6 Weeks already?!

JJ's face is hilarious!
JJ at 6 weeks

Josiah made 6 weeks yesterday. Holy cow! And he is getting so big and handsome. He has started cooing and smiling. Jonah NEVER smiled this early, but it is so cute. I have reached my weight pre-Josiah and am now working to lose the extra pounds from Jonah. I am considering a personal trainer, but it's very expensive.

We are so excited that we found Joash a commuter car to drive to work! Woo hoo! It's a 97 Toyota Avalon XLS and it was very well taken care of. It is very cute. And Toyotas are always reliable.

I can't believe it's almost the middle of October. I am making my nieces and my friend Sarah's daughter Jalen Halloween tutus. They came out pretty cute. Before we know it, Christmas will be here! I can't wait for december because my parents will come back to visit and I think I will make a trip to Hobbs to see friends and family. I really miss my grandparents. Derney isn't doing very well. She fell again 2 days ago. It is so sad!

Joash and I started an NFP class last night. Praying it works! We can't afford another baby for a LONG time!

Things are settling down around here as I am trying to get the hang of 2 babies. Yesterday was a really rough day. Jonah has been so fussy/whiney since JJ came. He acts out and it is not fun, especially in public. He is also too young to discipline so it frustrates me because I don't know how to communicate with him. I just love him, that's all I can do. Thank God JJ is such a good baby!

Woo-hoo!!!

I just have to share why I'm so excited! I stepped on the scale this morning and I only have 4 more lbs to lose before I'm at my weight when I got pregnant with Josiah. How exciting! He made 2 weeks yesterday, so it's coming off pretty quickly. I owe it to Isagenix, and of course Breastfeeding! I can't wait another couple weeks when I can work out and try to lose about 30 more that I never got off after having Jonah. I think I will start beginning of October and hope to have it off by the time Joash and I go on our supposed cruise in February. Yay!!!!

Josiah is 2 weeks today! And Jonah is singing!

So things have settled down a little bit at the Caraballo Household. We were sad to see my parents leave this past Saturday, but really enjoyed their company. Mom was here a whole 5 weeks! It flew by though, maybe not to her. haha! The good thing is that Mom and Dad got skype now, so we can video chat which helps a ton!

Josiah had his cardiologist appointment yesterday to look at the hole in his heart. We got a good report- it is half the size it was when he was 2 days old in the hospital. So it looks like it is going to close after all! The doctor doesn't want to see him for another 2 years, so that's great news. :)
He weighed 7 lbs .09oz and was almost 20" long! He is a growing boy!

Jonah has been a little more curious with the baby. He will point at him and say "baby" and he is now kissing him and saying "awe". It is too cute. I still get nervous though because Jonah will try to sit with him in his small bassinet, he could really hurt him! So i keep a close eye out. Jonah also started singing his little heart out. He sings a song from "yo gabba gabba" called "babies". It is the funniest thing because he will use jibberish for the words he doesn't know until "babies" comes along. :) I love that little munchkin.

I wish I could update more often and post more pictures, and go into more detail, but my hands are literally full now! Til next time....

Josiah Jahdiel's Birth Story

My induction was scheduled at 8am the morning of Tuesday, August 31. At 6am I received a phone call from the hospital asking me to not come in at the scheduled time because someone had just arrived in active labor and took my nurse. I was pretty upset considering what had happened to me a few days earlier when I was SUPPOSED to be induced. They assured me that I would be admitted that day. I went back to sleep and got up and went about my day not thinking I would get a phone call anytime soon. But then I was pleasantly surprised when my phone rang at 9:15am asking me if I could be there in the next hour and a half. The game was on! I rushed in and out of the shower, and got Jonah ready to go off with his Tio Jorge. Mom and I frantically got our hospital things and rushed out the door.

Joash had been at work about an hour when he had to leave and come meet us at the hospital. I was admitted about 11am and my nurse got me in the room and hooked up my IV which was unexpectedly painful! The monitors were also placed on my belly, and come to find out- I was contracting 1-2 minutes apart without realizing it. I had a really sweet nurse named Arceli, she was very calm and sweet. My mom and Joash were in the room wit me and we were just killing time with the tv and talking, anticipating the new baby!

