Thursday, November 27, 2008

So Thankful, 3 weeks old and Picture Thursday!

Lots going on with it being Thanksgiving AND Picture Thursday AND Jake's 3 week b'day. We had a wonderful day at home just the four of us. It seemed a little odd not to be spending the day with family but then realised.....we are a family! WOW! We are all here now and that feels wonderful and we are so thankful for our beautiful healthy kids even if one is not letting us sleep at night and the other says 'No' way more than we would like. TeeHee!

Here are a few pics from the day. As you can see Stella is making great Jake progress and is such a great helper to me when I need binky's and diapers and all sorts of things like that. She has actually started getting much closer to him physically and we were thrilled when she let me put her on Daddy's lap for a picture! YAY!!!! Jake wouldn't show off his little Baby's 1st Thanksgiving onesie but he looks cute trying!
I love how tiny he looks in Brian's arms!

He makes the best faces when you burp him!


Sweet boy! Three weeks old!

Stella giving Jake a binky!
Stella and Daddy giving Jake kisses!

3 reasons to be Thankful today and everyday!

My beautiful Stella B!
A sleepy looking Mommy and Jake!



Thursday, November 20, 2008

Picture Thursday:Mommy's little helper!

Happy 2 week Birthday Jacob! The past 2 weeks has gone so fast I can't believe it. How come I feel like I will be saying that A LOT over the next 18 years!? I am hoping to try and get some nice shots of Jake before he totally uncurls but so far I haven't had much luck. The one time I tried he cried so hard I had to stop. I managed to take a couple funny pics this am with my point and shoot so that will have to suffice for this weeks Picture Thursday unless I have luck later today. WooHoo! I had some luck so those shots are at the bottom.
A little story to go with the pics......
This morning I was getting ready to change Jake and had asked Stella to bring me one of his diapers. She has been 'helping' mommy with Jake this week and that seems to be good for her. I was getting his clothes and other things so when she didn't come right over with the diaper I just figured she was too stuck on Elmo to help me out. So, I grabbed a diaper myself and went to pick up Jake from the bouncy seat and this is what I found.....TeeHee!
How cute is that!!!!?????
Anyway, here is a shot of Mommy with her little helper. I know she isn't looking at the camera but I do love that she is smiling!
ok, the real pictures for today.....
Jacob Cole 2 Weeks old
My smiley Stella Barbara!

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Photo montage of Jacob's arrival

Here's a photo montage I created of Jacob's arrival, using the song that his Uncle Denis wrote for him...

Grrr...the site is really slow so it may not play back smoothly...but it looks really good!

6 years ago....how can that be!

Six years ago tonight Brian and I had our first date. We met at 8:30pm at the Grand Saloon on 23rd Street. It was the best first date I have ever had and I have vivid and wonderful memories of it. I was so excited to meet Brian and so afraid he wasn't half as excited to meet me. As soon as I walked in the door, he saw me and smiled and I was so relieved. I can picture that smile right now and it still makes me swoon. I'm not sure I have ever been as pretty as that smile made me feel that night. I certainly hoped for a second date but it never occurred to me that we would have the life together that we do. A home and 2 beautiful children. What an amazing twist our lives took when we took that chance. I can only hope the next 6 years are as blessed as the last. I love you Brian, thank you for asking me out!

One Week Old and Picture Thursday...both a little late.

Since both Jake and Stella were born on a Thursday I have decided to try and have a picture Thursday on which I will try to take a post a shot of each of the kids. Kids...that sounds weird! Anyway here are the shots I got this past Thursday.
Jake at one week old which was his actual due date!


Stella B 22 months ans 16 days, I love this because she is actually playing with little toy cameras in this shot!

Friday, November 14, 2008

It ain't easy being a big sister...

