J.K.R.

Last morning as a family of 3 (I LOVE LOVE LOVE this picture!!!!)

I LOVE this picture too! Gabe just like his daddy. Unaware of how Bryan was sitting Gabe laid back the exact same way.

Jayce Kaleb Rogers

7 lbs, 13 oz., 20 inches

7-10-2010

1:16 p.m.

This is his story.

This pregnancy was SO different. Much different than the way I expected or was used to. From having way more cravings, going full term, having a better experience in the hospital, tons of good BP readings.....

I got to 32 weeks (when I had Gabe), then 33, 34, 35 , 36 and so on. I couldn't believe that this was actually happening. God is SO good and I truly believe that all of the prayers that were being prayed by family and friends were being answered.
At 36 weeks I went in and had a little spotting and my BP was up pretty high. We had an ultrasound to make sure that our boy was growing well. The dr. took several BP readings and we talked about July 10th for my scheduled c-section. The last thing he said was that he was almost positive that I would go earlier though. I was going in weekly at this point and kept doing just fine. I was going all the way baby!

My c-section was scheduled on July 10th at 9am and I had to be there at 7am. I got a call on Monday the 5th saying that they had pushed my surgery up and that I didn't need to be there until 10am with the surgery at noon. I was a little bummed about it at first, but it worked out better than I thought. We got to have the morning together with Gabe before dropping him off with my mom. It was great!

We had talked to Gabe about me going to the hospital to have the baby and that I would most likely be there for a few days. It was SO hard to leave Gabe that morning, but we said our goodbyes and Bryan and I headed to hospital. It was a little weird having everything scheduled. Everything was so mellow and calm...we got to the hospital and it was so quiet...barely anyone there. We got checked into the room and Bryan left to go get our bags and I changed into my gown.

The nurse came in and hooked me up to check on baby, asked me a ton of questions and put in an IV. They pumped my full of liquids and I swear I went pee about 50 times before going into surgery.

The anesthesiologist came in to talk to me about the spinal. We talked about my experience at St. V's and how I felt afterwards. They told me that I had a spinal headache which is VERY painful, but that they could have done something about it to give me some relief. They asked me why they didn't do that and I was like I don't know? I guess because they were mean. HA I just can't believe that they could have given me relief, but didn't. I felt like my head was going to explode.

After awhile the nurse came in and said that an emergency c-section had to go ahead of me so it was going to be more like 12:15-12:30 before going in.

My mom and Gabe came in to see us before going in and they got to stay in the room while I was in surgery.

I'm not sure what time it was, but we walked back to the room and they prepped me. Bryan had to stay out until they were done. Again, it was so different...with Gabe I shook violently while they tried to give me the spinal. It took him forever. I shook a little bit, but I'm thinking it was more from how cold the room was. It was freezing in there. After they had me prepped and ready Bryan and the dr's came in. I was starting to get really nervous. Bryan held my hand as they started. I ended up feeling very nauseous all of the sudden and remembered that the anesthesiologist told me to tell him when I felt nauseous. I told him and ended up throwing up twice before he could give me something to help. Bryan stayed with me most of the time until we knew that he was coming out then he stood to watch. When he was out I heard him cry and it was one of the most important moments in my life. Bryan went to see him while they stitched me up. At one point the curtain had fallen a little and I could see what they were doing in the huge lights above me. I had to close my eyes before getting sick again. My doctor and his assistant ended up talking all about my anatomy while finishing up. With my eye's closed I heard them say, "she has a lot of scar tissue", "WOW she has very nice ovaries'". It was very weird.

After they wiped down Jayce, Bryan brought him over to me. Bryan still had his surgical mask on, but I could tell that he was VERY proud and he said "Let's do that again!" I know that he was a proud with Gabe, but the experience of getting to hold Jayce immediately after he came out was AMAZING! I just wish I could have seen his huge smile!

