Manak Family: 2007

Dec 22, 2007

Monica Lorraine!

Posted by Mama Manak

Monica Lorraine Manak

12/18/2007

5:13 PM

6lbs 6 oz
19 inches

Monica was born via c-section on Tuesday, December 18th. I went in for my 37 week checkup to learn I was already dilated to 6 centimeters and Monica was still breech. The amniotic fluid levels were too low to attempt to turn Monica from the outside and my doctor was very concerned that if my water broke Monica's feet would come right out causing the umbilical cord to get wedged in beside the rest of her body in which case they would have to do an emergency c-section and have only seconds to get Monica out without her being damaged. So, my doctor felt it would be safest to just do a regular c-section later that day. As it turned out the majority of the cord was down by her feet, so my doctor's fears would probably have become reality had we not proceeded with the c-section.

We are so blessed to have Monica here! She is perfectly healthy and was able to come home with me from the hospital after only 3 days!!! We have our Christmas baby! She's a WONDERFUL nurser and is very content...even around her new big brother, Christopher! Christopher has been great around her..."gently" rubbing her head and examining her ears. :) I am not allowed to hold Christopher anymore even to put him in his crib, so that's been hard for both of us. He also doesn't really get the concept that "Mommy's tummy hurts" so even sitting with him can only last a couple of seconds.

Jason's family arrived yesterday for Christmas and it's wonderful to have his Mom here to help with Christopher and Monica while I recover. Two of our friends, Leilani and Maureen have been lifesavers for us before Jason's Mom arrived. They dropped everything to come and take shifts with Christopher while Monica, Jason and I were in the hospital. A very special thank you to them both! Jason also completed his last final yesterday...so now we can hopefully all relax for Christmas!

Due to the timing of Monica's birth, I plan to just send out a merged Christmas Card and Birth Announcement...sometime during the Christmas Season! So, to all of our dear friends, we wish you a very Blessed and Merry Christmas!!!

Sep 27, 2007

Prayers please...

Posted by Mama Manak

This woman was due with Twins the same day as me...she had her babies yesterday! Here are some pics. They are doing well right now, but could always use prayers. The little girl is 1 lb 3.5 ounces and the little boy is 1 lb. 12 ounces.

http://s214.photobucket.com/albums/cc175/kristenheet/

Sep 26, 2007

Exciting day!

Posted by Mama Manak

Today was an awesome day!!! I had my 26 week checkup... My Doctor did another ultrasound for me...and Monica is here for sure! lol It's good to know for sure...now I have to start on all her things...She is also head down and already starting to drop. I think my body likes to do things slowly and gradually instead of right before delivery.

Worked out today...that felt good...got another barrette done... :) I even put up some of my barrette's on ebay...we'll see how they do.

Well...gotta run put Christopher to bed! Have a good evening!

Sep 24, 2007

Posted by Mama Manak

Christen's Beaded Creations

www.christensbeadwork.etsy.com

Some great finds... :)

Posted by Mama Manak

Ahh...well, it's 12:24 in the morning and it's a cool autumn night...so I have a cup of Swiss Mocha next to me. I know...crazy...caffine at this hour! I guess it was one of those pregnancy cravings. Plus...how am I supposed to sleep with my Handsome Prince being over 3,000 miles away! Well...more of that later...

Yesterday I just had this feeling that I needed to get out of the house for a bit by myself! I put Christopher down for his nap and Jason told me to go...he'd listen for the little man. I went to Barnes and Nobles and just walked around for awhile looking at various books. It was so nice to browse a store! I haven't gone shopping without Christopher since before he was born.

After strolling through Barnes and Nobles I walked across the street to Joann's Fabrics. I figured while I had some time, I wanted to look for some fabric for Monica's crib set. I was thinking of doing an angel theme for her room, but gave up when I couldn't find one fabric pattern with angels! Not even in the Christmas stuff!

Then...at the back of the store in the Home Decor Fabrics, I found this lovely lilac pattern. It was originally 19.99/yard (ouch!) but was marked down to 9.99 (still ouch! lol). However, I found a sales flyer advertising a 50% additional markdown on all red tag fabrics starting today! That means it would be 4.50/yard (a little less ouch...). Here are a few pictures of my find...

I returned to Joann's today to purchase the fabric. When I went up to the register their machines wouldn't accept debit cards or credit cards, so the cashier asked all those who were making purchases using that medium to walk up the street to the ATM machine. When I returned with the money to buy my precious fabric the cashier told me she was going to take an additional 20% off my purchase! I think she felt bad for making a pregnant lady with a toddler trek up the street...LOL!!! I was so happy though! I got fabric worth 19.99/yard for 3.60/yard!

