Jonathan Lester "Les" Duhon, Jr.

Les has arrived!!;) We are so overjoyed at our little man's arrival. A surprise to us, he decided to make his arrival a few days early - August 24, 2012 at 3:42 pm. We weren't due for the scheduled c-section until Sept. 1, 2012. We were more than thrilled to have him join us! Of course, we couldn't have a delivery sans drama. Jonathan went to NYC for business on the 22nd and was scheduled to arrive home on the 24th. He had a jet on stand-by if anything happened while he was away. Nothing did the first two days (typical). I was actually in Gulfport with Cecilia at my Mom's until driving in for my regularly scheduled check-up on the 24th. As I went in, all was fine. I sent Jonathan a text of the weigh-in (my weigh-in), then the cervix check (all good)... then, the doc wanted to put me on the monitor for 20 mins. No biggie. This was to "ease my mind" over the weekend. Off Jonathan goes into the air. The monitoring showed Baby Les was ready to make his arrival!! My doc gave me an hour to go home and pack. Luckily, Cecilia was already with Jonathan's Mom (Mam-ma) while I went to my appt (whew!!), so I just dropped a few things off and headed to FGH. I can't count how many people knew I was on the way to have the baby when Jonathan finally landed on a commercial flight, none other, in New Orleans. He was with a few guys from work who were able to keep him "calm," as they scurried to the hospital. My sweet doc waited on my husband to join us before Les' grand entrance. My younger sister-in-law, Sarah, who is in her 3rd year of medical school in Jackson --- and coincidentally doing an OB rotation (very cool!) --- drove down to scrub in for the surgery too. Fun!! Everyone made it and what a wonderful, blessed day!! Our God is good. So good! Our little man weighed in at 6 lbs, 7 oz. Really???! I gained 70 lbs. - yes, 70 (that is not rounded up) and this stinker was under 7 lbs.!! Now, he was a little early... full-term but not 40 wks. But ahhhhhh was he 6 lbs, 7 oz. of total perfection and love!!!!! My Mom reminded me that of all of us (three bros and I), I weighed the most - and that was 6 lbs, 3 oz., so I guess itty bitty ones run in my family.;) A gorgeous, healthy, angel baby we have!!

The drama continues... Cecilia was SICK. Argghh. Sick, sick, sick. So she stayed at Jonathan's parents (thank goodness for superstar in-laws who live 5 mins away!!) until my Mom could get in town to relieve them. My Mom had planned to come the day he was born and stay a couple weeks but of course... more drama... a hurricane hit the MS Gulf Coast. Super. My Mom finally got here (yay!!) and stayed a week. Cecilia was thrilled her "Jo Jo" was in town. Now, the stinker is in Gulfport with her and my awesome step-dad for a few days. I'm sure it will involve a lot of Barney, dancing, swimming and cookies --- oh and experimenting with lots of food choices. Thanks to Papa Dave!! Who knows what else they have planned for the rascal!!
((Even Mothers Need A Mother is the title of a chapter in a book I'm reading now. Isn't that the truth? A huge thanks to my Mom for being here this week. She is always there when I need her most and provides the most uplifting words of encouragement. How do Moms always know just what to say?! I am thankful for her and cherish the moments I get to spend with her. Little can you truly appreciate your Mom until having children of your own. There is no other love like it.))

Cecilia's reaction to new baby was hit and miss. One minute she wanted to kiss or touch his head, the next she was pulling at his leg and/or attempting to scratch him (she made contact one time:( )! My Mom dubbed her the "bobcat." Keep in mind she isn't even 21 months yet, so we are working on the transition. She is certainly used to being the PRINCESS and nothing less. She actually had no problem with me holding Les but had a HUGE problem with my Mom and Jonathan's Mom holding him. So that's a blessing! Mommy can feed baby. Whew!

