Sunday, May 31, 2009

Sweet Baby J

Wow, I feel like time is flying and we have been running non stop since Jackson's arrival. We had another really busy week/weekend. My mom got into town on Wednesday. We went on walks, went to the mall and Babies R Us and hung out in the gorgeous Seattle weather. On Friday my Dad flew into town as well and we had a Bar B Que at my brother's house. On Sat. we went to a pool for a while and then went to friends' for another Bar B Que and today we have a 1st birthday to go to. I am thankful for all of the fun activities we have to attend but I'm getting tired and I'm looking forward to a few days at home with just Jackson and me. We have another busy weekend next weekend so I'm going to try and get some r & r in the next few days.

Little Jackson is just so good and so easy to haul around town it makes it easy to get out and go. Yesterday we were out and about all day and he basically just wakes to eat and then falls back asleep. He is such a little angel. Now I know why infertility was so hard on me (and everyone who experiences it). Having a baby is such an amazing experience. Jackson is the center of my every move now and the love I feel for him is so intense. The thought of never being able to experience mommyhood is heartbreaking. I just feel like the luckiest mommy in the world and I think I appreciate our little miracle so much after everything it took for us to have him.


Jackson at two weeks...
- likes his bath (hated it at first)
- sleeps most of the day
- turns his head from side to side during tummy time (and accidentally rolled over the other day)!
- likes his vibrating chair & the swing
- sleeps in the bassinet at night
- eats about every 3-4 hours
- weighs about 7.5 lbs (just an estimate)
- likes to be swaddled at night
- most newborn clothes are still too big
- smiles in his sleep when he is milk drunk
- likes the car and the stroller
- doesn't like his diaper change
- grunts a lot!

Of course here are a few pics from the past week







Tuesday, May 26, 2009

The 12 days of Jackson

Day 12 and we are still doing great! Jackson is still a happy little guy and has started being awake a little more during the day. He is such a little joy and we are having a blast! We had a great, relaxing weekend...went on a few walks, hung out with some friends, and watched movies. J went back to work today so Jack and I are hanging out just the two of us and I'm loving every minute of it.

We have fallen into a little bit of a night time routine. I'm sure it's subject to change at any minute but as of the last week Jackson is waking about every 2 1/2-3 hours at 10:30, 1:00, 4:00 and about 6:30. He sleeps well in between and although I'm tired I'm starting to get used to sleeping in 2-3 hour stretches. I've found the if I just roll over and nurse in bed I can get a lot more sleep rather than take Jackson into the nursery and get him too awake. I am producing enough milk to feed all of the octuplets which has it's positives and negatives. Jackson can eat really quickly, no more than 10 minutes per feeding because my milk is pouring out but I have so much it is really hard for him to latch on at first because the milk is just too much for him. He gags and chokes and the milk pours out the side of his mouth! Poor little guy is drowning in milk! My milk should start to even out and not be so much for him soon but in the mean time he'll just have to get used to it!

My mom is headed up tomorrow to spend a few days. It will be nice to have her here again! Below are some pics from the weekend. I think he is starting to fill out a little more. At his Pediatrition appt on Thursday he was 6lbs7oz, up from 6lbs on Monday. By now he should have surpassed his birth weight. We may be nearing the 7lb range now!








Wednesday, May 20, 2009

The perfect pooper!

My child is the perfect pooper!! This sounds crazy but when you are exclusively breast feeding and you aren't sure if you are providing your baby with enough nutrients it can be disheartening. Jackson is letting me know his getting enough though by pooping each and every time I feed him...clockwork! He even has super powers and he can shoot his poop from his bum across the room, or if you're not careful, all over the front of his Mom's shirt. He's so talented :-)

Jack and I are still perfecting the whole breastfeeding thing but it is going really well. I have an abundance of milk and he is a very good little sucker. We are still working on figuring out our schedules, length of feeds and time at each breast but all in all we are doing great. I also have to say that so far I love nursing! I love the time we have together while feeding and I love when he falls asleep at the breast and snuggles into my chest. I'm sore and my boobs are each the size of a basketball but so far I think that this is one of the most rewarding experiences I have ever had. Knowing that I am sustaining this little life day in and day out is truly a miracle.

My Mom went back home on Monday and it was really hard. We are doing great as a little family of three and we are really enjoying our time by ourselves with Jackson but it was really hard when she left. She is so in love with Jack!!! I think she almost loves him as much as I do and I knew how painful it was for her to leave him. I think for her it was almost like leaving your own child so soon. We both knew it was time for her to go but it breaks my heart because she doesn't get to hold him and smell him everyday like I do. Thankfully she will be back next Wednesday and will get some more quality time with her Grandson. It would be great if my parents just lived a little closer!!!!

