Time is flying...

Well we had newborn pictures (a little late but oh well) of Jake on Sunday.  Brad and I were up early to make sure the house was cleaned up and so were the three of us.  I was really trying to make sure Jake's feeding time would work with the 3pm pictures, so I fed him at 12:30 and then woke  him at 2:15 to eat again.  He finished eating about 2:40 or so and fell asleep.  Unfortunately shortly after pictures began Jake woke up and was not a happy camper!  Luckily we had some milk available but nothing much could console him except a visit outdoors.  So we moved the pictures outside and were able to get  a few good shots.  Once we got back inside he was not excited.  Jessica did a great job with our pictures and even though he was crying in many of the pictures you cannot even tell.    I added a few pictures from the photoshoot.  The one in the red basket is Brad's favorite.  :) 

Jake is still growing like crazy.  I weighed him on Sunday and he was 8lbs 14oz and on Monday he was 9lbs 2oz.  Each day since he's been adding another ounce or so.  As of Thursday he was 9lbs 5oz.  Only a few more ounces and he will have gained a full pound since birth.  I havent measured his length lately but I know he's growing that way too.  I can tell because his head sits up much higher in his carseat now...I'll measure soon. 

Well Jake has been enjoying bathtime more now that he is using his real bath!  He didnt really like the sponge baths but he seems VERY happy and content in the little hammock type seat.  He doesnt cry at all except a little at the end because he's cold an just wants to be warmed up in his comfy towels.

He is still wanting to be held most of the time so we broke down the other day and bought him a big swing.  He seems to like it alright and it is nice that it is a little higher off the ground so the dogs dont lick him as easily.  I'm hopeful that this will help me get some things done besides sitting on my booty all day with him.

I also learned that Jake likes WiiFit Step.  I tried that out and the rythm of it put him to sleep in my arms.  It was really sweet.  I've been trying to do some small things around the house to help me get back in shape even though I havent been officially cleared to work out yet.  I figure some low impact type of things will be good for me.  Each time I weigh I see a small amount of weight coming off which makes me feel great.  I've lost quite a bit but still have about 10 lbs to go to be back down to my prepregnancy size.  I cant wait to go to the doctor next week and hopefully I'll be cleared to workout and start running again!  I really want to be able to wear my normal work pants when i go back to work in 3 and a half weeks!

Oh I talked to the daycare today and Jake's official start date for daycare is going to be August 30th.  I'm scheduled to start back to work on the 19th but I think I'm going to go back on the 18th and take a half day for the first two days to transition.  My mom is going to come stay with us and keep Jake for the week until he starts "school".  Before it seemed like it was so far away, but now it is starting to sink in that I'm going to have to go back soon.  It is much harder than I ever imagined.  I would give anything to be able to stay home with him all the time.  I just cant imagine taking him to someone else everyday!  I'm thankful we will have the week of transition so he'll be with family when I first start back to work. 

Jake is 4 weeks old!

Many exciting things happened this week! 

Jake is continuing to grow.  On Tuesday he was back up to his birth weight of 8lbs 8oz.  FINALLY!  That was a huge relief to Brad and I.  I've been weighing him every other day and he is gradually gaining.  Thursday he was 8lbs 10oz and today he is 8lbs 12 oz.  He is pretty steadily gaining weight.  Which i guess is why he is eating so much more frequently.  He seems to be eating about every hour now.  I consider myself lucky if he goes for a few hours between feedings. 

Earlier in the week we were convinced that he had colic because he was so much more fussy than ever before and the symptoms (1. hungry all the time 2. fussy and crying in the afternoon/at night for no reason 3. arching his back and passing lots of gas) really seemed to fit.  Now Im thinking he has just been experiencing his first growth spurt.  That would explain the constant eating and the crying was most likely because I was trying to delay feeding him because it seemed too soon.  I've been feeding him more frequently now and he has been much less fussy.  I hope that is it, but Ill see in the next few days.

Jake's cord also fell off on Tuesday!  I have been expecting it to happen, but no one told me how nervous it would make me.  I've been diligently cleaning it with alcohol because I wanted to make sure it would look right.  Well when I was getting him dressed on Tuesday morning the cord fell off and I was so worried.  I didn't know if I should continue to clean it or leave it alone or what to do.  I've been cleaning it in the morning and at night now and it has been a few days I think it looks great now.  Its amazing how such little things seem so stressful at the time!

Bunko was Thursday and I really wanted to go but I want sure I would have enough milk to leave him. Luckily on Wednesday night and Thursday morning I was able to pump and get enough so I felt comfortable to go.  It was great to get out of the house, but I was so nervous!  He was staying home with Brad so I knew he would be fine but I couldnt help wondering if he had everything he needed.  I was away for about three hours and everything was fine.  My guys did great on their first boys night! :)  And I had a great time catching up with my friends!

We are very excited for tomorrow...Jake is getting newborn pictures taken!!  I will post pictures soon!

Growing growing

We ordered a baby scale last week because Jake was not gaining weight as quickly as we and the doctors would have hoped.  When we went in at two weeks to see the lactation consultant Jake had only gained one ounce (7lbs 14oz) since his one week doctors appointment.  She worked with us and said she wanted to see him gain at least 4 or 5 ounces by the next week.  Well the scale came in on Thursday and Jake was up to 8lbs 4oz!  Yay!  On Sunday we weighed again and he was 8lbs 6oz.  Originally I questioned whether or not to buy the scale but the piece of mind of knowing that he is gaining is SO worth it. 

