my first sushi in 10 months

Tonight Leila, Diggy, David and I enjoyed takeout from Katsu-ya. Isaac was well worth worth the sacrifice, but im thrilled to be back on the sushi bandwagon. We ordered enough for 8 people... but the leftovers will make wonderful appetizers for New Years eve.

uncle jamie and auntie allie's first visit

Today uncle jamie and auntie allie came to visit their new nephew. Auntie allie brought over two beautiful orchids for mom, and they spent some time getting to know Isaac. The were both a little tenative at first to hold him, but after a few minutes, they seemed really comfortable. They were joined by Carol and Gary who are in from Montreal.

our first hike as 3

Today was our first hike as a family of 3. We decied to test out the bugaboo, and take a stroll down avenida del sol. I was pleasantly surprised at how great it felt to get the exercise, and home much easier it was than during my last weeks of pregnancy. I am sure that hiking throughout my pregnancy allowed me to feel this great 5 days post delivery. Isaac loved the fresh air, as did mom and dad... and hopefully every day we will go just a little bit farther.

there's no place like home

It has been so wonderful to be home with Isaac, in the comforts of our home. For the most part he has been a delightful baby, and has been feeding and sleeping with ease.
With that being said... he has absolutely no interest in sleeping on his own between 11-2am. David and I have been trying to figure out methods to put him down, but all he wants is to be held. After two, he seems to sleep well, and is very content.
I am still waiting for my milk to come in which I am hoping it happens today. Hopefully once Isaac has a full belly, he will be more content.
We have had lots of help and visits from friends and family, and a lot of nice time to relax as a family.

Our Family Has Grown

Isaac Louis Soren was born two and a half weeks earlier than we expected at 11:49pm on December 24th, 2006. He weighed 5 lbs 15oz.

Doctor Rabin predicted I would deliver later than my due date (January 9th), taking after my mom, but someone had different plans. My water broke at 8pm on the eve of the 23rd,and slowly trickled until David and I though... hmmm... maybe my water broke. We called Dr. Banooni, because of course this is the one week Dr. Rabin is on vacation... and he instructed us to head into the hospital. So in we went at 5am the next morning, and sure enough my water broke. They induced my labor with pitocin, I recieved an epidural, and I spend the next 10 hours in labor - the most amazing expreience of my life. Isaac was easy on me, the labor and delivery nurses were a dream, and Dr. Banooni was god. I truly can say I enjoyed every minute of my labor, and delivery. Thank you to every person who sat in the waiting room - FOR HOURS - waiting for the news. You too made my experience very special.

We are all home from the hospital, and getting to know eachother. For all of the pictures of little isaac, take a look at our Flickr site.

thank god for MOZZA

David and I ate at Mozza tonight. Its Mario Batali and Nancy Silverton (of La Brea Bakery's) new project. For those, like myself, who have never found good pizza in Los Angeles, you too will thank god for Mozza. Hands down: best pizza in LA, and both David and I thought, best pizza anywhere. Their antipasti were unbelievable, the salad wonderful, and dont leave without tasting the butterscotch pudding. To make weekend reservations you will need to call about a month before... but they seem to be more open during weekdays. To read more, check out the LA Magazine article: http://www.mozza-la.com/press_articles.pdf

36 weeks

David and I thought we would visit mom today, and bring over some bagels. Because of the blood thinners she is on, she cant use a knife incase she were to cut herself. SO... David offered to cut her bagel, and CUT HIMESELF.
We just got home from urgent care where my brave patient got three stitches. Luckily it was quick and pretty painless, and we are home relaxing. I am hoping to stay out of the hospital until it is my turn, but it seems every week we are there for a different reason.
Today we are exactly 23 days away from my due date. This week we visited Dr. Rabin (we are now on weekly visits) and he did an ultrasound of the baby. He thought based on the measurements that he did that I would deliver right around my due date, and that the baby would be between 7 and 7 1/2 pounds. He thought everything looked great. We will see him again next week.
The baby has been super active. I have been feely pretty good considering. Im not too tired, just dealing with the same rib and indigestion discomfort. Looking forward to the holidays, and to seeing the Kohns next week.

35 weeks

This posting is coming a little late. Last week was a tough one as mom was in the hospital from complications from her oblation heart surgery. I spent a lot of time at the hospital with her and dad, and dad shacked up on our air mattress so that he could be close to the hospital.
Mom is now home and doing much better. Her leg is definatley sore, but every day seems to be a little bit better.
As for me this week, I noticed that my feet started to swell more than they have been. My yoga instructor showed me a pose that is supposed to lessen the swelling, and I didn't believe it until I tried it. The pose is called virasana (picture above) and has reduced the swelling in my feet and legs significantly. http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/490_1.cfm

baby poll

Yesterday at the not so shower baby shower, I took a baby poll. We would love everyone to participate, so please email your answers to the above questions to: haileysoren@gmail.com
There will be a very special prize for the winner!

34 weeks

Well the belly is definitely getting bigger, and the movement stronger. All of the maternity clothes I bought at the beginning are snug as a bug. I am also starting to see some real changes in my face. Breathing has become a little more challenging this week, especially in the morning, but sleeping has gotten much better as the weather has cooled down. My "floating rib pain" continues to be the worst of all my bothers. There is apparently no way to get relief, so I am just trying to get through and create my own ways of sitting and lying down that seem to help. Yoga is also especially helpful. I cant believe how quickly the weeks are flying by. David and I can finally say, we will have a baby next month!

my not so shower baby shower

Today was my not so shower baby shower hosted by Alexis (and the Royce/Rappaport family). It was so nice to have all of my girlfriends in one place to celebrate my journey over the past nine months. Some highlights... alexis' wonderful lunch, sprinkles cupcakes, erin's homemade mobile and ball, and catching up with people I hadn't seen in a little while. I was so happy that I had this special time to spend with my ladies prior to having the baby.