Just a little update...

Alright, so I have kind of been on a blogging hiatus. I apologize for the gap in baby updates. I have been out of practice and now do not know where to start!! There is SO much to share. I will say that Jack is growing in leaps and bounds and looking more and more like Brian everyday. Jack weighs a good nine pounds now and loves to eat. He is having trouble with acid reflux after his bottles. We figured something had to be wrong when each bottle he took he would scream for a good thirty to forty minutes afterward. The doctor suggested to try cereal in each bottle and sent us home with a prescription of Zantac, and told us to call if we have any troubles. So far, Jack is doing a lot better and just in time for the holidays. He had a wonderful Christmas and received so many wonderful toys. I'm not even sure there is enough time in the day for all of them. I still can't believe that my little angel is already a month old. Here are some recent pictures of our little Jack.




By the way...Jack loves his swing now!!!

One small step for Jack, One HUGE step for Mommy!

We had a small success today...Jack sat in his swing for a good 20 minutes and I have to say that it was the most incredible 2o minutes! To make it even better, he enjoyed it! Hopefully soon we will been swinging to and fro more often! Today has been another big day of progress!!!

Jack now weighs a whopping 8 pounds and 5 ounces! We are so excited about his growing progress. I get so excited when thinking about Jack and what he will be like when he is just a little older, but then I look at him and feel like he has grown so much that time should just stop. He has gained so much more strength in his neck. He can hold his neck up without it wobbling from one side to the other. He is also so much more alert. He can identify both Brian and my voice. I love it. Let me just mention how much I love to here him burp. I never knew a burp could make me so happy. There is just this great satisfaction for me when I am feeding him and he is able to expel a huge burp! I can't get enough of them and I think it's because with each burp means less gaseous pain! The only times he becomes really fussy is when he has gas or if he is starving! I couldn't be any more lucky.

I will have to admit, though, I might have spoiled him a little too much. Usually when Jack is awake, he is in someones arms. I am trying very diligently to get him use to the swings that we have, but he just does not appreciate the back and forth motion of something other than someones arms! It has only been in the last couple of days that he becomes irritated when not being held, so I am naively thinking that there is still time to break this habit!!! Wish us luck!

3 Weeks!

We are well into the third week of Jackson's life and loving every minute of it. Up to this point, Jack has been, shall I say, "by the book." He has been sticking to a feeding, sleeping, and waking schedule of every 2 1/2 to 3 hours. This has really been great for me because it has allowed me to leave out all of the guess work. Unfortunately, we are starting to change up our great little routine. I'll explain in more detail, but first let's talk about the DELIVERY!!
I think I might have been a little misleading when I said that I labor for two days. My contractions started Sunday morning, November 16Th. It was the most odd feeling I have ever had and I knew right away that I was experiencing the onset of labor. Fortunately, the contractions were very sparse and not too painful. Brian and I had a full day of visiting family out of town and having painful contractions would have really put a damper on our plans. So, instead of listening to my gut and staying at home, we continued with our day. This was probably my first mistake. Having to slouch in a church pew clutching your huge, massive belly in pain while making an awful face is not the easiest thing to be discrete about, nonetheless, trying to be a good guest at someones house. After an entire day of random and inconsistent painful and not-so-painful contractions, we made it home. I started to freak myself out by the time we made it home and decided that we should go to the hospital. So, bags packed and the dog taken care of, we rushed off to the hospital, only to be told to go home and wait until Monday afternoon. (My original due date)I was given a mild sleeping aid and told to "get some rest." Yeah, right!! The next day, with my inconsistent painful and not-so-painful contractions, I was in full nesting mode. Everything, and I really mean Everything, was taken care of before I had to report to the hospital at three. Thanks to the help of Brian and my mom, we were completely ready for Jack to come home.


Now, in earlier posts, I had mentioned how I was not dilating AT ALL before this entire labor process began, so I knew that it could take a while before we had made any real progress. By Monday morning I was in full blown labor with constant and consistent contractions. Unfortunately, I was still not progressing and this meant having to wait for the epidural! Tuesday morning, around 3:00, pain relief finally arrived. I was able to rest for a while before the family arrived. Tuesday afternoon, the doctor made the decision to go forward with a c-section. Needless to say I was not progressing properly! They prepared Brian and I both for surgery and at 2:33 Jackson made his debut. It turns out, I was not dilating because Jack's head was turned a certain way and the umbilical cord was wrapped around it!


(I love this picture....our little monkey!!)

