Counting Our Blessings!!

You just never know what and when something can happen. I remember eating breakfast at the Kaleva with a number of fraternity brothers during our reunion this past Labor Day Weekend. One conversation I remember is the excitement that one spoke of about his wife's pregnancy and just finding out that he was going to be a proud father of twin's (a boy and a girl). With Amy only a month away from her due date and his wife at around 16 weeks (assumption on my part since I don't remember exactly), we shared our thoughts and experiences of becoming parents. After sharing Jacob's arrival with the fraternity e-mail list, Tadd responded noting his congrats and that he had also developed a blog for his growing family. I have been checking his blog from time to time to see how things have been going and things have been going fine...

At lunch a couple of days ago, I took the opportunity to view The Tad Poles (pretty cute, eh? given dad's name, Tadd) to check in and see how the pregnancy and their lives were changing. I was baffled at what I was reading. It started off just not making sense to me and I quickly knew there was something big that I had missed... What happened in the week since I viewed last? What is this hospital talk all about? Did I really miss 19 weeks? After going back a few of their entries, I found that Hava (Tadd's wife) has been in the hospital since Friday (the 12th) and that the water broke for one of the twins, Loen at only 22 weeks pregnant. Needless to say, this is pretty serious and has Hava has been put on strict bedrest. The doctors are hoping Hava is able to keep the twins in the womb for at least another 31 days which will get them to 28 weeks, still 12 weeks early!! The outlook from the medical staff is "cautiously optimistic".

Amy, Jacob and I are counting our blessings that we did not need to endure any event(s) such as this. We also want convey our sincerest wishes of health and safety for Tadd, Hava and the twins for their success in being a cozy, happy and healthy family in the near future.

Please join us in keeping Tadd, Hava and the twins (Loen and Derby) in your thoughts and prayers through this delicate time so that we can keep them and the pregnancy healthy!!

Officially 3 Weeks Old!!

Jacob has made it to 3 weeks now. He is definitely a growing boy and not wanting to miss a thing. Those eyelids grow heavy and red as he fights the heaviness and eventually has no choice but to give up. He is starting to follow us with his eyes and is a lot more alert. We were taking photos last night and while on his stomach he rolled onto his back so that he was more comfortable. Of course, we had to put him on his stomach again and then flatten him out so it wasn't necessarily just his balance that did it, but he did it again! It appeared it shocked him too!! Now the big trick will be to see when he can go from his back to his belly...

Stay tuned for the re-entry of mom's creative writing as she is feeling much better and more comfortable about doing things away from Jacob.

Before I was a Mom...

I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.
I had never been puked on, pooped on, chewed on, peed on.
I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts.
I slept all night.
I never held down a screaming child so doctors could do tests or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.
I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put them down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.
I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.
I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important and happy.
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache, the wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much, before I was a Mom.

A Peek Into Jacob's Room - Tired Of Waiting!!

After 3-1/2 months or longer of waiting for a shelf to match the "Dream Teddy" collection, we have officially cancelled our order. You saw about a week ago that we ran some errands with Jacob and now pretty much have the room complete as it is going to be for now. The hutch for the changer/combo is still on back order as we have not heard anything about it. Ordering the furniture when Amy was only 13 weeks pregnant or so doesn't look so crazy now, does it? Here is a peek at Jacob's room while he is downstairs grabbing a bite to eat...

Grandma Gets Connected!!

Looks like it just takes a first grandchild to motivate grandma (dad's mom) to get connected!! Yep, grandma went out and bought a new snazzy computer, monitor etc. and has even now had internet cable installed!! There is a still a large learning curve for her as she only knows how to turn the computer on, off and play solitaire ;)! After a phone conversation (kinda long...), she was able to read her first article on the blog. You could just feel her excitement over the phone as she ignored me and was reading... "Oh, Jacob already grew and inch!!" and so on...

It has been some time coming, but now grandma is connected like the rest and can get information and see pictures with a click of a button. Well, okay, for most of us it is just a click of a button and we are there. However, grandma is also signed up for a class at the library to gain some more skill(s) at the internet and the computer in general. Beware!! Grandma could be taking the next big step shortly and beginning e-mailing you...

Congratulations on your new endeavour grandma!! You are doing a nice job!!!

P.S. As a follow-up, a quick trip to grandma's and a crash course on the internet, she has been able to get to the blog without a hitch. She can even search for dill pickle soup now!!!

2 Weeks Old!

Weight: 7 pounds, 11 ounces -- Length: 21-1/4"

A Pinch To Grow An Inch

No need for any pinching of our little guy!! Jacob has grown an inch since he was born. He is now at 21-1/4" long and is in the 50th percentile based on his length. Mom has also been doing a great job feeding as Jacob has gained a pound since he has left the hospital and is ranked in the 25th percentile. The doctor and nurse both said that Jacob is doing great and is looking great as well. The jaundice is gone. The only concern that we had was the fact that Jacob's right eye keeps getting "goopy" and sometimes "crusty". We knew that this was a possibility as many know, infants tear ducts are functioning as well as they will and some help may be needed. So, we will be putting drops in at least one of his eyes for a few days. Hopefully, we can avoid the need for a washcloth, etc. to moisten the goo so that he can open his eyes (only happened once).

Jacob was getting pretty fussy from the ordeal at the doctors, but settled down immediately as we walked out the door to the stairs. Not a peep once we were in the car, so we took a longer route home just so mom could savor a few more moments of quiet before dad dropped them off and headed for work. A lunchtime report is that Jacob is really pooped and has been sleeping most of the morning and has somewhat forgotten about eating... The 1/2 hour visit must have been enough to wear him out for a while. Let's hope mom can and does take advantage of it while she can...

