1 week old

Our son is already 1 week old, I can't believe how fast time is flying by. We came home from the hospital on Tuesday and reality set in. It was so nice having the couple of days in the hospital with the amazing nurses showing us how to take care of our son. The nurses were such a lifesaver because we literally had no idea what we were doing. Of course our parental instincts kicked in, but those would have only gotten us so far before we crashed and burned. We are learning more and more everyday, but I'm pretty sure we'll be doing that for the rest of our lives. 

Tuesday was our roughest night, but Emerson wasn't himself because he had his circumcision that morning. He wouldn't let us put him down so we took turns sleeping holding him in our arms. I was so worried that he would fall off me or I'd roll over on him so I slept zero minutes! Wednesday was such a better day. Our baby boy was back to being a newborn who just eats, sleeps, poops, and pees. AJ and I tried to get some much needed naps in, but we weren't that successful. The rest of the week was spent wasting away the days staring at this beautiful face!

We had our first family outing on Friday for Emerson's first Dr appointment. AJ and I had a list of questions/concerns for his Dr and all were answered in a positive manner! As you can see from his pictures, Emerson was looking very jaundice, but his Dr assured us his color was just fine and it would start to go away. She let us know that his circumcision was healing good, his weight was great, and all-in-all Emerson was one healthy boy. When we left the hospital Emerson weighed 7.9 and when we went to the Dr. he was up to 7.13. The Dr said this was one of the first times she's seen a baby gain so much of their weight back in such a short time. 

By the end of the week Emerson started spending more time awake between his feedings. It's so amazing watching how our little boy changes with each day. As much as we love all of the new faces and new sounds it only reminds us of how fast he's growing up. I want him to stay little forever!

This week was rough and I feel like I'm just starting to get back to normal functional, but week 2 is only going to get harder because AJ has to go back to work. It's killing him and me, but Daddy's gotta make some money for his new baby (and for Mama too)!

And if anyone is curious as to who Emerson looks like, it's definitely not me!

Left-Emerson & Right-Daddy

What a handsome devil!

Drum Roll Please.....

He's here! Introducing our incredible son, 

Emerson James Jimenez
Born July 21, 2013 at 2:46pm 

7lbs 15.4oz 20in

Proud Papa

Kissy Face

Rookie of the Year!

Welcome Home Emerson!

AJ and I are the happiest people in the world! We were blessed with such an easy and problem-free pregnancy that produced this amazing little person that we get to call our son for the rest of our lives. We love you to the moon and back Emerson James!

40 weeks / 10 months pregnant

Who ever said you're pregnant for nine months obviously doesn't know how to do math. 40 weeks = 10 months, not nine! And in my current situation I'm 40 weeks and two days pregnant. We had our Dr appointment on Wednesday and I didn't walk in with any expectations. The way this pregnancy has been going I knew that Emerson wasn't going to come out anytime soon; he's too comfy. Like I figured I'm still not dilated-dang this baby! After hearing the disappointing news our Dr sat down and asked me if I was over being pregnant. I explained that I have good days still, but my bad days are outnumbering them now. I let him know that I could NOT see being pregnant for another two weeks. He was completely on my side and suggested scheduling my induction, which is where AJ and I were headed. We were hoping to be induced on Sunday, but our Dr said he couldn't do this Sunday so AJ and I immediately assumed that meant another week before induction. We wanted a Sunday so that AJ could just take the full week off. To our happy surprise our Dr suggested starting the process on Sat night instead! WORKS FOR ME! 

He explained that the induction would be a two part process. Since I'm not dilated he doesn't want to start the pitocin right away. Once we check in he's going to do one last check to see if I've dilated at all (not likely) and then he'll insert what he described as a balloon catheter into my cervix. This will slowly increase to about 3cm to help "ripen" my cervix. If all works well, I'll be dilated to at least 3cm by morning. This process prevents the use of drugs that can produce painful contractions, but not necessarily dilate me and it allows AJ and I to get some sleep to be prepared for a day of laboring. He said he'll come back early Sunday morning to break my water and start the pitocin. Hoping that I continue to dilate with the help of drugs I'll be pushing out Emerson sometime on Sunday, July 21st! We finally have an end in sight! 

