Just a little update...

Well, we are finally feeling settled up here in North Carolina. It feels good to be back in our house. Unpacking has not been too bad because we already know where everything goes! Toby is in full swing at work and loving his job. The kids and I continue to get the house cleaned up and have been running lots of errands. Of course, we find time for play in between all of the work!

Emily will be 7 weeks old tomorrow and I can hardly believe it! She is just as sweet as ever. Right before we left Naples she had her one month check up. She weighed in at 9 lbs 10 oz, which is about a 2 lb weight gain since birth. She has also grown about 2 inches since birth as well. She handled her immunization shot like a champ! The doctor gave her a clean bill of health. About a week ago she started sleeping through the night! It seems too good to be true. We have a nice little routine going. Each night around 8 or so Toby or I give her a bottle and then put her down in her pack n play in our bedroom. She then kicks around and coos for bit before falling asleep. She usually doesnt wake up again until around 5 or 5:30. She is amazing! Last week we caught her first purposeful smiles and coos. I hope to catch more on camera and video. Currently she is a bit under the weather with a cold. Poor baby:(

First smile caught on camera

Jackson is also doing great! He loves "Carowina", as he calls it. I often hear him say, "I love my house, mommy." We have gotten his "big boy" room all set up complete with new paint, a new book shelf so he can reach his own books, and Spiderman sheets for his big boy bed. He loves exploring in his big back yard. I cant wait until it gets warmer so we can play outside more. Jackson starts preschool tomorrow. We found a great little school just about a mile down the road. It was recommended by a friend that I used to work with at the hospital. He will be attending school Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9 to 1. It will be great for him to get out and interact with other kids his age again. I think he is starting to go a bit stir crazy here at home. It will also give mommy a nice break:) Of course, Jackson also likes having Bobby and Pa right down the street again!

Hanging out on the couch before bed

Christmas 2012

I cant believe the holidays have come and gone. It all went by so incredibly fast! Although I kind of figured it would with a newborn in the picture and an upcoming move out of state. We enjoyed a quiet holiday here in Naples. It was so nice to be able to stay home and relax (for the most part). Chris, Hannah, and Cyan came to visit. We all got a lot of nice quality time with them, mostly just hanging around the house with the babies. It has been a long time since mom, dad, Chris, and I have all been together, especially for a holiday. Chris and Hannah got to meet Emily for the first time. Those things made it all that much more special. As usual I'm going to let the pictures do the rest of the talking. I forewarn you, there are A LOT!

Cyan relaxing after a long day of travel

Baby swap!

Making Sugar cookies at Bobby's house...

Uncle Chris meeting Emily for the first time...

All dressed up on Christmas day

Our family after Christmas mass

Daddy teaching Jackson how to work his new remote controlled truck

Sibling love!

Laying out cookies for Santa

Jackson opening Emily's stocking for her

Emily with one of her presents

Cyan with one of his presents

Christmas Day sunset

Jackson playing dress up while mommy packs up decorations

Emily update: I cant believe our little sweetie pie will be one month old tomorrow! It is already going by way too fast! So far she has been the sweetest, most laid back baby. We always thought Jackson was the best baby and that there was no way we would get that lucky again, but we were wrong because Emily is even better! She hardly ever cries, even when it is time to eat. She sleeps most of the time and will do it anywhere. We have already taken her on a little road trip to see her great grandma Timmons in Tampa and she was a champ! She eats very well and is definitely growing fast. I will be anxious to find out her stats at her doctors appointment next week. Another update to come soon...

Sleeping beauty

Emily's birth story

So, I appropriately changed the title of this blog since I will naturally include stories about Emily too. I have to say that I have learned a lot since that last post, in the middle of the night, before Emily was born. I now realize that there is indeed enough love in my heart to give both of my beautiful children. The smooth and safe delivery of our sweet baby girl also confirmed how blessed we truly are. Here's how it all went down...

