Two Weeks Old

Time is flying by faster than I thought possible.  Mom left yesterday and Ryan's parents are flying in today with Aunt Jo and Uncle Randy, so we're going to have a full house this weekend.  Last night was our first night alone at home.  So how did we spend it, I went to bed about 7:45p.m. and Ryan stayed up with the baby, so I could get some rest.  Too Funny! Also I have to apologize to everyone I haven't called back yet, I really do love you all and appreciate all the support, phone calls, packages, and gifts, and I also do WANT to talk with you, but everything has been so crazy and I've been so exhausted as you can imagine.  Once all the company is gone I will be on the phone I promise.  Just know I do love you all.  Also to Grandma DeMarcus (Mom)  Thank you so much for coming.  It was so great to have such a wonderful support system during this transition time.  You have been a huge help, I will miss you greatly, as will Jackson.  Thank you for making the burp rags and for all the housework you did, but most of all for the encouraging words, Thank You, Thank You, THANK YOU!  I'm so glad you came.


                                                        Here's a few pics taken this week...

 

 

 

 

The First Week

Well this was a week we will never forget, and there's not many of those in ones lifetime.  We, Ryan, Grandma DeMarcus (mom), and I arrived at the hospital at 5:45 a.m. and began to prepare for surgery.  I was so excited, Ryan was so nervous, and mom was probley a little of both.  It was so fast however Jackson came into the world at 7:55 a.m.  It all went very well and we were in our room within about two hours.  The first night...not so easy.  Jackson was up all night screaming.  This hospital is brand new (sooo beautiful, the bathrooms look like hotel suites, and the lobby looks like a ski lodge) and does not have a nursery.  They never take your baby out of your sight the entire time from birth to discharge.  When we did the tour of the hospital several months ago I thought this was the neatest thing, so bonding, and un hospital like.  I was starting to rethink that as the hours went on :)  The next night was perfect, we oppted out of the hourly rounds (which I was unaware was an option the first night)  and we were able to get lots of much needed sleep.  The next morning the Doctor came in and informed us everything looked good and we could leave as soon as our discharge papers were filled out.  Woo Hoo!   Aunt Carly came up from Vegas on Sunday.  It was so great to see her.  She got to hang out with us for a lazy days.  We've pretty much stayed close to home, I've had a few errands to run, and Ryan had to go back to work on Monday, but other than that, hanging out at the house (we even had a pajama day on Tuesday...that was nice).  Nights have been better than expected, and only one sleepless so far (don't worry I'm sure there's more to come).  I have healed much faster than I expected, and thanks to Ryan and Mom's help I was able to take things slow.  So far the worst part of this entire experience has been the painful breastfeeding.  However it's going, again, much better than expected.  He figured it out on the first day, and with the help of breastfeeding class we took, I was well prepared.  That's our week, Exciting doesn't cover it.  Miraculous maybe?  Awesome for sure, and Memorable is an understatement.      

This Week in Photos...

 

My Little Angel found his thumb

 

Ryan's celebratory cigar

 

 What a sweet boy...sooo happy

Our Oregon Duck

  

One Week Old

 Which side am I on? 

 Aunt Carly's visit

  

Welcome To the World

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just a few pics from the hospital stay...

Fight Night

Well this was our last weekend before the baby comes.  Our friend Reiko from Las Vegas came to visit on Thursday and left today.  We got to hang out and go to the mall, get facials, and just have girl talk, while Ryan was working.  It was really nice for us to have someone here we have known for several years, and really great to see her.

So on Saturday night we went to watch the MMA fights.  Ryan's friend came with us and we had a great time.  It was so exciting, none of us, except Ryan's friend whose name is also Ryan, had ever seen the fights live only on TV so it was quite an adventure. We can't wait to do it again. 

Reiko brought up a gift for the baby some little onsies, two pant sets, and a diaper bag,

and Aunt Trish sent up a gift as well, some really cute clothes and an adorable picture frame with wooden hanging frames and magnets that attach to them with "firsts" on them like first haircut etc.  It is so cute and will be so fun to hang them out and enjoy each moment. 