Praise God! "Do not worry about tomorrow..."

While at Joann's I also purchased a gift for my adopted bro...Justin Rohr. He broke his leg while jumping on the trampoline and hasn't been able to walk. It's been a hard time for him, but he's been so courageous through it all! I wish I could see his face when he gets the little package...

This morning I dropped Jason off at the airport. He has a meeting at American Life League tomorrow and then returns very late tomorrow night . It's so weird not having him here...makes me realize how very dearly I love him when he's not there for me to smother with kisses and hugs. I've been keeping busy though...

Lately I've been thinking allot about ways I could make a little extra money for the holidays this year...and Monica's arrival, as well as just having some date money! I went to Dad's grave a couple weeks ago and really felt him encouraging me to put into action an idea I had discussed with him earlier this year. So...it's been in the slow works for a couple weeks, but Christen's Beaded Creations is finally underway!!! I've only put up two items so far, but more will follow in the next couple days. We'll see how it goes, but I'm excited to have taken this first step...so enjoy browsing!

www.christensbeadwork.etsy.com

Sep 21, 2007

Diapers...what do do!

Posted by Mama Manak

So...lately I've really been trying to save money and watch our budget carefully. I've read about how Luv's diapers are really good about not letting leaks out...so I wanted to try them, however I couldn't find any place around here that sold them. So, I went online and found www.diapers.com. It's got the best prices for numerous brands of diapers and they also have free shipping if you get over $50 worth of merchandise. They have lotions, diaper creams, wipes, diapers and more. I used to buy diapers (huggies) at Costco because they were the cheapest, but even the Huggies on this website cost less than Costco! You can also send them coupons in the mail and they will add them to your account (Costco doesn't accept coupons), so that saves you even more money. Anyways...I thought i'd pass on the info. If you want to sign up enter this code (CuteBaby) to get money off your first order and I get $1.00 credit when you place your first order!

WWW.DIAPERS.COM

The long awaited update... :)

Posted by Mama Manak

OK...so some of my friends have really been on my back about posting more on my blog. I admit...I have been really bad about it. No particular reason, it just seems like life being 5 1/2 months pregnant with a 16 month old doesn't give one much time for the computer. However, I just laid my little man down for the night, so I'm gonna write for a bit while my handsome husband finishes some programming web work...then we are gonna cuddle up for a Friday Night Movie! :)

Life has been awesome lately! Fall is beginning here, which means the weather drops about 10 degrees and it's clearer during the day, not so much fog. I got a little freaked out a couple days ago when I realized Monica is due in 3 and a 1/2 months! Where has this pregnancy gone... I feel like I have so much to get done before she gets here...and Christmas to boot! A few of the things I want to sew are:

1.) Bassinet set for a girl
2.) Crib set for girl
3.) New Curtains for kid's room...the ones in there now are pretty boyish. :) Gonna go with something more neutral.
4.) Christening Gown...though we may just borrow one from my little adopted family in Christ if I don't find the time to make one.
5.) Curtains for the Changing Table, as well as a changing table pad cover. I want this to be neutral as well since Christopher will still be in diapers when Monica gets here.
6.) Christopher's toddler bed set

I've already started on Christopher's toddler bed set. We've decided to get him this toddler bed for Christmas. It matches the crib that we have, so I think they will go well in the same room together. I've cut out everything for the quilt, bumper pad, ruffle and pillows. The bed will be up against a wall on one side, so I'm gonna have a bumper for that wall instead of the railing. I think it should be pretty cute once it's finished.

For the bassinet... we have the Eddie Bauer one (Picture here), but the bedding is a plaid natural color and I'd like to make something a little more girly, but also have alot of white. It will be in our room and we have a navy blue bedspread, so I don't want too much pink. Perhaps something along the lines of this. I'm gonna have to come up with my own pattern, but I like the idea of the skirt from the bassinet going all the way to the floor.

For the Crib set I'd like to do something with Roses...I think. The only other alternative would be if I found a nice Angel theme. As far as Roses go, I'd like small rose patterns and more of a deep pink...almost burgundy...than a bright pink.

Anyways...enough about baby stuff and what I have to do! Though...I would like you to keep in prayer another idea I'm working on. If it works, it might bring in some extra money for Christmas! I'll keep ya posted...

