Jo Jo had two birthday parties to celebrate his 3rd Birthday, one small party at home in North Carolina and another with friends and family where I’m originally from in New York. I’ll post more about our mini vacation adventure at a later date but, here are some pics of his birthday cake from the larger shindig! The theme this year was Yo Gabba Gabba!
Three years ago today I gave birth to an amazing little boy EXACTLY on his estimated due date. He’s my heart and I love him to pieces. Jo Jo is the youngest of four children. He was quite a surprise because there is an eight year difference between him and the second to last youngest, and after baby number 3 I said that was it… We’re done, our family is complete! So, I was wrong. I documented this pregnancy from beginning to end. I went to a Birthing Center vs. traditional OBGYN for prenatal care, got 3D/4D ultrasound images and video, took pregnancy portraits, took up knitting and scrap-booking just to name a few things. The only thing I didn’t do was paint my belly or do a belly cast. My sister says the two middle children are going to suffer from middle child syndrome because of ALL the attention my oldest and the youngest get. I disagree! *thinking*
I had a decent pregnancy up until my third trimester when I was put on bed rest because Jo Jo tried several attempts at making his debut quite early! I was going crazy in bed my last trimester. That’s when the knitting and scrap-booking came into play. I must have made every kind of blanket, hat, and scarf you can think of! On Sunday January 13, 2008 at 6:00 a.m. in the morning I felt an overwhelming amount of pressure which then turned into immediate full blown contractions. We made it to the birthing center just in time for my water to break. I must have tried every birthing position you can think of but, I was just restless. I wanted a water birth but, couldn’t get relaxed and comfortable in the water. I tried the birthing ball which lasted the longest. FINALLY at 12:42 p.m. in the afternoon Jo Jo was born and I fell in love immediately! We rested for a while and were released at 5:30 p.m. and got home just in time for Sunday night football! The Mister was very happy! We had a midwife come in for a few days after he was born to do all the necessary tests and checkups that are usually done in the hospital. One of the reasons I chose a birthing center besides the fact that they take a natural approach to everything is that I have a phobia of hospitals and I was able to go home the same day. If the state of NC allowed home births, I would have stayed home.
Jo Jo is amazing! He’s so SMART! I guess being the youngest of four children he would be. He is home schooled at the moment and learning a kindergarten curriculum because he’s so advanced. He picks up on things very easily and will come out of left field and surprise me. I have posted some pictures of my journey with Jo Jo until the present. Oh, check him out being a cool kid, thanks to Yo Gabba Gabba!
3D/4D Ultrasound @ 36 wks
1st Newborn Pic
1st Birthday Keepsake
2nd Birthday Invitation
3rd Birthday Invitation