Hope your Christmas was just as bright! - Mrs. Akers
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Jingle Bells...
"Batman smells, Robin laid an egg! The batmobile lost its wheel & the Joker got away... Hey!"
This is the song we heard, like a broken record, pouring from our 6 year old boy's cute mouth all month. 4 days after Christmas, he's still singing it! I smile as I remember the joy the same lyrics and tune brought to me as a kiddo. Go ahead and judge me for singing along with him!
Hope your Christmas was just as bright! - Mrs. Akers
Hope your Christmas was just as bright! - Mrs. Akers
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
1 week
Time has been flipped into hyper speed. I took 1 week old pictures on Thursday, and am barely finding the energy and brain capacity to blog them now!
To the delight of his parents, and the jealousy of fellow parents... Reece is our little dream baby!
He is this content constantly. The first couple of days his cry resembled the scream of a guinea pig, then changed to the whistle of a ready teapot, and now is nearly absent as he grunts and squeaks in his attempt to alert us of us his needs instead of crying! As soon as you fix his dirty diaper or empty tummy he's back to sleeping.
He eats every 3-4 hours, nursing like a champ, and giving Mommy great 4 hour stretches to sleep at night! Even at night, he wakes me up with his little squeaks, or the sound of him rooting for his fist to soothe himself. This is great for Daddy as he can easily sleep through me getting up to change and nurse him.
Big brother is still in love...
While he was cautiously nervous the first few days around the baby, he's now very comfortable in giving out kisses and thrilled when Reece grabs onto his hand!
My heart is filled with sheer love and happiness at the sight of these boys hanging out together...
I'm in love with all 3 of them!
- Mrs. Akers
To the delight of his parents, and the jealousy of fellow parents... Reece is our little dream baby!
He is this content constantly. The first couple of days his cry resembled the scream of a guinea pig, then changed to the whistle of a ready teapot, and now is nearly absent as he grunts and squeaks in his attempt to alert us of us his needs instead of crying! As soon as you fix his dirty diaper or empty tummy he's back to sleeping.
He eats every 3-4 hours, nursing like a champ, and giving Mommy great 4 hour stretches to sleep at night! Even at night, he wakes me up with his little squeaks, or the sound of him rooting for his fist to soothe himself. This is great for Daddy as he can easily sleep through me getting up to change and nurse him.
Big brother is still in love...
While he was cautiously nervous the first few days around the baby, he's now very comfortable in giving out kisses and thrilled when Reece grabs onto his hand!
My heart is filled with sheer love and happiness at the sight of these boys hanging out together...
I'm in love with all 3 of them!
- Mrs. Akers
Monday, December 19, 2011
Reece Jackson Akers
C-section was scheduled for 3pm on Thursday, December 8th. We checked in a couple hours before so they could monitor the baby and me, as well as prep me with fluids and antibiotics. As Mr. Akers got dressed in his Operating Room scrubs, I listened to my son's heartbeat on the monitor, and cherished those last few moments that he would live inside me.
They wheeled me in at 3pm, sharp, and as the sweet nurses prepped me for surgery with the anesthesiologist, Dr. Mott peered through the window! I grew up with his children, so to find out he was to be the attending physician with Dr. Carrillo for my c-section, was an immense blessing that calmed me to the core.
Daddy came in, the cut was made, and after several minutes Doc's hands in my stomach and she comments, "This head is huge!"
After a few moments, she announces to the team, "Every one stop, hands off, and let's regroup! Can I get a vacuum please?" A vacuum in a c-section? Ray and I both looked at each other with big eyes as we held hands... We made one, big boy!
At 3:40pm, on 12-08-11, our little, big boy was born with a full head of dirty blonde hair, platinum blonde eyelashes and eyebrows, looking like a mini RayRay. He measured in at 20.5" and 8lbs11oz.
Daddy cut the cord...
And brought him over to see Mommy for the 1st time.
I sent Mr. Akers with the baby to recovery while they put me back together again. When they wheeled me back to recovery 20 minutes later, this site took my breath away...
The nurses instructed Mr. Akers to put our fussy baby's head against his chest so he could hear his heartbeat, and to talk to him. He did, and they both settled right down in this position in the rocking chair.
Big brother had to wait for a few agonizing hours to meet him as he wasn't allowed in the recovery rooms. He passed the time being goofy with his Uncle:
Finally... The boy who kissed and rubbed my pregnant belly more than anyone...
Who asked daily how many more days until his brother would come...
