Thursday, November 26, 2009
We are thankful.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Happy one month birthday, little one!
- Seeing Ruby for the first time is something I will never forget. The 6-pound baby I was expecting to arrive was placed on my chest at a whopping 8 pounds, 1 ounce! I thought there was no way this could be my baby- she was far too big!
- Enjoying the first couple of days in the hospital with our little girl was a lot of fun. We couldn't get enough of her- all we did was stare at her.
- The whirlwind 24-hour period of getting news that she may have some unexpected health complications: having her moved into the NICU; making the trip home without our little girl in the backseat; the sleepless night; waiting for x-ray results; praying for poop then seeing the most beautiful poop ever; being a bystander in the NICU and seeing how lucky we truly are compared to some other families
- Taking our little pumpkin home- it was a great ride!
- Watching Ruby's funny faces: her pursed lips, scrunched up scowl, pouty lip
- Being so amazed and proud of her ability to hold her head up so well so early- we
tummy time! - Seeing how happy our little baby makes others when they stop by to meet her- thank you to all of our visitors!
- Sleepless nights but very restful days (for Ruby, anyway)- having her days and nights flipped around was a challenge, but something we were able to overcome after a alot of hard work.
- Finding out that Ruby needed to gain weight, then hearing that she gained like a champ and is continuing to grow so well. She's a tall little girl, and we still wonder where that comes from?!
- Listening to Ruby talk to herself in her sleep. I wonder what she's dreaming?!
- My favorite: Ruby's smiles. She begins with the cutest little half-mouth grin that quickly turns into a full wide-mouth giant smile when you make eye contact with her and prompt her to smile. So funny.
It's been a crazy, fun, wild, exhausting, happy month for the Engquist family. We are so blessed to have a happy, healthy child and we are looking forward to the holidays with our little gift from God!
Friday, November 20, 2009
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
This girl is a-growin!
The most exciting news I have to share is that little Ruby now reciprocates smiles! It is so fun when we make eye contact and Ruby will actually smile back at me when she sees my smile. I love that little toothless grin.
Below are a few photos from her first photo session on November 2nd (the day she peed in my hand).
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Weekend in review
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Ruby loves bath time!
Ruby is 3 weeks old!
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Our at-home photo shoot
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Two-week well baby check
Monday, November 9, 2009
Our first walk; fun, not fashion
Nothin better
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Ruby's Fan Club
We appreciate all of the love that has been given to little Ruby in her first days of life.
A tribute to you who have shared in her first moments...
Weekend in review
Ruby was showered with gifts and a lot of love
Friday, November 6, 2009
Ruby is 2 weeks old!
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Too much of a good thing?
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Our new "normal"
Sunday, November 1, 2009
A very busy weekend creates a very sleepy baby
We also placed Ruby in a pumpkin, cuz of course, she's our little pumkin!
When we got home, Uncle Jeff, Auntie Jean and Wyatt were here, so Ruby got to meet her only boy cousin for the first time! They spent the night here, then Grandma and Grandpa Kaproth came over today to celebrate Grandma's birthday.
Ruby was also paid a visit by her "auntie" Nicole and Paul Hydukovich. She got lots of love and hugs from them, which she loves. We cheered on the Vikings to beat the Packers, and I think Ruby's cheers won. Also of note- the Gophers beat Michigan State on Saturday night; daddy and uncle Jeff were at the game, so mommy had to teach Ruby the MN Rouser and the signal for "touchdown"- cuz there were a lot of them that night!
After all of this excitement, Ruby is tuckered out and is enjoying quiet alone time in her bouncy seat and mommy and daddy are hoping for another restful night.
Daddy goes back to work tomorrow, so it'll just be mommy and Ruby alone all day. We plan to go shopping for a party dress for Ruby's shower at Nicole's on Sunday.
Ruby's Fan Club
Friday, October 30, 2009
Happy one week birthday, little girl!
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Fun stuff
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Ruby's clean bill of health!