My midwife Judy came and broke my water at 1:38pm. She also checked me and I was at a 4 (which was no progress from the exam 4 days before). We also started the pitocin drip.
At 4pm, my epidural was administered. That was seriously the worst part of the whole experience. I was extremely nervous. I even asked my mother-in-law to pray with me to try and calm my nerves. She had just got there right before the anesthesiologist came in. It took him 22 minutes to administer the epidural, which was such a long time because I couldn't be real still. It was so aggravating because I couldn't make my body not react to what he was doing back there. It is scary! But at least Joash got to be in the room with me, and my sweet nurse was excellent at calming me down. Right after we got the epi going, the nurse checked me again and i had progressed to a 5! Yay! halfway there! She also had to put in the catheter which wasn't as bad as I supsected.

We waited some more and by 5:22pm I was at a 7.
At 6:30pm I was finally at a 10! I couldn't believe it. I had progressed so quickly. The nurse said I was ready, and she sat me up so the baby could come down some more. It was shift change time at 7pm so I got another nurse named Joan. When she came in, the midwife Judy also came in and got everything ready for delivery. I was shivering like crazy and I felt the contractions this time, unlike when I labored with Jonah. Judy asked Joash if he would like to catch Josiah and he actually agreed! So he got his scrub gear on and we all got ready!

Mom held my right leg, the nurse Joan held my left. Joash and Judy were at the foot of my bed waiting for the big moment, and Illean was recording the birth which I am so thankful for!
I started pushing at 7:11pm and pushed for 3 sets and by 7:17pm, Josiah was here! Only 6 minutes!!!! I was so relieved and so happy that it wasn't painful and it was so quick. I felt pure Joy when I saw him and immediately thought that he looked just like Jonah! Joash got to put him on my chest and then he cut the cord. It was an awesome experience!

We were in the hospital for 2 nights and got to go home by 7pm on Thursday evening. I was so ready to come home and see Jonah. We had a few visitors when we were at the hospital. Briana came to see us after work on Wednesday and after her, Wilfredo and Jorge came for a visit. Thursday morning Dannella came to see little Josiah. Everyone is so happy he is here!

TOMORROW is the big day!

Yesterday- 39 weeks, 2 day belly

I finally got a hold of my midwife last night and she told me that I was on the books for tomorrow morning at 8am. She couldn't believe that one of the nurses hadn't called me! So I am very relieved and I truly hope that they do not have a busy night/morning and I can go in at the scheduled time. I really want Josiah to be born tomorrow because if he is born later than that, him and Jonah will be 2 years apart in school. I really want them to just be a year apart!

I have just been enjoying my last day as Jonah's exclusive mommy. He has been such an angel. I love that little baby. Tonight we are going to celebrate with a great meal at Outback. It will be Joash, Mom, Jonah and I. I am hoping that I will be able to get a good sleep tonight.

My feelings right now about the induction- excited, ready, scared, nervous, happy, a bit sad because of Jonah, but so ready to meet this angel! I know he is going to be a great blessing and I can't wait for everyone to meet him.

Praying that things go well tomorrow and are quick and as painless as possible. =)

Supposed date of induction is here!

So I went to the doctor yesterday and my midwife told me we can schedule an induction since I was a 4 and pretty much 100% effaced. She scheduled it for 5am this morning. We busted our butts cleaning last night and getting the house in order, and we dropped Jonah off at my mother-in-laws so he can stay the night. I went to bed very calm, and woke up to a phone call at about 3:15am. It was the hospital calling to tell me they need to delay my induction since a couple girls came in last night and there were no beds for me. She told me that it would be late morning and they would call me again to come in. Well I was fine with that so I could sleep a little longer. Joash and I woke up about 8am and I showered just knowing my phone could ring at any minute. At about 9:30 after breakfast I decided to call the hospital to see if they could give me a time estimate. The charge nurse said they have a few girls at 8cm and were waiting to deliver them, and also waiting on recovery rooms to open up for them so she was HOPING they could fit me in today, probably afternoon-evening time. It is now about 3pm and I haven't heard anything. I might try calling again later. I am so anxious! But I am enjoying these last moments with Jonah. We had to go get him from his Abuelita's because we missed him so much last night!

I'll be glad when I can update and have my little JJ here!

It has sure been a while!

