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Friday, May 24, 2013

My Push Present

Jason surprised me and had a "Push Present" for me at the hospital even though I told him he didn't need to do that!  Our dear friend Vicky got a hold of him and told him he better come through! 

The boy did good...


You just can't go wrong with a little blue box!  Jason gave me a Circle charm with a "J" engraving and necklace from Tiffany and Co.  I didn't even deserve it since technically I never "pushed."  I guess we can call it a surgery present!

 
You can barely see it in this picture, but it's all I have!  I love the necklace...I've worn it everyday since Jack's birthday.  It's dainty and perfect and goes with everything. 

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Four Years Ago Today...

Jason and I were married! 


And look at us now...




Happy Anniversary Jason.  Something tells me this is going to be our best year yet!  Love you more than anything. 

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

My Little Model

Just wanted to share a preview of Jack's newborn shoot.  He was so alert during most of it, not wanting to sleep like most newborns!  And look at that hair!!!

 
Image by Studio Ainsley

Monday, May 20, 2013

My 30th Birthday

I celebrated my 30th birthday last week, the day after Mother's Day.  Honestly, I could have cared less that it was my birthday and really just wanted it to be over.  Not because of my age...I'm excited to be 30, but because there was already so much going on between having a one week old and celebrating my first mother's day, I was pretty overwhelmed. 

My family and friends managed to make my day super special anyway!

My dad came over the Friday before and brought us my favorite fajitas from Lupe Tortilla and lots of presents...a new CD, bath goodies, Top Gun DVD (inside family joke...basically everyone is shocked that I have never seen Top Gun), and some gorgeous Kendra Scott earrings that I mentioned here

The day of my birthday, my mom came over with the most delicious birthday cake and my favorite salad from Black Walnut Cafe for lunch.  She helped me all day with Jack and my house.  Even though all of these things (especially just helping me) is gift enough, she gave me more: Kendra Scott earrings (also mentioned here) and a spa day gift certificate!  She made me and Jason dinner that night (my fave pot roast)...how lucky am I?





Later that evening when Jason got home we enjoyed our dinner and cake.  Guess what Jason got me for my birthday...more Kendra Scott!  A bracelet and matching ring!

Notice a theme going on?  It definitely was a Kendra Scott Birthday and I loved it!

To top off the birthday, I was showered with lots of sweet cards and notes from friends, but best of all I received the best package from bestie Ashley in the mail.  I waited until my actual birthday to open it!  It was filled with the most thoughtful items that made me stop and think about how thankful I am for such an amazing friend.  It also made me miss her like crazy, but what else is new?

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Jack's Birth Story

I've been dying to share Jack's birth story, but finding the time to blog with a newborn has been challenging.  Jack is an amazing little boy and I love him so, so much.  I'm healing great and each day gets easier!  Now on to his birth story! 

The week before we had Jack I felt like I was in and out of the doctor's office every other day.  I was on bed rest for 2 weeks and my blood pressure and swelling were up and down.  Every day I had an appointment we thought it might be "the" day until finally we were told that we would be inducing exactly one week early on Friday, May 3.

We were told to check into the hospital at midnight on Friday, May 3 so Thursday I was so, so anxious!  Thursday night we ate dinner, packed our bags (well, mine had been ready for awhile, but I made final choices), and made our final preparations.  I took a shower, put on full make-up and gave myself an extra good blow-out.  We said our good-byes to Tucker and off we went to the hospital at 11:45 p.m. 




Upon arrival we were immediately checked-in and given a room and nurse.  We made ourselves at home in anticipation of a long night. We were told that we would start the induction, but it would be a slow process.  My doctor wouldn't even show up to the hospital to "get the show on the road" until 8am that morning. 

Side story: another couple with the same doctor also checked in at midnight.  It was quite laughable how much more stuff we brought than they did...oh well!  Just call me high maintenance prepared. 

I changed into a hospital gown, got in bed, was given an IV and then was given drugs to start the contractions (worst pain ever since this drug was a pill that had to be inserted underneath my pelvis by a not-so-gentle nurse).  Oddly enough, the nurse said that I was already having contractions when I arrived.  We took this as a great sign that my body was ready to have this baby and we were hopeful that everything would go smoothly.



The contractions started picking up, but it was nothing too uncomfortable.  No need for an epidural at that point and Jason and I even tried to sleep and rest as much as we could.  Between the hours of 1am-3:30am I laid in bed having contractions and even nodded off a few times.  The nurse continually came in to check on things, but she told me to rest.  At this point Jason and I did notice that each time I had a contraction the baby's heart rate would be all over the place...it would slow way down after a contraction.  The nurse was watching it, but didn't seem too concerned...

Until around 4:00 a.m., when the nurse said she was concerned about the baby's heart rate and was going to call our doctor.  She seemed calm so we weren't too concerned until 20 minutes later when our doctor walked into our room (which was a shock to us since we weren't expecting to see him until 8am).  He quickly explained that we had to do a c-section since the baby wasn't responding well to the contractions.  Jack was experiencing "late decelerations" and since we were not close to push time this would only get worse.  The only solution was cesarean.  I was scared and bummed but didn't argue.  I just wanted whatever was best for Jack. 

I was then given a drug to stop the contractions and in my hazy state of mind thought the surgery would take place in a few hours.  Little did I know the "team" was being assembled and I was immediately getting prepped for surgery. 

By 5am I was walking into the OR and given an epidural.  Jason joined me in the room once I was already drugged up and the surgery had started.  Never losing our sense of humor, I welcomed him into the OR saying, "Gotta love the smell of burning flesh in the morning!"

