WORLD PREMIERE!

INTRODUCING

Jesse Michael Lopez

Born: April 14, 2008 2:57 am

Weight: 7lbs 9oz

Length: 20.25"

MY TWO FAVORITE MEN IN THE WHOLE UNIVERSE!

I'm already making jokes

Aren't they just so handsome?

10 hrs old, just resting and before his first feeding

Just barely born! Getting his temp taken

Quite possibly the best day of my life!

baby being weighed and finally at home

~*My Whole Universe*~

Just a picture taken of the photo on a phone camera but it came out pretty good I think. He's 26 weeks gestation here, 28 weeks pregnant. Hes inching his big toe slowly towards his mouth here and it's such a trip how much he looks like his daddy, and he's starting to look a bit like me. Its so amazing and complete he is. I am just taken aback at what a beautiful child I made. He's gorgeous.

Big bottom lip like daddy, chubby cheeks like mommy

and my handsome little man!

(all above pics at 28 weeks 5 days, at INVISION ULTRASOUND in Fresno, Ca

on January 29, 2008)

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IT'S A BOY!!!!!

Jesse Michael Lopez!

Baby at Twenty weeks

Here he is showing off his goods...

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Baby here at 10 Weeks 9-20-2007

Baby is about 3 cms across here

the thing floating above his head is his yolk sac

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April 10th, 2008

Still Pregnant, But happy!

(Got bored and painted this Wednesday afternoon- pretty cute huh?)

Its 2:30 am, I'm still up, thinking, praying, hoping soon I will get to see my little man. Just up, making daddy lunch for tomorrow- watching birth and labor videos, and asking God to please watch over my son and make sure he is brought to his daddy happy and healthy. I made a vow to be the best mommy I can be, to try and take care of him the best I can, and to show him how to love God as best as he can and how he can make God happy. Here I am, sipping my Red Raspberry Leaf tea (tastes quite good with some orange blossom honey) and there goes a nice contraction. Not painful, just sort of hardening of my uterus and my breathing gets a bit shallow, but not at all painful. I suppose I have been quite blessed!

HEY EXCITING NEWS

as of Tuesday, April 8, I am 2cm Dilated and 50% effaced!

dr says i'm an "anytime-er"

YAAAAAY

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April 3rd

Phase II of nursery underway...

basinette and rocker...

Outside of crib...

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April 7th, 2008

38 weeks, 4 days Pregnant.

Still Pregnant.

Guess it has been a few since I actually left some information on this blog. Mostly, I've been busy putting away last minute gifts and organizing little Jesse's room, cleaning house, checking and double checking my hospital bag to make sure I have everything and trying my best to do things to pass the time in a productive way WITHOUT straining myself. So far, I don't feel exhausted so I'm assuming that is a good sign.
The past few days have really dragged, as I am eagerly anticipating tomorrow's internal exam, where I will find out if I am dilated or effaced to any degree. I have a sneaking suspicion that, I will still be "firm and high", though I do think that Jesse has now officially dropped into my pelvis- due to the feeling that someone has swiftly kicked me in the groin, and I am trying to walk it off- especially first thing in the morning and while walking. I don't think I've ever been so excited to have a stranger's hand up my nether-region. I do try to continue the walking as best as I can, and make a concerted effort to control the waddling, though I'm sure my efforts are quite futile! Tomorrow, If I am dilated or effaced at all and my doctor asks If I would like to have my membranes separated, I will ask for it. I am so ready to have, hold, and take care of this child. All past fears have subsided and a calm internal fortitude has taken over. I am prepared, eager, and reborn to be what I was always meant to be.

~Jesse Jose's wife and Jesse Michael's Mother~

-con mi amor para siempre,

Mama Lopez

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38 weeks Today

April 4th, 2008

Bam! That's the belly!



Front shot!

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March 24th
Furniture in the Nursery
... not much left to do!



Getting the room together, now its time for decorating!



Yay! Daddy Finished our crib!- we've got our pooh
crib sheets, pooh mobile, getting close to done!

