A Letter to Jayce: Two Years

To my sweet-hearted boy,

You are 2!! How in the world did this happen?! This year went by quicker than it should have. I think that was mostly due to the fact that we all had something to focus on...you becoming a big brother!!

The biggest change in this year of you was the fact that Mommy got pregnant with Jelly Bean a month after you turned one. It was definitely a little earlier than we were thinking but you have grown so much more, I think, because of this little baby. It seems impossible that I could love someone as much as I love you but it's true. AND, I love you so much more seeing you with your sister. 

You are an AMAZING big brother. You LOVE holding her, giving her hugs, and giving her kisses.

You always make sure she has her blankie when she's in the mamaroo. You let me know when she's sad and even make a sympathy sad face and voice. You are even hoping she will sit up or walk so you can play together. You are trying to share toys and books with her.

When you were a year and a half old, you moved into your big boy room with a big boy bed. We didn't want you to move after the baby was born in case it made you mad at her. So, you got to get a little independent earlier than Mommy wanted.

Another big change is your level of communication. When I found out I was pregnant, I got really scared because you couldn't really talk yet. You were signing some words and even saying a few. Daddy had to keep reminding me that you would be talking by the time Jelly Bean came. Boy, was he right! You can't stop talking now! I love how much you talk to us, how quickly you learn new words, and how to use them correctly.

You have shown Mommy and Daddy how much you love books. You tell us which ones you want to read. You even read them on your own!

We took you to the zoo for the first time a week after you turned one. We have been sooooo many times since then. It's your happy place now. You ask if Grandma can go with us a lot too. She even gave you a membership to the zoo for your birthday this year so she can go with you whenever you want!

You are trying so hard to be like Daddy. You want to do whatever he is doing - raking leaves, blowing leaves, mowing the grass, hanging pictures, or fixing your truck.

You still love to play outside and go to parks.

You had so many firsts over the past year. It's really hard to remember them all and share them with you...but here's quite a few. =)

• Haircut (just one tear!)

• Astros game (& you got on the big screen!!)

• movie in the theater (Finding Dory)

• Really Big Christmas Show

• OSU football game (at Baylor)

• Halloween to trick-or-treat (you didn't make it past the end of the driveway)

• Zoo Lights

• Christmas crafts

• Bad Santa photo

• Good boo boo

• Easter Egg hunt (even if it was in our living room)

• Zoobilee (which included your first ice cream sandwich)

You love - 

• baths

• Helping with groceries

• Mickey Mouse Clubhouse

• Tiny Tots

• Grandwinkle

• Cousin KK

• your bff - S

• helping cook

• saying "cheese"

• the ranch

• playing with balls

• sweeping

• friends

I cannot put into words what all this year has brought for you. I hope these pictures are enough. I love you so much big boy. I cannot wait to see what this next year brings. I pray that God continues to bring you closer to Him. When you are "leaving the house," you say you are going shopping or to church. I pray you will keep loving going to church. 

I love you to the moon and back, Jayce.

Mommy

A Letter to Averi: Two Months

Averi girl,

You have done lots of growing this month, physically and mentally. Daddy and I are loving how you are starting to recognize our voices. You even try to find us with your eyes when you hear us talking to you. It's starting to get hard to leave you in the mamaroo because you know we are nearby. You also hold your head up, almost like a pro. Your doctor was even impressed with how well you hold it up.

You had your first trip to the zoo. We went so that Brother could hang out with friends and see the animals. Even though you slept most of the time, I know that you loved it. You woke up for a little bit and you were happy.

You had your first bath that wasn't in the sink. Brother was so excited that you were going to take a bath with him. You love the water being squirted on you. I don't know if it's because it's warm or you just love baths.

You went to 2 baby showers this month for Mommy's friends. The first one was for Miss K who will be here in June. Her mommy was there when you were born so I hope you guys are friends just like her mommy & me. You got to hang out with Miss K's cousin. She liked you too!

The second shower was for Miss OG who is coming within the next month! Her mommy & I decided that you guys have to be best friends. We are together a lot so you will be hanging out A LOT with Miss OG. We can't wait for y'all to meet.

You tried your first bottle. Of course, Brother wanted to help. I'm not sure if more milk ended up on your chin or in your mouth. =) You chewed more on it than sucking the milk out. That's what you do with pacis too. I'm not sure if you will get the hang of bottles or pacis but that's ok.

You are starting to want snuggles for nap time and before bed. I'm ok with that though! It's hard for me to do this with you since Brother is always running around. Even if I don't get to nap or go to bed as quickly as I want, I'm happy to be getting alone time snuggles with you.

You are getting close to smiling on purpose! This picture shows that but this is really documenting something else. In this moment, you were doing your first talking sound! It wasn't a normal coo; it was like you were trying to talk to me. It was so precious! You seem to be trying really hard to talk, smile, and look at us.

Your brother still loves to hold you, just not as often. Just like with bath time, he loves being able to be with you and watch you. In this first picture, he was making a silly sound for you to try and smile.