I will never forget the sound of his cry for the first time. It was the purest joy I had ever felt. Now, let me mention something here: I know that the epidural is suppose to relieve pain, and it did for me, but it seemed like I was so swollen by the fluids they were pumping in me that being literally paralyzed was just as painful. After the surgery I was a blimp!! (I have been a blimp this entire pregnancy, but I couldn't even see the outline of my knees in what appeared to be my legs!!)


(Swollen Much? It was out of control!!)

After two or three hours of recovery, they took me to my room and I was finally able to see Brian and hold Jack. We were a family. Brian was able to give Jack his first bath and hold him until I was brought up to the room. It was the most unbelievable experience to see and hold him for the first time!!!


Put your dukes up!!!

I have put in some pictures of Jack when he was born. Hopefully I will have some more recent pictures soon. He has grown so much after just three weeks. I just want time to slow down. Oh, but he is the perfect baby!!!!

This is our little angel and his big debut!!! It took two days of labor that ended in a c-section to get this little monkey here and we couldn't be any more excited. We feel so blessed to have such a wonderful family that came to show their love and support at the hospital. I want to blog all about the adventures of Jack's first week, but I can't seem to find the time right now!!! (Imagine that!) Until then, keep us in your prayers...we are feeling our way through the dark and it is sooo amazing. Brian and I both agree that this is the best thing we have ever done!!!

Monday, Monday

Well, just as I expected...no progress. I suppose I wasn't as disappointed as I thought I would be about finding out that I have not dilated any since my last appointment. I think I found a little comfort in knowing that on Monday I will defiantly be induced!!! Soo...until Monday...

Are we there yet?

Alright, this is getting a little old. I know that I have stressed how much I am ready for Jackson to come into this world and maybe a little too much because I think it is coming back to bite me in the rear. I went to the doctor Friday and I have not progressed ANY! I have hardly been dialated a fingertip for the past three weeks now. That isn't even worth bragging about! Actually, when he first checked me, I bragged about being dialated, thinking that I would only continue to dialate....I was wrong and should have just kept my big mouth shut. This little monkey, I think, is hanging on for as long as he can. So, as I am in with the doctor, I attempt to bargain with him about inducing me early! He, to my dismay, did not agree with my idea. He told me the reasons why and I had no choice but to agree with him. Fortunatly, I have an appointment on Thursday and if I have made any progress, then we are going to discuss inducing! (what is there really to discuss, we know the obvious answer!) So, keep your fingers crossed for Thursday! If nothing has happened, then we will wait unti the 17th, Jack's original due date!

There is so much out there!

So I am learning that this blog thing could be a lot more fun than what I have been making it out to be. I have been searching some other blogs and not too much to my surprise, there are a lot of neat blogs out there! I have put a few of the links in a sidebar tab thing so you can take a look at other blogs that are very intresting and informative! (Thank you LauraBeth for having some of these links on your blog) Motivated by these very intresting and informative blogs, I have tried to spice my page up a little bit. I have no clue yet what I am really doing, but I think the more I play with it, the better I will understand how to make this more fun for my readers, which, I'm sure, are few!!! I also hope that Jack will pop his little head out soon so that I can start uploading pictures of the little angel! The one problem is that Brian and I do not have internet connection at our new apartment. This is going to really put a hold on making this blog thing really exciting. I do think that we will try and work something out by mid month. (hopefully it will involve a little cable too!!!)
On a different note, I have not gone into labor yet. I am having contractions, but nothing that is bending me over and taking my breath away! Keep us in your prayers!

18 days and counting!

37 weeks and counting! Jack cannot stay still for one second!! I think he knows what is about to happen! Technically, he is at FULL TERM and could come into this world any minute now! I keep having these "pep" talks with him to try and coax him into being born! I have a feeling that he might hang on as long as he can!!! Trust me, I am doing all that I can to get my body into delivery mode!!! Brian and I are so excited about his approaching due date! It's only 18 days away! I recently had a baby shower, which was wonderful, and was blessed with so many essential and practical things! I couldn't wait to get home and put everything where it needed to go! The crib and bassinet are ready, diapers are in their appropriate spot, wipes are set out and ready to use, bath essentials are waiting to be used, and the clothes and blankets are ready to serve their purpose!!! All that is missing now is baby Jack! The biggest thing that I can look forward to in the next two weeks in nesting! I will have some extra time on my hands, so you can believe that I will be cleaning each room from ceiling to bottom! (there are still some boxes that need to be unpacked!) If anything, it will help to take my mind off of the enormous person I have become and the anticipatory feelings of going into labor!! Oh, I just can't wait to hold him!!!

One Pair of Shoes...