Nana and Papa came into town to visit this past weekend too.  Jake had so much fun visiting with them!  He showed off how strong he is and how good he does with holding his head up and pushing off with his legs.  After his workout he quickly fell asleep on Papa's chest.  We had a great visit and fun time relaxing around the house.  Jake got Nana twice on Saturday when he peed on her and then later in the day he spit up on her.  He's lucky his Nana loves him so much.  :)   

Brad and I ran out for a few minutes Saturday to grab dinner and pick up a movie while Nana and Papa watched Jake.  I was happy to drive for the first time since surgery and everything went well.  I felt fine driving, but was definitely happy to test it out when Jake was NOT in the car.

I cant believe Jake is three weeks old!!  Time sure is flying by.  We have had so many wonderful friends come by to visit/meet Jake.  He just LOVES meeting everyone!  We are also so thankful for the many meals we have received from our friends and Sunday School class.  We havent had to cook dinner since the first few days we were home from the hospital.  We didnt realize just how much of a blessing meals would be until everyone started bringing them.  When Jake falls asleep a rush to get a few things done around the house or shower before wakes up with a dirty diaper or needs to eat again.  It is awesome not to have to prepare meals.  We are so lucky to have such great friends!

The First Few Weeks

Well Jake is now 2 and a half weeks old.  I cannot believe how quickly time is flying by!  Our first week at home was a huge learning experience but I am so thankful Brad was able to stay home with me.  We didnt sleep much but I wouldnt trade that time. 

It was so hard for us to do much besides hold our little man in awe.  We had to constantly remind ourselves that such a perfect little man came from us and we are now parents!  That amanzing week flew by and before we knew it it was time for Brad to go back to work. 

My mom, grandma, came into town on Sunday evening to help out and stayed with us for the next week.  It was so good to have some help around the house and with Jake since Brad was now back to work.  I wanted so badly to do as much as I could since Brad was working and had to get up early again, but i quickly learned it was more difficult than i thought it would be.  Mom was great and helped by holding/watching Jake late at night so the two of us could have a few good hours of sleep.  That week flew by too!  Daddy came into town Friday afternoon and visited with us.  Jake was happy to see his Grandpa again.  Brad had to work the Collierville Independence Celebration on Saturday night so my parents, Jake and I hung out most of the day.  They watched Jake so I could go up to the event for a short time but it was so difficult to stop thinking about Jake!  I guess it will get easier to leave him.  Right now i cannot imagine sending him to day care in 6 weeks!

Jake Austen Heacox is here!

Well, two weeks ago our lives changed forever in an amazing and wonderful way. At 1:01pm on Saturday June 19, 2010 our baby boy, Jake Austen Heacox was born. He was 8lbs 8oz and 20 3/4 inches long.

A few weeks prior to Jakes arrival Brad and I found out that our little man was sitting breech and we would have to schedule a c-section for his arrival. We tried everything we could to get him to turn but the medical options (ECV) and old wives tales we read about (swimming, handstands, lunges, etc) didnt help us. We continued to pray for a miracle but began to accept that Jake would be coming via csection. We knew the only thing that was important is that Jake arrived safe and healthy but i couldnt help but be disappointed by the thought of the csection. Luckily i had a few weeks to prepare mentally and I had Brad to encourage me and remind me of the benefits of the csection. At least we would know exactly when our little man was coming and family could plan to be here. :)

Well, the csection was the most incredible thing. I've experienced surgery many times but never while I was concious. When I arrived in the operating room the nurses sat me up and got me ready for the spinal block I was about to receive. Honestly the spinal block was easy and relatively painless. The most unexpected part of the experience was hearing and seeing the supplies count as the nurses called out 5 scissors, 7 scalpals, 10 sponges, etc.

After the spinal block was administered they had me lay back on the table so they could prepare for the surgery. Oddly enough I could still feel the pinching on my left side but my right side was totally numb. They tilted the operating table to the left so the medicine would spread to that side as well. Within a few minutes they were ready to start. I couldnt feel any pain but I could feel pressure. It was a strange experience. I found myself wondering when my baby boy would be here so I could see him. Soon I heard Dr Donato tell Brad to get ready with the camera and in no time I heard my baby's cry. Emotion overtook me and I filled with pride and joy as I saw his beautiful face.

Shortly after seeing Jake I started to feel faint and i looked up at the monitor to see my blood pressure was at 52/25. The doctors were ready and gave me a few things to fix the blood pressure and soon I was back to normal and overjoyed by the sight of my baby boy in Brads arms. Once the surgery was complete we were wheeled back to the recovery room and they gave me Jake to hold. Words could never adaquately describe the feeling at that moment. I was holding my baby and my amazing husband was right there with me.



The next few hours were quite a blur for me. We went to recovery for an hour or so and then they told me i was ready to go to the post partem floor. Brad went with Jake to get his first bath and I got all settled in my room and changed my gown. Then the family was with us and we were holding our little Jake.


We had many friends and family visit us in the hospital during our 3 day stay. We left the hospital on Tuesday June 22 around 1oam and our lives would never ever be the same again. :)