Introducing Jack Matthew Soto

On February 5th at 5:15 our son was born.

I went to the hospital on February 4th after school and began the first drug for the induction. I was supposed to get the second in the morning but my water broke and I was in labor before they could get to it. Within the next 2 hours, I was 4 cm dialated and longing for an epidural. But because it progressed so fast, I had to wait for the 1 liter of fluid through the IV before I could get it. Ordinarily, I wouldn't be chomping at the bit to get a shot in the spine but at that point, it didn't matter at all.

After the epidural, life was good. A few hours later, the pushing phase began. It was then that we realized that Jack was face up instead of face down--leading to a lot of back labor and him staying put. In the end, I just wasn't big enough and his position made him get stuck. I was brought in for a C-section a short while later. It was scary and the large doses of drugs made me get the shakes so bad but it was all worth it a short while later when I heard my son cry for the first time. Tears poured from my eyes and they showed me this grayish purple kid with an obscene conehead. I thought one of the perks of the C-section was a perfect round headed infant. I had to go through 12 hours and then get the C-section. And it was worth every second.

Jack is the most perfect, beautiful thing I have ever seen. He weighed 8 lbs 6 oz. was 20.5 inches long and he is absolutely gorgeous. I have loved every second of Mommyhood. I don't even mind getting up in the middle of the night and I can't wait to see what adventures await our new family. We are all so lucky.

Induction to Motherhood

February 5th--the big day.

The doctor has decided that this little Munchkin isn't so little and that the longer we wait the bigger he will get and the higher the likelihood will be that I will need a C-section. So he has recommended that I be induced this week. I was so ready to be done and then when he actually gave me a date for "go time", I felt like I was going to puke! However, I have kind of gotten used to it and though I get scared every once in awhile, it is also really exciting and I can't believe all these months of waiting are nearly over. I can't believe that, by this weekend, I will be a mom!

I keep telling myself that I will do just fine, that I am tougher than most of the women in my childbirth class, that women have been doing this for hundreds of years--but it still gets scary at times. I am hoping that it will be like so many things for me--that the anticipation of it will be more nerve-wracking than the reality. Once I feel what it all feels like, I will know and then be able to find a way to deal with it. The not knowing is most unsettling. I don't know what to expect really and I don't know how I will handle it all. But I do know that I can't wait to meet my little guy.

The Longest Month

9 months.

I think that they make the gestational period for a human 9 months long because by the time said human has reached 9 months, she doesn't even worry about the birth part because she is so tired of the pregnant part. At least that's how I feel now. I don't want to complain too much because, other than the fact that I kind of look like a gorilla and have cankles, the whole pregnancy thing hasn't been so tough. I am pretty thankful, given horror stories I have heard. However, things have gotten more uncomfortable (especially sleeping) and the novelty has worn off. I just want to meet the little guy. I just want to stop worrying that everything will be okay. I know, I know, you never stop worrying but I would like a new set of things to worry about!

Anyway, I had my doctor appointment on Tuesday and I was measuring at 40 weeks, even though I am only 36. After feeling around the baby, the doctor said that, though there is certainly room for error when you are merely feeling the baby, he felt like he was 7-8 pounds already. Given the fact that Dad was 12 pounds at birth makes us think that she may be right. So the next steop--next week, we have an ultrasound to better determine his actual size and then the course of action. That means either he's smaller than they think and we'll just proceed normally, or he'll be big and we have to make a decision on a C-section. I am willing to do whatever to ensure this little Munchkin gets here safely. And it sounds like there are some pros to it: I'd get to go a little early, the planned date would be set and I could better plan my life and job, it's quicker, he'd have a nice, round head, and I'd get to spend 8 weeks with him instead of 6. I'll do what the doctor says but the choice, if I am given one, doesn't seem to hard.

Other than that, we are finishing things up this weekend. We are headed out to buy all the stuff that we need for his arrival, we have to prepare the final touches for his room, install a car seat, kittyproof the crib, and pack our bags, among other things. This is truly an exciting time right now. I feel like a kid waiting for Christmas. But it will be better than any Christmas I've ever had. I simply can't wait to meet our little guy. I hope he's as excited to see us!

34 Weeks!

Dear Baby Boy,

I can't believe you are almost here. It seems like I have been pregnant forever but I can now say that you are due next month! Celebrating New Year's this year was especially meaningful. First, because Dad and I know that our times of crazy partying may be over, or at least put on hold for awhile. Secondly because 2009 is your year. I thought I would be more nervous and scared about your arrival--well, mostly about the birth part. But right now I am seeing it as a means to an end. I am simply too excited to meet you to think about what labor may be like.