Now that I know Emerson will be here this weekend I'm starting to get nervous. When delivery was still a surprise I didn't allow myself to build up my nervousness, but now that we know I'm just going to be thinking about it for the next three days. I guess having a scheduled delivery is actually pretty perfect for AJ and I because of our OCD! I can't believe we're HAVING a baby this weekend!! AH! I can't wait to meet our son and see his little face. Our lives are about to change forever and we can't wait! 

Looks like I have a couple more days to make sure the house is in order and ready for a baby. Pretty sure I'll have time to squeeze in one last mani/pedi before Emerson shows up!

Only three more days (or less if he changes his mind and shows up earlier)!

AJ wanted in on our last week!

How Far Along: 40 Weeks

Weight gain: 45 lbs - didn't gain anything this week!
Maternity clothes? Everyday
Stretch marks? I've got a few 
Sleep: Peeing every hour makes it really hard to sleep
Best Moment of the Week: Scheduling my induction!
Miss Anything? Being able to buckle my sandals on my own.
Movement?: Still rolling around in there. I'm going to miss that feeling!

Food cravings: All things spicy!

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope
Gender: Baby Boy
Labor Signs: ONLY cramping

Symptoms: Pressure in my groin, non-stop peeing, and back pain.
Belly Button in or out? Still in

Wedding rings on or off? Off
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy and Anxious
Looking Forward To: Meeting my son!

39 weeks

The waiting is torture! I know I'm not quite there yet, but knowing that women deliver before 40 weeks all the time, I sort of had my hopes up. We had our 39 week Dr appt and again, I'm not dilated at all. I guess my womb is a pretty cozy place to hang out. I'm just hoping that Emerson doesn't get too comfortable. At our appointment we discussed what my next few weeks look like. At 40 weeks I'll have another check up to see for any progress. If I don't deliver before hitting 41 weeks my Dr will do an ultrasound to make sure Emerson is still healthy and that my placenta is still working like it should. Then, if I don't deliver by 42 weeks (YIKES) then he will require that I be induced. Silly me, I thought he'd only let me go one week overdue, but I was very wrong! Actually he made it pretty clear that I have a LOT of say in what happens at/after 40 weeks. If I'm having any issues or am just plain uncomfortable he has given me permission to schedule my induction before 42 weeks. I have been trying to avoid being induced if at all possible, but AJ and I did some talking and we've decided that if I have no progress at our 40 week appointment then we are going to ask to be induced before 41 weeks. Once you start reaching a week+ overdue things start to get old and not work the way they should. I know my Dr obviously knows better than I do, but I just don't want to risk the chance of having my placenta detach between that 41 and 42 week ultrasound appointment. Honestly both AJ and I are just hoping that Emerson is going to come on his own (ANY day now) and we won't even have to have this discussion with our Dr. Keep your fingers crossed for us!

We were very much wishing that Emerson would be here already because his Auntie Birdie came back to Cali for the weekend. I tried real hard to coax Emerson to come out, but obviously he's already not listening to his mama. The bestie was bummed, but happy she got to see me preggers. It's been a few months since she's seen my belly in person and trust me, I've grown! We got to see Casi and Josh every day this weekend! Friday night we met up for dinner at one of our favorite Mexican places-El Jardin. I knew we'd be eating some Mexican because it's one of Casi's favorites and Tennesseans don't know nothing about Mexican food. I ordered the spiciest thing on the menu hoping to get this labor jump started, but it just left me with some nasty heartburn. On Saturday AJ and I faced a tough dilemma. My husband completed his apprenticeship almost a year ago, but they don't have a graduation ceremony until they have enough graduates. We finally received our invitation to the ceremony and it just happened to be on Saturday when we were supposed to be going to a BBQ for Casi and Josh. We had already RSVP to the graduation and I didn't want to miss it because I am so proud of my hubby. We planned on going to the BBQ early and just leaving early, but once we got there AJ made the decision to stay. He says he wanted to stay for me to be comfortable and with my best friend, but I know he wanted to spend time with his boyfriend Josh. I hate that we missed out on such an important event to celebrate my husband's accomplishments, but we did have the best reason to miss it. Saturday was such a fun night! I miss my best friend more than I realized and the BBQ gave me an opportunity to get my BFF fix. I want to give a HUGE thank you to Casi's sister and B-I-L for having us over to spend the day with them! I was so distracted with spending time with them, that I forgot to take any pictures! I know I was in some pictures, but not sure who took them. 

