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My Life – Unscripted bio picture

My Story...

This is my life story - unscripted. I wanted to have a place that I can share my life events with, and so this blog was created. Above is my family (for now) starting at the far left you will find my oldest step-son Zach, my loving husband Jake, my youngest step-son Alex, and me - Erica Joyce. I grew up next door to my husband 14 years ago and now I am known as "the girl next door". I have known my step-sons since they were born. Jake and I share a very unique story and can't wait for the day to tell our grandchildren. November 2006 Jake and I were pronounced "Husband and Wife", and ever since that day we knew we wanted 1 more child. We have not had the fairy tail story of getting pregnant, and have had many obstacles to overcome.

June 2008 we began IVF, and prayed that God would bless us with 1 healthy baby. We went in for our first check-up and heard the news.. "Congratulations you are pregnant with triplets!!" We were a little nervous but got used to the idea quickly and knew that God blessed us with 3 more children. In our 16th week of pregnancy we experienced some difficulties and I was admitted to the hospital on bed rest. On October 15, 2008 our first Angel was born and called to heaven at 18 1/2 weeks, we named him Angel A Jaggears. On November 7, 2008 our other 2 Angels were born at 21 1/2 weeks, and joined their brother in heaven. We named them Angel B Jaggears and Angel C Jaggears. We would have never thought we would have gone through something like this, but we are not ones to chose our path, it has already been chosen for us. We find comfort in knowing that our 3 little boys are watching over us in heaven and we will see them again someday. This blog has been a blessing and I have become a stronger woman by all the people that have been there through these trying times and have left uplifting comments and prayers. My journey has given me a different perspective on life and made me realize to appreciate and live life one day at a time.

This blog is dedicated to my husband Jake whom without I would not be able to be the parent that I am, Zach and Alex who have taken me in as their Mom, and given me endless love, my family (all of them) who have supported me throughout life, all my prayer warriors and blog stalkers, our Heavenly Father, and of course my triplet Angels - you were taken from us too soon, but you are in a better place and Mommy and Daddy will be with you again someday. Share with me my journey of life - one day at a time…

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, Plans to give you Hope and a Future" Jeremiah 29:11

It’s official….Baby J has arrived!!!!!

It’ a BOY!!!

Baby J decided to make his appearance into this world 1 day early! So we proudly introduce our 6th son..

Pierce Edward Jaggears

Birthday: 3/4/2010

Time: 2:18 am

Length: 20.5 in

Weight: 9 lb 11 oz

Wednesday March 3rd we went to see Dr. White for our last appointment and all was well! I was dilated to about a 4, and still 80% effaced. Dr. White said Baby J was about 8.5 lbs and that everything was going to go smoothly for our induction on Friday. So we left the doctors office and ran some last minute errands, and wanted to check the remaining things off my to-do list before Friday. We ended up putting together a trampoline on Wednesday afternoon, 39 weeks 5 days pregnant and I am helping to put together a trampoline…who would have thought?!?! Well after all was said and done I wanted to rest for a few minutes before we left to go watch Zach’s soccer game. I went to sit on the couch and new something did not feel right, when I went to stand up my water broke! We were not panicked but very calm and grabbed our packed bags and made our way to the hospital. We arrived at 4 PM we were admitted into a labor and delivery room and did not have to go through triage before being admitted. I was 4 cm dilated and contractions started coming every 3 minutes apart and the rest of my water broke. I was not feeling very good until I had the epidural then I was on cloud 9 and just watched my contractions on the monitor. There was a time when we thought that I was going to have a c-section since every time I sat up in Baby J would freak out and I had to be put on oxygen. So after several hours of contractions we decided to try to push and try to avoid a c-section. 30 minutes later I pushed Baby J out and he made his appearance into this world, all 9 lbs 11 oz of him!! What a big baby!!!! We were over whelmed with joy when we found out we it was another boy, just like we expected.

It is so great being a new mommy and words can not describe how I am feeling. I also blessed to have this miracle child to call my son and to have a husband and 2 other boys to share this experience with. Jake and I have had our share of hard times, but God and our Angels have definitely rewarded us. Thank you to all our friends and family that have continued to pray for us and been along throughout our journey. It was a short 2 night stay at the hospital and I have had a lot to learn about parenting, feeding, diaper changes and how to go on without any sleep!!!

