Updates
Happy Half Birthday, Crosby Paul!!!
It’s simply amazing that our little guy is already a half year old today!!! 6 months old!
We continue to be blessed everyday. Crosby is a wonderful baby. He has a beautiful smile, a contagious laugh, and a sweet personality. It’s amazing how kind he really is. When Crosby was born 6 months ago, we knew how blessed we were, but we never anticipated how much the Lord was going to bless us with this baby.
Crosby is in a really fun stage right now where he is learning so much. He loves jumping in his jumper, examining his toys, rolling all over, and has recently learned to sit on his own. He says, “Momma” and “Mom” now. If you ask him if he can say anything else, he just laughs which makes it so funny. He loves to hear his name and watch the dogs play. He has just recently started on some foods and enjoys bananas and carrots the most out of the little he has experienced so far. He was a big fan of peas for a few days, but now he won’t eat them at all. Really funny!
We are definitely celebrating Crosby’s half birthday today and thanking the Lord for His gift. We never forget that Crosby is a miracle and we often remember how much help you all provided along the way. We are still so humbled by all the prayers and support for our IVF, throughout my pregnancy, and even now into Crosby’s life. He certainly is one lucky and one very loved boy!
We will have Crosby’s baby dedication this Sunday at our church. During this dedication, Aaron and I will make a commitment before the Lord and our friends and family to raise Crosby according to God’s Word and God’s ways. It will truly be a wonderful weekend!
Time Sure Flies When You’re Having Fun!
It is so hard to believe that Crosby Paul is already 2 months old and will be 9 weeks on Friday! Time really does fly! It’s amazing how much different he is just from last month.
Crosby is now 12 pounds, 5 ounces and is 23 1/2 inches long. He had a big growth spurt this month and grew over 3 inches! He is in the 75th percentile for height, weight, and his head circumference. We are so happy to hear from the doctor that he is growing really well.
In terms of his development, the doctor is also very pleased there. Crosby is doing great with his development and we get the joy of watching that everyday. He is doing particularly well in his Communication skills which include his ability to make different sounds, cooing, responding to us when we speak, smiling, and laughing. Those skills have been our most favorite to enjoy. He is also doing particularly well in his Gross Motor skills. He definitely loves to move his arms and legs, turn his head all over, and just in general be “on the go.” I always ask him where he is going so fast!
Crosby has been going on a lot of play dates which really consist of stroller walks in the park and tummy time with some other babies. It’s been fun getting to know other new moms and seeing their babies change as well. He is really popular with the group, too because when we are together he smiles and laughs a ton which everyone loves. We are really enjoying our days together and I am cherishing all these great moments!
Crosby’s Twin Sister
We received a call from our doctor today. During the delivery of Crosby’s placenta, I finally passed the twin that implanted with Crosby. If you will recall, the last time we saw the heartbeat of the twin in the womb was at our 7 week ultrasound.
The doctor was happy to report that there were no chromosomal issues with the baby. This is good news because it could cause issues with any future pregnancies, God willing, if we have chromosome problems. The bad news of that is that she cannot give a reason why the twin did not survive. The doctor did let us know that the baby was a girl. So, we have a sweet little girl angel in heaven looking down on us with our other angels.
The news, even after all this time has passed, was difficult to hear. It just brought up the bad memories of when we saw her heart no longer beating. We do feel so thankful to God; however, that Crosby was such a strong baby and fought to hang on in the womb so he could bless us here on Earth. And bless us, he certainly has. I received the call from the doctor when I was out at the grocery store this evening while Crosby was at home with Aaron. When I returned home, I went up to Crosby and he gave me the biggest smile. That smile was such a blessing after that call. We feel so lucky, even with learning the news about our angel.
Otherwise, Aaron and I are adjusting to parenthood. This week we are trying to stick to our schedule we have created for Crosby so he can learn his bedtime and naptimes. We’re not sure how well that will go, but we are going to try! Please pray for us! Thanks, as always, for continuing to keep Aaron, myself, and Crosby in your prayers. God is great!
Photo by moyerphotos via Flickr
Happy 1 Month Birthday Crosby!!!
Our little Crosby Paul is one month old! We can’t believe that he has already been with us for a month. Time flies!!!
Crosby is doing great. He was born one month ago at 7 pounds 14 ounces and he is now 10 pounds! Needless to say, he is a great eater! He is doing an excellent job growing! He eats about every 2-3 hours. When he is real hungry he likes to kick his legs and wave his arms like he is doing aerobics.
We are working on helping Crosby differentiate between day and night right now, as sometimes he likes to sleep all day and party all night. It seems to be getting better slowly each day. He is definitely a night owl!
Crosby has been smiling a lot more each day and he has started to mimic us, as well. If we stick our tongue out at him, he will do it back to us. It is so cute! He also has quite a strong grip and loves to hold our fingers. Nothing is sweeter than a cute baby holding your hand!
Please continue to pray for our little man, his health, and development. Please also pray for Crosby to get on a sleep schedule and for Aaron and I to get more rest here soon. We, as always, appreciate all the continuous love, prayers, and support on our journey from in-vitro through pregnancy into parenthood. We can’t wait for you all to meet this little miracle!
Introducing Crosby Paul Curtis
We are so proud, excited, and honored to introduce you to our “handful”, Crosby Paul Curtis. We were blessed to meet Crosby for the first time when he entered this world on Friday, January 27 at 8:09 am. He weighed 7 pounds, 14 ounces and was 20.5 inches long. He is a beautiful baby that has been bringing us so much joy. We truly feel so blessed.
On Thursday, January 26th, I went into labor with Crosby at about 3:00 pm. Somehow he got turned inside me which caused extreme back labor. I have never experienced anything so painful. I endured the pain at home until about 8:00 pm. I called the doctor and she told me I should have come in right away with the back labor. So, we got the dogs out and gathered some last minute things. About 5 minutes later my water broke while I was standing in the kitchen. I changed my clothes and we quickly made our way to the hospital.
Once we arrived, they had me skip triage and I went straight to my room for the labor and delivery. The nurse had a hard time maintaining the baby’s heart rate on the monitors, so she spent several hours maneuvering that around so we could monitor him. After she was able to get him on there, she started working on getting him turned into the proper position. During all of this, the baby’s heart rate kept varying from 160 bpm to 48 bpm. The doctor came in to assess the situation and it was clear the baby was in distress. She said the cord got wrapped around his neck. We finally found one position that did not stress the baby and proceeded with the labor in that one position.
At about 5:00 am, the doctor wanted me to start pushing in that same position. After pushing through about 3 contractions, she asked me to stop. The pushing was causing more stress on the baby. She wanted me to let him labor down on his own naturally for a few hours to ease the stress. That did the trick and must have made the baby happy because his heart rate regulated and he made his way down on his own really well. He also turned into the proper position.
At about 7:20 am, the doctor had me begin to push. 49 minutes later, Crosby made his entrance. I will never forget that moment. The doctor announced, “It’s a boy!” Everyone was surprised because Aaron and I both and even our doctor thought he was a she! Best surprise ever! The cord did indeed get wrapped around him. The doctor had Aaron quickly cut the cord before he was all the way out. Once he was out, the nurses and doctor had to revive him. It took a few moments, but we finally heard his cry and that allowed me to cry in relief.
The nurse laid Crosby on my chest and I instantly fell in love. Aaron named him Crosby Paul. He chose Crosby just because he likes the name and Paul is after his late Grandfather that he loved very much.
We really want to thank all of you for all your love and prayers during this journey. We were very hopeful for a handful, but never anticipated being blessed this much. We can’t wait for you all to meet Crosby and see a real miracle in person.
Happy 2012!!!!
Happy New Year everyone! I wonder what the year 2012 will hold for all of us. Obviously, Aaron and I are most anticipating the arrival of this little miracle towards the beginning of this year. It’s crazy how quickly that is approaching. My belly seems to get bigger somehow everyday and the contractions continue which are all reminders that we are getting close.
It’s hard to face the new year without reflecting back on the year that just finished. For us, 2011 was a year full of a lot of amazing things and a lot of challenging things. In 2011, both Aaron and I lost a Grandparent, we struggled with infertility and constant disappointment there, and we were faced with huge, live changing decisions. Also in 2011, I started a new job, we got a new puppy, and we got pregnant….and stayed pregnant! I think in 2011, at least for me, I learned more about God’s faithfulness than I ever thought was possible.
When Aaron and I were told that our chances of conceiving a child were not going to work naturally or through medically assisted cycles and could possibly only work through IVF, I felt so defeated! It’s weird, but I actually felt ashamed and not good enough. I cried for a long time. But, God was there….the whole time. He knew that great things were still to come and He never left our sides and never gave up. That grace, love, and faithfulness really pulled me up when I thought I couldn’t get up. After failed IUIs, countless negative pregnancy tests, and dark clouds lingering overhead, God was still there.
