9 days old!

Jack has been in this world for 9 days now--that's crazy to think about. I would love to say we are settling into a routine, but I'm not so sure about that. I am struggling today with getting him to sleep enough. He likes being awake and alert, and he doesn't like napping when he's not being held. And because I can't hold him all of the time, I need help! Any suggestions?

Other than that, he really is a great baby. He is sweet and curious when he is awake. He doesn't cry very often, although he consistently cries while being changed--he hates that! He feeds often and well.

Bech went back to work today, so it was just Jack and me. I think we did okay. He even happily vegged out in the swing for a little while, which allowed me to take a shower and put on real clothes.

Here are some recent pictures of the little guy:

I know this isn't a "real smile," but it's so darn cute! I love his little sleepy smiles so much!

Bech looks really tired in this picture. That's probably because that's how we both feel--very tired!

Check out that awesome double chin...ridiculous.

He loves to put one of his hands up in a fist on his face. This is his favorite nursing pose (don't worry, I won't be sharing pictures of that anytime soon!) but he also does it sometimes when he sleeps.

Eight Days Old from Bech Evans on Vimeo.

This is a video Bech made of Jack on Wednesday. He's sitting in his Baby Bjorn chair, just relaxing and being so alert. It's kinda long, and is probably really boring if you aren't in some way related to Jack (actually even then, it might be boring!). But he is really cute in it, plus I love the music Bech chose to go along with it.

Jack's birth story

I have a couple of disclaimers before I start this post.

First of all, I promise to be fairly vague in this post. I will not be super specific. But it is a birth story, so please, if it is going to bother you at all, don't read this post!

Second of all, I really wanted to have an "all-natural" birth. I didn't put this information out there, especially on the blog, because I wasn't sure what would happen. I read lots of books on childbirth (mostly about natural childbirth) and our birth class was centered in that direction.

Honestly, my reasons for this were pretty shallow. I have wanted to give birth without drugs since late high school/early college, merely because I just wanted to say I had. I think there are some legitimate reasons for possibly not using an epidural, but at the end of the day, I don't think those reasons make using an epidural wrong at all. I just wanted to experience all of birth, without drugs, and say that I had done that.

Alright, on to the birth.

I really, really believed that Jack would come early. Jack's original due date was June 2nd, and then, after the first ultrasound, the due date was moved to June 12th. But I still believed that maybe his due date was earlier than the 12th.

But Jack obviously didn't come early. And my family came on the 11th. But I was still holding out hope that he would come soon. Y'all, I did everything. I walked, canoed, rode on bumpy roads, ate spicy foods, drank tonic water, had my membranes stripped twice, etc. Nothing worked. Nothing.

At my 40 week appointment, my doctor, who I really like and trust, told me that she wanted to induce me at 41 weeks. Bech and I actually asked what would happen if we weren't ready to induce at that time. She told us it was our choice and we didn't have to, but she strongly suggested it based on birth mortality rates. I really didn't want to induce. I knew that pitocin would make much harder and stronger contractions, and thus make not using an epidural a lot harder.

But I also wanted family to be there. It looked like my family was going to completely miss Jack's birth, so I at least wanted Bech's family there.

I held out hope that Jack could still come on his own. But when he didn't, June 20th, we headed in to the hospital bright and early to be induced.

We had a wonderful day nurse. We actually got to have her the next day, too. Seriously, God blessed us so much through the nurses He gave us. She was funny and made us laugh.

I didn't really start feeling contractions until 2 p.m., and even then they didn't really hurt too bad. They came in and broke my water around 6 p.m., and that's when the pain started. It was totally manageable at first. I walked a lot, I used the birth ball, I sat some. But after a few hours, the pain got much worse. Apparently (and I say this because I have never had normal contractions), a normal contraction moves in a wave, coming on, peaking, then dropping off, with a little break in between. Pitocin contractions are not that way. They come on really hard, there is no slow build up or drop off, and mine did not have much of a break.

I was trying to hold off getting into the tub for as long as possible, to get as much work done before that, but I finally got in around 11 p.m. And it helped at first. At first, I had about a minute between each contraction. I started to think that I could do this. Then they upped the pitocin even more (because that's what they do in an induction--start pitocin, and start upping it until or unless your body takes over--which mine never did!). And I was so miserable.

