August 22, 2007 - 9 weeks 6 days

You had your first set of shots today and this was the first time you went to the dr since you were 2 weeks old. You are now 13 lbs 12 oz and 24 inches long - in the 90th percentile! So you're growing well. Dr. P said you looked great and you're pretty advanced for a 2 month old. He was very impressed. You've been sleeping and nursing on and off today because of the shots - but you're a trooper. We were going to go to a movie but the dr was running late so we couldn't - we'll be doing that tomorrow though!!

August 12, 2007 - 8 weeks 4 days

You finally laughed out loud today. We've been waiting for you to do it because there have been so many times that you breathe really fast but just couldn't get it out, but today you did, just before we went out for the day. Your daddy and I were so happy - we clapped! You definitely made our day!! We went out to the furniture store today and you were such a good boy - but you got really hungry in the store and started wailing - I could hear you on the other side!! But you slept the whole way back home - what a guy!

August 8, 2007 - 8 weeks old

You're 8 weeks old already! Who gave you permission to grow up so quickly? You are smiling and on the verge of laughing but can't figure it out yet. You love it when we talk to you and you just love looking at us. You're a very happy baby unless you're hungry or too hot. You are loving your baths at the moment and we look forward to giving them to you. Tummy time is going well - your head is getting stronger everyday. You started sleeping through the night at 7 weeks and are a very deep sleeper - noise doesn't wake you up which we are thankful for. We purposely made a lot of noise when we first brought you home so you got used to it. I can't believe it's been 8 weeks already though - time certainly does fly and I find I don't have much of it to update your Web site. I'd rather be spending all my time with you snugglebug!!

July 26, 2007 - 6 weeks 1 day

You smile all the time now - we finally have a picture to prove it. We talk to you and you just beam! It's so sweet! You coo and gurgle to yourself when you're in your bassinet. You're such a good baby - though sometimes you throw us curveballs to make us look like liars, but all in all you're fantastic.

July 7, 2007 - 3 weeks 3 days old

You are quite the smiling baby - everyone says it's gas, but you smile so much we don't think you have that much gas. Today you've been smiling loads and it's such a cute smile - we have yet to get that big grin on camera!

Jack's very long birth story

It all started on Wednesday am, June 12 @ 3.30am. I woke up and went to the bathroom and there was pink - I wasn't concerned, but pretty excited. I went back to bed and I noticed my stomach hardening and I felt cramps, so Mark started timing them and sure enough they were contractions every 7 mins apart, then 6, then 5, then 4 and back up to 5. We timed them for an hour and decided we should go to the hospital. At 7 am we were off. I began crying because it was all so real and happening after waiting so long for our son. We got to the hospital at 7.30 am, registered and was hooked up to the monitors - contractions were every 5 mins and I was 3 cm and his head was very very low. At 9.30am, my dr came in and told me to go home, rest & relax because the contractions weren't very strong & I'd be more comfy at home. We came home & rested - I was still contracting every 5 mins which was uncomfortable. We had dinner and dessert and off to bed. I woke up at 11.30pm to really hard & strong contractions. I couldn't sleep or get comfy so I woke Mark up with all my tossing and turning. I was on the verge of tears because they hurt so bad and I just wanted to sleep. Mark timed the contractions and they were every 2-3 minutes so at 1 am we took off for the hospital.

Mom and Mark were worried that we wouldn't make it in time because the contractions were right on top of each other. We got to the hospital and into our labor/delivery suite straight away and they put the monitors on me and I was 4-5 cm already. Jack's heartbeat was great and contractions were every 1-2 minutes. I got my epidural put in and that hurt like crazy - I don't think the anesthesiologist got it right because it took him 30 mins to insert it and I felt everything - the pain never subsided or got better, only worse. So I just closed my eyes and focused on breathing. By 7 am I was 7-8 cm, then shortly thereafter I was 9 cm. I then stalled at 9 and actually went backwards to 8 cm. They started pitocin to increase the contrax and broke the rest of my water that didn't break earlier. Once I stalled for 4 hours, I had a bit of a breakdown - I just wanted him out. I knew he wouldn't come out naturally - it would have to be a c-section.

After my melt-down - I got back on track with my breathing and calmed down - I listened to Mark and Mom who made fantastic coaches and wouldn't have been able to do it without either of them. Around 12.30 or so, my dr said I could continue laboring and hope I get to 10 cm, or go ahead with the c-section - I said we'd do the section. The contractions were so bad at that point that I was actually pushing through them because it felt so good. I was disappointed about the section, but so happy to know I would soon meet my son. I just wanted Jack to be safe and healthy - there was meconium when my water broke as well so we were all worried.