Yeah!!

Yeah!! Jacob has graduated to the next step. He, after 24 hours, can now be given a "real" bath (submersed in water). Yep, no longer need to only give sponge baths!! There is still some minor healing that needs to take place for his belly button, but should be fine in no time... Tomorrow morning is Jacob's two week appointment with his pediatrician. Let's hope that we don't have to go to the hospital to get some more blood work done. We don't see any jaundice and Jacob seems to be pretty healthy, so I think we should be able to avoid that part of the day...

Oh, by the way, Jacob is an inny!!!

Bath Time - A Day Of Clean

Today was big time bath/shower day!! It all started this morning when mommy mentioned int the morning that she really needed to take a shower since she didn't have one since Sunday.

Well, we have been running the air conditioning lately, but it cooled off last night so mommy turned the A/C off during the night. It was getting cooler in the house, but it was thought that the heat would stay in enough until it warmed up outside. It did work for a while, but mom was getting cool. So, daddy came home at lunch and lit the pilot light. While he was home, he told mom to go up and get a shower in while dad ate. So, one down and two to go (dad doesn't count because he showers so he doesn't stink when he goes to work...)

Frankie was in need of a bath, but wasn't too bad. It has been a couple days since Jacob had one so, dad took Frankie to the tub while mom took Jacob to the portable tub. Mom was done in a flash while dad continued to work. Dad had a much easier time as Frankie was very quiet. Mom, on the other hand, had Jacob SCREAMING the whole time. It was the worst that mom had seen Jacob. He was really red in the face and straining. Mom had a good cry with Jacob as he was getting cleaned up. Mom has recovered fine and is really enjoying the small of our child!!

So, everyone is clean now and ready for bed. Of course, shortly after Jacob got down into the living room, he spit up a bit and will be changed shortly. The big event has put at least mom and Jacob to sleep on the couch...

Jacob Gets First Monogram!

Jacob has received many packages throughout the weekend and week that he and we are very grateful for. There has been a definite outpouring of love for us and Jacob that has overwhelmed us. The packages we have been receiving have had at least mom and cards/or dad's name on them along with Jacob's. Then along came a package last Thursday (sorry, I didn't get this up sooner) with only Jacob D. as the recipient. Jacob was sleeping when the package arrived for him and Mom and Dad wanted to wait for him to wake up. Well, we did wait for a while, but curiosity killed the cat and mom took the honor of opening his package with Jacob at her side. Pardon the pun, but we received the most awesome receiving blanket with Jacob Daniel monogrammed on it. There won't be any doubt about who the blanket belongs to once he is old/big enough for daycare!!

Thank you to Jim, Jill, Michael, Ellie and Jenna for being the first to have something with Jacob on it. You even beat mom and dad to the punch with getting his letters on the wall!!

Instructions Not Included

Enough said?!?!

A Day Of Firsts

Yes, it was a day of firsts for Jacob. No, nothing monumental, but firsts nonetheless... Mom and Jacob were out for the first time on Saturday with the exception of a trip to the pediatrician and hospital for bloodwork on Monday. The need for getting a few finishing touches in Jacob's room became greatly elevated. We have been waiting for a special order shelf for over 3-1/2 months and we were told that it would still be two weeks before the place we ordered it from would get it. We heard this over a month ago and are tired of waiting. So, we were off to Michaels to look for a shelf and a frame. We were able get both there and were exactly what we were looking for.

Next stop, Target for some mommy things and a looksie for a stroller net. Fortunately, mom was successful in finding her hair spray that I/we have been looking for for a while and which Meijer has always been out of. No luck for dad, so off to Toys R Us. A mad dash in and out of the store and we were on the way home. We're not sure if Jacob enjoyed his trip out or not as he didn't make a peep the whole time...

Another first was a visit by his Aunt Abby and cousins Sydney and Colton (they already met in the hospital), but his first time meeting Uncle Jerry!!

Okay, so we know these firsts don't seem like much, but they are firsts and thought we would share them with you. Last, but not least, Daddy, Mommy, Frankie and Jacob took their first walk around the block and also used the stroller for the first time :)! It was such a nice day out that we had to get out even if it was only for a few moments...

Kevin Wins Baby Pool

It was a close race between 1st and 3rd with Kevin from Auburn Hills winning the bragging rights for Jacob's birth statistics. Dad was a very close 2nd with only one ounce in weight or 40 minutes closer to the arrival (or the 1/4 inch that the game didn't keep track of...). Julie from Troy placed 2nd, but was closest to the date and time by over an hour. The closest to the weight and the only one to be exact was mom at 7 lbs, 2 oz. She was shooting for a smaller baby and looks like she got her wishes!! There were many with the approximate length correct. The reason I note approximate is because the 1/4 inch would have also allowed dad to win. Partial? You bet!!

We hope that everyone enjoyed taking a stab at when Jacob would be born, etc. He really had us fooled as many of us thought he would be a much bigger baby considering the size of his dad and his mom's birth weight. I tried my best to slow things down during delivery so that I could win, but I was too anxious to see the little guy... No, not really, but I had you and mommy going... ;)! right?!

Jacob Can Be Tough To Wake Up

Jacob has a little trouble waking up. We tried for a while and then decided to get the video camera out just to see if he wanted to be a movie star... Guess not yet!!

Jacob Meets Grandpa and Grandma Kathy!!

Jacob met his Grandpa and Grandma Kathy last night as they came for a few hours from Ohio. They were very excited to see him and Jacob actually stayed awake a little bit so that they could see his eyes. I'm sure they felt their stay wasn't long enough as it was tough for them to really get out the door because Kathy had to work in the morning. I'm sure Jacob will be glad to have their company in the very near future once again.