Baby Jacob is a week old tomorrow!!!

Today is October 12th, 2011 and Baby Jacob will be Officially 1 week old tomorrow! Everyday is a gift from God. I am going to see him today in the N.I.C.U and hopefully take a few pics if the nurses allow. I have made the decision to pump for baby Jacob. I initially was NOT going to pump had he been born full term but when he came out I knew I had to pump for him as I had seen time and time again while working in the N.I.C.U and how much it helps the developing baby in more ways than one. Once It was ok with my IP's that I pump I started immediately. I am glad that each day he is getting stronger and stronger. He has had a couple little set backs but overall baby Jacob is doing great. I feel so much closer to my IP's, it's amazing how a child can bring two couples so close even though we were already close before the birth this is just one more thing for us to have as a treasured memory. I started a collage of pics of baby Jacob today from 6 weeks to present and I will continue until my due date Jan 15, 2011. This is more than I ever dreamed I would be doing or capable of. God knew the strength I had in me before I knew I had it. My IP's have been blessed with a gift from God and I am grateful that I was able to be apart of this process. Here are a few of Baby Jacob's 1 week pics.

An Early but Unexpected Arrival

So on Thursday October 6, 2011 @ 3:53pm Baby Jacob was born early @ 25 weeks and 5 days. It was a regular Thursday for my family. I had a visit to my Ob's office to pick up my glucose drink for my GTT test and i had spoken to my IP's right after my visit to update them. We (me & hubby) picked up our kids early from school and headed out to LA to drop him off at work and visit with my mother in law for awhile before heading to choir rehearsal. Well, as I was getting into the car to pick up the kids I started having cramping in my lower abdomen but it would go and come so I didn't really worry about it. but once we picked up the kids and got on the freeway the cramping got stronger and I had a really bad urge to urinate so I had hubby pull off the freeway twice to relieve myself and once I did the pain decreased so I left it alone. I dropped hubby off @ work around 2pm, but as I got out of the car on the passenger side to go to the Driver's side I had an extremely hard time walking and the pain was almost unbearable. My hubby started to become concerned but I assured him I would be OK and that I would go to a nearby hospital to get checked so he would be at ease as well as myself, since I had now started to worry as well. I barely drove myself to my mother in laws house when the pain became unbearable. she took my kids and I proceeded to drive myself to the nearest hospital. When I got to the hospital I parked and the security Guard saw how much pain I was in and got me a wheel chair. Once I got to the triage area to be assessed I was assisted by the nurse and ONLY undressed from the waist down. The Nurse proceeded to check if my water had broke and on examination found out I was already 10 centimeters dilated and 100% effaced, my bag of waters was bulging. She told me and I screamed "WHAT, THIS CAN'T BE HAPPENING........IT'S TOOOOO EARLY". I immediately called my husband back and explained to him that they were taking me to deliver the baby but that they would try and do all they could to prolong it for as long as they could. I then called my case manager to inform her so she could inform the IP's. In the meantime I am in VERY active labor, im scared cause im at a hospital I didn't plan to deliver at alone my husband is now on his way, but I am delivering a premature baby @ only 25 weeks and 5 days. I IMMEDIATELY started praying that GOD's hands be on and with this baby and me as well and that everyone would be ok. For a few moments I felt a calm rush over me and I knew that everything would be ok! They gave me a few shots to try and strengthen the babies lungs and keep him inside but it wasn't working, so the Dr. came in and informed me that I would have to deliver the baby. I only pushed twice and the second time baby came out still in the bag of waters. they asked if I wanted to know the sex so I said yes and It was a "BOY". Right after I delivered the baby my hubby walked in and I cried first because i had delivered there baby early and was not sure why, 2nd they missed out on the birth of their new son, and 3rd because I did it all ALONE. SO I just cried for awhile trying to absorb all that had just happened. A few minutes later my Case manager had arrived as well. I was ok until they brought me my dinner and I went to lay on my side and I realized I didn't feel baby kicking I immediately broke down. About 35-45 minutes later my IP's sent over the name of their new son Baby Jacob. I just continued to pray and wait until I was allowed to see baby Jacob for the 1st time. He was so little and I had so many questions for the doctors. I asked the NICU nurse if I could take a few pics to send to the IP's and she agreed so I took a few and sent them to the IP's. SO my case manager left and it was just me and hubby for the rest of our stay until discharge. I took a few pics of baby jacob on his 2nd day in the NICU see below.

