Jake's First Month

Hello everyone!
We have had quite an eventful first month. Lots of visitors, phone calls, cards, gifts, thoughts and prayers. We appreciate all of your love and support over the past 10 months. It has meant the world to us. I wanted to update you all on what Jake has been doing the past month.

First of all on February 23, 2008 we welcomed John Kimsey McNeely to the world. He is named after both of our fathers and we are calling him "Jake." His birth was relatively easy. After being 8 days overdue the doctor (bless him) finally said it was time to induce. So Saturday morning Brian and I got up before the crack of dawn and drove to Piedmont Hospital. They checked me in gave me some drugs and at about 1:00 pm I was starting to feel contractions. By 1:30 I had my epidural. Around 6:00 I was ready to push and at 6:39 Jake was here. Out in the waiting room Grandma, Nana, Chuck, Aunt Anna, Uncle Joe and Aunt Carla were anxiously awaiting the news. It was wonderful to have so many family members there to share in the excitement.

Monday morning they released us and off we went to raise our son. My mom (Grandma) was there for the first week to help me. The first night was great but Tuesday night...yikes. Jake was a little confused between night and day. Fortunately Grandma was there to help and we straightened that out in a few days. By Friday we were doing much better! Only Grandma had to go back to Phoenix. BUT Aunt Carla came to stay for the weekend.

On Sunday Brian's mom (Nana) came and brought all kinds of people to see Jake. Jake got to meet Granny and Papa Veal, Aunt Donna and Zackiery. Nana cooked lots of great meals for us and was a huge help to me. On Thursday Aunt Anna brought Granny McNeely and Jake's cousin John Payne. I am sure when Jake gets a little older these boys are going to be quite a handful for us!

So, Thursday Nana had to go back to Sanderville. Saturday rolled around and my dad (Papa V) was due for a visit. He and Jake watched lots of golf and basketball on TV. It was great to see him. After Papa V left things kind of died down and we settled into life.

The past two weeks have been just the 3 of us. While Brian goes to work Jake and I do lots of fun things. We have been to the doctor, to the mall, out to lunch and he doesn't mind running errands with me. He loves to ride in the car and listen to Baby Einstein music.

My main goal for the past 2 weeks was to get our baby announcement picture taken. So, for a whole week Jake had a photo shoot everyday. We had to take LOTS of pictures to get a good one. And wouldn't you know when it came down to choosing a picture it was between the first and last picture. They were mailed just this week so you should all be getting yours soon. I think it is totally cute...but I am biased.

Tomorrow is Easter and I have bought Jake a new Easter outfit. Hopefully we can make it through church without getting anything on it so we can take lots of pictures afterward.

We are going for Jake's one month (I can't believe it) checkup on Monday. I am sure I will have more to report after that. We have to get a S-H-O-T. I hope I make it through okay. Brian has been commenting on how big Jake's cheeks are getting. Jake has gotten so big, I am very anxious to see how long he is and how much he weighs. It seems all he wants to do is eat.

I hope you enjoy our website and check back often for updates. I love to take pictures of our little guy so I am sure there will be lots of pictures to check out. Again thank you all for everything you have done for us. We appreciate it more that you know.