A sleeping Prince...

Well, Adam is 3 weeks old today and he is adjusting to life outside the womb fairly well. He was officially due on 12-21 (this last Sunday), but instead of being born, he was experiencing his first bath. He sleeps a LOT during the day and is doing all the things an infant is suppossed to be doing-eating, eating, eating, pooping, and of course, sleeping. He is very much an easy going baby, unless we take too long to change him or feed him...then his squeaks and coos turn into full blown screams. He tends to get really red in the face when things aren't going exactly his way, but that just makes him all the cuter. Amazingly, when the sun sets (usually around 8pm) he miraculously awakens and is bright eyed and bushy tailed from his restful day. Sometimes he peeks with just one eye open to see if there is still any light outside, and if there is, he'll go back to sleep. Looks like he's training to be a night owl like Mommy. However; once the lights dim, he loves to hang out and take in the world around him (after a marathon eating period of course). Big sisters, Yasmeen and Leena, are loving him more each day and often argue about who gets to hold him first when they get home from school. He is such a sweet, little boy and we are so grateful to have him safe and sound at home with us. Happy Holidays, everyone!

He is here!!

Well, It's over a week since Adam was born and I am finally home and recuperating well. We went into the hospital for a scheduled c/s on 12-3-08 and went into the O.R. on time and had Adam at exactly 7:14pm (much to my anxious relief). He weighed in at 7-14, too, so that was kind of cool. He measured 19 3/4 inches and let out a very discrete cry upon entering the world. His apgars were 8/9. He is so sweet and my precious little miracle. We are so grateful to have him safe and sound in our arms and excited to be back home (those hospital beds are awful!!). Although I've had my share of pain post-op, Adam is worth every little bit. He's a quiet baby, sleeping most of the day (although somehow Daddy and I don't manage to sleep much at all) and waking once the sun goes down. Nursing is going well, although it seems Adam has a hearty appetite and I hope I can keep up with the demand! We are so grateful for his presence in our family and happy to share our joy with you. Here are some pictures of our newest addition!!

A Whole Lotta Paintin' Going On...

Well, today I am officially 36 weeks and just 10 days away from D-day! To celebrate another weekly milestone, I decided I wanted to have the girls paint on my belly. I got the idea from an episode of "A Baby Story" I'd seen a while ago and thought it was a great way to remember this time in our lives. It's especially important since this is the last pregnancy for our family and we are just so excited to meet this little guy on his way--Inshah Allah. The girls really got into it, and Mohammed even joined in the fun. Leena drew a pumpkin and a sun and wrote "I love Adam" on my belly. Yasmeen also drew a pumpkin and decorated her "side" of my belly with polka dots. Her message read "I *heart* Adam". There's no doubt about it, we love Adam and we haven't even officially met him!! Even Daddy put his mark on my belly by drawing a face smack in the center of all the designs. It had big red lips and "angry" eyes--to commemorate his feeling that this pregnancy has made me a little cranky these past few weeks...but what does he know :-) Between my GROOOOOWING profile, lack of comfortable sleep, anxiety over my pre-term contractions and worries over Adam's safe arrival, who can blame me if I'm not as jovial as in days past???? Well, at least we laughed quite a bit tonight and made some memories that hopefully Adam will see one day and laugh at too! Here are some pictures we'd like to share (some of the others won't make it on here-LOL!):

Still here...

Hi everyone,
First off, I wanted to touch base with you all and let you know that I had my last appointment this week with my delivering OB (I have one more appt. with another OB next week before delivery) and I was almost certain that she was going to keep me in the hospital or put me on strict bedrest. Even after a week of being on medication to stop my contractions--they keep coming, although in all fairness, not as frequent or as hard as they were BEFORE the medicine. Even so, with my risk of a uterine rupture, it was all I could do to run around (ironic, eh?) the day of my appointment and make sure I had everything I would need IF I had to go into the hospital early. When the doctor saw me, she just recommended that I increase the frequency of when I take the medication and continue to "take it easy". That's when I let out a sigh of relief, because even with less than 2 weeks left before I deliver, there is still PLENTY to do! It seems that the more I organize and clean, the more clutter there is and the more cleaning there is to do. So, I'm home again, and really trying to take it easy as the doctor mentioned that the baby is on the big side and I'm still worried about a rupture...

