Out Comes A Sneeze, Out Comes A Baby

"Aaaachoo!" That is about the extent of the effort that I had in delivering Drew just two years ago, November 9, 2010. The ease I had in delivery has been joked that I sneezed in the hospital room and out came Drew. I swear, it really seemed that easy..for the most part anyways.

About 2-3 weeks prior to Drew's due date I was having my weekly check ups and the doctor was concerned that Drew wasn't growing anymore. So, at 39 weeks, my OB/GYN said you know, what the heck, you have a two year old at home, we have concerns that Drew isn't growing, why don't we just induce you. I thought that sounded like a great idea. That way, I could have everything planned with getting my mom to take care of Jacoby while I was at the hospital to getting ready to meet his baby brother. 

So, on a Tuesday, we went through the entire drill at the hospital, the monitors, what ever drugs they use to induce etc. All was going good. I knew from having Jacoby that the Epidural cocktail was my friend. So the anesthesiologist came in gave me my dose of wonderful and that's when things went a little off course. All of a sudden I got super hot, nauseous, and for about 1 minute which felt more like 10, I was fighting to keep myself from feeling like I wanted to close my eyes and go to sleep forever. The only thing that gave me the strength was that I didn't want Josh to worry about me, but my by this time Josh  could all ready tell that something wasn't right with me and he called for the nurse. Luckily the anesthesiologist was still in the room, shot something into my IV and instantly I was back to normal. It was one of the weirdest sensations I have ever felt! 

A little while later the doctor checked the monitor and the fetal heartbeart was lower than she liked. So she flipped me over on my side as a technique to get that back up. Well, what ever happened there, jarred something loose, because I tell you, Drew decided to come at that moment with me laying on my side! Have you ever heard of such a thing??? So about 2-3 pushes later, (Josh just commented 1 1/2 pushes..lol) Drew Izik arrived. He was so little at 6 lb 4 oz and 21 inches long, but he was 100% perfect. I was so lucky to have another healthy baby boy!

Drew has been the perfect little addition to make our family complete.

This past Friday we celebrated his second birthday and it is so exciting to watch him transition from being a baby to a toddler. He is such a happy little boy, full of mischievous and giggles. He pushes his independence as far as any little toddler can. He has no fear of anything. He climbs, he jumps, he runs, he falls, gets back up and charges on again. Drew's imagination is hilarious as he pretends to order us Olive pizza, have pretend phone conversations and sends us, including his toys, to time out for hitting and pinching him. I have NO IDEA where he comes up with stuff but he thinks he is a riot and THE BOSS. He loves being scared, hiding behind corners to come out and and for us to chase him. He is just plain funny. 

The things Drew loves right now: Mickey Mouse, Bubble Guppies, drawing with markers and crayons, play-doh, washing his hands in the sink,  my cell phone (he has mastered the navigation on my smart phone to games and videos of himself), taking showers,  he loves the beach, going to the playground, playing in the sand, blowing bubbles firetrucks, his new vacuum cleaner, his books with trucks and tractors, and anything to keep up with Jacoby.

His eyes have always looked right through your soul

First birthday!

So handsome after his haircut!

Drew loves to color!

So silly!

2nd Birthday!

Drew continues to amaze me every day. I was so worried in the beginning that Drew was going to be pushed around by his older brother and cousins, but that worry is long gone. This kid can hold his own for sure. There is nothing that can stop him and what a wonderful quality to have!

4 Years of Love!

It was around this time 4 years ago that I was sitting on my bathroom floor painting my toe nails (nesting had been in full force around that time) and I thought I had felt a twinge in my stomach. A contraction I thought, nooo...didn't really hurt. Then another one came and then another one. So I went out to the living room to tell Josh and told him maybe I should give the doctor a call. So, I did and was told to watch how frequently they were occurring and if it took my breath away then I should probably go to the hospital. Well, the contractions were around 10 minutes apart and I could certainly breath fine, so we decided to go to bed. As I lay in bed, the contractions started to come faster and faster. Josh and I made the decision to go up to the hospital a little before midnight and expected to be sent home.  We went through the usual routine with being hooked up to the monitors and I was shocked when the nurse told us we were staying. The contractions were coming quick enough and were strong enough that we needed to be admitted. I tried to get some sleep but the contractions were not allowing for that to happen. Later in the morning I  got a nice cocktail of an epidural and was able to sleep. I woke up from a nap and said to the nurse, "how do you know when I'm ready?" She said, well, why don't I just take a look, she lifted up the blanket and so said, "Oh, shit." Me: "What do you mean???" Nurse: "That baby is coming now, I will get the doctor and let him know you are ready."  Ha! Frigging amazing. Things at that point moved very quickly. Doctor came in, my bed got broke down and was instructed to push and  and with under 10 minutes of painless pushing (other mom's don't hate me for this :) I take to epidurals very nicely)  my sweet little Jacoby Thomas was born after 2:00 in the afternoon on September 6, 2008.

It is so hard to believe that 4 years have gone by. Jacoby is one of the most amazing people I have ever met. His unbelievable memory, his sense of humor and his sensitive side blow me away every day. I now understand when people use the term, an old soul. It is Jacoby. I couldn't be more proud of Jacoby the way he is with Drew. He has a lot of patience, understanding, and love for his little beast of a baby brother.  From the first time I laid my eyes on Jacoby, his little face has melted my heart.
Here is a glimpse of Jacoby and his past birthdays:
This is a video (taken not with a video camera but put together by individual frames from his super fast digital camera) that my brother Izik put together of his first birthday that has always been one of my favorites: 

Jacoby's Second Birthday:

So close to his cousin Kara who is 6 months older

Me and Jacoby with Drew in my belly!

Jacoby's First 4wheeler!

