MILES SAMSON ENGLAND!

The 3rd love of our life has arrived....

On May 3rd, 2019 at 4:48 AM - in a fast and furious and most perfect way, Mr. Miles Samson was born weighing 7 pounds, 12 ounces and measuring 19 inches. 

It was a crazy adventure but we are so happy you are here. These past 13 days have been emotional, exhilarating, happy, exhausting and...just so, so good.

You are so loved, little one. We have literally been showered in messages, gifts, cards, calls - our village has surrounded us with so much love. It's really beautiful. 

SO...here's your birth story. 

On Thursday, May 2nd - I woke up and headed to work. I was tired, huge, and having contractions per normal. TMI but I lost my mucus plug that morning. Around lunch time, I headed home to try and relax. I ended up taking a nap and waking up feeling a bit better and really hungry, craving an Italian Hoagie of all things. Josh got us dinner and we decided to work on the pool outside - bedtime rolled around and I had trouble falling asleep. Eventually woke up every hour to pee (the fun of being 9 months pregnant) - around 2:00 AM, I woke up again and was having some intense contractions. These felt different then the contractions I was having prior....more intense? I had downloaded an app timing contractions earlier in the day (I guess I knew??) - I decided to time them and I had 4 contractions, 3 minutes apart. If I had a 5th, I'd wake Josh. The 5th contraction came on STRONG so I promptly woke him up. We called the doctor and the operator let us know she'd call us back in 20 minutes  2 minutes later, she called and told us she'd meet us at the hospital. IT WAS BABY TIME!!! By this point, it was roughly 2:30 AM? We texted my mom, sister and brother, Matt, to come over and watch Layla & Benny. I also told Josh to throw all the stuff surrounding my baby bag INTO the bag along with Miles' hats and clothes (I guess I should have finished packing?) -- luckily, Matt, Kim & my mom ALL responded -- perks of having the best family on EARTH. Meanwhile, I the contractions were coming on strong and fierce -- I threw pants on and we waited in the car until Matt showed up (full disclosure -- we left before he got to our house because I was scared I'd have the baby in the car - so for roughly 7 minutes, Layla & Benny slept soundly in an empty house - THANKFULLY no one woke up!)

Josh & I made it to the hospital -- parked the car -- and tried to make our way into the hospital in the middle of the night. We went into the ER which was empty and Josh yelled WE ARE IN LABOR to the nice old lady working the front desk. She calmly called the maternity ward and they sent a wheelchair for me to head upstairs. 

We made it to maternity where a TEAM of people were waiting for me - they were ALL smiling and totally made me feel at ease. This was a new hospital to me (I delivered the first two at Abington) - but this hospital was amazingggg. They took me to a room and told me to change into a gown. While changing, my water broke! I had wished for this and it happened - but it wasn't nearly as exciting nor fun as I anticipated - and now the contractions were so painful, I couldn't speak through them. The sweet nurse checked me and I was only 1-2 centimeters which meant I could have my C-Section as planned. 

My mom & sister met us in this room where I promptly cried at the sight of them. (Also - my amazing Mother In Law promptly switched her flight that was supposed to be a week later to that night)

A little while later, we were en route to the OR. As a side note, I was deciding between two doctors for my scheduled C-Section. The doctor I didn't choose ended up doing the surgery and I'm forever grateful it was her. She was SO sweet, loving and did the very best job. Meant to be.

After my spinal and a long few minutes....they pulled you out. This perfect, LITTLE boy (I swore you'd be bigger then Benny - but instead you weighed exactly as much as Layla!!) - and after that, I met you. I kissed your face. They held you next to me and I knew you. I loved you. You were mine.

They moved me upstairs to recovery and I was able to nurse you - you did it right away. Maybe 1 hour on EACH side? Genius. We eventually made it to my room where I'd spend the next 3 nights learning you and loving you and recovering.

I'll say this C-Section, I had the quickest recovery both mentally and physically. We had lots of visitors in the hospital - but my favorite was Layla & Benny meeting Miles. SO cute, so perfect, so sweet.

