On a mission

I have mentioned before how I am on an app called instagram (ig). I describe it as being like twitter with photos. I use it to connect with mom's from all over the united states, and the world actually. I have a few mommy friends from England and even Australia. These ladies have supported me when my family and I were coping with frequent miscarriages, during the time we were trying to conceive, and all through this last pregnancy. Each mommy I have is so different and I learn a lot from them. Through ig I found a very strong support system for breast feeding. I'll be the first to admit that with my first son I was under informed and had no clue what I was doing. Through my 9 months of pregnancy I asked questions and learned from those who were successful, I even learned from those who weren't. I was on a mission to make breast feeding work this time. I did my research and bought an affordable pump. I pump everyday to make sure we h ave a decent stockpile for Jesse to use when I'm in class. We have quite the stash going right now. These first few weeks have been difficult. Figuring out the proper latch. Getting on a schedule. Then realizing that that schedule doesn't mean jack. Loving the fact that I don't have to wash bottles but then realizing that ONLY I can feed him. I've also been learning to breast feed in public. We are still quite new so I use a cover otherwise it would be quite the show. But my goal is to not need that cover anymore. There is no debate that breast milk is best, but my urge to successfully breast feed Jake is more like a mission. I not only CAN do this I WILL do this. And go to school and teach classes and take care of a 2 year old and be a loving wife...... I can do this, I can do this, I can do this.

The first 2 weeks

Lord have mercy! I can't believe it's already been 2 weeks since Jacob was born. I can remember what the first few weeks were like with Sammy and the experience with Jake could not be more different.
With Sammy, I never slept. I rarely ate. I didn't breast feed because of the added stress, which I could not take anymore of. I remember feeling like I was in a panic the whole time. Totally lost, and out of my element.
With Jacob, I got to sleep, even in the hospital. We have good nights and bad nights, but even on the bad nights I get sleep. I eat 3 meals a day. I make sure I have a snack at night because breast feeding makes me hungry and thirsty. We are doing AMAZING with breast feeding, and with pumping enough so I can go to class. I'm still working on getting chores and things around the house done with 2 little ones, but I'm sure I'll adjust.
I am a much more confident mommy! And I think Jake and even Sammy can sense it.
Tomorrow my mom leaves and we will be on our own as a family of 4. I can't wait to see how we handle this. I haven't really experienced much in the way of the "baby blues" this time around but I think I may feel it more in the coming weeks when I will be spending more time by myself. Stay tuned.

A family of 4!!!!

Well I am no longer pregnant!!!! I'm so happy that this baby is OUT!! I'm a pretty good pregnant lady, but I am an awful "3rd trimester, almost to my due date pregnant lady." This pregnancy was fantastic as far as pregnancies go. No complications! And considering our last year of trying get (and stay) pregnant I am very happy that my pregnancy was uneventful.

Jacob Duke is beautiful! He was born 2 days before his due date! Sammy is an amazing big brother already. He loves Jake. He gives him kisses all the time. It's adorable. The only thing Sammy is not a fan of is our change in bedtime routine. Since Jesse will be waking up and taking care of Sammy at night if he wakes up (so I can wake with Jake) we decided it would be best if Jesse also put him to bed, instead of mommy. It's quite sad but he will get used to it. Mommy still does nap time.

I had my last doctor's appointment on Thursday (Aug. 9th) and I had not progressed much at all since the week before. So the doc was pretty certain that we'd be seeing each other in another week for another appointment. I was soooo bummed. I asked him about size of the baby. He felt my belly and measured it and said " oh he's small. I wouldn't be surprised if he was about 6 or 7lbs when you finally deliver." Jacob was born 9lbs 0.9oz Take that Dr. Trottier!

I went home that day making a mental list of everything I needed to do for the next week. Throughout the day, Sammy and I went about our normal routine. I had a horrible back ache all day but figured hey I'm super duper pregnant why shouldn't my back be hurting. That night I went to bed and Jesse rubbed my back. At 10pm I had a contraction. I really didn't think anything of it because well I'd been having all kinds of contractions. About 20 min later I had another. Then another. I made Jesse get some sleep because they weren't anywhere near time for hospital and I was sure they'd stop soon. But they didn't... They got closer together, and STRONGER! When they were about 5 min aparrt I woke up Jesse, we called the doc then our friend to come over and watchrr Sammy.

We were monitored for a few hours at the hospital and my contractions were regular but I had not dilated at all from when I was checked out in Dr. Trottier's office. So Jesse and I walked the halls to see if we could get things moving. And when I was checked again we had progressed to 3cm so we were admitted! That was at about 5:30 am.

I labored for a few more hours. I was given pitocin to regulate my contractions and get them closer together. I had to get my epidural shortly after. By that time I had been awake for over 24 hours. I was just going to bed for the night when my contractions started so no sleep since the night before. At about 9:30 am they broke my water (4-5cm) and the nurse had me rotating laying on my sides. 45 minutes on each side. By the second turn I was 9.5 cm. then ready to push. It was all very calm. Like I've done it everyday. Until I actually had to push.

I pushed about 30 minutes and Jacob was delivered! The first thing the doctor said was "wow he's a big boy!" they put him on my chest and it was just the sweetest moment! They took him to clean him and weigh him so I sent Jesse over to that side of the room with the camera. It was an amazing day. After all the excitement had died down Jesse left to get big brother, Sammy. And Jacob and I did our recovery process.

Sammy enjoined meeting his baby brother for the first time. It was like he completely understood what had happened. Jesse was a fabulous coach and I really could not have made it without him. My cup is full... My boys!

Jacob Duke
Born: 8-10-12 @ 11:12am
Weight: 9lbs. 0.9oz
Length: 21 inches

Still pregnant, STILL!!!

Well it has started... the contractions that are false alarms, looking up every old wives' tale to induce labor, bouncing on a yoga ball, walking, driving on bumpy roads (none of that works by the way). It's almost as though the first 8 months of pregnancy are the growing part, and the last month is just waiting... And waiting..... And waiting.... And waiting.
Last night I got very emotional that I'd have to leave my oldest when we go to have this baby. I feel so bad that we may have to leave him in the middle of the night. It's so sad. It's exciting that we'd get another great little boy. And Sammy won't remember how scared he was when mommy and daddy were gone but I worry.
If we have no baby by Thursday (I doubt we will) I have another doctor's appointment and he said we may discuss induction then. The end is near! The end is near!