Auntie Kim and daughter Samantha
Jack- Just Born!!
Jack arrived at 5:34 am Tuesday Oct 21, a week ahead of schedule. (4 lbs 11 oz 17.5")
Mom started having contractions Sunday evening around 10pm. They were pretty regular then basically went away. She had 3 more days at work until maternity leave, so headed in to say goodbye to the students just incase- and to try to wrap things up. Made it through a full day at work, with very little contractions. By the time she got home in the afternoon, they were coming back, and pretty fiercely. We had an appointment for getting the new house documents signed at the title company at 4pm. Mom told Dad to hurry cause it may not be much longer. Went to the appointment with mom in a fair amount of pain. A few hours later we were back at home, contractions were stronger and stronger- enough to make mom need to sit down. Off we went to the hospital (only 5 mins away). We may have been sent home because though intense, the contractions still were not regular. But mom apparantly had undetected hypertension because her BP was high. It had never been high throughout the entire pregnancy! We must have checked in around 7pm.....after the contractions became stronger, time became more fuzzy. Mom tried to watch the clock to see what happened when, but now has no clue. Dad was a great support, and pushed on Mom's lower back through contractions. After a heavenly epidurual- things were much more managable. Mom could still feel a bit of pressure but very little pain. She could tell when Jack was near to making his entrance, even though he was so small! A doctor we had never met delivered, because Mom's OB was not on shift until a few hours later. This Dr was grumpy but did a professional job. Jack's heart rate had been going up and down and scaring everyone so we were thrilled when he made his entrance into the world at 5:34 am, with a good cry to announce it. Dad cut the umbilical cord and soon after he was clean, scored well and was snuggled on Mom's chest. He spent some extra time getting checked out and Mom was glad that Dad went with.
We spent 3 nights in the hospital, and were moved to post partum after the second night. This was more spacious, and Mom and Jack finally figured out how to make breastfeeding work. It took quite a few tries, but now it is like clockwork! We came home Thursday afternoon. Since he was 1 week early, Dad had to come home for a few hours the night before to get ready for Jack's homecoming. He searched through the boxes (we have been trying to move into our new house for forever) and found the Graco Pack and Play w/bassinet and changing table from Grandma Geeg. Thank goodness for that! Jack sleeps at the end of our bed and is doing wonderfully. He has such a sweet, laid back personality. He is very easy going and not hard to please. He loves to be swaddled and hang out and just look around at everything. His first meeting at the Pediatricians is today! We love Jack SO MUCH and would not change a thing!!
