Love

The love is stronger each and every day (is that possible??!!) for little Josiah. He has started smiling in his sleep with is awesome...but means I often just sit and watch him sleep when I ought to be doing something else (sleeping?). Visitors continue to meet Josiah and it is great to see everyone love on him.

Josiah also got his first snow! Don't worry, he was outside for probably a whole minute to take this picture, and actually was happy about it. He was so bundled up...he's wrapped in a blanket beneath that snow suit! He's taken a loving to his bouncy chair and loves to sit in that and stare at us!

Week 1

Josiah had a great first week. Loads of friends and family came to visit and meet Josiah for the first time. He continues to do well at eating and sleeping and filling diapers! He went to the pediatrician for the first time and gained 4 ounces from his hospital discharge weight, so we were happy about that (minimum was 2 ounces).

I still believe that God has given us the most perfect baby. I never knew I could love SO much, it's incredible. I can stare at this little man the whole day long. My heart aches when I think of just how special he is. What a blessing it is to have a baby!

First days

He did so well in the hospital, his exams were all fantastic and by Sunday, we were ready to go home. I was waiting for the "how to raise this new baby you've been given" manual, but they seem to have sent me home without one. Thankfully I've got my mom nearby and extra help is always near.

Visitors

He had lots of hospital vistors to welcome him, including great grandpa and grandma McCool, Uncle Dan and Cyndi, Uncle John and Rachel, Cousins Emily and Josh. And his grandma and grandpa Dixon almost never left his side.

Firsts

That first day was filled with lots of firsts for the both of us. First kisses, first holds, first cuddles, first breastfeeding...it was a good day. He took to breastfeeding like a champ and was a great cuddler from the start.

Labor and Delivery

So I went on Thursday to the regular doctor appointment and they did a few extra tests since I was past my due date. When they did the ultrasound, they found the baby had very little amniotic fluid around him and sent me to Labor and Delivery to start the baby-having process. I was so excited to really be going, although apprehensive about all that was ahead of me!

When I was put on the monitor, they found I was already contracting quite a bit. They decided to do an non-medicine induction, but will spare the details for now. Within a few minutes of the induction, I was feeling "good" contractions. They were strong and every few minutes, and some of them doubling and tripling up to make for 6-7 minute contractions. We went through the night that way...walking, rocking chair, jacuzzi. My water broke around 4 am and then they took out the induction-starter around 6. Within and hour, our little man decided the contractions weren't for him and had a drop in his heart rate. He recovered, but his mama hardly did! He did it again a few hours later and the doctors came in to talk about our plan of action. They offered to start pitocin or other induction methods as the baby had recovered from his heart rate drops. They also suggested a c-section as an option. As I was only 1 cm dilated and the baby still high, I opted for the c-section. I knew at that point my baby was safe and well and although he had recovered twice from the heart rate drops, I didn't want to wait for a third...especially being so far from delivery. So we decided to go forward with a c-section delivery when we could do it calmly and I could be awake, rather than an emergency one when I may have to be put to sleep and miss it.

The c-section was fast and smooth. Within minutes I got my first glance at little Josiah. When they pulled him out we found that he had meconium fluid, so at some point he had been a little stressed inside. I was so relieved to see him, to hear him, to touch him. My fears melted away as I knew my little boy was fine, and finally here! He was born at 11:22 a.m. on Friday, November 12th.

He weighed 8 lbs and 5 ounces and measured in at 19 inches of perfection. He was alert beyond belief and wanted to be looking around at everything. He got to stay with me the whole time which I loved, no heading off to the nursery for his checks or anything. I watched him as I recovered and got feeling back in my body and waited for the shakes to pass. How great, how very great it was to hold him, to know he was well and safe and with me.

Waiting

We are more and more ready to meet this little man everyday! I honestly didn't think that I would make it this far and still be pregnant (I'll be 40 weeks on Saturday), but babies come when they are ready and so we wait. The hospital bags are beginning to collect dust, but soon enough we'll be shaking them off for throwing into the car!

Family time

We continue to pass the days keeping busy as we wait for the arrival of little Mr Veras. I got to see my neice Emily run in her last cross country race of the season, which was fun to be a part of. It's so nice to be around for the "little" events. It's expected to be homesick on Christmas and Thanksgiving, but I almost always got more homesick on the small things. Hearing that the family was getting together for small gatherings was harder to be away from than the big things...I was prepared for the big ones! So it's nice to be near enough to be a part of my neice and nephew's lives. They are so special to me and it's always so fun to be with them.

