All in!

Jake played some poker over the holiday with his father and cousins. He is not ready for Vegas just yet.

Crazy Aunt Lauren

This is Jake's aunts helping him with some dance moves.

First Christmas

We had a great Christmas. Jake got lots of gifts but was a little unimpressed by them. He got to meet some family that he had not met yet in Connecticut. Here are some pictures of him with his family.
Jake made it through his MRI. He was a real trooper. He did not get to eat for over 6 hours and did not start to cry until the just before he was allowed to eat. We got the results and the hemangioma is not interfering with his spine. However we are still continuing with the topical treatment.

MRI Update

Well I went back to the place Jake’s pediatrician recommended for his MRI. Therefore, it will be Dec. 22 at 12:30. Last week we took Jake to a dermatologist to get another opinion on his hemangioma. He doesn’t think that it is affecting his spine but still recommended Jake have the MRI. He also started Jake on treatment to shrink the hemangioma. So each night we put this cream (Aldara) on the area and then cover it up. In addition to the cream he will be getting laser treatment of the area periodically. The big side effect of the cream is that it will give him ulcers on his skin in the area of the hemangioma. I know we are doing the right thing but it is hard to think about seeing him with open sores on his back.
We are looking forward to hopefully seeing the Hardings next week when they are in Central New York!

Winter it finally here!

It is cold here in CNY but all it well. We are all feeling much better. Jake is still on medication for the next few days but seems to be doing very well, although he was never very cranky with his ear infection. Jake has slept through the night (11pm – 6am) twice in the last three nights. He is also almost able to roll over. From his back he can get himself to his left side but not all the way to his stomach. Twice he has rolled to his back during tummy time but I think it was totally by accident. He continues to make new noises and be very vocal.
Jake made it through his first set of shots, but I (Jess) almost didn’t. I had to give myself shots everyday during pregnancy but almost threw up when I saw the nurse give a shot to Jake. At his two month check up the doctor re-evaluated the hemangioma he has on his back. This type of birth mark is fairly common and usually gets bigger in the first year of life and eventually goes away. His has been growing, but appears to be growing inward more than outward. It is also close to his spine and the doctor wants to make sure it is not putting pressure on or interfering with the spine. Therefore, the doctor wants him to have an MRI. His doctor is not too worried and says that she is just playing it on the safe side. The doctor’s office scheduled it and then I began to worry and talk to people with a health care connection about it. After much talk and great advice I changed the appointment to be done at Upstate Hospital and not an outpatient facility since he has to be put under sedation. After a few sleepless nights worrying last week I feel much better now that he is having it done at Upstate. I can’t thank Cindy enough (a lady I play hockey with who works in imaging at Upstate and pulled some strings to get Jake in there quicker than normal) as well as all the others who listened and gave me advice (Colleen, Jenny, Sarah and Beth). Jake’s appointment is now Dec. 29th. We take him to the dermatologist this week (thurs. Dec. 11). I am feeling confident that things will be just fine. We will keep you posted.

First Sickness..Just in time for Turkey Day

We have had a tough week in the Hehl house as we all got sick for turkey day. Erik started it with strep throat, then Jake got an ear infection and then on Thanksgiving I got the strep. Prior to thanksgiving Erik’s sister Lauren came to visit and she ended up being really sick the day after she left. We were still able to eat turkey (nothing keeps the Hehls from their food). Even with the sickness we all had a good time on thanksgiving seeing family. We had four generations together (see photo) with my grandmother, mom, Jake, and me.

Big Simile

I had to put this picture up because of his big smile. It is my friend Monica’s birthday today so I was trying to take a picture of him with my phone to send to her with a birthday message. Lucky me I was able to capture this great big smile.

Jake on the move

Jake is seven weeks old today. He is so much fun! Right now he really likes to play on his playmate that his Abuela got him. Jake is lucky to have such a nice Abuela. He makes all kinds of noises and smiles a lot when we play. The other video clip is of one of his stretching routines that he goes through when he wakes up. It takes him a while to wake up. I wonder where he got that from..........his father:) Lets hope Jake gets up in time for school and doesn’t have to take a taxi to school like his father did in high school.

Wow where does the time go!

Sorry we haven’t posted in a while. I can’t believe Jake is already a month old. We have had some great fall days and we get out to enjoy them every chance we get. We are pretty sure that Jake knows by now that he is stuck with some crazy and active parents who are going to drag him all over the place. Jake has experienced some more first and continues to sleep through most of them. About two weeks ago Uncle David took Jake and me (Jess) out for breakfast. It was Jake’s first restaurant experience and it was very fitting that it was with Uncle Dave. Whenever he used to babysit me he would always take me out for lobster dinners and Shirley temples. Hence I use to kick my mom out of the house when I knew he was coming. We were lucky to have a visit from my godparents and their daughter who were very happy to meet Jake. Grandma also comes over every few days to visit with Jake and help us out. We are very thankful for her help.

