Never want to forget...

Not feeling hot over here, but had to blog about one of my sweeties so I wouldn't forget it. I have been sick, as you know, and my poor Jake has had to witness some pretty gross scenes with me lately. He is quite traumatized when I become violently/unexpectedly ill. He often cannot focus until I am myself again. Today, while feeding the baby it happened. I had to quickly lay the baby down, grab the trash can by my bed and run. I was hoping to spare Jake from the trauma. I could here him talking while I was in there but until I could respond I didn't know what he was saying. I peeked my head and out and said," What buddy?" He looked at my with such an upset face and said," I just love you Mommy." He is so aware of feelings it is insane. Jake does not like it when other people feel sick or are sad. While watching shows or reading stories, he often focuses on people's faces and characters feelings. However, I find that he is particularly aware of my feelings. My sweet sensitive mommy's boy. I hope he never loses this quality!

Toddlers, Infants and Pregs.... oh My!

Life around here has been a little off kilter lately... as I've said I haven't been feeling like myself and haven't been able to do all that I normally do each day. However, after two days pretty much in bed... today I feel 50% better. Still nauseous, but normal pregs sick. Totally do- able! I sure hope it stays... Wanted to give some updates because I feel like it has been forever since I have.Jake is such a three year old these days. On a daily basis he cracks me up and drives me nutty! He talks non-stop ALL day long and says the funniest things sometimes. Until he closes his eyes at night, he has something to say. As tired as I am of talking and answering questions by the end of the day, I miss him when he is not around me and I often think it is too quiet. He is becoming more independent each day. He still likes Mommy to do a lot of things. So, I am encouraging him to do more for himself. He is a very sweet boy and I just love the way he talks to Jon and I. Each night, we laugh, look at each other and say.. he's the sweetest. I have always known that Jake is emotional. He has become more aware of others feelings and feels every emotion there is throughout the day now. I love this quality, crying is often his gut reaction to things. Not a full out melt down cry, but he wells up a few times throughout the day. Whether it is getting hurt physically, not getting his way or someone hurting his feelings, he cries. I don't mind that he cries of course, but I don't want him to be pushed around or too emotional about daily events. I've been working with him a lot lately on this issue. I believe it is important for a boy/man to have emotions and not hide them for fear that it is not masculine. My dad is very emotional and I love it. I know how much he cares and he shows it often. I think it is a very important trait for a father and husband to have. So, I want Jake to keep this quality, yet I don't want him to always be crying. So, in a three year old way I have been trying to show him at times that maybe this isn't the best time to cry. What can we do instead? Use our words... use our manners...tell an adult... walk away... I'm trying, but I find it hard to explain at times. I was/am an emotional person as well so I can really relate to some of his feelings. I'm not a huge crier necessarily, but I feel so much for other people that sometimes I get overwhelmed. For example, I can rarely watch the news because I become so engrossed in the stories that I actually experience chest pain or crazy emotions from imagining what these people must be feeling. I'm positive that I am overreacting about this, but it's my job to examine these things! I think emotions can be channeled in the right way and I pray that God will help me lead Jake down the right path with his. On another note, he continues to be the best big brother Will could ask for! So protective and loving. Makes me so proud.

Will is now three months old. I can't believe it. Talk about sweet. He smiles more than any baby I have ever seen. Even in his sleep or when he is upset, he smiles. He does one smile that just melts my heart. He looks at you, smiles and then curls up his body and covers his face with his hands like he is shy. Ugh . He has the best hair I have ever seen. It just keeps getting better. I'm so curious to see what it will look like down the road because right now it is a mix of fro/curls/crazy. I love it. He is still not a fan of the bath. He is improving and will enjoy it for a minute once he is warm, but overall... not a fan. He takes bottles every four hours now throughout the day and eight ounces at a time. At night he usually does a six hour stretch then it is potluck from that point on. Sometimes, he goes back down until his morning bottle and other nights he seems to be very unsettled from 2-6am. Up and down. I have not been myself either, so we are just going with the flow right now. I will worry about sleep training once I feel better. Our pediatrician recently put him on some meds for reflux and I'm not totally convinced they are working. He's spitting up less, but is still having some trouble with his bottles and his body seems tense a lot during and after feedings. Time will tell if the meds are helping or if it is actually more about his short tongue. I am going to make an appointment with an ENT to discuss whether his tongue needs to be clipped or not. At his two month check up, he was in the 75 % for height and 50% for weight. He is starting to giggle a little and move around a little more too. He is in 3-6 months and some six month clothes already! So fun!