Uncle Jeff and Auntie Jean came to the hospital to visit Ruby on Sunday right before we received the news that she wouldn't be coming home. The brought her a fun gift, including the book, "Everyone Poops". At the time, we thought the irony was pretty funny- yes, everyone poops except Ruby! Now we are happy to celebrate the fact that YES, EVERYONE POOPS- EVEN RUBY!!!
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Her first full day at home
What a difference a day makes
Monday, October 26, 2009
Photos of the Babe
PRAYERS HAVE BEEN ANSWERED!!!
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Additional information on little Ruby
All prayers are welcome
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Ruby's first full day of life
A prayer for Ruby
Friday, October 23, 2009
Baby E has finally arrived!
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Hospital Admission Day
the baby's bedroom. Each dot will have the baby photo of one of our family members as a baby. I have painted the dots to coordinate with the bedding and am working on decopaging the photos onto the dots. Something I should've done a lot time ago...
My, how things change... we now have a bottle drying rack that has made it's home on our counter. Ty washed and dried all of the bottles last night- they're ready and waiting for baby, just like us!
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
No-Baby Update: The Self-Pity Edition
- Visiting hours are 11-8
- You must sign in and be screened prior to coming to our room
- No visitors under the age of 5 will be allowed
- Non-immediate family visitors must be above the age of 16
- Maximum of three visitors per patient at a time
- Visitors must follow strict hand-hygiene procedures; foam in and foam out prior to entering or exiting the hospital room (and prior to holding my baby, darn it!)
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Doctor appointment update- 40 weeks and 3 (long) days
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Here we are... 10/17!
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Doctor appointment update- 39 weeks and 5 days
10/14 has come and gone...
Friday, October 9, 2009
Doctor appointment update- 38 weeks and 5 days
This week's appointment brought some slightly disappointing news... it's unlikely that Baby E will arrive on my so-planned date of 10/14. Shocking.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009
SFHS Baby Shower
Monday, October 5, 2009
The Final Countdown
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
The nursery is {almost} ready!
Doctor appointment update- 37 weeks and 3 days
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Doctor appointment update- 36 weeks and 6 days
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Q: "Are you ready?" A: "Nope."
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Take THAT!
Friday, September 11, 2009
Future Husky
Thursday, September 10, 2009
A message from Baby E...
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
34 weeks + 3 days
- I have gained the appropriate amount of weight for my height/frame (even though it's a bit difficult to see that number getting so big on the scale!)
- My blood pressure is good (which is remarkable, since this was the first day of school, which equates to a very hectic day)
- If I should go into labor tonight, there will be no attempts made to stop it (this is the moment that I asked the doctor to re-check my blood pressure)
- Mercy Hospital has an astonishingly low rate for C-section, at only 14% (they pride themselves on this, as the national average is around 30%, which means that the team of doctors at Mercy only do C- sections when it's absolutely necessary for the health and well-being of the baby and/or mother)
- Baby's heart rate was 140 (hmmm.... low again. Does this mean Baby E is a boy?)
- Baby E will likely be a small baby, as he/she is probably only a little over 4 pounds right now and Dr. Schoel thinks it'll be a little one (which has sent Tyler into a slight depression, as he doesn't want his child to be the one always standing in the front row for class photos, etc. Let me remind everyone of our family genes. It's unlikely our child will be a center on the basketball team)
- The amount of Baby E's movement indicates that he/she is good n healthy and getting plenty of oxygen (wish I could say the same for mommy- she's having trouble getting a deep breath due to the large mass that has affixed itself on my lungs)
- Baby E is head-down (which means it has been giving mommy some pretty swift kicks in the ribs which I previously thought must've been it's noggin. Maybe Baby E will be a punter like it's "uncle" Tyson?)