My time in the hospital was mostly good - relaxing. A lot of time spent just Miles & I. A lot of tears shed. I wasn't able to sleep much and I missed Josh, Layla & Benny too much. That Monday, I was able to go home and since then, it's been better everyday.

I'm learning how to juggle 3 kiddos. 

I'm learning how to divide my time. 

I'm learning that my body needs more time to recover and I shouldn't push it. 

I'm learning that I'll go back to work faster then I did with the other two and that's okay.

I'm learning to literally enjoy every single second because these 2 weeks went FAST which can only mean that with this 3rd precious baby, time will zoom by.

I'm learning that Miles is the missing piece to my heart, to this family, and I am forever grateful that he is here. 

We had his Bris on May 10th (the day he was meant to arrive) - it was beautiful and full of love and food and family and friends. 

He's been to the doctor twice - everything looks great and despite losing weight and going down to 7 pounds, 2 ounces while in the hospital - he's back up to 7 pounds, 10 ounces - YAY BREASTFEEDING!

All good things and we are so happy you are here, sweet little one. 

I know this pregnancy was so hard and I was so uncomfortable but you were worth every single ache and pain and tear.

We love you. SO much. You are so good.

P.S. HAPPY 2 WEEKS BUDDY!!! Today is your due date but instead, you've been in our lives for 2 beautiful weeks.

P.P.S. This is a very small snippet of the millions of pictures we have been taking of you :)

37 weeks. Baby Number 3.

I'm contracting, currently.

It's been a weird week. 

We celebrated our 9th wedding anniversary. 

I had my last ultrasound. 

I had my car detailed. 

My cleaning lady came today and I realized the next time she is at my house is the day of my scheduled C-Section. She also made me the CUTEST diaper cake ever. She's a dream. 

Current complaints include: contractions, heartburn, peeing every 5 minutes, back pain, swelling. 

It's been really beautiful weather. 

So much to do. So little time. 

Trying to just .... let it all good. 

xo

Layla - because I love her. 

37 weeks with all 3 - top left is Layla, bottom left is Benny - right is new baby :) 

37 weeks today!

How far along? 37 weeks. Per my app, baby is the size of romaine lettuce (haha)

Total weight gain/loss: I didn't weigh in. I will next week - probably for the last time :) 

Maternity clothes? I just want to be naked. I'm so big.

Stretch marks? I keep looking - I'm hoping they stay away the next 2 weeks.

Sleep: Off and on. Last night I was up every 2 hours to pee but I'm able to mostly fall back asleep thanks to unisom. 

Best moment this week: My ultrasound on Monday was good - he's weighing 6 pounds, 11 ounces. He still seems to have one kidney. And he is so low that the tech couldn't see his face. The next 14 days will be so fast and so slow. 

Have you told family and friends: Yes.

Movement: Constant. Painful. Contracting.  

Food cravings:  Not really. Lemonade. I"m not eating as much.

Anything making you queasy or sick: I had some nausea this morning and the heartburn is killer.

Gender prediction: BOY!! 

Labor Signs: Lots of contractions. Wednesday (our anniversary) was really, really rough. I'd just like him to stay in until May 10th. 

Belly Button in or out? Barely in.

Wedding rings on or off? Nada.

Happy or Moody most of the time: Mostly happy. 

Weekly Wisdom: Leaving work earlier then normal is semi-helpful with contractions. And though his room is a disaster - it'll all get done.

Milestones: 37 weeks seems good. Last ultrasound. Chugging right along. AHHHHHH!

Week 36. 9 months pregnant!

Week 36. 

I'm so tired. 

I'm contracting. 

I'm ready. 

BUT... let's wait the next 3 weeks, shall we :)

I can't wait to meet this sweet baby boy and snuggle him something fierce.

week 36. 

How far along? 36 weeks.

