Happy Due Date - Jared's Birth Story

Today was Jared's due date! 40 weeks ago you were just an unfertilized egg, and hanging out waiting to be released into the world! But...enough of that...

Here's the story of how you came into the world! I think I'll organize it by date and then time of events...

February 14th: Mommy has a doctor's appointment (34w, 4 days) and is dilated 2cm!

February 23rd: Another doctor's appointment (35w, 6 days) and is dilated 4cm!

March 1st: Doctor's appointment again (36w, 5 days) and is now dilated 5cm (give or take). Since you aren't yet 37 weeks along, the doctor decides to wait until the following week to strip membranes. If not for that, you probably would have been born earlier (just a hunch!).

March 10th, 8:15am: Doctor's appointment (38w, 0 days). Doctor jokes about why I'm still pregnant (since I'm a master dilator!), and does the regular check stuff...heartbeat is good, still dilated the same as the previous week, you're down pretty low, and he strips membranes. It seemed to take a bit longer than I remember it doing with your brother (different doctor). Seemed to be a bit more instant cramping as well, and the doctor mentioned that there would probably be some spotting afterwards (had blood on glove).

9:30am: Mommy gets to work, still cramping a lot, but continuously. I'm a bit "off" at this point, and make plans to half-day it, and to get everything ready to go on maternity leave. Now is when I start noticing what I thought were Braxton-Hicks contractions (so called "false labor")...they are just tight, and don't hurt, especially compared to the cramping. Monica at work suggests that I start timing THOSE...and I kind of laugh, still in denial that they could be "real".

12:30pm: I leave work and head home. Your daddy is off work anyway and doing things around the house to get ready (he's convinced you're coming the next day, and I was pretty convinced too!). As we're doing things around the house (all the while, still having the tightening), he suggests that since we are running errands near my parent's house, to just get Daniel and take him to your grandparent's house. Not wanting to jinx it (or jump the gun), I turn that idea down (stupid of me!).

3:30pm: We get done eating lunch and head home. Your dad goes off to run the errands quickly while I rest and try to use the contraction timer. From what I can see, contractions are coming maybe every 5-10 minutes (not sure if they are consistent though!). I'm still in denial.

6pm: Your dad and Daniel get home. We have some dinner, watch some TV and hang out a little bit. Not sure how close the contractions are at this point.

8pm: Daniel is in the bath, and I continue to time contractions again. Still, not very painful, and still have the cramping that hurts worse. They seem to be steady at about 8 minutes apart, 1 minute long. I'm still in denial, and think that it won't be until morning that things really get going. Along the way (while timing), there is one contraction in particular that REALLY hurt. So, while being still in denial, I sort of had a moment there where I thought this could be it.

10pm: Daniel's been in bed for a while, and me and your dad are sitting around watching TV (and your mommy is posting on Facebook!)! Contractions starting to get more painful!

10:25pm: Mommy posts on Facebook that she's hit the "It's TIME!". Trying to get a hold of my parents so they know we're coming to drop Daniel off...but it takes like 8 tries to get through (sleeping soundly!). Brilliant move on my part going all the way over to their house, rather than having them meet us at the hospital (don't know what I was thinking there either!).

11:30pm: FINALLY on the road, after fumbling around making sure we had everything. Contractions are definitely under the 5 minute apart mark...more like 4 minutes. I kept trying to calculate how many contractions I'd have to go through before arriving at my parent's house...just to keep my mind off. It hurt, but it was still bearable at that point in time.

March 11th, midnight: Left your grandparents house for the hospital. All freeway, thankfully! At this point, contractions are coming even faster...and they REALLY hurt a lot. I can barely remember half of the trip, just because I had my eyes closed!

12:25am: Got to the hospital! Seemed like an eternity to go through the parking garage to get to the 3rd floor maternity spots. Got out of the car, grabbed like one bag (the one with the camera) and tried to make haste to check-in. I don't remember a whole lot of that either, aside from having to put a lot of effort into getting there and trying to get through contractions still. We made it to the check-in (which was an effort to get through all of the questions...the person at the desk was typing as fast as she could though...that was good!).

From there...the times are a bit fuzzy...

After check-in, we went into triage. I remember handing the nurse the paperwork from the doctor's office (that they gave to me just in case) noting that I was GBS + and needed antibiotics, etc. I got weighed (holding on for dear life to the bar on the scale) and temperature taken. From there, we went back to one of the triage rooms, where I swear I couldn't get undressed fast enough and into the hospital gown. Contractions were still killing me! The triage nurse came and asked the infamous "how far dilated was she at her last appointment". Mike answered that one (again)...and then all hell was about to break loose!