My ankles are now engulfing my feet. Literally, my shoes are becoming lost in the vast amount of swelling!!! I only have one pair of flip flops that will fit my fat feet. I don't know what I am going to do when it's gets colder outside! I suppose I will just be cold! I tried on some of my winter shoes the other night and I must have been in a delusional state to think that they were going to fit me. And sure enough, not one single pair would slide onto these massive things I call my feet. I think a large reason for the sudden swelling is due to moving into the apartment. I probably lifted too much or stayed on my feet for too long. It could also be standing for long periods at work. Or it could be all just a part of pregnancy! This is the thing that I don't understand...the way to keep swelling down is to increase your water or fluid intake. For me, I can't get through a thirty minute time frame without using the bathroom at least twice! Increasing the amount of water I drink is like a life sentence on the toilet! (OK maybe just a six week sentence to frequent bathroom trips!) Despite this awful outcome, I have been drinking more water. (I'm not too sure I see the results in my ankles! I only feel it in my bladder!)

Well Jackson is growing minute by minute! It is becoming more clear to me that he is running out of room. I could show you, with my hand, how big his little feet are! I feel his feet A LOT! Also, he is becoming more responsive to my touches. I will touch my belly or what I like to think might be a shoulder, and he will follow this touch with movement. I love it! Before it seemed like he just didn't want to be knocked around, now I think he really responds to the touch. Also, Jackson's liver is now fully developed and capable of processing a certain amount of waste! From what I understand, pretty much all of Jackson's prenatal development is complete and essentially ready for the outside world! Jack is going to put on more weight during these next few weeks, which is incredible to me because I feel like I am already at FULL capacity! (sorry I don't have a picture, but you can easily use you imagination! think of a blimp) keep us in your prayers!



"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." Eph. 4:2

We did it!!

Brian and I finally decided on a place to live! We have signed a lease and are moving this weekend! Our stuff will finally come out of storage!!! We are extremely excited about this move! With the help of my parents and close firends, we were able to find a car! This vehicle will be arriving sometime this week! We are moving and a shaking here folks! Get ready...Jackson will soon be on his way as well!!!

How much longer?

32 WEEKS!!!!! I am becoming so antsy about this baby. I can NOT stop thinking about his arrival. It has become all-consuming. I want so badly to enjoy this last month...and three weeks, but I am really finding it hard. I seriously am ready to not be pregnant anymore. And I know what you are thinking, "enjoy it while you can," "sleep while you can," and "you will miss being pregnant," and all of it is good advise...but it goes in one ear and out the other. I am, again, seriously ready for Jackson to be here. I find myself thinking of ways to help have a healthy, EARLY, delivery for this baby!!! I know this is impratical. I want him to be very healthy when he is born...but three weeks early wouldn't be that bad...would it??? I think another contributor for this anxiousness is that all powerful motherly instinct to want to nest. It has taken over me, but all I can do is dream about nesting and picture what I am moving and cleaning. Brian and I will hopefully move within this month. (Keep praying for us!!) I tell myself that once I have a place to set up a "home" I will feel a little less anxious about it all. I am excited about the upcoming events though. This is a really exciting time as I begin to grow and grow and grow!!! Jack will begin putting on a lot more weight as I come to the end of this pregnancy. He gains the majority of his weight during these last months! Hopefully all the weight will go to him so that I can manage to stay under a 40 pound weight gain. (The likely hood of this is slim) Brian and I also started our birthing classes. The class is once a week for TWO hours!! Can you believe it? Making pregnant women sit in a class for two hours during dinner hours is a sin! They do give us a break...but there are no deliveries for dinner!!!! Nonetheless, we are enjoying them!!! My 32nd week has just begun and hopefully it will prove to be very exciting!!!

Ready or Prepared?

I am now in the my 30th week and things are looking big. My feet have now begun to swell significantly and at different points in the day. I can no longer wear the same size shoe! Other than swelling, I am pretty sure my feet have gained weight too! This should really be of no surprise to me! (considering...) Jack is now gaining fat in the little folds of his skin! Stretched out he should be around 15 inches long and he should weigh around 3 pounds. His eyes are now sensitive to light changes and his pupils will even dilate. For the majority of the time, his eyes will stay closed. He has become a little more gentle with his kicks. It seems like all he does is roll around. I can feel him roll and stretch a leg or an arm. Last night, Brian and I tried to figure out what part was moving. My belly would lift up and we would guess a foot...or a hinny!
On a different note, the other day, the question of "being ready for baby" was asked to me. It took me no time to answer. Of course I am ready for Jack! In fact, I can not wait. Now, if this person would have asked me if I was PREPARED for baby, my answer would have been completely different. Let's face it, there are just some things that Brian and I do not have that we are going to need. We have basic essentials... and there is no doubt that the things we have will be fine for the first 24 hours, but after that we are going to need some serious stuff. So, I think what I will be doing for the remaining weeks of pregnancy is start purchasing some of this "important" stuff each time I make a run to the store! Now, our current concerns seem to focus on two major things. We are still looking for a place to live and a vehicle to purchase. Pretty serious. Again, am I ready for this kid??? YES!!! Am I as prepared as I would like to be???? NO!!!!