Little something from TN to remember his Auntie Birdie. Thank you Casi!

It was hard to say goodbye, but I know that she's only a plane ride away and she'll be home soon enough. Love you beefy!

In other great news our friends had their baby on Friday. She was due just three days before me and she gave birth one day shy of her due date. I was sort of hoping that she'd deliver first so that she could give me all the ins and outs of labor, but I actually found myself a little jealous! I'm hoping that since my due date is tomorrow that Emerson will decide to show up today! One can wish!

Only 1 more week (hopefully)!

How Far Along: 39 Weeks

Weight gain: 45 lbs
Maternity clothes? Everyday
Stretch marks? I've got a few and hoping for no more. 
Sleep: Insomnia happens about three nights a week now, but still not sleeping great because I can't stop peeing!
Best Moment of the Week: Spending the weekend with my bestie and her beau!
Miss Anything? All my cute pre-pregger clothes collecting dust in my closet. 
Movement?: His movement is more sporadic, but on Saturday night he was busting a move all night long.  

Food cravings: Fruit!

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope
Gender: Baby Boy
Labor Signs: Just cramping   

Symptoms: A lot more pressure in my groin, heartburn, non-stop peeing, and back pain.
Belly Button in or out? Still in

Wedding rings on or off? Off
Happy or Moody most of the time: I'm conflicted-I'm happy he's almost here, but moody that he's not here yet!
Looking Forward To: Delivering this baby!

Bipolar or pregnant?

These past two weeks I've been on one heck of a roller coaster ride of emotions. Insomnia + hormones + 39 weeks with child = disaster. I'd like to first say thank you to my husband for loving me and dealing with me through all of my ups and downs-even though he's often the cause. I know it's not his fault that he can't really understand what I'm going through, but I still find myself irritated with his ignorance. I just pray that he can stay strong for a couple more months (I'm pretty sure these hormone surges don't disappear at birth). 

I've reached 39 weeks and I'm beyond ready to meet this son of mine. I've known from the beginning that pregnancy is +/- 40 weeks, but I was really hoping that my pregnancy would be more on the minus side. Don't tease me by telling me that my baby is considered healthy and full term at 37 weeks-that means nothing if my baby doesn't think so until 40+ weeks. I know, I know, I shouldn't rush it, Emerson will come when he's ready, BUT what about when I'm ready?? He's just packing on the lbs at this point, which in turn leads to me adding some unnecessary lbs, which ultimately equals more opportunities for stretch marks. I'm so over this body that I've developed and with each day that passes I dread how much more work it's going to take to get back to close to my pre-baby body. Yes, I'm being selfish, but isn't this the last chance I get to just think about me?

My son will be here very soon (not soon enough) so I should be all smiles, right? Welp, try telling that to my emotions. I've literally cried every day this week. I'm tired and irritable so the tears are always just waiting to spill over. The dumbest things are making me cry-my husband having to work the Friday after the 4th of July = tears. How stupid is that?? Most people work on a Friday. My family enjoying camping at the lake (which would be absolutely miserable for this lard ass) has left me crying a river at least once a day. Peeing 5x a night has equaled tears on multiple occasions. I'm surprised I even have tears left to shed at this point. The straw that sunk my battleship had to be my Dr's visit this week. I woke up with contractions Tuesday morning and after losing my mucus plug last week I was sure I was dilating. I couldn't wait for my Dr appointment. I thought I'd walk in and leave with the news that I must head straight to the hospital because I was already 4cm. I even finished packing up my hospital bag in hopes that I'd need it. Ugh, well the joke was on me because I am still NOT dilated! If that wasn't enough bad news, my Dr told me that he'd let me go to 42 weeks as long as mama and baby were a-okay. WHAT?! That's another three weeks-NO! *insert temper tantrum here* Needless to say Tuesday night was a rough one.