There came a point in which I had 5 contractions in a row without a break. And I should probably add that I was not very far along at this point, as far as progression (and if you don't know what I mean, trust me, you don't want me to explain it--remember, I am trying to not be too "TMI" here!). It was at that point that I knew I couldn't continue to do this. I thought I could possibly last a few more hours like this. But I knew that when it became time to push, I would not have any energy left at all.

So around 12:30 a.m., I asked for the epidural. And I am so thankful that I did. I was able to fall asleep around 2:30 and sleep until around 6 or so. It wasn't great sleep (they kept coming in because they were having trouble with one of my monitors not recording right), but it was sleep. I woke up in the morning feeling much better.

Then they checked my progression and I had barely changed since my last check at 12:30. I wasn't feeling too disappointed, but I think at this point, the doctors and nurse were started to get a little concerned.

They were still upping my pitocin (although I couldn't feel much of the contractions), and checked me again several hours later--very little progression plus Jack hadn't moved down at all. And he was in a very strange position.

And that's when the word c-section got tossed out. At first, I thought, okay, it's just a possibility, not a reality yet. We will just have to keep trying to get Jack to move, right? And we did--they moved me into different positions. Bech and I prayed. Other people prayed. And he sort of moved. So they let me try to push for about fourty five minutes to an hour. And I tried really hard. And finally the two doctors there said that nothing was changing, that Jack wasn't coming down, and that we needed to do a c-section.

And I was devastated. (more thoughts on this later)

And I cried. And then I fixed my makeup (because I am a southern girl) and I had a c-section.

But a little before my c-section, I had a small fever. Plus there was some meconium in my water.

And if you know a lot about birth, this can mean NICU.

So after they got Jack out of me, and Bech got to hold him and bring him to me, they took him to the NICU. His APGAR scores were great (an 8 and a 9), but they were following our pediatricians orders. We were told he would have to stay there 48 hours.

They wheeled me back to the room, I cried some more, then they took me to the recovery floor. At this point, about 2 hours after the section, the NICU called, said Jack was healthy and looked great, and they were bringing him to us! And then I got to hold my absolutely gorgeous son.

Recovering from a c-section is not very fun. There is a reason that you get to stay there longer than from a regular delivery. I spent three nights there, and could have opted for a fourth. And even now, I can't walk up and down the stairs at my apartment, and I'm in a fair amount of pain. At least I am allowed to lift Jack. Plus, to be honest, I am not a super compliant patient and am probably doing a lot more than I should be!

Plus I am super emotional and still dealing with the fact that I had a c-section. Which is really tough, because, when you stop to think about it, what is so bad about a c-section? There are countless books, websites, and people out there that make it sound like a c-section is the WORST possible thing ever, that you are a failure if you have to have one. And on some level, I am falling for that. I am feeling like a failure because I wasn't able to deliver my child normally, because my body didn't do what it was supposed to do.

But as Bech and my mom have reminded me multiple times, I am not a failure. And I need to just enjoy the fact that I have a beautiful, healthy baby. I have some friends who just had a baby 13 weeks early, who will be in the NICU for several months. And I have a baby who I got to take home on Friday.

I am thankful for the doctors and nurses. They really tried a lot of stuff so that I wouldn't have to have a c-section. They were so kind to me. And I am so thankful that I am physically able to have a baby--it is a gift and not one I take lightly!

Anyway, there it is...hope it wasn't too "TMI"!

Fun etsy shop

A little break from Jack updates...

A girl I went to high school with, Emily, created an Etsy shop a couple of weeks ago. She makes embossed paper products, and the prices are great! I ordered these cards...

I got them in this past weekend, and I love them! I should have put pics of my actual cards up, but I thought the one's from the site would suffice.

Here's the link to her shop, Selah V. Check it out.

Also, check out Bech's etsy shop. He will be putting new stuff up soon, as soon as they have another kiln firing at the co-op.

I promise I will not always just post about Jack. But right now, he is all I can think about. And I don't necessarily say that in a sweet way. He just takes up a lot of thought and energy. But he is worth it.

Last night, he slept great! He gave Bech and me 2 over three hour stretches of sleep. It was wonderful! And today he has been great. He is eating like a champ. When we left the hospital, he was down to 8 lbs, 2 oz, but I'm pretty sure he will be back up to his birth weight soon.

I love this picture--you can see how chunky he is! He was born with a double chin and some serious flab. No rolls on his legs yet, though.

Here he is, comatose after eating. He seriously acts drunk after he eats. His eyes roll back in his head and he just acts loopy. He smiles too, sometimes, but I know that he doesn't know what he's doing. But he sure looks cute when he smiles!

