Meeting Joseph Terrence

Sophia came to meet her little brother after school. Besides Mommy, Daddy and Nana Deb, Sophia was the first person to meet Joesph. She was very excited to come to the hospital and was even more excited to wear her big sister shirt to school and let all her friends know that she was now a big sister.

Once we placed Joseph in her arms she was smitten with him.

Once Joey was done eating she made sure to wrap him in blankets and disrobe in order to make sure he had all of his pieces.

The next day we had lots of visitors who stopped by to meet the new addition to our family.

Dr. Hale, the most amazing OBGYN

Auntie Godmother Tera

Auntie Adrienne

Nana and Papa Ferrara

Papa Ferrara holding his first grandson

Maria , Family Friend

What's In a Name?

The birth of our son is amazing because we didn't think we could have more children. So when we chose a name for him we knew that it needed to have a strong story behind it.

Last Christmas when Sophia asked for a little brother or sister we told her that she could name the baby if we ever had another one. Sophia chose her brothers name to be Joey. She picked this name because of her older friend Joey who she adores. I loved the name because Joesph is my paternal grandfather's name. Joseph is the first grandson to be names after my grandfather.

His middle name is Terrence. This is after my father. My father's name was chosen by my grandmother days after my father came home from the hospital. She couldn't decide what to name him so she took her time deciding. One Sunday morning she was reading the comics in the newspaper and came across "Terry and the Pirates." She liked that name so she named my father Terrence and called him Terry.

Being a son, Joseph will always honor his father and grandfather with the last name Ferrara. That name will be the one that will be on his mailbox of his first house, the one he give to a woman on his wedding day and will share with his children, my grandchildren, when he chooses to start a family of his own.

Our Son Is Here!

Joseph Terrence Ferrara is here!

Born 1:46am

7 pounds 12 ounces

21.5 inches long

Joseph made his entrance into this world a little early but at the perfect time...at the tail end of Hurricane Irene.

When I heard there was going to be a hurricane hitting us I knew that is when Joseph was going to be born. The hurricane hit on a Sunday. On Thursday at my appointment I asked my doctor what the chances were for me to go into labor during the storm and he said, "not likely."

He was wrong!

I woke up feeling a little off. By 8 o'clock it was clear to me that Joseph would be here in the next few days. Since I knew that at anytime my water could break due to the polyhydramnios I called the doctor to let them know what was going on. My doctor was not on call which made me a little nervous but I knew he filled this doctor in on what my status was with this pregnancy. At this time the rain was so heavy I couldn't see out my windows and parts of the road we take to the hospital was flooded. Since I was not dilated at my last appointment, had no contractions the doctor had me stay home and in bed in hopes we could get through the worst of the storm and I could be seen 8:00am the next day by my doctor.

The plan worked well until 10:0pm when Sophia woke me up to get her some water and I thought I was feeling contractions but wasn't sure. So I put Sophia back to bed and went to bed myself. An hour later I woke to contractions and a slow leak. I called the doctor and was told to get in as quick as I could. Luckily I packed and put everyone's clothes on the table days before knowing this would be when I would have the baby. At this point the rain had stopped but the wind was insane!

I got dressed , woke Mike who was shocked that is was really happening and called my mom to meet us at the hospital. We made the 45 min. ride to the hospital in 15 min. with Sophia in the back asking questions...timing it perfectly for me to respond during the contractions. Between the contractions, Mike's driving, the wind blowing the car around and Sophia's questions it made for an interesting ride down 495 at 11:45pm.

When we got to the hospital my mom was waiting for us and Don was on his way to get Sophia. Sophia came into Labor and Delivery with us and saw the room we would be in before leaving with my mom to wait for Don in the waiting room. I remember looking at her and the excitement in her eyes knowing that our lives were about to change forever. When Don got there she went home with him and my mom waited to meet her new grandson.

Laying there waiting for my c-section was the first time I was able to absorb the whole experience. Luckily, I didn't have time to get nervous about my because of all the excitement.

Daddy ready for showtime!

"Cheese!"

He's here! There were 3 things I wanted this pregnancy. One of them was to hear my baby cry when he was born. He cried....boy did he cry!

First picture of Joseph with Mommy and Daddy.

My handsome lil' man.

I was so happy when Mike brought Joey to me once I was back in my room. It was early morning at that point but I was so excited to hold my baby I didn't even realize the time.

Proud Daddy!

Nana Deb couldn't wait to get her hands on her new grandson.

Happy Birthday Joseph!

Last Trip as a Family of Three!

Since we knew that this would be the last weekend before the arrival of Joseph, Mike and I wanted to make it special. Anyone who knows me knows that I struggle with transitions. So to me this weekend was about enjoying what I have had for 4 years and mentally preparing myself for a great new beginning. Since I we knew that I could have the baby anytime and their was a hurricane hours away we decided to stay local to the hospital just in case.

Our first stop was to the Butterfly Place in Westford. Mike and Sophia had been there before and loved it. It was my first time there and I too loved the experience.

I loved being able to take pictures up close of the butterflies.

After the Butterfly Place we went to Kimballs Farm in Westford for the day. It was very hot and humid but we had a blast anyway.

Sophia played her first game of mini-golf with Daddy. I just followed along sitting every chance I got since we picked the mini-golf trail with lots of stairs!

Sophia posing for the camera. She is into posing like a model these days!

Rocking out with her "golf club guitar" while waiting for Daddy to finish his turn.

If there is a horse anywhere we go she has to ride it. Of course with the disclosure to the staff member that she knows how to ride and firm instructions to Sophia not to speed the horse up or steer the horse on her own. I hold my breath every time she is on a horse since she likes to take control without telling the person holding the horse.

In anticipation of Hurricane Irene, the farm was closing early in order to get all the animals to a safe place for the storm. We were lucky enough to be in the Animal Adventure tent waiting for the show when the word was sent out from the farm owners. So instead of watching a show, Sophia was able to interact with the animals as they were being placed in their cages to be moved. She thought this was great!

Luckily, the ice cream stand was staying open. So we ended a great day with some yummy Kimball's ice cream!

First Day of Pre-K

Where has the time gone? I feel like it was just yesterday when Sophia stood in the yard ready for her first day in the Toddler Room. I can remember taking her picture in my living room on her first day in the Infant Room so nervous to leave my little baby for the first time and return to work. My baby isn't so little anymore. She is turning into a beautiful girl who I am proud to call my daughter.

I can't believe my baby is in Pre-K!

Sophia is very independent these days. She picked out her own outfit, hair pretty, lunch bag, lunch, sleep stuff and backpack. She was very excited to start the next chapter in her education.

Daddy and his Pre-K princess.

This picture was very special to me. Since I knew the baby could come at anytime I was nervous that I would miss this special moment in Sophia's life.

Sophia,

Every year I make a wish, or more, on your first day of school. This year I wish for you to have the strength to continue being your own person. I wish that you will continue your love of learning. I wish for to learn empathy, compassion and tolerance as your social circle begins to grow.

I love you!

Mommy