Welcome Jack Quinn Hadjioannou!

Late on Sunday March 17th I was admitted to the hospital for our scheduled induction.  At 40 weeks we were ready to deliver, so they gave me a medication to get the process started and told me to sleep. 

Sleeping did not happen but the medication worked.  At 5:30 AM on Monday March 18th, I started having contractions.  At 9:30 AM my doctor broke my water then allowed me to get an epidural.  Best. Invention. Ever.  I was able to sleep and relax throughout the majority of my labor.  Check out my epidural smile.

At 10:30 AM they started Pitocin to get my labor moving along.  On my doctors lunch break she came to check on me.  I had only progressed a centimeter so she told me to anticipate a longer labor.  I was completely comfortable so I didn't mind waiting.  Jack had other plans.  An hour and half later I was starting to feel the pressure of the contractions even with my epidural.  Ouch.

 

My nurse checked me and I was nine centimeters.  We were all surprised and she called the doctor back to the hospital.  At 3:00 PM I was ready to push.  Our little Jack entered the world screaming at 3:18 PM weighing 7 pounds 6 ounces and measured 19 inches long.  

Growing our kiddos and bringing them into the world is the most amazing experience.  There are no words to describe the emotion that comes along with it all.  I am blessed to share all these moments with John.  My husband is the best partner and labor coach ever.  Made me laugh.  Held my hand.  Encouraged me along.  And Jack...what can I say...pure love.  He completes our loving, wonderful family.  Happy Birthday Sweet Boy.  Welcome to the world!

Family Day

We've spent this weekend spending lots of time with family.  Things are about to change around here and I want to soak these moments in before the arrival of our little guy.  I know George and Clara are going to be awesome with their little brother but I can't help but worry about their transition with a new baby in the house.  I hope and pray that I am able to balance it all and our two precious monkeys take these changes in stride.  We took some family pictures today to mark the occasion! Our last day as a family of four!

We let the kiddos pick a spot for lunch and they chose a fish place on Lake Houston.  It is a beautiful day and we enjoyed our lunch by the water.

I'm excited and nervous and emotional about meeting the newest addition to our family.  Hoping and praying it all goes smoothly! 

Helping Out Mommy

George and Clara are supporting Mommy as I am preparing for the arrival of our little one.  They love to take hour long walks with me.

Clara enjoys doing some stretches with me.

They even like sitting on the exercise ball!

This is all so much more fun with my smiling monkeys along for the ride. 

Sunny Day Fun

39 Weeks

I am 39 weeks 4 days which means I am three days out from my due date.  I kind of can't believe we have made it this long and I am so thankful for a full term baby!  At my doctor's appointment yesterday I was up 28 pounds and our little guys heart rate was 143.  My body is showing minimal progress towards starting labor at this point so we are scheduled to induce on Monday morning.  I hope he decides to make an appearance on his own this weekend.  It only takes a few hours for everything to change and I am doing everything I can to help out.  I am taking hour long walks every day.  I am doing yoga stretches and sitting on an exercise ball to try to coax this little guy out.  If it comes down to inducing, so be it.  I am a little nervous about the whole process but I keep getting warm reassurance that everything will be fine.  At least I know one way or another we will have our baby boy sometime at the beginning of the week, depending on how long the whole process takes.  I can't wait to meet him!!! Prayers are appreciated for a smooth delivery and a healthy baby boy!

Super Star Charts

My perfect little monkeys can sometimes display some very typical three year old behavior.  Trying to find and assert their independence can cause power struggles between parent and child.  I decided to make Super Star Charts for the kiddos to target three behaviors that tend to cause the most disruption in our day.

When they demonstrate the targeted behavior, then they get a star on the line.  When they fill up the line they get to pick a prize.  (Can you tell I was a psychologist in a previous life?)  The day we started these charts we discussed what the chart was about and how to earn prizes.  I took them to the toy aisle in Walgreens and let them pick out their prizes which made them all the more excited for the process.  When we got home I put the prizes on the fireplace mantle so that they were constantly reminded of what they are working for.

The first day you have to inundate them with praise.  Find every instance of them demonstrating the appropriate behavior and make sure they get that star.  This helps the kiddo buy into the whole process.  They should definitely earn a prize that first day which both George and Clara did.  As the days go on it should get a little harder to earn the sticker and subsequently the prize.  Eventually this will taper off and the idea is the new behavior is now a part of habit. 

It is amazing how quickly it changed their attitudes towards each other.  I think that has been the biggest difference.  They follow directions with less prompting or repeating the directive.  The whining has also decreased.  They've only filled up two lines so far so we still have work to do.  The best part is that it has completely changed my outlook.  Instead of getting bogged down in the redirections, frustrated with the bickering, and ignoring the whining, this forces me to focus on and find the positive.  My attitude during the day is better which I know positively affects the kiddos. 

We plan to continue this or some form of this when the baby arrives.  I think it will help with any transition problems we may have and will also force John and I to focus on the positive behaviors our sweet three year olds are displaying.  Overall its been a success!

38 Weeks!

I am 38.5 weeks pregnant with our little guy.  He is officially full term and all his little organs are developed.  The time left he has in my belly is so he can continue to put on weight in preparation for the world. At my appointment today his heart beat was strong and I've gained 26 pounds.  We are making no progress towards labor at this point.  I guess he is pretty comfy in there!  If I haven't delivered by my next appointment, we will discuss inducing.  This little guy may need some coaxing to enter the world!

I have to say this pregnancy has been such a blessing.   We've had a great experience.  I've been able to enjoy almost every moment of it (I'll exclude those first weeks of illness).   While I tried to enjoy the twins' pregnancy the reality is that it was tough on my body and it was an emotional roller coaster.  I am thankful I've been able to relish in this one because it very well could be my last.

It is definitely a challenge now to chase after two three year olds with a full term belly.  Most days I manage but some days my hormones and exhaustion get the better of me.  I've had a few pregnant lady meltdowns but I won't beat myself up for those moments. I am so ready to meet out little guy. With every cramp or random contraction, I am constantly wondering if this may be "it." 

This morning before getting ready for school, George, Clara, and I had some snuggle time on the couch.  George was sitting on my lap leaning back against my big belly and Clara was sitting next to me leaning against the side of my big belly and it suddenly hit me.  These next few days are the last days we have together as a family of four.  I took a few minutes just to breath in my little monkeys.  Snuggled them a little closer.  Kissed their little heads.  Told them how much I love them.  I know there will soon be a time where we barely remember what life was like without our youngest kiddo.  While that comforts me, it also makes me feel sad too.

What an adventure these past three years have been with our two incredibly amazing kiddos.  They turned John and I into better people.  Our focus completely shifted beyond ourselves and onto two little people who hold our hearts in their hands.  Life has been different and challenging and beautiful and fulfilling and exhausting and full of love.  Becoming a mother and watching my two kiddos grow is by far the most fulfilling and amazing experience of my life.  I am looking forward to starting this journey all over again with our little guy, but I think I will savor these last days of my sweet little family of four.