We also had a lunch with both of my grandparents (Dixons and McCools). I honestly can't remember a time when we did this and it was nice to see us together. Not many get to have both sets of granparents around the table with them, so I'm grateful we were able to do that little lunch!

Visa update

I know a lot of people have prayed with us and been concerned about Ariel's visa and the whole process. I wanted to finally update where we stand with it and what is happening.

Last Thursday, Ariel had his appointment at the embassy. He spent the whole day there and in the end, walked away without a visa. I don't really have the right words for how I felt when he told me. Disappointed? That doesn't quite do it. He wasn't technically denied his visa, only told that he needs to come back with the baby's birth certificate and, well, me, for the next appointment. He has an open appointment, which means whenever he has these two things with him (me and birth cert) we can go to the embassy for his visa.

Obvious problems with this plan:

a. He won't be here for the birth

b. I can't travel right away with a newborn

c. The baby won't have all his papers for travel on the first day.

So what is our plan? Onward we go. We have Senator Merkley's office working with us to see if they can pull any strings or talk to anyone at the embassy because it is honestly just ridiculous that they are asking for these things. Of course he wanted the visa to be here for the BIRTH...not weeks after. Hopefully something happens through them, but we are prepared for plan z (as plans a-y haven't come together yet). This means that after the baby is born, we will rush papers back and forth to the DR to get everything together for his birth certificate and passport. As soon as the pediatrician says we are clear to go, we will go. Just thinking it through, that would probably be sometime in December. Hopefully the visa would be issued at that appointment, for Ariel, baby and I to travel back to Oregon together. But...we've seen how our plans often work out. So really, we're just waiting to see what we're supposed to do!

So pray with us for all of this to come together, for clear direction, for something amazing to happen with the sentor's office...and most of all, for peace and understanding as we accept what we know is God's will. We know He walks with us and brings us together, even through the many miles that separate us. We try to make the most of it all and will aim to make the first baby days as special as possible, despite the distance.

So close

I've made it now to 38 weeks of carrying this little man and get to meet him any day now! I am seeing less and less of my feet, moving a bit slower, and needing more time to stand up...but overall doing well. I feel like he's begun his slow descent as I watch my belly change shape! I've tried getting ready mentally for delivery, like they suggest, but how does one really prepare for something so...huge??!! So I pray a lot. I pray for strength, patience, and the ability to do this!

To remember the pregnancy...

I LOVE being pregnant. I love all the kicks, the dreaming...I don't even mind people giving my belly a rub. It's been a fun and comfortable pregnancy, despite the first few months of nausea and tiredness.

My mom will be our official photographer for all the baby shots and has new special lenses and everything! We got to try them out the other day taking lots of maternity shots, which works out well because it's a fun time to remember. I'm not really into the "posed" shots, but put up with it for awhile because, well, I just have to sometimes!! It's weird when one part of your body gets so much attention. It's also weird when people comment on how big that part of your body is getting. I've let them know they have a limited amount of weeks left for those comments. After he's born, it won't be so fun to take belly pictures and talk about how "big" it is. In fact, I hope we're not!!

Baby Shower

My Aunts Lindy and Cyndi threw us a baby shower last weekend and it was such a fun time to see friends and family that I haven't been able to see yet. They definitely helped me in getting ready for this baby with clothes and strollers and towels...and everything else I need. It's awesome to see everyone come together and know how much they have blessed us simply by being there!

Still changing

It seems the baby's room changes every single day! I always think that we have it perfect, then something else comes along to make it even more perfect. I spend a lot of time in his room, thinking about all that is ahead, praying for him, planning so many things. I managed to finish knitting his blanket and was thankful that happened before he was 20 like I had previously thought!

Catching up

So I somehow find myself busier here than when I was working full time, going to church activities, and carrying on a social life in the DR. Amazing. We've been preparing for this little baby and I am so excited to meet him. I've got just under 2 weeks until the official due date and am doing all that I can to have him before/after my nephew's bday (also his due date!). I managed to work out how to make his baby diapers-inserts for the gdiapers I'll be using. I've caught up with lots of family and some friends, the picture is with my cousin Michelle who is also pregnant. It's great being home, very great really. It's perfect timing to really feel like I'm ready to welcome in this baby as we talk and prepare for him every day.