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March 20th 2008

36 weeks pregnant

Could I possibly be any more pregnant? Apparently so. Look at my belly here then look at my belly 3 weeks ago. Do you think I've dropped? I have less heartburn and I have to pee more often, so I'm thinking so but I will find out for sure when I go to the doctor on Tuesday. So whats going on with me? Well, we just moved back to the lovely Tower District, into a cute, older 2 bedroom house, with a washer and dryer, a backyard, front yard, and sadly, no diswasher! It's a dramatic improvement from our small, cramped upstairs apartment we were in, and I'm immensely happy. The baby's room and our bedroom are connected by a bathroom which is a load off of my mind for the future since he will be only a few steps from me after he is sleeping in his crib. I am very contented and entirely unpacked already- the nesting has been quite out of control since the move- as I can't seem to let any box remain un opened! The baby's room still needs to be finished, the crib put back together, bed linens in place and everything set to go, and I still need to gather my items for my hospital bag. Other than that, I feel very much ready to have this baby. I'm enormous, I waddle so bad I probably couldn't walk a straight line if It killed me, and I'm getting exceedingly impatient. Not too much longer to go ladies!

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March 4th 2008

33 weeks 5 days Pregnant

I feel the remainder of this pregnancy coming to a close, with the changing of the seasons. Its like its all coming back around to me again- the earth is unfolding its secrets to me slowly, as I was intended to learn of them. So beautiful, the almond and cherry trees, full of delicate blossoms. The crisp air warm coming through my window screens, filling my house with a soft breeze. Things are coming full circle, and I am becoming complete, as a woman, as a wife. Soon enough, as a mother.

I had my first of two baby showers weekend before last and it turned out quite well. I was very happy with everything even though less than half of the people I invited showed up. Fortunately, the people who I really love and care about the most did, and I am so thankful to them for being there for me when I need them. I finally am starting to feel more prepared now, I have clothes, all the furniture, pampers, wipes, blankets, bottles and all the basics covered of what I will need when he gets here. It could be a month from now or a month and a half- depending on how he feels about sticking around in there much longer.

I went to my dentist about my tooth, and according to the scans there was no problem and no cavities, though he did fill a missing filling. No pain since that day either so I'm thankful about that because I was worried. I'm also only gaining .5 to a lb of weight so far a week when I go to the doctor so that makes me feel good that that's all normal. I'm somewhat scared to have a huge 9 lb baby, but if that's God's plan than I accept it! Braxton hicks are increasing in intensity and frequency, I'm making more colostrum and I'm also experiencing a debilitating bout of lower back/sacral pain especially after a lot of housework or walking. All of which, my doctor says is normal. I almost wish it wasn't, so my husband would baby me (more than he does already :D)

So far everything is going very smoothly. Being pregnant is a process of changing who you are. From being a single, independent person- to a mommy. I love every moment of it and every day my love for my baby multiplies tenfold. Little one, I cannot wait to hold you in my arms.

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February 9th 2008

30 weeks Pregnant

I suppose Im getting to the point where Im in the 'impatient' stage of pregnancy. I feel like my body is only getting more out of control, my mind is completely gone and I cant stop eating. I came home today after eating a nice lunch at Sweet Tomatoes and man I had the worst toothache I think I've ever had in my life. It made the whole right half of my face hurt, all the way up to my head. I think its time for a root canal, cause I've had a problem with that tooth for a while but GEEZ could it have waited till after the baby? Theres mercury (Ag) and stuff in the amalgam and I really really dont want to have to deal with that now. I'm currently using orajel but I havent eaten since then and I hope this doesnt make eating not enjoyable since thats the only thing I get much pleasure out of nowadays! How completely frustrating. Well besides all the pain in my mouth baby is doing really well. Today he sat right in the middle of my uterus and I could feel either side of his back and his butt, and daddy came over to where I was sitting and palpated around and could feel him too. I think hes flipped back to anterior because for a while there I was concerned that he would be face up! Most babies rotate during labor and he will probably still flip around in there but it's nice to know he turned around on his own. Good boy. Daddy and I were just talking about how smart and talented we think he's going to be and how special he is to us already, just thinking about our life together with him and how great it is. Im so lucky to have such a good man. He's my number one guy and he's going to make a fantastic dad. I love you Big Pooh.

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UPDATE ON UPDATE 1-23-08

Went and saw the cardiologist last week, went in the first time and I got an EKG, a cholesterol screen, a heart ultrasound and then I had to come back for a 24 hr heart monitor. It pretty much sucked. I was in that Dr. Office 4 out of 5 working days that week and it was ridiculous. Well, I found out that a heart murmur I have had since birth is still sticking around- I thought it was something that goes away but apparently it didn't. The dr says that it isn't going to harm me or the baby and my heart otherwise looks very good which is great, because I partied my booty off in my teenage years and have done some not so healthy things in my life which Im glad I stopped. He doesn't want to prescribe me any medication which is really cool because I told him I don't want to take any. He says my anxiety has probably been exacerbated by me being home and not at work, which is a total drag. I go back to my regular Dr on Wednesday to see the results of my Thyroid test to make sure my levels aren't off. I sure hope everything is ok... oh the joys of pregnancy.

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UPDATE!! 1-15-08

Went to the Dr. Today, the NP says that I'm 26 weeks 6 days but I'm not 27 till Thursday. Passed the 1 Hr Glucose Screen, YAY! I have been having frequent anxiety lately and had to get a blood test to monitor my thyroid as well as a pee screen to make sure im not on drugs. Which is fine. Tomorrow morning I have to go in and see a cardiologist to have him look at my heart to make sure its ok. I think everything will be fine, Im just having exacerbated symptoms of GAD from before. (Generalized Anxiety Disorder) that I've suffered from since age 15. I really dont want to have to be there at 8:00 am though cause I sleep all damn day now. I also just found out I gained 13 lbs in a month. NOOOOOOOO! I have a bad cereal habit. I really, really really like cereal. I must eat like 3 bowls a day. And I drink about a gallon a week of milk. And Juice. I need to slow down or excersize more one or the other. Ill figure it out sooner or later. BLEH.

Wish me luck with everything~

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Hello Again Preggy Mommies

Today is January 12, 2008 and I have 97 days to go till my little Jesse gets here. Haven't but as many pics up as I would have liked to as this is a journal I am going to save for my son when he is old enough to read it. Every day that goes by I fantasize clearer and clearer about what life is going to be like with him. I can see myself looking into his little peaceful face, stroking him, nursing him, and making a life for him where he will be happy . Daddy and I are having a nice evening at sister in law's house and I had a minute to jump on here and write a bit so I took advantage. Baby was jumping and rolling and kicking about 10pm and its almost midnight, so his movements have slowed down a bit but he is still letting me know he's in there and he's okay, which is reassuring. Sometimes I won't feel him for a few hours and I get worried. Once I rest and eat something he picks right up and I feel better again so I think I need to chill out a bit about that. A bit ago, Daddy came in here and showed me so much love it was so sweet. His actual words were, " I love you so much, you make my heart tremble." I could have kissed him forever right then. I love him so much, he's such a good person, friend and he will make a wonderful father. We can't wait to meet you son. We love you very much already!

26 weeks 3 days here

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This is from Christmas day, at the hubbys Gramma's house with almost every other sibling and relative on his moms side packed into a tiny one bedroom apartment, but it was unbelievable. We all gorged ourselves on pork tamales, drank juice (non preggers drank wine), reminisced on the years together and it made me extremely grateful to be a part of this extended family. Daddy got his head shaved recently before this pic, Im still having a hard time getting used to this new haircut but, its growing on me. Jesse's little cousin Trini had a 14 day old son with her that day, his name is "Jesse" too! Except he is a Jesus and my baby will be a Jesse on his BC. I think I must have held him for 2-3 hours, just staring at his little beautiful face. I got to feed him, burp him, and change him and just hold and love him. Ive been wanting to hold a baby so bad lately and it felt great to have one in my arms...