It didn't take him long to get used to it..haha

                                                                       Jacoby's 3rd Birthday!

I think his face explains it all!

So happy!

Jacoby and Drew..the best brothers!

These are some of the best memories and I'm so excited for more to come!

I'm Going Home!!

I am going home tomorrow!!

(Insert happy Dance Here!)

Since last Friday, I have been in Clearwater, Florida doing some training for work.  You wouldn't believe the things I have had to learn if I told you! 

Anyways, that is 7 nights I have not tucked my boys into bed, (8 actually, because we have to count tomorrow night since I won't get home until around midnight)

I have not heard my little Drew's voice since Sunday. Apparently he really wanted to talk to me tonight but I was out to dinner and had my phone on vibrate (it was, after all, a 5-star restaurant)  and I didn't know that I had missed his calls (Mother of the Year Award revoked yet again!) I have been able to talk to Jacoby every night on the phone before he goes to sleep and he has been such a good boy while I have been away. I am so proud of him!

It has been a week since having any of their hugs, kisses, sticky hands all over me. 

It's been a week since I have heard Jacoby's stories and a week since I have seen Drew's bright smile and dimples!  

Tomorrow is the day though that I fly home!!!  I can't wait for Saturday morning to see Jacoby and Drew. They are going to get smothered by my hugs and kisses!

Of course I can't go home empty handed, so I got Jacoby a Jake from Jake and the Neverland Pirates and Drew, Donald Duck. They are going to be so excited! 

I am so excited to see their little faces! 

I also need to make note that I am so grateful for my mom and Mima (Josh's Gram) for their help while I have been gone. They stay at my house and bring Jacoby and Drew back and forth from daycare and help take care of them, and cook some meals. while Josh is at work. I don't know what I would do without them!

And last, but certainly not least  is Josh, who I appreciate so much for wearing both the mommy and daddy pants while I am gone.  I know that it is not easy for him or our family when I have to leave but he does an amazing job.  I love him!

So that is all, I can't put into words how much I have missed all 3 of them, but I am happy that tomorrow I will be making my way home. I look forward to having a big family hug! xx

The Fever..As In Baby Fever

My Drew Bug

Yesterday, my son, Drew turned 20 months. The other day I was telling Josh that I love how Drew still has some baby qualities to him. I love seeing him sleeping peacefully in his crib, and I love how when I hold him, he will sometimes wrap his little arms around me so tight and rest his head on my shoulder. Josh told me that I need to appreciate these moments while they last because they aren't going to be for much longer. He's absolutely right! Every day Drew seems to be turning more into a toddler than a baby.  Last week I told him that we had to get him dressed and ready to daycare. He looked at me said, "No, no, Mama" as he shook his little pointer finger at me.  What?? I couldn't help but laugh of course.  This baby/toddler is taking a stand! I sat him in my lap like we always do to change him and what did he do? He held his arms down as tight as he could at his sides so I couldn't take off his shirt! Again, I hear the, "Nooooo maaaamaaa."  He was serious!  Luckily, he is still part baby and a little tickling of the  inner thigh gets him squealing with laughter, he releases his arms and I'm able to get him dressed for the day. Then on Saturday he peed on the potty 6 TIMES (Yay!!) and today he walked up our front steps all by himself without crawling up the last step and he also walked down them by himself just holding on the railing.  He is testing out his independence all the time. Plus he has also started making jokes which is hilarious. Like when he says, "Dada toot and pee-you, dada." That is hilarious, because living in a house of all boys and toot jokes are just funny.
Then comes the next part of the story. My friend Kara is being induced this week to have her second baby. I'm so excited for her and her family to have this new little girl brought into their life.  I remember the anticipation of having Jacoby and Drew and how excited I was to meet them and hold them in my arms. My life changed so much the instant they arrived. I can't fathom anything different!   So when Kara had her first baby Jack, I went to see them in the hospital and that is when my baby fever set in full force and as the story goes, Drew arrived 9 months later! I'm a little curious to see how I will feel when this next baby arrives.  I also have a coworker who is pregnant with her first baby. Just seeing her belly grow there are moments that the baby fever starts to creep in again. I have also had FB friends lately who seem to be giving birth left and right and I'm like what the hell, is everyone pregnant right now??  Yes, baby fever is knocking at the door. Even today I had to go to the Walmart, I swear I saw 10 pregnant chicks shopping. It was like after I had a miscarriage, every girl I saw was either pregnant or had a newborn baby. Why does stuff like that happen?

Brothers Loving Eachother!

The true reality though, is that seeing Drew grow into this little person is as exciting if not more than having a new baby. I love seeing him learn new things, play with Jacoby, experience his "firsts." Plus the fact that he feeds himself, sleeps through the night and is somewhat potty training is awesome!!  I really do not want another baby right now. As it is, I don't feel like I have enough alone time with Jacoby and Drew. How could I add another baby into the mix??  Don't even get me started on the financial aspect too, we could never swing it! It's just been those crazy mom hormones racing through my body as I realize that Drew is not really a baby anymore and it's bringing the baby fever out. It's kind of fun to think about the what ifs and what if  we had a little girl what would she look like and if we had another boy would he look more like Jacoby or Drew or just himself?  
Buuuut, I like our little life as it is right now. My Jacoby and Drew they are really all that I need. They are what completes me and life is good.

Drew looking so grown up!

Jacoby and summer fun!

My Boys Becoming Playmates *swoon*

Jacoby is 3 1/2 and Drew is 19 months. It makes my heart swell to see them playing together and having fun!
 #wordlesswednesday

Their little happy faces just kill me.  I swear they are some day going to literally make my heart explode. I hope they will always know how lucky I feel to have them and how lucky they are to have each other...(Oh, God, here comes the tears.  I should have left it wordless!)