Coming St. Patty's Day 2012...

Baby Stone #2!

Yes, it's true! I'm pregnant with our second baby! I am due March 18, 2012! Jake and baby #2 will be 17 months apart! Grant and I are so excited! We have been praying so much, and feel so lucky that God is going to let us be parents again for the second time!

I've have know for the longest time! I found out when we were visiting my parents over the Fourth of July! Grant had just flown home (a few days earlier for work), and I stayed a little longer with my parents. I wasn't feeling great, so I went to the store and got a test. I took the test... positive! And then I thought... could it be? SO SOON? I decided to take 2 more! All positive. I immediately screamed my mom's name and she came up stairs for the news... and then told my dad, and grandma. Then my mom and I plotted how we would tell Grant! I took a picture of the test, and emailed it to him... I waited patiently for him to get it and call me! He was SOSOSO excited! I went to the doctor when I got home and found out that I was only a little over 4 weeks. Like I said, I have been patiently waiting to scream this news!

Grant and I went yesterday to an early detection ultrasound and already know the sex of the baby as well! We are having a little reveal at my birthday dinner this Friday night. So, check back Saturday for the update! Today was my regular OB appointment. Everything went great, and baby #2 is well on their way! I'm such a happy mommy!

The last few years have been so wonderful. I just feel so lucky and blessed for this opportunity to be a mommy again. I'm so happy, and cannot wait for our second baby to be here! I'm 13 weeks and 3 days. So, I have quite awhile to go... but, it's already going by so fast! Perhaps it's because Jake keeps me so busy? :)

My 30th birthday was exciting because Jake was born just a few days before it, and now my 31st birthday I have the news of baby 2! Thank you to all my friends and family that have called, texted, and facebooked me. I feel so special, and have had an awesome day!

Cheers to another year!

Jake's 1st Birthday Party - Mickey Mouse theme.

Yesterday was Jake's first birthday party! His actual birthday is September 1st. It's so hard to believe that Jake is already 1. Time just flew by. My little man continues to bring so much joy into my life. Watching him grow into a little boy is just amazing. God has certainly gave me the best gift ever. :)

Jake's party was a lot of fun! We had about 50 people here to celebrate. Lots of little ones crawling and walking everywhere! We had lots of friends, and lots of friends with little ones here. It was so neat seeing these little ones crawl, walk, and play together. One of my closets friends, Kristy was here before and after the party helping me blow up balloons, and just help with anything I needed! Thanks girl for all of your help! My mom and grandma flew into town! They wanted to be here for Jake's birthday party! It was so nice having them here. It was a major help. Jake LOVES his grandmas! They are flying home today and I'm pretty certain that means lots of tears for me later. I hate seeing them leave.

I have been working on Jake's party for over 6 months. I'm seriously not kidding. I picked the date over 6 months ago... maybe even a few months after Jake was born. I wanted to pick the perfect theme. I was at first going to do a color scheme... but, then I noticed something. Jake is in LOVE with Mickey Mouse. At the end of the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse they have the "hot dog dance"... Jake goes bonkers when that goes on. He starts dancing, clapping, smiling, and sometimes laughs. When he is getting fussy I even sing the song and he smiles. That was when I realized that Mickey Mouse should be his theme. Since he is only one, I wanted him to just have a blast, and be around those and things that make him happy.

I decided to make all of Jake's decorations. I just think so much of it is cheesy, and I can't do cheesy!

Thank you for all that came, and celebrated with us. Grant and I are so thankful for all the love and support we have around us. Yesterday was really such a fun day and night. I can't wait to celebrate more birthdays in the future!

Jake's invitation (information has been changed). Heather L Myers is a good friend of mine and a very talented graphic designer. She makes all of our invitations!

Dessert table. Cupcakes, chocolate dipped Oreos, m & m's, lollipops, red hots, and lemon heads! (Click on pictures to make them bigger)

I highly recommend Custom Cakes by Angie. Angie is so talented. I told her our theme, she sent me ideas and we went with the following. She even make his smash cake!

