Catching Up

The couple weeks preceding Jacob's birth were very busy ones! I already posted about Maggie's party and announcing our move. Since that time, our realtor has brought by a stager who recommended we move half the items out of our house. I may be exaggerating a little, but I couldn't believe how many non-personal pictures/art pieces she wanted removed.
Anyway, Daniel and I started packing right away but he was scheduled to start work on Monday 9/10 starting with orientation in Atlanta for two days then on to Nashville the rest of the week. Since that was the 39th week of my pregnancy, my MIL came down for the week so I wouldn't be alone with two kids and very pregnant. Fortunately, I did not go into labor while Daniel was out of town, answered prayer. My MIL and I spent the week cleaning and packing...turns out I had to pack the last two weeks of pregnancy anyway:) She was also helpful watching the kids while I went to the doctor and I even got to take Will to the park one day, just us two. :)

Our moms timed things perfectly- Claudia left Friday mid-morning and my mom arrived a few hours later. I needed to go to the grocery store to pick up ingredients for dinner 'cause I wanted to make one of Daniel's favorite dishes since he had not been home all week but first we ran by Budget to pick up the truck I rented and were there an hour waiting! I was terribly upset and my pregnancy hormones almost kicked into overdrive leaving me a teary, soppy mess because I wanted to have dinner ready when Daniel got home, but this put us so far behind that did not happen. Everything worked out fine, Daniel's brother, Edward, arrived Friday night and my dad surprised us Saturday morning to help move things into the storage unit. We got to work first thing Saturday and it turns out I had more left to pack than I thought. It really felt like Claudia and I got it all, but that was not the case. So the moving took a little longer than anticipated. I didn't take any pictures at the storage unit (I know you're upset, it was so exciting) but here's some of the mess at home and Will in the truck:

The rest of the weekend mom and dad helped deep clean the remainder of the house that Claudia didn't already do. So it was nice and clean and ready to put on the market. Dad left Tuesday morning- he wanted to be here for Jacob's birth and as I mentioned in other posts, mom stayed all week to help with the kids and the initial transition when we came home from the hospital. We're so blessed to have family willing to jump in and help us when we need it!! Thanks everyone!

Baby Jacob- 1 week

First of all, no, I don't plan to write updates about Jake every week. And second, yes, he turned a week on Monday so I'm several days behind. Eh, whatcha gonna do?
Dear Jacob, we still cannot believe how much you look like your brother. My desktop computer is taken down to prepare for the move, but I can't wait to get a side by side comparison of you and Will at this age just to make sure our memories are accurate. You're a sweet, cuddly little boy who has added new responsibility to the house that will really hit home for me when daddy goes back to work, but lots of extra joy as well. Even though you're not our first child, it's easy to forget the newborn phase- your smell, your tininess and sweet snuggliness- there's nothing like it! The first couple days we brought you home, you were awake a lot for a newborn but then you settled in and started sleeping plenty. Here's some things we've learned about you these last 10 days:

• you love to snuggle/cuddle (i.e. being held)
• you make some seriously funny faces- it's so sweet to watch you discover the world for the first time- everything is new to you! I'm trying to catch your faces on camera
• you get the hiccups alot
• you can go from asleep/super quiet to where-are-you-why-in-the-world-did-you-abandon-me! mode in seconds
• but you can also go from crying to super quiet in seconds when you find something to look at
• you've started crossing your eyes to focus- so cute at this age
• are a good eater and are growing well- you've already reached your birth weight
• you do not like being dressed or having your diaper changed! But surprisingly, did well with a bath, go figure
• you have peed on yourself a few times, but saved the poop for me. After one middle-of-the-night feeding, you pooped on me...projectile poop that got on you, me, the sheets, everything
• you seem pretty strong already- you pushing those legs against us hard during your daily torture times- I mean diaper changes and have already started lifting your head some and hold it well when you do
• your dirty diapers have crossed the threshold into stinky-ville
• you're a good sleeper. During the day. You really aren't too bad at night, but we have work to do- I suppose I can give you some slack since you're 10 days old :)
• you are the cutest, most adorable little baby (besides your brother and sister, of course:))

Overall, you are such a joy little Jacob and we're so excited and proud to have you as the littlest member of our little family. We can't wait to learn more about you sweet boy, though we know all too well that we don't want to rush anything either. :)

Daniel specifically requested that I mention I'm using Linux on a laptop that he setup as a mobile command center so I can blog while we drive. That's my shout-out babe, love you. 

Settling In

My mom came down the Friday before Jacob was scheduled to arrive and stayed until this morning. Having her here was so helpful- a lifesaver really. This allowed Daniel to stay at the hospital with me where time moved slowly enough and would've been even slower had he not been there. When we came home, the house was in perfect order-- super clean (even more so than when I'm here alone 'cause my mom is a better housekeeper than me), Maggie was napping, Will was excited to see us and lunch/dinner was ready! Since mom was here to help me with the kids, this freed-up Daniel to do things around the house, getting it finished for the sale.
Then Saturday we had more visitors- Daniel's mom (G), Granny & PawPaw stopped in for a few hours to see us and meet new baby Jake. We had a very nice visit and enjoyed introducing them to our new bundle of joy.

After they left, Daniel got to work on steaming the carpets. I intended to hire a professional but Daniel thought renting a steamer from Lowe's would be easier- I was not aware of that service, but makes sense, so we went that route. And I gotta say, he did a great job- the carpet looks really nice. We've pretty much finished everything now, just waiting to tie up a few loose ends and the house will be on the market.

Coming home

We brought Jacob home on Thursday, September 20. Daniel and I were both very happy to get out of the hospital and back to our own home with sweet baby boy. We first made a stop at Target so Jake could buy his big brother and sister a gift-- he is so excited to have them as siblings and just had to get them a little something. As with the other two, Daniel video-taped me walking in with the baby and showing him his new home. My mom and Will made a cute little welcome home sign and she was ready with her camera to take some shots too. The day was beautiful!! Sunny and warm, but not hot, a perfect day to bring home God's creation and the newest addition to our little family.

last photos before leaving the hospital

Jake's little going home outfit! His onesie under

the jacket says "I love to ROAR" and he fussed

at Daniel the whole time he dressed him, so we 

thought it appropriate:)

 I strolled out in a wheelchair, but I didn't mind because

I wanted to hold Jake in my arms on our way to the car. I just gave

him to Daniel to buckle up. Then in the car and ready for home!

Visitors

We had lots of visitors at the hospital but the other post was so long, I decided to start a new one. Several of our friends and church members stopped by with well wishes and prayer for baby Jacob but family always makes sure to take lots of photos, so that's what I have here! These are all my parent's photos from the nursery and back in the room- you'll notice Will in almost all the photos- wonder where he got that from? :) Maggie stayed in the room with mommy instead of going to the nursery.

 proud big brother with Paga

 Will & Papa

 Will, Grandma & Paga

 Will, Papa & Omi

 Will & Jacob- see the pattern here? 

 Cian helping Will hold his new brother

 Aunt Becca & Jake- she arrived shortly after the 

nursery photo session

Grandma & Paga with the grandkids- the ones

present, anyway. Maggie & Isla look like they're punching each other