We have had a lot of visitors, at least a few people a day and we probably had about 35 people at the hospital by the time we left. Today my Grandma and Aunt Julie drove all the way from Portland to see little Jackson for a few hours and then drove all the way home. It was a long trip for a short time but we were really happy to see them. Jack is my grandparents first Great Grandchild and my Grandma was anxious to get her hands on him. Thanks for coming ladies, Jackson loved meeting you!


Okay, I need to go eat so of course I'll leave you with a few pics!







Monday, May 18, 2009

A Star is Born

I'm pretty sure I'm the luckiest person in the world right now. How did I become so blessed? I am in heaven with our new little addition! He is perfect in every way and I can't imagine my life without him. I look forward to every minute I get to spend with him. As I write this the tears are flowing just thinking about how much I love him!

Ok, I'll pull myself together and give you all the juicy details of Jackson's arrival (don't worry, I'll leave a few out)!

On Wed the 13th I woke up feeling sorry for myself and wishing Jackson was in my arms. I went to the gym and worked out, walked the dogs and bounced on the exercise ball all afternoon hoping it would help get him out. Jimmy worked at home all day and we ordered pizza at about 5ish. I ate a ton, more than usual which turned out to be a very good thing as it was my last meal for quite some time.

At about 6:30 pm I stood up after going to the bathroom and felt warmth running down my leg. I sat back down thinking I was still peeing when liquid started flowing into the toilet and I knew it wasn't urine. My water broke!!!

I yelled to Jimmy to get me a towel so I could stand up and we started getting ready, we knew we were finally having a baby! I called the Dr. and my parents. My mom was at the gym and started hyperventilating while running out to get home and get in the car to head up and meet her new Grandson. Jimmy and I took our time getting out of the house. I did my hair and put on some makeup, Jimmy took a shower and we packed up. We arrived at labor and delivery at about 7:30, bags packed, huge smiles and ready to get the show on the road.

I was hooked up to the monitors and was having contractions irregularly but nothing painful and I was still 3cm 90% effaced, same as the day before. We decided to try and get labor going on my own by walking the halls and relaxing. If nothing was happening by midnight they were going to start pitocin to get things moving. Jimmy's Mom got to the hospital, my friend Mary and her daughter came by and we just walked and hung out for a few hours.
I felt my 1st strong contraction at about 11:00pm. It wasn't anything unbearable but it was definitely different from the contractions I had been experiencing the past several months. The contractions continued to be irregular until midnight and my parents strolled in after a long, stormy drive just in time for the action to begin. At 12am I was about 3.5cm dilated so a little bit of progress had been made and we decided to start pitocin and get things moving. By 12:30 my contractions had really picked up and I was in some pain. I asked for the epidural and by 1:30 when I received it I was experiencing the worst pain I had ever felt. The contractions were on top of each other and lasting for about 1 minute. I couldn't get the pain medication soon enough. I'm glad I was able to feel the pain of labor and breath through the contractions but the epidural was fantastic and I'm so glad I decided to get it. The rest of the labor was a piece of cake!

Once the medication kicked in I was able to rest a bit and my Mom & Dad, Jimmy, Judy and I were all in the room chatting and hanging out. I was checked again at 3am and was about 7-8cm and 100% effaced and at 5am I was feeling the pain with the contractions again and I was checked and was ready to push. The pushing was hard work! Jimmy was amazing. He held a leg and counted for me through each contraction. After 11/2 hours of pushing, Jackson slid right out at 6:39 am weighing 6lbs10oz and 19inches long. It was magical and he was beautiful! Jimmy cut the cord and Jackson found his lungs right away. Our new life was here and we were on cloud 9!

About an hour after he was born he latched right on and started sucking and hasn't stopped since. He is a great little eater and has been a perfect little angel. He is a very calm baby and really only cries and fusses when he is hungry. We have never been so excited to see poop and pee in a diaper and we are obsessed with every grunt and little noise he makes. He is eating about every 2-3 hours round the clock but just sleeps away between feedings. I actually got about 7 hours of sleep last night (albeit I went to bed at 7:30 and got up at 7am).

Yesterday we got out and went on Jackson's first walk and 1st trip to Starbucks. He did great and it was nice to get out and about. My recovery has been going well and my pain is minimal. Nothing Advil can't relieve. My mom has been here taking advantage of all the new Grandma moments and loving every minute of it. She is headed home today for about a week and she is already crying thinking about being away from him. We will miss her!













Friday, May 15, 2009

Jackson Ray Vann

Jackson is here!!! I will post a detailed birth story soon but for now here are some pics. He was born at 6:39am on Thursday the 14th weighing in at 6lbs10oz. He is doing fabulous and happy to be in his new home. We are so in love!!!! More to come soon.



Ready to go home!

So happy to finally be a Daddy!



Proud Grandpa