Levi Max Mercado

Welcome Levi Max!

My big boy was born Saturday, June 19th, 6:58am.


And here is the story:
I woke up this morning at 4:05am after feeling a big kick...or drop...or something. Thinking my water broke, I checked and didn't notice anything out of the ordinary so I just went back to bed.

By 4:55am I had a pretty bad contraction. While it was the most painful one I had experienced yet in this pregnancy, I assumed it to be yet another braxton hicks practice contraction and ignored it. By 5:05 am, there was another painful one....at which point I grabbed onto Felix who was peacefully sleeping next to me. We decided to wait for one more to know if this was for real.....and sure enough, it was!

By 5:30am I jumped in the shower while Felix gathered last minute items to bring to the hospital. I thought the contractions were about 7-10 minutes apart.

We were in the car on our way by 6am, I called the doctor to let her know I was in labor and that I wanted the epidural as soon as I got to the hospital. Contractions were about 4 minutes apart. My speed demon husband got us there nice and safely, arriving to the hospital by 6:30am.

We went straight to the ER to check-in, at which point I AGAIN asked for the epidural. I had several contractions while they were checking me in and they let me know that these were a bit closer than 4 min apart (despite my denial). They brought me in to get in a gown and check to see how dilated I was. Eight centimeters. (insert the F word here). I knew it was probably too late for the epidural, but still, I asked for it.

They wheeled me upstairs to the delivery room where they promised I could get my epidural. During the ride, I had about 2 more contractions. (insert a few more F words here). I switched onto the delivery bed and the doctor told me I was now 10 centimeters and it was too late for the epidural. Along came another contraction at which point I pushed....and out came Levi's head! This wasn't feeling too good and I was yelling for SOMEONE to pull him out! The doctor told me to wait so she could get her gloves on, but I figured with all the people standing there, someone was bound to catch him, and I continued to push....and out he came.....a mere 30 minutes after we arrived at the hospital!

You Can't Call Me Crazy!

This is how conversations in my house usually go:
Jill: Gross! Felix get that bug!
Felix: Jill! What do you expect? We live in the woods.

Well, perhaps we DO live in a very wooded area, but my stance is and always will be that we do not need to cohabitate with the bugs inside MY house. And I've never been one to just sit around and do nothing when something is bothering me. SO......

What are these, you might ask???????

Our NEW WINDOWS! Something I thought we wouldn't be able to do for a few years....and yet... here they are! Seriously, a dream come true. For me, I see bug control and easy cleaning. Felix sees tax rebates, lower heating bills, and fresh air. We are both truly, truly happy.

Happy to get rid of these nasty windows that barely open, happy to get rid of the storm windows that won't close properly, and the ripped and rusted screens. Just plain happy!


We aren't replacing EVERY window in the house- but the 7 windows in the playroom and the 5 windows upstairs in the kids rooms is more than enough for me!


And in the meantime, while we are still living with our old dining room windows (because I have big plans for this wall).... I have used my resources to keep out the bugs, and this afternoon, I saw the rewards of my hard work! You see, we needed to put in a window AC, and without a proper seal with such old windows.....packaging tape works like a charm! Look what I found today stuck inside my little trap- these little suckers better warn their friends!

All of the upstairs windows were installed this afternoon, and it is just magical! We sat in the rooms with the windows open and just took it all in. I never knew how much I took it for granted in the past!

The Celebrating Never Stops!

Emma's Birthday Celebrations Continue!

On the actual day of her birthday, while sitting at the breakfast counter, she picked up a crayon and started drawing individual circles.....not her usual sprials, but actual individual circles on one of her birthday cards. This was a big accomplishment that I was so proud of her for.....and she could tell! Look at how she was showing off her circles for the camera. "Look what I did mommy!"


She then got to open a box full of presents from Grandma & Aunt Mileidy while skyping with them on the computer so everyone could be together for her birthday!! Check out her crazy shark shoes!