He loves lying down next to you more than holding you lately. He still gives you lots of kisses on your head. I really hope you two love each other as you keep getting older. I know it won't always be like this but maybe it can be more so than not.

He is so proud to have you as his sister. I hope you feel the same about him.

You love to be outside just like Brother. It can calm you down when you are fussy; so can someone just holding you.

When we go to the parks, you are ok being in your car seat if we keep moving and are outside.

Just before your "birthday," you found your hands. You are really chewing on them and sucking on them. I hope your gums/teeth aren't already bothering you! You are starting to drool as well so I think they might be. I wish I could make them feel better. Chewing on your hand and pacis seem to help. Sometimes, I wish you would suck on a paci so it could help you more; but, I'm also glad you don't so I don't have to break you of that habit later.

I cannot wait to see the growing you do this next month. I think smiles, eye tracking, and more "talking" is coming and I'm so excited. I still hate that you are growing so fast already but I love you. It's part of life. I get to see your little personality coming out and I can't wait to see the sweet girl that you become.

"I love you all the way to the moon...and back."
Mommy

A Letter to Averi: One Month

Oh my baby girl,

Daddy and I are so glad you have joined our family.

Your big brother really loves you too. He is always asking to "hold Avi" and you love it.

When you were born, we had to stay in the hospital more than one day because you had jaundice. You had to wear a mask to protect your eyes from the lights. I'm so sorry that you couldn't see the world for 12 hours. It hurt our hearts to have you like that for so long.

We were able to go home after that was over though!

We went to Grandma & Grandpa's house to watch the Super Bowl. Nana and Poppy were still there too. Of course, Brother had to hold you again. =)

We got to take new family pictures. Did I mention we love you?!

You went to your first play date when you were only 5 days old. Brother got to hang out with his friends and you got to be outside with Mommy and her friends.

Brother loves laying down next to you and telling you "Hi" whenever he can. He even lets you lay down on his bed!

You went to church for the first time when you were 10 days old. It was 2 days before Valentine's Day so we made sure you wore an outfit with hearts on it.

Mommy has even started letting you lay down on your activity mat.

You don't hate tummy time yet...and you even hold your own head up for a few seconds at a time! That means you have really strong neck & back muscles already!

I'm pretty sure you like being outside as much as Brother does. You tend to stop crying when I take you on the back porch or to the park with us.

Brother has started to share his toys with you. Well, at least showing them to you and trying to get you to hold them. He can't wait until you can actually see them and hold them.

You make our family so much better.

I am not struggling to love you and bond with you as much as I did with your brother. I think it's because I knew a little bit of what was coming with a new baby this time. You are such a sweet girl that it's pretty easy to love you. You are a wonderful addition to our family. You are making us all better people. I cannot wait until your little personality starts to show and you become your own person, not just a sleepy, hungry baby.

"I love you all the way to the moon...and back."
Mommy

Our L&D Story with Jelly Bean

On Tuesday, January 31st, I had my 39 week appointment for Jelly Bean. I didn't know what to expect since I had never been pregnant this long. Jayce was born just after 37 weeks and I was 39.5w at this appointment. I knew my (new since Jayce) doctor would be wanting to schedule an induction around 41 weeks. At the appointment, I was still 2cm dialated and 75% effaced. The effacement was a 25% increase from the past 2 weeks. That was the only change though. After my appointment, I knew I had to try all the old wives tales about how to naturally induce labor. I started to use my breast pump at night, sex, and Jerome even found accu-pressure points to try while massaging my ankle/feet swelling.

On Friday morning, February 3rd, I woke up at 7:30am to go to the bathroom before Jerome left for work. When I got up to change, water kept randomly leaking down my legs. I called for Jerome, who was apparently opening the front door to leave for work. Thankfully, he heard me and came back to check on me. The leaking wouldn't stop and we knew that Jelly Bean would be making an entrance at 39 weeks 6 days! At 8am, Jayce woke up like normal. Jerome was able to get him up, dressed, and fed. By 8:30am, my contractions had officially started! We were in the car by 9am heading to my parents house. They live 5 minutes from the hospital that we were delivering in this time. Since we live outside of Houston now, we didn't want to risk the possibility of traffic when I was in labor. From 9:30am to noon, I labored at their home with Jerome. A sweet "little sister" came over to watch me labor, learn for her upcoming delivery, and take pictures of the process for us. When I would sit on an exercise ball, my water would continue to gush out. However, I felt more progress in the contractions when I was standing up. I leaned over the bar counter when contractions were getting more intense.

