6months

JP is six months old already!! We have been enjoying the summer with more time together since I am only working 2 days a week.
JP is on solid foods and has tried many fruits and veggies. So far he likes most everything except for green beans, but I managed to get him to eat them this morning. He prefers fruits but overall is a good eater.
He has been going through some major sleep regression(waking every 2 hours) but in the last week and a half it seems to be getting better. He slept an 8 hour stretch last night!!!! Only woke once over 10 hours!
He has started with some separation anxiety. He cries when he cant see one of us.
He has rolled from belly to back. Though recently he has been refusing to roll by himself. He sits totally independently and has started to lean forward and rock. He hasn't quite figured out his feet/knees yet, but my guess is it wont take long. He's a determined little guy. He also stands well with support.
He loves to sing songs and explore his toys. One of his favorite songs in The Wheels on the Bus.
He hates his car seat and being strapped in. Including his life jacket for the boat.
He has his two bottom teeth and is working on his two top.
He is a smilely little guy! We are always getting compliments about how cute and happy he is!
He's weighing in at 17lbs 8oz! He's in size 9month clothing and size 3 diapers.

The Birth of JP

The morning of January 9^th, 2013 I woke up excited to get the show on the road. We were finally at the end of the long 41 week journey. I was 9 days over due, NINE. JP had been dropped for weeks. Actually I was convinced I'd be able to get myself into labor over my 11 day Christmas break. But low and behold, I had no luck. So although I was over due I continued to work through January 8^th. As I previously said, I was dropped to about 0 station, was about 70% effaced, but only 1 cm dilated. So after begging the Doctor to move my induction that was previously scheduled for January 14^th up. I was told on the afternoon of January7th that they could take me the morning of the 9^th. Finally, an end in sight! “The 9^th!” I said. “As in, two days from now? Horray!”

Pat and I woke up the morning of the 9^th with bags packed, ready to head out the door. My induction was scheduled to start at 8am. I was instructed to call the hospital an hour prior to make sure that there was a room available for me. To my surprise, there wasn't. I was told that if I didn't get a call by 11:00 I was supposed to call them. I was surprisingly calm while we waited. Pat squeezed in some last minute game time and I watched TLC's baby story. Around 10:50 I called to see how much longer it would be. They said to get there at 2:00. I paced the house some more and tried to eat some lunch. I knew it was going to be a long afternoon/night and I wasn't sure if they would let me eat. The car ride to the hospital was quiet and calm. I can't speak for Patrick but all I could think about was that the next time I would be in the car, we would have our son with us.

When we arrived at the hospital they were ready for us. I signed a few papers and was shown to my room. At this point I was most scared about getting my IV. A few weeks prior I had a preeclampsia scare where the nurse put in a terrible iv. When she put the iv in she hit my vein wrong and there was blood everywhere. So they hooked me up to the monitors and I nervously gave the nurse my iv speech. “So I just need to tell you” I said. “I have a tendency to pass out. And also, I was here a few weeks ago and got a terrible iv. I SHOULD be fiiine, but I just wanted to let you know” Her eyes got huge as she looked at me and laughed. The IV was fine of course. My nerves were worse then the actual process. Once I was hooked up to the monitors for a little they came in to talk to me. Apparently I was having contractions every 4 minutes. When I looked on the screen they had big peaks and valleys but I was hardly feeling them. They checked me again and I was still only one to two. They had to give my fluids to slow down the contractions so that they could give me meds to get me progressed. They discussed my options with me once my contractions slowed down to 6min.s apart. They told me that at the current moment Pitocin would not be the best option because my cirvex was what wasn't progressing. They decided that Cirvadil would be my best option. It was put in at 6:45pm and had to stay in for 12 hours. By this time all of our parents had come out to visit. We were all bummed that the process was going to take so long but I knew going into it that being induced could take days. At one point during the late afternoon I got up to use the restroom. When I came back to bed and they put the monitor on, JP's heart beat was down in the 90's. They rolled me onto my side and it came back up quickly. But it was probably the scariest moment of the entire process.

Eventually family left and we started to settle in for the night. The nurses offed me Ambien to help me sleep and I agreed to take it since I knew Id need my energy. Unfortunately the Ambien did not knock me out, but instead made me feel horrible! I felt crazy drunk on the medecine. I was trying to watch TV to fall asleep and I literally saw double. When I got up to use the bathroom I was stumbling through the room. By about 2:00am I was having terrible cramping and could not fall asleep because of the pain. I had been in and out of the jacuzzi tub to help me manage my pain. I was falling asleep in the tub between my contractions but could not actually sleep. Pat contacted a nurse and they were able to give me another med through my iv that helped me get about 2 hours of sleep. I remember sometime during the early morning I told Pat that they were going to need to take out the Cervidil because the contractions were too intense. I actually don't remember parts of my laboring. Between the exhaustion and being in my labor zone I could only focus on the moment.

