Week 1

Chad got his wish of having his son go fishing within his first week of life!





Well we have made it this far! Every day things seem to be getting better and better! We are forming routines and learning likes and dislikes. The one thing that I can't get my head around is how much I love him. It is nothing like I have ever felt before. It really is a mother's love. I can understand now what others have talked about. I am so proud that I am able to experience it.

Now on to other things. Jack has started to lift his head up with more strength, which can catch you off guard, but it's neat to see how he is growing. He also likes his schedule. Every three hours he eats for 10 min. Then I have to wait about 15 min for a good poop, and then he goes to sleep again. This goes on all day. At night is a little different. There is a period of being awake, unless he is held. I am hoping that after a couple of weeks he will start to understand the differences between night and day and do the "wanting to be held" part only during the day.

This paragraph is dedicated to my wonderful Chad. I can't express how much our bond has grown since experiencing this life changing event together. From sitting in hospital rooms for hours on end to coaching me when to push. He has been so supportive. Even now when we are home, he continues to help me and be a great dad to Jack. He doesn't complain when he is up during the night taking care of Jack, while I recover. Chad even made a chart so we could track my medications and Jack's feeding schedule. I don't know how I deserve such a great guy, but I just have to thank God every day for him and my little Jack.

My Top 10 things I am thankful for:
10. Being able to move again (bending over for example!)
9. I can eat some salt again(I couldn't stand it when I was pregnant)
8. I can still wear some of my old summer clothes!
7. I have more energy
6. I don't have to lay on my left side 24/7
5. Chad is becoming more organized around the house (His garage is completely in order even down to the tools, however, in the past his things in the house, not so much)
4. My life has even more meaning because I am living out my dream as being a mom
3. God is so good to me
2. I have a wonderful husband
1. I have a son who is perfect in my eyes.

The countdown is done....baby is HERE!!!

I am assuming most of you who read this blog already know that he is here:) Last week was a totally new adventure with lots of unknowns. It really proved the quote, "Just live day by day". After Monday's Dr appt, they sent me to the hospital again to be checked. We just thought it would be another 2 hour visit. Nope, it turned into 5 1/2 days. By Monday evening (after being at the hospital for 8 hours) we learned that they would try to induce. The first step was to apply some gel stuff to get some contractions going. It worked! Right after it was done Chad decided to go take a walk around the building for 30mins. By the time he was back, I was having some pretty painful contractions. The nurse checked me and I had dilated 1 more cm to a 2. They decided to keep me over night and start some pitocin in the morning (an IV drug to help continue contractions). That night was pretty painful. But after some painkillers, I slept good.
On Tuesday they started pitocin and I was on that all day. By Tuesday evening I could feel some pain in my lower back. However, the DR (the Dr I saw just that day, well just talked to through the nurse) was not impressed so she tried to talk me into going home or try one other procedure. I felt that with all the pain I had gone through, I wasn't going to just go home. So I pressed for the other procedure. They basically used something that would start contractions but could be stopped immediately if my blood pressure increased. By 3:00am Wednesday morning, I was having major contractions again. But more painful. So the nurse checked me and sure enough, I had progressed a lot.
So Wednesday morning, a new Dr to me, Dr. Megan McEllistrem, decided to break my water and proceed on with labor. At 9:30 am on Wednesday morning my water broke. I am just happy I wasn't in public! And 10 min after that, I had the strongest contractions I had ever had! Wow. I asked for an epidural, which was great! Not painful or scary at all! I kept progressing and all was well, until about 3ish in the afternoon. I had developed a fever. This unfortunately led to the news that no matter which way I delivered, my little guy would have to go to the NICU for 48 hours of antibiotics. No rooming with me like I had planned. So after a couple of hours of antibiotics, I was free of the fever and all signs of the infection. At 6:00pm the nurse said I was almost 10 cm dilated and that I would start pushing at 6:30pm. I was really looking forward to this and pumped because I couldn't feel pain but I could tell when I was having a contraction so that would definitely help out with labor. So at 6:30 I started pushing and found out that the little guy was positioned face up, not downward. Women can deliver this way but it is much harder and takes longer. However, I was determined to do it! My room consisted of Chad and one awesome nurse, with lights low. It was so calming and they were so motivational.
After 1 1/2 hours of pushing and falling asleep in between contractions because I was so exhausted, Dr. Megan said that he had not moved at all and that my blood pressure was starting to change with ever contraction. I needed to have a c-section. I was not thrilled at all and I was really nervous but it needed to be done. I was whisked away into the room for surgery and prepped quickly. Every person who was in there was really great and supportive.
At 9:35 pm Jackson Scott was born!! I was able to meet him and give him lots of kisses!!!!!Chad brought him down to the NICU and I went back to the room to recover.
The next morning Chad and I went down to see right away. By Friday afternoon he was out of the NICU. Saturday afternoon we went home! Its been exciting and such a gratifying experience. Official date : August 18th, 6 lbs 15 oz, 19 3/4 inches long

Week 37

Well today was interesting. We went in for the appt and my blood pressure was really high, even after laying on my side. I also told the Dr that I hadn't been feeling well all week. She then checked me and I was a little over 1 cm dilated and I had progressed in other areas as well. After that she went out of the room for a bit and came back in. She said that she had just called the hospital and that I needed to go over there right away. She wanted them to do some blood work to check my liver function. So off we went to St. John's Labor and Delivery. After all the tests and laying on my left side for an hour, I was in much better condition. My blood pressure had gone down to a better level and my blood work was good. The other good news was that the nurse said that I had been having contractions the whole time I was there, so that is a good sign that I might be going into labor naturally sooner than later. (They need to be a certain frequency before I would actually stay in the hospital). She said she wouldn't be surprised if I was back in again this weekend! I am keeping my fingers crossed that something happens!! Otherwise, I will need to go back to the Dr every 3 days for blood work. Too bad I don't feel better because the mall is so close to my Dr's office! If you don't see anything on here soon, don't worry. It might be that I am in the hospital having my little boy :)

36 week appt

They had Halloween apparel out at Babys R Us, so knowing me, I couldn't resist!
The Dr's appt today went well. I found out I am already dilated to 1 cm.....only 9 more to go! She was really happy that I am progressing on my own because there is a good chance that I might need to be induced after next week. My blood pressure hasn't gone down and actually it was a little higher today. So my appt consisted of me laying on my left side while she and I chatted about my labor and delivery. I laid that way so she could check my blood pressure again at the end. Luckily it went down just a bit. My next appt is next Friday for week 37. She unfortunately is going to be out of town the week that I might be induced (as well as my mom and dad!) so she is going to work with the other Dr's to find a good fit for me. I really wish I could have her!! She is sooo wonderful. I guess there is still a chance that it will be her, so we will just see what God has in store for us!

Week 35

This week has been the slowest week ever! This whole pregnancy has gone by fast up until now. I will say though that I am really trying to take in the peace and quiet and relaxation of bed rest. This week my contractions have changed in feeling. They are lower and have a lot more pressure. I am excited to see what the Dr says tomorrow. I am not going to get my hopes up, but we will see! My next door neighbors came over tonight and put together the bassinet. So excited for that! I also have my bag packed for the hospital and Chad is aware of what it looks like so he can just grab it! Most everything is ready for the little guy which is good because I can just relax now! I will try and post something tomorrow after my Dr's appt.