Celebrating Joel

Three years ago today, I wasn't feeling too well. I had been a stay at home for about 3 weeks by this time and Jonathan and I were doing fine. But this day, something wasn't' right. I pulled out my trusty What to Expect When You're Expecting book and discovered that what I was experiencing was labor. This was a new experience for me because I was induced when I had Jonathan (and that story will be saved for his post on August 19). I called the doctor's office and he told me to go to the hospital so that they could check me out.

This was one time that I didn't quite know what to do. My husband was at work. My mother-in-law was out of town visiting her sister in the hospital. My mother was with my sister-in-law who was also pregnant because my brother was out of town. I wasn't scheduled to deliver Joel until 3 weeks later by c-section. I told Lee what we needed to do and then I had to wait for him to get home from work and I had to find someone to keep Jonathan. I called my mother-in-law and they hopped in the car to come home to help me. Thanks mom! My pastor agreed to keep Jonathan for us until Nana got home. I think he drove Jonathan around for a couple of hours that day. Thanks Pastor Ray! Finally, we got to Labor and Delivery and I was dehydrated and having contractions. We thought that once I got hydrated, we'd be able to go home. But my cervix began changing, so I delivered Joel at about 5:15 pm on April 24, 2009.

The main difference between Joel's delivery and Jonathan's was that I had a spinal to numb me for the c-section. I was very aware of what was going on. Hearing the first cry was an awesome experience. I got to see him and kiss him, then my husband went with him to the nursery. I went to recovery. The next thing I remember was waking up in my room alone. I didn't understand why Lee was not with me. I asked the nurses and they thought he was in the nursery. I called the nursery and was able to talk to Lee and found out that Joel needed to be on oxygen. But in that drug induced state, I couldn't comprehend what he was saying. The pediatrician on call came to my room to explain that Joel's lungs needed oxygen and that he should be off in a couple of days. This was not how I imagined I would spend the next few days. Joel had to have chest x-rays everyday and was on oxygen for 5 days. The only time I got to see him was when I went to the nursery. It was hard not being able to hold him. We got to go home on Saturday. He has had no after effects of this problem.

My two boys are 20 months apart! And it was hard in the beginning, but we found our groove and it's been quite an experience. I am so thankful for my boys and I know that they are gifts from God.

Joel has had a good three years. It's been easier during the transition phases. I took him off the bottle soon after he turned one. He was potty trained soon after he turned 18 months. He tries very hard to keep up with his big brother. Jonathan did all these things later than Joel did so it felt like my baby grew up way too fast to this mother's heart. I was advised early on to enjoy each phase the my children go through. And I've really tried to do that and focus on the positive aspects of things. Yes, there have been hard times, but it's been worth it. My children are friends and miss each other when they are not together. But my favorite thing is...

Hearing Joel say "I lub you mama!" and give me kisses on both cheeks.

Here are a few pictures of my Joel-y!

Joel at 3 months with his big brother Jonathan

Joel at 3 months

Joel drinking out of a sippy cup for the first time.

This is typical Joel at 1 climbing onto everything

Joel at 2 years old with his new sandbox.

Joel at Easter 2009 after a fun egg hunt.

Joel in his favorite shirt saying cheese!