Thank You Dave and Trish !

The DATE!

Finally, Finally, Finally, we have a date, and we can sleep  (yeah right).   Our Baby boy will be born on Sept 30th (unless I happen to go into labor before that).  We are having a scheduled C-Section, and we are both so excited we can hardly think straight. Only a week away!!!!!!!!  We are trying to get all our loose ends caught up this final week: wash the bottles and find a place for them, set up the guest bath, install the car seat, pack baby bag, pack our bag, set up the changing station and portacrib in our room, purchase a video camera, grocery shopping and food inventory, schedule a pedicure, manicure, and facial, (probably wont get another for a while), and Ryan has rescheduled all of his patients and taken the time off.  WOW ONE WEEK! In one week our lives as we have know them will be over, and our new lives now as three will begin. 

We received several packages this last week, Luke and Deanna sent up some onsies, an adorable bath robe and washcloths, and a Target gift card, which we used to purchase a wipe warmer, baby hangers, and a baby scheduler.   Arica sent up a wonderful gift for me, that I have already started using, it will be a big help throughout the next year, and as most of you know I love to have everything planned! We also received a package from Shannon Pitchforth a beautiful crocheted blanket (his first homemade blanket which I am soooooo excited for him to have and be able to keep and treasure, and it is so soft).Thanks to everyone!!!!!!

The Fun Part

Wait, what?  Well it's here like a ton of bricks.  Everyone said the last month is the worst.  "Just wait"  how many times have I heard that.  It can't get that bad I thought.  However it's amazing how you pass that mark, the last countdown and things begin to change drastically.  The baby runs out of room in your ever stretched out tummy.  Head down and pushing every liquid to the brink of leaking out at any time. ( or so it feels like)  How is he not folded in half when I sit down? Seriously the process still amazes me everyday.  Those hands and feet protruding inches above your tight tummy. (terrifying is the word that comes to mind during those moments)  How does the skin not break open?  I feel like Bella in Breaking Dawn with the "alien creature" trying to break out at any moment :)  Last night I slept well considering I had to get up and go to the bathroom five times, no joke, five times.  I think that's a record for me.  I keep getting the " you look tired" comments from people.  My response..."I miss coffee" And I really do, however I'm not sure it would help with the dark circles, and puffy eyes, I certainly don't feel as tired as I look.  Yesterday i was at Costco, when one of "those kicks" happened.  I didn't realize I had grabbed my side and obviously made a wincing face, until a lady came up to me grabbed my arm and asked if I was OK.  How embarrassing.  I told her I was fine, and explained it was just a hard kick.  I  hadn't realized that other people could see me, it's amazing that I can be in public and yet be totally involved in my own pregnant world.  I can just imagine what I looked like to her, one of those people in labor and out shopping, just waiting to fall down and cause a scene because they were too stubborn to go home and lay down.  That's what her face said to me anyway. I didn't think I was going to get swollen.  Why?  I'm not sure, just thought I'd luck out of that one.  But I'm down to necklaces and earrings for flare.  I don't even want to pull my hair back, I need it to cover my chubby cheeks and wide nose, and double chin.  Rings are no more and even shoes are iffy depending on the shoe.  Mostly in tennis shoes, I need the support and comfort really.  I thought I'd be the girl that wore her heels to the hospital, but to no avail, again I'm only human and very very pregnant.

Discovery

Salt Creek Falls

Oregon Blackberries


Dexter Reservior



Last weekend we met a new neighbor who informed us of a waterfall less than an hour away from our new home. We decided to go and did a little exploring along the way. There's a ton of stuff 20 minutes from our house we never even knew about. We found an amazing campground (even picked out the best spots for reservations), two HUGE lakes, the second tallest waterfall in Oregon, and even picked a few blackberries. There's also this little town that has a old park with trains, and tractors, and stuff that kids can climb on and play with, it looks so fun, I can't wait to take our boy there. It was a great day, and we can't wait to really start enjoying all that our new place has to offer.

