Another photo?

So I'm giving Josiah the "least photographed baby" award. It's just that he's pretty stinking cute and I'm constantly wanting to photograph it and send them all to Ariel to see! I send pictures daily so he gets to see his little man. It is going to be the most joyful day when we walk off that airplane into Ariel's arms. This has been such a challenge to be so far apart, but again, we trust that this was the best plan all along, that God has chosen this for us, and try to do our best with pictures and videos. But believe me, we are desperately looking forward to the 28th of December when we will finally be the parents that we dreamed of being together!

Santa!

Josiah made his first trip to sit on Santa's lap while Julie was here. He got all dressed up for the event and after waiting in line asleep, sat so well on Santa's lap. I know he's my kid, but it's pretty much the cutest Santa pictures I've seen!

Julie visits!

My best friend Julie and her little man Drew came to visit from Arizona last weekend. It was so special to see her again, even though we did so little! I'm still working on getting my sleep adjusted and need naps almost as much as Josiah, but we had a good time together anyhow. We were sent out of the house by my parents, ordered to leave the babies, and got pedicures. The next day the babies got to go with us to the mall and walk around. It was such a nice time to see her for a few days and catch up and we're hoping that next time, maybe it'll be Ariel and I visiting her in Arizona!!

Thanksgiving

On Thanksgiving we visited both sets of grandparents (or greats for Josiah). We went to visit the Dixons first and then in the afternoon to the McCools. Josiah liked being packed around in the Moby and snuggled up and slept. It is still fantastic and fun to be in Oregon...it hasn't quite worn off yet. Having Thanksgiving in the DR with all the Americans was fun, but just is never the same as being with family!

Watching

This little baby keeps us smiling! He loves to hold his head up and does so surprisingly well. He also loves watching the Christmas tree with its lights and colors, although I'm sure it looks pretty similar to the bottom right picture to him!

Christmastime

Mr. J is ready for Christmas...

O Christmas tree

We got the Christmas tree awhile back and Josiah had fun picking it out. Acutally, he slept the whole time, but he likes sleeping so that was fun for him. It has been YEARS since I got to pick out a Christmas tree, so it was nice to get to go along and find one!

Alert!

Mr. Josiah is so alert and attentive! When he is awake, he watches so closely and takes everything in. He looks so intently it seems he is going to say something the next minute! He is starting to have little smiles when he's awake which is super sweet. My favorite smiles are still right after he's done breastfeeding when he's in what I like to call his "milk coma", fully passed out, and he has big gummy smiles. Especially at 3 a.m., those are the best!

My mom

So of all the moms in the world, I got the best! It has been so fantastic to be staying with my parents in this time. They have spoiled me and supported me and loved me through it all. My mom stayed awake with me in the hospital through every contraction, and didn't leave my side for the c-section (except to take some photos of the new one!). She makes sure I'm getting my naps and brings me snacks while I breastfeed.

I love breastfeeding, don't get me wrong, but when the kid is eating every 2-3 hours for 30-40 minutes each time, that it a lot of sitting time. It's good because it forces me to slow down and I get to sit there and stare at him and pray over him and think through a lot of things. But it can also get boring sometimes and my mom is great at sitting and talking with me and waiting for him to get done! It's also amazing to have extra hands and great advice. About 1,000 times a day I'm asking if this or that is normal and how to do something. She could be making it up for all I know, but it is also so nice to have answers! So in the list of things I'm thankful for...my mom is way up there!

Going to see Papi!

We are going to be heading to the DR again in a few short (please, be short!!) weeks. On December 27th, we'll head back for the first trip for Josiah and the first time for he and his daddy to cuddle and love on each other. I wait and pray for that day with so much anticipation and excitement. I get watery eyes and cry (okay, a little postpartum hormones going on here!) just thinking about how sweet and special those first moments and days will be.

We have been making the most of these days apart by sending photos and videos like crazy. Ariel has always been the most positive and uplifting person that ever existed, so he constantly reminds me this is best for Josiah and we have made the right decisions. Although the time has been long, we are thankful it has been filled with lots of blessings and great days. We will cherish even more deeply now the time we are together and know how special it is.

We decided to wait until after Josiah completed his 6th week of life and we can get him his first round of vaccines and he has a little more time drinking ultra-defense building breastmilk! We will, of course, take all the extra precautions with him, but the main sources of illness (food/water) won't be an issue for Josiah as he is on a strict mama milk diet! We also just have to let go of our fears of illness and trust that God has done great things in Josiah's life and will always care for him just the same. We can't live in fear of the little things when the great big things have already been taken care of.

Photo shoot

We had multiple photo shoots of Mr. Josiah and it's so fun to have the photos. Who knew how much work it is to photograph a newborn! They have to be sound asleep so you can move them and position them. But that means eating before photos and then getting rocked soundly...it's a time-consuming process.

We also had a LOT of space heaters, plus the house heater going for his little naked shots. There was no way he would have slept so well without it!

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!!