Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Week One




How is it possible to love someone so much after just one week? Jackson is such a sweet baby! Of course all he does is eat, sleep, and make dirty diapers. He seems to be very mellow and observant...but that could all change in few months. I can't wait to see his little personality emerge.

Friday, September 24, 2010

Jackson's Birth


Jackson John Holley

Born Sunday, September 19, 2010 at 2:26pm

Weight: 7lbs 1oz

Height: 19 inches


My contractions started on Friday evening. I didn't even realize I was having them for a few hours because it was Rhonen's bedtime and I was doing our routine like every other night. Finally it dawned on me...hey these pains feel like labor pains! I got excited! Finally this baby was on his way. I jumped into gear and finished my packing for the hospital and for Rhonen. We had made arrangements for him to stay with my dad while we were in the hospital. Dustin called around 9:30 and I told him the good news. But as soon as I did the contractions slowed down. What the heck?! I tried to relax, I tried to exercise, I tried a glass of wine...nothing helped. Feeling disappointed I just went to sleep. I continued to have contractions all through the night but they were very inconsistent and by the time morning came they had stopped all together.

So we went to the farmer's market as usual and then to the park so Rhonen could play. Still no contractions. We all came home and took a nice long nap then Dustin was off to work. Around 6pm the contractions started up again. OK...here we go. They were coming more frequently and getting stronger. This was the real thing for sure! I called my dad to give him fair warning...there may be a 2am wake up call tonight. I told Dustin they coming every 15 minutes and he should probably head home. Well, by the time he did come home the contractions were slowing way down again! It was as if the baby could hear me telling him it was time and decided to show me just who was in charge. For the rest of the night the contractions came only once or twice per hour. But they were getting more intense. Just enough to keep me from getting any sleep. At 4am I had a really strong one and I decided I had had enough! I woke up Dustin and called my dad. I needed to know what was going on. How far along am I? I thought I was surely 4cm dilated by now and they would have to admit me. 

We arrived at the hospital around 5am. The nurse hooked me up the fetal monitor and checked to see how dilated I was. "3-4cm" she told me. "I need you to walk around for an hour. Come back and we'll check you again. If your 4cm we'll keep you." Great I thought...now after  all this I'm still only 3! So Dustin and I did laps around that hospital. I climbed stairs. I did squats. We returned after an hour and I was 4-5cm! Thank goodness ;) The nurse admitted us and started getting the water birthing room ready. It took a minute for me to remember how to labor. I knew I needed to use my voice and my breath to cope with the pain. Rest between contractions and save my strength for later. With Rhonen's birth I was committed to an all natural birth, and I was successful in doing that. This time around I again wanted to refrain from drugs but I also thought the process would go much faster. At least that's what everyone told me. 

Finally we got into the room and I immediately jumped into the shower. Endless hot water had never sounded so good. I moved from the shower... to the ball... to the bed several times. After about six hours of this I was starting feel exhausted. At 12:30 my midwife came in to check my progress. I was only 6cm dilated! "If you really want to get things going, I'll break your water". I had to think about this for a minute. As soon as the water breaks it gets quite a bit more painful. But I also wanted this to be over so I gave her the OK. Sure enough the contractions really got moving. I went back to the shower for some relief. All of a sudden I felt nauseous and dizzy. My nurse came into check the baby's heart rate and I told her I wasn't feeling well. She called for another nurse who brought in a wheel chair. They took me to the bed to see how far along I was. With the next contraction I felt the urge. I told them I had to push.

"Do you want us to set up the tub?" 

"yes...wait! No" "I don't want to have to move! Is it too late for drugs? "

My midwife told me that getting drugs would take too long. She thought this baby was coming fast and we should just get ready to have the baby on the bed. I didn't care at this point where I had the baby. Dustin however, thought I should deliver on the birthing stool like I did with Rhonen. He told my midwife that I had a problem the last time in the bed and I really did better in a sitting position. I'm so glad he spoke up. On the bed the contractions were insanely painful and I could feel the urge only sometimes. As soon as I stood up I could bear down much more and I felt the urge with every contraction. 

Within about twenty minutes Jackson was born. He came out screaming...a very nice thing to hear. They handed him to me and I looked down at our baby overjoyed. Dustin was behind me...he kissed me on the cheek and said "you did it...he might be better looking than Rhonen :)"  


Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Jackson John Holley


Born Sunday, September 19, 2010 at 2:26pm.

7lbs 1oz, 19 inches

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Still Pregnant...but not for long!

With just 6 days until my due date I am excited to say the contractions have begun! I was up all night with very irregular, but unmistakable labor pains. Will he come today or tomorrow? Stay tuned...

Friday, September 10, 2010

Father Son Sessions

Dustin has been practicing the guitar. Whenever he sits down to play Rhonen tries to climb on top of him...literally. He would walk up the guitar onto Dustin's shoulders! Today we discovered that he was trying to get behind the guitar so he could play with dad. These pictures are truly priceless!





Sunday, September 5, 2010

Froggy

One day Rhonen woke up from his nap and pointed to his stuffed animals that were lined up in his room. He clearly was asking for one specific animal...this frog. Since that day, "froggy" has been a staple in his day. He needs froggy to take a nap and go to sleep at night. He also likes to carry him around the house.

This frog also has a little history within our family. When we were living with Dustin's sister and her family in Scott's Valley we found out we were expecting. A few months later, we decided to move back to Chico. Dustin had to go to Chico for a month before I could join him. Imagine, first pregnancy, tons of hormones, without my love! The end result was me...an emotional, pregnant mess! Dustin came to visit me for the weekend and after he left I was so sad. I felt alone and hated being away from him! Later that day, our sweet niece Ekite brought me this frog to help me feel better. I ended up sleeping with this frog every night I was away from Dustin and it did make me feel better.

So I wonder... did Rhonen bond with the frog while he was in the womb? It sounds crazy I know, but it amazes me that out of 15 different stuffed animals he chose this frog. The sweet love from our niece has become this sweet love from my son. Whatever the rhyme or reason, I'm glad Rhonen has a friend to cuddle with :)

37 weeks

So here I am...officially full term! The baby is fully developed and could arrive any day! I think I might have another week or two but you never know, he could decided to come tonight. The anticipation is killing me...along with the sleepless nights, heartburn and general discomfort. Despite all of these ailments...I am enjoying these last days of pregnancy. The nesting instinct is in full gear and I am trying to prepare as much as possible. We have a lot of things going on right now and I think that's helping me keep my mind occupied. I am still working, but that can stop any time I need to. I think Rhonen can sense the baby will be here soon. He is always trying to lift my shirt up to touch my belly. He lays his head down and gives the baby kisses...so sweet! This will likely be my last photo as a pregnant woman, I don't feel like posing for the camera much. So the next time you see me I will have my babe in my arms.

Ready for an Adventure

We bought this bike trailer yesterday and Rhonen can't wait to use it! We're just waiting on his helmet to arrive, it should be here on Wednesday. You can bet I'll be ready with the camera for Rhonen's first bike ride :)