At 5:43 a.m. Jack was born and immediately started crying!  He was beautiful with lots of hair and Jason and I were so in love with him.  I started bawling too on the operating room table.  They took Jack to a room next door that connected to the OR.  I made Jason go be with the baby and take pictures while they stitched me up.  I just laid there listening to my baby cry for what seemed like forever.





While they took me to recovery, they had to take Jack to the nursery for tests and for him to stabilize.  Our pediatrician came to check on him during this time also.  Jason went with Jack.  By then our parents were at the hospital and were also able to meet Jack.  Everyone came to check on me and kept giving me reports of what Jack was doing and how cute and active he was.  Everyone was telling me how long he was and also how alert and active he was being, even kicking off his ID bracelet. 

Jack didn't get to join me in my room until 9am!  It was a very long time to be without him, but worth the wait.  I spent the next few hours with him and Jason alone in the room bonding with our son.  By then I didn't even care that I had a c-section.  Jack was here and healthy and that was all that mattered. 





We ended up staying in the hospital for 2 nights.  The second day was the worst in terms of pain and being uncomfortable, however none of it was terrible.  Jason stayed with me the entire time and my mom helped a lot too.  We just had parents visit at the hospital and also made sure we had time by ourselves with Jack.  The hospital staff was amazing, helping me recover and teaching us lots of things about baby and breastfeeding. 
 

 

 

 
By the third day we were excited to go home!  Jack was doing great and we were officially discharged around 2pm. 
 


Jack's going home outfit...it has an elephant on it of course!



Jack did great the first time in his infant seat and slept on the short drive home
 

 
 

Sunday, May 12, 2013

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all the mommies out there!  This day is so special since it's my very first mother's day.  Jack and I had a rough night last night so Jason has taken him all morning and is letting me sleep and catchup on things like blogging! 

He also served me breakfast in bed (I've been craving peanut butter toast like it's nobody's business).  I'm one lucky girl! 


 
 
I also have to take a moment and say Happy Mother's Day to my mom who has been such a help to me this past week.  She is the best mom in the entire world!
 


Wednesday, May 8, 2013

39 Weeks

At exactly 39 weeks to the minute, we checked into the hospital to be induced...
 
 

 
 
And in less than 6 hours, Jack Grayson made his debut...
 
 
 
 
Weighing in at 7 pounds, 12 ounces and measuring 21 inches long
 


I am so, so in love with this sweet little angel.  We are home now and doing great, exhausted, but great.
 
Full birth story coming soon!
 

Monday, May 6, 2013

Gift Basket for L&D Nurses

I read from so many bloggers that it is helpful and a nice idea to bring a gift to the hospital for the labor and delivering nurses when you go in to have your baby.  Not only is it a great way to so thank you for all that they will do for you, but selfishly it will help them remember you and maybe even go the extra mile should you need it! 

Most ideas for this were food, snacks, meals, etc.  I did read that it's not the best idea to bake something yourself...nurses don't know what your kitchen is like so they may not feel comfortable eating homemade goods for cleanliness purposes. 

I simply took a Pottery Barn Kids box (since it's blue) and filled it with blue tissue paper and blue candy and gum like Almond Joys and Nestle Crunch.  I also made 10 individual treat bags with blue Bath & Body Works lotion and hand sanitizers and Baby Boy Hershey Kisses and lollipops (found at Michael's).  Jack better not turn out to be a girl!  You can easily do this with a pink theme too. 




I typed a little thank you note from our family and called it a day!  Hopefully they will love it. 

Other ideas you might want to try:

-  Starbucks package with various teas and coffees
-  Individual gift bags for each nurse with water bottles and on-the-go snacks since they work long hours
-  Edible arrangements gift baskets
-  If you don't have time to make something in advance, you could order in food while you are there for everyone...a breakfast tray or specialty cupcakes from a local bakery.  You could have it delivered while you are still at the hospital or have a friend bring it up for you.

Saturday, May 4, 2013

Editable Summer Bucket List

Jump on over to The Good Life Blog for an Editable Summer Bucket List.  I already customized our family's list to make it more suitable for a newborn!   

The printable is from blogger Jenny Collier who is guest-posting over at The Good Life.  Both are great blogs you should check out.  Thanks for the printable Jenny!  I love that it can be edited! 

Edit - Print - Frame - Start checking off your list!


Friday, May 3, 2013

Preparing Our Fur Baby for Our New Addition

Tucker will always be my first baby.  He is almost 10 years old now.  I got him when I was a junior in college when he was just about 8 weeks old.  He has been through so much with me...a thousand moves, jobs, boyfriends...marriage, trips, good times, bad times and everything in between.  I can say that Jason loves him just as much as I do now...thank God.

His life is about to change just like ours with the arrival of Baby Jack.  It's so important to me and Jason that he doesn't feel neglected or too stressed once we introduce a baby into the mix.  Our little family of 3 is about to be changed forever!


 
Tuck as puppy, around 8 weeks old
 
About 8 years old

We've both been soaking in as much quality time with Tuck these past few weeks, especially me since I've been on bed rest.  There isn't much we can do now to prepare him.  We've just been spending lots of time with him and making sure he sees the nursery and all of Jack's stuff. 

Hopefully it will be a smooth transition for him! 

Tucker has been very protective over my belly lately, resting his head on it and shielding it if someone walks by me
 
Yes he sleeps with us!

Tuck getting all dried off after a bath...must be clean for baby brother!
We love you Tucker!  You are going to be the best big brother to Baby Jack! 
 

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