As far as Will's open adoption is concerned, we are loving it. We email his birthmom every other week or so with little notes here and there. We also met her out for dinner and brought Will with us about a month ago. We met at a busy, low key restaurant and told her she could bring a friend or family member is she wanted. She brought her best friend who had been at the hospital with her during Will's birth. The dinner went beautifully and as always felt so natural. She fed and held Will and seemed to really enjoy his company. We chatted about how he was doing, how she was going and life in general. At the end, we could tell she was not in a rush and we ended up at the restaurant for almost three hours. It makes me so happy that we have developed a great relationship and we can really see God working on not only our hearts but hers as well. What a blessing! Today is March 16th. I heard on the radio a challenge to share the verse John 3:16 with someone you didn't know. Although, I did not do that. It made me think of her right away. Imagine.... giving away your only son... what a remarkable and amazing choice. Truly selfless.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life"

That's all for now.... more to say but feeling wiped out... will upload pics soon!

To my hubbs

The last few weeks have been rough and I have definitely not been feeling or acting like myself. I have not been able to make the kind of meals I like to make, clean the way I usually do or even stay up past 8:00! My husband has been such a trooper. He has been changing diapers when I am ready to gag, helping with dinner when I need it, giving me nap time on the weekends and putting the kids to bed on nights when I am really sick. All without complaining. He even planned a special weekend away for our little family in April. He is amazing. I am so thankful that we function as a team and that he helps pick up the slack when I can't. Thank you to my handsome, hardworking and sweet husband!!!

Woah.... pregnant

For the first few weeks of this pregnancy I just felt in shock and had no symptoms. For the last two weeks all I feel is nauseous... soo nauseous. I remember being sick with Jake, but not like this. I have saltines by my bed because the second I lift my head off the pillow I feel like I am gonna toss my cookies! I feel like I am in a rough season right now. Caring for and keeping up with a toddler and newborn while feeling so sick has been rough. I'm feeling overwhelmed, but know that this too shall pass. With Jake, I felt better at about 12 or 13 weeks so I am almost there. I am 9 1/2 weeks now. I just keep trying to remember how lucky we are to have not only have two beautiful, amazing boys but the hope of having a third little one running around. It is a crazy thought and such an exciting one! I can't believe this year my family will expand to five. My little family. I feel soo lucky and un-deserving of such love from God. I know I can get through this and be strong with His help. For now... it is ginger ale... saltines... and tums for mama!

Shocker....

I don't exactly know how to say this but.... I'M PREGNANT!!! It is unbelievable even as I type the words. Will is 9 weeks old and I am 8 weeks pregnant. How amazing! We are still in shock.

The story

So, as you all know we adopted our sweet baby boy Will on December 20th and he is now 9 weeks old. He is truly the most amazing baby in the world. I have never been a fan of baby's being labeled,"good," just because they are quiet and easy... but he is sooo good. He is calm, sweet and has such an easy going little temperament. Being number two, I truly appreciate it.