 My mom and I made these:

I made a banner for every month of Jake's life. I also filled the mantle with photos of Jake.

 I decided to make a photo booth. So that people could take pictures in front of the cloth. I made all the banners. 

 My mom and grandma before the party started.

 I contacted Terra (Tickled Sew Pink) about making a shirt for Jake. I again didn't want anything too cheesy, so we thought of something that was Mickey... but, ADORABLE! Ladies, and gentlemen... that shirt is a 3T!

 Thanks Josh and Lexi for my Mickey Mouse hat from DISNEYLAND!

 A few of the kiddos watching Mickey.

 More kiddos and friends.

 I was singing with the kids! ha!

 Grandma bringing Jake his cake.

CAKE SMASH!

 Proud mommy and daddy. :)

 Shirt came off. He was so red!

Hope you all had fun! Jake sure did!
Cheers,

Surprise 30th birthday party!

Lately I've been feeling pretty fortunate. Fortunate for family, friends, and my happiness. I thank God everyday for my life and all that has been happening to Grant and I. One of the last things on my mind has been my 30th birthday. Some people make such a big deal about their birthdays... I generally do not. I always thought that 30 is a big one and should be celebrated even bigger... then... I got pregnant. I came to realize that my actual due date was September 9th. That is 4 days from my birthday. My birthday is September 13th. So immediately I knew this year would be about the baby.

Grant came to me earlier this week and said, "I know you don't want to take the baby out of the house yet, so I asked Katy to baby sit for an hour while we go to dinner with your family." At first I thought this wasn't going to work... how can I leave my week old baby? But, Grant and my mom convinced me that Jake would be OK and we would only be gone an hour. So, I pumped... I can't even tell you how weird that was. The things us women have to go through! :) We were gone about an hour and headed home. We got home and of course I march up to the back door and go in. That is where I was TOTALLY surprised! All of my closest friends were in my house yelling, "surprise!" It was awesome! I'm still in shock that Grant pulled it off without me figuring it out.

I was able to say hello to everyone and chat a little. But, the whole time I was downstairs all I could think about was Jake upstairs. So, I excused myself and went upstairs to see the little guy. I spent most of my party with the baby. I felt bad, but my first priority is Jake... not me. My mom came up and stayed with the baby while I went downstairs to talk more. Everyone understood that he's only a week old and that I'm so distracted lately. Grant wanted to make sure I felt loved... and I did! What a great guy! He planned everything and had decorations bought and ready for Katy to arrange while we were at dinner. It was great to see all my friends and family!

Thank you to all that came and made my night special! Thank you honey for a wonderful and memorable night! Thank you Katy and Kristyn for babysitting, and of course thank you mom for jumping in and watching Jake. I love you all!

Introducing... Jake Bowman Stone

Nothing in life ever goes as planned, right? Well, I believe this to be true. I also believe that Jake has his own little personality and has a mind of his own already and will do just what he wants... With that said... I would like to introduce Jake Bowman Stone!

(I woke up that morning and realized that I hadn't taken a picture of my baby bump in weeks! So... Here is my last photo of my pregnant belly on 9-1-2010 : 38 weeks and 6 days)

09-01-2010

Wednesday was going to be a busy day. Grant took the day off since we had lots to get done. We ran errands in the morning, and then we went to Long Beach Memorial for our pre-op appointment. We were at the hospital for quite awhile... about 3 hours getting blood work done, urine tests, and then signing papers. I made several jokes that I should just have the baby then and there since I was at the hospital. But, I also had to get my hair done (who doesn't get there hair done before surgery?). I had a hair appointment at 2pm. Katy met me at the salon so that we could catch up! Katy, hair, feet up (they were the most swollen I had ever seen), and a coffee bean in hand! I remember telling her... that if I was having this baby naturally he would be coming early. I just had the feeling! I guess when you know you know! I left the salon all ready for Grant's and my last dinner as a family of 2.

