Happy Birthday Kara...and other pics

God is good...

I look at this little guy and it's hard to even fathom that he was just a tiny frozen embryo a little over a year ago. Thank God he gave doctors the wisdom to perform In-Vitro fertilization (and they can even freeze embryo's and use them later!). Years ago I would never have the hope of having my own natural child. Every time I look at Jakob I'm amazed. God is so good.

Jakob's first bath...

Here's some pictures from Jakob's first bath in his whale bathtub. His food did not settle well on his tummy yesterday, so he threw up quite a bit. We decided it was the perfect time for his first real bath. (not a sponge bath) When Jeremy first set him down in the water he had this terrified look on his face, he didn't cry, he just kinda gasped. The water wasn't too hot, or too cold, I think it was just a new feeling he wasn't used to. Once we talked to him and reassured him he relaxed, and really liked the water. He kept kicking his feet up and down. I knew he was gonna like taking baths!

OH MY!!!!...

We took Jakob to his well baby check up today. His belly button still had some skin that needed to dry up way down in there, so the doctor used this little stick thing that is supposed to dry it up (???)-can't remember what it's called- I'm glad that's finally over with because they told me not to give him a real bath until it dried up. I've just been sponge bathing him this whole time. He likes getting his hair washed, and I think he will love taking a real bath. Here's the shocking part... At one month old Jakob: weighs 11lbs. 11oz. (8lbs. 4oz. at birth) is 22 1/2 inches long (20 1/4 inches at birth) He is in the 95th percentile for weight and 90th percentile for height. I keep telling you guys he's a chunker.(!!!) Jeremy used to worry if he was getting enough milk since I was breastfeeding, and you can't see it, but obviously there's no problem there. :) Yesterday, on Jakobs one month birthday he gave us his first real smiles. He smiles all the time in his sleep, but yesterday he was totally awake. Jeremy got up at 6 in the morning and changed him and he was smiling at daddy. Later in the morning I was holding him, and he kept looking up at me and smiling. At church some of the little girls were talking to him and he gave them the biggest smile. He is such a sweetheart.

One month old...

It's hard to believe, but yes, my baby is 1 month old. I'm not letting myself get emotional about it, but time is going by too quickly. It takes years for some of us to get these guys here, and then in a moment it is gone. I am excited to see Jakob grow up, and see him develop his own personality and see what kind of person he will be, but I also am enjoying this baby stage that I've waited so long to experience. (even with the late nights and gassy tummy's) Every day is a new discovery with this little guy, and I'm glad I'm the one who gets to experience it all with him. God has been so good to me, and I thank him for my little miracle baby.

A trip to Niceville...

Today Jakob and I came down to Niceville to spend some time with Nana and his Aunts. Carissa and Abigail are just like little mommies. If Jakob ate a bottle I don't think I would get to put my hands on him while we are here. The girls look so grown up when they're holding him...like little mommies. I'm not complaining, I actually got to sit down and paint my fingers and toes.(!!!) Here's some pictures of Nana and Aunt Carissa and Aunt Abi. Also some pics of Jakob asleep on Nana's bed. (He has to have the pillows around him or he won't sleep, I guess it makes him feel like he's being held). This boy is already so spoiled!

Deep in thought...

He does that hand thing all by himself...Isn't it funny?

Jakob and his mobile...

He's getting so much more alert!

My little gator fan...

Well, I'm gonna start off this post with the most adorable Gator Fan I know...isn't he such a chubbo now? I hope you guys don't get sick and tired of looking at his pictures, I just can't get enough of this little boy. Today Jeremy told me a guy at his work is going to see Dr. Ripps in December, and he and his wife will be going through IVF. He told the guy, "No matter what you have to do (to pay for it) you will never regret it" Jeremy told him he can't explain it, but he just has such a powerful love for Jakob. It just makes my heart melt to hear my husband, -you all know the deer hunting, working in the woods tough guy- talk about his little boy and how much he loves him. Now back to my post... Yesterday was a horrible day for me. I cannot even explain to you how stressed and emotional I was. I guess it was just a combination of Jakob having a very bad tummy ache, -as long as he was awake he was kicking his legs straight out and screaming- and the fact that it's been 3 weeks and I still hadn't seen a doctor about my BP and I was just getting really discouraged and down. I couldn't stop crying. I felt awful for feeding Jakob and then putting him back to sleep every time he woke up, but even the Mylicon wasn't working and I just didn't know how to help him. I think there is not a more helpless feeling than that. Jeremy called me at 3:00 and I just broke down crying while I was talking to him, and he said he was coming right home. Well, while he was on his way home I figured, if Jakobs gonna cry anyways I might as well give him a bath. He didn't scream at all through his bath. Once Daddy got home he was so alert, and happy, you would never guess he was the same baby that had his mom so upset earlier. We got him dressed and took him to his Gamma's house (Jeremy's mom) and then Jeremy and I got to go grocery shopping while Gamma got to spoil her grandson. We are very blessed that Jakob will take a bottle and breast feed. I just brought some milk that I had pumped while in the hospital. It was nice to get out just me and Jeremy, and we didn't have to leave by a certain time to feed the baby, we also hadn't bought groceries since before Jakob was born, so we needed food around the house big time. Today I went to my doctors appointment. This appointment was with a doctor I had never seen before, but he will be our new family physician now. He also happens to be an uncle of one of Jeremy's best friends. Dr. Campbell is a very nice guy, and I just got a really good first impression of him. He said that the Clonidine that I'm on is a very potent drug, which I have found out from experience, but he also said it's the best one for breast feeding moms. The only side effect to the baby is that it may make them drowsy...we know it makes mom drowsy. He looked at my Blood Pressures that I've been charting and said that I can go down to .1mg. He also said since it makes you tired to take it right before bed. Once Jakob is no longer breast feeding we will try to find a different medication that will not cause such drastic fluctuations to my BP. All in all I'm very pleased with the choice to see Dr. Campbell, and so encouraged that if I'm having trouble I have someone I can call now, I'm not alone on this drug anymore. Today has been a much better day than yesterday. I've gotten alot done around the house, and Jakob has been so happy and smiley, nothing like yesterday. Thanks for all the prayers and encouragement. Everybody remember to pray for Dana, her ultra-sound is on Friday! Let's all pray for a healthy growing baby (or two). Hope you all have a great day! Love, -Me

Don't you just wanna kiss those cheeks???