Seven Weeks!

Hello, everyone!  I wanted to share some pictures with everyone, but first would like to tell you what I love:

• Smiling (its my new favorite thing)!
• Going #2 …….just like my dad! 
• My cute outfits that I have grown into! 
• Eating.  At my last weigh in I was 6 lbs 10 ounces, but I think I am over 7 lbs now! 
• Bathtime.  I love the warm water on my booty!
• Going to the Pumpkin Patch to find the perfect pumpkin (see pictures below)!
• Going for long walks with mommy in my stroller!  I get to see everything that my mom told me about when we went for walks when I was inside her belly!
• All my relatives,  they spoil me with love!  I am also excited to meet my Mutti and Aunt Sandra from Germany in 2 weeks!

My First Blog

Hello, everyone!  I am writing my first blog to introduce myself to everyone.  My name is Maya DeLene Mann and I was born on August 24th, 2010.  At birth I weighed 4 lbs 14oz and I was 17 inches long (more to come on my length).  I would like to tell you all my arrival story:

On August 23rd, I was told that I will be born the following day because I am small and ready to come out of my mom.  My parents have been telling me that I inherited the quality of being impatient from my dad.  On the morning of the 24th my mom was induced at 9am, and after 4 sets of  pushes I was born at 1:55pm.  My mom did such a wonderful job of pushing me out, especially when the epidural was in!   I am so proud of my mom for her courage and bravery, she was truly a rock-star and I love her so much. I spent my first few days at the hospital, where all the nurses kept telling me I have beautiful blonde hair, blue eyes, and a cute mouth!  In the hospital I was able to meet the Mann granparents and my parents friends, I can already tell that I love them all and I look forward to meeting my family in Germany soon!

Upon arriving home, I slept in my nursery and I love it!  There is so much pink and I love all the butterflies.  I spent some more time in a other hospital in which my parents were really scared.  I was more worried that my room that had no color and plus I really missed my own room  

I went to my pediatrician this week where I weighed in at 4 lbs and 12 ounces so I am definitely gaining weight since I dropped some ounces after birth.  In a previous blog my dad wrote that I seem to be a boxer, well I dont know what my weight class will be,  but I know I am gaining weight and I love having my hands in my face.  My pediatrician also measured me at 19 inches in length, so either I grew 2 inches in a week or someone at the hospital doesn’t know how to read a ruler.

Well, I have been up now writing this for the last hour and I am hungry and then ready for a nap, so I must sign off.  I want to thank everyone for all the love, support, and nurturing you have given me over the last two weeks or so and want you to know that I am healthy.

Love you all,

Maya

1 Month….or Sooner!

Where in the heck does time go?  I swear yesterday Doreen and I found out she was pregnant and now we are exactly 1 month away from our due date!  What a journey the last 36 weeks have been, it goes back to my bro’s advice of the “new normal”.  Doreen is feeling “ok”, having a tough time getting comfortable and sleeping, we have some inside jokes that I will keep to just us   Our doctor says Doreen is doing great and all the measurements are right in line with our due date.  We both can not wait to meet our little Peanut!  Another thing we have enjoyed is when we talk to Doreen’s belly, she seems to be responding with movements, what a surreal feeling!  Oh, and we have also learned that our due date is the same day of Ohio State’s big football game with Miami, how fun would it be if our little Buckeye (one and only time I will change her nickname from Peanut)  came to us on the same day…..GO BUCKS! 

The past month has been crazy with Doreen’s baby shower – thanks everyone who attended or sent their kind regrets , two weddings, a bachelor party, both of us leaving for a week out-of-town for work, swimming at the pool, doctor visits, baby classes, creating the nursery,  and many other things.  I do give D a lot of credit for dancing a lot at the Bennett wedding, she was a trooper and a wonderful designated driver!

To our family and friends, please pray for Peanuts safe arrival into the world as she is very eager to meet all of you!

Yellow and Pink!