A lot has changed since I blogged last. Since Jonah's baptism, Joash and I got married and are expecting our 2nd baby boy! He is due next week, but I'm hoping to have him before then. His name is Josiah Jahdiel. Him and Jonah will be 16 months apart. I can't wait to see my sweet angel! I hope Jonah isn't too jealous of him, I feel a bit guilty for having 2 so close together. We live in St. Cloud, FL now! Joash found a job at a realty company and I still get to stay home with Jonah. I am planning to take a couple of pre-req's at Valencia Community College here to try and apply for their sonography program next fall. I really hope I get in, I hear it's very competitive! We like living here, we have a really nice, spacious townhome that is close to everything! We enjoy having Joash's family so close also. I do not being so far away from all of my family though. But at least my mom is here awaiting Josiah's arrival and Daddy will be here when his shift is over at work in a little over a week.

So this pregnancy has been wonderful! I cannot believe how well I have done with it this time. It is way better compared to what I went through with Jonah. I have no blood pressure problems, nor swelling. I have gained about 16 lbs, and that is much better than compared to 70 last time with Jonah. I had found Isagenix, and that's what I owe my healthiness to. I couldn't have done it without discovering this amazing stuff. It gave me natural energy that I needed especially while i was in school last semester. It has been nice being able to keep up with Jonah and not sleep my days away during the whole pregnancy. I wanted to blog about it because we are hoping it will be some years before having another baby, if we decide to. It is nice to always compare pregnancies. Thank goodness I didn't have to be put on bedrest this time! Thank the Lord! This pregnancy is also different because I lost my plug over 2 weeks ago and ever since then we have been anticipating the baby coming! I really thought he was coming about 3 weeks early. Especially because after the plug fell out, I started having some pretty consistent contractions. Even during my baby shower at Illean's the day after (Aug 8) I was having some pretty regular contractions but I'm guessing they were just Braxton Hicks. I didn't even have those one time with Jonah! So they are pretty annoying since they kinda get our hopes up with the baby coming!

I absolutely love my midwife, Judy. I am thankful to have found her and I will be delivering at Celebration Hospital and am very excited. My sister in law Dannella had 2 babies there, and she loved it! I am a little bit nervous about the epidural procedure since I freaked out about it last time, but I am praying that God will help calm my nerves. Especially when I realize that I only make it harder on myself. But everything else I'm pretty much excited for. I am going to do Kangaroo Care, which is practically Skin-to-Skin right after delivery. I am not wanting the nurses to whisk him away and bathe him and examine him when he can be having special bonding time with mommy. Supposedly the babies who do this will start doing a breast crawl and try to find his food. I can't wait for this special moment! The toughest part these last 2 weeks has been the waiting game. The contractions and knowing that I've been dilated this whole time has really got me up at night just waiting for the labor to start. Since I was induced last time, I didn't have to go through all this anxiety! When I went to my appt last week, I was 3-4cm dilated! I coudln't believe it. My sister and my dad were here that time, so we were hoping that I was going to labor before they left on Saturday. Josiah never came, so I am kinda bummed. i'm not sure when Shea will be able to meet her nephew. I really wanted her in the delivery room with me! But I am sure that Joash, my mom and Illean will be there cheering me on. And hopefully it won't last that long anyway.

So during this time, we also found out that my BFF Emily is pregnant with her first! I am so excited for her and Robbie! It is nice that she is able to call me with questions and that we are pregnant for a short time together. She is coming to visit me labor day weekend (next weekend) and I cannot wait! It will be nice for her to hold a newborn and see what it is all about. My sister in law Janice also got pregnant while i was and sadly, she lost the baby. The whole family was devestated! But God has a plan and we know that they can try again if they want to. We loved that angel baby even though we never met it yet. I feel bad for her and Jez, but they are strong and have a lot of Faith.

Shortly after we moved here, Joash's brother Jonathan got a townhome in our same complex! So his wife Karla, and their 2 girls moved in our neighborhood. We are very happy because now all of his siblings are living in the same place. Jonathan has been deployed for a few months in Germany and is expected home soon. He will be getting out of the Air Force, so no more tours thankfully.

I am backtracking now, but Jonah and I got to fly to Dallas in June to watch Sheababy graduate! I am so proud of her. She has her Bachelor's in Interior Design. Sadly she does not want to do anything in that field, and she is now studying to try and get certified in Personal Training. That is more up her alley I think.