Watermelon baby

So back when I was 12 weeks pregnant, I jokingly took a picture of my "belly" with a watermelon under my shirt. I was so excited to "show" and never imagined I would really be that big! Well, this week it happened. I am now 35.5 weeks pregnant (8 months) and you could say as big as a watermelon! I am so thankful for this baby boy, his development, growth, and all his baby wiggles. This is big enough though I think, we don't need to graduate to a pumpkin!!

Growing

I'm nearly at 35 weeks now (8 months) and all is going so smoothly. I feel great, especially being away from heat and humidity (I didn't realize what a change that would be!). Since getting back I've had 2 doctor appointments, some blood draws, glucose tests, an ultrasound...getting all caught up. The best news is that we have a healthy baby and a healthy pregnancy. Our baby is active most of the time which I love, I can't believe there's just one more month left. Even with all the ups and downs of pregnancy, I have enjoyed so much this time as he grows (and me too). We are really looking forward to meeting him and I can't wait to see his little face and cuddle him.

Baby's room

So with the room all gutted out, it was full speed ahead to get it ready for our little man. My mom painted the whole room and then added stripes to the top, along with all the baby's furniture and lots of clothing and other baby accessories that our friends have blessed us with! It is so exciting to see it all in place, although it seems to still be changing daily as we add things to the walls and continue to decorate. It's going to be so great to make this room complete with a little baby boy!

Projects

There has been no lack of projects since getting back to Oregon...or I guess I've created a few! We had to take everything out of the "guest room" which is now the baby's room. There were also a lot of things that my parents have been saving for Ariel and me that just weren't fitting anymore in their organized house. So they rented a storage unit for awhile to get things orderly again and for a place for all that we pulled out of the baby's room. It now looks awesome and we definitly have our own living space downstairs now!

Preparing for baby

Since getting in on Friday, it has been nonstop movement and preparation. In just a few short days we have gotten the paint for the baby's room, ordered his crib, registered, and gotten lots of things in order! It was hard to prepare from another country, so most everything we put off until I was able to be in Oregon again. It's been so fun though doing all these things and, as if the belly wasn't enough for me, it makes it feel more real that this little man is coming.

My body is doing well after being sick a week ago...I feel like it never even happened. I was back at the doctor's office yesterday and having more blood tests and other checks to make sure all is in order. They felt like everything looked good and so I was on my way. I have the "real" appointment next Monday with the sonogram and full doctor check-up, etc. We heard his heart thumping away and I always love that sound. This baby is active, to say the least, and moves around constantly. I love it. I cherish it. I enjoy all of it (minus foot in ribs).

Continue to pray for the weeks that remain, that his development will continue well, that Ariel's visa is approved in time for the delivery, and well...for the labor and delivery, and that becoming-parents thing!

Oregon

The day finally came for me to return to Oregon. After being sick and everyone worrying, it was so easy to leave the DR that day. Everyone just wanted me out of the country and safe in my parent's house near my doctors and hospital. So I made the 14 hour journey across the country to finally arrive to my smiling parents on Friday night. The weather has been fantastic, a welcomed change from the heat and humidity! My feet and hands are almost fully returned to their non-swollen state which was worth the trip in itself!! The lack of cars and outside noise, along with cool nights means I'm sleeing better than I have in months. Those are all good things as I prepare for this little baby to be born...gotta stock up on the sleep while I can!

A little delay

No, I didn't get any good pictures, so you get a diagram. On Monday, I got a case of the diarrheas, which I figured was probably just due to nerves and anxiety and all things related to leaving the DR. By nighttime, it was getting worse, but I just held on, drinking lots and doing my best. We went to bed around 11, but I never got to sleep. I got up around midnight with a fever and started feeling what I thought might be mild contractions. I drank about 3 liters of water (being the good little nurse I am) and waited for things to improve. By 3 am, my temp was 101 and the contractions, though super mild, were about every 15 mins. So Ariel and I headed to the hospital.

I got evaluted all over and was eventually admitted with dehydration related to amoebas/diarrhea. I got started on (safe) treatment for the little critters, lots of IV fluids, and other meds. I got 3 shots in the bum, 2 IVs, 3 blood draws, but in the end, am doing just fine. The contractions stopped after getting well hydrated again and the baby has been doing great. We saw him on the ultrasound and he is growing leaps and bounds.