So here I wait...and wait. I'm thankful for my dear friend for taking me to lunch with her beautiful daughter on Tuesday and my lovely sister for distracting me with food and a movie today. These distractions help with the tears. I'm excited for the best distraction of all, my bestie is coming back to Cali this weekend! I can't wait to see her face on Friday! I was really hoping that Emerson would be here to meet his Auntie Birdy, but if I still have to be pregnant at least Casi will provide a wonderful distraction. Maybe being in a good mood will trigger some labor! Let's do the damn thing!

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37 & 38 weeks

Holy heat wave Batman! The last two weeks have been absolute misery with the temps reaching 103+ on a daily basis. We don't have humidity in Tracy, but the complete opposite, a dry, hot heat. It's miserable! I've had a pretty low key two weeks because I haven't wanted to leave the a/c. I'm afraid to see our Pg&e bill next month. Yikes!

So I'm three weeks into my maternity leave and I've been able to keep myself busy enough that I'm not quite bored out of my mind...yet. Between laundry, finishing the nursery, cleaning the house, and taking much needed naps I have run out of things to keep me busy. We all know TV sucks right now, none  of my shows are on so I've had to do some experimenting with On Demand. Thanks to my BFF, I've added two new shows to my list of train wrecks that are a must watch- Pregnant and Dating and Marriage Bootcamp-Bridezillas. It's my weekly fix of TV trash that makes me feel better about my life! I highly recommend both if you have some time to kill, but they're addicting so don't say I didn't warn you!

Yes, you heard me right, the nursery is finished! Well, 99% finished. All of his laundry is washed and folded, the closet organizer is stocked up, the drawers are filled, and the pictures are ready to be hung. I had to order a special frame for one of our prints because of it's size. That frame should be in on Monday so hopefully we will officially have all the prints on the wall that night. Here's a sneak peak of the 99% completed nursery. We love it so much and can't wait to bring Emerson home to his new room. 

Spoiled Boy

Closet Organizer

Isn't my hubby handy?

Prints to hang above the crib

Waiting on a frame to go above the chiffarobe

Our awesome new Mamaroo!

Stocked up changing table

You all know that my sleep has been pretty rough these last couple of months, but it's taken a turn for the worse these last two weeks. I'm now dealing with bouts of insomnia. Now when I wake up for one of my many nightly pee breaks I have trouble falling back to sleep. There's been nights where I'm up for two or three hours before my mind finally rests and lets me sleep again. I spend those hours trying to beat that damn level 65 in Candy Crush, reading, and online shopping. I spent $100 at 2:30 on Tuesday night. I wish I was shopping for fun things like clothes and shoes, but my late night/early morning purchases were all products to help my lady parts post-baby. Never thought I'd be buying hemorrhoid pads and a sitz bath (that's a toilet bath for those of you who haven't been up at 2:30 am reading blogs from other mom's with recovery recommendations). Oh the joys of being an adult and mama to be.