When he first came home, I was exhausted. There was no warm up. Full nights sleep then no nights sleep. I also think the entire adoption experience in general wore me out. It was a roller coaster. Between, the months of fertility and years of trying to get pregnant then chances at adoption and meeting birth parents. My emotions were tapped out. I finally felt nothing but joy. Fatigue, but immeasurable joy. However, the initial fatigue faded a day or two into having a newborn and I was adjusting. A week or so went by and I felt tired again... then again... then again. I couldn't kick it. My body felt like a thousand pounds. The holidays came and went and we were quickly approaching Jake's third birthday. Wait a minute... Jake's birthday is on the 24th.... hmmm... after doing some quick math, I took a little drive to CVS. I never once thought I would see a positive. I have taken test and test after test these last few years and wow.... I was blown away! I sent Jake downstairs to tell Daddy that we were going to have another baby. (not realizing he was on the phone!) He quickly came upstairs and asked me if this was a joke. I laughed and we just starred at each other. Sheer shock. After a few minutes we hugged and rejoiced, but it took a few days for it to truly sink in. We had a few ultrasounds because they initially did not see anything. I was concerned at first, but we came to find out that I was just very early. Last week, we finally saw the heartbeat and a little white speck that is our newest addition. Unreal... and seeing that first ultrasound will never get old. My due date is October 3rd. So, Will is going to be one school year behind our newest. I am relieved because that way they will feel a little more spaced out.
Both Jake, Will and baby number three have all had their special way of arriving. This has made it very clear to us that it is God's will that we have these special gifts. I feel so undeserving of such amazing children. Here is a picture of our latest suprise arrival!

DC Weekend

This past weekend, we went to DC. Jon has a health care conference there every year. It's perfect because Nikki lives in Alexandria and my dad and Carol live in Baltimore so we get to see them and have a mini vacation. My brother in law, Eko, works for the Four Seasons and always takes care of us. The service and accomodations there never cease to amaze me. From the minute you walk in the door, you are treated like a celebrity. I felt so special the whole time. We brought the boys and Jake LOVED it. Will even had some special attention too! We also celebrated Jon's b-day with the fam and he even had a little cake. While Jon attended his conference throughout the day, the boys and I had some fun on our own. Last year, Jake was still a little young to enjoy DC. This year he loved swimming in the hotel pool, walking around Georgetown, eating out and checking out some of the museums. Our favorite museum was the museum of natural history. We saw dinosaurs and sea creatures of all kinds. The second Jake saw a fossil he yelled,"Mommy.... DINOSAURS!!!!!!" Everyone around us started laughing as his voice echoed throughout the museum. We also loved the building museum. Jake had a chance to see Lego structures at least twenty feet high. Jon and I had a special treat of our own when Eko and Nikki offered to watch Jake and Will for a few hours on Valentine's so we could go on a date! Woohoo! Overall, it was nice to get away, see family and get a taste of the fancy lifestyle of the Four Seasons. Jake thought riding in a cab without a carseat was the coolest thing ever
Jake and I had room service for breakfast... we were both REALLY excited.

A special arrival gift for Jake with a juice box.

Cousins strollin' together

The boys hitting the streets
Enjoying the warm weather
GG and baby Will having some Q time
Had to blow out the candles with Daddy

Our hotel room foyer
Our family room

More special touches from the hotel...

Will enjoying our comfy bed

Crib and Johnson's products for Will AND even diapers!

Hmmm.... what could be behind the curtain?

Jakes Third Birthday Party Pictures

Love this New Song

Quick Pic Update

We have been busy over here, but thought I would do a quick picture update of the last week or so...

Smiles

Snuggles

Soo Strong!

Stomch Bug, 24 hours thankfully!

And lastly... POTTY TRAINING.... I will spare you the pictures on this one though...