We found out that Pierce has jaundice and we are treating it with light treatment and in home therapy. We had a nurse from Cook’s Children come out to the house and set up a light crib that he must stay in all day long except for feedings. It is a little overwhelming but is getting better. We get his blood taken everyday by a nurse that comes to the house and we wait for the results at the end of the day. Tomorrow is our first appointment at the pediatrician and we will see what he says about continuing the treatment.

Here are a few pics of Pierce but I will post more soon and the nursery is in the process of being complete since we now know the gender. We love our little man and are glad to have him home.

Marie - Congrats to you and Jake! Baby Pierce is so cute. Praising God for his many blessings, and praying that his jaundice gets better soon.

Jenni - Congratulations on your sweet little man! He is so handsome! Best wishes and God Bless You!

tomi - he is a precious bundle of yummy love!

Brandi - Congratulations!! I am so very happy for you guys :)

Katie - What a gorgeous "little" man. Look at him sucking down that bottle in the first pic - he was hungry!! I am really happy for you that you got to push that big boy out and avoid a c-section - yay for our amazing bodies :o) Hope his jaundice clears up soon so that he can have lots of snuggles with you :o)

Amy - Congratulations! I've never met you, Erica, but have followed your journey since your first pregnancy. You and Jake are an amazingly strong and beautiful couple and I am so happy to hear of the arrival of your little blessing! Enjoy every moment!

Kim - Erica and family...I am so happy for you! It has been so great to follow along on this journey with you. Now the fun begins! Best wishes!

Sara - Congratulations!! I'm so excited for you and Jake!

Ann Pavliska - Wonderful...congratulations on that beautiful baby boy. I can't believe he is so "BIG". Rachel weight 7lbs, 8oz. when she was born and I thought I was going to die. No epidurals...Look forward to seeing you when I get up that way to visit Kelli. Gift is on the way as well as a donation for the March of Dimes walk. Take care and enjoy every minute you have with Pierce. They grow up so fast and then they are gone...Ann

39 weeks and the countdown begins…

Week 39 with just 7 days away!! I never thought I would see the day that I would have a healthy full term baby!!! But here I am, living proof that miracles happen and that if you have faith in God that good things will come your way. You may have some bumps along the road but it all happens for a reason. So I went and saw Dr. White this past Wednesday and we got to see Baby J. I do not have any ultrasounds becuase Baby J is in position to enter this world so all we saw was the back of it’s head, and we were told he/she has a lot of hair! My Mom said it took me 3 months to grow hair, so she was shocked when I told her that we have full head of hair. Jake said we forgot to register for a brush, so I will have to add that and some hair product to the list! Dr. White told us that we are 3 cm dilated and 80% effaced. So this was ggreat news and he seems to think that when we go in next Friday to be induced that my labor should not take more than 8 hours, TOPS! That was great news to me because I told him I was prepared for a 14 hour day. I will go back to see Dr. White next Wednesday for my LAST OB appointment and then Friday March 5th at 6 am we will be at Baylor being induced!!! I can not wait, but I am also very nervous! So the countdown begins with 7 more days until Baby J is here. I am so ready to meet him/her and have my body back to myself. I am still dealing with sinuses, and now have added heartburn to the list. I have not had a lot of contractions so I am really expecting to go until next Friday and not a day sooner, but that could all change in a blink of an eye.

So stayed tuned for pictures of Baby J in a few short weeks!!!!

***March of Dimes Update***

Thank you to everyone that has donated so far, we are up to $725! I am still working on the design of the t-shirts and will let you know once I start taking orders. Please click here to join our team or to help donate to Team Angel Jaggears

Diane Campbell - Greetings from Southern California! Our hearts and prayers are with you and your family as we anxiously await the arrival of baby Jaggears. So exciting! It'll be any day now.

Marie - Shes heeeerree! Just say Jake's Twitter pic. Congrats Erica. Rejoicing and praising God for you both.