At noon, we left Jayce at the house with my dad. That was such a hard thing for me: leaving my baby knowing that his world was about to change and he wasn't going to be my baby any more. My mom drove Jerome & I to the hospital while C.K. followed. When we were on the way, Jerome was able to text a friend from high school who is an L&D nurse at our hospital. She was free and put herself in our room! I was so thankful to have a friendly face in the delivery room. My doctor left that morning to get away from the Super Bowl craziness! When we got to the hospital, I was measured at 5cm dilated and 90% effaced. I was so thankful change was happening! My SIL arrived soon after bringing the one thing we forgot, our printed birth plan for everyone to see. Jerome and I walked around the room to help my contractions progress me even farther. Every time I sat on the birthing ball, my water continued to gush! I hit transition around 2pm. The contractions were so intense, I needed to lay down in the bed. I couldn't deal with them and try to stand at the same time. We got a peanut birthing ball and put it between my legs while I laid on my side. Jerome was amazing the entire time and kept reminding me to breathe through my contractions instead of fight them. Every time, I said, "I just want to hold my baby." Jerome would keep reminding me that the harder I worked, the sooner I could hold my baby.

Around 2:45pm, the on call doctor came to check on me. My nurse/friend had her check me because she couldn't tell if I was fully dilated or not. The doctor said I was 9.5cm and pretty much fully dilated. She had an appointment up in the office so she chose to leave and come back after the appointment. I heard my nurse tell Jerome she didn't think I would make it that long. She thought pushing was coming soon. Sure enough, within 5 minutes or so of the doctor leaving, I was screaming through contractions begging to push. They called the doctor back down to my room. I begged to push again and she said "I'd love for you to push." I was so thrilled!! It was right around 3pm when I was allowed to start pushing Jelly Bean. I was holding onto the bed rails, pulling my head back, and screaming through the pain. Unfortunately, this is not ideal. I found out later that it was causing Jelly Bean's heartbeat to go from the 120s to the 80s. My nurse & Jerome had my feet but she encouraged me to grab my thighs to help push through the contractions. As soon as I did that, progress REALLY started. I could tell Jelly Bean was getting closer every contraction. It was maybe 3-4 good contractions (3 10 second pushes each) later that I saw my baby's face....and a blue cord around her neck. I immediately started praying that he/she was ok and then I heard a cry. I was in shock that the cord wasn't affecting my baby very much. Jerome leaned to me and said "It's a girl" through tears.

During one of my last pushes, I felt Jelly Bean stop being pulled out. I found out later it was when her shoulders had just come out. The cord was wrapped around her neck and they stopped her progress to unwrap the cord. That's when they saw it was wrapped around a second time. That's what I saw when she was being lifted up. They were able to remove it quickly that it didn't affect her breathing for very long; hence, why I heard her cry so soon after I saw it.

Our sweet Averi Joy entered this world at 3:27pm on Friday, February 3rd, 2017. She weighed 8 pounds even and was 21 3/4 inches long. Jayce came and met his little sister around 5pm. He wasn't sure about her at all. However, after we moved to the recovery room and everyone was holding her, Jayce wanted his turn to hold "Ave-ee." Around 6pm, we were a family of 4 in pictures. I couldn't believe how sweet of a big brother Jayce already was.

A Letter to Jayce: One Year

To my baby boy,

I have avoided writing this as long as I can. You will be 13 months old tomorrow so I better write this to you now. 

My love for you has grown exponentially over the last year. I hope you can tell based on these letters. I've grown into my role of mommy and accept the good days with the bad. It was so new when you were first born (duh!) and I was scared of what I was doing. Now, I still don't know what I'm doing but l don't get scared about it. 

You communicate so well. You sign most of the words we've taught you and you even say a few too. This past month went by so fast (the one leading up to you turning one). 

We celebrated your first Easter at the ranch. 

You got your first Easter basket (without the rabbit since it was left at home). 

Grandma and Grandpa even got you your first bouncy ball and tennis shoes. 

And we let you play with cascarones. You didn't quite get the true point of them. That's okay though. 

Nana and Poppy even sent you some things for Easter. 

You became a full time walker. It kind of broke my heart to see you growing up. BUT, I'm super proud of you and your accomplishments. 

After becoming a walker, you decided to start standing up without any help. Normally, that happens before walking but you didn't care. =)

Like any good Texan family, we stuck you in a bunch wild flower bluebonnets that was a ditch on the side of a highway. =)

And then, it was your birthday. We woke you up singing "Happy Birthday," put balloons in your crib, and let you play in them. You LOVE balloons!


We had your birthday party a few days later when it was the weekend. Your friends, our friends, and our families were able to come over and celebrate.


The last few pictures are from your one year photo shoot. You look so grown up. I may not admit it but, you are a big boy now (until you get bigger). This year has been so hard for me: emotionally and spiritually. I'm not as good spiritually as I should be but I'm better than when you were first born. Emotionally, I'm still a wreck when you accomplish things. However, I'm ok with it. I cry selfishly and then I'm celebrating your accomplishment and helping you achieve more. I hope I can be that way as you continue to grow up. To me, there is no way I could do that without God. That's where I can tell I'm doing better spiritually. God is making a difference in my attitude without me even knowing it.

I love you so much.
(I cannot wait until the day that you become a big brother. It will break my heart, I'm sure, that you won't be my baby. Your heart and attitude is already showing me that you will be such a great big brother. You are going to be awesome at it!)

"I'll love you forever, I'll love you for always,
As long as I'm living, My baby you'll be."
-Love, Mommy