29 Weeks

Brian and I have finally decided on a name for this growing baby boy. We knew from the very beginning that we wanted him to be called Jack, but we were not too sure on the middle name. After much consideration, and a few names that should have never been mentioned (Jacks Elvis) we decided on Jackson Thomas Smalley. Brian's grandfather's name is Johnny Thomas, and we thought that it would be nice to use his middle name for our son. My brother's name and my grandfather's name is Thomas as well, so I think we are both trying to keep this name in the family. I love it. Hopefully Jack will love it too!

Brian and I were blessed with a wonderful gift this past weekend. It was something that I wanted, but did not think that I would get. A friend of the family bought us a beautiful moses basket and stand to use as a bassinet for Jack. I'm probably going to use this during the first few months when he will need some extra attention during the night. I know it is going to be perfect.

I also had a doctor's appointment this past Tuesday. I did not realize that the blood in my body is Rh negative until the nurse came into the room with a shot that looked like it could be used on a horse! I haven't had a shot in ages. I felt silly because I had no clue what it means to be Rh negative, nor did I understand that a shot of Rhogam would take care of everything! I didn't want to sound too naive, so I just went along with it and acted like I knew exactly why she was there with this killer shot. I was determined to do this with plenty of bravery. Obviously, I went home and did some research on having Rh- blood and the purpose of the Rhogam shot. It turns out that my own blood could have killed this little angel! Who knew! During pregnancy, an Rh-negative mother can make antibodies (part of her immune system's response to invaders) against Rh-positive blood cells, which the baby could have, cross the placenta and attack baby Jack!!! So, this painful shot stops this immune response! Thank goodness for modern day science and medicine. That was the extent of my appointment. I also asked if I was too big and if Jackson has enough room. The doctor assured me that he will make room if there is not enough, that I'm doing fine with weight gain, and I should be able to work up to the day I deliver. (I told the doc to keep that last little bit to himself.)

For the most part, Jack and I are doing great at 29 weeks. It is going by so quickly. There is so much of me that is completely ready for this little blessing to be here, and there is another entire side of me feels like we need 5 more months to prepare. I am fortunate to have family and friends who love and support me so much. It has helped me to feel excited about his arrival. I know he is going to bring so much more love into this world!

Baby Jack

I found out that I was pregnant in March, and boy was that a surprise!! At that point, I was already a good month or so pregnant. I was terrified at the thought of being pregnant! There were, however, tiny moments when extreme feelings of joy would take over. I felt so proud to be becoming a mother. I started picking names immediately. I just knew that I would be having a little girl! It wasn't until that blessed day, during my 22nd week, that I found out I was having a little boy! I think that is why my relationship with food has been so wonderful. Food and I have formed an unforgettable bond. I am well into a 30 pound weight gain...and I like to think reason for the surplus amount of pounds is due to the fact that the baby is a boy. He needs to be a lot bigger! Besides the huge amount of pounds I seem to be packing on, this pregnancy has been a dream. Well, my second trimester was a stroll through the park. That first trimester was an absolute nightmare! I would never wish those first three months on any woman...or man! I was a total wreck! I am surprised people still like me after that!
I am currently 28 weeks pregnant, the start of my third trimester. Jackson Smalley is figuring out how to open and close his eyelids, which are now adorned with, what has to be, the most beautiful eyelashes in the world. I like to think that I have fairly long eyelashes, and Brian's are pretty lengthy as well, so Jack is sure to be blessed with a set of gorgeous eyes. Just the other day, Jack had the hiccups for the first time. I believe he is practicing his breathing motions...hence the hiccups. I was so proud of him, I started to cry!!! Of course, a lot of things will make me tear up these days! He is also moving at speeds that I have never thought about moving. You would think he is preparing a floor routine for the 2012 Olympics. He has to be pretty proud of his sporadic kicks, because he will kick for a good 15 minutes before settling. These are sweet little nudges that I know I am going to miss once he is born. I am ready for my little man to get here.