Another drunk picture.

Tomorrow, we venture out of the house for our first doctors appointment. I have already been thinking about which of his cute oufits he should wear! Bech's parents are leaving tomorrow morning, so tomorrow will be the first day with our new family of three. I am excited but a little nervous!

We're home!

After being in the hospital since 7:45 Monday morning, we were finally discharged at 1:30 yesterday. I was ready to come home, but I definitely miss being there. It was nice to have a bed with massive amounts of pillows, nurses that bring you drinks and meds, and food brought to your bedside. Not to mention a bathroom that is right beside your bed!

Here is Jack with his "Bella." My mom had to leave early this morning at 6 a.m. Bless her heart, she has been away from home for 2 1/2 weeks...first to DC for Ansley's senate page graduation, then the scheduled week here, then she stayed a week longer when Jack didn't come.

I honestly do no know how I would have done this without her. I have fresh planted herbs and flowers on my back patio. I have a freezer stock full of frozen meals. Last night, she stayed downstairs with Jack and me so that Bech could get some sleep. She got maybe an hour of sleep (someone is fussiest right in the middle of the night!). And Jack just loves her...I can already tell!

Here is our sweet baby. And he really is so sweet. Except for the middle of the night fussiest, he is such a good baby. He only cries when he is hungry or when he is being changed--he hates not having clothes on!

He makes the funniest faces. And even though his hair looks mostly light brown, it looks really blonde from this angle. I wonder what it will end up being!

Love this pose! Watching him move makes me understand what all I was feeling in my stomach these past few months!

Here he is in his car seat, coming home from the hospital. We dressed him in a bonnet, a daygown, and crocheted booties. I don't think those yankees knew just what to think of him!!! He's already putting his fingers in his mouth, just like my little brother Blaise did!

Jack has on a pseudo Auburn tigers outfit, in honor of his Aunt KK. He loves to put his little chin up around his face. In fact, he loves to have his hands near his face at all times...so cute!

I am so exhausted right now--I haven't had a full nights sleep since last Saturday night. Jack loves to eat, and I'm the only one who can really help him with that right now. But I am very thankful that part has come pretty easily to us both. I have a feeling his newborn clothes won't fit much longer...

More Jack

Here is a video Bech took of Jack. I know, you may think this is completely boring. But I think he is absolutely precious in it. So ignore this post if you want--I totally understand!

Jack is here!

Jack Nolan Evans

June 21, 2011

2:42 p.m.

8 pounds, 13 ounces

21 inches long

Sorry I am just now posting this! We have had a rough past few days (plus our computer charger broke, so we were not able to update the blog!). After a long induced labor, I ended up having to have a c-section. But Jack is healthy and happy and absolutely gorgeous.

Seriously, look at those cheeks! I could just eat him up!

We are hopefully headed home tomorrow--Thank goodness! We have been at the hospital since Monday morning. I can't wait to have Jack safe and sound at home with us!

D-Day!

Well, still no Jack! So tomorrow, the hospital will call at 6 a.m. and let me know if I can come on in. Then they'll start the pitocin. Not super excited about that, but I know it will be okay!

I'm not a big fan of sharing too much information on my blog. A lot of people read this who probably have no desire to hear any of that sort of stuff! So don't expect any centimeter type updates! But I will try to keep the blog updated and, as soon as Jack makes his arrival, I will try to put pictures up of him.

Hopefully we will meet him tomorrow...I can't wait!

Almost 41 weeks

Well, we are still Jack-less in Vermont. Which is pretty tough for a couple of reasons.

(A) I am tired of being pregnant! I know there are some people out there who just love being pregnant. I am not one of those people. I am thankful to be pregnant. I know that some women would kill just to be able to be pregnant. So I really do not take being pregnant for granted. But at the same time, my back is killing me, I have some sort of heat rash on my lower stomach (and my stretch marks) that itches all of the time, and I can't for the life of me figure out any way to get comfortable when sleeping. So I would like Jack to come out of me soon!

(B) It looks like my family will not get to see Jack! My mom changed her ticket and is staying for almost a week longer. But my dad has to get back to work, and Blaise and Ansley need to go home. So, unless I go into labor like right this second, they will have spent a week up here with no Jack :( And we really have had fun. It's been sunny the past few days, so we've canoed, kayaked, sailed, cooked out. But I know everyone is ready and hoping to just see Jack!!!

