He is Here!!

Our second baby boy, Andrew James was born on November 10, 2015 at 4:49pm. He was a week and a half early and weighed 8lbs 2oz and was 22.25in long. It's a good thing he came early or he would have probably been 9 plus pounds. Ouch!! I am so so so happy to say that I did it all without epidural or pain meds. It was hard but went really fast. Here is the story and some pictures:

I woke up that morning around 4 with some painful contractions and difficulty sleeping. I continued to have them but they were sporadic and far apart. I went ahead and had Jon go to work but I got ready as if we would go to the hospital later because I really felt it was almost time. I had a hard time taking care of Jackson because of the contractions and a lot of trips to the potty, plus trying to arrange everything for heading to the hospital. When Jackson napped I tried to rest and nap too. I woke up with contractions on and off but they still weren't regular enough. I kept hoping and praying Jackson and I could rest and nap before it hit. Well my prayers were answered and as soon as he woke up it hit hard. I started timing my contractions around 1 o'clock because they were really intense. I was having contractions 2 to 4 minutes apart and they were painful. I waited a while to see if it would continue and then I felt like I needed to get Jon home so I texted and called him about30 minutes later. I pretty much couldn't do anything at this point but pace the house and go potty. I was in a ton of pain. Jackson luckily was fairly happy and I let him watch tv and eat while I managed my pain and finished getting childcare arranged.

When Jon got home it was about 2:10. I started worrying that we were waiting too long so I called the doctor, Jon loaded up the car, and we dropped Jackson off at our friend's house nearby around 2:30 or 2:40. Then we headed to the doctor to get checked. On the 30 minute drive there, I had several painful contractions. I kept worrying that I was only a 2 and the hospital won't admit you if you aren't a 3. The midwife checked and I was at a 5, I couldn't believe it!!! I told the midwife that I did not want an epidural and she seemed surprised and said that is going to be tough. I don't think she thought that I could do it.

We headed straight to the hospital which is just down the road. We probably got there around 4pm. We were able to skip triage and were admitted immediately. I told them I did not want an epidural and they were a little surprised. They understood when I explained the issues I had from it last time. They reassured me that the anethesiologist on shift was excellent. I then, started to think I could just try the epidural once and if it didn't work I would give up. I toughed it out for a bit more and then it got really bad. I wanted an epidural right away and they began frantically preparing me for it. I was still doing paperwork and getting checked in/monitored so I was stuck in a bed for a bit and then was stuck standing next to the bed. I couldn't walk around or do the other things I wanted to do to manage my pain until I finished all that up. I was crazy hot during my labor and it kept getting worse and worse. I closed my eyes and breathed through each contraction but I felt unbearably hot and thought I was going to pass out.

At this point I felt a gush and I thought my water had broken. I looked down to see blood dripping down my legs and on my feet. They nurses weren't concerned at all but that made me feel like baby was coming soon. After minute or two later, I told them I needed to go number two. They asked if it was poop or baby and I said poop. I went to the bathroom and tried but I couldn't go. Almost as soon as I came back out I had to go, really bad. I told them and they didn't seem to care. By this point I had peed and bled on the floor so I didn't care. I started pushing, thinking I was going to go number 2 and then I felt the baby's head. I yelled out that he was coming out. The midwife had just come in and looked at me with wide eyes, because it had only been maybe an hour since she checked me in the office. I started begging for an epidural at this point. I was so afraid of pushing without one and I was in so much pain already. The midwife had me lay down on the bed and quickly checked me and said that I was a nine. She said that I was going to have the baby now and quickly got everything ready in the room. I had to push again and she told me to wait so she could put on her gloves. He was coming so fast! They let me push whenever I could feel the contractions and after a few pushes he was crowning. That part hurt like crazy but a few pushes after that he was out. It was so much faster than with Jackson.

