The moment you've all been waiting for... an Update!

Sorry for the long wait. I went back to work when Cole was four weeks old and although I only work 3 days my time seemed to totally disappear. We are all doing great and had a wonderful christmas. it was busier than I could have ever imagined but we survived and enjoyed getting to see everyone. So thats enough talking here are some pics.

Loving Life

I can't believe it has almost been a month since Cole was born. Life seems to be flying by, except those nights that we get no sleep. (They seem really long.) Things are great though. Cole is growing and changing everyday. He got his pictures taken by his cousin Becca on monday. The pictures are great and I can't wait to see the rest of them. It was so wonderful to have them taken in our home. I just wish i could have a camara ready all the time though. I feel like so many moments pass by that i wish i could catch. His little smiles are becoming more frequent, and although i know they are probably still gas they make me smile too. He is just so wonderful. I am just trying to soak up every moment before i have to go back to work. Oh how I wish we had millions of dollars and neither of us had to work, just enjoy Cole.

Well we went to the doctor for Cole today. I was a little nervous at first, but relieved to find out that there are no shots at the two week check up. When we left the hospital two weeks ago he weighed 5lb 8oz and today he weighed 6lb 6oz, he was 18 inches long two weeks ago and today he was 20 and 3/8. So our little boy is getting big! (well big for him)We also lost his extra belly button part today. I konw this may sound silly, but that falling off makes him seem like ours. He had the bellybutton thing in the hospital and now there are no signs of that time left. I don't know why it seemed like such a big deal to me but it did. I am getting so excited to show him off at thanksgiving. But I also have to go back to work that week and I am not looking forward to that. Ok, maybe I am looking forward to the chance to work again, but it is very soon and I just can't imagine not being with him for hours a day. He will be staying with my mom and pam so he will be in the best of hands even though they aren't mine.

Days and nights are all running together now. I'm not doing very good at keeping things straight or in order. I am wondering how long it will be before I get things together. We are having to change over to formula this week. I am glad we made it 2 weeks with nursing and I don't want to give it up, but my little man is hungry and i'm just not cutting it. He may be little but he is a hungry little fella. We go to his doctor tomorrow and I can't wait to find out how much he weighs and how the doctor think he is doing. I don't know why, but just hearing that all is well will really make me feel better about how things are goin. He is perfect and each day is a new day. It is still amazing to see the world through new eyes. He makes so many faces throughout the day, not really in response to anything but just funny faces. It is like he is getting ready for all the things he will experience soon. (he is warming up his facial muscle)

Got a minute...

I have never been through a hurricane, but if we had one in KY it would probably be pretty close to the way my week has been. Between visitors (which are a blessing!) "tanning time" required by our jaundice, thrush, lack of sleep, and the fact that Jake is covered up at work we are pooped! I have never had thrush before but I have been told it is miserable and my poor little one has it. I turned his tongue and cheeks white, it made it near impossible for him to eat, and turned our passy into something that caused pain instead of a comfort tool. I can't even begin to explain how terrible it is to have your child hurting or upset and not be able to do anything about it. He is to sweet, to little, and to precious to hurt already. It has been awful. Ok not all of it has been awful, just not being able to fix his hurt. He is wonderful. (As you can see in the pictures) We have made it a week at home and I am feeling more confident in my ability to be a mommy. When you are blessed with a child like Cole though being a mommy comes natural. I hope that I can steel a few more moments soon to add more pictures and keep everyone updated better. By the way I apoligize for all the phone calls I have not returned and the lack of post on here. This past week though all I seem to be able to handle is taking care of Cole.

Trying to catch up...

I can't even begin to put into words what it is like to be a mom. Everyone has always told me that you can't imagine it until you are there and boy are they right. It is a whole new persprective of life. I see Jacob in a different light, myself as a whole new person, and this beautiful little boy as the biggest blessing God can give. Jacob is an amazing dad. He is absolutley in love with Cole. He changes poopy diapers like a champ and truly enjoys each moment he has with him. Its amazing how when Jacob and I got married I thought we became one. Once Cole arrived though, we have truly become one. He is our middle ground, our unifying purpose, and our hopeful new beginning. We have been through so much together but parenthood is a new challenge and a new love we have yet to fully experience.
Cole is doing great, he has already gained a whole ounce in a day and a half of being home. He of course is still no bigger than a popcorn fart but growing all the same.
To see some more pictures copy and paste the address below:
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=32834953&id=51801304&ref=mf

Cole has arrived!

