Motherhood.. one month= success : )

It's hard to believe that Jaymeson is already one month old. How time sure does fly. I feel like it was just yesterday that we found out we were going to have a baby. So much has changed in the last month. In the first few weeks Jaymeson was here, I felt so overwhelmed. I had absolutely no idea what I was doing, and to top it off, he is high maintanance!
Things have gotten much easier. We leave the house almost every day and he does fantastic in the car and has had many successful outings. He has also become much "happier" because his tummy problems seemed to have gotten much better. He was having horrible gas and would wake up screaming. I am now on a strict diet of NO SPICES.. at all! It might not seem too hard but onion powder and garlic salt are in EVERYTHING. I have had to get very creative with all my cooking. (Today I am going to make a lemon chicken & carrot dish in the crockpot. It looks delicious!) I also cut out dairy and then when I tried to re-introduce it, he had a very horrible next day. So looks like diary is going to have to stay away as well.

Anyways.. Here are some photos of our last week and the many adventures : )

Snuggling with Auntie Sarah

Laughing, alot, at mom : )

Tummy time ... Rolled over 3 times to his back, all on his own!

Grocery shopping at QFC

First playdate.. With Miss Ainsley Jean.. Jaymeson= 1 month old & Ainsley= 2 months old

Snuggle time with mom : )

He loves being outside.. It was 78 degrees in our house

Dads second softball tournament. It was a beautiful day, and we had a very happy baby.

Loving some Auntie KK



Busy little baby...

Things have been very busy this past week.. Here is a run down of how busy we were...
Monday- first mommy and baby J outing.. Target and Michaels. It was a success!
Tuesday- Auntie Colleen came over.
Wednesday- Went to PETCO and to pick up our newborn photos
Thursday- Had his 3 week appointment at Cascade Midwives, then we went to Red Robin (first time going out to eat with the little one). Then we went to BECU.
Friday- We drove up to Anacortes to meet Baby Tegan and congratulate Andy and Kendra.
Saturday- Justin played in a softball tournament, and then we went to Grammys house and had dinner with Grammy, Auntie KK, Auntie Colleen, Adam, Lily and Julia...

Very busy week! Here are some photos to go with our adventurous week...

All tuckered out from our busy Wednesday visiting Moms work : )

Mommy loves you

Stroller ride on Thursday

Silly boy, working on his smile : )

All bundled up for daddys softball game

This week is going to be another busy one..

Monday- Auntie Sarah

Tuesday- Tisha and Linda

Wednesday- Auntie KK and maybe Papa

Thursday- Tauna and Ainsley

Friday... yet to be determined : )

Our little lovey bear is 21 days old

I can not believe I have been a mother for 21 days now. Time sure goes by fast. As of midnight Jaymeson is already three weeks old.

Last Wednesday he had his first doctor appointment. He had gained 11ounces and grown a 1/2 inch. He was a very brave boy and did a great job.

He is such a big boy! He already looks so different. He can hold his head up and push up. He can also push off his legs against mine and head butt me haha. What a strong boy. The picture below is from his very first bath : )

He loves being outside : )

Playing video games with dad : )

Newborn photos

Here are some newborn photos we had taken when Jaymeson was only 3 days old : )

Sweet baby Jaymeson

Jaymeson Richard Bruce

Born: August 24th 2011

@ 12:16am

10lbs 4oz

22 inches long

The story of our natural labor...

With our decision to give birth naturally and at a Birthing Center, came certain rules we had to follow. For example, the biggest opsticle we came to was that IF I did not go into labor by the 14th day past our due date, we would have to be admitted to the hospital for induction. So on Sunday night (day 11 late) we had a plan to try a natural method of induction, taking Castor Oil. We did the doses as directed and on Monday I had contractions all day. We went to the Birthing Center twice on Monday but I wasn't dialated enough and my contractions weren't strong enough so we were sent home.

Tuesday morning rolled around and our midwife, Kyla, called us and we decided it was time to try the Castor Oil again. So at noon, I took one dose of the Castor Oil and Justin went to work. Around 3pm my contractions started, but were faint and not very strong. So I drove myself to the Birthing Center at 6pm to meet with Kyla. Here we were, day 13 late. We were starting to come very close to our deadline. Kyla checked me out and I was dialated 5cm so she decided it would be a good time to break my water and see if my contractions picked up. I called Justin and he came straight over from work.

