Welcome to the World James Joseph

I would like to introduce you to another light in my life, James Joseph...We like to call him JJ!

I apologize for falling off the face of the social media earth, but I have a very good reason at least, and here is why...

It was a roller coaster of a pregnancy for me. We got pregnant very soon after losing a previous pregnancy at about 18 weeks. After dealing with the devastation of the pregnancy loss, we were very excited, and scared, to be pregnant again. Even though my first son was born healthy, he was 6 weeks early, which made me at risk to have another preterm baby. So, then I entered a "high risk pregnancy."

Even though I was "high risk" there wasn't much I had to limit besides exercise. I was still able to work and be a mom of a busy toddler. I did, however, have to make a lot of trips to the doctor's office. Since I was at risk of pre-term labor, I had to get shots of progesterone once a week to help prevent me from going into labor. I started these shots at 17 weeks and did them until 34 weeks (more on that soon). I also had to make more frequent trips to the specialist who was able to tell me if my baby was growing properly.

I had a couple scares that took me to the hospital and the doctor's office a couple extra times, but all of which ended up being minimal or nothing to worry about.

Along with all of that, I also was working at my job on the Hallmark Channel's Home and Family Show (and cannot wait to go back in a couple weeks).

With that being said, I was in a whirlwind of being busy and running around everywhere. Then, it stopped! I had been having lots of contractions at 35 weeks, and knew that I was going to be heading into labor soon. I was actually on set, and had another week of work planned, but had to tell my producers that they may want to have backup plans for my segments, just in case. Well, that night I went into labor! I went to the hospital with my husband and had started having intense labor contractions. I will spare you the details, but there were some scares of the baby's heart rate dropping so they were trying to stop the contractions, and after a little while they succeeded...a little too much. They actually stopped my labor. I was in the hospital for 4 days, that's right, 4 days, and then they sent me home.

In that time, I was still having lots of contractions, and was put on a modified bed rest until I could get to 38 weeks. Which meant that I couldn't work, which broke my heart. In that time I was actually able to get my house organized, with the help of my mom, and spend more time with my 4 year old son. I was extremely uncomfortable though!

At just under 38 weeks, the doctor did an ultrasound and noticed that the water looked low and he hadn't been growing as much as he should be, so we all decided together that it was time for him to come out!

I went to the hospital right after my specialist appt and was induced. I will also spare you the details on that, but the labor was about 5 hours all in (which was amazing compared to the 4 days I spent there a few weeks earlier), and he was here!!

JJ entered the world completely healthy at 5 pounds 15oz!

I haven't been posting much on social media much since we have been home, not really by choice, but because I am soaking up every single second I have with him. My husband and I have yet to make a decision about if we want to have more kids, so there is a chance that this is the last time I have a baby. Which makes me extremely emotional...also a side effect of pregnancy.

So the past 3 weeks with my baby have been wonderfully emotional. Postpartum emotions are unlike any other. I have been sad about the thought of the pregnancy that I lost, I have been happy for the two healthy and amazing boys I have here with me, and I have been grateful that my body has allowed me to go through something like this. Women's bodies are really incredible if you think about it. We make humans! Then, we have the ability to nurture those humans in such a beautiful way...aka breastfeeding (which I have a love/hate relationship with right now).

If you can believe it or not, that was the short version of the story :) I will be trying to get back into social media, and adding new content on my site slowly in the next couple weeks, and I will be back on Home and Family by the end of the month for our Thanksgiving show. THANK YOU for reading, watching, cooking, baking, creating, and living with me! If I have not responded to something you have written to me, know that this is why, and please feel free to reach out again. I love to hear from you!

xoxo

Maria

Here are some pictures from these first few weeks

One of the sweetest moments of my life...