The Waiting Game

We are officially waiting for the big moment....I'm 38 weeks 4 days according to my OB's calculation. So according to my theory I'm already late, lol. Looks like little G wants to stay in his snuggle spot to become big G. I have a feeling he is going to be bigger than Dominic...just a theory.

These last few weeks have been very emotional for me. I keep looking at Dominic and thinking that today could be our last day together with just us. The thought keeps me going through all the back pain and exhaustion. We still do fun things together even though I feel like I'm a blimp. Everyday I'm reminded of how lucky I am to get to spend all this quality time with D....I'm beyond lucky actually...truly blessed is better. These moments are priceless and each day that passes can never come back. D is such a happy baby full of joy and determination. His newest thing is saying Mom, wait no, yelling mom, looking for me as he rounds the corner of the kitchen. I think my favorite moment of the day is when Da brings D down in the morning and I feel a little tap on my foot and turn around to a smiling face and a wave. It's crazy to think that any moment we will have another little baby in our bed in the morning, I know he will be as special as D is to us. I'm ready to meet Gio and watch our family grow. 

I wonder how it will happen, if my water will break or if ill be counting contractions. Either way I'm cooked and am ready for sleepless nights and fresh baby snuggles. Xo

The 30's

It's funny how a number can increase the excitement....I'm approaching week 33 and if my calculations are correct, I only have 6 more weeks to go, I know the math doesn't make sense but let me explain, My first pregnancy was identical to this one and our little love bug made his apperance at exactly 38 weeks. He was 8 lbs 2 ounces and had a gorgeous head of black hair...based on these facts, I'm convinced that if I had carried full term (40 weeks) D would have been Goliath...therefore our new little baby G must be coming out sooner :0) get my math?  So the excitement is rising and the lack of sleep is beginning....our life will be forever blade better in just a few more weeks. 

This pregnancy has been wonderful and so very fast. Chasing after baby #1 has been a challenge but it's just one of those things you do and don't realize your doing it till the doing is done, confused yet? Haha Our little baby Geo is active making himself known by stretching out all the way into my rids. I think the boys are already bonding with me. whenever I snuggle Dominic at night, Geo starts kicking...it's like he is trying to let D know he is there. 

Life couldn't be better as we wait for our family to grow by one more. So so very excited!

Choices choices and more choices

I thought making choices as an adult was difficult, then making choices as a married couple came along and that was even harder...but nothing tops making choices as a parent. From the everyday seemingly insignificant, such as what shoes to wear, to the almost impossible...my impossible choice was my work situation. I have been with the company for 7 years and felt that my time there coming to an end...I couldn't make the choice myself so eventually they made it and let me go. As a Christian I believe that God has a plan and a purpose for my life, it's not always clear and could take some time before it makes sense....so I believe that this was God's way of closing that door (working in an unhealthy enviornment) and opening up opening up a new one, giving me the one on one time with baby #1 before baby #2 came along. See, I have always valued being a mom, and when it came down to it, I put my family before my career. This isn't the easiest decision as I have strived to be successful at everything I have done. I finished college a year early and jumped head first into my career. I did not want to be a failure at life, I wanted to make tons of money, be admired for how hard I worked and thought of as smart. I had set high expectations for myself and didn't stop after my bachelors. After all, you can't be to educated, right? These things that I thought were so important suddenly were not when we started trying to get pregnant. I realized that there was nothing more important than having a family. And God set me on that journey. It was a struggle as I started questioning everything about my life and my past choices, did I do something that brought on the fertility problems, why can't I control the situation. It became an overwhelming part of my life and a true struggle as we went through the process. At times I felt alone and I questioned everything. I think God was trying to help show me that I can't always do everything on my own and I truly had to give it to him. The process taught me to appreciate our baby more than anything money could buy. He was our true gift in every way. And now I am at a crossroad where choices need to be made, with only 3 months left till baby 2 shows up and zero dollars in our savings account the financial pressure is consuming our family. What is the right, the best, thing to do? I thought I knew the answer, I thought that sharing these last few months with our son was the perfect plan...I'm not giving up my career, just putting it on hold for a much greater purposes. This is how I see it, that to struggle a little will be gain in the long run. That this was God's plan and he has given us the perfect opportunity...but maybe I'm being selfish and overvaluing these times together. Being a stay at home mom isn't always easy. Sometimes you can feel as if your loosing yourself as your identity changes. You are no longer measured by the dollar sign in the bank account but by the hugs and kisses given throughout the day. They are priceless but hard to explain when the questions start coming in on what you do for the family. There are days when the house never gets clean and I'm just to tired to care but I know that our baby has experienced something new, from a ice cube on his tounge to the sound of raindrops on the umbrella. Sometimes I feel as if I'll forget everything I studied so hard to learn and that no one will appreciate or want me. God is teaching me that a persons worth is not defined by there career or bank account. I am being reminded that I am worthy because I am a child of God. Designer clothes and a perfect figure can't compare to the love and bond between a mother and child. My prayer tonight is that God will continue to bless our family and guide us to make the right choices for our family, as husband and wife and father and mother, and not what feels right for ourselves. I don't know what the answer is but I'll be waiting to hear that still small voice.