I was going to do my recovery in my room so they wheeled me back and Bryan and Jayce walked behind me. I had forgotten that Gabe and my mom were in our room and I wasn't feeling all that well...I threw up once and told my mom to go and come back a little later. I didn't want Gabe to see me that way. This whole thing was traumatic enough as it is. I threw up about 5 more times, but overall my recovery was a 100 times better than with Gabe. I could stand the throwing up over the spinal headache anytime. The nurse did his footprints, gave him a good bath and got his weight. OH and did I mention that we hadn't named him yet. I thought for sure that when I saw him I would know, but that wasn't the case. I had a very difficult time picking from the 4 names that we had. It was actually quite frustrating...BUT a name is important right.

We decided on the last day that it was going to be Jayce (JAY - SSS) Kaleb and it fits, but a lot of people are calling him Jay - See and it's not settling well with me. I don't want him to be called that all his life, so we are contemplating changing the spelling to Jace??????

After awhile my mom and Gabe came back and we did an exchange of gifts between the boys. Gabe had picked out a cute rattle for Jayce and Gabe got a lego car. Gabe was very excited to give his little brother the gift.

Gabe did pretty good. He was shy, a little standoffish, kind of didn't really acknowledge that there was a little person, his little brother that was now going to be a part of lives. I didn't want to push it. We let him do it on his own terms, AND since we've been home he's come around and I think he's pretty smitten like mommy and daddy are. Says that he loves Baby!

My head is in this weird fog and everything in my life seems to look blurry, but we are so happy to be home with our sweet little man and have enjoyed being pampered by our family and friends. We are happy. We are family. We are so grateful that we have another handsome little son to raise and to love and to share our lives with!

FUN in the SUN

It's been a very HOT week...but you won't here many complaints from me. I love the SUN! I love finding water somewhere and just being outside. It has definitely helped keep me busy my last week of pregnancy and I've had a blast with my Gabey Monster, family and friends!
Tomorrow is the day! I'm sad, excited and nervous all at the same time.

FUN in the SUN Pics

Coffee with friends and all the kiddos

Being creative with water paints

Audrey playing with the hose

Going down the slide

Audrey likes all the Toy Story toys

Aunt Fulie having fun spraying the boys

"Oh YEAH I'll get you Aunt Fulie!!!!"

GoofBall

Met Moo, Keira and Mia at this cute little park

Gabe trying to keep up with speedy Gonzales Keira Lynn

Gabe met a little boy and he shared his water gun with him. They chased each other a few times

Back to Moo's for more fun

YUM Otter pops!!!!

Weekend FUN

Saturday Gabe and Bryan met his dad at Heavenly Donuts for an hour then we did a few errands. After a quick lunch we stopped at the Imagination Station for some fun! Gabe had fun exploring with, and being chased by daddy.

He ended up falling asleep on the way home so he rested from 4-5. We had homemade pizza and then we went to McDonald's for their $1 sundaes and a redbox movie.

trying to get away from daddy

Gotcha

The Fouth

Words can not express how tired we are this morning. Yesterday was a BLAST, but exhausting! We went to church, came home had a quick lunch then packed up everything and headed to the waterfront for their firework festivities.

Big

Little
Some of the gang
Chillin'
Blowin' Bubbles
Reading with Gamma

Gamma and Gammpa got us yummy spider-man treats

Rawwwr
Beating up Gammpa is fun!

Cutie Patutie

As you can tell we had FUN!

Bryan has today off, but we aren't going to do all that much. I am going grocery shopping, Bryan is putting in the AC unit in our room and we're going to laz around!

5 MORE DAYS!!!!!!

Countdown

One week from today. We'll be a family of four. Holy Moly.

We'll have BOYS. As in "the boys and I are going to the park" or "Bryan, hurry home, the boys miss you" or "let's take the boys to ice cream for family night", or like I can say "my boys" and be referring to all three of them.
I love it.

It is so surreal that this is our last weekend as a family of three. This morning Gabe got into our bed with us and the three of us just laid there for a very long time. No one talked, it was quiet and relaxing. It was PERFECT!

I am so thankful for this past year and five months that I have been blessed to be home with my little man and not working full time spending more hours away from him then with him. I wouldn't change it for the world!