At 7pm Kyla broke my water. My contractions took off like crazy and were extrememly powerful. After 4 1/2 hours of HARD labor, it was actually time to start pushing! I felt like I would die at the time, but looking back, I can not believe how short my labor ended up being.

We did not have a set plan on how things would go but we ended up in the tub for the final stretch of labor.

It was now time to push, I was going to be finding out, any minute, if our sweet baby was a boy or girl. I looked up at the clock and it said 11:45pm.

If our sweet baby came out in 15 min or later, he/she would share forever the birthday of my Grandpa! The same Grandpa we would be naming a boy after. I could not believe that we started off with a due date of August 3rd, then August 10th and there we were, 12:16am on August 24th giving birth to the most beautiful baby boy in the world.

Sharing a birthday with my grandpa, who meant so much to me but passed away in 2009, is one of the most special signs of fate and love that this world could have brought to our darling baby.

Jaymeson Richard Bruce came into this world 100% natural and was absolutely perfect! Right away he had his eyes wide open and was looking around all over. We actually had to rub him a bunch to make him cry because he was so happy! He weighed in at 10lbs 4oz, so this momma couldn't be more proud of going all natural!

Because I didn't have any drugs running through my system and both Jaymeson and I were completely healthy, we were home sweet home by 6am, only 6 hours after he entered this world. Wednesday, August 24th was the best day of my life and we got to spend a whole 24 hours celebrating Jaymeson's Birthday : )

Tick Tock...

Here we are... 9:30pm on August 18th 2011. Still no baby! Peanut is already over due by 8 days, and at least 9 since there is no way this baby is coming out in the next 2 1/2 hours.
I never thought I would be this over due. I know the average first pregnancy is 8 days late BUT my original due date was August 3rd so I really did think that August 10th would be pretty close.
It's not like I am unhappy or in extreme discomfort. The biggest reason I am so irratated right now is because of two things. The first thing is, I am on maternity leave. So for every day I waste, at home, alone, without a baby, is one less day I will get to spend with my baby once I go back to work. This really irratates me!
The second reason I am so irratated is because we were planning on going to Montana for Labor Day weekend. All my family lives there and if we don't go Labor Day, then we wont be able to go until next summer : ( Obviously with how late Peanut is, there is no way we can go to Montana in two weeks.. GRR.. So now my family won't even get to see Peanut for a whole year!!
Well.. That's all for now. Hopefully Peanut comes soon!

Okay, I suppose I am ready...

August 8th.... Two days before little Peanut is officially due. Hmmmmm.. When will he/she make an appearance? I have enjoyed being pregnant and am one of the lucky people who did not get sick or have a difficult pregnancy. In fact, here I am at 39 1/2 weeks pregnant, and now officially on maternity leave! But I am now ready to have this baby. I was content with waiting until the due date was closer but now I am so exhausted and uncomfortable, that I feel like it is time for the little one to come on out and join the world. They say that the average first time mom goes 8 days past her due date : (  To be honest, I wouldn't mind being a little late because it would be easier on Justin for work if the baby came closer to the weekend, but I really can't imagine another week and a half wait. I am ready to find out if this cutie pie is a boy or a girl and how he or she smells and feels and looks. I just can't wait!

39 weeks pregnant : )

 Peanut's room.

 more of Peanut's room..

Peanut timeline...

December 8th- Found out we were going to have a little baby! I woke up at 5:30am to get ready to head to the Ummels to watch the boys, and I just had a feeling. Don't know why, but I just knew! Took a pregnancy test and SUPRISE it was positive : )

December 27th- Our very first appointment with the Everett Clinic with our OBGYN nurse. Predicted due date was August 3rd 2011.

January 26th- Our first peak at you : ) The very first ultrasound. After taking measurements, the due date changed to August 10th 2011.

March- The beginning of the month was when I first started to feel significant movement from you.

March 9th- Our 2nd trimester ultrasound. You have been cooking in my tummy for 18 weeks now.

