Family Update

Sadie - Our bigger munchin is slowly starting to settle down.  The past two weeks she's been a little difficult to handle.  She's usually very good during the day, but nighttime has been a nightmare.  And, she's even been waking up two or three times during the night.  We are losing more sleep spending time with her than we are with Jax.  We decided to convert her crib into a toddler bed with the hope that a little autonomy would calm her down.  It seems to be working! 

Thankfully, she loves her brother and has not shown any jealous when we care for him.  She is very gentle and protective of him.  It surprises me all the little ways she helps me through the day, too.  She grabs me diapers, hands me blankets, and puts his pacifier in his mouth.  I think she'll be a great big sister.

Jax - He is still a very good baby.  He is a pretty good sleeper and has a calm, easy-going personality. Yeah! He has a healthy appetite and is really starting to plump up.  We were a little concerned because he is spits up a lot (Sadie never did), but it doesn't seems to bother him and it is not effecting his growth.  At night, he usually wakes up three or four times but always goes back to sleep easily.  He is just so loveable!

In my opinion, he looks a lot like Ben.  His mouth is identical, he has high cheeks bones, and the exact same shaped head.  His eyes may be a little different, but he definitely looks more like a Johnson than a Meyers.  Don't you think?

Alicia - Life with two kids is actually a little easier than I expected.  Once he either learns to nurse or I decide to stop pumping things will be much more manageable.  My biggest obstacle is boredom.  Sadie and I like to be active and go places so it is hard to feel stuck at home again.  I'm very protective of my newborns and try to keep them as sheltered as possible.  I have taken the kids to the library and down to my parents' house twice.   When Ben is home we can do a lot more.  Like last night we went and sat by the pool.  I stayed with Jax while Ben played in the water with Sadie.  It was so nice to get out!  I know this stage won't last long and I am really looking forward to the day when we can do a little more. 

Oh ya, also, I am L-O-V-I-N-G not being pregnant.  Multiple times a day I stop what I'm doing, take a deep sigh, and say to Ben, "I love not being pregnant."  I can sleep more comfortably, touch my toes, and have so much more energy.  My favorite part is I am finally able to get close to the ones I love.  Hugging and holding Sadie just isn't the same when there is a big belly in the way.  Two more weeks and I can start exercising again.  I'm really looking forward to that!

Ben - Ben has had several big deadlines at work lately and has been under a lot of pressure.  Poor guy!  On the nights he works late I either try to go down to the homestead or else my mom comes up to visit.  He has a four day weekend and I am so looking forward to having him around more.  Life is so happy when he is home.

This morning he woke up with a sore throat and runny nose, though.  He's taking a well-deserved nap right now and we're hoping with a little extra sleep his cold will fizzle out and no one else will catch it. 

In Closing - Life with two kids is definitely more complicated but I think it's more fun, too.  We really feel like a family now.  Not that we didn't before but there is something more substantial about it now.  I'm really, really looking forward to watching these two become friends and play together and grow up together.  I am so grateful for my family!  They're worth every ache, pain, tear, worry, sleepless night, pumping session, hospital bill, sink full of dishes, load of laundry, dirty diaper, wrinkle, and stretch mark.   

Home, Hectic, and Happy

Well, luckily, Jax' problems were short-lived and we were able to come home on Friday.  We've been trying to settle in and adjust to having two children.  Things right now are a little hectic.  Sadie loves her little brother but has been having major temper tantrums and fussiness with us.  She's also refusing to sleep!  We've gotten so desperate that we're taking her on nightly car rides to try to get her to settle down.  Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.  We're trying to spend lots of quality time with her, but she's definitely struggling to adjust.  Hopefully she'll be a little better by tomorrow which is when Ben is returning to work.  

Thank goodness Jax is about as perfect and happy a baby as you can imagine!  Maybe all newborns are like this (Sadie NEVER was) but he just sleeps all the time.  When he is awake he's happy and just looks around.  I sure hope it continues!!  He was a little unhappy yesterday because he had two doctor's appointments.  We met with our pediatrician in the morning and he was given a shot.  Then, in the afternoon, we met with an ENT to have his frenulum clipped.  He was very tongue-tied and it was preventing him from nursing.  Things have not improved yet but I'm very hopeful that he'll be able to learn now.  It's frustrating, painful, and time-consuming to be 'pumping' again and worrying about him not catching on.  He's six days old and very attached to the bottle.  I sure hope we'll be able to figure things out soon!

My recovery has been super quick!  With Sadie it took me a few weeks to bounce back.  This time I felt great about an hour after delivery.  It feels amazing to be returning to my normal self again. 

As for Ben, he has earned his place in heaven.  He does everything for Sadie, let's me take naps, keeps the house clean, food in our stomachs, and does the night feedings while I get up and pump (after attempting and failing at nursing).  I'm a little nervous about him going back to work, but I'm sure I'll learn how to juggle everything.

For your viewing pleasure here are some pictures of Jax.  We haven't taken too many, but I'm hoping to get some good ones later today.  Handsome little fellow, no?

