Saturday, September 27, 2008

Happy 5th Birthday Jacob Thomas!

I think back to exactly 5 years ago this moment today and I was crushed...worried...scared...guilt laden...just plain messed up!

Jacob Thomas Valiant entered this world 5 years ago today just moments after midnight-completely unexpectedly. My due date-November 4th more than 5 weeks away but my water broke-get this, while I was at work in a delivery-I was doing a baby's foot prints and I still remember my patient-a sweet nursing student. It had been an awful day (and night). I started off the day heading in to the doctor as I felt like I was contracting. He said I wasn't dilated and that he wouldn't stop me anyway if I were (or is it was???). So I headed off to work-a Friday (the 26th of September 2003). I told everyone I wasn't feeling so well, but stormy weather was looming so everyone and their sister was coming in for labor checks, etc.

Long story, long- just after 10pm my water broke (wow, was that painful) and about a half hour later labor started (full-force from 0 to 60 I kid you not) and then just under 2 hours from the time my water broke, I delivered our precious Jacob Thomas weighing in at a hefty 5 pounds 13 ounces-a porker for a preemie. I knew he wasn't ok at birth. I asked them to take him to the NICU. Just after 2am the Neonatalogist Dr. Chua came into my room (a VERY bad sign!) and I told her I knew if she was at my bedside things were not good. Jacob had HMD (which is premature lungs) and had to be intubated and given lung developing steroids, oxygen, etc. He eventually graduated to CPAP, nasal cannula's, etc. after 12 very long days, we got to bring him home.

He's been a little pistol ever since!

And I returned to work just 5 weeks later BEFORE my due date!!!

We celebrated his birthday last night with a small joint party for him and his cousin Jonah who nearly share a birthday (2 years apart though). Today we got up and went to the farmer's market and waited for daddy to get home to do presents. Jake and TJ were also invited to their neighbor friends birthday parties (sister and brother who are 5 and 10 now). So that was fun for them today.

Photo journey:




























We just opened the presents and Jake is pretty happy (I hope). He has some money to spend so that's ALWAYS fun. I haven't gotten to do Jake's 5 year check up due to my stinky current work hours but if I can't take him this week, Tim will take him and Owen for check-ups. I'm guessing Jake will fall in his usual 25 percentile for everything. One concern we have is the massive size of his tonsils and how it affects his sleep, breathing and thus daytime behavior (he's often still tired after a full nights sleep).











Anyway, all this reminiscing about Jake's birth story leads me to another prayer request:



Yep, that's Baby Valiant #4 (any bets on the sex???)!!! I am about 7 weeks along with a likely due date of May 15th but we'll be happy to see April! I like to think of myself as a fifth of the way done since I don't do pregnancy so well-optimism here;-) I can't officially see the doctor until next week but was able to sneak a peek yesterday and see/hear a heartbeat (and see ONE baby!). So, that's it-can you believe it?

PS After sharing this news with my family I wanted to get the news out as quickly as possible (and request prayer of course) but I would've loved to have shared this with each of you in person! I hope you all will join us in rejoicing-we are very excited and feel very blessed to be expecting again. We pray this pregnancy goes better than the last (and even Jacob's abrupt arrival:-) but we are realistic and know things could be rough. I'm feeling very emotional already- (not to mention a bit of nausea, vivid dreams, poor sleep, and I'm VERY tired;-( I've cried a lot lately. I am definitely aware that not many agree with our desires "to over populate the world" and am struggling with knowing that not very many people think having a 4th child is a "good idea"-but we don't look at it as an "idea" but God's will for our lives. Anyway, I'm rambling...peace.

18 comments:

Andrea said...

I can't imagine our family without our 4th. She was meant to be with us. Best of luck with your pregnancy! This is just so exciting!!

Destini said...

Congratuations on the pregnancy - and wishing for a girl for you! Happy birthday Jacob - Taylor is turning 5 on Oct 1! Great pictures of Jacob, he looks so grown up.

amy f. said...

Happy Birthday, Jacob! He looks really old/mature in these pictures from his party. That cake (the one you obviously made) looks SO good. I can taste your frosting now, yum.

Wow, congratulations! Your announcement could have easily been a post in itself. Exciting stuff. I'd love to hear the story of how you found out :-)

The Baker Family said...

CONGRATS!! How exciting. I am sure your work schedule right now isn't helping with the yucky feelings. Praying for a safe pregnancy and that you will have the energy to do it all. I just have one and lately I don't have the energy to do it all! :}

Kristy V said...

Congrats Renay! I am guessing a boy!

Jennifer said...

Congratulations! Another Valiant can only be a wonderful thing! I am so happy for you and will send up special prayers for you throughout this pregnancy. I'll start praying that you make it until May 15th!

Jennifer said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Renay said...

Thank you, than you, thank you to all of you who have posted a comment already! I am overwhelmed (and all sappy) by the encouragement sent our way by you so far...

Amy, I will make a post about finding out-great idea.

Jennifer, oh please sweetie, revise your prayer for let's say end of April...what would I do having to go to 40 weeks...it would be like being 5-8 weeks overdue in my world;-) I'm shooting (and praying) for 37 HEALTHY weeks!

Love to all!

The Johnson Family 5 said...

OMG!! Congrats!! That is VERY exciting news and I will keep you and baby #4 in my prayers. Keep us posted with your pregnancy!!

Lora said...

Congratulations, Renay! That is such exciting news. Add me to the list of those praying for l-o-n-g and healthy pregnancy!!

ang said...

Happy Birthday Jacob!! I didn't realize Noah and Jacob were this close in age.

Congrats on the pregnancy!!! How exciting! I am praying for a healthy and happy pregnancy with no bedrest -- and a girl would be nice. :)

Hugs,
Angela

Unknown said...

Congratulations, Renay! A baby is a blessing, whether it's the 1st, 4th, or 10th! I'll keep you in my prayers for a healthy pregnancy and smooth delivery.

Angie Johnson (no longer just a lurker)

April said...

Happy Birthday Jake! Looks like he had a great one!

Oh my goodness...I was not expecting that! When I first saw the ultrasound picture (before I started reading) I just thought maybe it was Jacobs. CONGRATS!!! I will definitely be praying for you! I, like Amy, would love to hear the story as well about finding out.

HUGS~~

Oh, and I'm guessing a boy! :)

The Brown family said...

Hey Renay. I just popped in to see what was going on in and WOW..how exciting! I thought you looked radiant this morning. It must be that pregnant glow. I know your looking forward to all those "I bet you were trying for a girl" comments..ugh. I will pray for a baby that is healthy and a momma who continues to grow him or her with little complications.
Congrats again!
Jaime

Kim said...

OMG! I am jumping up and down (well on the inside I am because I am at work) First of all love the new pictures. The boys as usual are adorable! I really love owen's hair.
As for you! All the love, luck, health and happiness as you prepare for baby #4!
Hugs!

a said...

Wow! Congrats, Renay! I am so happy for you. I will be praying for you and Baby Valiant #4. (I had to re-read the post a few times to make sure I understood what you were saying.) The world needs some more Valiants in it! :) Yay, God!

Unknown said...

Congratulations! Oh, that is so great! I'll be praying for a long, uneventful pregnancy!

Amy said...

Congratulations, Renay. I wish you an uneventful, healthy pregnancy!

Amy L.