But somehow I made it to 6:45 am. I was so relieved to have the Cervadil out. They also checked me at this time and said that I was 4cm. I was excited that I had progressed but the prize still felt so far away! They said that I would be getting hooked up to Pitocin soon. They said to expect to progress at one cm per hour. Although my birth plan was to go as naturally as possible, at this point in my labor I was exhausted. I was feeling overwhelmed by the pain and couldn't imagine continuing this way for another 6 hours! I asked for the epidural. They told me to take a shower and order some breakfast because I wouldn't be able to get out of bed or eat once I had the epidural. We ordered breakfast and I got back into the jacuzzi tub. I was trying to relax in the tub when I felt like I had to poop. I got out of the tub and tried to go but nothing came out. When I got back into the tub Pat had noticed that I was bleeding. What we didn't realize was that my water had broken. When I got back into the tub my body suddenly started to push. I had no control over it. It just happened. Even in that moment of total exhaustion and intense pain I knew that my body was getting ready. I was trusting my body. Although I had just been checked a little over a half hour earlier I knew that something was going on. I made Pat get a nurse and they had me get out of the tub to be checked. While getting into bed I had another gush of water from JP moving. To everyone’s surprise, when I was checked I was 9cm! I went from 4-9 in 45minutes! Even the nurses were amazed. “Do you still want the epidural?” the nurse asked? “Pshh, NO!” I said. At this point the nurses had just switched their shifts. My new nurse was rushing around to get me set up. They quickly pumped some antibiotics in me for my Strep B but everyone knew I wouldn't get my full two doses. It all happened so fast. The midwife (or as we call him, the midman) came in. I was thrilled that he was the one who would be delivering JP. I had met him in the office and loved his sense of humor and his kind relaxed personality. He started with the comedy as soon as he walked in. I started to push, they gave me a mirror. It was so helpful to see my progress and one of the most amazing things that I have ever seen! When his head and first shoulder/arm came out the “midman” had him wave to me and said “Hey mom!” I didn't have the energy to actually laugh at that moment. I was more amazed and in awe that I was looking at my sons face! They pulled him out and put him under the light. I had wanted them to put him right on my chest but the second gush of water had a tiny bit of miconium in it so they had to suction him out right away. I just had a baby I kept thinking. I don't remember crying at this moment, I just kept telling Pat to go get pictures. Once JP was all fixed up they placed him on my chest and THAT is when I was a puddle of tears. My son, my sweet sweet son was here!

Over the past two months JP has grown and changed so much. From my perfect little 7lb.5.5oz newborn to my 10lb 8.4oz two month old! Hes also grown from 19&3/4inches to 23inches. Hes holding his head with good control, smiling, and even gave me a giggle session on his two month birthday! :) Hes loving watching peoples expressions, naps in mommys arms(and not his crib. Lol), Watching mobiles and things spin above him(including the ceiling fan), singing songs, and splashing in the tub! JP hates sleeping on flat surfaces, tummy time, and being burped while he wants to eat.

JP is such a joy. He makes every middle of the night feeding, diaper blow out, spit up covered moment with it! Love him more than words can express!

Mine to Love

JP and Mommy just had the most awesome moment. I turned on one of my favorite songs about being a parent. I looked at his sweet little face and sang to him. And he looked back at me with thoes big blue eyes and smiled and smiled and smiled. My heart is overflowing with love for this little guy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLXK-C08hps

19 weeks 2 days

Time is flying by. I can not believe that next Thursday we will be finding out if we have a son or daughter. A few nights ago I asked Pat through tears(hormones!) if he would be ok if it is a girl. He gave me a reasuring "of course,yes!" I think hes ready to be a Daddy! :)
I have been so blessed that I have been feeling well for pretty much the entire pregnancy so far. I have started to suffer from a few of the common symptoms such as sore feet, round liganent pain, and just a slow moving body overall. My tailbone was bothering me for a few weeks but that has seemed to subside. I am hopeful that this is because baby is moving up to where he/she is supposed to be. At my last appt. the Dr. said that she believe that my uterus tilts backwards. This could be some of the reason they couldnt find the hearbeat at week 13.
In the anatomy scan next week we are praying that my placenta is now where it should be. As baby grows in 50-75% of the cases the placenta moves up as baby makes more room in there. If it has not moved from over top of my cervix they will need to do more ultra sounds to monitor. If it doesnt move by our due date then I will need to be scheduled for a C-section. Before diagnosis of my low laying placenta I had every intention of going as natural as my body would allow me to.
I started to organize the nursery last weekend. I hung up all of the itty bitty clothing and separated it by size. I can't wait to find out if I will be buying Pink or Blue. I have started some early nesting behaviors. I have already washed all of the baby clothing that we have. I have also started cleaning in places I haven't cleaned in far too long. Last week I dusted the walls in our bedroom. I couldn't believe how much it was bothing me.
Till next time, please enjoy this picture.

