Our first week home...

Well we have been home almost a week now. It has gone by way to fast, I can't seem to get enough time with my little man and he changes so much in a week. He is very strong, holds up his head forever looking around, has learned that his fist can ward off daddy trying to eat him up, and eats like a champ. Grandma and Papa have been here all week helping me out, since it has taken me a while to get moving again, IV is getting all the attention a little boy could ever need. We had our 1st doctor appointment, he is at 9 lbs almost back to his birth rate and everything else looks great. We hope that everyone had a wonderful Christmas and looking forward to the New Year.

All our Dreams Came True... a birth story

Well as most of you know Frank Lain Jackson IV came into this world on December 21st, 2008. Here is out it happened...



On Friday the 19th, we went into the hospital to be induced since our little boy was anticipated to be getting too big and over a week overdue. We started the night with cervidal since I was only a cm dialated. After 12 hours, I became, a little more than a cm dialated. On Saturday morning they started me on Pitocin (the wonder drug of contractions). It was a fun day of watching my contractions on the monitor but I barely felt anything, they turned up the volume to the maximum, thinking that would make me respond.... almost 36 hours later, I was still watching my contractions, and a little over 2 cm dialated. After a long talk with the doctor, hugs from my wonderful husband, and a lot of of tears from me, we decided that the baby wasn't going anywhere.



At about 8:00 pm we said we would go with the c-section. Things happened pretty fast after that (it's about the only thing that happens fast at a hospital I think). We had about 20 people coming and going from the room, sticking, poking, prodding. It took a lot for my husband to get me calm down since I was still upset about missing out on a natural birth. Finally they prepped me for an epidural, since I am only 5 feet tall, and my baby was so large I couldn't lean forward, so it was hard to get it in. I can't say the epidural didn't hurt, he had to wiggle things around. Wow, what an interesting feeling.



The next thing I know, we were being rolled off to the delivery room. The epidural caused me to shake uncontrollably, but they finally let Frank into the room and I had someone to focus on. At some point they cut me, I felt nothing at all. Then a it felt like they were trying to wiggle all of my insides out of me. Seconds later I heard a loud scream and cry and everyone saying what a big boy I have. Everything after that seems like a blur, I know I cried, and my husband kept going back and forth telling me how beautiful our little boy is. It was announced he was 9 lbs 2 oz and 20 inches long. Short for a 9+ lb baby. They finally brought him over to me, but my hands were not working, but I remember crying and trying to hold still long enough for a few pictures.

His daddy is the most amazing man in the world and there is no one that I could ever imagine being a part of my life. Throughout this journey, he was the one person who could pick me up on my worst day. Looking into his eyes during the birth of son and now watching him become the amazing father in the world is undescribeable.

We came home after 2 1/2 days in the hospital and I couldn't be any happier. The IV had his first doctor appointment today and everything is going wonderful. My favorite part of the day is the middle of the night, holding and rocking my baby, letting him fall asleep on my chest. I love the sounds of his breath and feeling his little hands and lips. He is truely more amazing than anything I could have ever imagined. I am overwhelmed with the love I feel for him everyday and could never explain it in words.

BEFORE OUR CHRISTMAS BLESSING

It is truely amazing what we can do!!!

OUR CHRISTMAS BLESSING

The Final Post Until...

The birth of this baby boy!!! So here is where we stand, I had a non-stress today, and for a 40+ week baby, he is very active. My little man kept kicking the monitors off, I would laugh, he would kick, it totally screwed up the reading. So instead of 20 minutes we did 45!!! Then I got to see him on the ultrasound, he is definetly still a boy. From everything they measure he is a BIG BOY, 9lbs 5ozs as of today. There is a chance he could be up to a pound bigger or smaller. I couldn't believe it. We are so happy he is Soooo healthy. I got to see his little cheeks and pudgy hands and I fell in love some more. As of right now, it doesn't look like he is going anywhere anytime soon, he is still too high, and I am barely a cm dialated. Keeping our fingers crossed that things get moving.

40+ weeks... that means we are over done!!!

It's almost Christmas, and what have we here, another day of growing, another day of fun!!! So today I go for a non-stress test to make sure our little man is happy as can be in there. Well, he is not so little anymore. But I am sure he is happy, last night, I spent about an hour watching his acrobatic skills push my belly in all different directions. I love him so much, and have tried to talk him out, he doesn't listen. Kind of like his daddy watching football. Anyhow, his little foot is so cute, I love put my hand on it when he is pushing so hard, and pat his little butt, it makes this all so exciting. So here is our 40 week picture in front of the tree, he will be out before Christmas that is a guarantee.

Whose Jersey is That?

Well here we are at 38 weeks... Holy cow, have I grown!!! The IV is happily content staying inside I think, he spends his time laying around, pushing, and kicking all day and night long. I hope this isn't a glimpse of our future. We have found he loves noise, music, people, and especially the sound of his daddy's voice. The jersey I have on was Frank's from when he was in 3rd grade, hopefully some of his football skills will rub off on our little boy. So if you have time, throw some labor dust our way and hopefully we will be sharing pictures of our son soon, as I know you are all getting tired of me.