That afternoon our friend Kristy came over with lots of goodies for Emma's birthday- and once those were opened, Emma proclaimed "I need more presents" (someone is getting a little spoiled!) but I promptly brought out her gift from Aunt Stephanie & fam......

....princess dress up clothes! So fun!


Happy Birthday To You! I love her beaming smile while we are singing to her, and how she knows just when to blow out the candles!

Happy 2nd Birthday Emma!

This past year flew by, we love you so much!!

Embracing Summer!

Kiddie Pools & Ice Cream with friends- even when it is 65 degrees out!

Once we got home, she was a little too wired to go down for a nap. She was in her crib for over an hour when I heard her yelling "Jill, Honey....are you home? Come and get me!"

Ballerina

Emma got a new ballerina dress from her friends, and she has been dancing around the house happy as can be.

Fun In The Sun!

Today was a lot of fun- in the HOT sun. But I think these are the best days! Emma plays her heart out all day and is so hungry for dinner she eats everything on her plate. She has so much fun playing and I really enjoy watching her and playing with her. I'd add that she naps & goes to bed for the night so easily, but she usually does anyways, so I can't really complain!

Today she went to the gym with Felix and had fun at the daycare while I stayed home this morning cleaning the house, washing the baby's clothes, and preparing our beach bag. When she got home we headed out to go meet up with some of our friends at the lake/pond that is right around the corner from our house. SO CONVENIENT!


I was amazed at how much the kids wanted to play in the water- it was so hard to get them out of there! When we first arrived Emma took right to the sand and started playing in her "sandbox". Shortly after, she followed the rest of her buddies right into the water, and she had a blast. She went all the way in and was floating on her belly (with her hands on the sand below the water), pretending to swim, splashing all around, and of course- picking up clumps of sand and throwing it in the water. The water was actually warm too! What an amazing way to spend the morning.


After about 2 hours, my big pregnant belly had enough of the heat and my turkey sandwich and (thanks to Emma.....sand-covered melon) just wasn't cutting it..... so we went home to meet up with Felix for a much needed nap for Emma, and some snacks for me!

Once I got some energy back, I left to get a bit of shopping done- picked up a shade umbrella for the next time we go to the pond...and ran a few other errands. I came home to find Felix mowing the lawn and Emma once again, playing in the sandbox.
So we set up her new hopscotch water mat she got from a friend as a birthday gift, and the fun began all over again!


Once Emma went to bed, Felix & I had a nice, quiet, relaxing dinner together on the deck. We talked about how lucky we are to have such an amazing little daughter and how far we have come in just 3 short years of marriage! I can't believe our 3rd anniversary is tomorrow!!!

36 Weeks!

NOW I'm ready!

Things have been going well, I have progressed from being 1cm to 3cm dilated in the past week, so we have reason to believe things are moving along, even though anything can happen at any time (or weeks from now). Either way, Felix has decided it is best to stay home instead of going to CA next week for work, so I am extremely relieved!

Most of the time I feel pretty good! We have been going to the gym (all 3 of us!) each morning, and I am determined to keep going as long as I can. I have been having a lot of contractions lately, but I also think that is due to running around so much ALL DAY!

We are planning Emma's 2nd Birthday Party for this weekend, and I'm very excited for it! Hopefully the weather will cooperate. Barney shall not disappoint!

We have also crossed off most of our to-do list (which of course means it is time to make a new one!). We bought our shed, I have been successful with my gardening endeavors, we are getting new windows put in....with FULL screens, and lots of sealing to help me breathe a little easier when it is "bug season", rooms have been reorganized and even though the nursery STILL isn't even painted, we do have our bedroom all set up for the little guy to bunk with us for the first few months of his life. I just need to wash his clothes and pack our hospital bags.

We are lucky enough to have lots of friends offering to help with Emma when we go into labor, so no matter what, we know she will be in good hands!

Ahhhhhhh, it is amazing how much more relaxed I am now that I KNOW Felix will be here. Thank you my love!