I often wonder what you are going to be like. How will you look? Will you have Daddy's big shoulders? Will you have his beautiful skin tone? Or will you get stuck with mine? Will you, against all genetic rules of dominant and recessive traits, have my green eyes? Will your hair be straight like Mommy's or curly like Daddy's? Will you always be ready to smile and laugh? The only thing I am sure of is that you will have very dark hair!

What will your personality be like? Will you be calm and easygoing like Daddy (I hope!)? Or will you be high strung like Mommy? My guess is that you will be more like Daddy in this regard. Though I feel you moving around all the time, you are always pretty gentle, like you don't want to cause too much of a stir. Will you love books? Will you be athletic like the both of us or will you be talented with music? Will you love football (like Daddy)?

Whatever you will be, you will be our boy and we will love whoever you turn out to be. We can't wait to expand our family. Daddy and I have always been so happy together and we know that you will make us even happier.

The only thing I am really nervous of is doing the wrong thing. I haven't ever been around babies so I don't really know when to feed you, when you sleep, etc. I know that I will make mistakes (and I'll bet you'll make some too!) But I promise that I will learn and that I will always be the best mom I know how.

So, buddy, I'm going to sign off for now. Keep wiggling and saying hi whenever you feel like it and keep growing strong. See you in a little over a month!

Love, Mom

Baby Soto's Room

Over the two week Winter break from school, we had the chance (with MAJOR) help from my parents to finally prepare his room. We transformed the office into a nursery and I can't believe how much I love it. Blue walls with a darker blue ceiling that drops down about a foot onto the wall. Then Nonny (my mom's substitute name for Grandma) painted spectacular clouds on the ceiling. She gave Michaelangelo a run for his money. We also got the crib together and the rest of the furniture in. Now all we need is a baby and the room will be complete. Well, that and we need to hang the shades and valances!

Almost 30 weeks!

Dear Baby Boy,

It's hard to believe that we are almost at 30 weeks! Only 10 more to go! It seems like forever but, at the same time, doesn't seem so long at all. I hear these last 2-3 months are a little long. Actually, I'm getting a little antsy now. I just can't wait to meet you. But don't get any ideas--I can definitely wait for another couple of months--I'd rather you were healthy!

Anyway, your doctor appointment went well today. Your heart rate was good and as soon as she put the Doppler on you, you kicked it. Guess you didn't like the invasion of privacy. Or maybe that was just your way of saying "hi". I also took the time to ask the doctor how big she'd let you get. See, I'm a little nervous since your dad was 12 lbs at birth! And though I hope you get his shoulders, I'm not looking forward to it during the whole birth part. I keep telling myself that it will all be worth it if someday you can hug and comfort a girl like your dad does for your mom!

You are moving around quite a bit now and I can feel you often. I love it! I especially love it when I lay down and put my hand on my side and you move to touch my hand. I call it our bonding time! You really seem to be most active between 6 and 7. I think you just get excited to eat! Anyway, keep the movements coming!
We are also getting ready to take our baby classes so that we know what to expect the day you decide to show up! We also are taking one that will tell us what to do with you: when to give you a bath, how to put you in your car seat, etc. Neither one of us has been around babies much so we're not totally sure what to do. Don't worry though, Dad and I are pretty smart and I promise we'll figure it out! But I guess you really haven't been around ANYONE yet so we'll learn together.

Other than that, we are slowing preparing for your arrival. Grandma and Grandpa get here from Florida in a week and we plan on getting your room all ready when they are here. Dad and Grandpa are going to put together your crib (a gift from your other Grandma) too, so you have a place to sleep! Mom and Grandma are going to be smart enough to be far away from them while they are constructing. I'm just giving you a warning now and I will try to always protect you, but don't ever try to build anything with Grandpa. I learned the hard way when I helped him install a faucet. I was 16 and that's the last handy thing I have ever helped him do. Your dad is a very patient man but that patience will truly be put to the test! Regardless, I am sure they will do a good job for you!

Well, Munchkin, I have to go but keep up the good work and I'll do all I can on this end to stay healthy and eat right! Grow well and stay healthy (and stay put!!) I'll see you soon!

Love, Mom

First picture of my ever-expanding gut and the reason for it!

Okay, so this is not a great picture of me but I finally learned how to use my webcam to take photos and wanted to test it out. Plus, Brooke has been bugging me for a picture. I am wearing Paul's pj pants because my own no longer fit--hence part of the sexyness! I think Baby Soto looks much better than his mom here.