Finally got to hold him:
We stayed in the hospital for 45 hours staring in awe at our little boy.
6 hours later after his birth, we decided he was to be named:
Reece Jackson Akers
We arrived at the hospital with 1 amazing son, but left with our hearts a little bigger as the parents of 2 amazing boys.
We are so blessed.
- Mrs. Akers
They wheeled me in at 3pm, sharp, and as the sweet nurses prepped me for surgery with the anesthesiologist, Dr. Mott peered through the window! I grew up with his children, so to find out he was to be the attending physician with Dr. Carrillo for my c-section, was an immense blessing that calmed me to the core.
Daddy came in, the cut was made, and after several minutes Doc's hands in my stomach and she comments, "This head is huge!"
After a few moments, she announces to the team, "Every one stop, hands off, and let's regroup! Can I get a vacuum please?" A vacuum in a c-section? Ray and I both looked at each other with big eyes as we held hands... We made one, big boy!
At 3:40pm, on 12-08-11, our little, big boy was born with a full head of dirty blonde hair, platinum blonde eyelashes and eyebrows, looking like a mini RayRay. He measured in at 20.5" and 8lbs11oz.
Daddy cut the cord...
And brought him over to see Mommy for the 1st time.
I sent Mr. Akers with the baby to recovery while they put me back together again. When they wheeled me back to recovery 20 minutes later, this site took my breath away...
The nurses instructed Mr. Akers to put our fussy baby's head against his chest so he could hear his heartbeat, and to talk to him. He did, and they both settled right down in this position in the rocking chair.
Big brother had to wait for a few agonizing hours to meet him as he wasn't allowed in the recovery rooms. He passed the time being goofy with his Uncle:
Finally... The boy who kissed and rubbed my pregnant belly more than anyone...
Who asked daily how many more days until his brother would come...
Finally got to hold him:
We stayed in the hospital for 45 hours staring in awe at our little boy.
6 hours later after his birth, we decided he was to be named:
Reece Jackson Akers
We arrived at the hospital with 1 amazing son, but left with our hearts a little bigger as the parents of 2 amazing boys.
We are so blessed.
- Mrs. Akers
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Waiting
It's easy to get lost when you're nourishing a miracle...
Somewhere between a taunting double chin, aching hips, and swollen feet, lost is what I've become.
I can't tell you exactly when my focus in this pregnancy shifted from my growing belly and our sweet little man I'm preparing to survive on the outside, to all the discomforts the rest of my body is going through for his benefit, but it did. Ever since, I've been in a crazy rush to get him out so I can feel the bones in my feet again below all the fluid retention that's cutting off my circulation.
Now, at 9 months pregnant, and only a few days away from meeting our Lil' Akers, a nasty cold has stopped my swollen feet from running around, and my brain from pushing myself harder than I should. It has reduced me to a puddle of snot, solitude, and meditation.
Suddenly, I'm looking down again and focusing on this baby belly instead of everything else.
I'm all yours, lil dude.
- Mrs. Akers
Somewhere between a taunting double chin, aching hips, and swollen feet, lost is what I've become.
I can't tell you exactly when my focus in this pregnancy shifted from my growing belly and our sweet little man I'm preparing to survive on the outside, to all the discomforts the rest of my body is going through for his benefit, but it did. Ever since, I've been in a crazy rush to get him out so I can feel the bones in my feet again below all the fluid retention that's cutting off my circulation.
Now, at 9 months pregnant, and only a few days away from meeting our Lil' Akers, a nasty cold has stopped my swollen feet from running around, and my brain from pushing myself harder than I should. It has reduced me to a puddle of snot, solitude, and meditation.
Suddenly, I'm looking down again and focusing on this baby belly instead of everything else.
I'm all yours, lil dude.
- Mrs. Akers
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Darth Vader
What name jumps to your mind when you think of a huge, scary, black dude? That's what Mr. Akers asked me when he suggested the name Darth Vader for our 100 lbs, purebred, English Labrador we adopted a few years ago.
Fortunately for us, Vader's personality is nothing like his namesake from Star Wars. In fact, he is the nearly perfect dog, who makes all who meet him, go purchase a dog of their own in hopes of discovering a companion half as amazing as our Darth Vader.
As much as Mr. Akers & I love him, there's just something immensely special about a little boy and his dog.