Cookie & Chuck Sarrett - Dear Proud Parents: Erica & Jake! Congratulations on your "miracle" baby! He is beautiful and we wish you all much happiness. We get all the news from Grandma Beverly who is still on Cloud 9! I can still remember, Erica, when your Mom was born.........how proud & happy she must be too. Our love to all the Jaeggers! Cookie & Chuck Sarrett

Cerclage Removal…

Ok,  so today was the big day, I had my cerclage removed. I was a little nervous going to the hospital because of the unknown, how was it going to feel? Was I going to go into labor? So the day ended up being a little comical and here is how it went… We woke up this morning at 6am since we had to be at the hospital at 7:30. It was a early morning but my nerves kept me up, and as most of you that are on Facebook know that I have been very sick this past few days and have not had a lot of sleep anyway. I thought that I just had a sinus infection but that turned into not being able to breathe, coughing, no sense of taste or smell, and not being able to sleep. I am on track to start feeling better (I think) since I could finally taste my dinner tonight! So when we get to the hospital we went to labor and delivery to check in. The first thing that I hear is this blood hurling scream. It sounded like a out of body sound that no human could possibly make, I looked at Jake and then the nurse and thought to myself, I am NOT ready for labor and prayed that Baby J stay in for 2 more weeks. The nurse looked at my white face and said “Don’t worry she is having a natural labor!!” They then sent me off to triage to check in, I was a little confused because I thought I was just going into a L & D room, doing the procedure and then head home. The nurse asked me to fill out paperwork to be admitted and had me put on a gown, but made me take off my jewelry and then came back with an IV kit. I looked at Jake and said “Am I a complete idiot and thought this procedure was no big deal?, Did I  not pay attention when Dr. White explained what was going to happen?” The nurse told me I was going to have anesthesia, and be going to the OR. I then started freaking out a bit. Well Then Dr. White called the nurse and gave her his orders and I was correct. They moved me to a L & D room ( of course the room next to the lady having natural birth!),  I did not need anesthesia, or go to the OR and the procedure lasted all of 3 minutes. It was not very comfortable but I was able to tolerate it. So once he pulled the stitch he told me that I was still 1 cm dilated, so it was back home for me! But I am telling you after the sounds I heard that morning I was not ready for labor! We actually changed our induction date to my true due date of March 5th. Dr, White is on call that weekend so he will be there to deliver Baby J and I don’t have to worry about someone else doing it, that is if I can make it to full term. I have 2 gut feelings, 1) I think I am having a Boy, and 2)  I will go all the way to full term and make it to 40 weeks. I guess only time will tell to see if I am correct.

So we have been keeping busy getting ready for the baby to arrive and running ever which direction with Zach and Alex. I have started getting out of the house a little more and started doing some walking. I figured it would be good for me to build my strength and it could not help to induce labor a little, at this point if I went into labor me and Baby will fine. I have gotten out of the house for Jake to snap a few maternity pics of me ( I am very spoiled to have a husband that is also a talented photographer). We took some at 36 weeks, and then when we got 13.8 inches of snow we decided to do a 37 weeks session in the snow. The pics came out great and I am glad that I was able to get out and have those memories. So I will go back to see Dr. White and Baby J next Wednesday to get a estimate weight on the baby to see if we will need a c-section or not. I can’t believe we are only 2 weeks away!!!

Here are some pics from my 36 week session…

To check out all my 37 weeks pics in the snow click here to go to Jake’s Blog and you can watch the slideshow.

***March of Dimes***

Please click on our link to help donate to Team Angel Jaggears or to join our team. We have about 10 people now that have committed to walking and have raised $200.00. If we can all give $5-25 it will all add up. I hope that we can be top family team again this year! I am still working on t-shirt design and will let you all know when I have it ready so I can place orders and get them to you. Thank you all for you support!!

Katie - Natural labour doesnt have to sound like you are being murdered, I promise, heehee! I had one and as far as I know I might have grunted a bit but no screams but then you know what they say about us Brits - stiff upper lip and all that!! Was thinking about you all day and wondering how it all went. Wow, you really are so close to meeting this little miracle, hopefully little enough not to need a C-section but at the end of the day as long as Mum and baby are fine, it doesnt really matter how the entrance into this world is :o)

March of Dimes 2010 & The Nursery…

***March for Babies 2010***

I can not believe the time has come again!! The March of Dimes, March for Babies walk 2010 is right around the corner!! We were so blessed last year to have about 50 people join Team Angel Jaggears and help to honor our 3 little Angels. Not only did we have so many people show their support by walking with us and wearing our t-shirt, but we also raised $5700.00 and placed 3rd in all of Tarrant County. That was such a blessing to know so many people support this great organization. This past summer I was invited to an awards luncheon and presented this award,

It was truly amazing and I would not have been able to do it without all of your help. Jake and I made a promise to ourselves and our Angels that we will continue to walk and raise money in their honor as long as we are able to, and we hope we when we are not around to do it that Zach, Alex and Baby J will continue this for us.

