Tristan Ace is Born! - Press play button to watch

Tristan's Baby Shower - Press play to watch

Tristan Ace has arrived!

Boy oh Boy oh Boy! And I MEAN BOY! :) I had no idea I'd be posting pix of Tristan so soon! But I'm so very pleased to announce his arrival!!!!!!! Much has happened in the past week - but nothing more important than that our son, Tristan Ace Lackovich, is no longer in my belly but in my arms! Here's the story - Will be updating with pix soon - and pix of the most wonderful shower for Tristan that was on the very day before Tristan's arrival!

Hello from the Lackovich Family!!

I’ve been so anxious to get this note out to you with an update and details on how and when we were blessed to welcome our son, Tristan, into this world! We’ve received all your phone calls, gifts and wishes and want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your thoughtfulness and your prayers! So sorry that we haven’t been able to contact everyone back but PLEASE know that we love you! This has certainly been a time of incredible adjustment (though wonderful!) and we were SO not prepared for Tristan to arrive 6 weeks early! So we plan on being a bit behind for at least a few weeks.

On Saturday, Sept 12 the ladies and I were celebrating Tristan at a baby shower generously hosted by Aunties Theresa and Melissa. It was there that I was surrounded by the most wonderful friends and we had such a great time (thanks so much ladies!). I felt so blessed to have so many friends surrounding me and supporting me during this amazing time. We were joking about how I looked ready to pop and though I was “ready” for Tristan, there was still much to do in preparation for him!

After a long, emotional day, I came home with Theresa and we crashed around 10:30 pm. I woke up at 3 am in disbelief, wondering if it really was my water that broke. I went into our office to hunt Joel down – he was playing xbox live as usual at that time of night. Lol. When I shared with him what happened, we pulled out our computers to google “is it possible for your water to break if you’re not having contractions” - and all signs led us to call the doctor who advised that we go to the hospital to get checked. Though I was worried because we still had 6 weeks to go, I was very calm and relaxed, and felt really confident that everything was going to be okay.

We arrived at Grossmont Hospital around 4:30 am where I was admitted. They confirmed my bag of waters had ruptured and informed me that I’d be going home with my baby! Joel and I were ecstatic, beside ourselves. We were advised to prepare for a long day and immediately tried to contact our family.

There was obviously concern for Tristan’s well being, lung maturity and possible infection. Test results confirmed that Tristan’s lungs were “borderline mature” so The doctor left me to try to run a natural course to keep Tristan in as long as possible. Eventually contractions started coming slowly but surely.
By 7:00 pm Doctor thought it was a good time to augment the contractions to make them more regular and consistent and I was given a mild consistent dose of Patocin. I started feeling the contractions almost immediately and went for an epidural at around 10:00 pm. From that point forward, I was one happy camper! Smooth sailing!!!!!! By 11:00 they started preparing the room for Tristan’s Arrival and from there it all happened so quickly! Once my bladder was emptied, I felt Tristan’s entire body drop down. I was told not to push because Tristan was right there, and they wanted to make sure a doctor was in the room. Doctor came in, and after three painless pushes, Tristan entered the world at 11:33 pm.

I could not have asked for a better labor or delivery experience. But to have Tristan come into this world 6 weeks early and totally healthy has been God’s greatest gift that I’ve ever received. Tristan was taken to NICU for about 8 hours while they observed his vitals and tested him and his lungs to see if he was strong enough to come home with us, and that he was. He was brought to my arms around 8 am on Monday morning and we left the hospital on Tuesday evening around 7:30. Those two days were spent working with lactation consultants and nurses to try to get Tristan to latch and observing his feeding. Because he is so early, there was concern that he would be weak and not be able to eat. I had success, but had endured so much pain that I’ve been advised to pump until I heal which should be a few more days. Tristan has been to two doctor appointments and there is concern that he’s lost weight. He’s now weighing in at 4 lbs 14 ounces so we’re working hard to get him back up to his birth weight of 5 lbs 5 ounces as quickly as possible by feeding him every hour, on the hour.

He is SUCH a joy – sleeping most of the day but enlightening us with his alert, open eyes when he is awake. He sleeps in the total fetal position (right now he is on my belly kissing his very own toes!). I cannot simply describe the joy and happiness that Joel and I are experiencing. We look forward to having him meet you in the very near future! It’ll be just a few more days before we have strength to get out and about but we are looking forward to it!!!!

Thanks again, so much, for all your love and support! Tristan is truly blessed to have come into this world surrounded by so much love from all of you!

All our love,

Tracey, Joel and Tristan

Tristan Ace Lackovich
Born Sunday, September 13 (Grandparent’s Day!) at 11:33 pm
5 lbs 5.6 oz
18.5 inches

Belly Bump Pix at 34 Weeks!

Prenatal Bonding with The Flinns

I couldn't be happier to be sharing this pregnancy experience with dear friend Erica. We met as Freshman in high school (over a fatuation for New Kids on The Block!) and now we are just 4 weeks apart with our due dates. Erica and her hubby Anthony recently joined in on the birthing class fun at Mercy Hospital in Hillcrest. Erica - 30 weeks, Tracey - 34 weeks

34 Weeks - Birthing Classes

Hi!! Today I realized that I should be taking an official "maternity leave" in just two short weeks! I haven't quite figured out what my "upcoming schedule" will be like, leaving the office and all, but I do know that it is approaching rather quickly! 6 more weeks until Tristan arrives!

Joel and I have already taken a few classes of "Getting ready for baby" and "Bringing baby home". Tonight we learned to swaddle, bathe, take care of the cord, what to do when baby is sleeping, etc. I have my own opinions about the feeding schedule based off of some true success stories from friends who've recommended BABY WISE. I am currently reading the book and plan to implement BABYWISE and to get Tristan on a schedule (as much as possible anyway). We're excited to be parents and to hold our little nugget!!!

Everything has been going very well with the pregnancy. I had a minor scare this morning and went to an emergency doctor visit but it ended up being something minor. I was so thrilled that the nurse let me listen to Tristan's heartbeat for an extended period of time. It was so soothing, I started crying...

I've been having some chronic pain in my tailbone and my ribs are bruised and painful. But these are small prices to pay for this miracle I'm so blessed to be a part of!

This weekend my dearest friends will be coming in to town to celebrate and they are having a shower for us. I'm so excited to see everyone and am amazed at all that my friends are doing for me. I will get to spend time with girlfriends from elementary school, high school, college, dance, magic and cheer and am so happy to be able celebrate with them!!!! Tristan is so lucky to be coming into this world with all this love surrounding him!

The summer weather has been VERY hot, especially here in HELL CAJON. I'm managing, but dang, it's an extra hot year and thank goodness for AC!