We had no idea how Stella would react to a new baby in the house. I guess I sort of assumed she would barely even notice him. But in reality she has been affected by it. Overall I would say she's doing pretty well, but it's been an adjustment and we've had a few hard moments with her. She says "NO" frequently now, and she barely said that before the baby came. It's almost like the arrival of Jacob has brought on the terrible 2's in Stella. Anyway, I think considering how crazy the last week was, with me & her mom being away for a couple of days, plus with the baby coming home, it's not at all surprising that she would act out a bit. I just am not sure if this is the beginning of it or if it's just going to be an initial shock and then she'll be fine.

One of the hard things has been seeing Stella have "sad" moments in the last week. She can be a real feisty kid, so my assumption was that she would react with anger to the baby if she was going to react at all. But instead most of her reactions have been more on the sad side. A good example was when she & I went out to lunch earlier this week. It was just our 2nd day home and we thought it would be good for Stella to get out of the house and away from the baby. We went to Chick Fil A and were sitting and eating and I noticed Stella was just so quiet. She is rarely quiet, so I asked her if she was ok. She looked at me and reached out like she does when she wants us to go somewhere. I leaned into her because I didn't know what she wanted and she leaned in and rested her head on my shoulder. My gosh, it was heartbreaking! Maybe it was just her way of telling me that she was glad we were home...I don't know. She was fine from that moment on but it was really a shock to see her react in such a "grown up"/"I need a hug" way. Ugh.

But she's still the crack up that she's always been and she's made me laugh more than a few times in the week I've been home from work. Two days ago I went up to get her from her nap and she had her 6 stuffed animal friends that stay in her crib all lined up perfectly straight. As I came in she got all excited and had a big look of pride on her face and said "CHOO CHOO!". It was hysterical. Then yesterday when I got her from her nap she had a stuffed animal arranged in each corner of the crib. I couldn't stop laughing. She's ready to get up from her nap now and I can only imagine what is going to be waiting for me.

I'm optimistic that Stella is adjusting and I know she's going to be just fine. It won't be too long before Jake is her playmate and she can show him the ropes. We love you Stella B!

Monday, November 10, 2008

A lullaby for Jake

Jake has a lot of wonderful people in his world who already love him and care for him, even some who haven't met him yet. An example is his very talented Uncle Denis, who composed this really sweet lullaby for the little guy. Enjoy it Jake! It's your song forever!

Myths & Miracles

Myth: Second babies are much easier deliveries.

Miracle: Jacob Cole McGann

This entry is more for us as a way to remember Jacob's entry into the world so please don't feel obligated to read it ALL.

As my due date of November 13th drew nearer I had many images of my water breaking in awkward times and places. So I was thrilled when Dr. Shapiro said I could be induced a week early on November 6th. We got there 7am and I was hooked up and contracting mildly within a couple hours. Dr. Shapiro started the day in a good mood and I was excited when he first arrived and said he would be back to break my water. Brian and I made wagers on when baby boy would come and decided between 2-3pm would work for us.


Around 11am Dr. Shapiro was true to his word and broke my water. With Stella I was in active labor within 20 minutes so I expected the same thing this time but it was almost 2 hours later before I found myself thinking an epidural might be nice. At the time I got the epi the contractions were managable but I knew that would change soon. The Dr. told me he wasn't sure he got the spot and it didn't take long for me to be able to agree that no relief was in sight. Because the contractions were coming harder and faster, time to redo the epidural had run out. They promised a shot of demerol would take the edge off but I have to say it didn't feel like it took the edge of the edge of the edge off. The contractions were lower now and the intensity was unlike anything imaginable. I gripped the bedrails and Brian so hard I thought I would break them. Still only 7cm I couldn't push yet and just had to endure the contractions. Breathing in all sorts of hee hee haha hoho modes trying to find help in the form of air seemed foolish but it was all I could remember from the birthing class 2 years ago. Damn, I thought.....we shoulda taken the refresher!!! Brian was patient as I gripped him and grimaced and made faces and noises that I am sure will linger with him forever! Finally Dr. Shapiro said I was 10cm and could start pushing.

