Jacob Ross Hardy

Jake is here! He was born on April 23rd 2010 at 10:58 am weighing 7lbs 10 oz and 19 1/2 inches long. He is absolutely gorgeous and we are loving being a family of four!

Here is the story: ( It's long, but I don't want to forget any details.)
On Thursday April 22nd, we stayed at my parents house to make the drive the next morning alot shorter. My parents were going to watch Hailee the whole time while I was at the hospital. She was super excited!
On the morning of the 23rd,we got up, showered, said our goodbyes and hit the road. It was really weird knowing that we were on our way to the hospital to have a baby...no labor, no pain, a great nights rest, hair and make up done, and feeling pretty relaxed! I was enjoying it! Well...until we got onto the 91 FWY. We gave ourselves about 30 min. to get to the hospital. It was about 8:35 when we got onto the freeway going East when all of a sudden, we ended up being dead stopped on the freeway. Come on, traffic going Eastbound? This is not supposed to happen! The freeway looked like a parking lot. It took us until 8:51 to reach the 15/91 interchange...(it was about 4 miles worth of driving.) I started to stress because we were supposed to be at the hospital by 9am. I called to let them know I was running late, and thankfully, once we passed the accident that held the freeway up, it was fast driving from there!
We made it to the hospital by 9:15am, and I was checked in. My c-section wasn't scheduled until 11am, but my doctor called and said he was going to do it at 10:30am instead. Up until that point, I wasn't nervous, but when the nurse told me that I was going in for surgery early, I got so nervous! I sat there really quiet, a million things racing through my mind, and then once everything was ready, I was wheeled into the operating room.
This time the c-section experience was completely different. With Hailee, it was an emergency, so everything went so fast and I don't remember about 90% of what actually happened. But this time I knew everything that was going on.
Gregg and the anesthesiologist were up by my head and we were carrying on a conversation, when Dr. Saenz told Gregg to get his camera ready because he was about to pull Jake out. I said "What? They already cut me open?" The anesthesiologist laughed and said they made the cut a couple minutes ago. I had no clue! I could feel a little pressure, but I thought they were just laying the tools on my stomach! Boy, was I wrong!
I layed there waiting to hear the first cry, and as soon as I did, I couldn't help but to start crying. That cry was the most beautiful sound I have ever heard. So pure, so innocent, and already my heart filled with love for our son. As soon as Gregg was able to, he brought Jake up to my face so I could see him for the first time and wow, he was beautiful. I gave him some kisses on the head before the nurses took him away to the nursery.
After I was stitched up (The whole procedure only took 20 min...amazing!) I was taken to recovery for 1 1/2 hours...the longest 1 1/2 hours of my life. I wanted to see my son so bad.
Finally, I was taken to my room and Gregg handed me our son. He was so beautiful. I held him close and thanked Heavenly Father for sending us another child to love, cherish and raise.
For the next few hours, we enjoyed the quiet time with the three of us. We then called my parents to have them bring Hailee down to meet him. I was really nervous to see how she would re act. I made sure I had a present to give to her from Jake...it was a necklace and bracelet. Once they got there, Hailee was very unsure about what was going on. She seemed scared, sad and emotional. She didn't want much to do with me, which sent me into tears. I know she wasn't trying to be mean, she is so little and didn't understand what was going on, but it broke my heart. Her and I have such a strong, close relationship that this made it hard on me to see her like this. After a while (and after some food) she seemed to be a little better. She gave Jake kisses, hugs and even put her new jewelry on him and laughed a lot! I was so happy that she was finally seeming happy!
I spent the next couple of days in the hospital and was very anxious to be released to go home.
I was discharged on Sunday and we went over to my parents house for the afternoon and to pick up Hailee.
Seeing Hailee with Jake is so precious. She is already so protective of him and loves him more than words can express. Every time she passes him, she kisses him. Every time he cries, she gives him his blanket or binki. Every time she goes to sleep, she wants Jake next to her so she can hold his hand. They are going to have such a close relationship and we are truly blessed to have two amazing children.
We are so excited to have Jake as part of our family now and look forward to all of the years ahead of us with him! We love this little guy so much!
(To be continued...and more pictures to come...)