Speaking of lady parts, I had my 38 week Dr. appt on Tuesday. This was my first weekly check and I was hoping to walk out with instructions to head to the hospital because I was already dilated to a 5 or more and Emerson was ready to come! Of course, this was not the case, UGH! After being probed by my doc, he informed me that I wasn't dilated, but Emerson was sitting very, very low. His reaction made me hopeful for a delivery that is sooner rather than later! Because I wasn't dilated, the Dr couldn't feel if he was head down so I got a quick peek at Baby E during an ultrasound and he's in the perfect position to enter this world! Although I didn't leave with the news I was hoping for, I do think that the Dr jump started the labor process. *CAUTION TMI UP NEXT* After my appointment I had some cramping and a little bit of blood, but for any woman who's had a pap smear, this is typical after having your cervix messed with. A little blood turned into a lot for the next day. By Wednesday night the blood had stopped, but I started getting a brownish yuckiness every time I used the bathroom. On Thursday morning the stuff coming out became obvious as my mucus plug. I'm no expert, but I'm assuming that I must be dilating in order for my plug to come out. I have my next appt on Wed and am hoping I'm right! I was really hoping for a 4th of July baby, but it's now the 6th, boo! Oh well, he'll still be my July Firecracker!

We got a couple of fun new things for Emerson this week. Auntie Brooke brought over a little something she picked up from my most favorite place on earth, Disneyland! I'm pretty sure this is going to be Emerson's favorite outfit ever!

We also stopped by Babies R Us after the A's game to buy a baby carrier. AJ saw all the babies at the game and insisted that having a baby carrier is a must have before he gets here. How else would he carry Emerson at the games? Here's a pic of AJ testing the carrier out.

Since it is the 4th of July that means it's time for our yearly family camping trip to Rollins Lake. This has been a tradition of our family for 43 years and this will be the first year that the family has gone and I won't be there. Being 38 weeks pregnant with little Emerson is truly the very best reason to not make this trip, but it's still pretty hard not being at the lake. I will miss this trip, but have the best memory to replace it-my little boy! To all my Rollins Lake family have a cocktail or two and float your a$$es off for me! Miss you all! Bring home some red dirt for me!

Only 2 more weeks (or less, fingers crossed)!

AND only 6 more days till the bestie takes a break from her adventure and comes back to Cali!

 

How Far Along: 38 Weeks

Weight gain: 44 lbs
Maternity clothes? Everyday
Stretch marks? Yep, I've got a few now. This is just another reason I'd be happy to meet Emerson earlier rather than later-less time to stretch out.
Sleep: Insomnia runs my life now. I'm assuming this is just Emerson's way of preparing me for the sleepless nights to come.
Best Moment of the Week: Being able to make it to and sit through two A's games in a row! A's baseball and fireworks makes for one amazing 4th of July!
Miss Anything? Sleep
Movement?: He makes my belly look like a waterbed at times.

Food cravings: Ice water and Slurpees or any type of slushie. 

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nada
Gender: Baby Boy
Labor Signs: Lots of cramps, more Braxton Hicks, and losing my mucus plug!  

Symptoms: Pressure/pain in my groin, heartburn, teeny-tiny bladder, swollen feet, back discomfort.
Belly Button in or out? In-thinking it will stay in the whole time.

Wedding rings on or off? Off
Happy or Moody most of the time: A bit more moody than happy lately-I'm assuming it's due to lack of sleep.
Looking Forward To: Seeing my bestest friend in the whole wide world!

To my son...

To My Little Emerson,

Today is July 1st, which is the month that we will be meeting you; your daddy and I are so excited! I've been physically waiting for this day for the last nine months, but emotionally I've been waiting to meet you all of my life. You are already loved by so many. You will be born into an amazing group of family and friends who will love you forever. 

I can't wait for you to meet your daddy, he is such an incredible man. I'm the luckiest woman in the world to have married him and you will be the luckiest boy in the world to have him as your dad. We talk and think about you everyday and we're getting more and more anxious for you to get here. We've been working really hard to get your nursery ready for you to come home to and we think you'll love it. 

Becoming a mom is very scary, but I will always try my hardest to be the very best mom for you. I can't wait to hold you for the first time and kiss your little face. You are the start of our little family and we have so many plans to make memories with you. You are already our everything. 

Emerson we love you more than words can describe and I know you're not quite ready to come out, so we will be waiting patiently for you, but please try to hurry!

Love you always,
Your Mommy