The last weeks of this pregnancy is a journey of self discovery that you can't fully share with anyone. You are trapped inside your brain. The one that you used to depend on. Now there's a team of people inside your head playing laser tag:

You're almost done being pregnant-I don't want to be-I can't last another day-Yes you can-I don't even know myself anymore-I'm huge-The baby has hiccups again-My skin is stretchy-Everything hurts-Why won't Gabe and Calie let me be-My husband is no longer funny-Not at all-I can't wait to meet his tiny face-What am I forgetting-Charge the camera batteries-Make a thousand lists-Be ready to feel icky after surgery-Try to act sane-Pay attention when people talk to you-

So, I sit here alone, eating my bowl of cereal, while my boys are out together getting donuts, expelling a deep breath...To most other people in the world, July is going to be just another summer month. For us and our loved ones, an explosion of happiness and surprise.

36 weeks

Oh little one,

I find myself day dreaming about you. What you're going to look like? Who will you remind me of? I can't wait to see you. Will you look like your big brother? Will your hair stick up off your head, or will you be a baldy? What will you weigh? How long will you be?
I have dreams at night that you're GINORMOUS! lol

I want to know everything now. I can't wait to meet you.

I can't believe it was about 18 weeks ago that I felt your little feathery movements for the first time. How small you must have been! Almost transparent.

I'm not used to this big belly that you call home. It seems to be in the way lately. I think yesterday about 5 or 6 people rubbed past my belly because of how far it sticks out. I dropped the laptop because I wasn't anticipating the short space on my lap between my belly and knees. I run into walls, doors and counters. I can't bend over or put my socks and shoes on easily anymore.

Three more weeks, baby.

Transition

We are smack-dab in the middle of transition. Before I got pregnant, our lives were fairly "normal" and a pretty predictable all things considered. REALLY though, the only thing that remains constant in our lives, is change.

Gabe has been OFF lately...I think he is more aware of what is coming then I expected. He's been more defiant, more whiny, if he doesn't get his way he cries as loud as he can, been more clingy he says "mamma, I need you!" He's been very worried about me leaving him or something. He has been talking non stop about how things have lost their mommy's and how sad they are. It's heartbreaking.

I am in NO WAY complaining about these things. I know that this has so much to do with the baby coming. It has been hard though, I'm not going to lie.

The only thing that makes me sad about the new baby coming, is that Gabe will no longer be my only little baby. I am glad though, to of had so much time alone with him for three years. I guess it's just part of being the first born-you get more attention but you're also the guinea pig for you're parents so they can figure everything out on you. (Not that we have everything figured out!) :)

So, I'm going to savor theses last few weeks with Gabe as my only baby-snuggle up to him more, rub his tiny soft fingers, smell the sweet smell of his freshly washed hair, kiss his soft little lips and always remember to do these things with him! I love him so much and hope that he always feels like a special individual of our family and I hope that he will love being a big brother!

Daddy

To the father of my children. I am constantly amazed, humbled, and appreciative at the kind of dad that Bryan is. From the moment he gets home from work, he is hands on: he cleans, he changes diapers, he wrestles, he plays, he pretends, he disciplines, he teaches, and he loves. He has a lot on his plate right now, but he tries to give 100% to everything he does. When Bryan decides to go after something, he does it. He never asks for anything in return. I admire my husband in so many ways and am so grateful that I married someone who inspires me to be a better person everyday.
We LOVE you, daddy!
Happy Fathers Day!

Showers

Baby Shower #1

Loved getting to celebrate baby #2 with friends and eat yummy Mexican food! Thanks ladies for making me feel special and making me laugh!

Baby Shower #2

Today I celebrated Baby #2 with my mama and sisters. It was an AWESOME day. The sun was out and it was low 80's.
We started our time out with pedicures! YES! I loved getting to relax and chat with my sisters then we met our friends Nancy and Stacey at The Ram for lunch and dessert. We sat outside in the sun. It was a good day! Thank you for making it special guys! I love you!

Bryan, Nathan and Dad watched the kiddos. They played outside, watched a movie and had lunch together.
They were pooped by the end of the day!