My Warrior Man!

April 10th 2010, Gregg and his friend Will ran in the Warrior Dash in Lake Elsinore. Gregg's Dad and step mom came down for the weekend to support and cheer him on in the race! It was alot of fun to watch him! He loved it and did a great job in it!


Each runner was given a warrior hat in their goodie bags!

Gregg and Will....what manly men they are in those hats!

Hailee anxiously waiting to watch Daddy race through the mud pit!

Go Gregg go!

After the race! They had so much fun!

He was filthy and stunk of Lake Elsinore mud! lol

So I gave him a congrats kiss standing as far away as I could!

Cheryl, Gregg and his Dad Dave

They had to wash the mud off in the lake....and can you see that smiling face....need I say more???

Hailee was beat after being in the sun for so many hours that day! Thank goodness for the wagon for her to relax in

That night after the race, we had a big BBQ at our house. Gregg's brother Chad and his wife and kids ended up being in town (They stayed at a beach house the entire week) so they came over, as well as my parents, Kip and his cute little family! I wish I would have taken pictures, but our house was packed full of fun, and I totally forgot to pull it out! Bummer! But we had a great time seeing everyone!

While Dave and Cheryl were here, we had a belated Easter egg hunt. It was alot of fun!

Dave, Hailee and Cheryl. She loves the bunny they gave her. She calls it "Buns"

On April 11th, we went on a nice hike back in the hills. The only downside to the hike was that it was FREEZING cold and WINDY! But, still fun!

Hailee asks everyday to go hiking! She sure loves the outdoors already!

My doctor would have killed me if he knew I was out hiking hills this far along pregnant! lol. Thank goodness I didn't slip on the steep hills and go into labor!

We enjoyed having Dave and Cheryl here and look forward to our next visit with them!

Spring Time Lovin'

I love Spring time! The weather is always (usually) so nice and it gets me so excited for summer! The days start staying lighter longer which means more outside fun!
Gregg has been working on our yard alot lately. He tore up some patches of grass in the front yard that weren't that great looking and he and Hailee re seeded the bare spots. Hailee absolutely LOVES helping her Daddy in the yard. She even has her own rake, broom and shovel! It is so cute!

The first warm day of 85 degrees, we decided to hit the pool! Hailee was in HEAVEN! She is our little water girl! As soon as her floaties were on, she ran to the side of the pool to jump in! Now, the weather was really warm, but the pool water was still pretty COLD!

Gregg decided to help Hailee in so it wouldn't be such a shocker to her body with how cold it was. But even the cold water didn't stop her from having a great time! She laughed almost the entire time they were in the pool! It was so fun to see her sooo excited to be swimming again! We were so proud that she remembered so much from last summer! Once she finally got cold enough, they went over to the hot tub to continue swimming. I think she enjoyed the warm water alot more. She seriously has no fear of jumping in! She will do it over and over and over! Each time she jumps higher and farther!
Last week, (Wed. April7th) my friend Jen Fallon wanted to take maternity pictures of me for her portfolio. I was a little hesitant about taking them so late in my pregnancy (Because I feel so big right now!) But I decided to go ahead with them!
She did such a great job! I am 36 1/2 weeks in these pictures!

Taking these pictures was so much fun! Jen is such an awesome girl! Check out her link on my friends list. Jen Fallon Photography!

Some things to remember about this pregnancy:

-Before I had a positive pregnancy test, I already knew I was pregnant

-I took 3 pregnancy tests at home to make sure I really was pregnant, then went to the doctors to take theirs, and it came back negative.