Andrew had the cord around his neck and the midwife tried to slip it off his neck and it snapped and sprayed blood all across the room on the doctors, nurses, the couch, and walls. It seem to take Andrew a few seconds to start crying but he did after a little while. They later explained to us that because he came so fast he had a lot of amniotic fluid in him and he also had bruising on his face. I only tore a little bit and as the midwife stitched me up I noticed she had blood on her nose from the cord snapping.

I nursed Andrew and held him after a while. I was so overwhelmed I started to cry. He did really well with nursing and caught on fast. I was able to get up and go to the bathroom and move around pretty soon after giving birth. I felt so much better because I didn't have any pain medication or the epidural. It has made my recovery so much faster. Andrew passed all of his tests and is really healthy. He initially failed his hearing test because he had a lot of fluid in his ears but the nurse had warned us that might happen. He passed it the second time just fine.

I really wanted Jackson to be able to meet the baby right away and I missed him so much but by then it was getting late and Jackson was needing to get to bed. We finally got a hold of my parents who had somehow never received Jon's  text about the baby being born. My dad came to the hospital to see the baby and then went to pick up Jackson and take him home to bed. My mom was coming from a different way and came to the hospital to see the baby. She couldn't believe he was already here because it happened so fast.

The night in the hospital were pretty tiring but not terrible. The next day my parents brought Jackson early and I was so excited to see him. I cried when I woke up that morning because I missed him so much. He was very jealous of the baby especially if Jon was holding him. He would cry and try to give the baby to grandma to hold. He is warming up little by little but I think it will take a while. He is sweet and loves to see and touch Andrew's features like his nose and mouth.

I gave birth on Tuesday at 4:49pm and we were able to leave the hospital on Thursday around 11am or 12pm. The time in the hospital went by fast. I was nervous about coming home but I was also really excited. I ended up riding home in my parents car because I really wanted to have some time with Jackson. It was weird having Jon and the baby go in a separate car than me but I really needed time with Jackson and his car seat was in my parents car. It was so fun being with him on the drive home. I missed him like crazy when I was in the hospital. We all met home safe and sound and ready to start our life as a family of 4.

The Final Stretch

I can't believe we are almost ready for the baby! I am 37 weeks and 4 days today! We are in that phase where it really could be any minute now, but you just never know. I feel sore and tired but I know it could be worse. I am starting to get more excited and less nervous overall. Emotionally I am more crazy this pregnancy. I don't think I was hormonal last time because I was busy and working full-time but being home alone with Jackson all day leaves me feeling lonely and over thinking everything. I'm just trying to stay busy, rest when I can, and enjoy my time with Jackson. He is so well behaved and good most of the time. He brings me so much joy and keeps me laughing constantly. Daylight savings has him waking up at 4 so that has been extra fun. Yesterday he was up at 4 with poop everywhere. There is no better way to start your day. :) But we need to start getting used to losing sleep so it's all good.

I have been terrible at uploading belly pics. I will do that one of these days. 

Halloween

I was afraid Halloween was going to be a bit of a bust this year. The ward trunk or treat didn't start until 6:30, Jackson's bedtime. I figured I would play it by ear and see how he was the night of. And because I was playing it by ear, I never committed to any costumes. Well as of course would happen, Jackson was crazy tired that night and was super ready for bed by 6 if not before. I was feeling worn out so the idea of staying home and relaxing was sounding more and more appealing. So Jon went to the ward party solo on Friday.

Saturday was pretty busy and I had a hard day so I wasn't sure about going trick or treating but I kept getting really excited about it. I wanted to trick or treat at friends' houses but I knew they would be out with their own kids. My mom suggested that we go to a couple of the empty nesters houses nearby and that was a great idea. We threw together a last minute costume and dinner and headed out early. We probably did 5 houses total and then drove to the home of the people I used to babysit for but they were already gone. So we headed home and Jackson fell asleep within a few minutes. It was barely 630. We love our little early bird. I'm so glad we were able to go for even a little bit, I had so much fun! I can't believe Jackson actually wore a hat and costume. We are at the beginning of a long era of trick or treating from here on out I guess.

