A Letter to Jayce: Two Months

Jayce, Little Man,

You are currently sleeping in my arms, milk drunk. This past month has brought so many precious moments and firsts that I don't even know where to begin. 

You had your first trip to the ranch...and it was hard work learning how to sleep in a new place. 

You went to your first high school graduation....

and proceeded to have your first major blowout...on me and my dress. (Notice I'm now wearing a sweater - with a new dress you can't see - and you're wearing a new outfit too.)

You started to make new faces when we talk to you. 

You had your first tummy time that wasn't on someone's chest. 

You got to watch your first NBA finals game. Daddy & I can't wait for you to love sports like us. 

You made your first friend. 

You went to big church for the first time. (Yay for a cry room!)

 

You got to meet a loved great-grandma. 

And for your two month birthday, you had your first shots. 

But the biggest change of all this month...

I fell in love with you over and over again. 

I fell so in love this month that this sight

made me cry crocodile tears. You are growing up so fast. I'm torn between two things: wanting to watch you grow and learn OR wanting you to stay this cute and innocent baby. 

My love for you is endless. 

You are making my heart grow. 

I am starting to understand God's endless love for me. 

You are helping me learn patience, a lesson I've been struggling with my whole life. 

You are helping me lean harder on God for the big and little, something I've been trying to do for years. 

You have become my whole world. 

And I wouldn't have it any other way. 

Love, Mommy

A Letter to Jayce: One Month

Jayce,

You have been here for a month as of Monday. You came into the world 3 weeks early and we could not be more happy. I asked for one day off from work and that's exactly what you gave me. But more than that, we are so just thankful that you are here. 

You have been prayed for since before Daddy and I were even a couple. We have wanted you to be here since we knew we would get married. Sorry we had to wait so long but God knew what was best.

You had your first photo shoot a day after you were born in the hospital. 

You had your second a week later. We will treasure those pictures forever since you will never be that little again. 

I got to celebrate my first Mother's Day because you came early. I have been able to start my lifelong dream of being a stay at home mommy. 

Daddy had his pinning ceremony on Sunday and you were able to be there. 

  

You have already made our lives mean so much more. I've never been more tired or more happy. 

Unfortunately, I've been struggling with a little postpartum depression - feeling like a milk machine more than a mommy,  struggling to feel connected to you, lacking that instant overwhelming love for you, your cries bringing me frustration and empathy tears. 

Thankfully, you and your daddy make me feel loved at just the right moments. I hope you learn so many things from your daddy just by watching him be the Godly man that he is. 

I pray that I can start feeling more in love with you on a consistent basis. Please know that I do love you. 

I love when you get calm at just hearing my voice.

I love when you grab my finger. 

I love when you make eye contact with me.

I love all your cute and funny faces. 

I love when you smile in your sleep. 

l love when you fall asleep on my chest.

Sometimes I just don't feel lovey as much as I want. You are an answered prayer. I just have to adjust how I react to your needs. You will always need me and I will always need you and love you - I am your kiss goodnight, and you are my I love you. 

Our L&D Story

On Thursday April 16th, we had our 37w appointment and I was exactly 37w. My glucose numbers had been low for the previous 3 days. Our doctor said it was probably because the placenta stops preventing insulin from reaching the baby as it gets closer to its expiration date. She checked me and said I was 1cm dilated still but I was now 70% effaced and baby was at -2 station. She ended our appointment by saying "Well, if you're still pregnant next week, we will have another basic appointment like this." We didn't think it would start 24 hours later. =)

Jerome and I went out to have a date Friday night at 6:30pm. As soon as we stepped foot in the doors at 6:55p, I felt a gush of liquid. I ran to the bathroom where it continued. We immediately left, called our parents and headed home. When we got home, I had 2 more rounds of gushing and we knew my bag of waters had broken. I hadn't had any contractions prior so we prayed that they would come so we didn't have to have interventions. Within 2 hours, I was having mild contractions every 8 minutes. I labored at home for 12 hours until the contractions were at least a minute long and about 4 1/2 minutes apart. We checked into the hospital at 6:30a on Saturday, found out I was 4cm and baby was -1 station. I got into a L&D room by 8a.