-I cried, and the nurse told me she could tell I REALLY was pregnant, so had me get my blood work done which came back as a positive pregnancy

-We heard the heartbeat at my 12 week appointment

-I was nauseous 24/7 for the first 13 weeks

-I ran in the SBSD Mud Run at 10 weeks pregnant

-We found out at 15 weeks that we were having a BOY at an ultra sound place

-We thought we were having another girl, and the moment she told me it was a boy, I started crying...out of JOY! I would have been HAPPY either way, but it was so exciting knowing we would have a daughter and now a son!

-Hailee and Gregg came with me to that ultra sound and Hailee was fascinated with seeing a baby up on the screen.

-At my 20 week doctors ultra sound, it was confirmed again that we were having a boy, and also that I had placenta previa

-Because I had placenta previa, I had to stop running at 20 weeks....which was emotionally hard on me

-I freaked out and thought I would gain 50 pounds because I couldn't run anymore

But I didn't....

-I walked 5-7 miles everyday

-Every day since 20 weeks, I have CRAVED running.

-I started really feeling Jake move inside around 22 weeks

-When I was cleared from having placenta previa at 27 weeks, I jogged during part of my walk just to be able to feed my craving a little bit

-After that day, I never ran again during the pregnancy

-I started showing alot sooner this pregnancy

-I carry Jake really low compared to carrying Hailee really high

-I have never worn a pair of maternity pants. I just bought a bigger size in pants. I refuse to wear maternity pants!

-I have never sent Gregg to buy me food that I was craving...the only thing I have really craved is the feeling from a good hard run.

-I taught Pilate's until 22 weeks along and taught the aerobic classes until the last week of March. (Around 34/35 weeks along)

-We knew we would name our son Jake, so once we found out it was a boy, we didn't have to try and come up with a name.

-I am 9 lbs HEAVIER this pregnancy than I was when pregnant with Hailee. (AHH!!!!) Take that back....just went to the doctors today (4/16/10) and I am only 6 lbs HEAVIER! I'll take that over 9lbs! lol

-Every doctors appointment turns into a "lets talk about fitness and running" session with my doctor. He signed up for his first race and always asks me about training and getting into shape...it honestly gets annoying sometimes because it makes my appointments take forever. I finally printed him a running schedule and told him to follow it and if he didn't, I would start charging him for my time when we talk about fitness. lol.

-Hailee is so excited to be having a little baby brother....I think she understands for the most part with what is going on.

-She tells us that Jake is with Jesus right now

-Grandma gave Hailee a boy baby doll and she now has named the baby doll Jake.

-I enjoy being pregnant

-I have been having contractions ALOT, so I have slowed things down....I'm now down to doing only 5 miles a day instead of the 5-7.

-The nursery is pretty much finished. We went with a firefighter theme. It turned out really cute.

-My goal is to walk 7 miles the day before I go in for my c-section.

-I am so excited to be having a son.

-I can't wait to meet him

-I have had two dreams of him, and in my dreams saw what he looked like, so it will be interesting to see if he really looks like he did in my dreams.

-In my dreams he had dark brown hair and bright blue eyes

-And he was a pretty big baby in my dreams!

-I haven't been too demanding on Gregg this pregnancy...probably just a little emotional. lol.

-My scheduled date is April 23rd 2010, and I pray he doesn't come any sooner than that!

-Hailee and Jake will be 2 years and 5 months apart

-Everyone tells me that having two kids is so much harder, but honestly, I am SO EXCITED to have two children. I have felt that this lil guy has been wanting to come to our family for quite some time now, and we are just so thrilled for it. Yes, it will be challenging and tiring, but we don't care. We are just so happy!

-Oh, I still don't have my hospital bags packed....I should probably do that soon!

Happy Easter (and happy picture overload!)

Happy Easter!
We had such a wonderful Easter. Not only was it General Conference where we were able to listen to the wonderful talks from the Prophet and Apostles and reflect on the Savior and the Resurrection, but we were able to spend the day with family.