He is finally here. He was born on Oct. 28, 2008 at 12:59. He weighed 5lbs 13oz and 18 inches long. He might be little but he is like mighty mouse. He is already picking his head up , eating and growing quickly. I have company so i will write again later.

The day has come...

I went to the dotors this afternoon and Cole of course looked great and my blood pressure didn't. We are to go back at 5:30 to begin the medicine to thin my cervix and then tomorrow morning we will start with the contraction meds. I can't believe it is actually here. I am of course nervous as can be and a little scared of labor, but just the thought of seeing Cole makes all of that seem like no big deal. I can't wait to see jake's reaction, and feel this love that everyone tells you about. So it will be a few days before I write again, but I look forward to showing off our son very soon. Please be praying for an easy labor and a healthy baby. (oh and that jake stays on two feet) :)

"the last blog" (hopefully)

Well, its official. I am ready! Last night my headaches got so bad they actually woke me up. This blood pressure thing is getting really old now. My legs have really started to swell this weekend. I really hope this is my last full day of pregnancy. It has been an awesome journey. I have learned so much about myself, jacob, and our family through all the changes we have gone through. Now, I am ready for the next journey to begin. So here is my farewell to pregnancy and my welcome home sign for motherhood. I will write soon, and hopefully the next one will be the announcement of our son Joshua Cole Hayden! Until then please pray, and we love you all and wish God's blessings on you.

Well, well, well. I don't even know what to think right now. I know that there is a chance that tonight will be my last night at home with just Jacob. But there is also a chance that we might have to wait a little longer to meet Cole. Everything is ready for him, including Jake and I. His nursery is done, laundry is caught up, his diaper bag is packed, and my bag is too. I just wish I knew what the doctor was going to say tomorrow. We go for a non-stress test for Cole at 11am then our doctor appointment is at 1pm. My blood pressure hasn't improved even with the stronger medicine, of course the anxiety of not knowing what is coming probably doesn't help. I probably did to much today, but I also know that if this is my last full day at home I needed everything ready for his arrival. Mom of course got upset with me for doing things, but I just feel like this is his time to come. I hope the doctor agrees. Please be praying for us and hopefully it will be a few days before I can post again. However, the new post will be full of lots of pictures of our little boy. We will see what is coming tomorrow.

Dr. appointment update

Today we had a non-stress test for Cole, which he passed with flying colors. Our little boy is being so good already. Then our doctors appointment followed that. My blood pressure once again was the topic of conversation. When it was first taken it was 151/120, they had me sit and "calm" down for a while and it dropped to 148/110. After the dr. cam in and talked to me he made me lay down for another 10 minutes and took it while i was laying down and still with NO distractions. It had lowered to 148/101. He said the problem with that is that it was still to high even under the best circumstances. He wasn't happy so he upped my blood pressure medicine and wants to see me again Monday. On Monday we will check Cole again, see if I have dilated at all, and if my blood pressure has not gone down between now and then we will have to take action. So, considering that I am going to be with Jacob all weekend (and we know what effect he has on my blood pressure) I am guessing induction will be started Monday evening and hopefully our little boy will be here Tuesday. However if my blood pressure goes down we will see him a little later. I get so excited just to think about getting to see him. I can't believe the time has finally come. I do want him to be ready to come into this world so we are going to do what the doctor says, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to meet him as soon as possible.

Prayer request

I have a friend named Kim, she has been trying to get pregnant as long as we had been. She finally got the good news and she was at 31 weeks this week, but they had to take her little boy Cooper today in a C-section in Nashville. He is doing well and so is mommy, but if you will please be praying that all goes well from here on out. I know how much of a difference prayer makes and I know we are surrounded by strong prayer warriors. So please join me in lifting Kim and her family up during this time of joy and concern.

We are still waiting...

For those of you who check on us regularly, I am sorry if you thought Cole might have been making his arrival. I just haven't updated like I had been. I went to the doctor wednesday and of course the blood pressure was high, but everything else looked good so I go back tomorrow. We have reached the 37 week mark now so he can come any time. And in my opinion this weekend sounds great. Hopefully I will have started dialating when he checks me tomorrow. I was only a fingertip on wednesday, but I have gotten a massage and she really worked on getting my body ready for labor. Reflexiology is an amazing thing and I hope that it works on me. I have had some braxton hicks contractions today though which makes me think that maybe it is working. After the ultrasound on tuesday came back so great, I am ready for him to come. I can tell my body is beginning to be effected by pregnancy and especially by the high blood pressure. My headaches are so strong and becoming more consistant, I am sstarting to swell and my body is just getting tired. He will be all worth it though.