Taking it easy for me means staying home most of the time. It doesn't mean napping, laying in bed or staying still for very long. Although I'm making the effort to lay down throughout the day (or at least SIT down), it's very hard to take it easy when there is a lot to get done, AND you have 2 very active kids coming home from school each afternoon ready for action. Thankfully, they understand that I need to rest, so they've been ok about watching TV, doing homework and pretty much keeping to themselves this week. Of course, that cooperation starts after they run into the house demanding snacks and causing a ruckus! Starting tomorrow they'll have 1/2 days for the next 4 school days, and then they are off for Thanksgiving. Let's see how long they'll attempt to cooperate with Mommy...

So, just a quick update on what's going on here...I'll be sure to keep you posted with the latest breaking news as time allows. Wish us luck that we get to our scheduled delivery date without further complications and are able to finally bring home our baby boy, Adam!

Hugs to all,
Janet

Update on contractions...

Well, after seeing the OB last week, she had me take an NST and it turns out that I am contracting here and there...it seems worse when I stand up, but they can't monitor for contractions standing, so only a few "true" contractions showed up. I was asked to "be a princess" for the next couple of weeks and rest 2 hours for each hour of activity I have. She also prescribed medication for me to take to stop the contractions...

It'll be a week tomorrow that I've been on the meds and I'm taking it easier than prior weeks, but the contractions keep coming. I'll see her again tomorrow and am hoping I don't go on full bedrest after her evaluation, although as of last week, she just wanted me to make it to Thanksgiving at least...and that is next week. I would really prefer to wait until December 3rd (37w1d) as planned, but Adam seems to want out...and of course, with my history, I'm worried about a uterine rupture. So I guess I need to the prayers to start pouring in for us that he comes at the right time and is healthy. So many worries...

On a more optimistic note, the crib is up, the blinds are up, even some of the decorations are up in the nursery. The room is coming together, and all we need is the mattress that will be arriving in NJ along with my in-laws soon enough. Now if I can just get it together enough to pack my bag and figure something out for Adam to come home in...

Well, that's it for now...just wanted to check in with you all in case I'm out of comission for the next week or two before Adam is due. Of course, if I make it back from my appointment with any news, good or otherwise, I'll try to update as I can.

Hugs to all,
Janet

Just 3 weeks to go!!

As I sit here writing this, it boggles my mind that as of this Wednesday, we have just 3 weeks until delivery day (God willing)! This past month has definitely been harder on me than the rest of the pregnancy put together, but I am cherishing every minute since this will be my last one. We are all anxiously awaiting the (safe) arrival of Adam, and Mohammed even picked up the nursery furniture late last week. I'd post a picture, but it's still a mess in there...gotta find some energy to get things organized once the crib is put together. I'll give you a hint, though. It's black, and as scary as that sounds to some of you, it's pretty darn nice, if I say so myself! Many thanks go out to Gido and Shoo-Shoo for getting us this furniture--it's really beautiful.

As for other news...the girls just wrapped up a long weekend due to the NJ Teacher's Convention being held and all the schools being closed this past Thursday and Friday. They had several playdates and Yasmeen even attended a Volleyball clinic in a nearby town. Leena will be going on her 1st grade field trip this Wednesday to a local farm, and although I was asked to chaperone (and wanted to go), I've been prohibited by my OB's office due to the onset of recent (and rather frequent) bouts of contractions.

Well, we survived our 1st Halloween at the new house. It was actually pretty fun, with tons of kids roaming the neighborhood (unlike at our last residence). We went through almost 3 large bags of candy, but received just as much in return. I accompanied the girls and Mohammed (along with our neighbors) on their walk to trick-or-treat, but had to back out early due to sheer exhaustion. Just the night before we attended the annual firehouse pumpkin carving event with the Yankos and I guess all the activity just caught up to me...