After 34 hours of labor, I was prepped for the c-section. The spinal felt amazing, no more contractions!!! Mark came in and all of the sudden they said "Dad, get your camera" and Mark showed me the picture right away and both of us just cried and cried. The neonatologist took care of Jack and I heard him cry which was the best sound I ever heard. Jack's apgar scores were 9 and 9. Mark cut the cord and they brought Jack to me but all I could do was kiss him because my hands were strapped to the table. Mark and the nurse went to the nursery while I was being cleaned up. They called Dr. Z and she said it was no wonder he didn't come out naturally, he is 9 lbs 15 oz, 21" long!!!! I couldn't believe it - such a big boy!! I went to recovery for 2 hours and slept and then was taken up to my room to properly meet my son - a moment I will never forget.

All Mark and I could keep saying is I can't believe he's ours and that he's no longer in my belly but in our arms. He's absolutely gorgeous and we are so lucky. We stayed in the hospital until Friday - 2 days after he was born. I would've stayed until Saturday or Sunday but I got a roommate on Friday am and all they spoke was Spanish and had their TV on so very loud. My dr said I was doing great enough to go home so I did. I had help from Mark and Mom and it was more comfortable at home so I definitely made the right decision.

We've been home for 2 1/2 weeks now and it's been great. Jack is sleeping 4 & 5 hr stretches at night and is nursing like a champ, though we still have to supplement with formula because he's a growing boy. My incision is healed and I'm feeling better everyday. Everyone has adjusted to life with Jack very well - we still do what we always did, it just takes us a little longer to get ready now. I can't believe he's almost 3 weeks old already.

News and Updates

2 weeks old - June 27
Your cord stump came off today!!!

June 13 - 41 weeks 3 days
You were born at 1.41p.m. weighing a whopping 9 lbs 15 oz, 21" long!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY BUBBA!

June 10- 41 weeks
Lost mucous plug - woohoo!

June 7 - 40 wks 4 days
2 cm dilated now and very soft - but still quite high. We're slowly making progress.

May 31 - 39 wks 4 days
Still 1 cm dilated, soft but still pretty high. Apparently you don't want an early June birthday.

May 24th-38 wks 4 days
We are 1 cm dialated and cervix is getting soft!!! Woohoo!!! You can be born anytime now!

May 19th - 37 wks 6 days
You weigh a whopping 7lbx 2 oz - so they say. We'll see what happens when you arrive.

May 10 - 36 wks 4 days
The start of our weekly appointments!
This day marks the start of our weekly appts which means you are so close to making your appearance Jack and we can't wait!! Your room is all ready for you upstairs!! See you soon sweetpea!

April 15 - 33 wks
We had your first baby shower yesterday - boy did we have fun! Momma got to see a lot of her old college friends and it was great catching up with them. Everyone said how cute my tummy looked because of you! You got so many nice things - lots of clothes which is good - you'll be in a different outfit everyday, maybe even more than 1 outfit a day depending. You got some really nice blankies and towels for bathing. We can't wait to use all of the stuff we received for you on you!!When Daddy and I got home, we brought all your stuff to your room and Daddy brought the changing table up and it's all organized and it looks perfect. We got tears in our eyes again thinking of how you'd look on top of the changing table. We're so excited sweetie! Not long now. 7 weeks and counting!

March 26-30 wks 1 day
I have a bad case of the Barney Rubble feet Jack. My feet are all swollen and puffy - I can't even bend my toes. I guess this is what happens when you hit 30 weeks!!

March 14
Your crib and changing table is here!!!! Now to put them together once your room is done....that'll be a laugh!! ETA- I've actually put your changing table together when Daddy was out of town working and it was too bad - that's up and ready but the crib will wait for Daddy's help!!

February 10-23 wks 6 days
Today was the first day I actually saw my belly move from you inside! It was amazing! Thank you for the early Valentine's gift!

January 24 - 21 wks 3 days
Daddy felt Jack move in Mommy's belly for the very first time! He felt like the luckiest guy in the world today to feel his son for the first time! It now seems more real!

January 20, 2007 (20 wks 6 days)
WE'RE HAVING A BOY!!!!

January 2, 18 wks 2 days
Definitely have been feeling movement. It feels so bizarre, like little pops in my abdomen. I can't wait until Daddy feels it too!

2nd OB appt - Dec. 28th, 17 wks 4 days
Pumpkin's heartbeat in the 160's again and everything sounds good...stay tuned for news from our big ultrasound happening on January 20th!!!!

December 25th, 17wks 1 day
I think I've been feeling Pumpkin move. I felt it tonight on Christmas Day when I was laying in bed. It was an incredible feeling.

November 28th - 13 wks 2 days
Pumpkin's heartbeat is 160 bpm