At 3:30p, I was 9cm and baby was at +2 station. With every contraction, I had to resist pushing since I wasn't fully dilated. This low station was causing major pain in my lower back. I had to relax my whole body except my core so that I wouldn't push. We also found out baby had turned its head to the left slightly. After calling my doctor, a resident came in to physically turn baby back to face down with a contraction. So glad she did because I only had to wait one hour more before pushing instead of more. 

Our doctor arrived at 4:30p, saw how low baby was and decided I could start pushing even though I wasn't quite 10cm. She helped my cervix reach 10cm and stay there while I was pushing. After 1 1/2 hours of pushing, my contractions were slowing down and it was getting close to pitocin being necessary. Jerome gave me a little pep talk and I knew I had to start pushing harder and through my back pain. I pushed for another 1 1/2 hours, having to have oxygen between pushes. Afterwards, Jerome told me I was having minimal contractions and that last 90 minutes was basically me pushing on my own strength, which is why I needed the oxygen. 

Our baby BOY was born on Saturday, April 18th at 7:47pm after 25 hours of labor. Jayce Alan was 7lb 4oz and 20.5in long. He shows no signs of the gestational diabetes affecting him and he is perfect!!

Momma Kits/Stations

I have been spending so much time on Pinterest lately, it's a little ridiculous. Wait, what am I saying?! There is no such things as too much time on Pinterest. =) I have the nesting feeling but I'm not at the point where I'm acting on it impulsively, hence Pinterest. I currently feel the need to pack our hospital bags and make tons of kits or stations for after the baby is born. I will be updating this post as I actually create the kits/stations.

Here is the to do list I have made:

• Hospital/Diaper Bags (whole separate post coming)
• Breastfeeding Snack Station
• Breastfeeding Living Room Kit
• Diaper Changing Kit
• Momma Bathroom Kit
• Baby Medicine Kit (tacklebox)
• Baby Car Kit
• Postpartum Kit
• New Daddy Kit

All of these, I have found and pinned on my Pregnancy or Baby boards on Pinterest. I cannot wait to get started. Is that sad? I don't think so either. =)

The Breastfeeding Snack Station is on the blog Unskinny Boppy under a post called The Gift that Keeps on Giving. The author originally gave it as a gift to a friend who had just had a baby. I think it would be a great gift to give myself. =) Also, it's a really easy way for J to know what I need when I'm breastfeeding. I know he really wants to bond with the baby but he is being super supportive of my desire to breastfeed as long as I can. He also has a servant's heart and I'm sure he would be able to restock this station easily without having to ask for my opinion.

The Breastfeeding Living Room Kit, Diaper Changing Kit and Momma Bathroom Kit were all found on a blog called Healthy Tipping Point. The post was called New Mom Survival Stations. I will definitely be creating these small kits.

The Baby Medicine Kit is found in 2 posts on All Four Love's blog. The first post is just called Baby Tackle Box. The second post is called Restocking Baby Tackle Box. She goes into more detail on what is in the box since she is restocking it for her 2nd child. She breaks it down by types of medicines you will need for 0-12 months. So excited to make this!!

The Baby Car Kit is something that I've been wanting to do before I even found it on Pinterest. I'm just so glad I don't have to reinvent the wheel! This is in addition to the diaper bag but it ALWAYS stays in the car. Two Twenty One wrote a post on the Baby Car Kit. Loving this idea.

I also think a Postpartum Kit is a great idea. I mean, I will have just brought another human into the world. =) I found this idea from Tall Mom Tiny Baby. The Ultimate Post-Partum Recovery Kit shares what she gave to a friend who had just had a baby. 

The last kit I want to make is for J. Most of the gifts we have been getting are for the baby or me. I want him to feel included and loved. I found the New Daddy Kit on a blog called Life with My Littles. It was part of her blog post I love called 25 Things to Do before Your Baby Is Born. I can't wait to make this for my beloved and see his face when I give it to him!

I would love to hear of any ideas you have to put in the kits or any other kinds of kits you think would be a good idea. I hope to update you soon on the progress of these kits!

Valentine's Day

I'm I don't believe in Valentine's Day. I think it's a holiday made up by card, chocolate, & flower companies. They need an excuse to triple prices. 😃 My Valentine's Day consisted of taking advantage of a Kendra Scott deal and my hubby doing some nesting for me. 

So, confession: as soon as my 3rd trimester came, a few 'symptoms' magically appeared. So far, I haven't experienced any pregnancy 'symptoms' except a growing belly that I can see move. And fatigue. I always feel like I need a nap. But I digress. This was me last Thursday, February 12th. 