That night before she was born I was experiencing my usual insomnia and that is when I decided to write that last post. I couldnt eat anything in prep for the c section so I had to keep myself busy somehow. Once I woke up at 3 a.m. I never did make it back to sleep. We were instructed to arrive at the hospital no later than 6 a.m. When we arrived things started happening almost immediately. I changed into a hospital gown and was placed in a "holding" bed where they strapped the monitor to my belly so they could watch Emily's heartbeat and repsirations. They started an IV and fluids on me. Then we just waited there and relaxed while several different staff members, the nurse, anesthesiologist, and OB doctor, came in to ask us some questions. I was starting to feel a bit anxious about being cut open. I was also having thoughts about Emily and whether she would be completely healthy or not. Surgery was scheduled to start at 7:15 a.m. and it appeared that everything was happening on time.

Around 7 a.m. or so they wheeled me to the O.R. Toby was asked to go to a waiting room while they performed my spinal and finished getting me prepped. I was nervous about the spinal because with Jackson I had the usual epidural and when they put that in I was contracting and in so much pain that it didnt even phase me. This time around I was pain free and well aware of what was going on. They did a beautiful job of inserting it, as the only pain that I felt was like a "bee sting" to my lower back. Within minutes I was numb from my rib cage and down. We were just about to get started. Other than feeling of extreme nausea (which they reversed with medication) right before they started, I was extremely comfortable the whole time. In fact, I think all the mediciations were making me feel a little bit too good:) Soon Toby was right by my side as they began the process of bringing Emily into the world.

It was precisely 7:45 a.m. when they pulled Emily out. I heard vigourous crying and comments from the staff, "look at those eye lashes!", "look at all of that hair!", and "look at those dimples!". I just knew she was absolutely adorable. The doctor held her up over the curtain to give us a quick glimpse. I remember thinking she looked like Jackson did when they first pulled him out. Within minutes they had wiped her down and put her in my arms. We got to hold our my daughter while they sewed me back up. We took some pictures and passed her back and forth. We both cried tears of joy as we took in the moment. I remember feeling extreme happiness that she was safe, healthy, and in my arms. She weighed in at 7 lbs 9 oz and 19.5 inches. She was PERFECT!!

About 45 minutes later we were wheeled to recovery with Emily still in my arms. Once we got settled in there I was able to feed Emily for the first time. I was a bit nervous because Jackson and I had some issues with breastfeeding at the beginning. Little Emily took right to it and once she started that morning, just hours after her birth, she has continued to eat like a champ. The pediatrician came in to examine her and we got a clean bill of health for our new baby girl. As I laid there holding her with Toby at my side all I could think is, life doesnt get any better than this!

Once we got settled in our room I was ready to call my parents and have them bring Jack to meet his new little sister. When he arrived he slowly walked over to the bedside to catch a glimpse of Emily. He got up on the bed next Emily and I.Jack was so sweet as he checked her out from head to toe. He was so gentle as he touched her hand. I believe it was love at first sight! It was during this moment that I thought, life DOES get better than that! I had my TWO beautiful and healthy children by my side. Jackson did become a bit worried about me when he noticed the IV and monitors that were hooked up to me. We told him about the "boo boo" on my belly so that he was careful not to jump on me. He kept asking Bobby and Pa if his mommy's tummy was ok and when I could come home. He definitely became a bit homesick during his stay with them. Lots of changes were occuring for the little guy. He handled it all so well!

We ended up only spending two nights at the hospital because I was recovering so smoothly and quickly. We had a great experience during our stay. I felt like there were minimal distractions and we had some good nurses. We ended up being discharged around 6 p.m. on Friday night. The doctor gave us the ok to go home since she could see I was doing so well. All of the staff were impressed though, as most c section patients stay 3 nights. We were off to pick up Jackson from Bobby and Pa's and start our life as a family of four. Toby put it well as we left the hospital that night...Our family is now complete! Welcome to the world Emily Margaret Timmons!!

Emily's first photo



Our little angel!

Pure happiness!

Waiting to be checked out by the nurse and pediatrician

My babies

This one speaks for itself

 

Meeting Bobby and Pa

Checking out his new baby sister...

Bonding with her daddy...

 

 

Ready to go home

When we arrived to pick up Jackson, he insisted that Emily needed to be in the bouncy seat

 

The night before Emily's birth

Well, the day is finally here! We will be welcoming our baby girl into the world tomorrow morning. I can hardly believe it. We had a pre op appointment this morning where they drew my blood and explained to us how everything would go. It all seems so surreal yet very familiar since I had a c section with Jackson as well. This time is quite different emotionally due to it being planned. I have experienced many different emotions over the last few days....