God gave us the courage to open our hearts to all of you with our story. Trust me….that was not easy. It’s hard to be vulnerable, even with those that love you. We knew that some people would be surprised by what we had been through; some would relate and others would never understand. We knew that some people would view that what we were wanting to do with IVF was “wrong” and would strain our relationships with those individuals. We also knew that some people would understand our heart’s desires and support us financially, with prayer, and/or with love. What we didn’t expect was for God to show up in such a big way through this all.
With all your support, prayers, and love, we were able to raise over $12,000 for us to pursue our dream of having a family and we were able to go into the process confidently knowing how many people were supporting us! All of that was given in faith, too, as there was no guarantee that it would even work, as IVF typically doesn’t work the first try. That amazing grace from God and love from all of you made it possible for Aaron and I to sit here today looking into the new year of 2012 with such hope. Hopefully within the next 30 days we will be holding this little miracle in our arms. I can’t put into words how amazing that thought is after feeling so defeated. I never thought I would be here! Thank you all so much for all you have done! We really couldn’t ask for better friends and family! We certainly couldn’t ask for a more amazing Lord!
I know that 2012 will still be filled with a lot of highs and inherently, some lows. What I encourage all of us to do; however, is to remember, even during the lows, that God is so faithful and will not give up. He shows up and blesses us in ways that we can’t even imagine. So, let’s approach this new year knowing that God is not only on our team, but he is our coach and guide. With that, we will have the best 2012. Happy New Year everyone!
Merry Christmas!!!!
Friends and family, we want to wish you a very merry Christmas! We are looking forward to Christmas very much and hope you are, too. Such a wonderful time of the year!
This Christmas, I find myself thinking about Mary. I typically think of the baby Jesus this time of year, but with motherhood on the horizon, I have begun thinking more about Mary. What a pregnancy Mary must have had! First, to know that God’s son is growing inside your belly has to be just an amazing feeling. I bet she was filled with excitement for being chosen for such a task, but also so nervous with such a huge responsibility! Second, I can’t imagine what she went through during that time trying to convince people that she was a virgin. It sounds absolutely crazy and I bet most people thought she was. Third, I can’t believe how far she rode on a donkey just days before giving birth! Talk about discomfort!!! I am uncomfortable on long car rides now, so I can’t imagine taking a donkey through the desert! And then, to give birth on the ground and hay…wow. She is truly a remarkable woman!
While I know that I am not carrying God’s son, I do know that our child is a child of God. That, much like Mary faced, is a huge responsibility. Aaron and I are so eager to raise our child to know the Lord and have a meaningful relationship with Him. God has really blessed us with this pregnancy and we feel just as blessed to be chosen as this baby’s parents.
Much like I think of Mary right now, I also think of all other mothers. Moms are truly amazing at Christmastime! Moms are usually the ones that buy all the gifts for the kids and family, bake all the yummy treats, wrap all the gifts, prepare the elegant meals, mail out the cards, get the house decorated and cleaned, etc. If you are a Mom reading this, please pat yourself on the back! Santa has nothing on you!!!
I also think of all of those spending Christmas without their mothers here on Earth anymore. My mom, my dad, Aaron’s dad, for example, all have their mothers in heaven celebrating Jesus’ birthday with Jesus Himself! I be that is some party! It still makes it hard for them here, though since we would love to still celebrate Christmas with them here. For all of you not with your mothers this Christmas, you are in our thoughts, hearts, and prayers.
For us, this Christmas, our most wonderful gift cannot be found under our Christmas tree. Instead, it is found right under my heart. The gift of this pregnancy and this baby is making this Christmas the best one for us yet. Please continue to lift up Baby Curtis in prayer as we approach this final stretch. We love and appreciate all the prayers and support. I pray that I can be as strong of a mother as Mary was to Jesus. Happy Birthday, Baby Jesus! Merry Christmas to you all!
The Latest and Greatest
It has been pretty busy in the Curtis household lately as we prepare for Baby Curtis’ arrival.
First off, Aaron and I have been taking a lot of classes at the hospital to help us be as ready as possible for the big day. We have completed our First Aid and CPR class and have been certified in both. We pray we don’t have to use what we learned too much! We are currently taking a Baby Care class that teaches us all things new parents should know when taking care of new babies. We are also taking our childbirth preparation class so we can be ready for the big day. Next week we will begin the breastfeeding class to learn all about that. Lots of knowledge coming our way!
Last week we did our pre-admission consultation at the hospital. This was nice because they get all the paperwork and questions out of the way ahead of time so when you go to the hospital in labor, you don’t have to worry about it. It was pretty crazy to fill out the birth certificate!