April 16th- The first time Daddy got to feel you kick like crazy. He felt at least 20 kicks in a row.

April 25th- Our eyes were opened. We had our 25 week appointment and realized things were not what we were expecting them to be and decided to explore other options.

May 2nd- Met with Darlene Curtis, licensed Midwife at Cascade Midwives and Birthing Center. It was amazing. We had such a great experience and feeling. It was "love at first sight". We felt so at home with everything we heard and saw.

May 29th- First day I experienced Braxton Hicks. My body is getting ready for you Peanut!

June 5th- We went to Edmonds Beach and took AMAZING maternity pictures. You will learn to love the beach Peanut, it is a big part of your dad and my childhood.

June- You became extrememly active. At any given time I can sit and feel you kicking, punching, rolling. I wonder, when do you actually sleep?

June 16th- We moved into our beautiful house!

June 25th- We had the most beautiful Peanut party. A whole party dedicated to you! It was a beautiful baby shower.

July 12th- We were sent to get another ultrasound to verify your position. Your head is down but not quite dropped yet!

July 22nd- Your bag is packed and we are awaiting your arrival!

to be continued.....



Playing catch up...

I know I haven't been staying as updated as I would have liked to but here is a little update on what's been going on since the 4th of July...

For the last 3 weeks we have had a very busy household. Peanut's room is just about done. We haven't done too much as far as decorations go because we figured we could get more detailed after we know if Peanut is a Leonora or a Jaymeson. That's right, you heard it, those are the names. If we have a little girl her name will be Leonora Jeane Bruce. Leonora was the name of my great grandmother, Leonora Longfellow and also my great-great grandmother Leonora Seely. The middle name Jeane comes from both sides of our family. Jeane is for my Aunt (who is also my godmother) Jeane Garrett as well as Justin's grandmother Jean Liebel. Now if Peanut is a boy, his name will be Jaymeson Richard Bruce. Jaymeson is not a family name but a name we really like. Richard is for my Grandfather Richard Joachin Carstensen and also my uncle Richard Howard Carstensen. Both of these men mean alot to me and we would be honored to name our son after them.

37 weeks pregnant.

We just had our 37 week appointment on Tuesday. Everything is looking great. We are on track for a wonderful birth. We have 19 days left to go until Peanut is due! Our original due date was August 3rd so if it wouldn't have changed we would only have 12 days! So crazy to think about. Time sure has flown by quickly.

Some frames I made for Peanuts room : )

This beautiful dresser took me HOURS to put together. I will never order another dresser online lol.

Hard to see but those are more frames I made. Pictures of mommy and daddy for Peanut to see.



Life has also been busy with work and getting situated into the new house. We moved in with only one vehicle but have recently purchased another. Justin picked out a Chevy Blazer and loves it. It's an older one but in great condition and is proving to be a perfect car for work.
I am have finally cut back my hours to only working 3 days a week ( which has only been as of this week ). I am very happy with how long I have worked with how hard it has been. Being on your feet ALL day is exhausting and my days off were being spent resting and therefore never felt like I was caught up. I am now getting 3 sometimes 4 days off in a row and it has been amazing.

I have really been trying to spend LOTS of time with my dogs because I need to make sure that no matter how exhausted I am, they are well taken care of. If I can't spend time with them now, how will they get enough attention when Peanut comes? We have been playing alot of fetch, going on long walks, and just having a great time. Tomorrow they are even going to a Dog Fashion Show : ) They will be participating in it. lol. I am proud of myself for not letting my relationship with my husband, family, dogs, or friends be affected by this pregnancy. I am also happy about how amazing our house looks and the amount of work I am still able to do on it : )



4TH OF JULY

We had an amazing Fourth of July this year. We decided to make this holiday the first celebration in our new home. We invited over the immediate family on both sides and had a BBQ and LOTS of fireworks.

Mom, Julia, Lily and me.. Sitting on the front porch.

Everyone on the front porch.

Sitting on our front lawn, feeling like Buddah : )

Getting ready for the fireworks to start.

The neigbor Taylor and Julia and Lily. They had so much fun playing all night and had lots of fun with their sparklers as well!