Baby Boom has begun

Well today I have to admit I'm feeling some jealousy. Krissy and Manda both got to meet their little boys today. I am so excited and happy for them, but it makes my wait even harder. Cole and I really have to wait till at least Saturday though because my little sister is out of town for school stuff. I can't and don't even want to try to imagine going through this without her here. So once Friday comes, we are all clear. Today I did get to go for an ultrasound to see how he is doing in there. He was great. You could see his little bit of hair, we got a great picture of his little ear, toes, and profile. He measured in weighing 6lb 7oz today. Which is probably close to what he will come out at because I was two weeks late and only 7lb 3oz and Jake was only 6lb 8oz I believe. To be honest I defiantly want a healthy baby, but a small one will be ok with me. I am now coming to the full understanding that I am his only way out. So healthy, but small sounds good. I'm going to try to see if I can get his latest ultrasound pictures scanned and clear enough to put on here. So hopefully I will give another update in just a little bit.

Trying to wrap things up

Well today I haven't done so good at the bed rest thing. I have tried so hard to stay down. My mind and my list of all the things that needed to get done before he gets here got the best of me today. So I got a few finishing touches taken care of in his nursery. I got all of his cloths hung up, the diaper "station" organized and put together the way I "think" it might work best. I am going to have to get Jake to get my brakes changed on the truck and I need to figure out if I think I will be able to sleep in his crib immediatly or if I want a cradle in our bedroom. I don't know, I keep going back and forth. It literally takes only three steps to get to his room from ours, but three steps may seem like forever away when he is finally here. Today on TLC it has been like a marathon of baby stories. I keep hearing that once they have finally gotten "everything" done and in order the baby comes. So hopefully once 37 weeks gets here he can come because I think that we are as ready as we can be at this point. I don't know how many times I can say this but I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE HIM!

Missing the salon

Just thought I would add a picture of the girls I work with on here. I am really missing work. Thank goodness I work with wonderful girls who are helping me during this time. I hated to leave my clients so suddenly, but I know that I left them in good hands. I wish everyone could love what they do like I do. It is such a blessing to look forward to going to work each day. When I gave up my teaching degree I was so nervous that I was making a mistake. I am thankful everday that Jake believed in me and I was willing to take the risk.

Just a few things to add today...

Well, this morning Jake went hunting with is Dad. I would give anything for Josh to be hear and see them all three together doing something they did every year. I have married such a strong man. There is nothing more important than family. I wish I could give him back something that is such a part of his identity. During happy moments I think is the hardest because I know how excited and proud Josh got of Jake over even little things. Anyway I wasn't planning on getting "deep," but it is so hard during things like this morning. Jacob came home with his dad to show off his beautiful buck he took this morning. He was all smiles and so proud of his "prize". Which I have to say I don't really get excited about all that stuff but this buck had a really nice rack. It was an eight pointer that was so symetrical it was very nice. I came inside to get the camara (josh's camara) I couldn't help, but think how much fun Josh would have had getting Jake to make crazy faces and silly pictures to show off jake's good lookin buck. Not a day goes by I don't wonder how things would be different if Josh were still here... but I am so happy to know where he is and to know that he is here experiencing all of this with us.

By the way I just wanted to say thank you to all of those that are praying for us and have been praying for us. Not only do you learn how valuable family is when you lose someone you also find out how many good friends you have. Jake and I know how blessed we are to have people that love us and pray for us. It is those prayers and love that have allowed us to get to this point in our lives. Now we just look forward to sharing all the joyful times that await us with the beginning of Coles life.

Okie dokie, We had are dr. appt this morning. It went well, my protein level has stayed the same and my blood pressure is of course high but manageable for another week or so. We did a non-stress test on Cole today and things came back good. I really hope we have an ultrasound to find out how big he is soon. My weight hasn't gone up the way the doctor was hoping so I just would like to know that Cole is at least still gaining weight. Our next dr. appt is Wednesday and that will be the end of our 36th week. Week 37 sounds so good to my ears. Full-term... we will have made it. I am so proud and happy. The doctor says that he would let me go till 38 weeks if I'm not showing signs of being ready for labor, but at 38 weeks we would look into induction either way that way we don't run any risk with my blood pressure staying to high for too long. Once again things seem so far away but the reality of it is.... it is right around the corner. I can't wait to meet Joshua Cole Hayden.

