Newborn Pictures

We took Jackson last Saturday to Chandi Kessler's for newborn pictures when he was 8 days old. She did an amazing job with him and here is a sneak peak from the session. She did a lot of posses and outfit changes! The crane was one of Matt's favorite toys when he was a little boy and Taylor made the blanket to match his nursery! I have a feeling these are going to be a few of my favorites. More to come!!

Pedicures??

We had a doctor appointment for Jackson and Taylor was running errands so we made a last second decision to get pedicures. Jackson got hungry ten minutes in so I had to feed him. He loved the vibrating chairs! He was the talk of the nail salon....

Jackson's First Two Weeks

The first two weeks (officially tomorrow) of Jackson's life have been a learning experience for me. I know everyone says you will learn as you go, but I am thankful for tips and tricks that people have sent my way. I have to give a big thanks to Brooke for telling me what to do to get through my night without being a zombie!! We are learning for each other but each day I think I might love him even more! Here are a few things from this week: 

Jackson. Weighs 8.3lbs and has become a great eater! I was worried breastfeeding wasn't going to work but we are getting better everyday and man is this little boy hungry!! 

 Willie is adjusting to not be I.g the center of attention. He does keep a watch on Jackson at all times.

Just him sleep in, I like to send Matt pictures 50 

 Times a day!

 He is a little hot box and always sticks his feet out.

 A cute one from the hospital.

Loves this paci and it is adorable!

5 Day Check Up- August 19th

5 Days Old

Length: 20.5 inches - 79%

Weight: 7lb 13 oz- 53%

Head Circumference: 14 inches- 71%

First Bath

 Love this picture. This is Matt and Jackson after his first bath at home. He loves to just stare at us, especially after he eats when he is wide awake. We still can't tell what color his eyes are. Matt says they are blue and I kind of think they might be brown. Who knows, I would love if they were blue like Matt's. Such a little handsome man.

 Wide awake....

Flowers from the hospital. Below are a bouquet of beautiful flowers from Meg.

 These beauties were from Issac and Taylor. I love having both vases to look at on my kitchen table. They are both gorgeous.

KU Baby

This was taken the first night we were home. This isn't the first or last time little Jackson will be rocking his KU gear! Rock Chalk!

Going Home

We got to go home on Sunday, August 17th. We were home and getting comfortable before Jackson was supposed to be induced. It was nice having help in the hospital but we were ready to come home. I was happy to be at my own house with all my boys! 

 All snuggled up in his carseat. He looks so small! When we left the hospital he weighed 8lbs even which his pediatrician said was normal for this little guys size. They usually lose up to 10% of body weight within the first week. He goes back on Tuesday for a checkup.

Jackson Dean Jones 8/15/14

Jackson Dean Jones decided to make his debut on Friday August 15th, 2014 at 8:22am. He was 21 inches long and weighed 8 lbs 10 ounces.

I went to work on Thursday the 14th and was going about my normal routine. I went to see Dr.Dameron at 9:40am to make sure everything was progressing and to see how Baby J was doing. I went in an was dialated to a 2 and 80% effaced. I was happy to hear this because I was still planning on getting induced on Sunday so to me this sounded like he might come before my induction date. After I got checked they hooked me up to a heart rate monitor to check on the baby. When I was on the monitor his heart rate was in the 130's but the nurse said everything looked good. I left the office and went back to work. It was a quite day where most of my co-workers were out on sales calls and I was going to meet them at Jason's Deli at noon. I was feeling okay but a little crampy and as the day went on the cramps were getting stronger and closer together. 

I left work and went to lunch which was delicious but the whole time we were eating I felt miserable. I left and went back to work and asked my boss if I could go home early and then was contemplating what to do. Matt was in traveling on Thursday but was local so I knew he would be home by 5 or so but I didn't want to call and scare him with the unknown. I was nervous to drive all the way home to Heyworth and thought maybe I needed to go to the hospital. I ended up going back to Dr.Dameron's office where they re-checked me and I was still at a 2 and this time they were monitoring my contractions. After about 40 minutes they sent me home.   

