1 week!

We survived our first week! 

So far, Jacob is very calm and only fusses when he's hungry or wet. Chris and I are managing to get a good amount of sleep and I'm getting used to taking an afternoon nap. I always hated napping- probably because I can be such a busy body- but I've learned that I definitely need to get at least one nap during the day to keep from getting crabby at night. 

The dogs are adjusting pretty well, too. Maxie loves Jake. She is always by our side while we're with him and has been very calm. It seems like her new "job" is to look after the baby. 

Buddy is tolerating Jake. He definitely got knocked down a peg when we brought Jake home so we've been making sure that he gets some special attention and he is slowly getting back to his rambunctious self. 

Jacob's room

Jacob's room is all set-up and decorated. We love the way our little monster's room turned out!

monster prints from Etsy

Chris is still finalizing the plans for the built in shelving and the closet & bedroom doors need to be hung, but Jacob isn't sleeping in his room yet anyways so we've got time to get it done. 

Welcome baby Jacob!

Jacob Matthew was born one day early on Friday, November 15th at 1:34pm. He weighed in at 7lb 3oz and is 19.5 inches long. 

ready to go home!

I was feeling really crappy at work on Thursday and let my boss know that I would need to take Friday off. I figured I was going to rest and set up some more baby items that were still in boxes & bags since Chris had gotten the baby's room 90% finished. 

I wasn't able to sleep Thursday night and hung out on the couch with Chris for a while. Baby Jake was very active in my belly and was kicking and punching me. I finally decided that I needed to try to go to bed and I started to feel weird pressure in my lower abdomen. And then my water broke. It was scary and exciting at the same time. Contractions started about 45 minutes later and I called my OB. She said to take my time to shower, eat something, and then head into the hospital. Chris managed to get me to sit on the couch and watch 2 episodes of Friends before I just couldn't take it any more and told him we had to leave. I wasn't in pain; I was mostly just nervous and thought I would feel more relaxed being at the hospital. 

We got to the hospital around 4am and were admitted pretty quickly. I labored for a while before I got an epidural and then I was able to nap. Later on, after 2 hours of pushing, baby Jake was born. It was the most amazing experience ever. 

Our hospital stay was great and Jake passed all of the tests that are performed in the days after birth. We were finally ready to go home on Sunday and of course Chicagoland was experiencing some crazy weather (tornadoes Southwest of the city and heavy rain & winds in Chicago and Oak Park). We watched the weather on the news and checked our iPhone weather apps and decided around 1pm to make a break for it. We were lucky to leave the hospital in between storms and we got home safe & sound. 

It has been an exciting week so far. I was absolutely exhausted for 2 days after getting home and now every day is better and better. Chris and I are absolutely in love with this little man and couldn't be happier! 

39 weeks!

39 weeks- baby is the size of a watermelon 

One more week to go until my due date!

We found out that I need to work pretty much until I go into labor (because my job doesn't have maternity leave and I have to go on short term disability) so my big plans of cooking and cleaning (and relaxing) this coming week were squashed. 
So, I spent my Saturday cooking lasagna & chili to freeze for later and getting some other random things done around the house. 

Overall, I'm feeling pretty good. I'm definitely moving slower and I wish I could wear my pajamas & slippers to work and everywhere else I go but I think that's to be expected right about now. 

baby's room - paint & trim

 This past week the baby's room was painted, the ceiling fan installed, and the trim was cut and is starting to get installed today. The closet shelves & rods should also be installed this weekend. 

We are trying to get as much done as possible today and tomorrow morning so we can move the furniture into the room and get the crib set up. The baby's furniture is currently taking up half of our living room, so once that is all moved I think Chris & I will both feel a lot better. 

Don't worry, though. We have a bassinet, clean clothes & blankets, diapers, etc. so if baby decides to come home early we are prepared. 

painted walls! 

starting to put the trim up

Still on the to-do list:

-sanding

-paint

-finish trim

-window

-finish built-in shelving

-install new heater 

-install ceiling fan

-finish floors

-move-in furniture & decorate!

38 weeks!

I hit the 38 week mark on Saturday. According to my doctor, 38 weeks is when all bets are off. Baby could come at any time but being induced is not something they consider until 7 days past due. So...we could become parents anytime in the next 3 weeks. Hoping for sooner rather than later! 

As usual, we had a busy weekend so I only had time/energy for some iPhone pics this week.



38 weeks- baby is as long as a leek & about the size of a pumpkin







We had part 1 of our childbirth class last night. It was good for both of us learn together what to expect during labor. I've done plenty of reading and have tried to give Chris info here & there, but it was helpful to have someone else teach it to us. Next week they'll cover some basic newborn care & we'll get a tour of the hospital. 

In my down time, I'm trying to relax as much as possible. Buddy is determined to lay with me on the couch- even though there's no room in my lap anymore.