Halfway point

Yay! We are 21 weeks along and you have hit the 1 lb mark, this is reason to celebrate! My belly is rrallynstarting to get big and we finally started doing our weekly pictures at 20 weeks, I'll have to post one up soon! I just had a checkup and got to hear your heartbeat which put my heartbeat at ease. This last week has been a roller coaster of emotions to say the least. I was officially "let go" at my very first and only job since leaving college. After 7 years of service I was expecting a little bit more of a nice goodbye, but corporate America strikes again. Not even a good luck to send me on my way. I knew it was coming after I informed them I was prego they started treating me differently and right off the bat wanted to know my pals for tax season. I knew I wouldn't be able to do another tax season when you are only 3 months old so I was preparing to leave...but God's plans were a little faster than my own. I'm trusting in him but rejection still hurts. Every little kick you give soothes me, and every smile and snuggle from your big brother eases me...I know I made the right decision by choosing my family first! God is blessing is everyday, Daddy is doing so well at work and is motivating me to be my own boss. I'm excited for this next chapter to begin...and I want you to know we are parlaying for you every night with Dominic...I pray that my sons will grow up to be men of God, strong, passionate, and loving. That will be you baby Framco number 2, now if only we can agree on a name. Night night

You're a ....

We finally had our ultrasound to determine if you are a boy or girl...we wanted to do a cupcake reveal party but it got too complicated after thu changed our ultrasound date. We went into the ultrasound with the intention of keeping the sex a secret so that we could do our own little reveal that night. Daddy and I stuck to our plan nd didn't find out during the ultrasound but we went back and forth about it for awhile. We made it out of the building and still didn't know, which was a big thing for us. Daddy had to go back to work and I was starving so I took the precious envelope to a breakfast spot and asked them to put a muffin in the a bag for me, blueberry for a boy and apple for a girl... We fed it to each other with our eyes closed, it was so exciting and I think you know the outcome...we had BLUEBERRY for a boy! So now Dominic will have a precious baby brother to be his newest and bestest friend ever! I'm so very excited for this new journey...even if I'll be totally outnumbered, hehe. Even more importantly, you are perfect, 10 fingers, 10 toes and you had your feet crossed relaxing ;0) just like mommy! We have 5 more months before we get to meet you face to face...I still can't believe we are blessed with another baby! Wow, God is so good!

Baby kicks and flips

The second pregnancy is so different...I know what to expect and know what to look for, feel for...and this past week I got to feel my favorite part of preganancy, baby kicks! You must be one strong little baby because daddy could even feel it on the outside and I'm only 17 weeks pregnant.i got to hear your heartbeat this week and you kept kicking the monitor. As I'm typing it feels like your flipping. You keep reminding me to relax with every little kick I feel. It's much harder to do (relax) this time around, Dominic likes to be chased. He isn't walking yet but is into everything, I can't wait to see the 2 of your together! We find out if you are a boy or girl on Tuesday. I'm feeling girl because I have different food cravings and my face is really broken out. But who knows. Either way, I'm thrilled to have another little soul to love!!!

