Our Hospital Adventure

Nearly 13 hours of labor...1/2 back labor and a c-section later, here is our story in pictures!  Jacob was so big that he would not move down into the birth canal...which led me to the c-section.  We love Jacob so much and he is the light of our lives!! We chose the name Jacob Elias because we love the name Jake/Jacob and Elias was Jeff's father's middle name and his grandfather's name.
Jake was in the NICU for two days because of his low glucose levels.  I was so sad.  Amazingly he managed to fight through in a quick enough time that he was with us on the third day.  
Jake is 12 days old as I write this.  He is doing great!  He had a great doctors checkup on Monday, and is gaining weight!  It is amazing to see how much he has changed in just 12 short days!  Life is good...tired, but good!

Our Arrival Has Come and It's a.....

BOY !!!!

Jacob Elias Joseph

Born on November 24, 2012 at 1:05 p.m.

Weight: 9lbs. 8oz.

21 inches

We are so excited and blessed to have a happy, healthy and HUGE little boy to call our own!  He is the cutest and most amazing gift we could ever ask for!

More baby info to come!

Week 39

Happy Thanksgiving!  I feel like I am definitely baking a turkey inside my belly!  We have so much to be thankful for this year!  Most of all I am thankful for Jeff...without him, we wouldn't be where we are today for so many reasons.  He is my rock and makes life so much brighter!
Words can't explain how much respect and amazement I have for pregnant women reaching the end of their term!  Whoa....it is a true test of durability and stamina!  I am ready to crawl out of my skin from discomfort...all worth it though!  We are reaching the end of this journey and I couldn't be more ready!  Doc says that the baby is really high still, and that because my hips are so narrow the baby may not be able to get down the birth canal.  He also said that he is happy right where he is with three meals a day and a warm hot tub to sleep in! 

Week 39 updates...

1. Maternity Clothes: Trying to make Jeff's pjs look really good...not working so much!
   
2. Stretch Marks:  My new found love....coconut oil!  Seriously, I have done a lot of research on the benefits of coconut oil, and it really works.  I have been using it on my belly this week and sort of wish I had this little secret from the beginning!
3. Sleep: none
   
4. Miss Anything?: Putting my own socks on...I literally can't bend down!
5. Movement: Still kicking away!
   
6. Food Cravings: Not much of an appetite at times.
7. Anything making you queasy or sick? no
8. Showing yet? 
9. Gender: We are so close to finding out!
10. Mood: tired
11. Labor Signs:no
12. Symptoms: What most 39 week pregnant women feel
13. Looking Forward To: parenting

Week 38

We went to our doctor on Tuesday.  I am 1cm and still very high.  The doc says that he most likely will see us in his office on Monday.  I am soooo ready to be done! But, I have not doubt the babe will come when he/she is ready.  My bet is on the exact day!  When I went to my acupuncturist she claimed that I was going to deliver on the full moon...low and behold it is the 28th! I finished three photo classes to prepare for taking pictures of the baby, I have a Happiest Baby on the Block class on Monday, and the last thing I really want to do is see the last movie in the Twilight series-haha!  Jeff and I have a date night planned on Tuesday to see it!  He is so great that he will go with me!  The nursery is done ( I posted pics in the nursery section), car seat checked, Eli primped and pretty, clothes washed, and bags are packed! When do you think baby Joseph will be here?!

Week 38 updates...

1. Maternity Clothes:  I am so huge that I have now moved into Jeff's shirts and pants for pajamas! 
   
2. Stretch Marks:  Praying my skin holds in there
3. Sleep: Went to my acupuncturist this week for my back pain, and I honestly felt better!  Believe it or not, I have gotten some sleep! 
   
4. Miss Anything?: Being able to drive comfortably.
5. Movement: Still kicking away!
   
6. Food Cravings: Not much of an appetite at times.
7. Anything making you queasy or sick? Queasy a lot these days...must be because my organs literally have no room!
8. Showing yet? 
9. Gender: You wouldn't believe how many people this week told me boy!  I am more than anxious to find out at this point!!!
10. Mood: Drained
11. Labor Signs: none ):
12. Symptoms: My stomach has been getting really hard this week...what does that mean?
13. Looking Forward To: The pregnancy chapter being done, and the baby chapter starting!  Don't get me wrong, I had the most amazing, happy pregnancy, but this last stretch is harder than I ever imagined!  Props to all the moms out there!

