Welcome to our lives baby Jakob!

He is here!!!! Matt, Lukas and I welcome little Jakob Mark Samuels into our lives on May 28th, 2010 at 11:17 pm. He is just PRECIOUS! The nurses have commented that he is very good..actually the cant believe how good he is. He eats and sleeps and is alert. No crying for this little one. It is pretty amazing how similar he and Lukas look! Matt and I kept wondering how we could ever possibly love someone as much as we love Lukas...well those worries are put aside. I get it now. Matt commented that when he was holding them both he all the sudden realized how he could love two little boys the same, or even more. Watching Lukas interact with Jakob is absolutely amazing. Lukas has immediately claimed Jake as his own. "My baby" is how Lukas refers to him. Lukas has already "held" and "fed" Jakob. When he was here, no one else was allowed to care for Jakob. It is amazing how a two-year-old can love.

Jakob's appearance was a bit early due to my high blood pressure. On Friday, I was on the computer and felt dizzy. I immediately took my BP and I was getting readings of 180/110. I called the doctor and she said to get my stuff and get to the hospital. (when re-reading this, there was not mention of Lukas' whereabouts. He was a daycare and my mom got him later. No, we did not leave him home to fend for himself:) Matt got home quickly, my mom came over to help and pick up Daisy and we got on the road. As soon as we arrived at the hospital (11:30) I was hooked up and monitored for my BP, Jakob's heartbeat and contractions. Apparently I was having pretty major contractions also...2 minutes apart...who knew? Then we sat and we sat and we waited and waited some more. The doctors ran tests and got second opinions to see if Jake could infact make his presence into the world at 37 weeks, 6 days. Around 4 o'clock the decision was made that we would be having a baby. However, the doctor was in a LONG surgery and would not be here to perform the Csection until 6 or 7ish. So...we waited and waited an waited. FINALLY at 11 o'clock I was able to walk into the OR. It was as scary as I remembered, or worse...but I made it...WITHOUT the dreadful Magnesium Sulfate! Right after I got the spinal Dr. Yockey asked if I should have it. I realize she wasnt asking me, but I looked at her and said NO! So I sucked up my anxiety to keep my BP as low as possible and made it through without being pumped with that poison!

At 11:17 Jakob Mark was born. All 7 pounds 12 ounces of him is just beautiful. Dark hair, adorable face, beautiful eyes, sweet round face, long delicate fingers and.........his dad's feet. We have always teased Matt about his Kola, Dinosaur, Big, Monkey Feet. Jakob has very similar ones. It is adorable and he and Matt can bond over them:)

Not even 24 hours I am recovering REALLY quickly. I think I am determined to set a record...and just may have. 19 hours after major surgery I have walked, showered, and become independent again. I think bed rest got the best of me and has motivated me to get my life back. My new life. My life as a mom of two sweet, beautiful boys.

HOME STRETCH!

This is it...the time is drawing near!!! At 37 weeks I have now been given permission to "start doing things". Jakob is full term and if he comes a bit early, everything should be fine. If he decides to stay put, the Csection is scheduled for June 4th at 7:30 am. I CANT WAIT...and Matt may want him to get here more than me! While I will be recovering for about a week, I can then be a productive member of this household again:)

I dream about what Jake will look like and cant wait to meet him but at the same time am having a little, okay A LOT, of anxiety. 1-I am not sure how I am going to handle two kids all alone this summer. 2-I am sad for Lukas. All he has known is having ALL our attention. Not any longer. Im sure he will adjust. I dont remember life without my little brother but I cant help but be somewhat sad for him. Luckily he will spend the 4 days we are in the hospital with his Grammi and Poppi having a great time!

Who knows, my next blog post may be Jakob's introduction to the world:)

Loves his bubble baths

Petting zoo

Feeding the goats

Wont take his eyes off the sheep

First horse ride

One BIG pig

Popsicle face:)

Like father, like son

Throwing a FIT

LOVES the sprinkler

Mother's Day....quite possibly the most important holiday of the year

I dont say this because I am a mom and want to be celebrated but it is a day where I am able to reflect upon and really consider all the very important women in my life who have helped shape me into who I am...most importantly, my mom. 

This Mother's Day I did not feel like much should be celebrated of my current mothering. Being on bedrest has not allowed me much time with Lukas. Matt has taken over the role of Mommy and Daddy. In fact, when I woke up on Mother's Day, I was feeling down because it caused me to realize how much Matt is doing and how little I have been doing. But then Matt reminded me and made me realize I actually have been being a good mom, to Jakob. These past 8.5 weeks of bedrest have been VERY hard for me. While I realize I have modified it a bit to work for me, it has been a struggle each and everyday. However, I have done what I am supposed to do in order to make sure Jakob is safe and able to grow to be a healthy, strong baby boy. Also, the time I do spend with Lukas has been quality time. There is much more cuddling and reading together than ever before. I am not stressed out by work and able to focus on Lukas when he gets home from daycare. So infact, I have been a pretty good mom lately:)

My little guy

Like I mentioned above, I was really able to think about the women who have shaped me, inspired me and have taught me how to be a good mom, wife and woman. These women include my Nonie, my Gram and of course, my MOM! Through observation, I have learned so much through these wonderful women. 

My Gram, My Mom, Me and My Nonie...how lucky am I to be able to spend time with all of them!!!

What I've Learned:

*Treat everyone with kindness no matter what (Nonie)

*Family is the most important thing above all else. No matter what happens, never give up on it...everything works out in the end (Gram)

*Always believe in yourself and reach for your dreams no matter how far away they may seem (Mom)

*Words of encouragement and love mean so much when they show up at the most unexpected time (Nonie)

*Cherish each moment and make it a quality moment. Its not about the quantity. (Gram)

*While it may seem you as if you put yourself last, in the end you are the one who gains the most! (Mom)

*It is possible to be a great mom, wife AND teacher. Staying at home is not for everyone (Mom)

*I am so lucky to have three women in my life who are there for me NO MATTER what, you dont judge me, who love me for me, who put me first, who allow me to know I will never be alone. (Kristin)

I love you!

~Side Note: G. Whiz held a contest on the best advice your mom ever gave you....I WON! $50.00, whoo hoo!:)

Big...

Just a quick update on Jake the Great. He is still measuring BIG! According to the ultra sound today he weighs 5 lbs. 15 oz., most babies weight between 4-4.5 at this point. I think Lukas weighed about 3.5. His head is now measuring in proportion with the rest of his body...thank goodness not bobble heads in this family. But he has some of the biggest feet she has ever seen. Im not sure what I think about that. Currently, I still do not have preeclampsia...we are still watching to see what happens. The bedrest is working and obviously not affecting Jake's growth. We are ALMOST there!

He should be:


He is: