Big Boys!

So you would think that I would be more relaxed the second time around, knowing more and being a bit more experienced....no, not at all. Is it because Derek is so small, or is it that he is the baby and I am babying him, or is it the media freaking people out about swine flu? Whatever it may be, Derek had some congestion the other night and at 8 am the next morning, I was calling the pediatrician's office. Had an appointment for 10.

I love our pediatrician, she is a sweetheart. We are hardly there (which is good), but when we are there she takes very good care of us. We were just there a week ago, she was very happy with Derek's progress and growth that she didn't want us back for another month. Well, we made an appearance a week later.

He checked out perfectly fine!! The funny part of this story is that when the nurse put Derek on the scale she started laughing, last week he weighed 8 pounds 14 ounces, at this appointment....9 pounds 14 ounces. A whole pound in 1 week! Oh my God, he is almost 10 pounds!!!!!

When I took the above picture, I thought, he looks small compared to JoJo, but not THAT small! I have such big boys! Thank God for c-sections!

Overdue Thank You

There is one person I could not have done anything without, and mean anything...that is my husband Joe.

Obviously couldn't have gotten pregnant without him. Although that task was not easy from the start but he always stayed strong and encouraging.

Pregnancy was made so easy with him. He took over a lot with our two year old (physical things that I was limited to), he did the laundry, he did the dishes every night, he cleaned, stepped it up with the pets, did all the food shopping, and just ran around in general to do whatever I needed him to do. Not to mention the nightly massages!!

All listed above...yeah, he still does it! Amazing! (I do things too...lol...)

He has grasped fatherhood like it is second nature. The first time around, he made it seem like we had three sets of multiples, he just knew what to do right away. I never had to give advice or share my opinion on how he was doing something...he just did it right, from the start.

Now having Derek here, we have a totally organized juggling act going on. We made a schedule and routine without even trying to. It seems everything we do just works. We make it work. We just know each other, we know how to function without sharing the words to make the motions go smooth.

For all of this, I want to thank you, Joe! Thank you for my boys, thank you for your support, your patience, and most of of all your love.

I couldn't imagine this journey with anyone else but you.

Slacker?

Ok, so I haven't been faithful to blogging every night like I did before I had Derek, but I don't know if I would say I have been slacking.

Derek is so good and sleeps so much that I could find the time to blog. I just rather lay down with him and have us nap together, or take some time out of our day for tummy time, songs, feedings and photo shoots!

I just adore him. I am so in love with the new man in my life! He is not replacing the others, he just made me realize that my heart had more room to grow, to allow me to love another person (again) that words cannot describe.

So as for the slacking, not at all. This being home thing has made me be more of a planner then I already am. For example - Derek's Christening scheduled, restaurant booked. Christmas shopping under way via online shopping. Wait for this one - - - - JoJo's 3rd birthday booked....it's not until April.

Need I say more? Next task, work on planning summer vacations! I can get used to this!

Derek's First Few Days & Homecoming

Well Visit

Both boys had a well visit today. First time we were taking them both out at the same time. My diaper bag was bulging, now that it had to be supplied with double (my 12 day old requires more than my 2 year old).

Both the boys are doing great! Derek weighed in at 8 pounds 14 ounces, and measured 21 inches. When we left the hospital he weighed 8 pounds 6 ounces and was 20 1/4 inches. He did some growing over the past week! That explains why he has been so sleepy!

We are doing great! Derek wakes up once during the night. He is drinking 3 ounces at every feeding. During the day he eats every 3 hours, but a night he goes longer. Do you think he knows it is bed time and we need to sleep longer then? Probably not, but we'll go with that for now. It's working out nicely for us!!

The Little Brother

Proudly displaying his new title!

Update...

I was warned that 2 children will put me into a total whirlwind. I have to say, it's a piece of cake, so far! Derek sleeps probably 22 of the 24 hours in a day. He eats at least 2 1/2 ounces every three to four hours, then it is off the sleep until the next feeding.

He sleeps so much that when his eyes are open I run for the camera so I can capture a few moments before he falls asleep, again!

I know, some of you are probably thinking...oh honey, just wait. But until those moments come, I am going to savor the the sweet innocent sleep time that me and Derek both deserve. We both had a rough past week and a half!

He is an absolute pleasure, a true blessing from God. We are so lucky, we thank God for him all the time!

Big brother update.....
He just adores him, plain and simple. He loves his brother. There has been no jealous moments, no outburst, no tantrums. True brotherly love!

The Grasso Gang

Home Sweet Home! Although there is no place like home, I have to say, my stay at Riverview was excellent. From the team that was in the OR with me, to every nurse that helped me and Derek, down to the food services....excellent! And I thank you all for all you did to make a magical moment even more special.

The c-section was great. The spinal was even better. There was no reason for me to be nervous. As I laid on the OR table I sang along with my CD and talked to the doctors and nurses. Great experience.

So now we are home. Everyone warned that having two would make me want to pull my hair out. Second day home and second day that both boys are napping at the same time. I know, probably won't last, but at least they are giving me an easy start.

JoJo is so in love with his brother. It's wonderful. He is adjusting so well. I will post videos later this week of there interactions with each other. It's so sweet.

JoJo and Derek look noting alike. Derek has so much hair and it is so dark. I guess my heartburn at the end proved the myth to be true.

Thank you all for your well wishes. This was such an amazing experience, being able to share such a miracle with the listeners of The Point!

Here We Go

This will be the last night that I sit in front of the computer and blog while pregnant with Derek.

Thank you to everyone who has sent their well wishes for tomorrow morning. Love, support and prayers are the best thing that anyone can give me right now!

We are so excited to meet our new little man!

I thought that I was going to be get emotional tonight when I put JoJo to bed, being that this is the last time we will be doing that with him as our only child. I was totally fine. The only thing I could think of was that I would feel worse if I never gave him a sibling at all.

So, here we go....

Thank you all for following along on this wonderful miracle with us! Lots of pictures and photos to follow soon!

Hurry Up Saturday

As I said yesterday, I'm done!

I slept a total of an hour and a half last night.

I was at the hospital today at 7 for blood work and pre-admission. I am not a good patient when it comes to blood work., Well, I should say, I used to be a bad patient. In my first pregnancy I had a tech who proved to be the best "blood taker" ever. I know they have a proper name, I just can't think of it. There are actually two girls that I trust with my veins. Both work at the hospital. I first met Iliana and then I met Lily. They are great. Today Iliana actually took the blood, but Lily hung out in the room and chatted while my blood was being drawn.

I came home to nap, which was successful! Then it was off to a pedicure.

Tomorrow I plan on doing not one thing. We are planning on going out to dinner. I think that is all I can handle at this point!