HE’S HERE! Jacob Dominic was born at 2:12 pm on July 22, 2014 (his Mommy’s 32nd birthday!), at 19.5 inches and weighing 7 pounds 6 ounces. So handsome. So perfect.

As I mentioned in my previous post, my doctor wanted me to be induced because I was moving along with no signs of labor. Even after stripping my membranes, nothing happened overnight. Not one contraction. No waters breaking. 

We arrived at the hospital at 7:30 am during an emergency situation in Labor and Delivery. Just what we wanted to walk into on the morning of our induction! So things were pushed back about 2 hours. 

They started the Oxytocin drip around 9:30 am. It wasn’t long before I was feeling those wonderful contractions! OUCH! They aren’t joking when they say they are awful! I opted for an epidural, and I just got it on time, because it wasn’t long before I was fully dilated! That was around 12:30 pm. My nurse asked if I was ready to push, and I wasn’t because my parents had just stepped out for a quick lunch and my in-laws were on their way. We rested a bit, everyone made it back (I only wanted my husband in the delivery, but I wanted them all there waiting too), and I pushed about 45 minutes before my doctor decided to use the vacuum. He just wasn’t moving through after a certain point. But I was glad he decided to use it, because it really got things moving along! Not many can say their first child’s labor and delivery was under 5 hours! And the epidural worked PERFECTLY…didn’t feel much except a bit of pressure.

Jacob and I were doing so well, we were discharged (by our choosing) the next afternoon, and here we are! The first night was rough. My husband and I were so exhausted and Jacob obviously wasn’t on any routine, so we were really winging it without a plan. We were crabby and frustrated, and Jacob just would not sleep unless he was in our arms. So we really spoiled him that first night, but decided that couldn’t continue! We started him napping in his crib yesterday and tried to let him whine a bit before jumping as soon as he made a peep. We also decided that I’d sleep through until 2:00 am (except to breastfeed, but now my milk is in, so I’ve pumped bottles for tonight! Yippee!) and after that, my husband would sleep through and I’d be on-duty. Jacob wanted to nurse at 12:30 am so I was pretty much on the rest of the night, and he wanted to nurse often! Every hour! He was a hungry baby! But we’re still trying to work on a routine so I think tonight will be a bit better even. He loves his swing so we can use that too as a last resort if he starts fussing for no reason.

I also mentioned in my previous post about my follow-up interview for the teaching position. I met with them at 10:00 this morning, and they told me they would decide over the weekend and call the candidates Monday. I got offered the position at 11:20 am. And I ACCEPTED! I am so excited for this new chapter! My work hours will be SO much better for me and my family! I can be a better wife and mommy because of a steady work schedule, as opposed to now, being on-call to go in because we’re short-staffed any weekday from 6:00 am – 6:00 pm. No thanks! I’m not driving in at 6:00 am on a sub-zero, icy, snowy morning with my baby because someone called off! Nor do I want to be stuck at work until 6:00 pm because we’re short-handed, and rush home, try to get everyone fed and what not. And I’m so tired of going in on weekends to get MY work done! DONE! For good! Yay!

Jacob’s snoozing but Daddy is right there, ready to jump when he’s needed. My husband IS. AWESOME. He also decided the day Jacob was born to quit smoking, cold turkey, and he’s doing a great job right now. I hope and pray he can keep it up!

I’m going to take advantage of the quiet and get a bit of work done now. Hope all is well out there in WordPressland!

Well, here I am…

STILL PREGNANT!

I’m 39 weeks and 3 days. My due date is in 4 days. FOUR. DAYS. Of course, that means nothing, as he can come whenever he is ready to! But Mommy and Daddy are ready! Nursery is done, house is clean, bassinet is upstairs ready for the first few weeks, hospital bags are packed, everything we need we either got as gifts or purchased! Now we just need our little guy!

I decided a few weeks ago to start an early maternity leave. Mostly because I am unhappy at work, and they don’t have enough respect for me and still expect me to do certain things that I physically could not do anymore, and I was getting tired of the “looks” from my supervisors. I’m not looking forward to going back, and I hope I don’t have to.

I had an interview today for a 2nd grade teacher position at a school I REALLY want to get into. It went VERY well, but she said every one of her interviews has been incredible. So. Two things that I have going for me though: 1. I already completed the required mentor program, being that I taught in a Catholic school in the past; 2. She ran into the principal of the school I taught at before this weekend, and told me that she “highly recommended” me. I don’t think the other applicants can say those things! But one drawback: Well, I’m having a baby. I reassured her repeatedly I would be in to set up the classroom, professional development, and be ready to start at the beginning of the school year. So I hope I was able to convince her! I’ll know either way the week of July 28th, and I will be on pins and needles until then.

I decided I need a make-over. A spiritual, mental, emotional make-over. I’m tired of feeling drained, beaten, and stressed all the time. So I thought I’d start somewhat of a “bucket list”. Most of it will be simple things that I’ve been wanting to do, but haven’t. Little doses of happiness, as I see them. I also am working on my relationship with God and my faith. It hasn’t been easy to do.

So that’s my life in a nutshell. Hopefully my little man will be here by my next update!

Took another blue dye this AM, got the same kind of faint blue line. I held my pee for 4 1/2 hours, and did a digital in the locker room at work today…and when it flashed PREGNANT, I about died!!!!

I have my doctor appointment early in the AM…I can’t believe after 35 months of trying, this is happening…