More pics of Elijah!

Elijah's Birth

It was perfect! I could not have hoped for a better experience. I can't say I want to do it again any time soon, but it was well worth the precious gift received. So here's all the detail...

The doctor told me a few days before I went into labor that I was not dilating and I may have to be induced. To say that I freaked out would be an understatement. This was my worst fear and after all the walking I had been doing I was so disappointed. So I was sad for a day then I decided that it would be ok, I know God had a plan for this birth. So Thursday 9/9, a week before my induction date I woke to a few hard contractions. They stopped so I went to the gym, walked 3 miles but I felt a little off all day. I was not hungry and I just had a feeling that something was happening. I decided to go get acupuncture after my walk hoping that it may get things moving....and it did. At 5pm contractions started. Not little contractions, but hard need to breath through and bend over contractions. I was making Jerome a special dinner that night which I was determined to finish so I just cooked through the pain. I kept thinking "there is no way I am actually in labor right now". Jerome got home at 7pm and by then contractions were 7 minutes apart and getting stronger. At this point, I knew I was in labor. Our plan was to labor at home for as long as possible, so we ate dinner and Jerome cleaned the kitchen. Jerome was the best coach ever. He helped me try different positions, laying on the couch, the birth ball. I finally got in bed and just focused on breathing. At 11pm, we decided it was time to go since my contractions we 2-3 minutes apart. I don't even remember the drive to the hospital! We got to the hospital a little before midnight the nurse checked me and said "Wow you are already 7 cm dilated". I looked at Jerome and totally started crying. I guess I just could not believe this baby was actually coming! Jerome got on the phone and started calling everyone. Before I knew it everyone was there. It was awesome to have so much support. Melissa and Jerome walked the halls with me. Jerome helped to to remember to breath and through each contraction he massaged my back. An hour later I was at 8cm and got in the shower to relieve some pressure. When I got out I was having that feeling everyone says you have when its time to push, like you need to use the bathroom. I told Jerome to get the nurse. And sure enough, I was 10cm.

Crazy!! That moment was so exciting but so scary. The realization that we were about to meet our child was overwhelming. I think I finally asked for the epidural at this time, but did not end up getting it.With help from my Mom, sister, Jerome, Melissa and Jerome's Mom I pushed for an hour. Nothing can prepare you for the intense emotion you feel during this time. Extreme exhaustion, excitement, fear but the moment Elijah was out and they laid him on me, literally every thought and emotion left me. I was completely speechless, just looking at this little person. Finally they said It's a boy and I looked up at Jerome and saw a proud father looking down at his son. That was the best moment! After they stitched me all up, the rest of the family came in. My Dad, brother, sister Christine and Jerome's step mom Elizabeth. It was such a blessing to have everyone there as my Dad prayed over Elijah for the first time. It was an amazing experience and it feels even more amazing to be a Mom. Tomorrow Elijah will be 2 weeks old and its been a busy 2 weeks, filled with so many emotions. There have been some overwhelming moments but when I look at Elijah's little face all I feel is the most intense love. Thank you Lord for this gift!

40 WEEKS!!!

Baby Manos is due today September 5th!! We have finally reached week 40. Within a week (hopefully) I will be holding a little baby in my arms. I spent the morning celebrating my Mom's birthday. We went to brunch at Mimi's Cafe in Dublin and enjoyed some family time. Family time in the Edwards pack means someone is most likely being teased or being sarcastic. I think my brother was on the receiving end of the teasing today, but he was also dishing out the sarcasm as well. I am so proud of the Man he has become!! It seems like just yesterday when he was just that annoying little brother and now he is so mature and respectful and has been blessed with the sweetest woman in his life. Its a pleasure to spend time with both Justin and Christine! Although, I could do without the weird/scary iPhone pictures they have:) The sweet little hostess tried to seat us at a booth, and I took one look at it and said "Ummm I don't think I can get my belly in there, I will need a chair". Welcome to full term pregnancy!! This belly gets in the way of everything. Its really strange to even hug my hubby because there is a basketball in between us. I am feeling great and have been enjoying maternity leave. I have been walking every day and its been so awesome to be home to make dinner for Jerome. Normally I would not get home until 6:30 or 7pm, so its been a treat to spoil Jerome a bit before the baby arrives. After all the waiting I just can't believe the day has finally arrived. Its so hard to wait!! I just want to meet this little baby and kiss it all over. I am so thankful to have had such a great pregnancy. I never had any major issue and the baby is healthy! Now all I need is a quick and painless labor:)

Finally..The Nusery is done!