Week 37

With the 2012 elections this week, I decided to break out my red, white and blue.  Lots of positive things happened this week!  I met with a friend who brought her baby girl they just adopted after a long, emotional struggle.  It was so great to see her so happy!  Jeff's grandmother (we call her Sitti) is slowly recovering from an infection that put her in critical condition.  She is making strides every day, and is so strong!  She can't wait to meet the baby, and I know that this baby will give her the strength and determination to fight forward. Jeff's coworkers threw him a surprise baby shower that truly touched him and made him even more excited than he already is!  It is great to have so many amazing people around us!

Week 37 updates...

1. Maternity Clothes: At the beginning, I was excited to wear maternity clothes...now I just want to fit into a really good pair of jeans!
   
2. Stretch Marks:  None...although my skin is definitely stretched to the max!
3. Sleep: A thing of the past...
   
4. Miss Anything?: Being able to do things around the house on my own without relying on Jeff...wait one minute am I really saying this out loud?! 
5. Movement: Witching hour is 8p.m. This is when the baby kicks and moves like crazy and I feel what my doctor calls "zingers" (stabbing pains)
   
6. Food Cravings: same old stuff
7. Anything making you queasy or sick? bad smells
8. Showing yet? 
9. Gender: I think a girl...
10. Mood: Anxious
11. Labor Signs: none
12. Symptoms: Sharp pains, cracks in joints, pops in bones and the list goes on and on and on (:
13. Looking Forward To: Having the baby already!!!!  Definitely ready!

Week 35 and Week 36

I think everyone can agree that this past week was very interesting!  Hurricane Sandy came roaring through and damaging the East Coast including NYC, Long Island and New Jersey.  To see the damage and loss that people have suffered and still are suffering, is so sad and upsetting.  Through this though, you see the spirit of mankind.  I just watched a special on the heroes of the storm.  It makes you feel inspired and happy to know that kindness and the golden rule still hold true.  My favorite story was the story of the NYU nurses helping those little babies that were practically just born.  I guess this is very close to my heart because our little one will be here in just a few weeks.
One of Jeff's favorite things to celebrate is Halloween, and though this was a quiet one with lots of candy left over (I think Jeff planned it that way), he assured me that next year and every year after will be different!  He does make me laugh!  We also went to another doctor's appointment and got a really good report.  I am measuring a week ahead (which I am very confident to tell you that I knew I was a week ahead the whole time) so that means I am more like 37 weeks.  Heartbeat, measurements, blood pressure-all perfect!  Now, if the labor could go just as well as this pregnancy!  Staying positive that it will!

I am looking scary tired!!!! Haha!

My Halloween costume....

Week 36 Updates....

1. Maternity Clothes: These are starting to even be uncomfortable
   
2. Stretch Marks:  None
3. Sleep: I am to the point where I can only get about two good hours of sleep before I want to literally cry from the excruciating pain I feel in my lower back, hips and legs.  But...I wouldn't change it for the world (:
4. Miss Anything?:  Sleep...I know, I know-it will never be the same ( I have been told that so many times)
5. Movement: Baby's head is down and the kicking has now made it into my ribs
   
6. Food Cravings: Grapes
7. Anything making you queasy or sick? When I eat too much
8. Showing yet? 
9. Gender: I can't wait to know already!!
10. Mood:  Due to the lack of sleep...I am not going to talk about it!
11. Labor Signs: none
12. Symptoms: Sharp pains, cracks in joints, pops in bones and the list goes on and on and on (:
13. Looking Forward To: seeing how big this baby really is going to be...I'm telling you it feels like it is about 10 pounds in me right now!

 Like I said, I technically am 36 weeks, but from the beginning have known that I was a week ahead.  So I am going to go with 37.  That means that by Wednesday (that is the day of the "new" week), I will be considered full term!  I can't believe it!  Sooo....be on the look out for some delivery news!  We are hoping we actually do deliver on our due date of November 28th....that was Jeff's mother's birthday.  Fingers crossed!