The day after Halloween, Mom and Dad came over early to take me and the girls out to breakfast. Mom mentioned that she wanted to spend some time with me before the baby came, and we had also planned on getting a cake for Aileen's upcoming birthday. Little did I know what awaited for me when I came home and walked through the door!!! Aileen and Mohammed threw me a surprise Baby Shower on November 1st. I was totally shocked and quite touched at all the people that were present. Even Yasmeen knew about it, and somehow managed to keep it a secret from me! There were so many people from all facets of my life there. There was family, lifelong friends, scrapping buddies, MOMS Club pals, and even a few of our new neighbors! We are fortunate enough to have many wonderful people in our life, and received so many great things. Now I just need to get everything set up and we are ready to go!

Wish us luck as we venture into the next phase of our lives with the pending arrival of our newest family member. I'll be sure to keep you posted of the progress as time allows :-)

Until next time,

Janet

First Fall illness...mine, not the girls'

Well, it's taken me a while to get you guys updated on what's been going on here lately, but I've bought myself a few days of R&R compliments of a nasty bug I've caught which quickly progressed into an asthma exaccerbation. So, here I am at home on a ton of meds (Sorry, Adam) and trying to get back on my feet.

The last few weeks have been a frenzy of activity here, between service people coming over for repairs and inspectors checking out the work done in the nursery, to keeping up with the girls' daily activities (and my TWO Girl Scout troops!). We've also had a few days off of school due to several Jewish holidays, and we took full advantage by visiting Johnston Park (which we haven't done since the girls were a LOT younger). We've also made our last trip of the season to Sesame Place for their Halloween Spooktacular (along with our neighbors) and that was a lot of fun. And of course, October means that both Leena and I celebrated another birthday. I am...hmmmm...let me see, officially in my late 30's (ok, NOT 39, but close enough), and Leena turned 7! We celebrated my birthday at the Rainforest Cafe again this year (can you tell that the girls love that place???) and then my sister cut a cake and make a fabulous dinner the next day at her place. Leena lucked out with both a family dinner at a fun restaurant called Gabriel's Fountain as well as a friend party at a local bookstore themed after her newest idol--Hanna Montana! Needless to say, I've been a little run down and very exhausted with all the activity, so I guess I can officially say that it looks like this 3rd trimester is kicking my butt!

I am officially 31w3d today (check out my latest update picture at just about 30 weeks) and excited that we have made it this far without much trouble. That's not to say I haven't been driving Mohammed and my OB crazy with my irrational fears, but physically, it's been smooth sailing...well, until a couple of days ago and my current illness, that is...but thankfully, Adam seems to be taking it like a champ. Although I think the steroids I was given yesterday knocked him down a little, he's back to his jumpy and kicky ways today. And people...WE HAVE A DATE! My OB finally scheduled my "elective" C/S for December 3rd, at 6pm--yup, that's PM, as in evening. Barring any delays, looks like we'll get to meet Adam that night...even if I'll have to starve the entire day to get there-LOL!

The girls are doing well in school. I love how well bribery...uh, I mean, motivation works for Yasmeen. Mohammed promised her a Nintendo DS at the end of the school year if she could maintain straight A's (and maybe the leeway of one B) and she's stepped up to the challenge. That doens't mean she's SELF motivated, just yet, but with a little push from us, and some daily guidance, she's been aceing the 3rd grade so far. On the flip side, Leena doens't need much motivation from us at all--that girl LOVES schoolwork!

So right now, Mohammed is over at the school in Leena's class taking my place at her "Fall Fest" event in class. Due to this nasty bug, Mohammed kindly offered to sub for me and run the door hanger activity for the class. I was bummed I couldn't go, but right now, my health has to come first. Leena was graciously understanding this morning when I mentioned the possibility that I might have to miss it. Thanks, Mohammed, for stepping up for me, as always. You are one GREAT daddy (and hubby)!!!

Ok, well I guess I'm off rest a while before the girls get home. I'll be sure to update this blog soon as we get closer to the big day...until later,

Janet