It's the only bathroom selfie I have EVER taken. I'm kind of ashamed but it was an exciting day. 

About those 'symptoms' that magically appeared. The first was my waddle. It became very noticeable to me that day. And nesting. The infamous 'symptom' of nesting. I all of a sudden had an urge to wash the 10 onesies I have, the bedding set I don't have, and organize the 20 random items I got from my first shower. Totally silly right?! I have nothing to nest about and yet I was doing it anyways.  

As I've said before, our nursery is small but the perfect size for a newborn. Well, J and I have been using it as a storage  room in addition to the nursery. So, my first task was to get anything that isn't for Gumdrop out. You guys saw the cube shelves I have for storage. There is no closet in the room. However, there is one just outside of it in the hallway. The only problem: nothing is in it. And by nothing, I mean nothing. No shelves, no rods, no light. 

My hubby decided to spend Valentine's Day building out the closet for me. He and my dad put in 3 shelves and 2 hanging rods. After fitting everything, J even painted all of the pieces so that it would match the walls and let Gumdrop's stuff be the focal point. Now, I have somewhere to put more things when I get them.  Look at the finished product. 

Isn't J the best?!?! There is just no light and now, no door. But I approve the no door decision. If you look closely, you can see the closet door hinges are on the side closest to the nursery. That was annoying. I was cleaning out the room while they were buding the closet out.  Every time I wanted to leave the nursery, the closet door was blocking the nursery doorway. So it had to go. We have an extendable plastic rod that we can use to hang some kind of curtain in front of the closet if we want. It depends on how cute and organized I can keep the closet. 

After completing the closet, J did one more thing for me. He hung my grey, white, and orange printables!! I finally decided where I wanted them to go. 

They are in the corner and will be above the glider, whenever or if I ever get one. I'm so excited to see them on the wall. 

I would say this was one of the best Valentine's Days ever for me. It was fun, productive, and full of love. Speaking of productive, I finally started painting the monogram letters for Gumdrop. 

And Monday, I decided the patterns I want on them. I've finished the R!! Post coming as soon as I finish the A and J. 

Our first baby shower!

We had our first baby shower this past Saturday. Thankfully, my best friend & my sissy-in-love liked my idea of a laid-back couples shower. J and I invited our couple friends to this shower. So, to make sure boys felt comfortable, we had beer & hot dogs. There were also no designated games or a time for me to open presents. Friends just brought gifts with a bow around them & displayed them for everyone to see. Everyone just spent a few hours talking and getting to know our friends that they didn't know already. We are so grateful for our friends and the support they are showing us. Here are a few pictures of what we got for Gumdrop. So excited about all the gray chevron!

Apparently, my brother and his wife want little Gumdrop to fit in with everyone in our family. Gumdrop will get to "carry" a gun when we are at the ranch.

Elephants Everywhere!

I don't know if you remember this super cute toy hamper my mom bought Santa got us for Christmas.

I cried when I saw it because I'm hormonal I thought it was so cute!

On my birthday, my mom gave me shopping money to take the place of a Christmas gift she bought me. She had bought me the same pregnancy pillow J had. So, instead of having 2 pillows, she said I could buy more maternity clothes. So, on our trip to Marshall's, J and I found these 2 SUPER CUTE gray and white elephant items. Of course, I HAD to have them.

This one will be the hamper.

This one will go in the bottom of the closet and be extra storage in there...because what nursery doesn't need more storage.

When we took them home, my mom said "Do you know how many times I debated getting those for you at Christmas?!" So, it was meant to be. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. See, you got them for me anyways, Mom!

Something else I got for my birthday was for the nursery as well. This time, it was from my in-laws. They were so sweet to send me a present in the mail. This is what I found in the package:

Side 1

Side 2

How cute are those?!?!?! And of course, they are our colors too! And I love the chevron (who doesn't right now). I had seen the door hanger at Hobby Lobby before but not the burlap elephant! Such cute and precious additions to Gumdrop's nursery.

The last elephant addition arrived today in the mail. Our personalized Thank You cards. But I'm not going to show them on here. If you're getting one, I want you to see it then. BUT, I've become obsessed with Tiny Prints since I found these cards. I promise I'll show them on here once I've sent them out....maybe after Gumdrop comes. We'll see.....