So I have some news to share and it’s been really hard to keep it a secret!! If you’ve been following along my blog you will remember I posted my ‘getting pregnant story’ last Mother’s Day…
We really did feel so lucky to have had Jake after two cycles of IVF and only one embryo later. We always dreamed for Jake to have a sibling. We decided to do another cycle of IVF this past May but it didn’t work – after retriveing 4 eggs – 2 fertilized but none survived through day 5.
It was then that we decided to put having another baby behind us.. We felt so blessed to have Jake and we had convinced ourselves that we were done. We are happy with our healthy baby boy! Because I had chemo in my 20s my egg quality is poor, therefore when did another cycle of IVF back in May we didn’t get results. This is the same reason why three years ago when I did my first two cycles of IVF I only got one embryo.
Chase and I took a trip to Italy in July and really cleared our heads and we were in a great place! For the first time ever I was excited to go to the countryside and not do much – just hang out by the pool and drink lots of wine!
We then got Frankie in July – our miniature poodle who is too cute for words and who really filled our house with so much love..
At the end of July I went to lunch with two girlfriends – both of whom were pregnant and I told them then that my period was late, but I didn’t think anything of it. I remember September 1 my husband was throwing a little dinner for his firm and he had told me to take an uber so we could drink and have a good time.. What I didn’t tell him was that my period was late – and I am normally never late!
So I ran out and got a pregancy test – of course I got the cheapest one – I thought what a waste of money… I peed on the stick- and it said pregnant!! The reason I’ve been keeping it quiet is because Chase and I are both carriers of an Ashkenazi genetic gene so I had to get a CVS at 11 weeks and waited an then entire month to find out if the baby is healthy..
This is a long way of saying that we are expecting a baby girl due May 2nd!! When I point to my belly and ask Jake what’s in there he says “baby”.. it melts my heart!
We are beyond excited and I can’t wait to start showing you my maternity style.. I really that hope this story inspires those who are trying – wear something sexy, let your hair down, drink, and have fun!
I am so grateful to be celebrating my second mother’s day.. Especially since at one time we didn’t think we could have kids. When I was 20 I was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and was given chemotherapy as treatment and, because I was really sick, there wasn’t time to do the whole IVF and freeze my eggs thing. Once my husband I were married for 1 year my father (he’s an OBGYN) told me that I needed to start thinking about having kids because of my egg levels, which I had never had tested. I got tested for the Jewish Ashkenazi genes and also my egg level and was positive to Familial Dysautonomia. So the next step was to get my husband tested, who also came out positive for the same gene! Therefore, there would be a 25 % chance that our child would be born with this. Not only did we both have this gene my egg levels were seriously low- my father urged us to see an IVF doctor and he told me I had a 5% chance of having a baby on my own .
After two rounds of IVF and one embryo later I am so blessed to have Jake. People always ask me when the next one is coming and I just say that I’m happy with my miracle baby healthy boy!
Happy mother’s day to all of the mamas out there. Hope this brings hope to those of you going through something similar. Also, please send me an email if you would like to further discuss..
I can’t believe I will already be celebrating my second mother’s day as a mom. I feel so lucky that I have Jake and really am just so thankful for him every day. The best thing for me about being a mama is watching him grow each day physically and mentally. I love that he is now starting to repeat some things that I say.
I wanted to round up some of my favorite silver things – from everyday jewels to house decor, to even a dog collar, I have you covered! Do you have any fun plans for Mother’s Day?
When planning Jake’s 1st birthday I wanted to make it special since he’s so special to us! Maybe it’s because I’m from Texas that my favorite food is Mexican. I wanted it to revolve around this Mexican food truck that we had experienced for our very good friend’s 30th birthday! I mean let’s face it: what else is there really to do at a one year old’s birthday other than to eat + drink.. The Mexican food truck was such a good idea and planning made it super easy. All I needed to concentrate on was minimal decorations and the cake. The cake was exactly what I wanted and Edda Cakes in Miami made it possible. The decorations were from Party City, Michael’s, and Oriental Trading. It was such a fun time!