Another day down... and more to come

Well the blood pressure is up today. So I'm trying to stay calm and stay on the couch as much as possible. I just keep trying to remind myself of this beautiful little boy that will be here soon. I don't know why some days are so much harder on bed rest than others, but today is one of the hard ones. We are going back to the doctor tomorrow, and I look forward to hearing my exact test results and Coles heartbeat. Jacob and I keep talking about how much longer it will be and our guesses on weight and length. So To those who read this please feel free to post a comment with your guesses. Due date, weight, and length. Just so everyone has a fair chance we are at 36 weeks today. Our due date is Nov. 15.
My guess is: Oct. 28, 7lb 1oz, and 21" long
Jacob's guess is: Oct. 21, (12lbs. is originally what he raised my blood pressure with) then the guess of 6lb 5oz., and 20" long.

Feel free to take a guess... I can't wait to put the official outcome on here! We will see who is right.

Great Night

Jacob and I had such a great night tonight. I know it may seem silly but I have been cherishing these last few days of just the two of us. We had lots of laughs and great moments over dinner tonight. I have married such a great man. He is Honest, Hardworking, full of laughter, and kind hearted. (although some people don't always get to see the full spectrum of who jacob is.) I can't wait to see him in his new role of daddy. I can't imagine wishing for a better husband much less a better dad for our little one. We talked about Cole over dinner tonight too. I was comforted to know that Jacob is a little nervous or should I say anxious about Cole's arrival. There are just so many things that are unknown till you experience them. I know that there are going to be so many great moments, and hard times, as well as overwhelming days, but I truly believe that God has blessed me with the perfect man to experience this all with. He is my best friend of years and years, he is my husband of three years, and he will be the father of my children for years to come. How amazing is that. God is Good!

A good report

Well the doctor's office finally got back to me this morning. My protein count was still managable and my blood work came back good. Since everything is looking ok we are hoping to make it to at least Oct. 23 which will put us at 37 weeks. Bed rest is all that is left to do till we meet our little boy. I can't wait to meet him, count his fingers and toes, and just to know that he is healthy. I get so excited to just think that he will be here soon, but then my mind gets ovewhelmed by the thought that i'm gonna be a mommy. Mommy, wow! that word just seems so big now. I wonder how big it will feel on.

Another day of bed rest...

Well it is day eight of bed rest and may I just say another 10 days or so seems forever. I can't imagine being a mother that is put on bed rest early on in her pregnancy. You don't realize how busy your life is until you can no longer participate in it. The couch is now my new best friend. It doesn't really have much in common with me though. Today I started knitting Cole a blanket so hopefully I will have it done before he gets here. I thought a little bit of a challenge would make the days pass a little easier. The doctor will hopefully be calling me later this afternoon to give me my results of the 24 hr protein test as well as my lab work from yesterday. Good results on these test are the only thing that is going to let us make it to 37 weeks. Hopefully they will all come back good. Although I am so excited to see him I want him to get the best chance he can to come out healthy. And I would be crazy if I said that I was ready for labor. Although after 10 more days or so of bed rest I just might be ready for any change at all. I will hopefully have more news to report on here later this afternoon.

Monday Oct. 13

Where to begin. I am hoping that this will be a good way to keep track of everything as well as keep family and friends updated. I did go to the doctor today and things were okay. My blood pressure was still high it was about 148/100, but the doctor didn't have my protein results back to figure out if this is becoming preeclampcia or just high blood pressure. So I am still on strict bed rest and we hope to hold out for another week and a half to make it to 37 weeks. Full term will make me feel so good. Hopefully we will not have any major changes between now and then. Our next appointment is Friday and hopefully we should get my protein and blood results back tomorrow afternoon.
Whenever it is time for Cole to make his grand entrance I do feel that we are as prepared as we could be. We have been so blessed with tons of gifts and prayer. His nursery is pretty much all together, I hope to get the pictures of it uploaded very soon. It has turned out so great. I can't wait to share it with him and all of you all.