3 Years...... really?

Today Jake turned three. I am so emotional over it. I just can't believe it. My first sweet boy...I am amazed at the little man he has become. Each day he becomes more and more fun and creative. Here is a breif description of Jake at age three:

- A sweet and affectionate soul. He kisses and hugs as often as I kiss and hug him (which is A LOT)
- Sooo funny and he laughs a lot. He is my favorite kind of funny... unintentional funny. Jake makes us laugh all day and even into the night. He is not a night waker, but the other night he woke up requesting pancakes saying he was "SOO hungwy!" When I told him it was still nighttime and he had to go back to bed, he said,"okay we can play games if you want?"
- FULL of energy. Especially from 4-6PM.
- LOVES being outside and being active
- Favorite toys: Cars, games, trains, balls
- Super creative. He is constantly creating games, songs, and neat ideas and thoughts. I love hearing his ideas. He is pretend playing like crazy and I love to listen to him make the cars or people talk to each other. My favorite new character is "the green animal." Jake often pretends to be a "green animal." We have to put him in his cage, feed him bananas etc. My favorite scene I overheard lately" hey red car.... hey.... wanna go play?...okay....we're friends... yeah....I love you very much...."
- NOT a foody. He just doesn't care about food. He would much rather play, talk or snuggle than eat food. Every night we have to offer him dessert to get him to try new foods or finish his dinner. Unfortunately, it comes from me.
- A stubborn side that is relentless. We call him Dr. Jeckle because he is normally a sweet, pretty easy going kid... then... DR.JECKLE...
- He requests "homework." So, we do it. Almost every day Jake and I take 30 mins or longer and do school work. He loves it. He already knows his colors (some in spanish), numbers, alphabet and some words. He also loves to paint, trace, glue and cut. Recently, he is interested in the human body. He is his mommy's son... I love science.
- He is not a people pleaser.... this can be a good and bad thing.... ultimately, I think it will be a great quality. However, I have focused intensly on manners because I want him to understand how his actions make others feel. Like if he doesn't want to talk on the phone, but someone has called specifically to talk to him for example.
- Jake is sensitive and emotional.His feelings are hurt very easily at this age. If you truly get frustrated with him and raise your voice, he just cries and his little lip curls right up. Melts our frustrations right away.
- He is coordinated, a Jon gene, he can play anything he tries. He is amazing at pinball and has earned the title,"Pin Ball Wizard." He can shoot hoops like a 10 year old and is awesome at air hockey. The kid just loves sports.
- He enjoys school, the library, church playplace "nursery", any play place and the park
- Jake started potty training yesterday and so far a few accidents, but doing well
- He sleeps with his blankie and blue puppy and likes his
nightlight on
- Jake wears 2T pants and 3T shirts and a size 8.5 shoe
- Favorite shows: Veggie Tales, Sesame street, little einsteins, chugginton, thomas... you name it
- Favorite books: Sesame street series, human body book, max and ruby, veggie tales
- He has become an awesome big brother. He snuggles Will daily and you can hear him say,"What's up baby brudda?" at least five times a day.

I could go on... basically he is perfect in our eyes! We love you Jakers.

Jake's favorite food is pancakes. This morning we surprised him with a pancake cake!

Birthday kiss from baby brother

We spent the day at a play place with Alex, who he always refers to as his best friend. So sweet.

So of course crazy amounts of skee ball.

My knight singing on the stage. As he stepped off he said," thank you, thank you"

My favorite of Jake's moves... the shoulder shrug

Making pancakes with daddy and yes we needed construction chef hats!

Truly embarrassed and shocked at Cracker Barrel tonight

when they sang happy birthday to him.

One Month Check Up

Will had his first wellness check up on Tuesday morning. He has grown and changed so much in just one month. He is much more alert and has even begun smiling occasionally. Jon and I have both heard him chuckle a little too. It is adorable. He also received his first vaccination. Never fun... but he was very brave and recovered super quick. Helps to have a big bro there telling you he will protect you!

At hospital versus One Month Appt:

Weight: 7.5 lbs.- Now 10 lbs.
Height: 20 inches- Now 21 inches. (I actually think he is longer, but he is so scrunchy the nurse had trouble stretching him out. )

Here are some pics from the appt. and some recent one month pics of my new little cutie!