I came home and called Taylor to see what she thought I needed to do because I didn't want to be "that girl" who went to the hospital too early and was sent home. I like to think I have a high tolerance in pain and all I can say was that these contraction hurt. I called Matt and he told me he would be home by 4:00pm or so. When we go home we started to time contractions and when they were about 2 minutes apart we headed to the hospital. Upon arrival I was still dialated the same amount and they hooked me up to monitor his heart rate and my contractions. When we were in triage our nurse came in who ended up being Issac's sister (Taylor's Fiance) who I had never met but was happy to be in such great hands. We were in triage for about 3 hours before we were admitted. Once we were moved into a patient room they gave me some pain medicine which helped a little with contractions and then within the hour I got an epidural. All I can say is epidurals are amazing! Once I had the epidural I was relaxed and felt a million times better. At this point I thought everything was going as planned and that maybe within 24 hours we would meet our little boy.

Throughout the night we got a little bit of rest and it seemed like we were on the right track. I had dialated to a 3 at this point but Baby J's heartrate was really "flat" (not as high as it should be) so at about 1am they gave me a shot of ephedrine and put me on oxygen to try to increase his heart rate. My blood pressure was really low as well so we all were being monitored very closely. Around 2am, Melissa told us that we might want to call our parents or anyone else who we wanted to be there for his birth because nothing was improving so a c-section might be coming. We decided against calling our parents because we didn't want to scare anyone and while this is going on and I getting really scared for our unborn baby. I just wanted to make sure he was going to be okay. 

In the next hour we both started to improve but Melissa let us know that when Dr.Dameron came in they would review our case and most likely we would be having a c-section that morning. When Dr.Dameron did her rounds she checked me and I was at a 4 and she broke my water. Within about 20 minutes we still weren't doing any better so at 7:30am we were told we would be having a c-section and at 8:22am Jackson Dean was born! The whole c-section experience was really fast and is really a whirlwind to me. One minute we were being taken back and the next he was born. Matt did great and got a few pictures right when he was born (sorry for the graphic pictures). 

Here he is! We couldn't believe how much hair he had and it is almost black. Matt likes to point out his baby mullet. I am in love! I just hope it stays dark like this!!

 First time hearing him cry.  Weighing in at 8lb 10oz and 21 in. long. 

 Getting his APGAR test. He scored a 9.

 Holding Jackson for the first time. 

 He loves to suck on his hands. 

 Proud Daddy! Matt was fantastic while we were in the hospital and he is so helpful with Jackson now that we are at home. I love watching him hold this little guy and loving on him.

 First family photo. I can't wait to get his new born pictures where I am hoping to look a little better!

 In love!

 Aunt Taylor. Taylor is a life flight nurse for OSF St.Francis in Peoria and she actually had a flight to Bloomington the morning Jackson was born so I got to she here for a few minutes in her cute flight suit and she sent us some sweet wishes before he was born. She probably knew before we did that we would have him via c-section.

 Getting all warmed up!

 This little ones loves to be swaddled. No one does it like the nurses in the hospital.

40 weeks and still no baby....

So 40 weeks have come and gone and still no baby. We went to the doctor yesterday and I am 1.5 cm dialated and 75% effaced which is a step up from last week but I think she just told me I had progressed to make me feel better. After seeing the doctor we got hooked up to the monitor and his heart rate was perfect the whole time. 

When we were there Dr.D talked to us about inducing on Thursday and we were all ready to go and then today I got the call with the date moved to Sunday. I am just hoping he will be here well before Sunday....

39 Weeks

39 weeks down! I went to the doctor today and I am progressing just very slowly. I have an appointment next week to talk about options but she said I could make it to 41 weeks before we induce. Baby J is happy in there and I think Matt is too! He told me the 15th would be a good date but I would be okay with this weekend. Here is my weekly pic...