Today we are off for another check up with the doctor. Jake was back up to his birth weight at his two week checkup but then the next time he went in he had not gained the weight that the doctor would have liked. This doctor was not one that we picked to see in the practice and proceeded to tell us he looked scrawny. Lets just say that I was not to happy and we will never be seeing her again. She is very lucky that my hormone were mostly in check that day or it could have gotten ugly if I turned “Big Mama” on her. At the next check up Jake had gained a good amount of weight and his regular doctor called him a bruiser. We are off to the doctor this afternoon for another weight check.

Jake is waking up so I have to go. I will try to post more regularly from now on. I also have some video, but I still have to learn how to get it on my computer and edit it. So hopefully I will have that up soon as well.

Three weeks old

Jake is three weeks old today. It went by pretty fast. We have had some absolutely beautiful fall days, thus we have taken advantage of it and gotten out for walks. Jake usually sleeps through the walks. We have also had some more people come to meet Jake like Grandpa Jeff. Mom and Dad are happy that Jake is awake more hours during the day but still sleeping pretty well. Although the last few nights he doesn’t want to go back to sleep after his 2am meal until 5 or 6 am. We don’t mind getting up early in the Hehl house but we are hoping Jake learns to sleep from 2am to 5 or 6. He had a check up last week and weighs an once more than his birth weight and measures an inch longer. The doctor said that Jake looks very healthy!!!

Loving every minute!

All is going great in the Hehl house. Jake is two weeks old today. On Sunday we had our first big family outing. Jessica was about ready to scratch through the windows in the house if she did not get out for some fresh air. We went on a very short, flat, and slow hike. The dogs were very excited to run free as it had been a while since we got them out for a good run. Jake was pretty much unimpressed by the hike and the beautiful fall day as he slept the entire time. Jake’s grandmother is here visiting us from Connecticut. Everyone is happy she is here as she is a big help with Jake and around the house. As you can see from the pictures, Dad is loving every minute of being with Jake. Mom is having a ball too but we need to get more pictures of her with Jake.
A little note about the picture of Hank: I guess he is not getting the attention he is use to. This morning he got Jessica’s shorts on, somehow. She had left them on the bed and he managed to get one part of the shorts over his head and another part he got his leg threw. Only Hank can pull off something like this.

Sleep, eat, poop, pee, and more sleep

We are getting into a routine at home. It consists of sleeping, eating, pooping and peeing, and more sleeping. Jake is still sleeping for 4 hours at time at night. Wow are we lucky! Jake gained weight as of his one week appointment. Then he gained even more weight when we had to go to the doctors on Thursday because his umbilical cord was bleeding a little. All is just fine but mom and dad got a little nervous about it. We have had some visitors come by and they all seem to love Jake. We love to watch Jake as he has about one hundred faces and expressions that he makes. Who knew a one and a half week old would have some many expressions. We need to try to video tape some of these to post here. Mom is doing much better but according to the doctor she still needs to rest (she is not very good at resting).

Home sweet home

We never appreciated our house so much. Jake was introduced to his new home and met the dogs, who proceeded to curoiusly sniff him. We got to sleep in our own beds again. And Jake is sleeping in four hour intervals right now, which is nice for his parents sleep, too. I guess we should be knocking on wood as this could change at anytime. Mom is doing better. We are officially a family now and feeling truly blessed. We are enjoying every minute the three of us have together.

Take me out to the ballgame

We spent day 3 and 4 in the hospital but it looks like we get to go home tomorrow. Grandpa Mark came to meet Jake and he brought him his first baseball glove and ball. We can’t wait to teach Jake how to throw and catch. Right now it looks like he has long fingers so maybe he will be a good pitcher? On day three Uncle Dave and Aunt Lisa also came to visit Jake for the first time. They can’t wait for their turn to babysit and Uncle Dave has already promised lobster dinners when mom and dad go out on their own.
Day 4 was a quiet day as Mom had to concentrate on her recovery so that we can all make it home tomorrow to meet Hank and Feduch.

Day One and Two

Jake Charles Hehl, arrived on the first day of Fall, September 22, 2008, at 6:25 pm. Mother had a tough day of labor that didn’t progress as expected as Jake was not about to come out of the birth canal easily. Jessica gave her best efforts and finally opted to have a C-Section as the best way for Mom and child to stay healthy. Jake, born at 8lbs 1.2 ounces and 20 inches long, is doing well adjusting to the world outside his mother. Jessica is trying her best to take it easy, working towards a speedy recovery. Both are expected home Thursday midday. Here are some pictures of our happy son and his proud parents for all of you to enjoy. We know he’ll be glad to meet you soon for kisses and hugs. We promise to share him as long as you promise to give him back.

Anxiously Waiting

Erik and I are anxiously waiting for the newest member of our family to arrive. We know that our family will soon be a little bit crazier and a lot sweeter. At least we know that if I don’t go into labor by Monday morning (9/22) we show up to the hospital at 6:30 am so that I can be induced. For me it is very comforting to know that the end is in sight. I am ready to hold the little bundle of joy that has been expanding my stomach for the past 9 months. We will be sure to update this site as soon as we can with pictures and information about the Baby Hehl. Until then here is the latest picture of my belly.