So I'm back in my apartment for today and then heading straight to Oregon tomorrow (Friday). I was sad to cancel my trip to Los Angeles to see my brother and sister-in-law who I haven't seen in 2.5 years, but we just have to trust it is all for the best. I know nothing is out of God's hands and that for whatever reason I don't get to understand, this was the route I needed to take. So keep that 14 hour travel day in your prayers for this pregnant lady and the little one and safe arrivals and outcomes for all!

Family good byes

Sunday proved to be another going away get-together at Ariel's grandma's house. His mom made all my favorite foods (white rice with guandules guisadas, beef, chicken, avocado...fantastic). All the aunts and uncles and cousins came over and it was an awesome time to just be with everyone. This family has been so great at taking in this "gringa" with all their love and affection. They have been supportive of Ariel and me in all of our decisions and are equally excited to meet this growing baby!

So many "lasts"

Well we have been taking full advantage of spending these last days doing great things. It has been some different activity almost every night. I'm trying to soak up time with friends, Ariel, seeing things, and just being here still. We've had great dinners out together, then took a trip with Francis and Milka to Santiago to see a movie and go to the stores. It has been a fantastic way to spend personal time with others that is so special. The relationships that we have here are so dear and it's hard to move onto the next step of "uncertainties", but I am enjoying every minute of my time with friends and family before leaving.

Surprise going away party

Alberto and lots of others collaborated together to throw such a great surprise going away party for me. I really wasn't expecting it at all as we had a going away activity at the school the day before. So Ariel took me over to our team house to get some things we had left there and instead of walking into an empty house, it was PACKED full and beautifully decorated! They prepared a great program with lots of food and cake and nice, lovely things to say. It was so special to have them do this, fully unexpected, and a great way to spend time with everyone again!

Last day at school

I was sort of dreading today...my last day at school. It's just that I'm not good at the whole good-bye thing. But I went ahead as planned, knowing that I had to do it for myself and it was a healthy step to leaving. It turned out to be so special and fun! Zeneida made me a special lunch of all my favorite things (salami rice, avocado, fried yuca-arepita de yuca) which was a great way to start! Then after lunch, the kids had a presentation from each classroom. Some were acrostics with the name "JESSI", others were little poems or dramas. Lots of kids wrote me little notes about how I'm their best friend and one girl told me I'm like her mom. Special, special kids. Zeneida got up to sing a little song but didn't make it through it all. They had a plaque for me with a great engraving about my work with Kids Alive. Pulling away from the school for the last time was surreal, like none of this is really happening. Even though it's hard, it's also encouraging because I know for sure I will be back and see them all again...after all, we have all of Ariel's family here! So it turned out to be a great day...this last day of school.

Starting the "lasts"

Well it has come time to start the list of "lasts" that I wanted to do before heading back to the States. This past weekend Ariel and I got to get away for one last mini-vacation together and to enjoy the beach. We had an amazing dinner right over the cliffs of the ocean that was beautiful...some "lasts" are hard to let go of!!

An update

I stepped onto the island in September, 2006, expecting to be here for 5 weeks. 4 years later, I am beginning to pack my bags for the trip back to Oregon. This is such a time of mixed emotions as I say good bye to so many things that have become "normal" and think forward to the amazing things that are ahead. Our baby boy is due around November 6th, so the doctors want me there by mid-September for safety with flying and follow-up. As I watch this belly grow, I know it is a good decision to get home while it is still safe to travel! I plan to head back at this time to prepare for what is the most exciting journey ever!
We are still waiting for word on Ariel's visa, but prayerfully hope he will make his interview and be approved in time to make it to Oregon for the birth. We made the decision to have the baby in the States either way, trusting that it is the safest and wisest decision for both the baby and me. Our plans for the moment are to be inthe U.S. for a few years before returning permanently to the Dominican Republic. We are excited, nervous, and anxious as we anticipate all that awaits us. Please pray for the many transitions we will each be facing in the months ahead which include a change of culture, language, jobs, becoming parents...and the list goes on! We have seen God's amazing providence for our lives and know He will walk us through each step of this.


Although we are thankful to have medical insurance, it will only cover 80% of the birth and after care. Along with coverage for the baby's insurance, we will need approximately $5000-$6000 for the coming months to cover co-pays and insurance. Please pray with us that the money will come through as God always amazes us with the way He provides.

If you are interested in supporting in ths time, you can also donate through the Kids Alive website and find my name under "Around the World", then "Dominican Republic". Support can also be mailed to the address at the bottom. Thank you for trusting me enough to support me through all of this. I have learned an endless amount of lessons that will continue to mold and shape me for a lifetime.