Car Napping

I'm writing this from the front seat of my car parked in the driveway. These days we cater to Dominic's random acts of napping. He has a regular morning nap but latley has been skipping his afternoon nap unless we are driving. So we have gotten into the habit of letting him sleep as long as possible bc as soon as he gets out of the car it's a party and he doesn't want to sleep anymore. I should be taking advantage by taking a cat nap but I am feeling guilty for not writing more often. There are so many moments to document on this journey but so little extra time. My days are filled with taxes, dirty bottles and stinky diapers...but the best part of all is the little smiling face that goes along with it all. Dominic is my light for sure! Everyday I pray for 2:30 so I can come home and spend time with D...I had no idea how my love could continue to grow but it does, I am amazed that I have any extra space in there for baby Franco #2 but I can feel my heart growing each day. I love baby Franco and can feel the life inside me...it's amazing! I'm almost 11 weeks pregnant now...time is going very fast and the 2nd trimester is right around the corner. YaY! I'm praying for more energy because I am honestly spent...exhausted doesn't fully describe how I feel each night. I need to listen to my body and go to sleep a little earlier, napping just isn't possible because of my schedule. I also weened Dominic from breastfeeding over the last month. I'm sad and feel like I lost a little piece of our bond. Nursing was so intimate and sweet. It was our quiet moment in a hectic day, my favorite part was when he would fall asleep on me, it was so snuggley perfect! But Dr L thought I should quit to be able to give baby Franco the best little womb to live in so I did. Dominic doesn't really miss it so that's good.

No other real news, I haven't thrown up this pregnancy and have been feeling the same as the first time around so no complaints. Maybe baby Franco is another boy. Hmmm either way I'm so stinking excited to be a family of 4. Life is Better than Good!

The best sound ever

Is the sound of your little heart beating 170 beats per second....it reminded me of a hummingbirds wings. It was my third ultrasound and best one yet. The flicker of your heart was perfect...I wish I could have stared at it for hours...the ultrasound tech said that you could be a girl because the heart rate was so high. It is such an exciting surprise. Daddy and I are actually considering keeping it a surprise until birth but I really don't think I can wait that long. Plus, daddy is the worst with surprises, he is always peeking in the gift before it is time to open. His excitement is cute...I wonder which one of you will pick up that trait from him. I love surprises but I don't think I'll be able to not plan everything out for your arrival. A little sister for Dominic would be so much fun, tutus, headbands, bows, skirts...a mini-me to spend girl time with...something I've always wanted...but a little brother for Dominic would be just as special. I can see my two little tan boys breaking hearts and getting into everything...best of friends forever! Daddy and I want to have our own team, and now we will be a big family with our newest addition....but first we need a bigger house :0) You measured at 7 weeks 5 days which changed the due date to October 10, 2012. 8 more months to go and I'm sure the time is going to fly. I want to cherish every second you are inside me, I am so excited for the first flutter and all the kicks to follow. I love being pregnant, especially with you! Now it's time for some shut eye...you will be in my prayers...tonight and every night.

Xo.

My blueberry

I know I've been thinking of you as a blueberry for the last few weeks but our initial due date was wrong and this week you hit the size of a blueberry!  I think if Dominic had to pick His all time favorite food it would be a blueberry! Yay I'm 6 weeks 1 day today (as of the middle of February) which puts my due date to 10/10/12. Amazingly, I have 2 girlfriends that have the same exact due date. There must have been something in the air that night ;)  We got to see you on the ultrasound last week. You are still so tiny but so perfect! We get to see you again next week. I can't wait...this pregnancy is so different then Dominic's, I have zero me time so Sleep is like gold...I feel more tired this time around but that's prob because of tax season and chasing a 10 month old around. Dominic is constantly on the go, it amazes me that we will have 2 of you this time next year. I'm so excited.