Week 35...sorry I got lazy this week!  No updates!

Pregnancy Photos!

Pregnancy photos!! We decided to get some pregnancy photos done by an amazing photographer and fellow teacher.  She is so talented!  If you are ever looking to find someone in the Buffalo/Niagara area, I would highly recommend Andrea at Vita Bella Photography.  Thanks Andrea for making us smile!

Week 34

There is no doubt that the angels are on our side!  This baby has brought so much joy, happiness and luck to us and he/she hasn't even arrived yet!  There has been so many instances of good luck coming our way in the past nine months (which has been so refreshing considering the last several years), and this week was no different.  While driving downtown to meet Jeff to celebrate a friend's retirement, I happen to be driving during rush hour on a fairly busy highway.  I was in the middle lane and saw a deer coming from my right.  The car next to me startled it and hit it.  The deer flew in the air and hit the car on my left, and then flew into my car.  It was like I was in slow motion.  Luckily, I was as calm as possible and chose to drive forward hitting the deer.  When I finally was able to get over on the side, I was a little shaken, but handled it the best I could.  The deer smashed my front in.  When I got home that night and had time to reflect, the only feelings I had were thankfulness.  So many horrible things could have happened in that situation.  I could have hit another car, the car behind me could have smashed into me, the deer could have went through my windshield....but none of that happened. I am so appreciative, and this was just another reminder that it is so important to count your blessings!

Week 34 Updates....

1. Maternity Clothes: I hate them!
   
2. Stretch Marks:  None
3. Sleep: I am so baby ready!
4. Miss Anything?:  Beer...I really could have used one have the deer incident!
5. Movement: Kicking-that baby has to be getting crunched in there!
   
6. Food Cravings: Fruits
7. Anything making you queasy or sick? When I eat too much
8. Showing yet? 
9. Gender: The verdict today from friend was GIRL
10. Mood:  Anxious
11. Labor Signs: none
12. Symptoms: Sharp pains, cracks in joints, pops in bones and the list goes on (:
13. Looking Forward To: holding our baby in my arms

Week 33

What a week!  This week was my birthday.  By request I was asked to wear Jeff's favorite number (which happens to be how old I am) and jersey for my pic!  How can I say no to him!  It was a great and relaxing birthday and we were able to go to my favorite restaurant, Thai Orchid, for dinner.  I was also able to take a breastfeeding class...god knows I have no clue what I am doing in that department!  I started washing the baby clothes and blankets (we have sooo many, and I can't wait to use them all).  To end the week off we went to an all day birthing class.  I can say that I feel a little bit more at ease with things now.  However, our nursery is STILL not done!!!!  It is driving me crazy, but my goal is to have everything done and in order by November 1st.  Can it be done?  I guess we will find out soon enough!! 

Week 33 Updates....

1. Maternity Clothes: Looking for a pair of cute riding boots that actually fit!  The clothes options are getting pretty sad!
   
2. Stretch Marks:  Not yet....please, please stay strong skin!
3. Sleep: Eli developed a two day habit this week of coming and snuggling right next to my belly.  Some how I ended up in the crack of my bed, Jeff ended up with no covers and Eli was as happy as can be with half of the bed to himself.  We broke that habit real quick!  Sorry Eli!
4. Miss Anything?:  Putting my Uggs on without Jeff to help me
5. Movement: Still kicking away-I am feeling like a stuffed turkey
   
6. Food Cravings: Sweets
7. Anything making you queasy or sick? I have been queasy recently a lot.  I think it is because my stomach is getting squeezed and I can't sit comfortably.
8. Showing yet? 
9. Gender: I had a second dream that we had a girl...I don't know!
10. Mood:  After our birthing class, I left with no worries about the delivery.  I started to get anxious about the baby's health.  I just pray that he/she is happy and healthy-that is all I care about!
11. Labor Signs: none
12. Symptoms: Sharp pains in lower abdomen when I stand up...doc said that is normal, but it ain't fun!
13. Looking Forward To: Our hospital visit is this weekend as well as meeting our pediatrician