With the pain hitting a new peak I tried to focus and push but with each push I felt like nothing was happening or moving. I remembered people who told me stories of having their 2nd baby out in 3 pushes and wanted to kick them silly. The contractions were virtually constant and the pain actually forced me up into position whether I was up for it or not. I looked at Brian a few times and said "I can't do this". There was almost no break in between contractions and I was feeling delerious with the pain. He cheered me on and I even noticed on the white board on the wall in the room a smiley face he had drawn hours earlier and I focused on it and pushed-finally I felt like some progress was being made and sure enough I heard the nurse yelling for them to get Dr. Shapiro. I almost screamed for him myself but thought better of it and just screamed.

He came in calm cool and collected but not in the good mood of earlier in the day. He curtly directed me to turn this way and hold my leg that way and do this and don't do that all the while pain is surging through my body. Thankfully Dr. Shapiro is who he is. You don't argue or whine you grit your teeth and do what he tells you. With a few more commands I am told the baby's head is out and to stop pushing and breathe through the contractions. Ummmm, now I feel like I have no control over my body and not pushing is not an option. The nurses are rushing around and I am asking if the baby is ok and flurry flurry....Dr. Shapiro gives more commands and we all do what we are told and then....I feel the release that the baby is out. The single most bizarre incredible feeling in the world. What makes it really incredible is how your body stops contracting and the pain is essentially gone.

I didn't hear the baby cry yet so I became a little worried. I kept telling Brian to go and take pictures but he stayed by my side as they checked the baby over. Then we heard his cry and sighed with relief. Jacob Cole McGann was here. At 9lbs 4oz he was a big beautiful boy who looks a lot like Stella did at birth.

After Dr. Shapiro sewed me up and left....did I mention I had no epidural?.....the nurses told me that the delievery was complicated by something called shoulder dystocia. Essentially they couldn't get the baby's shoulders out. This could lead to anything from me hemmoraging to the baby having brain damage or a broken bone. Thankfully both Mom and Baby were fine. Jacob has a little bruising on his arm but that is all. Carol, my labor and delivery nurse for the day said that Dr. Shapiro didn't miss a beat or get flustered in the slightest and I should be glad he was my Dr. I was and am. Thank you Dr. Shapiro.

It took a little while for them to finally hand my boy to me but when they did I was overcome with love. He is just beautiful and wonderful.

A little while later Stella and My mom and Brian's Dad arrived to see the new little McGann. It was heeartwrenching for me to see Stella as she seemed confused and sad. I was barely able to hold up my head at times and shaking uncontrolably at other times. Stella sat on the edge of the bed and pointed at me saying "mommy". She was inches from me but I couldn't even reach out to her I was so exhausted. Finally we decided Daddy should take her home and he said she cried for me the whole way. Words cannot describe how hearing that makes me feel.

Thankfully the next day I was feeling much better and Stella came back to visit and see her baby brother. She sort of would point to him when asked but that was about it. I know it will take time for her to get used to him and I was just glad she didn't seem angry or as sad as the day before.

We came home on Saturday and was so nice to be home. With our new little boy in our arms the McGann family is complete and it feels so good. Brian and I had our first date on November 15th 2002...6 years ago next week! We had no idea that night how our lives would change and what miracles we would have in Stella and Jacob. Once again I find myself thanking him for asking me out on that date and every date after. I love you Brian and I love my life with you. I can't wait to see the wonderful things to come in the next 6 years.

Sunday, November 9, 2008

A rough start, and pictures!

