2 weeks of bliss

Happy 2 week birthday!

It's been 2 weeks since baby Zack made his way into the world! And its been pure bliss!

Time is already traveling too fast. 

I need everything to SLOW DOWN!

Zachary, you are such a good baby! 

You sleep well only waking up once or twice per night 

(which allows Mommy to sleep well too)! 

You eat well and we're going through lots of diapers which means your healthy and everything's working as it should. 

You're also so much stronger than you 

should be for only 2 weeks old. 

You hold you head up often, 

love tummy time, 

and can even roll over already (front to back)! 

You love to snuggle laying and hold hands 

as you're drifting to sleep!

You are truly precious!

Your brothers continue to adore you! 

They love cuddling with you and holding you. 

They have gotten very comfortable because they now think its funny to make your arms do the Gangnam Style dance. 

I remind them to be gentle but you are all terribly cute when you playing together.

Everyone (including you) has adjusted 

so quickly and so well. 

You've spent lots of time around family 

and have been a busy boy!

Malls, restaurants, parks, walks, Doylestown...

We've had a hard time staying put with it being summer time and with Luke and Nick wanting to stay busy!

You've been a trooper hanging right in with the family and going with the flow!

We love you! 

Worth the Wait...Zachary John Mingacci has arrived!

Worth the Wait...

He's here!

Zachary John Mingacci

arrived at 2:58 a.m.

on July 3rd, 2013

A most perfect anniversary present!

He is precious...and gorgeous...and peaceful...

and adorable...and healthy...and happy...

and such a little love!

We are so very blessed!

The story of his arrival!

After a long few days of endless contractions and waiting for true active labor 

to be upon me...it arrived Tuesday morning!

Monday July 1st (1 day after my due date) Domenic and I eagerly went to my weekly doctor's appointment yearning for an update. One could say I was more than disappointed when there was essentially no progress. It was a long afternoon with a few tears and a long shower, but it was followed by a fun night of spicy food 
(Taco Bell with fire sauce on every bite) and a family walk around the block. 

(I am in no way saying this put me in labor...I'm simply stating what took place!) :)

Late Monday night, into Tuesday my contractions got stronger. 

I had a feeling they were changing but I had been having contractions for so many days, 

I wasn't getting excited over a little change! Tuesday morning, Domenic went to work at SBA's summer program and I took the boys on a little trip to a library to find a copy of Mrs. Doubtfire for a family movie night. Later that afternoon, Donna, Gina, and Sacha stopped by so the boys could play for a while. We all became aware that things were changing and this could be the real thing! After they left, I began timing my contractions and they were every 8 or so minutes. 

So I did what any normal woman in labor would do...I dyed my hair!

Rediculous..I know! But I needed something that was going to keep me busy for a short amount of time so I could continue to time them without laying around! 

So I dyed my hair...finalized packing my bag...and packed the boys bag.

Domenic gave the boys dinner and around 7:00 we left to drop the kids at Nan and Pop's 

and headed to the hospital.

My contractions were every 2-5 minutes (AND WERE KICKING MY BUTT)!

We arrived at the hospital, I was evaluated and admitted by 8:45.

Did I mention my contractions were kicking my butt!

My epidural was ordered but we had to wait 45 minutes for it to arrive.

I thought I was going to die!

I had a crazy new respect for anyone who has had a baby without drugs.
Once I got my epidural (while watching Big Brother...pathetic I know!) it was smooth sailing!

My parents and Catherine arrived around 11:00 and we relaxed together

(HA! Relaxed while the edidural did all the work!)

Around 2:40 Dr. Ruiz came in to check me and said our baby was ready to be born!

A few short moments later! We heard the beautiful cries from our little man!

The moment we had been waiting for had arrived!

Our family of 5 is now complete!

Zachary, we love you to pieces already!

Little Love....

Little Love....

I'm pregnant!!!!! On October 22nd at around 4:00, I waited and watched for a positive sign!

Pregnancy test said PREGNANT!!! 

So much excitement...

                                      joy...

                                               bliss....

A little brother or sister for Luke and Nicholas....

Suddenly Nicholas seems to have grown up...

AND NOW YOU'RE ALMOST HERE!!!!!

It's been quite a journey...

 but one I've tried to stay in each moment 

by moment, by moment!

The test said "Pregnant!" Well...all 4 said "Pregnant!"


We couldn't wait to tell the boys! 

        And our familiy's! 

                And our friends!

                         And our co-workers!!

4 days later....

Early Friday morning...

With Nicholas WIDE AWAKE and 

With Luke sleepy with only one eye open....

We shared the your news!!!

THEY WERE THRILLED!

I don't remember exactly what they said...

I just remember their faces!

Their smiles!

Their joy!