4 Years

Last week, Jon and I celebrated our 4th anniversary. I can't believe how short of time we have known each other and been married. It is so hard to remember life any other way than with him. I can't believe we also have almost 2 kids. Words cannot describe what a good husband and father Jon is. He works tirelessly to met our needs and take care of us. He is so patient and thoughtful. I could go on and on but I won't. 

Since our anniversary was on a Thursday we did a family date that night. We went and got ice cream and went and played at the park. Then, I got an awesome gel nail pedicure since I can barely reach my toes. On Friday we went it to dinner at Texas Roadhouse and then went to Bed Bath and Beyond and Target. It was so nice to get out, just the 2 of us. We were home by about 830 because I was tired and sore, but we didn't want to stay out late anyway. I am so grateful every day for Jon, he is the best!

Countdown

With his bestie Austin who is 4 months older

With his nursery buddies 

He is really into showers lately and refuses to do a regular old bath. Sometimes he sneaks in with me.

Ninja baby

Pretending to wipe

I am officially 34 weeks and 4 days pregnant now. It is crazy to think I only have around 6 week left. Time is flying by which in some ways I am grateful for. I am excited to not be pregnant and sore anymore. But man oh man I am not ready to have 2 babies! I am not ready but I am also excited! I wish time would slow down because Jackson is growing up so fast. He is becoming more of a boy and less of a baby. My love for him grows everyday, he is such a gift from Heavenly Father.

This pregnancy has been so similar to my first. I was nauseous and sick in the beginning but have felt great since that died down. Now as I near the end I am sore but it's mostly just my back and sometimes my feet and legs. I haven't had too much insomnia yet and hope I dont. I have been so tired this pregnancy. I try to always nap when Jackson does so I can make it through the day. My feet and hands are starting to swell some, so my wedding ring is off for now. :( I have started feeling a little sick again but it's mostly when I overeat.

Now on to the little man. Jackson is seriously so perceptive. I'm not sure how but he knows some of his letters (Y, H, B, D, K, U,  and maybe some others). He calls letters OP's which is the cutest thing ever. He also is able to count to 10 (with help) and recognize all the numbers by sight except Zero. At Wal Mart he has started yelling out all of the checkout stand numbers as we are leaving. I was baffled that he knew them all! He is still so into busses, trains, trucks, etc...  He is strange like his dad and eats weird concoctions. So far he has done wheat thins dipped in milk, goldfish crackers dipped in water, and chips dipped in yogurt. He has developed 2 favorite shirts and 1 favorite pair of shorts. Every other outfit is usually a struggle to put on. And he still wears his crocs everyday, and everywhere. He had a great milestone on Saturday when he pooped in the tub for the first time. It was so nasty and I was so glad Jon was home and is a saint because I was gagging so much. I hate to end on that note so how about some photos?!

The picture above and below are 2 different days and 2 different parks but the same outfit. That is his favorite outfit. He calls the shirt yellow even though he know his colors pretty well. The shorts are some black mesh ones Jon's sister Amanda sent before Jackson was born.

Saturday: Boy's Hike

On Saturday, Janet went to a stake women's conference for most of the day so Jackson and I decided to go hiking at South Mountains. I know a lot of locals who are really into the out doors who hate South Mountains, but I really love the park. It is the closest (other than Crowder's Mountain), it has a trout stream, a beautiful waterfall, and a lot of fun back country trails to explore if you want more of a hike. J-man and I hiked the falls loop to keep it simple and we had so much fun! When I told him that we were hiking, he kept saying "hike" all the time. I let him do as much walking as he wanted which ended up being about 3/4 of a mile-ish. He was being so good and so fun: he did a great job following the trail and leading the way, he loved looking at the rocks on the trail, the leaves, and the flowers along the way. At one point he stopped and pointed to his ears and said "hear." I think that was the first time that he noticed the sound of the creek. We talked about everything that we saw and heard, and he kept marching on. Around a mile and a half in he started needing help getting over the big steps, the rocks, and the roots so he held on to my hands. Finally it got to a point where the steps were as big as him almost, so he wanted up. I threw him in the backpack and we kept going. He really was such a trooper and I can't wait to go with him again!