Yes, the nursery is finally done. It makes everything so real. Jerome did a wonderful job painting the room a light beige and putting the furniture together. We can't wait for the baby to get here and add some gender appropriate touches to the walls. The room is so relaxing and I am looking forward to sitting in the rocker with little Jordynn or Elijah and making lots of memories. Thanks to all for everything you have given us for the baby. From furniture to clothes to books and everything in between, Jerome and I can't believe how blessed we've been. You have all had a part in getting this little room ready and stocked full of the necessities. When we first found out we were having a baby I felt so overwhelmed thinking of everything we would need. It's amazing how God provides because we really got everything we needed from our loved ones.What a lesson in learning to trust God for the big and small things in life. I am praying that I learn each day to trust God in my ability to be a mother.

So I am 38 weeks, which means I have 2 weeks until my due date on September 5th. Crazy, time has flown by. I officially started my maternity leave today and had such a relaxing day. I slept in, went to the gym and walked, ran some errands. Once I got home I spent the rest of the day laying at the pool. It was so nice to just relax and not be staring at a computer or worrying about catching a BART train. Thank you Lord for this time. I am truly appreciating every moment of peace and quiet.

In other Manos family news, Chabot football has officially started. Great timing right, new baby and the crazy busy football season. Thankfully, I know we have such amazing friends and family so I will have lots of help. I am just sad because I know I won't be able to make it to every game this year. I am so proud of Jerome and all the hard work he puts into being the best coach he can be. I won't lie, I definitely get frustrated about the time commitment, but when I see Jerome out on the field it all goes away. God has given him such a gift in coaching and his ability to be an example to young men. There is nothing like watching your husband be used by God. Its like a gift that keeps being unwrapped as you realize the depth to which God is using you. I am so proud of you honey! If anyone wants to come cheer the Chabot Gladiators on with me, just let me know. Me and the baby would love your company!!

34 Weeks, 40 Days to go!

On Sunday we hit our 34 week mark and we only have 40 days to go until the due date. Hopefully the baby makes his or her debut on time or a little early. Here is a little info on what’s going on with the baby this week.

Your baby now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds (like your average cantaloupe) and is almost 18 inches long. Her fat layers — which will help regulate her body temperature once she's born — are filling her out, making her rounder. Her skin is also smoother than ever. Her central nervous system is maturing and her lungs are continuing to mature as well. If you've been nervous about preterm labor, you'll be happy to know that babies born between 34 and 37 weeks who have no other health problems generally do fine. They may need a short stay in the neonatal nursery and may have a few short-term health issues, but in the long run, they usually do as well as full-term babies.

We have the room ready for the baby and we are finishing up our last few natural birth classes. I can't believe how far we have come over the last 8 months. I have felt so loved and taken care of by all of our family and friends. God is so amazing to put so many great people in our lives to support us through this time. God has really shown me ( and I am sure I will continue to learn) how to lean on others and be honest about what I am going through. Asking for help can be hard for me, but you all make it so easy. I absolutely can't wait to do some special things for everyone in our lives who have gone out of their way to be there for Jerome and I. We love you more than words can say!!!!

A few pics form the Baby Shower!

I had a great time at the baby shower and can't believe how generous my family and friends have been. This baby will be so loved! Thanks to my Mom, my Mother in law Adele and my sis for making it great day!

Celebrating 5 Years of Marriage

On July 9th, Jerome and I celebrated our 5 year wedding anniversary. Time has gone by so quickly and here we are expecting our 1st baby. I am so blessed to be married to an awesome man of God who supports me, encourages me, shows me and my attitude so much grace, but most importantly a man who loves me. I don't think we have had one day of marriage where he did not tell me he loves me or thinks I am pretty. BLESSED! Jerome spent the 9th at a golf tournament, so when he got home we had cake and apple cider and watched our wedding video. It was so fun to look back 5 years ago and see all of our loved ones supporting us. It was also pretty fun and sweet to see the people who cried during our ceremony....Cheri!! hehe

We did finally really celebrate out anniversary the next night and went to a nice restaurant and actually got dressed up. Or as dressed up as you can get 8 months pregnant. The dessert was my favorite part of course.

OOPS...Sorry Jerome

I forgot to post the pics of Jerome painting. He is very proud of his work so I had to make sure to post. He has a become a great painter and I am so thankful I did not have to do it.

Pics of life at 8 months.

Here are a few photos of life lately. My first load of baby laundry, Jerome painting the baby room and my growing belly. Also, a picture of my brothers beautiful girlfriend who just graduated college. Go Christine!!!!!