Total weight gain/loss: UP another 2.8 pounds the past 2 weeks for a total of 35.4 pounds.

Maternity clothes? Today I'm in a maternity dress and even this is tight. Uh.

Stretch marks? Not yet. Bio Oil for the next 3 weeks. And after. 

Sleep: Off and on good and bad. Last night was pretty good. 

Best moment this week: We had Josh's mom here for the weekend and it was really nice. Also I got my hair done last weekend and that was great... nothing like a fresh cut & color.

Have you told family and friends: Yes.

Movement: Constant. AND painful. And contractions. 

Food cravings:  Today I want Starbucks which is so random because I don't like it there?!

Anything making you queasy or sick: Heartburn.

Gender prediction: BOY!! 

Labor Signs: Pressure. Contractions. I really want him to hold out until May 10th - 3 more weeks to go!

Belly Button in or out? Weird. Popped.

Wedding rings on or off? Nope.

Happy or Moody most of the time: Mostly happy. Sometimes crying.

Weekly Wisdom: You can make it!! I keep telling Josh I don't know how I can do this another 3 weeks but I know I can.. and I will. We took the dog for a long walk last week and I made it the whole way. I can do this!!! 

Milestones: 9 months officially. Wowza.

WEEK 35.

HAPPY WEEK 35. 

4 weeks to go. 

Grandma arrived yesterday for a quick long weekend... so happy to have the extra set of hands as I'm feeling really uncomfortable. 

Tomorrow, I'm getting my hair cut & colored. 

Sunday, I'm getting my car detailed so the baby doesn't have to sit surrounded by old french fries and mushed up crackers. 

All of these things I've had plans to do for the past few months are here and it's... scary. Exciting. Terrifying. Exhilarating. 

28 days to go. 

I can't wait to meet you, sweetest baby boy. 

How far along? 35 weeks. Baby is a PINEAPPLE! 

Total weight gain/loss: I actually forgot to weigh in. I will next week. Maybe. 

Maternity clothes? I've moved on to only wanting to wear sweats. Today I'm in jeans and a non-maternity shirt - who do I think I am?!

Stretch marks? I'm literally bathing in Bio Oil and hoping I can make it through the next 4 weeks without any! 

Sleep: Off and on decent. I'm up a lot to pee / listen to Josh's snoring / move London / try to get comfortable. 

Best moment this week: I really loved watching Benny at his first soccer practice - he moved with such ease and delight, telling me all about his teammates and he's SO excited for the first game tomorrow. He also read me a few books this week - he's been struggling with reading in Kindergarten so he's getting extra help and it's clear it's working. I'm so proud of him!!

Have you told family and friends: Yes.

Movement: Yes and painful. 

Food cravings:  Eh - nothing. I thought soup but no. lol

Anything making you queasy or sick: Yesterday I had some killer nausea - I think there's just no room in my belly. Like, none. 

Gender prediction: BOY!! 

Labor Signs: Lots of contractions. But nothing steady or (too) painful. 

Belly Button in or out? It's quite out. 

Wedding rings on or off? Nope.

Happy or Moody most of the time: Mostly happy - just really uncomfortable.

Weekly Wisdom: Trying to just enjoy my last 4 weeks of pregnancy - this is my last baby - the last time I will feel the kicks and wiggles and be able to protect him 24 /7. 

Milestones: 35 weeks or 35 days until due date - however, I have a C-Section scheduled 4 weeks from today. That's 28 days. WHAT. 

Week 34.

Week 34.

5 weeks to go. Or 35 days. 

That's NOTHING. 

And also, sometimes, feels like a lifetime. 

Lately I have been really uncomfortable. 

Swollen, achy, nausea, heartburn. The works. 

I suppose, this is what the 3rd trimester is all about. 

I miss my body feeling good - I miss really exercising and walking without pain.
BUT - this sweet little baby boy is worth every single ache & pain. 

(Like right now when I want to cry from back pain)

We simply can't wait to meet you, MSE. 

<3

huge. week 34. 