Hope you enjoy the pictures and thanks to Emma from Emma Del Ray Photography for capturing the best pictures that we will have forever…
I also need to thank Ashlee Kramer from Zumbini who came to teach a session and made the party extra special. To see the look on Jake’s face when she sings is priceless!
There are so many things that you learn the first year like how to function while being sleep deprived! Since that is something no one can really explain or teach you- because somehow you really get used to it – I thought it would be helpful to share my review in fashion through Jake’s first year like what worked and what didn’t.. Whether you are currently pregnant, have a friend that is pregnant, or just have little babies in your life.
We are celebrating Jake’s first birthday this weekend and I can’t wait to share pictures of his Mexican fiesta next Friday!
1) Rompers: They are the ULTIMATE best because they are super easy for you to change the diaper and their bellies don’t show since they are one pieces.
2) Shoes: TOTAL WASTE of money.. While they do look adorable- Jake probably started wearing his Converse at the park when he was 11 months.. Another one of my favorites that slip right on are the Native– perfect for the park as well! Ok I also LOVE the Freshly Picked , they are a must for the first year and if you live in a colder climate.
3) Socks: They are super important even though Jake always ends up always losing a sock but my favorite sock brand is Trumpette..
4) Blankets: Aden + Anais– the best blankets to keep in your car and stroller- perfect to throw at a restaurant or mall and you can never have too many lying around. Also- the patterns are amazing! (Hospital blankets are the best and free – take as many as possible before you leave!)
5) Strollers: Bugaboo & Yoyo are my two favorite strollers. Be sure that whatever stroller you get that the car seat attaches to the stroller- this becomes a lifesaver when you need to run in somewhere and your baby falls asleep. You just attach the car seat to stroller and nothing can hold you back. I know they are pricey but worth every penny since you use them every single day!
6) Momaroo: Life saver for the first six months- you simply place your baby in the seat and they are in heaven! You just put on the music for the Momaroo…
7) Pajamas: When they are newborns be sure to get the Carter zip ups because it’s just so much easier to change their diaper in the middle of the night vs anything with buttons.
8) Favorite baby brands: Splendid and the Gap. Don’t go crazy on buying jeans, because they will most likely wear sweat pants or leggings.. Always think COMFY but fashionable of course and I think Jake looks the absolute cutest in muscle tanks- love when he shows off those muscles!
9) Out to eat: Once Jake could sit in a high chair it was a game changer, it suddenly became super fun to go out to eat with him…
10) Organizer: I have the Marc Jacobs diaper bag and since the lack of organization that comes from the bag is terrible- I had to get a diaper organizer! It is seriously life-changing, you won’t have to dig and dig until you find something..
Since Jake turned 6.5 months he’s been sitting up and since then it’s been a complete game changer for me and my husband. Now on the weekends we can take him out to eat with us and he sits in a high chair and is so happy! Going to lunch is just so much more fun now because watching Jake explore is the best. I just give him sugar packets or even the menu and he’s content:) I just can’t keep my eyes off of him because he could end up having a sugar high..
This past weekend we took Jake to our favorite restaurant, Houston’s, and that’s when I thought I need to write a post about this (we also got engaged at Houston’s). Jake was so good and just loved seeing everyone around us. We didn’t even have to bring out any toys. This is a major milestone for us, because Jake isn’t the type of baby to just sit in a stroller and chill. He needs to feel like he is part of every conversation.
Now I look forward to taking Jake out to eat with us, because he enjoys it so much! We have plans to go out to brunch on Sunday and I am so looking forward to taking Jake. He is so curious and I love seeing him look at everything.
Above, I shared some of my favorite boys’ fashion of the moment. For girls- I am obsessed with the Toe Blossoms: here is the link- http://www.toeblooms.com/category-shop. I am loving Splendid and Paul Smith, though both brands can be pricey- I always buy them on sale. The fabric is just amazing! I am also loving Baby Gap- prices are right and styles can be cute too:) I usually put Jake in socks and my favorite brand is Trumpette- also I was told when he starts walking they are great because the bottom part grips on the floor. When I want to dress him up my go to is Crib Converse in red and blue. When it gets colder in Miami I will definitely have him in Freshly Picked moccasins.
My name is Jenny Berger, the founder and
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