I know this may seem premature to start collecting money now, but as you all know we are expecting Baby J to arrive into this world on March 2nd, and I wanted to get this started before things get even crazier in the Jaggears’ household. As I lay here on bed rest (with the risk of premature labor) I have a little extra time on my hands!!! I know the economy is tough this year and we have been affected by it to, but we hope that you can even give a $25.00 donation. If you can give the same amount as last year that would be AWESOME!!! Also we hope that you all come out and walk with us, you do NOT have to raise money on your own to walk with us, you can just donate to Team Angel Jaggears and then shoot me an email to let me know you will be walking. We did have some walkers that raised money last year and that was  HUGE contributing factor to Team Angel Jaggears, so please try to sign up and raise some money yourself!!  As soon as I have the t-shirt designed I will send out an email with the pricing, the design and an order form. If you would rather write a check than pay online you can make the check payable to March of Dimes, and in the memo write Team Angel Jaggears. Mail that check to me and I will turn them in as I get them, just email me and I will send you my mailing address. erica.jaggears@sbcglobal.net

So this year the walk is Saturday, April 17th, in Ft. Worth. It will be the same walk for those of you that participated last year.  We are planning on doing t-shirts again this year, I am having them designed now and we will provide lunch again for all that can come out.  You can keep up with Baby J and March of Dimes updates here or on Facebook. Please join us to be a part of this great day and help fight for those premature babies that can not do it alone. The mission of March of Dimes is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.

Email me or call me if you have any questions! We look forward to making this year another success and we need your help to get there!

Click here to join our team, or to donate for March for Babies

March of Dimes 2009 from Erica Joyce Photography on Vimeo.

Honoring:

“AJ” October 15, 2008 born at 18.5 weeks
Angel B. Jaggears November 7, 2008 born at 21.5 weeks
Angel C. Jaggears November 7, 2008 born at 21.5 weeks

Here are some pictures from March for Babies 2009…

***The Nursery***

OK so everyone keeps wanting to see some updates of the nursery! We are not finished but we have a big start. Jake, Zach and Alex helped to get all the furniture together this past weekend, I know it was a chore but I am so thankful I have them here to do these things. We are still working on getting our bedding made, I am finishing the canvases I am making, still need the shelf put up on the wall, a valance, and need to shop for a round mirror, an end table, lamp, baskets, etc. It is a little harder to do when you do not know the sex of the baby! Of course we will paint the top wall pink or orange and add the babie names in wooden letters once we figure out boy or girl. So it is not completed but here are a few more images to heold youover until we make more changes to the room…

See even Jacob can say he helped paint! This is him cleaning up the edges with an artist paint brush.

***Baby J Update***

So as of today we are 35.5 weeks! I went to see Dr. White today and he thinks this baby is 7.5 lbs!! WHOA!! I still have 4 more weeks! He seems to think we will only deliver a 8-8.5 lb baby but I am thinking more like 9.5-10!! I have already had the discussion that I will not even attempt to push a 10 lb baby, and he told me anything bigger than 9 lb, I can chose to have a c-section if I would like to. So that was a little relief to know I have the option. We are still looking good though, my cerclage will come out Tuesday February 16th and then we are scheduling my induction March 2nd. I am scheduling an induction so I can have Dr. White deliver our baby. It is nice to know a date has been set and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I have been pretty nervous these past few weeks as I guess any new Mom would be, it is just the fear of the unknown! I am so excited to meet this little (or BIG) one!! Here is Baby J last week at 34.5 weeks. He/She was sleeping..