They are lounging buddies:
Inseparable:
& Goofy:
Hopefully JD will share his dog with his new baby brother when he comes. In the meantime, Vader is wasting no time loving the new addition already. He lays his head on my belly every chance he gets:
- Mrs. Akers
Fortunately for us, Vader's personality is nothing like his namesake from Star Wars. In fact, he is the nearly perfect dog, who makes all who meet him, go purchase a dog of their own in hopes of discovering a companion half as amazing as our Darth Vader.
As much as Mr. Akers & I love him, there's just something immensely special about a little boy and his dog.
They are lounging buddies:
Inseparable:
& Goofy:
Hopefully JD will share his dog with his new baby brother when he comes. In the meantime, Vader is wasting no time loving the new addition already. He lays his head on my belly every chance he gets:
- Mrs. Akers
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
His Mom is a Nurse...
Tiny white pants, filled with pads are covering his perfect tiny booty. A football jersey, 1 size too big, goes down to his knees. As he stands side by side with 17 other boys on his team, you can spot Lil' Monster, even in this lineup of backsides.
The football field somehow becomes a magnifying glass for these little personalities. Often, the personality shines through so fiercely, you can literally pick out their parents from the sideline to match them.
Lil' Monster's personality reveals who his Mom is:
He is tough. Despite numerous tackles he falls victim to, he is quick to jump back up & endure to the end. During repetitive, exhausting drills of this, he still runs back to the starting line just as ready as the first time.
Despite his tough exterior, he is the most sensitive kid on the team. The other boys tackle and walk away after a play. Lil' Monster tackles, then runs over to the boys still on the ground after each play is over, and helps them back up to their feet. He does this every time, without coaching from anyone to do so. It is his little heart's desire to help others.
His Mom is a Nurse...
She's the one on the sidelines with tears of pride in her eyes.
- Mrs. Akers
The football field somehow becomes a magnifying glass for these little personalities. Often, the personality shines through so fiercely, you can literally pick out their parents from the sideline to match them.
Lil' Monster's personality reveals who his Mom is:
He is tough. Despite numerous tackles he falls victim to, he is quick to jump back up & endure to the end. During repetitive, exhausting drills of this, he still runs back to the starting line just as ready as the first time.
Despite his tough exterior, he is the most sensitive kid on the team. The other boys tackle and walk away after a play. Lil' Monster tackles, then runs over to the boys still on the ground after each play is over, and helps them back up to their feet. He does this every time, without coaching from anyone to do so. It is his little heart's desire to help others.
His Mom is a Nurse...
She's the one on the sidelines with tears of pride in her eyes.
- Mrs. Akers
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
The Runt
My heart races as panic sets in. I swallow hard, staring at my little boy geared up in his shoulder pads, padded pants, and helmet. This equipment weighs half as much as he does, and he's sporting if for good reason... This is TACKLE football.
At 6 years old, he stands tall at 47" & weighs in at 52 pounds. He's the runt on the team. Yet, he puffs out his chest real big (with the help of his shoulder pads), and marches onto that field as if those boys a head taller than him don't phase him at all.
When did my shy boy become so brave? I'm so proud of his courage, but inside I'm weeping. This sport magnifies a fact I've been trying to ignore for the last year: I can't protect my little boy from everything anymore.
I am Mom. Although I may be unable to stop that 2nd grade linebacker from crushing him, or his peer from hurting his feelings at school, I am his safe harbor to rest in when it's over. While it may exhaust me to be THE privileged parent who always gets picked over Dad to help with homework, baths, teeth brushing, etc., I'm also blessed to be THE one who can concur owies with a single kiss, scare away nightmares, and combat tears. I wouldn't trade being Mom, for anything.
Tackle football is my tough lesson in parenting for the month. I'm convinced, if I can make it through this, surely Im prepared for the rest of his life. A Mom can hope, right?
So, are you ready for some FOOTBALL?!
- Mrs. Akers
At 6 years old, he stands tall at 47" & weighs in at 52 pounds. He's the runt on the team. Yet, he puffs out his chest real big (with the help of his shoulder pads), and marches onto that field as if those boys a head taller than him don't phase him at all.
When did my shy boy become so brave? I'm so proud of his courage, but inside I'm weeping. This sport magnifies a fact I've been trying to ignore for the last year: I can't protect my little boy from everything anymore.
I am Mom. Although I may be unable to stop that 2nd grade linebacker from crushing him, or his peer from hurting his feelings at school, I am his safe harbor to rest in when it's over. While it may exhaust me to be THE privileged parent who always gets picked over Dad to help with homework, baths, teeth brushing, etc., I'm also blessed to be THE one who can concur owies with a single kiss, scare away nightmares, and combat tears. I wouldn't trade being Mom, for anything.