5:15pm: I got home from my hair appointment and went to the bathroom.... I was trying to get ready for dinner and also getting the last minute laundry together, and finalizing packing our bags. My uncle Phil and my cousins were on their way over to give us a gift they had bought for Jake. I went upstairs to change and had to use the restroom again. After I got done with the restroom I noticed water dripping down my leg (sorry for that TMI). I went into my bedroom and changed. After I changed I grabbed some laundry and headed down the stairs. I threw some laundry in the machine and sat down at the dinning room. All of a sudden I felt a gush. I looked up and heard Grant talking to a co-worker, and I yelled out... "you might need to get off the phone for this one." Grant came over and I stood up... I took off my pants, showed him the wet spot and said, "my water broke"! Grant and I just looked at each other and stared! We couldn't believe it was happening! I went upstairs and heard the doorbell ring. It was my uncle and cousins.

5:22pm: Grant called our doctor and said my water had broken. She told Grant she would head on in to the hospital to meet us! Grant proceeded to call his family and friends while I changed again. I called Katy and told her the news! I of course called all of my immediate family members and went downstairs. My uncle and the boys jumped back in their car and went to the hospital. Grant gathered all of our suitcases, boppy's, snacks for the nurses, etc and we jumped into our car.

5:30pm: On way to hospital. We were shocked, and excited! I just couldn't believe I was about to be a mom. I started crying. I was so overwhelmed with emotions. I couldn't be happier and excited, but scared about the cesarean and the recovery. On the way to the hospital Dr. Woodson sent me a text message on our way to the hospital. I wanted to share that text:
"When you arrive the nurses will put you on the monitor, do a vaginal exam to confirm that your water broke, and then will get you ready for surgery. There is currently a c-section going on now. We will follow... can't wait to see baby Jake. He marches to his own beat this one... obviously calling the shots from the beginning. See you soon."

Grant and my cousins

Grant and our doctor

Pretty sure I was the complainer about not having the birth experience... The "honey my water broke"... Guess what folks... I HAD IT! I got to the hospital and was immediately taken to triage. While getting examined I had a few visitors. My brother Marty, his wife Ashley, my uncle Phil, my aunt Audrey, 2 cousins (Bryan and Mitchell), Katy, Donnie, and Matt. They checked me...water definitely broken, contractions in tow, IV in place.... IT WAS GO TIME.

They wheeled me out of the room where I said my quick goodbye's. I got into the surgery room and they administered the spinal (that was fun... NOT). They laid me down and I just waited. I got numb and then Grant appeared. I was so scared! He walked in and sat down next to me. He said I was all business. I looked at him. We prayed and I said talk to me to distract me. He was distracted so I had to lead him in questions at first. The next thing you know I felt lots of tugs and baby Jake was born. 

7:57pm:

JAKE BOWMAN STONE

7 LBS 1 OZ 19.5 INCHES

Grant cutting the cord:

Jake's feet:

Father and son:

Right after I got out of recovery. Not my finest picture... but, it's a picture of my son and I.

Jake on his actual c-section due date (9-2). His 1st day and a few visitors:

In his car seat... all ready to head home! 

Overall, the cesarean wasn't as terrible as I imagined. My doctor really does rock! I'm grateful that she was there this entire journey of becoming a parent and for being there for my surgery! The whole process actually went by fast. From the moment my water broke at 5:15pm, till having the surgery (Jake was born at 7:57pm) it actually seemed to have flown by. I was in recovery for quite awhile, but Grant was able to join me after he went with Jake to the nursery for tests, weigh ins, and a bath. Grant was able to have skin on skin time with Jake (about 45 minutes) as well. That was a very big deal for me... as well as, I don't want Jake to have a bottle. He will be a breast fed baby only. The nurses thought Grant was adorable of course. Grant came in and saw me in recovery and showed me pictures of our son. I was so so so happy! Our son is perfect! I couldn't be happier. I feel like the Lord has blessed us with so many things. I am forever grateful for our gift of life. :)

Hope you enjoyed our story. We're back at home and trying to get into the swing of things. My parents flew into town this Saturday and have been so helpful! I'm pretty darn lucky to have a house full of loved ones... including OUR NEW SON! :) 

Love and cheers,

Brooke