Jayden's First Christmas Tree

“Todd, I don’t know if it’s big enough?”

This is what my comment was to Todd when we found “The” tree. Todd made me a promise that he would buy me a BIG tree for our first Christmas in our new home and for Jayden’s first Christmas.  With our 25 ft. ceiling, I wanted to go BIG! Lol, so aisle by aisle we went looking for the perfect one.

Finally we found it! Lol, little did I know how big it would be when we actually got it into our house!

Thanksgiving

Jayden’s first Thanksgiving! This is our first official family holiday. I had such an amazing day! We woke up this morning and just spent time with Jayden. Aunt Cathy and Mom only asked us to bring wine and rolls, which meant I didn’t need to spend the morning in the kitchen cooking! We headed over to Mom’s about 3:00 and relaxed with the family until dinner. Cathy made a delicious dinner and dessert. The only thing missing was Colin and Katie. (Colin was in Ft. Walton busily cooking his first turkey while Katie was at work!)



Jayden's Photo Shoot

Last week we had professional pictures taken of Jayden. Let’s just say it was quite an adventure!! He was naked the entire time! So I will let you come to your own conclusion as to what type of messes we had to deal with! I was so nervous when Jayden fussed, but overall he was so wonderful! Our photographer, Amy Robertson, did an incredible job! I can’t believe the shots she got. I am so thrilled that we will have such priceless pictures of our lil’ man! We’d like to introduce to you our naked little boy………

Mom Moves Out

You would think that the tears that flowed when my mom left were because she lived an airplane flight away, not a 12 minute car ride! I felt so foolish crying because my mommy was leaving, but she has been such an incredible support system. She did our laundry, made all of our meals and helped with Jayden!

Poor Todd, I think he might have thought that I was going to ask her to move into the guest bedroom! He was so understanding having his mother-in-law move in for a week. Every night he would say how wonderful my mom was and how happy he was that she was staying with us.

Thanks Mom, for everything that you did and everything that you are! We love you!

Jayden's First Week

"A mother's love for her child is like nothing else in the world. It knows no law, no pity, it dares all things and crushes down remorselessly all that stands in its path."
-- Agatha Christie

I thought that I loved Jayden when I was carrying him, but words can’t begin to describe how much my love grew when I held him in my arms for the first time. This week has given me a glimpse of the love my mother has for my brother and I. It’s unyielding and steadfast. Every time I look at my dearest Jayden I smile and think of my mother and I truly know that a mother’s love knows no law.

Here are a few pictures of Jayden’s first week of life……  

Jayden's First Bath

FEAR!! That is what I felt when it was time for Jayden’s first bath! I just kept envisioning Emily’s mom’s story of dropping Emily on her head because she was so slippery. I can’t tell you how happy I was that my mom was there to help us! However, I should have had no doubts that super Dad would come to the rescue. Todd commanded the bath like he had given a hundred newborns their first bath! I was there for moral support and my mom took pictures! Did I mention that my husband is incredible!

P.S. Jayden survived his bath without being dropped!

Jayden's First Doctors Appointment

Today was Jayden’s first doctor’s appointment! Dr. Otero wanted us to bring him in within 48 hours of us coming home because I was breastfeeding. He weighed in at 7 pounds 2 ounces, which showed progress since he had dropped down to 6 pounds 11 ounces while we were at the hospital. We also found out that he hospital mis-measured him and he was actually 20 inches long not 20 ½! Lol, but we’re sticking with the 20 ½!

Jayden's Birth

Jayden Colin Shappard made his entry into the world at 12:04 A.M on November 4, 2010. He weighed 7 pounds 8 ounces and measured 20 ½ inches in length. I can still hear his little whimper as they pulled him out of my stomach. Lol, yes I ended up having a C-Section after 22 hours of labor. I guess I need to start at the beginning and tell you what lead up to the C-Section decision…..

·         4:00 A.M. Induction on November 3, 2010 due to little man not wanting to come out.

·         Watching a late morning 408 Expressway car chase live with the entire Winnie Palmer 2^nd Floor staff while I’m having contractions!

·         Not being able to break my water…..unheard of!

·         Succumbing to an epidural after 12 hours of labor.

·         Problems getting the epidural in……quite a story.

·         Finally reaching the half way point at 4:30 P.M. (5 centimeters dilated)

·         Only gaining one more centimeter by 10:30 P.M. (6 centimeters dilated)

·         Deciding with our OBGYN at 10:45 P.M. to do a C-Section.

·         Back-up on the surgery floor…..an additional hour delay.

·         Rolled into the surgery room shaking and nauseous from the additional epidural medication.

Hearing my son whimper for the first time prior to projectile vomiting on the anesthesiologist next to me: priceless!

We’re finally home now with the most beautiful little boy. He is the most amazing gift that God could ever have given us. Thank you to all of our friends and family that came to visit us and loved me even with puke in my hair!