Our first visit with the doctor

We had our first appintment on Friday to confirm that we are actually pregnant. I was so nervous about it and I honestly was to afraid to take another home pregnancy test bc I felt like it was too good to be true and the second test would not be positive. I didn't want to burst my bubble of bliss. But I shouldn't have worried bc the doctors office did the test and I am indeed pregnant...But the ultrasound wasn't as successful as I imagined. Based on my last period date I should have been 7 weeks prego and try would be able to hear my baby's heartbeat, but our baby blueberry was just a speck so they are had me do blood work to measure my HCG levels and determine how far along I really am. Apparently breastfeeding can affect your ovulation so I might just be a week or so off on the due date. The waiting game is killing me, I want them to come back and tell me that everything is perfect and healthy. I am so nervous and am overly in touch with my body so every small cramp makes me scared that I may lose my little love. But then I remember that God has given us this miracle and I must trust that he wil protect our family and I will do my part to give baby a safe and healthy home to grow in. It is still hard to believe that I have a baby in my tummy again. Dominic is going to be so excited for a little sibling, he loves other kids but needs to work on his sharing skills. He will have a lifetime of learning for that!

Our lives are amazing and I am so thankful...like I won the Super Bowl thankful! Nothing can compare to the feeling of life and love!

Tomorrow we will have a better idea of when our baby blueberry will be born. Yay! I've already started planning! Haha.

Surprise Surprise

Life has been flying forward since Dominic's birth...we have gone through a flood in our house (on our wedding anniversary when Baby D was 6 months)...an emergency hospital surgery for Tyson 2 days before Christmas (darn appendix)...and we sunk a borrowed boat. Yeah, a little crazy I would say. But NOTHING can compare to what happened to our happy little family yesterday...Drummmmmmmm Rolllllllllllllllllllll please....

WE ARE PREGNANT!!!!!! <------ God has blessed us with our second baby and we did it au natural.... 

I think I'm 6 weeks 6 days today...our baby is the size of a blueberry which is also Dominic's favorite food. So I think the next 33 weeks I will refer to the 4th Franco as a blueberry...hehe.

"Big Daddy" and I are completely ecstatic, and to be honest I'm bursting at the seems with the desire to scream it from the roof tops...but we are keeping this our little secret for now.  We just want to be sure everything is A OK before we share the incredible news with our family and friends. Our doctors appointment is in 3 days and I'm dying with anticipation...I hope we will get to hear the heartbeat...our blueberry just sprouted arms and legs this week...it's a very big week in his/her life....just like it is a life changing week in ours. Dominic is going to be a big brother and will have a best friend for LIFE! Everyone has told me that they knew someone who had gotten pregnant naturally after IVF and Tyson and I had decided that we would try for a year or so and then go get our frozen embies if we weren't successful. We had no idea that we would be this successful. My last Aunt Flow was not a nice one...it was the most extreme since before Dominic...I remember thinking, Gesh I hope these aren't like this every month, it's so much easier being pregnant. HAHA

God granted my wish, no more Aunt Flow for another year or so...I was officially 20 days late for my period and in those 20 days I started thinking I was pregnant...wishing and hoping we were...but thinking I was setting myself up for disappointment when I would pee on that stick. I peed on the last stick in the house a week ago and as we waited my heart felt like it would leap out of my chest....go figure, the test wasn't good and we called in for backup...my Mom picked us up another stick and I preceded to chug some water and let it flow again...this time it was an immediate negative. My heart sank...in the days to follow I had a few pregnancy symptoms that I remembered from Dominic...I was freezing cold at work (which is highly unusual), I ate almost an entire jar of pickles and they were amazing (I haven't bought pickles in months) and the big kicker was the 3 skinny cows in one day (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) and 2 visits to the frozen yogurt store the next day...haha. Ty and I had date night on Sunday and we stopped for yogurt on the way home...I told him I had a confession to make, that this was my second trip to the yoway and "that is why I think I'm pregnant". Well Monday rolled around and once again, I decided to pee on a stick...but this time it was completely different. A BIG FAT POSITIVE came up. I was about to hyperventilate when Tyson called and I had to share the news because he kept questioning what was wrong...I had wanted to do a little surprise for him.., o well. We are going to do something cute to tell the family, like put D in a "big brother" shirt and take a picture or something....

