First Day of Preschool

September 8th was not only a big day in the Ducote home since Julia was born, but it was also important because it was Joseph's first day of preschool for the 2014-2015 school year.  Joseph is in the 3 year old class this year and attends Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9:00 to 2:00.  His teacher is Mrs. Lauren with Mrs. Thelma as an aide (the same aide from last year.)  

Since Daddy and I had to be at the hospital that morning at 5:30 a.m., we left Nani in charge of the first day of school and everyone did great!  Joseph actually woke up that morning at 4:45 to say good-bye to us but thankfully after I tucked him back in to bed he was able to fall back to sleep and Nani and Ella actually had to wake him up at 7:15! I left three different options of outfits for him to wear (two included a collared shirt and he chose the football non-collared shirt, which I figured he would, but he looked great and was ready to go!)   He was super excited about the day and Nani said that he did fabulous!  

He told me the night before that he wants to be Spiderman when he grows up!

Ella wanted to get in on the photo shoot.

 The next two are "pow pow/Spiderman" pictures according to Nani.  

Ella also does "pow pow" and normally Joseph corrects her by saying, "Ella, no weapons" but it looks like today they both wanted to take part of it!

And, here he is outside of school getting ready to go in.  We hope that you have a fabulous year Joseph and can't wait to hear all about the things that you learn and do!

After school they came to the hospital to meet baby Julia and Joseph told us that he had a great day.  He liked playing with Maggie (who was in his class last year).  On Friday, after the first week, he told me, "Mom, I like my teacher.  She is really nice to me."  I sent Mrs. Lauren and email that night thanking her because hearing your child say that really means so much especially with the transition of a new baby in our home- knowing that he was happy and adjusting well to the start of another school year makes it so much easier!  

Welcome Julia Ann!

Dear Julia,

Despite all efforts of trying to have you come on your own all weekend long, we ended up at St. Luke's hospital in The Woodlands on Monday, September 8th at 5:30 a.m. for an induction.  I must provide a very comfy home for almost ten months since you (along with your older brother and sister)  had no interest in coming out on your own. I almost spent $250 for an induction massage with a very "granola-esque" therapist but at the last minute she couldn't fit me in but she gave me a few other natural ways to try to induce labor over the weekend...none of which worked though. I didn't get much sleep the night before and was up at 4:15 Monday morning but felt positive about the induction and was excited and ready to meet you.  I had gone to the hospital on Friday for a non-stress test where all looked great and also to complete the admission paperwork and although Friday took forever I am glad that I did because Monday morning was  a breeze.  

We were in our room (#205), settled in and in the bed by 6:00 a.m.  Our first nurse's name was Mini and she was so positive that the labor and birth were going to go so well and that the vbac would be successful that eased a lot of my worries and helped calm my nerves.  She checked me and I was 3 cm and about 80% effaced and we began the pitocin at 6:30 a.m.  The pitocin was started at 2 cc's and to increase slowly every 15-30 minutes.  At 7:30 a.m. we had a nurse change where Debbie took over and would remain with us until you were born that day.  Dr. Scott came in at 7:55 a.m. to check on me (still at 3 cm) and to break my water in hopes to get things moving.  For the next hour I tried to rest a little bit but the contractions were starting to pick up and feel more intense.  At 8:55 a.m. Debbie checked me again because the contractions were becoming closer and much more intense but I was only at a 4 and 80% effaced.  I decided at that point to get the epidural since I had to finish getting a bag of fluids prior to the epidural so wanted to get that going before I was in too much pain.  The anesthesiologist was in around 9:15 a.m. and by that time the contractions were much more intense.  The anesthesiologist asked the nurse how far along I was and she replied, "She was only a 4 fifteen minutes ago but I'm pretty certain that things are moving fast and she's much farther now."  Well, she was right, because after he left she checked me again and at 9:32 a.m. I was 7 cm and 100% effaced.  The epidural took a LONG time to kick in and actually never fully gave me the complete relief.  The nurse ended up calling the anesthesiologist back in because after about 20 minutes my left side felt relief but I could still feel all of the contractions on my right side and he said that since I have scoliosis (which was news to me!?) that it was going to take longer to get to the right side.  With that being said that half hour between 9:30 and 10:00 when I went from 7 to 10 cm dilated was definitely intense but thankfully right around 10 the pain on my right side from the contractions eased up.  I kept telling Daddy and the nurse that I had to use the bathroom and that I felt the urge to push so Debbie checked me one more time and at 10:00 am I was dilated to 10 so they called Dr. Scott for your arrival!  I looked at Daddy during one contraction and said to him, "I changed my mind-I think its a girl!"  

