Saturday, November 20, 2010

updates

So, I realize for those of you who don't keep up with us on Facebook I kinda left you hangin' with the whole "my fluid levels are low and we're inducing labor.... today" post.  I promise--all is well!!!







Here's the quick version:
Went to the hospital late Tuesday night with contractions coming every five minutes for almost two hours.  Once they got me hooked up to the monitors and all that to see how things were going, baby's heart rate had an episode of deceleration which required me to be on oxygen support to help baby.  Through the night, I puked and from that point, contractions slowly came to an end.  Had it not been for that deceleration episode they would have sent me home, but they wanted to keep me overnight for observation.  My doctor came in the next morning and ordered an ultrasound (biophysical profile) to be done on baby just to check things out before sending us home.  The fluid levels were measured REALLY low... twice.  by two different techs.  It was low enough that my doctor (with John and myself) decided to induce.  Pitocin was begun, contractions started back up, and eventually my doc broke my water.  Shortly thereafter, anesthesia came in to administer my epidural (he did a great job) and I slept the next six hours.  I was so very thankful for this sleep as I had stayed awake all of the previous night (due to frustration of ending contractions) and was in dire need of decent rest.  At about 12:30 am, I was completely dilated.  The room was set up, my doc came in, and baby arrived a push later (yeah, that part of my deliveries goes pretty quickly).  It was love at first sight and we've been snuggling and loving on him as much as possible ever since!

Overall, he has a pretty laid-back demeanor (so far, at least).  Nursing--which was the most horrible experience with Emerson--has gone wonderfully!  I had already come to terms with the fact that Jackson would also prove to be a difficult eater and that we just wouldn't connect when it comes to breastfeeding.  I was quick to remind myself that I only lasted 5 or 6 weeks with Emma and she's turned out fine up to this point.  If nursing wasn't going to work out, I would just make the switch to formula and not look back.  Praise the Lord (yes, this is something I and some close friends had been praying about), Jackson is a GREAT eater.  It was funny, one morning the new nurse came in while I was feeding him and she said, "Wow, you can really tell which moms are experienced breastfeeders..." I literally laughed out loud.  ME?!?! experienced!?!? HA!  The lactation consultant even used us as an example for proper technique! Needless to say, things are going much better than expected!  The past few nights, he has eaten at midnight or so (which I'm already up for), then again at 330 or so, and then not til like 8 or 830--all the while going right back to sleep after he's finished eating!  All that to say, God is good--so very, very good!  (oh, and he was back up to birth weight as his 5-day doc appt.  I told you he was a good eater!)

I was so worried that I wouldn't be immediately in love with this baby and that my grief from Malachi's death would still be too much to allow for room for Jackson.  I knew, however, that God answers prayers that are asked according to His will.  Obviously, it would be God's will for me to LOVE my son, so even though I couldn't fathom it I was able to trust that God would answer that prayer for our family.  Sure enough, as soon as I laid eyes on this baby I was smitten.  Completely infatuated. Unashamedly in love. 

It is interesting to John and I just how much  more appreciative we are of the little (big) things that come with a healthy baby.  For instance, knowing our baby can hear us and that he can see us is a blessing we most definitely took for granted with Emerson.  Not only that, but we were thankful for things like the ability for him to breathe on his own without the use of a ventilator, let alone the ability to breathe through his nose! Jackson was perfectly knit by God within my very being.  Amazing!

Lastly...
As you've noticed, we landed on the name Jackson Nehemiah.  Not only do we really like how the name Jackson sounds, but Jack (for whatever reason) is a nickname for John and obviously this baby is John's son.  So to that end, he is somewhat named after my husband without just blatantly calling him John Jr.  The name Nehemiah means God will comfort.  What an appropriate promise for our family to cling to now and always.  A perfect name for our perfect gift from above. 

10 comments:

  1. Oh MY GOODNESS!! He is so beautiful! You are so blessed. So glad everything is ok.

    Be blessed
    Ashlee

    ReplyDelete
  2. He is beautiful and I know you are so proud! I read your posts and tears come to my eyes thinking about what you guys have been through and you keep that sweet spirit and love for God. May He continue to richly bless you!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love these pictures, he's precious! I'm so glad breastfeeding is coming so naturally, I can only imagine how much extra comfort that time with Jackson gives you. I love that the new life of this little one has brought new life to your soul as well. I love hearing you so happy!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Congratulations on your beautiful new blessing!

    ReplyDelete
  5. congrats..he is beautiful! so happy for you and your whole family. God is so good. LOVE the name and the meaning behind it! i can't imagine what your family has been through and have been praying for you guys. take care and God bless!
    Lindsey
    http://arewardfromhim.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. He's amazing and beautiful and so perfect! Couldn't be happier for all of you! Praise God for answered prayer!

    ReplyDelete
  7. He is GORGEOUS!! I think Malachi taught all of us to appreciate our (healthy) babies just a little bit more... Just another thing God intended for him during his time on Earth :) Love Jack and hope all is well :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Congratulations!! He is completely beautiful :) I love his name, and the meaning of it :) Hope you're enjoying every second!

    ReplyDelete
  9. He is an absolutely perfect addition to your family, he is loved from above and on earth. Thanks for sharing the whole story...I'm not on Facebook, so I was waiting rather impatiently! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Beautiful blog, beautiful son! I'm so happy for you!!

    ReplyDelete