32 Weeks and Counting!

Wow, I can't believe we are 8 weeks away from meeting Baby Manos! It feels like time has gone by so fast, but then I look at the calendar and I realize its been a long journey. From morning sickness to waiting for a baby bump to appear then wishing the baby bump was not so big. I guess a lot has happened over the last 8 months. While the baby has been busy growing BIG and strong, this time has also been essential to Jerome and I trying to becoming mentally and spiritually prepared to be parents. I have always respected other parents that I know, as well as my own Mom and Dad but being on the verge of becoming a mother has given me a whole new respect for parents in general. I have many moments where I need to tell myself if they can do it, so can I. I mean sometimes its hard enough trying to take care of myself and now it will be all about taking care of a baby. If nothing else, the last few months have shown me just how much I need God. Not just knowing he is there if I need him, but truly relying on his spirit to guide me in my actions and thoughts. I know that need only becomes greater as I Jerome and I try to raise our children. Yesterday at church, we were singing a song about God's Grace and I was thanking God that I will have his grace upon me as a mother. I pray my little one will learn to be forgiving and full of grace also.

So Jerome and I have also been doing A LOT of nesting lately. Yes, I said Jerome and I. I think he gotten bitten by the bug worse than me because every weekend for the last 3 weeks he's been painting rooms in our house. Its so cute to see him so enthralled with getting our home ready. I will post a few pics of the house, but every room was updated with new paint and Jerome is most proud of the 1/2 bath downstairs that he painted RED! It looks beautiful. Thanks Babe! Your hard work means more to me than you realize! The babies room is almost ready and I have been having lots of fun doing the first few loads of baby laundry. Its all so tiny.

Oh, and Yes we are 32 weeks pregnant. My belly has gotten bigger than I thought it would and my poor skin has stretched more than I imagined possible. And we still have 8 weeks to go, amazing what the body can handle. Little Manos is VERY active and its been absolutely amazing to watch my tummy move. It just fills me up with so much Joy knowing there is a little person in there. I have to be honest and say that I don't enjoy the not sleeping part. My legs are so tingly and twitchy at night so its been hard to sleep. Thankfully Jerome has been so sweet and will rub my legs and feet when they get really bad. This week they say the baby is between 3-4 pounds and nearing its final length.

I will post pics soon!

More Pics of life recently...

7 Months and Still Stretching......

Can you believe Baby Manos will be here in 2 1/2 months? Time has flown by. I always thought 9 months seemed like forever but, not anymore. We still have so much to do but have just been busy have fun and enjoying our last few months as a family of two! I am 29 weeks today so I am close to 71/2 months preggo. I am feeling good, but starting to get very uncomfortable. I have stopped teaching my pilates class because it is just too hard to get up and down from the floor and I get out of breath so easy these days. I am still walking and doing cardio at the gym, which is very funny since after I am on the machine for 20 seconds I have to get off and go pee again. JOY! The baby moves around so much now and its very distracting at work. I always stop what I am doing so I can watch my tummy roll and poke out. Its like play time and the baby is not even here yet. Jerome has not yet gotten used to the baby pokes. He puts his hand on my belly and when the baby move he still jumps. Jerome is getting used to lots of other things though.. We started taking our natural birth class and we are both learning a lot and it has sparked some great conversation about our role as mom and dad. Last week, it was so cute. He said "so what will my role be" I was like, "well, you are the Dad". I guess he wanted to know what he could be in charge of if I am feeding the baby and stuff like that. It makes me smile and feel so full of Joy when I think about how far we have come in the last 7 months. He is already becoming a great Dad and I love that he wants to make sure he has a role and time to bond with this Baby. I have been praying that God will continue to mold both of us into the parents we need to be for this little person and especially that we would patient. I think there is no better gift to give a child than being a praying parent. I learned from my Dad a long time ago, that he would pray over me my brother and sis. He would pray for our future's, faith and also for the partner's we choose in life. It is so fun to be able to do that now for our child. Its never too early to pray for the future of a child and I can't wait to see what Jordan is like.

Ok, so what else have we been up to in the last 2 months. We done birth classes, yesterday we took a breastfeeding class and YES, Jerome went with me!!! He was such a goof the entire class but we had fun. They had dolls to practice positions with. One of the feeding positions they call the football hold. Of course Jerome was all over that "this is how you hold a football, 4 point of contact". Too funny, we laughed and learned a lot. I also got my last Tahoe trip in before the baby arrives. We went up recently with the Kanoho's and had so much fun getting to spend a few days with Chloe and Kailie. Chuck and Mis you a guys are fun too!

Enjoy the pics above, I look like quite the stretched out basketball thes days!!