The nurse did the cervical check. I didn't see what her facial expression was (I was pretty out of it in pain), but she had to call back a 2nd nurse to double check..."I think she's at 9cm!". All I could think about at that time was...PLEASE give me an epidural...I REALLY hope I'm not too late!

I'm not sure how much longer it was, but the nurse joked that I was making her run through the hallways again. They got another person to help move the bed, and we took off flying down the hall to the delivery area. Again, I had my eyes shut for most of the trip, so I have no idea where we were going...I just laid back and got through the ride.

Upon arriving in the delivery room...I had to switch beds (I do remember that!) and the nurse was starting an IV to get everything pumped in (which, she could have been slicing my arm with a Swiss Army knife and I wouldn't have cared at that point!). They'd called for the anesthesiologist, so he was on the way (as soon as enough fluids got pumped into me). I kept feeling like I had to pee, and that it would make me feel better if I could...but that didn't happen.

They did the epidural while I was on my side (vs sitting up). It seemed to take longer than I remember from before, but as soon as it kicked in...sweet, sweet relief!

As a side note...your mommy had some pretty wild things coming out of her mouth during contractions. Not just the regular "ow ow ow"...but more like "contractions PLEASE don't hurt me!", as well as lots of humming, etc. It felt like I was a lot louder than I apparently was in reality...and I also was trying to deal with pain by grabbing on to things (Mike's hand, the bed rails, bar in the car, etc.).

I'm not sure how long I got to "enjoy" the epidural before the doctor and resident got there. As soon as they got there though, they broke my water and had me start pushing! About 4 sets of pushes (3 pushes per contraction...the last one had 4), and you were out! They took you over to the little incubator bed and got you cleaned off, weighed and all of that good stuff.

We hung out in the delivery room for maybe 2 hours or so...got to breastfeed and all that good stuff. From there, we got the (bad) news that we'd be in a shared room just until later in the day, which meant that your daddy couldn't stay (we got a private room so he could that night...yay!).

And so ends that story!

3D Ultrasound

Once again, much belated, but thought it interesting and fun to put up your 3D ultrasound pictures from back in January. Yep...it's definitely you!

From November to March

As mentioned before, the last time I posted something, you were about 23 weeks along. We knew you were a boy, and had your name pretty much nailed down.

The first part of December saw you and I heading for San Antonio for a meeting. First plane trip! The meeting was a long 5 days, and you kept me on my toes (and awake during long lecture sessions!). It was good to have a traveling buddy with me, if even on the inside.

Right after returning from Texas, we hopped on a plane and went to visit your grandparents in Montana. That was an incredibly long, convoluted trip to get there, but we made it finally! It also was your 2nd wedding attended! Very busy baby! Everyone in Montana was very excited about your impending arrival into the world as well!

Christmas came, and we went to spend it with your other grandparents here in town. It was a good, relaxing holiday. New Years came and went as well.

Next came your big 3D ultrasound! With the holidays and everything else going on, we didn't get a chance to schedule it until you were a bit further along, gestation wise, than your brother was (he was about 24 weeks...you were about 28). We took Daniel with us, which marked the first time he got to "see" you...he didn't seem to really understand what was going on at the time, but he did watch a little on the screen. The lady doing the ultrasound did a "size" check, and reported back to us (off the record, of course), that you were about 4lbs at the time, and measuring about 2 1/2 weeks ahead of schedule. Her calculations had a tentative due date of the 8th of March (eek!). But the best part of the ultrasound was watching you make all of the cute faces and getting to see what you look like up close and personal.

The end of January and month of February seemed to pass by quickly (although there were many aspects that seemed to drag). Your daddy ended his work contract and was looking for a new job, which meant a lot of time at home, and a lot of time with Daniel at home (out of daycare to save money). We also toured the hospital where you were to be born. And then came the issue of all of us getting sick. Daniel had a MRSA infection in his ear (which put him on some pretty strong antibiotics for a few weeks). He later got the flu as well, and had a bit of recovery ahead of him. Your dad had a MRSA infection as well, but on his leg. That meant he had to go to the doctor every couple of days to have it checked or cut or re-bandaged. He also had a cold along the way as well (which didn't make things any better!). Your mom (me) had a cold that seemed to last forever (in reality, off and on for about 3 weeks). Coughing and all of that good stuff...and a fever one weekend that was a little bit scary (fever of 102). Since I couldn't take anything, that made it harder to do things and to recover.

The end of February marked your baby shower! You got lots of great things from mommy's co-workers, and they were all very excited to meet you very soon!