Les is an angel. My Mom couldn't get over how little he fusses. He actually doesn't even cry but might let out a little whimper or two. When he's hungry, he will shuffle around and definitely make it known "Mommy, get up," but he doesn't make a big production out of it. Ohhhh, how different boys and girls are! Wow!! Breastfeeding is going great!! This little guy got the hang of it within an hour after my surgery.

Below are several pics taken with my blackberry (bad quality), Jonathan's iphone, etc. Of course, I had my nice camera at the hospital but did we get it out? No! Things were crazy. Better pics will be blogged later!!

I prayed for this child, and the Lord answered my prayer and gave him to me. Now I give him back to the Lord. He will belong to the Lord all his life. I Samuel 1:27-28

Hello, world!!

Day 1

Big JD and Lil' JD

Snoozed out with Daddy

Day 2 - Now I'm really getting hungry!!

Finally at home!! 

A shout out from my besties who were at the Red Sox game when they heard about Les' arrival!:)

Should I poke his eye out? Sounds good to me...

Update on the kitties

They are GONE. Mommy decided we didn't need two kitties right now.;) Our GREAT, fabulous friend David Fortenberry who has a ton of land and animals adopted them from us. WHOOHOO. Sorry, Daddy & Ceci. Mommy is a meanie!;)

NO WAY!!

Well, well, WELL.... Daddy brought home not one but TWO kittens today for the princess. He did ask me prior (of course), and in a weak moment, I approved. Poor things were dropped off on the side of the road at his office. What in the world am I thinking??! First of all, he leaves tomorrow for NYC for a 3 day business trip --- which I can't make because I'm almost 38 wks prego! Boooo for missing this trip!!:( And second of all, let's reiterate - I'm 38 wks prego!! Luckily, his parents came over tonight and took these kittens until Jonathan can get home to take care of them. Whew!! And did I mention I don't even like cats???! At all!! Honestly, I'm not much of a "pet" person. These cats WILL be outside once they get a bit older. An inside puppy might possibly be in our future but no time soon. NO time. 

Needless to say, Cecilia was MORE than thrilled with Daddy's surprise!! We are working on naming the new additions. My judgment and baby brain must certainly be fragile and fuzzy right now to allow this!! Thank goodness we have an empty sun room to house these mangy rascals for a little while! I'm ready to get these to the vet for a full exam asap! 

Ohhh the things we do for our kids!;)

Home Sweet (Second) Home!!

It is nice to go home every once in a while!! Cecilia and I have taken little 2-3 day retreats down to the Coast to stay with my Mom and Stepdad over the past couples of months, so I can get some good rest in before Baby Les arrives... and boy, is it FUN!! My Stepdad cooks every night, my Mom wakes up with Cecilia and is with her until she goes down (swimming, dancing, playing on the keyboard, strolls, coloring and much more!!), I get breakfast IN bed, etc!! They are the BEST, and I just had to document for my blog book.;) I get way too spoiled when I come in town. It is hard to leave!! C makes it especially hard because I have to pry her kicking and screaming into the car seat. Maybe I should just leave her here until the baby arrives.;)

Confession - I started this post on Sunday and am now back to Hattiesburg - solo!;) Mommy decided to leave Cecilia with Mama Jo until the end of the week. THANKS, MOM!

A funny pic taken during her stay...:) While her hair is growing (finally), she is still channeling the likes of "Joe Dirt." Poor thing.;)

Coast Shower for Baby Les!!

I had another shower this weekend on the Coast. It was SO much fun!! Thanks to my wonderful friends!! I MISS seeing them. Even though I'm only a little over an hour away, I find it hard to get down there often.:( Yuck. They did a wonderful job with the nautical decor! I plan to do Les' room in nautical. Have I really even started on it other than ordering furniture? No!!:(

  

  

 

 

 

My friend Jamie and I are due one day apart --- and both having boys.;)

 

At 33+ weeks...

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Funny Faces!!

Daddy & Ceci having fun when he got home from work yesterday. They are both silly!!