I will try to write more when the baby comes but I just wanted to do an update. I like the fact that I will be able to come back and look at this months and years down the road and remember this special time in my life. :)

Jonah Martin's Baptism

Jonah was Baptized at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Frankston, TX yesterday. Father Jay made the mass really beautiful and special just for our big event! I was so blessed that my sister and bff Emily (Jonah's God-Mother) could be here to celebrate. Our friends Jonathan and Natalie also came, which I'm thankful because they are about to have their little one!

Church Directory Pics

On 9/9/09, we had our church directory photo made. Jonah is 4.5 months in these pictures!

Laughing and Crying

Click here to view this video

Shared photo book from Callie

Click here to view this photo book larger

Jonah's first taste of cereal at 4 months

My baby is getting so big! And he actually liked the cereal! We knew he was going to be a good eater! We discovered that he is already cutting his front 2 bottom teeth. I couldn't believe it. So at his 4 month appointment about a week and a half ago, he was 16 lbs, 3 oz! He was about 26.5" long. He is growing so big! He had gotten his first cold and had a small cough, sneezing and runny/stuffy nose. It lasted about a week, but he's fine now. He had to get his 4 month shots also and did really well! He still watches cartoons just about every morning. He really likes SpongeBob and Dora the Explorer! Tomorrow we are going to take him to his first circus. I think he'll like the music and lights, etc.

Jonah rolling over

He first rolled over Aug. 1. I found him in his crib face down and I had laid him there on his back. So that next day, he was a big show off!


Then this morning he actually was able to roll from his tummy to his back! My strong baby.

3 months!

Jonah is already well into his 3rd month, and we are still nonstop. We just got back from Hobbs, again. We went for the weekend for Chelse and Payton's wedding and had an absolute blast! Jonah and Joash went to their first Rodeo in Lovington, NM also!

Jonah is getting so big. He's probably over 15 lbs now. He will go for his 4 month checkup in a couple weeks.

We all had a blast at Possum Kingdom this year and Jonah and Joash got to meet the rest of the fam. It sure was hot though! I think this year had the most people we have had there in a few years, it was packed. Everyone loved the baby and I had plenty of babysitters when we wanted to go play on the water!

We also took a trip to Bay St. Louis, MS for Emily's weding on July 11. It was a gorgeous wedding at a church on the beach. It was also tons of fun!!! All my friends are getting hitched this year!

We had Jonah's 3 month portraits taken at JCPenney and they came out great! I will definitely use them again.

I am getting ready to go to school starting August 25. I am enrolled part-time taking 2 classes on Tues and Thurs.
Joash is still working at Tyer Professional Staffing and there is going to be a new owner soon so hopefully that will be a better opportunity for him.

We are getting ready to go to Vegas in a few weeks! Joash and I are stoked, and we are meeting my cousin Ashley and her b/f out there. My friend COrina will also be there that same weekend! Woo hoo!

Jonah got a new cousin yesterday, baby Nalaniz Illean. Dannella gave birth to her yesterday morning. She was 6lb. 13.5oz and 19.5" long! She's beautiful. We can't wait to meet her, and hopefully we can go to Orlando in December.

Also, my BFF Alexis is having a GIRL! WOooooo HOoooo! Jonah will have another g/f! Her shower will be in October, so Mom and I will head to Midland to see her. We wish her well during her pregnancy!

Love you all!

Jonah's 2 month check up

Gosh, this thing really shows you how much time you DON'T have when there's a newborn at home. I haven't had time to give you an update, and we also have been traveling a lot this summer and having company come see the new house.

Well Jonah is now 12lbs.14oz and 23.5" long. His head is 40cm. He had to get his first round of vaccinations today, and he did well! He only cried for a second, then he took a nap.

Since we last spoke, Jonah went to New Mexico for the first time and got to stay at both of his great-grandparents' house. He also got to meet a lot of mommy's friends! Chelse, Corina, Alexis, etc. We had a lot of fun, and I brought him with me to Chelse's bridal shower. He got to meet her son Jaden, who is 7 months.

Jonah also got to go to the zoo when his great-uncle Mike came to visit with all the kids. It was a little bit hot, but we got to see a lot of animals.