It has been a quick and crazy two months and I am here to give you an update of everything going on.  Lets start with Peanut.  As of Friday, July 2nd Peanut weights 2 lbs 14 oz.  We were told by our doctor that is a great weight for being in week 31, so thats wonderful news.  Overall, Doreen has been feeling pretty well besides being a tired here and there and a little trouble sleeping.  We have really enjoyed Peanut kicking and moving around in D’s belly, what a surreal feeling it is!   We cant believe we only have 9 weeks remaining until the due date, time flies when you are having fun (or eating a lot of ice cream). 

The past few weeks we have really started concentrating on getting Peanut’s bedroom ready for the big arrival.  I moved out of my office to accomodate Peanut (I will admit I was a little sad moving my office, but then quickly realized its for my little girl and am fine with it).  We have decided to stick with the original color of Yellow in her room and have the theme of butterflies.  The crib has been put-together (thank you Chitown Mann’s and Tasseffs!), dresser and nursing chair arrived within days of each other,  and the bookcase is a great addition,  and all of sudden the office has been transformed into a Nursery!  Pictures below…

We have also been busy socially.  Doreen’s mom arrived from Germany about two weeks ago and D and Regina have been very busy.  Some of the activities have included a drive to Pittsburgh, IKEA visit, Westlake parade, Vermillion for 4th of July, two firework shows, many visits to the pool, and alot of shopping!  Doreen is always so happy when her mom is in town, gotta give D a lot of credit to be able to live across the world away from her family.  Throw in a couple weddings, bachelor parties,  and traveling for work, its definitely been a busy last couple months. 

Happy Birthdays to Ashley, Sandra,  Maddy, Cayden, and Mather ! ! ! !

I will leave you with a final thought: Please pray for the following: Peanuts healthy arrival, Lebron James staying in Cleveland, Germany to win the World Cup, and of course rain for my lawn.

Down the Home Stretch……

Where did the time go?  Doreen is currently in week #23 and doing very well as we prepare physically (and mentally) of welcoming our lil Peanut to the world.  The doctor’s appointment today went smooth, Peanut’s heartrate is 148 and Doreen’s belly measured at 22cm’s.  All great numbers for Doreen and Peanut.  To prepare for Peanut’s arrival we still have a lot of projects to start and complete; we’ll be pretty busy.  

We headed to Chicago this past weekend to hang out with the Chicago Mann’s and the twins, it was so much fun!  We played with Cayden and Maddy all of Friday afternoon and evening, read them bedtime stories, and went to swim lessons in the morning.  The wedding on Saturday was also very fun, Doreen was surrounded by all the women asking her about her pregnancy and stuff while Mitch was well…….close to the bar area.   Special thanks Mann Clan for the great time in Chicago! 

After arriving back in Cleveland Sunday late afternoon we headed down to Ohio City to celebrate Mother’s Day at the Taseff’s.  Always enjoyable laughing with Alta as she dances, giggles, and is just being Alta  and watching Mather take some steps.  I think once he gets going in walking there will be no stopping that lil man.  Thanks Taseff’s for some great food and drinks! 

 We would like to take this time and tell both of our Moms that we love you so much and we are so lucky to be able to call you our Mom’s.  You two are vey special to us and can not wait for Peanut to meet her Omas!  We hope you both enjoyed your Mother’s Day. 

 Ok time to start the projects for Peanut! Here’s a picture of Doreen’s cute belly

Boy or Girl?

Well, we are almost to the halfway point of Peanut’s due date (18 weeks), how exciting is that!  We went to the doctor this week and got some great news and visuals….

• Doreen and Peanut are healthy and everything is normal
• Peanut weighs 9 ounces, almost a full can of beer
• Peanut’s measurements are all on target
• Doreen will be feeling Peanut move around in the next few weeks, which is very exciting to both of us
• Doreen currently weighs…………………………I would get slapped if I wrote that down
• We got to see Peanut on the ultrasound and also the 3d machine, Peanut did not seem to cooperate too much during the 3d, I think Peanut was training in a boxing ring with the hands in front of the head.