In the visitor's center.

He basically ran the whole way.

Pushing me away so he can get back to the creek.

Throwing a leaf over a big boulder.

He would say "step" each time he had to step up.

The bridge over the top of the falls. 

Playing in the water by the parking lot after our hike.

Pacifiers are Gone plus pictures!

We commenced operation, "No More Pacis" yesterday. Jon has been saying it was time and I knew he was right but I just didn't want to yet. I had anxiety about it and I didn't want there to be another sign that my baby is growing up. So we planned on doing it a couple times and something always came up- sickness, traveling, or there was one time where we just had a really rough week with Jackson and I told Jon I didn't have the strength to do it that weekend. Of course we always plan for a weekend because then I can have Jon home to help. :)

Anyway, Jon kept saying Labor Day weekend was our time and I knew it was time because Jackson has become so much more attached lately. He would ask for the paci a lot throughout the day and it was too hard to fight him on it so a lot of times we gave in. I wanted to wait until I was finished babysitting the girls because their 3 year old still has a paci so I knew that would make it hard for Jackson to get rid of it if we were around her. I am done babysitting, for now I think, so it was time. So yesterday Jon took Jackson with him to Wal-Mart while I got my hair cut. Jackson was allowed to pick out a motorcycle toy and they took that home to use in an exchange. When I got back, Jon gathered up all the pacis and we explained to Jackson that paci was going to go bye-bye and would be all gone. Jackson had a paci in his mouth at the time and very willingly handed it over in exchange for the motorcycle, or "cyscle" as he calls it. We even had Jackson help throw them away and then Jon took the trash out.

We had somewhat prepared Jackson by telling him a few days ahead of time that paci would be going bye bye soon. But I am totally amazed at how well he has done. Jon and I prayed a lot for him to be comforted and to do well. I know it sounds silly but we didn't want Jackson to feel punished and didn't want him to just cry and be miserable for several days. There is nothing worse than seeing your kid suffer. So Jackson was fine all day long Saturday and would happily tell us paci was all gone after he would ask for it, and he hardly asked for it at all. Saturday night was a little rough and Jackson had to cry for about 25 minutes to go to sleep. He ended up sleeping through the night until 5 which is when he wakes up anyway. He woke up once briefly during the night but went right back to sleep. We woke up in shock that we had survived the night without the paci. It went so well.

Jackson woke up happy and after asking for paci and being told it was all gone he was fine. He did wonderful all day long. We anticipated church being rough but he did so well. He fussed some about paci in sacrament but he also was upset about not being able to play with beads that a girl next to us had. We had to take him out twice but it wasn't bad. He went to nursery where his friend still had a paci but Jackson did awesome. He cried for a little bit and then stayed in nursery the whole time. After church he fussed a tiny bit when it was time to nap but not bad at all. He just chews on mono when he wants his paci. He did great all day and went to bed amazingly well. He fussed a little but didn't even cry, just whined for mommy a tad. We are so shocked and so proud of Jackson. He is so perceptive and understands so well. Our prayers have been answered and I am so grateful this hasn't been as torturous as I thought it would be. I know it is a silly and small thing but for us it felt like a big hard thing for us. I know that God loves us and hears and answers our prayers, even the small ones.

How about some pictures from our summer?!

the pacis and the motorcycle

my favorite face of all time

Jon's favorite picture- we were playing in the rain and got soaked after this

The last picture I have of him with a paci from Friday. Also holding his first worm that he picked up as soon as I showed it to him.

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