This coming weekend is the fourth of July and we are going to the Smith Family Reunion at Possum Kingdom Lake! Jonah and Joash will get to meet a lot of the Smith Klan for the first time and we are so excited!!! We are also hoping we will get to go to Orlando before long to see Joash's family, especially since Dannella will be having her little girl soon.

We just got a new boat!! I am stoked because I am really happy that Jonah will get to grow up on the water! It is really pretty, eventhough I haven't been in it yet. Jonah and Joash got to go with the parents, and Shea and David when I was in FL for Em's bachelorette party. That was a lot of fun, as well. But i really missed my son!

We just set a date for Jonah's baptism. It's going to be October 11 here in Frankston, TX. I'm super stoked because Emily will get to come out for it! I can't wait!

We made 6 weeks last Thursday!

While the little one is sleeping, I'll go ahead and write a quick update!

Last Thursday, on the 6 week mark, I went to the new OB/GYN here in Tyler. I was so nervous and pretty much dreading it because I miss Dr. Lafranca in Baton Rouge SO MUCH! Well, thankfully this Doctor was very nice, and very gentle with me. He examined me and I was happy to find out that everything has healed, and my uterus has gone back to normal. So that's great! I have only lost 1/2 of the baby-weight so I'm continuing to diet and work out. But don't worry, I'm not starving myself! The only thing is that since I was dropped from Daddy's insurance on my b-day, we had to self pay and that one visit was $300! So I have to look for an insurance company ASAP!

On Saturday we had company come in. Aunt Doris and Uncle Don from Houston and Nana and Glen from Hobbs. So Jonah got to meet some of his new family! It has been a really great visit. We went out to eat on Saturday night and had a good time. Then yesterday the guys put up the new canopy on the deck and it looks wonderful! I'm going to ride back to Hobbs with Nana and Glen so that I can spend some time with them and Derney and Papa and also Chelse's bridal shower is on Sunday. I can't wait!

Today I went to Tyler Jr. College to try and get my stuff together for school but I have to go back in the morning to talk to an advisor. I think now I want to try and get into the Medical Sonographer program. I don't think I can enter it until next fall, but I need to know what pre-req's to register for this coming semester!

Well, that's about all that's been happening around here.... I am glad it's summertime but I sure wish we had a boat already. Dad had me look at one yesterday and of course I LOVED It, but i doubt he'll get it. Stingy butt. haha!

'Til next time!
-Cal

Finally having the time to update

My one month old was a FUSSY BUTT! =)
Mommy's 25th Bday and Jonah's One Month Bday!
Jonah meeting Papa and Derney


It has been WAY too long since I've written on this thing. My little Jonah-bug is very high maintenance! Since the last post, Jonah turned one month and I turned 25. Jonah got to meet his great grandparents, Derney and Papa Smith. They drove in from Hobbs, NM for my birthday. He got to meet his great-uncle Larry also. That's my dad's brother from Gainesville, TX. Jonah also got to go on his first boat ride on 5/22/09. We rented a boat and explored our new lake, then it rained on us.


Jonah and Aunt Shea on the boat!



Jonah at Tyler State Park napping

Last weekend we went to Tyler State Park and made a day of sitting in the sun and swimming in the lake. Jonah pretty much napped the whole time, but he was a good boy! It was nice to get some sun.

I feel like baby J has been growing and changing every day. We think he is between 9-10 lbs. now. His next Dr. appt is July 2nd for his 2 week check-up. Thank goodness we haven't had to visit his Dr. before then. I think I can owe a lot of that to breastfeeding- which is getting better. We have been supplementing a little bit just to give mommy a break sometimes, but are mostly still on the breastmilk.

Joash also got a job! We are so thankful!!! He is working at Tyler Professional Staffing and has a front office position. I think he really likes it so far but he may still hunt around for a better paying position. We also need him to get a benefit package for him and the baby. I think benefits at this new job start after one year, so we'll see.

Joash and I have been going to the gym. We found a really great one here with some good group classes. We go to body pump about 3 times a week, and I go to body step twice a week. Mom, Dad, Shea, Joash and I are having a weight loss competition for 6 weeks and whoever loses the most (percentage wise) will get $100. So it will end the week of July 4. I'm excited and determined to win since I have Em's wedding on July 11 and Chelse's wedding in August. We got the idea from Uncle Larry. Him and his family are doing something similar.