How far along? 34 weeks. Baby is a Butternut Squash! 

Total weight gain/loss: I'm up 4 pounds from the last time I weighed for a total of 32.6 pounds. 

Maternity clothes? All maternity and when I don't, I look insane (haha)

Stretch marks? None yet and hoping to stay in the clear these next 5 weeks.

Sleep: Some really bad nights and some decent nights. Up several times to pee. Up several times to turn over (it's comical because my back pain is intense so I need to brace myself to turn from side to side).

Best moment this week: I had a good doctor appointment on Tuesday - we discussed a whole bunch of topics and she put my mind at ease.

Have you told family and friends: Yes.

Movement: ALL the time. I think he started with hiccups this week, too. Lots of movement. Some painful.

Food cravings:  Nothing in particular. Sometimes I'm quite nauseous and I seem to get fuller, faster. Zero room.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nothing in particular but I am dealing with bouts of nausea again.

Gender prediction: BOY!! 

Labor Signs: I think my belly looks lower and I seem to be having Braxton Hicks contractions more often.

Belly Button in or out? I think it popped? I don't hate it ;) 

Wedding rings on or off? Off for a while. 

Happy or Moody most of the time: Somewhere in between. I find my temper to be shorter and I'm nervous about nothing being done. 

Weekly Wisdom: My kids have been awesome this week - mostly just really good and chill and sweet. I am worried about them with the new baby but I think they'll adapt just fine. 

Milestones: 5 weeks to go. After my next appointment in 10 days, I'm every week. I have 1 more ultrasound to go. We are really stinkin' close!!! 

Week 33!

happy week 33. 

i'm tired. i'm uncomfortable. 

and my baby is as big as celery, per my app. 

i feel huge and i am trying to just push through. 

next up, baby appt on Tuesday. 

putting together the nursery 

and trying hard not to complain (ha!) 

WEEK 33, YA'LL 

How far along? 33 weeks.

Total weight gain/loss: I'm so nervous to weigh in that I once again chickened out. 

Maternity clothes? Of course but now I just honestly want to be naked. Everything feels so uncomfortable by the end of the day.

Stretch marks? Not yet - 6 weeks to go and I'm really hoping they stay AWAY.

Sleep: Last night was a great night - I'm waking up 1-2 times a night to pee and turning over is a DOOZY but overall it's not so bad.

Best moment this week: Last Saturday, Shari had a massive playdate with all the kids (Layla, Benny, Henry, Kai, Lev, Will & Evey) - it was so, so much fun. ALSO I had a pedicure on Sunday and I'd get one everyday if I could - it helped me seriously swollen feet.

Have you told family and friends: Yes.

Movement: Constant. He's a jumping BEAN!

Food cravings:  Fruit. Lemonade. Rolls.But also, nothing? Heartburn is a doozy.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Just the heart burn - the other night I didn't want to eat dinner. I'm just not feeling great lately. 

Gender prediction: BOY!! 

Labor Signs: I think my belly looks lower? But no Braxton Hicks I don't think?

Belly Button in or out? Sort of popped!

Wedding rings on or off?  I wore my wedding band yesterday but overall, just not. Too swollen.

Happy or Moody most of the time: Pretty happy! Just really, really uncomfortable. Especially by the end of the day - I just need to put my feet up and hope for sleep.

Weekly Wisdom: It will all get done - in time. Stop rushing this time away - enjoy this last pregnancy :) 

Milestones: We are really close. 6 weeks is NOT a long time. I need to work on his nursery. I'm just too tired lol 

Week 32.

Happy week 32!

Today, he is a squash. 

I had an ultrasound this morning - guess what he weighs? That's right - 4 pounds, 15 ounces. 

HE'S HUGE. 

He falls around the 90% - it's wild. 

Just like Benny boy. 

We had a great ultrasound - except we learned he may be missing his right kidney. No one seems too concerned - the doctor came in to discuss. He said right now - the baby's bladder & amniotic fluid look good. In past scans, both kidneys were there so there's a chance it's still there - or it atrophied (stopped growing) - or it was never there to begin with. 