And I have tried everything! I have walked, played "Just Dance" on the Wii (which is a HILARIOUS game), canoed, walked up and down lots of stairs, ate spicy foods, etc. I even drank tonic water last night (which tastes nasty, just for the record). I guess Jack just does not want to come!

So if I don't go into labor by Monday, they are going to induce me. I don't particularly want to be induced, but I am ready. But it's frustrating, because if I am going to end up having to be induced, then I'd rather have been induced this week, so that my dad could have at least held Jack!!!

Oh well. I have to remind myself that God has a plan, for big world events and even for little events, like when Jack is born. And God has promised that, because I am His child, nothing He does will ever not be for the good of me, even if that good is not apparent to me at the time!

So if y'all could just pray that I have patience, and maybe even that Jack will surprise us and be born today!

No baby... :(

I haven't posted in a few days, but not because Jack is here! In fact, it looks like he is going to take his own sweet time getting here! But my family (except Katy) is all here, so I would really like him to come soon.

They got in Saturday late afternoon. We headed out to their cabin (they are staying on Lake Champlain) to unpack, then into Burlington for dinner. Yesterday was pretty lazy: church, pizza lunch at our apartment, then the lake house. There is a great porch there that we sat on last night for a while. The view is amazing.

Unfortunately, it's been a little chilly and pretty rainy up here. It's supposed to clear up for a few days this week.

Today, I have my 40 weeks appointment, then Mom/Bella and Ansley and I are going to pick up some last minute things for Jack!

you tube videos

Here are a few videos/trailers that I like right now...

This first one is just a commercial. But I love it, and it makes me tear up. And I really don't think it's just cause I am pregnant. I think it's a really sweet commercial.

And of course, I LOVE this trailer! I cannot wait until this July. I rarely go see movies in theatres, but I will go see this one. But I am sad that now it's all over.

This video is HILARIOUS. It's a Harry Potter spoof of Dangerous Minds. My favorite lines?

"Class, pull out your spell books."

"Where you think we at, Hogwarts?"

"We only got one hippogriff!"

"There are only two ways out of here, the back of a broomstick and dark magic. I look like pro quidditch material to you?"

And yes, I kind of like this trailer...don't judge me. I have read all of the twilight books. And while they are not very good, and neither are the movies, I just feel the need to watch each new movie that comes out. I probably won't watch this in theatres (that's what netflix is good for!), but I still want to see it.

So excited about this movie! I just reread the book, and I am ready for the movie! I am hoping it will come out while I am back in Mississippi.

update

There is still no Jack. And I really wish he were here. I would love to say it was just because I was so eager to see him. I really am very eager to see him. But I am also very very uncomfortable, and would really like him to go ahead and come on out! Plus, my parents and Blaise and Ansley will be here Saturday. And as much as they love me, I think they would love to see Jack just a tad bit more!

I have a fun little story. Bech and I are CA's (kind of like RA's for graduate and family housing, where we live) for this next year. Yesterday, after a day of training, Bech decided to stay up at the school to go to the pottery studio. I rode home with the two other CA's. Halfway home, I looked down and my seat was wet. I told them that I thought my water had broke (broken?). I was super embarrassed, and they were immediately asking if they needed to turn the car around and take me to the hospital. I realized my bag, which I was holding in my lap, was soaking wet as well. Then I realized that my nalgene bottle was not completely screwed shut. So no, my water did not break...I am a complete idiot. But on the upside, that means my water did not break in the car of a girl I had just met that morning! I mean, can you imagine the embarrassment???

On a side note, anyone see this week's "The Secret Life of the American Teenager" (yes, I am 25, almost 26, years old, and I do watch that show. Yes, the acting is horrible. Yes, the plot is not much better. But I can't stop. Some of you out there do the whole Real Housewives or Jersey Shore thing...well this is my guilty pleasure!)? Ohmylanta is all I have to say.

39 weeks

How far along: 39 weeks

Baby Size: 20 inches, 7.25 pounds

Maternity clothes: Uh huh

Sleep: What is that? No, not really. But it is really hard. I usually wake up for at least a few hours in the middle of the night. But usually I can fall back to sleep eventually and sleep later in the morning.

Best moment this week: Getting the nursery bedding in!

Food cravings: Nutty bars

What I miss: my belly not being massive

What I'm looking forward to: Jack coming!

Milestones: 1 week til my due date?

