Visit to school

So my new job as Jack's mom is going great! I love him so much and he is growing and changing every day. I love watching him kick and flail his arms - and I love to watch the little faces he makes. He is a champion sleeper at night. In fact, he slept so well last night that he decided he should be awake and learn about the world from 8am to 3 pm today. Great, except for I couldn't get anything done. He was slightly less than content if I wasn't holding him or holding the pacifier in his mouth...we're gonna work on this.

Today was the day to introduce Jack to the kiddos I worked with the last couple years. We made a visit to the middle school just to say "Hi." The boys were excited to see him. One kept saying "baby" and the other would say "so cute." I do miss them, so it was great to see them.

Memorial Day Weekend

Mark has been around for 3 days in a row, it has been great! The last 2 weekends Mark has had meetings in Denver all day Saturday - so this long weekend has definitely been a treat. I had a friend over on Saturday for a few hours and we did some baking and played a little Rock Band with Mark. This morning we went out to a leisurely breakfast with some friends. The weather hasn't been ideal as it has rained, stormed, and hailed. However, we have relaxed, slept, gone for walks, and enjoyed as much normalcy as one can with an almost 3 week old baby.

Tonight, Mark and I even enjoyed a tasty meal together: grilled pesto stuffed steaks, corn with basil, and grilled asparagus. Mmmmmmm....tasty! And Jack miraculously didn't need to eat while we are eating which is usually the case.

Tough guy

Jack and I just returned from our 3rd visit to the Dr.'s office since Tuesday. Impressive huh? Tuesday, he had his 2 week appointment, everything looked great and NO oxygen--woohoo! This morning we went in at 10, because I needed to have some blood work done. Shortly after returning home I noticed Jack's fingernail was green. So, we went back to the Dr. at 2:30. Sure enough, it was infected. They pricked him with a needle and squeezed the puss out and sent us home with instructions to soak the nail 2-3 times a day and apply Neosporin. He was a trooper, no tears at all.

Also, I would like to mention that we both felt very well rested today after a wonderful nights sleep. We only got up once! Too bad I can't depend on that happening again tonight. But I can hope!

I know he's my kid

I was watching Jack sleep tonight and he does the very same thing I do when he is really tired. He raises his right arm straight up in the air. Yes, it is weird I know. But for years I have woken up to see my right arm sticking straight up. This is not the first time I have caught him emulating the behavior of his mother. It's so cute.
Also today Jack and I enjoyed our first outing just the two of us. Right after a feeding we made a mad dash to Walmart and then to Starbucks for a tasty drink compliments of my brother and his wife Amie (gotta love the gift card!) Everything went well - we can do it on our own.

Bath time

Jack's umbilical cord fell off yesterday and so today Mark and I gave Jack his first real bath. The sponge baths just weren't quite cutting it. The boy was stinky! He did not like it, which was to be expected. But he is clean and cute and smells nice again!

Grandma's Gone

My mom left yesterday...sad day. I knew she couldn't stay forever but I loved having her here. I so appreciated her support and encouragement while she was here. She loved on Jack, helped with laundry, cooked, cleaned, and took care of Mark and I. She is a great grandma to Jack and a great mom. While she was here I saw what a wonderful example she was to me of how to be selfless in your love for your children. Miss you Mom!!

Jack is Here

Jack did arrive on Tuesday May 5, 2009. He came at 6:32pm, weighing 6 lbs., 19 inches long. We had a long day waiting for him. After arriving at the hospital my contractions were about 2 1/2 minutes apart. Mark and I walked the halls, smiling and laughing anxious to meet our little one. Around noon with contractions still a couple minutes apart they became a bit more painful. By 2:30 I was all the way dilated and I pushed for two and half hours. Mark was great and so encouraging through out the whole thing. The Dr. finally came in, I pushed some more, then we tried forceps. Baby wasn't going to come - it was time for a C-Section.

We prepped and went down to the Operating Room where we finally met Jack. Mark sat with me during the procedure and got to peek over the curtain just as they were pulling out the baby. He was the one to announce "It's a boy!" As they were stitching me up I experienced some severe shoulder pain and nausea - no Fun! But totally worth it to get to meet that handsome little guy.

Our stay in the hospital was 3 nights and we came home on Friday. We were very blessed to have some many of our friends stop by to meet Jack and to say hi to us. Wednesday afternoon just after lunch my mom arrived. Friday morning Mom arrived at the hospital and my brother followed her into the room - Uncle Jacob! What a surprise. Just as we were leaving the hospital on Friday - my dad arrived and everyone was able to accompany us home.

The weekend has gone well. Mark and I are both so in love with our little boy. He is just the most handsome and precious thing I have ever laid eyes on. I had no idea you could fall in love so fast. The first night he was born I just stared and stared at him. Mark is a great Dad!! Because of the C-section I have been very limited in what I am able to do, especially the first couple of days. Mark just jumped right in to changing diapers, calming him, and being a father to Jack.

My brother left on Saturday morning (quick visit) and my dad left early this afternoon. It was great to have them here even for a short time. Mom will be here till Wednesday. Grandma is great...she is helping with Jack, fixing us meals, and trying to allow us a little more sleep for when she is gone and we are on our own.

Again...so EXCITED he is here. He is the greatest!

Cinco de mayo birthday?

So I said today would be an excellent day for a birthday. God must have a sense of humor. My water broke around 5 am this morning and we left for the hospital shortly before 7. We made a quick stop at 7-11 for some gatorade and snacks...yes, my last meal for little Carb baby was an old fashioned chocolate donut. Contractions are currently about 2 and half minutes apart. Hopefully our day won't be too long...we shall see, we're just excited to meet this little one.

Everyday is a good day for a birthday right?

For those of you familiar with Grey's Anatomy you might recall that Dr. Derek Shepard has a famous line when beginning his surgeries "It's a great day for saving lives." I have begun the practice of beginning each of my days by telling myself "It's a great day for a birthday." Today, tomorrow, any day will do.

I had a Dr.'s appointment this morning. I am 80% effaced, still just 1 cm dilated. The doctors comment was I don't know how you are walking around with the baby's head so low. I have now seen all the doctors in the practice; they have all commented on how low the baby's head is and how uncomfortable it must be. He couldn't say whether or not I will make it to my next appointment. Baby seems to be healthy and measuring average size. He couldn't get an accurate read on baby size - again, baby's head is really low- hard to measure.

So we wait. Meanwhile, getting lots of little things done around the house. I watched 3 episodes of A Baby Story on TLC today while I was supposed to be eating lunch. I sat there eating my bagel, eyes glued to the screen, listening to the screams of overly tired and pregnant women screaming in the hospital. I finally made myself turn it off.

Tomorrow is a new day though. And it will be a great day for a birthday too!