Well Alexis and her mom were going to come this week, but since Lex is preggers, she is getting morning sickness day and night and decided to postpone. I was a little bummed, but I completely understand. I hate that she's going through that and I'm so fortunate that I didn't have that sickness while I was pregnant!

We are expecting more company this weekend. My Nana and Glen and Great-Aunt Doris and Great-Uncle Don. They are staying for a few days and then Jonah and I are going back to Hobbs with Nana and Glen. We are going to meet some more people and I have to go to Chelse's bridal shower. I can't wait! I also get to go to my old hairdresser which is super exciting!!!

I go for my 6 week checkup this week on Thursday. I'm really nervous about seeing a new doctor, and also that I couldn't find a female doctor here. I just got to get through it and not be such a weenie I guess. I really miss Dr. Lafranca already!!! Hopefully everything has healed well. We shall see~

Jonah is 3 weeks today!

I can't believe how time has flewn!! My baby is already 3 weeks old! He is still doing really well. I think he's getting bigger by the day, because he seems to be eating a lot. He is still nursing and getting better and better at it. It is so sweet for us to have that bonding experience with the nursing. I love it. We have gotten to where it's not uncomfortable for me anymore. I just love my Jonah bug!

I went to the dentist yesterday, and come to find out I have to get 2 top wisdom teeth cut out next week. We are on a deadline to have the surgery since I'm kicked off my dad's insurance on my 25th birthday next Saturday! I am getting old. Haha! So i'm pretty nervous about it, but if I can have a baby, then I can do this without any problems.

Joash is at a church right now for a rehearsal. I'm hoping that it turns into a pretty good gig, and he is able to network in the music scene here in Tyler. I know he misses playing his guitar so much!!! Let's pray that it's something he wants to do and the guys there like him.
He also has an interview in the morning for Kelly services. I pray they can find him something.

Joash and I are both sore because we went to a body pump

Well Mom, Jonah and I were almost crushed by a semi truck today. It was the scariest near-wreck that I have ever been in. We were in the Escalade, thank Goodness and were going up a hill on a back road here. We then saw a big semi truck sidewinding into our lane, so Mom swerved in the left lane to miss it and there were 2 oncoming vehicles, so she swerved back in the right lane to miss those. She believes she was totally guided by a divine being. I can't believe she didn't freeze up in shock and lock the brakes up. We were so thankful but very very scared and shaky afterward. But Jonah didn't even know what had happened and slept right through it. Looking back, I shoulda went and cursed the truck driver for almost hurting my baby. He was stuck in the ditch and people were trying to help him out, and nobody came to check on us. Idiots!!! There were huge skid marks on the road when we passed back by. I should've called the cops as well. He caused us huge anxiety and Mom almost couldn't drive afterward. Thank God we made it. It wasn't our time to go though. I am blessed to be a mommy a little bit longer!

On a better note, my grandparents are coming to visit next week and will be here for my birthday. My Papa is going to rent a boat when they're down so we can go cruise on our lake. I'm so excited!

Long day today

We finally got in to see the lactation consultant here in Tyler. Thank goodness, she said I was doing everything right and Jonah was getting enough to eat. She said it was normal for babies to be back at their birth weight at about 2-3 weeks old and it's having to do with my milk causing engorgement the first week, then it levels out to what the baby needs afterwards. But in 5 days, since we saw the Doctor, he has gained and now weighs 8lbs. 6.8oz. Woo hoo! I knew he was getting a little rounder

Afterwards, we had lunch and I heard his gas and knew I needed to change him. So once we got in the car, I started changing him and before I could get a diaper under his bottom, he shot projectile poo onto my jeans and the carseat. I tried to wipe most of it off, and get the new diaper on but before I coould- he started peeing everywhere. Thank goodness I had a wipe on his peepee. Haha. So then I got the diaper on, and he pooed again!!! So I had to put on another diaper and change his onesie. He was screaming the whole time. It wasn't funny then, but it's hilarious now. This is how he looked afterward- so upset!

Oh yeah, I forgot to write on here that Jonah FINALLY lost his umbilical cord on Saturday. So he had it for 18 days. I am so glad it's gone, because now we can actually put him in the bath tub!

Shea's visit- Pics

Shea changing her first diaper