SO we are very happy to know that Peanut and Doreen are both healthy and on course.  We are heading to Dallas this weekend for some work and visiting Sam and Tammy!  We haven’t seen them in a few months and we are very anxious to see the house they just bought!  Other than that, we had a very nice Easter with the Mann fam and playing with Alta and Mather.  We are anxiously looking forward to seeing Maddy and Cayden in Chitown in a few weeks.  Other great news is that Doreen’s Mom will most likely be coming in June for a couple of weeks!  I can’t wait to see her face when she see’s her baby daughter with a cute belly!  Oh that thought just makes me smile.  Please enjoy the pictures below. 

OHHHHHHH did I forget to tell you if Peanut is a boy or girl?  Oooops, I am sorry.

Peanut is a GIRL!!   We can not wait to meet her!  Daddy’s little girl  

We love you Peanut!

Congratulations to Jane & Marco!

When announcing our news about Peanut to my family, I found out that my cousin Marco and his wife Jane are also pregnant with a due date of 9/21/10. The funny thing is they got married last year just 8 days after us and now are also pregnant with a due date only 10 days after ours. We’re so happy for them and excited to be able to share this journey together.

 Happy Birthday Dad and Christin!!!

Low 150′s

We went to the Doctor yesterday for our monthly check-up and everything is still looking great.  Peanut’s heartbeat is in the “low 150′s” and thats good news.  We also got some blood results back from the first integrated screening test and everything looked normal and healthy. I was getting my haircut last week and the lady cutting my hair told me if the heartbeat is above 150 the chances are Peanut is a girl.  Through my intense google research this is an “old wives tale”, but its still a fun game to play.  I did ask our doctor yesterday about this tale and she laughed and said “I have heard that many times, and have seen the opposite sex be born”.   I don’t think I was the first one to ever ask her that question!  Our next appointment is on April 12th, when Peanut’s sex will be confirmed. 

As for the Spring and Summer, we have a lot of weddings and events coming up.  The one great thing is that I have a Designated Driver for all of the festivities!  Also, this Saturday we are heading to Fostoria for a memorial mass for Grandpa OD, I am sure he is smiling today as it is St. Patrick’s Day.

Random thoughts for the Day

• Siobhan kicks butt in American Idol
• Doreen and I will never eat Chipotle again
• I am looking forward to a Green Beer today
• I keep looking out the window wanting to do yard work
• Doreen has a little tummy now, which makes me smile
• Basketball this weekend is going to be awesome (Go Bucks and Bobcats)
• I dont think I have ever laughed so hard at a TV show then last week on Rules of Engagement when he slapped his wife thinking she was the alarm clock
• Doreen’s family is ecstatic about Peanut

The poll is open and you have 4 weeks to cast your vote.  Share your thoughts, will Peanut be a boy or a girl?

A Little Mann Is On The Way

Yupp, Doreen and I are adding an addition and starting a family, who we have nicknamed “Peanut”!  We have been on Cloud 9 with joy since hearing the news, so just a warning that this email may have a lot of exclamation points! Doreen is due on September 11, 2010.  However, I may be trying to get Doreen to start pushing a few days before to stay away from that date! 

The best news is that to date Doreen and Peanut are both healthy and doing very well!  Overall, Doreen has had a pleasant pregnancy and we hope those days are to continue!  Isn’t it funny when you grew up you always thought you knew what gender you wanted your child to be, but then the news comes and all you care about is health? It was very exciting for us to be able to tell our families, everyone is so excited!  A couple of weeks ago at the doctors we were able to hear Peanut’s heartbeat for the very first time, truly an amazing and sureal sounds.  151 beats per minute!

In the past week we had the chance to see Peanut for the very first time, the best sight to see!  If I didnt know, I swear Peanut was bouncing on a trampoline.  The best part is when Peanut waved to us (see picture below).  It felt like Peanut was saying “hello there, I am on a trampoline having a blast!”. 

Thanks to our families, far and near for all the support you have been giving us, we are so excited to share this with all of you!  Also, Congratulations to Doreen who will be a wonderful Mom!

Only 12 exclamation points……..welcome to the “new normal”.

Wedding Video

Hello, it is Mitch and Doreen – back and blogging!  As we are working on distributing and placing our wedding pictures we wanted to post a nice wedding  video that our awesome videographer (Sam!) made for us.  We will make sure everyone is informed when the pictures are available to view.  Enjoy the video!