Pregnancy symptoms: heartburn, cramping, swollen feet

Jack's nursery!

First, let me just say these aren't the best pictures in the world. I still have no idea what I am doing with our new camera. But Bech is at work, so I took the pictures. Which is actually probably better for you all, unless you want "artsy" sepia pics from Bech. He is really enjoying the new camera!

Here's is the wreath Katy made for the hospital door and for Jack's nursery. I hung it up randomly, because I had a nail already in the spot. But I am not sure where it will go. We also have a few pictures and two mobiles to hang up.

Jack's crib and Moses basket. Isn't the bedding sweet? The outside of the bumper is a light blue houndstooth that I absolutely adore.

The inside of the bumper and the crib sheet are white minky dot. It is so soft and sweet. Of course, Bech was quick to point out that it will not stay that white once Jack is in there! But I have bought some crib pads and everything is washable, so we're going to try! I love all of his cute animals. Now all we need is Jack!

A picture of the chair and the curtains. I just finished hemming them this morning. The chair is not ideal (the brown is too dark) but it will work for now. I would like to find an old rocker, paint it white, and make some cushions. But I think this chair will be good for feeding Jack in, at least at first.

Jack's dresser and changing table. Those are the nobs that came with the dresser. Bech is making some ceramic ones (or rather, has made), but they haven't been fired yet.

Jack's changing table. I have his newborn disposables and all of his cloth diapers ready to go. And he's already got quite the book collection! Plus, there's his houndstooth diaper bag. I swear, I am NOT an Alabama fan--I just love houndstooth!

So we still have more to do to finish it. Mostly, we just need to hang what we have on the walls, and we also need a lamp for the dresser. But I am so happy that it is mostly finished before Jack gets here!

Okay, I promise I will put some picture posts up soon! I would much rather read a blog post with pictures added, so I try to always do the same with my own posts.

And I have lots of pictures to put up! Jack's bedding came in yesterday, so I have been getting that all set up. Plus, I had to make the curtains. They are almost done--all I have to do is pin and hem the bottoms!

Today I got another fun package--a fabric wreath for the hospital! My sister, Katy, made it, and it has some of the fabrics from Jack's bedding. I will take a picture of that and share it with y'all.

Lately, I have just been being a bum, taking lots of naps and wearing pjs for half of the day. But, as Bech pointed out, this is the last time in my life (at least for a LONG time) that I will be able to do that! So I better just enjoy it!

Tonight, Bech is downtown for the Jazz Festival, then he has more work in the studio. He is working on a wedding registry for a Burlington couple. So I am at home, which means I am tinkering around on my blog, working on a Latin translation, and will most likely be watching "Murder, She Wrote" shortly. Um, when did I become an 80 year old?

Still no Jack, which is okay. His room was not ready. But it almost is, so he can come tomorrow or whenever after that he would like! Y'all can pray that he comes before (or at least at the early part) my parents come on the 11th. I would hate for them to come here and just stare at my belly. Actually I would prefer no one stare at my belly right now, but you know what I mean! I don't want to be induced, plus my doctor here won't induce me, so Jack needs to come on his own! Any tips?

38 weeks

How far along: 38 weeks and 3 days

Baby Size: 19 inches, 6.75 pounds

Maternity clothes: Why do even keep this question on here? Pretty much everything, or if its not, its just because its a pretty stretchy material.

Sleep: It's not fun. I just feel like there is no position I can get in that is reasonable comfortable. But I am able to take naps, so that helps.

Best moment this week: Hm...not sure. Maybe getting the downstairs really clean then setting up the pack and play. And the bedding should come in this week. So when that happens, it will be the best moment!

Food cravings: Orange sherbet, anything cold.

What I miss: being able to put pants on without sitting down. also, just bending down in general!

What I'm looking forward to: Jack coming!

Milestones: um...I don't know. Is being 38 weeks not a good enough milestone?

Pregnancy symptoms: heartburn, cramping, swollen feet

I feel like that whole update was a such a downer! But I am just REALLY uncomfortable! Also, I am nervous that Jack will not come before/while my parents are here!

But, on a positive note, we just bought tickets to come home...Yay! We are coming home August 6th through the 15th. I can NOT wait! I am more than a little nervous about flying with Jack. The flights are usually a 1 1/2 hour flight and a little over 2 hour flight. So that should be fun...not. But I always give people really kind looks in planes when they have crying babies. So maybe people will have pity on me and do the same, right?