And so I have decided that I will start blogging again so that baby #2 can know just how loved he/she is...our journey to our blueberry was a different one this time...and we are so thankful that God has blessed us...there is no other way to put it...we are so blessed!

Okay, this pregnant working (tax season) mamma needs to get to bed...Dominic has a fever for the first time, my poor precious baby. 

Life is Amazing!

Baby Dominic

I can't believe how fast the last 2 and a half months have flown by...our journey to meeting Dominic reached a turning point on April 13th when my water broke...at 38 weeks...wow 2 weeks early! And in less than 13 hours we welcomed our son into this world. I can't even describe the love I am now experiencing, from the moment they placed him on my chest...the love is too big for words. I feel horrible for not writing sooner, I don't want to forget a single moment of our experience, it was so special. So I will start from the beginning...the morning of April 13th I felt different...everyone had said my belly had dropped the week before (at 37 weeks) so I knew I was getting closer to the big day. I woke up and went to work just like any other day but when I was in the elevator it felt different down south. I called my Doctors office and spoke with them about it, they said to come in even though I had an appointment the next day. My hubby met me there and we saw a different doc then normal, she was super nice but said we still had days, maybe even weeks before little man showed up. My cervix was thinning but I was not dilated...I left the office feeling silly for "crying wolf" and a little worried that he would never come...I was officially a stuffed sausage...my fingers had started to swell and my entire body ached. I headed back to work and made an appointment for a massage right after I left the office. I rubbed my belly and told Domininc that I was done...I couldn't work another minute and I was officially ready to meet him. The massage was amazing and I completely relaxed, after that I met a girlfriend for dinner and ordered the spiciest thing on the menu...I was determined to try any of the old wives tales to help speed the process along. I think the biggest thing that helped was taking a few long walks and the massage because just a few hours later at 12:45 in the morning my water broke right over the toilet. I was shocked and couldn't believe it was happening, and neither did Tyson as he was sound asleep and it didn't really register with him when I told him. I didn't want to "cry wolf" again so I paced around the house debating on if it really was my water...the contractions began and I decided that it was the real thing so I put a call in for the Dr. I sat on my bed waiting for him to return the call and i started shivering with excitement. So many emotions were running through my mind...i knew there was no turning back. My Dr sent us to the hospital, but first I showered and finished packing... I've never seen Tyson jump out of bed so fast the moment he heard me say it was time. I called my mom on the drive over and she couldn't believe it, she had been thinking about going out of town that weekend...good thing she didn't. I was worried about the birth but at that moment on April 14th at 1 am I was even more worried about my office and my tax clients that I hadn't finished. So in the midst of my contractions i dictated an email of everything outstanding for my job... After that email was done the contractions were starting to pick up. The nurses gave me patosin(sp) to speed the process along and then back labor kicked in....worst pain I have ever experienced. Between the pain I was delirious from the pain med they gave me...it made me so tired but not tired enough to sleep through the pain...I couldn't take it anymore and got an epidural. After that it was smooth sailing...I told the nurse when I was ready to push and Dominic was born in less than 30 minutes...he was born at 3:02 pm on April 14, 2012 weighing 8 lbs and 2 ounces. He was a little chunkster with a full head of long dark hair. The moment was magical. The absolute BEST moment of my life! The journey was a bumpy road full of prayers but the outcome could not have been more perfect. I thank God everyday for our miracle little baby boy!

Side note: I never posted this back in June...life has been so busy with Dominic...he is full of energy and smiles and laughs constantly. He is on the go now and I expect he will be walking before he is 1. I can't believe his first birthday is in 2.5 months.  AHHHH