Before the baby shower, mommy had a little bit of bleeding (amongst all of the other goo), and at first dilation check (February 14th), mommy was at 2cm and about 75% effaced. The baby gates were opening up! The following week, 4cm! And after that, mommy stayed at about 5cm (give or take) until the next step in your impending delivery took place, all the while doctor's expecting you to come at any time!

March 1st appointment you were 36 weeks, 5 days along (not quit the "full term" 37 weeks they like babies too be), so the doctor didn't want to do membrane stripping. March 10th was the next appointment, and you were 38 weeks along. The doctor wondered why you hadn't come out yet (just as the other doctor in Reno had wondered 2 1/2 years ago with your brother at this stage!). Membranes stripped...and...well...you were born early the next day!

A very eventful few months!

Hello Jared!

Once again, a VERY overdue blog post! It looks like Thanksgiving time was about the last time I wrote something, so I'll try my very best to catch up!

First and foremost, you were born on March 11th, 2011, at 1:52a.m.! That makes you 11 days old (almost 12, as of the time I'm writing this!). You weighed 8lbs even, and were 18 3/4 inches long (although that is slightly contested by the pediatrician's office who measured you about an inch and a half bigger). The whole birth story/circumstances of your arrival will come shortly...I've written it out a few times in various forms, but it bears repeating here I suppose!

I'll tack on a few posts here (separated out), but just wanted to say...welcome to the world! It's been a fun 11 days!

Happy 23 Weeks - and Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving! Daniel and Mommy are up early watching cartoons while Daddy sleeps in a little (since Mommy got to have off Veteran's day!).

So what's new...hmmm...well you've definitely been growing more and more, and getting your move on! You're pretty low, so every kick seems like you're going to punch out through the bottom. I'm sure that's not going to happen, but it's still sort of weird. You're most active at night while we're watching TV, and pretty quiet during the day.

Next week we have another appointment (24 week or "6 month" appointment) where we have the big glucose test. Not really looking forward to that, although you'll probably enjoy it more...giving you fuel to jump around like a jumping bean!

The week after starts some traveling! Your first time on a plane will be on the inside! We're going to San Antonio for a meeting, and leaving Daniel and Daddy to bachelor it up for a few days. Then right after we get back we're going to see Grandma and Grandpa Stone's house for early Christmas and a wedding! That one all of us are going on!

So definitely exciting (and busy!) things to come! Already getting your registry started and all of that good stuff...stay cozy and warm inside! :)

A Bit Overdue...But...

We found out on October 20th that you are a BOY! The ultrasound went very well, and after a long wait through the whole thing (not that the ultrasound wasn't fun in and of itself!) up on the screen came confirmation!

So out comes the book of boy names! It's kind of weird (but we're still early!) that we don't have a solid name picked out for you yet, but we are getting close. I'm sure if your big brother knew that he was getting a baby brother he'd be excited (but pretty sure Daniel doesn't realize what is to come!).

Onto other things...the ultrasound was great, and you're growing right on schedule (or a couple days ahead) just like your brother. The kicks and other movements have gotten more pronounced as well, which is definitely exciting too!

On Sunday the 24th (10-24...easy to remember since it's your mommy's favorite number!) you were actually kicking so hard that daddy can now feel it! Very exciting! The moving and shaking hasn't stopped, and you have done some full on body rolls in that cramped little space.

Mommy is doing pretty well, aside from waddling pretty solidly by the end of the day. Your big brother has wanted to go for long walks after daycare (before picking up Daddy) which I'm sure doesn't help with the soreness. But at least this week there's not much overtime for Daddy, which means we all get to relax at home!

Another doctor's appointment this coming Friday, and this Thursday you will be officially halfway to your due date (20 weeks!). Time is really flying!

The 17 Week Checkin!

Well, little baby, you've had lots of excitement over the past few weeks. First we went to Las Vegas (all of us!) for a wedding. You aren't on the outside yet, but you've traveled far!

Then came doctor's appointment (just a checkup!) when we got back. Mommy's gained one pound so far (woohoo!) and we had a blood test to check for the open spine defects (negative!). So far so good there! Your heartbeat was about 154!

Then we did a breast cancer walk, where Mommy did a number on her feet (with blisters)! Later in the week, we had the TGen retreat and went for a little jaunt on Chase Field afterwards. Daniel had a blast running around on the field and kicking the baseball that a security guard gave him.

Which brings us to this weekend...we went to visit Grandma and Grandpa (Coon) and went to the park. Train rides, merry-go-rounds and splash pads! You're going to love it when you get big enough to do that with your brother!

Anyway, you are 17 weeks and 2 days today...and 4 days away from us knowing if you are a boy or a girl! It's a big week coming up!!!