{Above: 5 minutes old}

{Above: 1 hour old}

{Above: taken in the NICU 12 hours after he was born}

{This one was taken this morning}

 

The Birth Story

We are still here at the hospital because Jax had some 'rapid' breathing and a little fluid in his lungs so they put him in the NICU and we have to stay a little longer.  We are hoping they will let us go home tomorrow, but it all depends on how well he feeds.  I can't wait to get home with Sadie and be a family again!

In the meantime I thought I would jot down the birth story before I lose the few details I remember.  Here's how it all went down....

7:00 AM - We arrived at the hospital late due to having a dead car battery.  We slept at my parents' house the night before since they are only 20 minutes from the hospital and so we wouldn't have to wake Sadie and transport her.

7:45 AM - Met with our wonderful nurse, Terri, who hooked me up to an IV and all kinds of cords and wires.  It was a terrible feeling.  Exactly what I had wanted to avoid!  I felt so confined with an IV, two monitors, and blood pressure cuff.

8:30 AM - Dr. Kant came in and we talked about the induction.  She happily agreed to break my water before we start pitocin and hope that contractions would start on their own.  They broke my water and we were happy to see the liquid was clear.  When she checked me I was 3 cm dilated, 50% effaced, and at a -2 station.

9:25 AM - I had only one contraction during the hour so Terri came in and started the pitocin at a 2.

10:12 AM - Contractions were steady at every 3 to 4 minutes apart and at a good strength.  They were very bearable and felt like strong braxton-hicks.  They increased the pitocin to 4 mL/hr.

10:30 AM - Things started to take a turn for the worse.  My contractions were definitely strong and coming every two minutes, and I was handling them just fine.  However, the baby's heart rate was dipping with each contraction.  They turned off the pitocin, had me flip from side to side, gave me oxygen, and did an amnioflush.  He continued to struggle and they began planting the idea of a C-section in my mind.  They said due to his single umbilical artery, my 'old placenta,' low blood pressure, and small amount of amniotic fluid he might not be able to endure a normal birth.  Well, we said our prayers and Cliffie called to say she put our names on the prayer roll at the temple.  He started to handle things a little better.  I could only lay on my left side in a certain position, though.  My contractions were still coming every 3 to 4 minutes apart, but they were not nearly as uncomfortable as they had been.  My pain level was around a 3.  We stayed this way for a while, and Jax started to get better and better.

12:15 PM - The baby had been doing well for over an hour, so they decided to turn the pitocin back on.  They typically start the pitocin at 2 mL/hr, but we asked them to put it at 1 mL/hr and wait to see how Jax responded.  Once they turned that stuff on my contractions immediately started getting more intense.  Luckily, he tolerated the stronger contractions just fine so....

12:30 PM - They increased the pitocin to 2 mL/hr.  Okay, by this point, I was really starting to feel uncomfortable.  My pain level was probably at a 5 or 6.  My plan going into the birth was that it would be my dream to do it without pain medication.  But once I found out I would be induced, confined to a bed, with tons of wires, and having stronger contractions due to the Pitocin - I decided to cut myself a break and get the epidural when my pain level was around an 8.  At least that's what I told the nurse and Ben.  But, in the back of my mind I still knew I really wanted to try and hold out until the end.  But, I knew I should be flexible.  The idea crossed my mind at this point that it would be nice to get an epidural.  However, I was so worried that if I moved an inch his heart rate would dip and I would end up on the operating table.  So, I decided to tough it out a little longer...

12:50 - They wanted to increase the pitocin to 4 but I was pretty much dying at this point, so I asked them if we could move it to just 3.  Our new nurse, Sarah, said that would be okay.

1:02 - This is the point I lost my mind.  I decided my pain level was an 8 and asked for the epidural.  I was a little disappointed in myself, but in too much pain to care and decided I would reconcile with myself at a later date.

1:06 - The next contraction was gut-wrenchingly awful!  Serious panic set in!!!  I was feeling nauseous, pressure, and terrible body-numbing, I-can't-breath, somebody-shoot-me type pain.  Even if the anesthesiologist had walked in right then I knew I was in too much pain to even sit up and get the epidural.  I seriously panicked.  That's when I realized I might be in transition :)  Since I was feeling pressure I mentioned it to the nurse.  She quickly checked me but said I was only at 6 cm.  Honestly, it was a huge disappointment to hear, but in the back of my mind I knew she was wrong.

1:06 - 1:11 PM - I seriously lost it!  I remember telling Ben things like, "I'm never having more children" and "I can't do this anymore" and such nonsense.  He kept telling me to visualize white, puffy clouds and happy thoughts and yellow dots on a blank canvas.  But, I just wasn't able!  Each contraction was putting more and more pressure on me.  I was trying to be a cooperative, well-mannered patient but also trying to reconcile the feeling of needing to push.  Even by my emotional state - I knew it was time.  Finally, I knew I needed to push!  Like it or not, ready or not, I knew I couldn't NOT push.  Even if I was only a 6 - I had to push!!!  I barely said the words to Ben, "I have to puusshhhh...." and I was pushing.