13 weeks

Well, we are heading to ALASKA tomorrow!

I had a checkup yesterday and she went over my bloodwork that had been done, I am imune to most "common child sicknesses" that could harm the baby. Then she tried to find the heart beat, couldn't find it with the first doplar. Went and got another, still couldn't find it. The appointment stopped then and there and she ordered me to go to the Hospitals ER to get and ultrasound. The reason that they couldn't do it there was because the ultrasound tech was gone for the day. So I began to cry, thinking the worst. I called Pat before I even checked out and he came right over and we drove to the hospital together. It was a long drive over and a long process to get checked in and where we needed to be. Finally we got called back, I was so nervous that I kept asking to pee. Finally we were called back and set and ready to get started with the ultra sound. I kept trying to watch the screen but the ultra sound tech was trying to keep it turned away. I saw that sweet flutter of a heart beat before she told us everything was ok. I broke down and cried hard at that point. I felt so thankful that God has protected this little life inside of me. She spent a good 15 minutes with us. The baby now actually looks like a baby! We got to see the heart beat, see the brain, the stomach, and the spine. Baby was turning all around and seemed to enjoy laying on his/her head! We also got to see the little one kick and move their arms around. The ultrasound tech also changed my due date. She predicts we're due 12/31/12. This is the day I first thought but the Dr.'s said 1/2/13. I'm excited to see if we will have a 2012 or 2013 baby! It was an amazing appointment but a long day. My appointment was at 5:30 and we didn't leave the ER till almost 9:00.
Also they found that I have a low laying placenta. I need to be extra careful with lifting and doing  anything strenuous.
We are cleared, and packed, and ready to head to Alaska! I'll update once we return!

11 Weeks

Not much has changed since my last post but I figured I would update since I don't know if I'll get another chance in the next two weeks with preparing for Alaska!
I saw Dr. Harris in Baltimore during my infustion last Friday. All of the ladies there were very excited for us! Dr. H will see me again in the second tri and also the third. I usually get my infusions every 8 weeks but my schedule will change a bit because I can not get the infusions past week 32. Up till then the meds do not pass through the placenta. So at some point I will get the Remicade sooner than 8 weeks so that we can get it as close to, but not past, week 32.
Overall Ive still been feeling good. I'm starting to get some energy back and have been trying to push myself to get to the gym. I made it there twice this week (in addition to a few Theo walks) and feel good about that effort! Of couse I rewarded myself(and baby) with some Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream! I think he(she?) likes it.
Otherwise, we will be making our facebook anouncement sometime in the next few days/week. Enjoy the picture of my growing bump! Patrick says Ive really "poped" in the last few days and I don't think I can keep this secret quiet much longer!(Though the site won't let me upload my 10 week photo at the moment.)

9 weeks

JesterDuo PLUS UNO!

Drum roll please....Ladies and Gents, what you have all been waiting for. A BUMP UPDATE!

Tomorrow brings us to week 10! I think that part of me has not invested the time into a bump update because I didn't want to be too emotinally attached. But who are we kidding, Ive been emotionally attached to this little baby since the moment I saw thoes two pink lines and I jumped around the house, home alone, like a crazy person! AND, here we are, just 2 weeks left in the fist trimester!
It still does not feel "real" that I am growing a little person inside of me! So far the first trimester has treated me very well. I have been fortunate not to have any morning sickness. I have however been exhausted and hungry all the time. I have gained an undisclosed amount of weight already. More then the 'average'. I am not looking forward to working the extra weight off once baby comes but I am counting it as a blessing that my Crohn's is behaving and letting my body give this little one lots of food! Speaking of, I see my Chrons Dr. on Friday. I'm excited to see what she will say. Overall however I have been eating rather well. One food that I can not stand right now is bananas. Used to love bananas, right now, not on my top food list!

Patrick still seems to be in a bit of shock about becoming a Daddy. I'm pretty sure he will be heartbroken if our baby is a girl. He will love her anyways but he is 100% rooting for a boy! He has mostly been working hard to look for any way he can get more hours at work. He has also been continuing to look for a new job. If you haven't already, please put this on your prayer list. Pat has been looking for a new job for a while now, we are just waiting on God's timing!

Speaking of working hard, we are mostly looking forward to our Cruise to Alaska in a few weeks. The Dr. cleared me last week to take the trip and even take sea sickness meds if I need to.

And now, a few snap shots to see just how much food I have been packing in my pie hole! :P

 

First Bump shot. Our due date has since changed to January 2, 2013.

After the first ultrasound

7.5 weeks, starting with a teeny tiny pooch

Baby J and Baby D. 8 weeks and 18 weeks!

Baby Jester and Baby Ansell. Cousins 8 weeks and 29 weeks(I think)!

Baby Jester and Baby Jester! 8 weeks and 24 weeks!