Jeremy Wade Hartke made his appearance on Monday, January 14th at 2:09am weighing in a 6 pounds, 15 ounces and measuring 19.5 inches. He is very strong (doc said so...but Matt was standing behind him so could have been due to intimidation) and is CUTE! Yup...we were worried about having the "not-so-cute" baby. But we didn't...he is officially cute!

Mom is doing well. In some pain, BUT she is one to stay on the legal drugs WAY before the pain hits. Jeremy and mommy had a rough night of getting used to the feeding frenzy...and the father figure slept through most of it (*edit...Misty says snoring) (**edit...Matt wants proof) (***edit...Jeremy has no comment)

Thanks for the prayers and love!

M&M (+J)

38 Weeks!

38 Weeks today! Due date is only 14 days away, so really...we just wait! I started feeling significantly larger a few days ago, and now comparing this picture with last weeks picture, I think my shape has definitely changed about. I don't feel like Jeremy has dropped though, but something sure is different!

37 Week Belly Shot

Here is 37 weeks exactly!! I don't have anything exciting to add to this post, as I just posted the nursery pictures. Sorry.

Nursery Pictures

The nursery is complete! Here are some pictures I took to share. As you can see...Winnie the Pooh is the theme.

I'm not sure of the style we are achieving as we have light brown, medium brown, dark brown and white furniture. But, we used what we had and the crib was given to us by a friend. That sure helps on the cost of things!

Matt and I bought the glider last night using money that people have been giving us. The box wouldn't fit in my car though, so we had to stand out in the parking lot in the freezing cold, opening the box and putting all the separate parts in my car. It was pretty funny.

Today we also undertook the task of installing the car seat. To our dismay, the convertible car seat will not fit in my car in the rear facing position. Matt and I are too tall and have to have our seats back, and that didn't allow for the baby seat to recline to the proper position. So, well use it when it's time to face forward. So we went back to the store today and got a car seat with a base and installed it instead. My bags are packed for the hospital, so I guess all we need now is our baby!

Someone is going to be jealous!

I think that Snowball is going to have a rough adjustment when Jeremy arrives. Matt is hers. She owns him. She does not share him with anyone or anything. This is one of her favorite spots to lay. I think Matt and I just need to come to an understanding...I hold Jeremy, he holds snowball.

35 Week Belly Shot

Here is 35 weeks exactly! From the side it looks like my Belly Button is popped out. It isn't, that little bump is just the top flap sticking out a little bit.

We had a Dr. Appointment today. All is well. I've gained 4 lbs, but, I think that it is at least 2 pounds of water. If you look at my feet....they are nice! The top picture is "normal" feet. The bottom picture is my "cankles", as Matt likes to call them.

I can't believe that my countdown to the due date will be in DAYS, not Months very soon! It doesn't seem
time should be going so fast!

Baking at the Hartke House

This year, I decided to go domestic, and bake! I thought since we are on a tight budget, it would be nice to make some little treat baskets to share with out friends. So, today Matt baked his world famous Chocolate Chip Cookies, but they came out a little flat. He blames the butter. I baked 4 dozen Gingersnaps, but the shortening was bad and they tasted HORRIBLE (and smelled bad too). So, I made 4 dozen more with a new recipe that used butter instead of shortening, and they are quite yummy! I also made 4 dozen Snickerdoodles, two batches of chocolate fudge, two batches of chex mix (I had accidentally turned the oven off on the first batch, so it was a little soggy). As a special request from Matt, I also made some Peanut Brittle. Surprisingly, it's pretty good...even though I had to heat it to 290 degrees when my candy thermometer only goes to 22o...I had to guess.

I finally got tired of baking for the day, so all that's left tomorrow is caramels, and maybe some peanut butter fudge.

Next year, I might start baking sooner. It's been a long day.

33 Week Belly Shot and some thoughts

The time is flying by!! Here is 33 weeks. I can't believe that I will be "full term" in 4 weeks and due in just 7! Jeremy will be here in no time flat! I am taking some heartburn medicine now, and I feel SO MUCH BETTER! I've been on it since my last Doctor visit, about 2 weeks ago, and haven't had a single bought of heartburn since! I think that has helped me to gain a few pounds too, as it is easier to eat when your esophagus isn't on fire!

Jeremy just started having hiccups a few days ago. Hiccup movement is somewhat annoying, since it happens every 3 seconds! But, Matt thinks it is funny to watch my belly jump. He still moves around a lot, and now you can even see it right through my shirt. I am just so excited to see him move around in our arms!

Happy Turkey Day! (and 31 week belly shot)

Happy Turkey Day everyone! At the request of Julie, we decided to have a little fun with our 31 week Belly Shot! We hope you all have a Happy Holiday and don't eat too much turkey! We wish we could be with all our far away family and friends today.

29 Week Belly....for Linda

Okay, here is 29 weeks! I thought I'd add a front shott too...so you can see my little brown line. AND, my belly button is still IN! Even though it isn't as deep as it used to be :) I have gained 8 pounds so far. The Dr. thought that was a little low, but nothing to be concerned about. I might need to put my head on there sometime, but my head isn't as cute as my belly :)

3-hour test...PASSED!

(The little guy is supposed to say A+)

I passed the 3-hour GTT test! No problems at all. I'm quite releived about this. I was worried as I read up more and more on Gestational Diabetes. It doesn't sound like fun at all. Hopefully the rest of the pregnancy will continue to be smooth sailing, and before we know it, Jeremy will be here!

GTT test...FAILED!

So, Monday I went for my GTT test (Glucose Tolerance Test) to check for Gestational Diabetes. Those of you who have been pregnant before, I'm sure you are familiar with this test. Those who haven't, you basically have to drink this super sugared drink (mine was like Hawaiian Punch) then have a blood test an hour later to check your sugar levels.

The Doctor called yesterday and told Matt that my sugar level was "extrememly high", so now I have to go do another 3 hour test today. That is 3 hours of sitting in a Doctor's office! Not my idea of fun for the day. Hopefully I studied better this time and pass the test!