Mommy Photoshoot

33 Weeks

Well we can't believe how quickly time has flown by. 33 weeks all ready. It's really amazing. My friend Deanna from St George had her baby boy Anthon on Friday morning (37 weeks) and my friend Hope from Eugene is having her baby boy as I write (also 37 weeks). So if I was to follow that trend, in four weeks we could be meeting our son for the first time. Just writing "Our Son" is so weird, and exciting, and scary, and weird, and awesome. Yea words do not describe our emotions, we are delighted, and we wish it was today!

Saturday we received a package from Aunt Tina (Christy). An apple box full of clothes, and sheets, and burp rags, everything we still needed. I will be spending the day organizing the drawers and matching sizes, now that I have the other dresser done and in the room. It was an amazing gift, and we are so fortunate to have so many people thinking of us and offering their help. We could not have gotten ready for this emotionally or financially without each of your contributions so again we say thank you, thank you, thank you, from the bottom of our hearts we appreciate each and every thing you have all done for us. Thank you Tina I love you very much.

Weekend Projects

Well a few weeks ago we decided to take the month of August off from working on the house, and go have fun, you know really enjoy this last few weeks of "just the two of us". However we decided we have more fun working on the house really. It is so rewarding when you're doing projects like these. So the weekends start out with of coarse more shopping (Home Depot, Jerry's, Lowes) gathering supplies, shelving, paint, stain, stuff like that. Then the work begins, we've stained the other dresser, for the baby's room, refinished the piano, finished pressure washing the back deck, painted all the patio furniture we bought at a garage sale (they were forest green and white with rust all over them but boy was the price right) , and last but not least, put together the baby's room. When you write it down it sure sounds like a lot. Anyway we both had a lot of fun and loved the end results. (Oh while we were in the garage staining Suni was so cute looking through the window watching us I had to include the picture)

The Fishin' Boat!

Well the tech at Ryan's work heard we were wanting an old fishing boat, and had just what we were looking for. Ryan brought it home on Friday and I was so surprised with all the character it had. (Think ahead to pictures of his first fish next to this adorable boat......my thoughts exactly) It was made in the 1950's, and I think it will be just right for our family.

Finally Rain!

For a place that "always rains" summers are beautiful and dry. It finally did rain for a bout an hour the other day, and it was just beautiful. (very "Twilighty" don't you think :) This picture was taken out of the baby's room window. What a view right! He's got the best one in the house!

Organizing, Organizing, Organizing

Lately I've been trying to organize the baby's room. Put the clothes in sizes so as to see what I still need, stuff like that. I made a list of things I thought we still needed after having the baby shower and went out and got them. I was feeling very "ready" for about a day. Then I talked to people and found out I had left things off my list I had never thought of. As easy as it is for a first time mom to forget about burp rags, and things like that, I started to wonder. I think that's the challenge realizing you'll never be as prepared as you'd like to be. Realizing life will never let you be fully "ready". There will always be something coming at you, that wasn't in your plan. It's parenthood. How could you really ever be ready for something that is completely different for every person. As frightening as that sounds, I think it's really exciting. We are so anxious to meet this little guy, and finally know him. To have put the piece in the puzzle and see what the picture is. We can't wait!

A package came yesterday. We opened it up, and I shrieked with excitement. (ask Ryan I stunned him). We had registered for this Mommy's Melodies bear, it plays womb sound as well as others. I thought it seamed so comforting. Well I went to get it a few days ago and it was gone (they did have a pink one left) so I tried another store and again nowhere. I was sad I had missed out on it, and kicked myself for not buying it months ago, but who knew. Then there it was in the box. I said something unrecognizable to Ryan as I scooped it up and hugged it. When I calmed down and Ryan figured out who had sent the package, he said, well no wonder it was something you really wanted, It's from your sister, she knows you. So Thanks Aunt Arica sooooooooo Much!