My 6 month OB appt

Today was my 6 month check-up. Everything went great all my vitals and urinalysis were normal. I am still measuring 1 week ahead of schedule but the doctor says she is not concerned. Baby Perin is moving constantly and it's starting to get a little hard to sleep but I am still enjoying the pregnancy so far. Fatigue has not set in yet so it's great right now. Baby's heart rate was 156 today. I am getting ready to go on my cruise to the Caribbean next month and I am really looking forward to spending my Babymoon with my hubby all by ourselves!!! Looking forward to the return of my IP's in January for the birth of their child. This year is really going by quickly so I feel like I will see them sooner rather than later. until later loves...............

Pics with my IP's during their visit 8/27-8/31!!!

Left to Right (my Son Jonathan 10, Daniel and my daughter Jasmine 5)

( my son Jordan and me)

Daniel and Jasmine playing on the computer

Jasmine and Jordan at Denny's

Me, Hubby and Jordan and Denny's

The Murray's and The Perin's enjoying Dinner together!!

Left to right ( Carol, Me and Breann)

Carol, Me, Stella and Breann

Left to right (Carol, Michael and Daniel,Me, Stella and Breann)

The End of our visit, 8/31/11!!!

Well it has been a great 4 days, my IP's and I have learned so much more about each other, we had a blast getting to see the baby on the u/s and @ the Dr.'s appt and the many chats and gatherings we had. I truly enjoyed our time together and am looking forward to there return in January for the birth of their child. Everything is normal and within normal limits with baby Perin, baby is growing right on schedule. At the dr's appt Baby Perin was measuring a week ahead but the dr said that was ok other than that very uneventful pregnancy. I was happy that M & S got to feel the baby kick and took home some awesome u/s 3D pics of their baby and lil daniel got to help hear the baby's heartbeat. My family enjoyed the visit as well; the children got along excellent and were a little sad when my IP's had to leave as well. very happy with the turn-out of this visit so until later loves............

My IP's are here to visit and see the baby!!!!

So my IP's arrived on Saturday 8/27/11 and my family and I have truly enjoyed our time together. We spoke briefly yesterday due to traveling restraints but we met up today after I came from church and chatted for about an hour then had dinner later on in the evening ( I am officially at the halfway point in this pregnancy-20 weeks today). I have truly enjoyed my time with them and their son is just adorable, he's a lot taller than I saw on Skype but still cute and very mannerable. Looking forward to our breakfast tomorrow with my hubby and them and my Dr.'s appt and 20 week u/s on Tues. this has been a really fun weekend and I plan for it to stay that way for the rest of their visit. I am truly enjoying them while they are here. they also got to feel the baby kick and see how big I have gotten since the last time they were out here. going to bed on a high note. all smiles. until later loves..................

Almost to the halfway mark

Hello All,
I know it's been awhile but I've had a very busy summer. I have gotten over all morning sickness and have been having a blast enjoying this pregnancy. My IP's are sooo adorable and they will be here in two weeks for our 20 week u/s. A lot of progress has happened during this pregnancy. Baby Perin is very active and in the full swing of things, lol. I'm truly enjoying every minute of this pregnancy and it's even more precious because I am able to share in the joy of another family thru the birth of this child. Here is a pic of me at 18 weeks 3 days, I'm already BIG,lol.

. I want to try to take a pic every month from here on out now that I actually have a prego belly. So my next pic will be at 20 weeks and every 4 weeks after that until delivery. Until Later loves....................