As we count down the minutes to the birth of Baby E's cousin (affectionately known as "BK" (baby Kaproth), it is exciting to think about all of the changes that lie ahead for our family. When I spoke with my brother a few minutes ago, I reminded him that there are only about 9 hours left that the Jeff & Jean Kaproth household is made up of just two people. Next time they go home after tomorrow, they will be toting their new little bundle. Soon, it'll be our turn, and we're so excited, but also a bit nervous.
What the heck are
we going to do with this thing when we get it hom
e?!
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Daddy's gettin Baby E's toys ready!


Friday, September 4, 2009
Weird? Yep, definitely. Cool? Uh-huh.
Monday, August 31, 2009
He/ She is enrolled!

Thursday, August 27, 2009
A little hiccup in the situation
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Baby Shower Fun!



Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Wierd malformations of my belly
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Girl or Boy? Tough call.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Doctor appointment update- 30 weeks and 2 days

After the lab tech told me my result was good, I took a deep sigh of relief, but then remembered what was about to happen next: the Rh- shot.
Because my blood is Rh negative, I am required to have a shot during each pregnancy and again after delivery. This shot is given in the butt, and it stung! Not like a shot stings, but a shot sting PLUS burning of the medicine as it was going in. Tyler kindly documented the whole process on camera, and afterward, stated, "you did well, Jill". He is no longer invited to appointments.
After the shot, I was free to leave. I expected to get a sucker or something for enduring so many pokes and sticks today, but nothing. Good thing I had a granola bar in my purse.
Next appointment: September 10.
WARNING: Big, naked belly photos below!!!
Monday, August 3, 2009
Baby E with friends and fam
Baby E with Daddy at auntie Nicole's wedding (7.25.09).
Monday, July 27, 2009
Lets make things interesting...
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Are we "those people"???
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Baby E is on the move!
Friday, July 3, 2009
Ultrasound results- round 3
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Current Happenings in the pre-life of Baby E
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Baby bump
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Ultrasound results
Friday, June 5, 2009
"Wassup, Mom & Dad?! Wham! I'm here!"
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Baby E: Stubborn, just like daddy
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Another photo op
Monday, June 1, 2009
Everything we ever needed to know and more
"Hello, I am your baby, and I do acrobatics!"
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Baby E = World Traveler!
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
The "Nothing" update
Thursday, May 14, 2009
HATERS!!!
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Baby E is good at tests!
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Daddy's Been Shoppin!
Baby's New Digs
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
I Found It!!!
- Summer provides the opportunity to enjoy summer BBQs guilt-free without having to "suck in" afterward. The baby belly will act as a disguise to the overindulging you've done to yourself.
- Summer clothing tends to be light and airy, allowing one to avoid constricting clothing, instead sporting dresses and such that celebrate the fact that you're sweating like a wool sock suit!
- Swollen ankles are not a woman's best friend, and when one is pregnant, "cankels" are almost inevitable. No matter how closely you monitor your sodium intake, you're likely to lose the separation between your calves and ankles. Summer pregnancy allows you to enjoy sandals; therefore, no matter how fat and swollen your feet are, there is always a plethora of shoe options that will not cut off the circulation in your feet!
- Swimming is typically not a sport that pregnant women are likely to be too excited about for the simple fact that swimming (usually) requires a swimming suit. I've already accepted the fact that I will be purchasing a (gag) "maternity suit" (unless of course I am blessed with a svelte pregnancy bod much like that of Demi Moore on the cover of Vanity Fair, in which case I will be sporting nothing but bikinis all summer), and I learned that there is absolutely no better feeling than to avoid the heat than by stepping into a cool pool to be completely weightless!
Sun + Water + Cool beverage= Perfect summer (who ever said the cool beverage needs to have rum in it?!)
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Wiggly lil monster
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Baby E is getting older!
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Questions Answered
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Is that... do I have... what did I eat?
Monday, April 20, 2009
Are we REALLY ready for this?!?!
Monday, April 13, 2009
Finding a school (daycare) will be an education!
Friday, April 10, 2009
Doctor's good news
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Baby's First Photos