This year the Easter bunny decided to stop by Grandma and Grandpa's house to deliver the goodies!

Hailee helped Grandma make the Easter cake

Hailee enjoyed opening her Easter basket. The Easter bunny was really smart this year of knowing what Hailee would enjoy....a new bathing suit, floaties, towel, flip flops and pool toys!

We had an Easter egg hunt in Grandma and Grandpa's back yard. Hailee wasn't the only one interested in the eggs.....so was Bailey! He kept stealing the eggs and would run off with them! It was so funny to us, but not to Hailee!
Hailee really enjoyed finding all of the eggs. I wasn't sure if she would be that "into it" but she was! Once the eggs were all found, I decided to put her in her Easter dress and while I did that, Gregg re-hid the eggs for her to find again! She was sooo excited!

Showing off all of the eggs

Counting them to make sure they are all there

Our little model!

Running to the eggs

She had such a great day! And so did we!

She is our kind of girl....dresses like a girl but plays like a boy! LOVE IT!

What a cute lil family!

We were so happy to be able to spend the day with Grandma and Grandpa. They are always so much fun!

"Jeju"

(Journal entry)

Last night, April 14, 2010 Hailee and I were sitting at the counter eating dinner and Hailee looked across the room and said "Jeju". I looked to where she was looking and saw the picture of Jesus. I asked her "Are you looking at Jesus?" And she said yes. This was the first time she said who He was. We have her point out pictures of Christ, but she has never actually said it until last night. Then she looked over at me and put her hand on my belly and said "Jake wi Jeju". (Jake is with Jesus). I told her that's right. I asked her if Jake is going to come to our house next week and she said yes. Then I talked to her about when she lived with Jesus and how she knew Jake in Heaven too. It is amazing to see how close children still are to the veil and how much they can feel and recognize their Saviors love for them.

I was so excited this morning, and as soon as Gregg was up, I had Hailee tell him who Jake is with and once again she said he is with Jeju.
She is such an amazing daughter and she amazes me everyday with the things that she learns and understands. She is such a huge blessing in our lives, and we look forward to her being a big sister next week.

Wild Animal Park

On Saturday, April 3rd 2010, my parents took us all to the Wild Animal Park for a family day! It was so much fun! (Except that we missed Gregg and Rick!)
Hailee absolutely LOVED it! It took her a while to warm up to liking the animals, but once she did, she was all about it.

We arrived to the park around 11am, and both girls were ready to go! (Except that Hailee wasn't too thrilled to have to be in a stroller. She is all about walking and not being pushed)

We started our adventure off with going into the area where you can pet the animals. Hailee didn't care for this at all.

But with Grandpa and Grandma's help, she started to relax and enjoyed it at the very end.

Hailee being silly in the log
Mommy and Hailee
Hailee's favorite animal right now is a monkey (Well, dogs too). But she absolutely LOVES monkeys! She had fun watching these lil guys swing around.

While my Mom waited in line for us for the safari, we went over and saw the lions.

Once we were done looking at the lions, we raced over to the safari tour and all hopped onto the car.

The two best parents!

Hailee decided she needed to wear her monkey back pack. The funny thing is that she would not let me hold the leash at all. Everyone else was allowed to, except for me. She thought it was so fun having it on! She skipped and laughed the entire time she wore it!

Waiting for the tram to start

My all time favorite animal....giraffes!

Us kids having a great time!

Grandma and Hailee have so much fun together! And Grandma is such a great sport for playing on the slides with Hailee!

The gorillas....I never realized how HUGE they are!

All of us!

The elephants. This lil one was born in February. He is already so huge!

Our little chick
At the very end, we went on the carousel. Grandma told Hailee she was riding on a doggy, which made Hailee so excited!
Kip, Sarah and Brooke

We had such a great day and really appreciate Mom and Dad aka Grandma and Grandpa taking us there. We love you guys!