I'm very excited to become a family of four, and especially to be having a little girl!  I cannot wait to see the look on Jackson's face as he meets his baby sister for the first time. I just know that it will be priceless. That first photo of the four of us will be something that I will cherish forever. Over the last few days when we have been out and about at the park, running errands, etc. whenever Jackson sees a baby he has been telling people, "I have a baby sister coming next week." At one point he said to me, "Mommy, I'm cited for my baby sister to come." He also tells me things he is going to do with her or show her. It is so incredibly sweet.

I'm also a little nervous and scared. Even though I've had a c section before, I think just knowing that I'm going to have to be "cut" open makes me anxious. Our last experience was great and I feel like I made a very quick recovery, so I hope this time proves to be the same. Parenting two children also makes me nervous. How am I going to do it? How will I find the patience and energy to care adequately for both? However, despite my fears I know it will all work out. We are so lucky to have such loving and supportive friends and family to help us out.

Lastly, I'm a bit sad. Dont get me wrong, I've always wanted two children and as far as I'm concerned having a boy and then a girl couldnt be a more perfect scenario.  But, when I think of it not being just the three of us anymore it makes me sad. For three years we have focused all of our attention on our sweet little boy and tomorrow that will all change. I know it will be great and pretty soon none of us will even remember what it was like without Emily in our lives. I sometimes think how will I have enough love for both of them. Also, I dont want Jackson to every feel sad because we are giving her more attention than him. Of course, he will probably have some jealousy and act out to seek attention but I just want him to know that we love him with all of our hearts and just as much as her.

Over the past few weeks, and actually since the start of my summer break from work I have really tried to soak in all the special moments with Jackson. Toby has done the same. Over the past few months we have made many trips to the beach, pool, and mostly the park. Some of us as a family, sometimes just Toby and Jackson, and other times just Jackson and I. This morning Toby, Jackson and I all went to my pre op appointment together so we could show Jackson where he would be coming to meet his baby sister. He was such a good boy as he watched mommy get her blood drawn and talk to the nurse. After that while daddy was working, we just played around the house and then drew with some chalk (Jackson's latest obsession) on the neighboorhood basketball court. Jackson took a good nap before we headed out to a Christmas festival at a nearby park. There was an ice slide, Chistmas music, lots of beautfiul lights and decorations. Jackson even got to go on a horse drawn carriage ride after enjoying a chocolate ice cream cone. He had a lot fun and it was such a nice, simple activitiy for us to enjoy as a family. Afterwards we dropped him off at Bobby and Pa's to spend the night since we have to arrive at the hositpal by 6 a.m. tomorrow morning. He will stay with them while we are in the hospital which will be either 2 or 3 nights. I miss him already and cannot wait until they bring him to the hospital tomorrow to meet little Emily.

So enough of me spilling my emotions. Here are some pictures from this week...

Jackson climbing the ropes at the park

 

Decorating Christmas ornaments from Aunt Chris

Hanging the finished ornaments on the tree

Napping on the couch one afternoon

 

39 weeks. Toby is comparing my belly to the size of a quarter.

Our last photo as a family of 3

 

Toby and Jackson in front of the big Christmas tree at the festival

Enjoying a chocolate ice cream cone with mommy

 

 

 

Coming soon...Emily Margaret Timmons!!!!!

Pumpkin carving and Trick or Treating

We had a lot of fun celebrating Halloween!!! Jackson gets into the holidays more and more every year. Last week we went over to Bobby and Pa's to carve our big pumpkin. Bobby and I usually decide what to carve and Pa is the one who does the carving. He is very good at it too!! This year we decided to carve Mickey Mouse into the pumpkin. We got the pattern and idea off of a plastic light up Mickey pumpkin that Aunt Jane sent to Jack earlier this month. Jackson enjoyed picking the "guts" out of the pumpkin. He kept calling it seaweed.

 

 

Last night we enjoyed  Trick or Treating with some friends and their kids. We had quite the cute group! Jackson was a Jack in the Box. Toby came up with the idea a few months ago. We have always loved the idea of homemade costumes. Toby made the costume entirely by himself with very little input or help from me. I think he did an excellent job, if I say so myself! Jackson was very proud wearing his box.