With much love, Jessi



Support can be mailed to Kids Alive, noted for Jessi Dixon Veras at:
Kids Alive
PO Box 2117
Valparaiso, IN 46383

Playing on the playground!

We were so blessed by a huge network of people that worked together to install a playground for us! Everything arrived on a packed-tight container a few weeks ago and was installed by another awesome group last week. It was fun to see the kids pass by the school as it was being set up, to see their excitement about something so cool. This was a very special project to me because it was purely for the kids to enjoy, nothing else! It wasn't something more "functional" like a classroom or cafeteria (which I'm so grateful for, don't get me wrong!) It was just awesome to see so many people pour themselves into work for the simple pleasure and joy of these children! And what joy it is!! They LOVED play day with the group and went crazy for all the new toys. Thank you again to all those that were a part of this project!!

Milka's bday

A few weeks back we got to celebrate with Francis and Milka as she celebrated her birthday! We went out to pizza together and had a fun time talking and being together. Frayme is growing like crazy and as smily as ever!!

Growing

We are past the 6 month mark and doing well! We made a special trip to IKEA in Santo Domingo on Saturday (Jarabacoa already is closer so we took advantage of that!). We got some boxes for packing up but also wandered through the baby section to daydream about what it will be like to have our little boy with us! He is moving and kicking like crazy and I love it...pregnancy is so fun, even with the heat and swelling body parts, it's exciting to feel this baby moving inside and think about all that is ahead for us!

Wedding

The wedding was lovely and I was thankful to be there and a part of it. We got to catch up with old friends who we surprisingly don't see very often! Josie came back for the wedding which was one of my favorite parts!! Congrats to Jhon and Nany on their marriage!!

Weekend in Jarabacoa

Last weekend we got to head up to the mountains and away from the heat for a few days. Our friend Nany got married on Saturday, so we took of Friday after work. We got there in time to head to our favorite restaurant on the mountain with our friends. It was an excellent time of eating cheesecake and talking and wearing sweatshirts!!

Container arrives

A container ship was sent down from the States packed fully of donations. After passing through immigration in Santo Domingo, it was finally released for delivery. It was a huge container and it got stuck in the first river crossing at 6 in the morning! Alberto was able to find a tractor willing to pull it through the river and out of the mud

It made it to the school after having to grate the next river crossing and lifting electrical wires with plastic pipes! We couldn't believe how full it was.

Thankfully we had a team all week that worked hard to unpack everything in a few hours. It was incredible to see all that was packed in this container...it filled so much of our new cafeteria. They send desks and chairs and dental equipment, medicines and bags and backpacks, and the most exciting...a playground!!! They had collected from various playgrounds that were being taken out and we can't wait to see these kids have the huge blessing and fun of a real playground, which includes a bridge!!

It is awesome to see what happens when so many people work together, on both ends of the deal! This took huge amount of time and effort to collect and pack the container, and lots of sweat and muscle to unload it on our end. It'll be so worth it all to see these guys jumping around on their new playground and enjoying all the other goodies on the container!

Summers

Summer for Kids Alive means lots of teams! We are no different here in Caraballo and are happy to have nearly come to the end of a great summer of teams. It has been incredible the work that has been done, and worth all of the planning and organizing and some sweating as well. I did a lot of translating and talking, but it also helps open my eyes time and time again to all that is around me when I see it through fresh eyes...and middle schoolers! We've had a great team to lead each part of our teams and it's been a fantastic summer, despite the swollen feet and sweat!! (all "in-action" pictures taken by B.Brown)

Good-byes

One of the hardest things about living here is the transient nature of friendships. Because we all sign up for certain terms, it often means that friends leave after 6 months, a year, it's a constant transition of friends. Robin and Ashley have been here for ages though, and it's been awesome to have them around so long. They both left this week, Robin after 3 years here, Ashley after 2. It's exciting to hear what is ahead for them and I am so thankful for all that we shared while here and look forward to hopefully meeting up in the States!!

Blessing the baby

A few weeks back, despite all the busy-ness with teams, my friends had a little get together to bless our little man. We played some games and ate great snacks and they gathered around and prayed lots of blessings for our baby. I feel so...blessed (a lot of that word for one posting) to have friends like these that surround me and love me and support me in ways I can't even describe.