So yesterday was our first day home with Baby Jacob and it was a bit of a rough start. So odd that he did amazing in the hospital and almost never cried, but when he got home he became a challenge. Last night was a real battle and he didn't settle down until 3 AM. He did sleep until about 7 so that wasn't too bad, and I guess 4 hours of sleep for the first night that a baby is home is actually nothing to complain about. For me personally, it's been a somewhat difficult transition, I think because I expected it to be so much easier since we had done this once before. But there is something about being unable to come your helpless baby's crying that just pushes your buttons so much! Anyway, I don't think our experience has been at all unusual at this point. I think my expectations were just unreasonable.

Stella has been really great. We've seen small signs of her feeling uncomfortable with the whole transition but nothing major at all. I was able to hold Jake while interacting with Stella this afternoon and she didn't have a problem with that at all. I thought for sure that would be an example of something that would make her feel bad but it hasn't been. She hasn't interacted with the baby too much but it seems like every hour she is more curious and checking him out closer.

Here are some photos from Jake's first days. There are tons more but I just wanted to get some of mine up there. Mom will put some of hers up soon. Mom is doing great and looks amazing. You'd never know she experienced the trauma of delivering a nearly 10 pound baby just 3 days ago!

We love you Jake! Let's go for 6 hours sleep tonight, ok?!





Saturday, November 8, 2008

Jacob Cole McGann

He's here! I'm not going to write much as I think Jen should post about her experience as it was intense, to say the least. Jacob was a very big boy, coming in at 9 pounds 4 ounces. He arrived at 4 PM on Thursday, November 6th. To say the delivery was challenging would be an understatement, but again, I'll save those stories for Jen...and the pictures will come later too. Right now we're in the hospital waiting impatiently to be discharged!

Jacob is really amazing. He doesn't cry much at all and he's really flawless. He looks just like Stella did when she was born. He's a big eater and he's doing great. He mostly just sleeps obviously. We're finding that we are so much more relaxed than we were with Stella, which is great. We don't jump up everytime he makes a sound.

There are many, many stories to share from the experience, and we'll probably write about them over time. Stella has been doing really great, although she was definitely confused by seeing her mommy lying in bed with her eyes closed. But she came by last night and did really well, and even pointed at Jake when we asked her where her little brother was. I can't wait to get home and get her back on her routine with us. Grammie has done an amazing job taking care of her and she's very, very happy.

Anyway, Jake & Mommy are doing great and we can't wait to watch him grow up. He's truly a miracle and we feel very blessed to have him. We love you Jacob!

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Baby boy

Things are a bit crazy right now but I wanted to take a quick second to write one last entry before Baby Boy comes. We're headed to the hospital tomorrow and Jen is going to be induced at 7 AM. We're really excited and probably a bit more anxious than we expected, considering it is our second.

There's a little bit of a bittersweet feeling as Stella's days as an only child are offically over. But I think she's going to really like being a big sister.

Anyway, that's all for now...Dude, we can't wait to meet you and we're so excited to have you join our family. And honey, thank you for enduring the last 9 months and just remember you won't have to do this again!

Bring on Baby Boy!!!

Saturday, November 1, 2008

Halloween Hayride!

Our friends Peter and Maggie invited us to a Halloween Party and Hayride last night. Peter's family owns Coast Nursery and they piled hay up on a tractor and flatbed and loaded it up with kids and parents for trick or treating. After eating yummy pizza and the largest bean dip platter I have ever seen we all 'hopped' on the for the hayride. I didn't really hop of course and was grateful I could do this manuver in the darkness of night! Stella initially was a little unsure of what was going on but after a few houses she was pointing and almost jumping down to go to each house. Brian said she loved seeing the decorations and running up to the house's but sort of lost interest in the actual candy picking. I was a little bit lazy so not too many pics to show but here are a few. We had a blast and can't wait for next year!




Our Little Buffalo Jill!

This was pretty much the only time she went near the pom poms!

Stella and Daddy on the Hayride!

Stella and her skittles loot!

Our Hostess Maggie with her son Pearce

Our Host Peter with peek a boo Stella!

Fireman Stevie Gerber!

The Gerber Family!


The McGann Family