Luke jumped up and down on the bed!

Nicholas asked 

"where in your belly is the baby? I don't see it"

and

"what's the name of the baby in your belly?"

and

"when can I have a baby in my belly like you?"

and

"why did you make me a mummy when I was a baby?" (swaddling pics)

Luke answered most of his questions 

with his usual humor and charm!

He was amazing!

And then added "I am going to have a big, fat mommy!"

Ahem. Thanks Luke. 

Later that afternoon and that weekend, we told our families!

Everyone was so excited!

The boys told everyone our news.

They took turns...

Both times it went something like this.....

We have news....

                             our mommy has a baby in her belly......

       WAIT!        WHAT!           REALLY!            HOORAY!!!

And it was wonderful!

November brought many feelings and emotions...

       the good and the not-so-good...

You had been causing me to feel like I was on a bit of a roller coaster! Not the emotional kind...well, yes! That too! But also in the literal way! I felt like I was literally riding a roller coaster ALL DAY! I was excited but I was feeling very pregnant! I was thrilled when this little phase ended! 

December brought our 1st ultrasound!

We saw your tiny but very strong, very fast heart beat! 

You are such a little bean!

February brought another ultrasound where we decided to find out if you would be a little brother or a little sister for Luke and Nicholas!

It was Valentine's Day!

Daddy and I went to the appointment but asked them not to tell us at the appointment. Instead, we asked them to write it in a note and planned to bring it home and open it as a family.

We followed the plan....as terribly hard as it was to hold that envelope with such big news!

We picked up the boys from Nan and Pop's and got ready for  bed together!

With extreme excitement, Nicholas opened the envelope and Luke read the message! 

IT'S A BOY!!!!!

We all began to yell and cheer!

Then we noticed, Nick was yelling and not cheering!

He yelled that he was sad because he wanted a sister!

We hugged him and Luke began explaining that 

he could be a big brother just like him. 

He would need to teach him about 

video games, 

disney movies, 

and super heros. 

Nick asked, "Will I be able to teach him about CARS?" 

Luke nodded!

And an enormous smile stretched across his face!

At that moment, he never turned back!

He was so excited to have a little brother!

We all slept together in Mommy and Daddy's bed that night thinking about how lucky we were to be adding another brother to our family!

For the months that followed, we had some extra tests and ultrasounds done to make sure that both you and I were as healthy as can be! While it was not always easy to be so confident, Daddy and I knew all along that you and I would lean on each other and keep each other healthy and strong!

Some of my favorite moments from this past 9 months 

have been feeling you move inside me. 

It never gets old and always feels miraculous! 

As I write, your rolling around in my belly

and letting me know you're preparing to meet us!

I've loved having everyone hold and tap on my belly to feel your amazing body move!

Nicholas asks me daily..

....multiple times per day....

"What's the baby doing right now?"

"Is the baby sleeping/eating/pooping!" :)

"Is the baby playing video games?"

"What does the baby want to eat?"

Some of my favorite times are when he talks to the baby, 

"Hi baby! How are you?" 

And then answers in a baby voice,

"Hi Nicky! I'm happy!"

I love how into picking your name Luke is!

We're having a very difficult time deciding a name!

Daddy and I love the names Gabe, and Trey (Domenic)!

Luke and Nick have their own favorites!

Luke likes Max and Jake!

Nick likes Donnie, Raph, Leo, Mikey (Ninja Turtles), 

Cubbie, Mater, 

(and many other of his favorite cartoon characters!)

You're room is almost ready 

and while I want you to meet you 

more than anything in the world,

 I want you to wait 2 more weeks! 

There will be many moments of heartfelt wishes 

but as you prepare to come into this world 

know that from the moment we saw the sign that said 

PREGNANT

You were loved by all of us!

We can't wait to meet you!

So Much Is Right Tonight...

So Much Is Right Tonight....

I'm reserving the right to use this for a future post
about how I fear I'm screwing up!

While this is a feeling I often fight off, tonight I'm sure of everything that is right!

I am snuggled in my dark room with 2 little loves!

The room is dark and cool with a breeze from the fan!

I'm writing and watching chick tv!

I rubbed Luke's head until he fell asleep!

I listened to Nick hum himself to sleep! 

(The tune of "B says /b/")

I can smell their shampoo because they're so close to me!

As Nick turned over to get comfy, he was talking in his sleep!

The baby is enjoying himself rolling around in my belly!

I'm obsessed with feeling his movements and watching my belly shift!

I can't believe this is me at 32!

I'm about to turn over and read!

And I'm so happy with all that is right tonight!

Of course, only 1 person would make it perfect!

But the love of my life is having a much needed annual guys weekend! 

And I'm proud of him of keeping it a priority and I'm proud of us for making it work!