1:12 PM - I remember Ben yelling, "Nurse, nurse she pushing!!!!"  She peeked at me, panicked, and started yelling for all sorts of people.  She kept telling me not to push, and I really wanted to cooperate, but I had zero control over my body!  It was one of the strangest sensations I have ever felt - a total lack of control.  I was going on 100% natural instincts and NOBODY could stop me.  Although, the nurse was pushing my legs closed and telling me to 'blow it away' I just kept pushing!  Ben was holding my hand and helping me get into position because I was still laying on my side.  But, the nurses were not cooperating!  Ben says I said, in the saddest, most pathetic voice, "I can't do this anymore".  At that moment, our original nurse, Terri, came into the room (along with probably 6 other people) and said in the kindest, calmest voice, "It's okay, honey, go ahead and push if you need to....just let the baby come."  I was so grateful!  She and Ben helped me on my back, I gave one push, and the baby crowned.  The doctor walked in, prepped in seconds, and reached down just in time to catch the baby.  Sweet relief!!!

1:16 PM - Jax was born!  He and I laid there in a daze for a good 10 seconds.  Then they laid him on me.  Ben kept saying in the most excited voice, over and over again, "I can't believe it....Honey, you did it!....You're amazing....We have a baby."  He probably repeated that line a good 5 times while I just sat there in a daze having a starring contest with Jax.  Ben says I seemed almost melancholy, while he was hyper as could be.  It was love at first sight!  We were shocked as we examined his almost blond hair, long toes, and big, plump lips.  I held him for a while as they cleaned me up.  It really took about 5 minutes of Ben's praise and excitement before I fully realized what had happened.  I went from 6 cm to having a baby in less than 10 minutes.  It was the wildest experience of my life!

We are so grateful to have this adorable, calm little baby boy.  He is about the sweetest little guy you can imagine.  I can't wait to get him home and have him for myself.  It's been a hard, but really good week!

Jax is here!

Hello all! This is Sarah reporting. Jax's proud Auntie Sarah, that is. Alicia asked me to post a few of the pictures I took of sweet little Jax at the hospital this evening. So here they are!

Weight: 6 lbs 10 oz
Length: 19 1/2 inches

Here are more pictures ...

Ginormous!

I'm pretty sure I'm too healthy.  3 mile walks, 1/4 mile jogs, swimming, jumping jacks, stair climbing.....no problem and no baby.  It's looking like Wednesday will be the little guy's birthday.  

Still here...

Yes, I'm still alive (barely).

YES, I'm still pregnant....

Yes, I've tried every single way recommended way to naturally start up labor - they're all lies.  (But, I haven't tried castor oi. I'm getting desperate and might try that one soon, too.  Any opinions?)

Yes, the doctor wants to induce me and has tried several times but I keep telling them no. 

Yes, I'm crazy for telling them no - I totally agree.  If they were here right now I would happily let them give me pitocin.

Yes, my cervix seems ready (3 cm dilated, 50% effaced, head is very low).

Yes, I have an induction set up for Wednesday if it doesn't happen on it's own.

Yes, yes, yes - I really hope it can happen on it's own, but they don't want me to go to long since the little guy only has one umbilical artery.

Yes, I am also going nuts because the power supply on my computer went this week and it's still not fixed so I am internet-less.  (I'm currently at my parents' house).

Yes, now I sit around the house and watch TLC's Baby Story all day.

Yes, I'm sure I will survive.  Won't I?

A New Development

Well, I was really, really hoping that I would go into labor today.  Instead, I have come down with a cold.  Not only do I have a cold, but Ben and Sadie do, too.  For the record, this is the first cold any of us have had in 6 months.  So, now I am 'taking it easy' and trying to get us all better and hoping the baby doesn't come until we are all healthy again.  What a change of events!

Here are some interesting facts about this pregnancy:

• The baby only has one umbilical artery.  Consequently, I have been overly tested and poked and pricked through this whole pregnancy.
• I may have gestational diabetes but I am unable to keep the nasty glucose drink 'down' and so the diagnosis cannot be confirmed.  However, my A1C is great and when they check my blood glucose level at the doctor's office every week it's usually within normal range.  Still I've been trying to eat extra healthy and cut out sugars as much as possible.
• I have 3 different due dates and I never know which one to tell people - June 10, 11, and 14th. 
• My pregnancy food cravings have been Thai food, Indian food, spicy food, and the salsa and chip from Chili's.
• Although I measure 4 weeks smaller than I should this baby looks plump and robust in the ultrasound pictures. He has nice, big cheeks and huge lips.  He's measuring in the 50th percentile, unlike Sadie who was never even on the charts when I was pregnant with her.  They thought my placenta was failing because she was so small in utero.
• I thought I miscarried on three occasions during the first trimester.  But, thankfully, I was wrong :)
• He gets hiccups a lot!  Usually several times each day.
• Until recently Ben had never felt the baby kick.  We say Ben has a calming effect on the little guy, because his movement ceases the second Ben get near me.