I go back in roughly 4 weeks for one final ultrasound before he's born. 

I'm trying to keep the faith that everything will be fine!

My goal is to really start decorating his room this weekend. Make it feel a little more real.

7 weeks (or less) until we see his sweet, chubby face. 

We love you already, baby MSE.

How far along? 32 weeks.

Total weight gain/loss: Didn't weigh in. 

Maternity clothes? All maternity.

Stretch marks? Not yet - fingers crossed. Let's go Bio Oil. 

Sleep: Just tricky - I wake up to pee often and my back pain is out of control at night. Turning over is a doozy. 

Best moment this week: We had an amazing weekend in Atlantic City. It was really nice to decompress, nap, have a prenatal massage, eat a bunch of yummy good and just decompress. Very thankful for our village that allows us to take these trips. 

Have you told family and friends: Yes.

Movement: Constant.

Food cravings:  Nothing in particular but always hungry (ha!)

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope.  

Gender prediction: BOY!! 

Labor Signs: Nothing yet. The baby is head down and I feel HUGE but no major braxton hicks.

Belly Button in or out? Barely in.

Wedding rings on or off? Off :( 

Happy or Moody most of the time: Half & Half. This was a good week - just feeling anxious that we are 7 weeks away.

Weekly Wisdom: Try to enjoy this ride. It's the last time I feel the movement - the giant belly - all of it. I'm trying to just enjoy it.

Milestones: Josh put together his crib! It's so cute. So now it's time to start decorating. We also got our first official baby gift - the changing table from Josh's parents best friends, Rhonda & Bert :) 

Week 31!

HAPPY 31 WEEKS!!!!!!!!

We are 8 weeks away from meeting this sweet baby boy and I'm giddy with nerves / excitement. 

This weekend, Josh & I are heading to Atlantic City for a weekend away (a "Baby Moon") - I'm ready to catch up on some sleep & reading. So grateful for our community of family/friends who are watching Layla, Benny & the pets while we escape a bit. 

I'm feeling pretty good - just big. 

My to do list:

1. Josh put together the crib. 

2. Get an extra rod for the closet and start hanging up clothes. 

3. Hang things on the wall. 

4. Put the glider in the nursery. 

5. Buy an outfit for bringing baby home from hospital. 

How far along? 31 weeks today! Baby is the size of a pineapple or asparagus! 

Total weight gain/loss: I'm 28.6 heavier then when I started this journey - but like Jaime, my best friend / co-worker / therapist said, I will lose it soon and it's worth it!!

Maternity clothes? Yes.  

Stretch marks? Not yet - fingers crossed.

Sleep: Some nights are harder then others. The chiropractor provided some much needed relief earlier this week so I'm going to try not skipping (I missed 3 weeks) - but turning over / getting out of bed is quite painful and now I'm waking up twice a night to pee.

Best moment this week: Lots of really sweet moments but I think it would be the warmer temps - yesterday and today it's in the upper 60s and everything feels ALIVE. I am ready to be done with Winter, look forward to lots of time outside and eagerly awaiting the arrival of our new bundle in 8 weeks!!

Have you told family and friends: I'm 8 months pregnant. BIG AND PROUD.

Movement: Moves all the time!!

Food cravings:  Green grapes. Donuts. 

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope - although I'm still taking unisom and b6 because I'm terrified nausea will return.

Gender prediction: BOY!! 

Labor Signs: Braxton Hicks. 

Belly Button in or out? Barely in.

Wedding rings on or off? Officially off this week (I've been pretty swollen) 

Happy or Moody most of the time: Mostly happy this week!! We are excited and I"m ready to really set up the baby's nursery - hoping Josh can put together the crib this week.

Weekly Wisdom: Stop worrying about weight. Sitting too long makes my back a disaster. 

Milestones: We're in our 8 month!!