I thought that the time between 9:30 and 10:00 felt like forever, but what was worse was the wait for the Doctor to arrive.  Dr. Scott's office is just next door to the hospital but the time that it took her to get to the room seemed like she was driving up from Houston.  The nurse kept telling me not to push and all I wanted to do was push but did my best to hold off until she arrived.  Once Dr. Scott arrived and I was given the ok to start pushing I quickly realized that the epidural had not worked entirely because I felt every push (don't want to be too graphic!) but let's just say that Daddy's favorite part of the delivery was me yelling, "This epidural is NOT working!  I can feel this baby coming out!"  Thankfully I didn't have to push long and less than 10 pushes later you, our sweet baby GIRL, entered into the world.  My eyes were closed as you were pulled out and Dr. Scott said to me, "Look down, look down" and I remember yelling out, "Oh my gosh, it's a girl!" You arrived at 10:36 a.m. weighing 8 pounds, 15 ounces (the exact weight as me when I was born) and were 21 inches long.  Dr. Scott put you on my chest and it seemed as if you had been there forever.  Such an amazing feeling and we feel so blessed to have you in our family.  We love you so much and look forward to watching you grow.

Love, 

Mommy

Last pregnant picture-ready to meet you!

Dr. Terri Scott who was amazing!  Both Daddy and I thanked her for being so calm and doing such a great job.  

First meeting!

First Bath

Much better now-all bundled up!

Sleeping with mommy on your first night

While Daddy was asleep on the couch!

Love that little face!

Holding onto mommy's finger

Happy Birthday sweet Julia!

Starting off September

Here are just a few random pictures from the first week of September.  We are all anxiously awaiting the arrival of our baby and trying to keep busy while waiting.  

On September 4th we met up with friends at Chick-Fil-A for lunch before we headed to the airport to pick up Nani!! 

Kason, Jack and Ella hanging in the tunnel

Playing outside on Friday, September 5th while Daddy grills.  Excited to have Nani here!  

Since Nani's arrival we have been taking long walks every day to try to get this baby moving.  On Saturday, September 6th we played at the park for awhile after our walk.

Such a big girl!!  Ella prefers the big swing now!

Later that afternoon we headed over to Rob Fleming park for Arts in the Park.  It ended up pouring rain but was nice to get out and check out the festival for a bit.

Getting ready to paint a ceramic pig.

An attempt at a family picture but obviously the kids were much more into painting than the camera.

Ella and Joseph love playing "puppies"-here Ella is a puppy while Joseph was telling her which way to go from the bus.

"Come here puppy!"

Selfies!

Daddy set up the swing so they were checking it out!  Still no baby...I had an appointment on Friday, September 5th and baby looks great.  I was dilated to 2 1/2 cm (as of Wednesday September 3rd and the dr stripped my membranes again) but still no major progress.  We set up an induction for Monday, September 8th if he/she doesn't come on its own this weekend.  So, by Monday we will have a baby!! We are ready!

On Sunday night we went to Orange Leaf (our favorite frozen yogurt place) for dessert and we saw a rainbow, which rarely happens here.  Figured it must be a good sign for the induction for baby which was set for the next morning!  

Last picture as a family of 4!