BTW... lastnight-1-2-08, daddy and I were lying in bed and our Son was being very active. Daddy would push in one area and little Jesse would push back! He was punching daddy's hand! Its so cool getting to share these precious moments with Daddy, the more active he gets the more real it is, to the both of us. It's such an unbelievable blessing. Thank you God!

Taken 12-25-2007: @ 23wks 4 Days

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Daddy is taking me out to Japanese tonight, our favorite. The restauraunt where we first started going when we were dating back in 2004. It seems like the waitresses there know all about us! Daddy's hair has gotten shorter and shorter as my belly feels bigger and bigger! Doing lots of research on delivery and pregnancy still, and still looking for work. It seems to go well on the phone until I get to the business and they can't stop staring at my belly. Oh well, what can I say. I try my best and that is all I can do. Coming to terms with this whole "being pregnant" thing- Im starting to be more comfortable in it, sharing my body with another person. What a true act of kindness, this is. The child never asked to be created, yet from love, was brought into this earth, cradled in your womb just you and him; to be brought forth to be shared with all who love him. The exponentiality of love! It's very moving, the closer and closer he gets to being a strong, healthy little man that can survive outside of me. When he gets here, and takes his first breath I will say to my husband-

"Just look what we made! Thank you, and I love you~"

Later Preggy Mommies TTY Soon!

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Here I am; Nineteen Weeks 4 days in my bathroom- belly getting bigger and bigger by the day it seems. Little one is more active at night than at any other time during the day- Its pretty neat to see how fast they grow (hopefully not to where I get huge stretchmarks!) Trying out the Palmer's Stretch Mark cream and I've been using it at least twice a day- I have a tendency to have dry skin so hopefully if it doesn't prevent the inevitable stretchmarks from coming at least it will keep the itching at bay. So excited to have another week go by! One more week to go till we find out if we are having a girl or boy! (See names above) ***THANKS!***

19 Weeks 4 Days

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Hi Preggy Mommies

Well, here I am in week 19! One more to go before I get to go get an ultrasound. Lastnight, Daddy and I are sitting on the couch spending time with each other when out of no where *BOOM* baby kicks me on my left side as if to say "whats up." It was so strong and such a real affirmation that Im going to be a mommy that I started crying. Im so thankful for all the wonderful things in my life that I get to enjoy. I get to have a connection with my husband that trancends all others. I get the opportunity to cradle the fragile life inside me and am entrusted to guard with my life. I am shown by God that I am special, and that I am loved, and that I am important. I love this life I have been given. Thank you.

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Hello Again all;

Now at 18 weeks. Getting bigger by the day and feeling more energetic movements in the belly. Its really exciting. Funny to think how this pregnancy is almost halfway over and soon I will be enjoying a new life with a new little friend. I cant wait to hold him, kiss him and tell him I love him. I can't wait to see the pride in his father's eyes. Hopefully everything goes well with the AFP and the 20 wk ultrasound and scan. Cant see the screen....getting kissed.... talk to you later...

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Ok, You asked for it! Here is my belly pic. I couldnt find anything clean that I wouldnt be flashing you in so hopefully this dress is revealing enough. In this Pic I am 17 wks 5 days. Yes, I photoshopped the crap out of it. I was bored and I wanted to play with the colors. Well here you go, more hopefully very soon!

17 Weeks 5 Days

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Hi Everybody!

Well, Ive made it so far to seventeen weeks. I havent had access to a scanner to put up my 1st ultrasound pics but hopefully I will soon. I feel really good still and Im putting on some wieght but not too bad. My energy is way up from the first trimester and Im craving fruit and Bread. Im hoping for a little boy very much so I really hope I have him! Either way as long as the baby is healthy that's all I care about!

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**************RaNdOm StUfF*************

Here's Daddy!

Here is a crazy Picture I drew in Microsoft Paint!

My baby rocks!