We also registered at Babies R Us last week so we can mark that off the list. Even though we are not having any showers until after the baby gets here I wanted to knock this part out! We did 2 separate registries and as soon as we know the gender we will delete the one we don’t need. So Jake got the Girl gun and I had the Boy gun. He had a lot of fun registering for all pink things that says Daddy loves me!!! As soon as we got to the clothes department he took off and left me in the middle of the isle in my wheelchair. I had to move myself around, I felt like Fred Flinstone!! We had a great time though! Jake also registered for his own diaper bag (diaper satchel) , since he said he will not carry one that looks like this…

Here is “Dad’s diaper bag”…

Brandi - Love the nursery!! Adorable but bold. I can't believe it's already so close. Can't wait to see the little one!

Janet - The nursery looks amazing! Thanks for sharing the pics and the Baby J update. Nice "Diaper Satchel" Jake.

Aunt Fawn - You look amazing, everything looks great, I truly cannot not wait to hold and kiss your new little (or BIG) angel!!! Love you all!!!

Ann Pavliska - Looks like everything is going well with all of you. I don't blame Jake for picking out his own diaper satchel. You go, Jake! I will be sending you a check for the March of Dimes walk in memory of those sweet boys that the Lord called home early. Since I will be doing the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer on April the 10th, I don't think I can make it to Fort Worth for your walk but don't count me out yet. I'll let you know when the date gets closer, and also after I have talked to Kelli to see what she has planned that weekend. Good luck, and I will be waiting for this delivery...Ann

Jennifer Marshall - Hi Erica. I stumbled onto your blog a while back from Heather Sibley's, er....Hayward's. Congratulations on your coming blessing - what a wonderful testimony to God's grace and fulfillment of everything in our lives!! I just love what you've done in your nursery and think it would be perfect for the nursery my sister is about to begin decorating for her 1st baby. Will you tell me what colors you used to get that perfect combination? You can email me at : jennifer.ryanmarshall@gmail.com or leave a comment on my blog : meandava.blogspot.com Thank you!!

34 weeks…

Week 34 has arrived and all is well! At 34 weeks your baby has a 99% chance or survival and would need minimal time in the NICU (of course if everything is OK). I went to see Dr. White last week and he said that everything is on track and perfect. He said he could tell that the baby has dropped a little and this week I will go get an ultrasound to see the positioning of the baby. I have 2 more weeks of Procardia and then in 3 weeks my cerclage will be removed. I can’t believe we are in the final countdown!!! It all seems to good to be true. I have waited for this moment for a LONG time, and now that it is almost here I am overwhelmed with emotions. I know what it is like to go through labor and contractions, but I don’t know what it is like to hear your child cry for the first time, or see it’s eyes open. I keep looking around the house wondering what am I going to do when I bring this baby home and it is all real!!! Sure I have been getting excited as packages arrive at my door, our furniture, our stroller, our car seat – but I has all those things last time too.  As we approach the last 5 weeks I am starting to get very anxious and excited!! I am dying to know BOY or GIRL?!?!?!? I wonder who he/she will look like?? I want to kiss those chubby cheeks for hours!!!

Well I will post more nursery pics as it comes along, the only change so far has been the new carpet. Ashley and I are working on the painting touch ups before we can hang curtains or put together furniture. So as we get further along I promise to post more pictures!!!

On our way back from my doctor appointment last week, we stopped at the park and Jake took some belly pics since I have not had them in a while. We will go register for baby stuff on Thursday and I will get pushed around in the wheelchair! It ought to be interesting. We will have a boy and a girl registry and as soon as we know what we are having we will delete the one we don’t need. Also we will be walking again as Team Angel Jaggears this year for the March of Dimes and I will post a link in the next few weeks on how you can help donate and come walk with us. We had a great time last year and look forward to it again!!

Jenni - So exciting! Thank you for the update. I found you through Danielle Mueller and have been following along as you await your blessing. God Bless and keep you!

Jenni - oh! and btw! I forgot to tell you how beautiful these pictures are also- just goregous! :)

Katie - It was great to see your bump in real life! So happy for you and Jake and looking forward to the birth announcement before we know it!!

Ann Pavliska - Can't Wait!!!! You and Jake deserve this child. Keep me posted.

Tammy Gregg - Erica, I am one of the nurses that took care of you (while you were on the post partum side) last time. I have thought of you often but have not checked your blog, what a wonderful surprise to see you will soon have a beautiful baby. I look forward to seeing you and Jake in a few weeks, I will be looking for your name on the pt sheet. You look beautiful in the pics. Tammy Gregg