Thanksgiving

We enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving this year with Frank's mom and sister down in Naples, FL. I am afraid most of you were braving the cold, as you can see in the pictures we had 75 degree weather. Frank and I spent Thanksgiving morning walking about 4 miles, okay, waddling about 4 miles. I have felt really good, just really large. I vow this will be the only time in my life that I will allow my husband to out walk/run me. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving meal prepared by Frank's mom and sister, I still don't know if they trust me in the kitchen :) Following dinner, I had the pleasure of watching my husband attempt to play tennis with his sister, I chased the balls he managed to hit over the fence, yes I said fence, not net. I think the IV is very inspired by his daddy's athletic skills. That evening I went for a swim, the only time I feel weightless. We also enjoyed sometime on the golf course, I was the driver, and only got out of the cart twice.

Nursery Pictures

Our little boy finally has a completed room of his own, here are a few pics. If you can't read what is on the wall, it says, "Dream Big Little Boy."

36 Weeks

I am a little behind on my updates, but here is our 36 week picture. We are almost 38 weeks now, so I will take some pics over Thanksgiving. We are definetly growing and moving a lot. Little IV has been practicing his running back skills throughout the day and performs yoga and kickboxing at night. I hope that everyone has a safe and Happy Holiday.

Baby Shower in Virginia

I know it has been awhile since I have updated, we have been pretty busy preparing for our little guy to come into this world. We spent the weekend of October 17-19th in Virginia with Frank's family. It was wonderful as usual, just wish I had a better appetite for Sunday BBQ. It was wonderful to see friends and family both, and thank everyone who made it to the shower and even those who didn't. Thank you so much to Franks mom and sister for putting together such a nice afternoon. The pic is some of the gifts we received along with many gift cards. Don't you love my jogging stroller, don't worry mothers, I won't jog with my infant, I give him a few months to grow. On top of it is our carseat. The thing in the back is our beach cabana, since we are Floridians, we needed this!!!

Family comes to Disney

Last week we were so excited to have our family visit from up North. We spent two wonderful days experiencing Disney. The IV really loved "It's a Small World" ride, okay maybe not but I did. Mayela and Alina had their fill of rides and meeting all the princesses at the castle. My dad and mom were troopers, Dad rode all the rides and my mom is the best companion for a frozen lemonade while we wait. Shown here are some pictures from our pool and disney. Our doors are always open and waiting for visitors, wish everyone was here. Click on the picture for a bigger view.

Baby Shower

We are truly blessed to have such a wonderful family. Though we live 1000+ miles away, it never fails, family will be there for you. Many of our family members traveled four hours for the afternoon. My brothers, sisters, and their children traveled 6+ hours to include a boat ride across Lake Michigan. Saturday was wonderful, with the oldest member of the family being 92 and the youngest 3 months, the generation gap is a big one but the love is even bigger. Thank you to everyone who brought the delicious food, and especially my mother, who worked so hard to make the day absolutly perfect. Oh, side note, yes I am swollen, I know!!!

Pictures of a weekend with family in Michigan

We had a wonderful weekend in Michigan, the weather was perfect, even for us Floridians. Attached are some pictures of my nieces and my new little nephew. They really brighten up everyday... I hope our little one does the same.

My niece the dancer....

Alison takes after me with her dancing skills.

Where'd My Toes Go???

Just an update. As of now we are 26 weeks along.... What does that mean? We have 99 days until our little man comes into this world!!!

Weekend in South Beach

We had a wonderful weekend in South Beach, Miami.... Yes, that is water in my hand.

Frank Surfing... Be very impressed!!!

25 1/2 Weeks

Whoa, seriously growing now!!! I wasn't gifted with the basketball belly, instead Sweet lil IV has given me a sloper, starts at the top and slopes all the way down...

Who's your Daddy....

This is so funny you should all try it. Obviously didn't work for me...


http://makemebabies.com/viewbaby.php?bid=4248255

Belly Pic 21 Weeks

Belly Pic 19 Weeks

Belly Pics...

Here are a few of our pics so far as I grow. I will update one this week since we are at week 25. Enjoy. This one is 14 weeks!!!

He's a boy!!!

Here is our little man's debut at 19 weeks.... Just to catch everyone up, we are starting our 25th week now. SOOOO much more to follow.

Pics of Baby J

Here are a few of Baby J's first pics. We didn't know he was a boy at the time. We were about 12 weeks along.

Welcome to our Site

Frank and I have decided this is the best way to keep our family and friends informed about all of our exciting events coming this fall and winter. As most of you know, we are expecting the IVth mid December, earlier if I have it my way. We hope to share this experience with all of our family and friends to the best of my computer ability. Please enjoy and feel free to send your comments our way. Love Frank, Anne Marie, and little Frank Lain Jackson IV... yes, that is his name, sounds important doesn't he?