Monica is growing well...and fast. :) She is SO much more active than Christopher ever was in the womb. It's so awesome to see the differences between them even now! Christopher has always been very possessive of himself...he doesn't like having his hand held...or his fingernails or toenails clipped... He just doesn't like someone else getting too close into his personal space. :) Even in the womb when I'd lay down on one side, he'd show this side of his personality by really kicking or punching the side I was laying on...as if to say...get off...open up again. :) Monica doesn't do that at all, but she loves twisting and turning and kicking everywhere! Christopher was head down the whole pregnancy, I guess portraying his contentedness, however Monica is EVERYWHERE! It's really cool to be feeling her and getting to know her a little bit. She loves it when Daddy puts his hand on her...and is always ready to give him a good kick when he does that. They already play this little game together...he'll push down, she'll kick then wait for him to push down again before she'll kick his hand. :) She won't do that for me...guess she knows Daddy's more fun!

On September 8th we had an awesome Birthday Party for Mary, the Mother of God! We had about 16 people over to our 2 bedroom apartment...but it was SUPER nice! We all had such a blast though I think Christopher was a bit overwhelmed at the number of people consuming his Play areas! :)

Lately I've just been busy being a wife and mom...little Christopher's been cutting his molars, but he's also just been really clingy for his Mom. He likes to be with me ALL the time...except for at the gym. He really likes going into the play area for an hour while I workout. It's nice for him to play with other Children and Christine, the babysitter there. He loves her! I really enjoy the time to workout.

Jason's going out of town this weekend on business. He leaves Sunday morning and doesn't get home until about 11:30-midnight on Monday night. We are gonna go to Mass together on Saturday night... I'm gonna really miss him! I know it's only 2 days, but that seems like a long time. :) At least there's no chance of me going into labor! Hopefully I'll be able to use the time to work on a surprise I have planned for him.

Well...it's Movie Date time...so I'd better run. I'll try very hard to be better about updating this blog in the future. To all those who read it...thanks and keep on me if I slack off again.

Aug 24, 2007

Sooo funny...take a minute!

Posted by Mama Manak

A friend sent this to me this morning. I've just spent about 15 minutes enjoying reading it...take a few yourself!

Ebay Auction Link - read the description! It's hilarious!

"Because I said so..." ~ Blog of mom2my6pack

Aug 20, 2007

A belated update...

Posted by Mama Manak

Dear Family and Friends,

I'm so sorry we've been so bad about staying in touch with people lately. Ever since Jason's Dad passed away in early May, it's been a whirlwind of things needing to be done and us just needing some space. From the middle of June to the end of July we were in Colorado (with a week out east to visit the Rohr's and my Grandparents in the middle) helping Jason's Mom go through things and get her house ready to sell. Christopher was truly amazing on the trip! I was concerned that he might not travel well, since he's the first child and is kept on a routine most of the time. It was a blessing to be near family during this difficult time, however it is also good to finally be home!

Little Christopher has grown so much and is such a joy in our lives. He is constantly making me laugh. He is a very affectionate little man; approaching me many times a day just to give me kisses! He loves variety and details! He can sit and play with a small paper box for an hour, but he also loves to "go bye bye" and explore the world. Ever since he was born he loved to be walked outside and his daddy coined him the phrase "I want to see new things..." It fits Christopher well! He is now walking everywhere and gets quite frustrated when he can't walk in the sand very well! Christopher is also very social and really enjoys going to the gym daycare for an hour while Jason and I workout in the mornings.

I'm now 20 weeks along with the newest member of our family! It's hard to believe this pregnancy is going so fast! I have so much to get done before this little one gets here... We found out on August 14th that we are having a little girl! We have named her Monica Lorraine. Monica is kicking me allot now and such a joy to feel. On the feast of the Assumption (August 15th), Jason, Christopher and I went to Mass at 5:30 and then I stayed for the Solemn Mass at 7:30 with the polyphony choir. As I was sitting there "by myself"...realizing that it was just me at Mass, Monica starts kicking me...as if she was saying, "I'm here too, Mommy!" It was so precious!

I will try to be better about keeping in touch with everyone. Know that you are all in our prayers. Please continue to pray for the repose of the soul of Jason's Dad and our little family of four! God bless you all!

~ Christen

Aug 15, 2007

Posted by Mama Manak

IT'S A GIRL!!!

We found out yesterday that Monica Lorraine is the new member to our family! She's in very good health and was very proud to give us a picture of her little foot! It's awesome to see her growing and feel her moving! Her little heart beat is 147 beats per minute and my due date is still set for January 9th!

Jun 27, 2007

Colorado!

Posted by Mama Manak

The Manak family found ourselves taking two plane trips on Saturday the 23rd to arrive in Denver Colorado! Michelle Marie, our neice and Goddaughter, was baptized on the 24th and we've been having a good time just spending time with family.

Yesterday we went to the Rocky Mountains! It was awesome...we walked around a lake that was so blue... The weather in the mountains is much nicer than here in the plains around Denver, which have been about 100 degrees or more!

I'm now in my second trimester! And I've also started feeling our new little one...exciting!

Catch you all later!