Over the Thanksgiving break Aaron and his Mom, who was visiting from Indiana, worked really hard on the nursery. It looks so great! My parents bought us an amazing crib/changing table set so they got that assembled. Aaron’s parents got us the mattress, changing pad, and covers so we got those in. Then they worked hard at painting, installing blinds, valences, decals, etc. It really feels real now for sure to see that room assembled!
This weekend is my baby shower that my friends Tania and Jen are throwing. I’m so looking forward to spending an afternoon with my girlfriends celebrating this little miracle. Plus, lots of yummy desserts!!!! I talked to Tania today and she told me about the yummy cupcakes! 
I had my 31 week check up at the doctor today. Baby Curtis seems to be doing really well and growing a lot! I measured at 33 weeks today which is 2 weeks ahead of my new January 28th due date that was pushed up a week! The doctor said, “looks like you’re going to have a nice, big baby!” She will do another ultrasound at 36 weeks and determine if I should be induced 2-3 weeks early based on the baby’s size. Gotta love big babies!!! The baby’s heart rate dropped down to 140 bpm this visit. She said it is common for it to slow down as they get bigger. I did gain a couple of pounds since my last appointment a little over a month ago. She said she wants me to start gaining more now and told me to focus on that. I think with the holidays coming that shouldn’t be an issue! 
She also gave us a referral to a pediatrician that she really likes, so we will give them a call soon, as well. Overall, a good appointment and baby seems to be doing great!
We hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving. I look forward to seeing all our Colorado friends/family on Saturday for the shower! Thank you, as always, for your continued prayers and support for our miracle baby!
Month of Thanks
Being that November is the month of thanks, Aaron and I want to take a moment to again say thank you!
Our lives are so blessed and so touched by each of you. The Lord has been nothing short of amazing and even though we don’t deserve it, His blessings and grace are never ending.
As we reflect on the things we are thankful for, obviously our little miracle that is growing inside me right now immediately comes to mind. For so long we felt defeated and like we would never get to this point. If any of you have faced any infertility struggles, you know what we mean. There is only so much disappointment, bad news from doctors, and heartaches you can handle before you feel defeated. With God’s love and grace; however, He made it possible for us to pick ourselves up and keep going after our heart’s desire for a baby and a family.
We also cannot give thanks without thanking all of our friends and family that have been so loving and supportive. All of your support has been so amazing. The donations, the kind words, the prayers, the love….it has all been such a blessing in our lives. We are forever thankful!
This Thanksgiving will be like none before for us. We have always felt so blessed, but the blessing of a child and such wonderful people already loving this child just makes things so much more special in our lives. Thank you for everything!
28 Week Update — or 31 Weeks???
We had our regular prenatal appointment today which included a growth scan. At our last ultrasound appointment the doctor noticed that the baby was growing ahead of schedule, so she wanted to keep her eye on the growth. She said that sometimes IVF babies grow differently, so it’s good to monitor them. She said they can tend to grow smaller, actually. We will never turn down an opportunity to see our baby so we didn’t mind!!!
Baby Curtis looked so cute today! At the last appointment the baby was in a breech position, but today the baby was in the proper position with the head down. She said the baby will probably stay in that position now which is nice because we don’t have as much worry of it getting caught up in the cord. I always welcome one less thing to worry about! The baby’s heart rate was still measuring strong at 157 bpm. That sound is still so precious to me.
Baby Curtis is quite the overachiever! He/She was measuring in the 80-85th percentile for size! According to my IVF dates I should be exactly 28 weeks today. The baby was measuring between 29.5 – 30 weeks, though. I love big babies!!! She is putting my estimated due date at January 28th based on the measurements, but that can fluctuate 14 days in either direction she said. She said the baby weighs 2 pounds, 15 ounces now which is so awesome! She was very careful during the scan as well, so we are still Team Green!
As for Mom, I am doing well. I am measuring at 31 weeks! So we are definitely ahead of schedule here. My blood pressure was a bit on the lower side this visit, so she is going to continue to monitor that closely. I have also lost another pound. She is not concerned with my weight loss at all, though, as the baby is clearly growing fine. She does want me to start eating protein when I wake up in the middle of the night, though to help with my rest. I will also start taking another heartburn medication along with the current one to help with that.
Overall, a great report at the doctor today! It is always a blessing to hear the baby is doing well and to get to see the baby, as well! We will now begin our bi-weekly doctor appointments. Thanks, as always, for the continued prayers for us and the baby!
Aaron and Jessi, married March 2007, call Erie, CO home with their 2 Boston Terriers. 