Tackle football is my tough lesson in parenting for the month. I'm convinced, if I can make it through this, surely Im prepared for the rest of his life. A Mom can hope, right?
So, are you ready for some FOOTBALL?!
- Mrs. Akers
Monday, August 1, 2011
Who's your Mommy?
There's something extraordinary about being the Mommy to a little boy who is so much like me. Every day I learn more about myself from being his Mom. At times the lessons are painful. As much as I'd like to deny the likeness in our personalities, there's times it's so evident that I must confess he didn't get that way on his own.
I helped him...
In many ways...
We can both get quite psychotic whether we're loaded up on sugar or not:
((Disneyland - May 2011))
We both lose our temper over small things like losing at video games, uninvited changes in our routine, being told no, and especially being misunderstood. We try really hard not to scream, but somedays we're both guilty of losing our cool:
((Car tantrum - January 2011))
We both love bubble baths, but please don't tell us to get out of them:
((Home -Spring 2010))
Both of us despise homework. We'd much rather procrastinate and stress ourselves out last minute than get it done when we should:
((Kindergarten - Spring 2011))
We both love our sleep, AKA we are NOT morning people:
((Monkey Room - Fall 2010))
We're both painfully shy and can get nervous when lots of people are around:
((May 2010))
We both love to indulge in sweets, specifically ice-cream, even though we know it's not a healthy choice:
((Fall 2009))
I wish I could save the world from some of my less than wonderful personality flaws as they're being passed down to my son. Yet, I'm convinced God has made him in my likeness to serve as my daily devotional. Each day I see pieces of me in him, and it serves as a reminder to be more gentle, more patient, more compassionate, and smile more often.
These are difficult lessons to learn, but who better to teach JD & I than each other: a Mother & Son who love one another unconditionally?
((California - May 2010))
- Mrs. Akers
I helped him...
In many ways...
We can both get quite psychotic whether we're loaded up on sugar or not:
((Disneyland - May 2011))
We both lose our temper over small things like losing at video games, uninvited changes in our routine, being told no, and especially being misunderstood. We try really hard not to scream, but somedays we're both guilty of losing our cool:
((Car tantrum - January 2011))
We both love bubble baths, but please don't tell us to get out of them:
((Home -Spring 2010))
Both of us despise homework. We'd much rather procrastinate and stress ourselves out last minute than get it done when we should:
((Kindergarten - Spring 2011))
We both love our sleep, AKA we are NOT morning people:
((Monkey Room - Fall 2010))
We're both painfully shy and can get nervous when lots of people are around:
((May 2010))
We both love to indulge in sweets, specifically ice-cream, even though we know it's not a healthy choice:
((Fall 2009))
I wish I could save the world from some of my less than wonderful personality flaws as they're being passed down to my son. Yet, I'm convinced God has made him in my likeness to serve as my daily devotional. Each day I see pieces of me in him, and it serves as a reminder to be more gentle, more patient, more compassionate, and smile more often.
These are difficult lessons to learn, but who better to teach JD & I than each other: a Mother & Son who love one another unconditionally?
((California - May 2010))
- Mrs. Akers
Friday, June 17, 2011
Falling in Love All Over Again
Loving this unborn baby, is making me fall in love with my Lil' Monster all over again as I remember all the firsts:
My 1st pregnancy, including my 90lbs weight gain during it...
(I won't be doing THAT again!)
His 1st few days in the hospital as we tried to figure each other out...
His 1st tantrums as a Sensory Baby...
(Yes, his face still looks just like this when he throws them now!)
His 1st (and hopefully last) surgery...
His 1st smile that turned my heart into mush...
His 1st teeth & those teething biscuits he loved to spend an hour eating...
His 1st Christmas with his 1st and only Best Friend, Morgan...
His 1st Birthday where he wasn't too sure he wanted to get his hands messy...
And I find myself wondering... How am I ever going to be able to love another child the way I love my 1st?
- Mrs. Akers
Thursday, June 16, 2011
The Apple Doesn't Fall Far From the Tree
I came across these pictures and remembered how I wanted to make them into a collage. That was over a year ago! To preface these for you, this is during my sleepless nights in nursing school, settling down for bedtime with no make-up on, but we had matching PJs and enough energy to laugh! Enjoy!
- Mrs. Akers
- Mrs. Akers
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