Aaron Comes Home

After Aaron had a final weight check and bilirubin check, we finally left Baptist South around 4:00 pm on Thursday afternoon.  Bringing Aaron home was exciting and a little overwhelming.  He developed a "clicking" sound as he nursed on Wednesday, so we were trying to work through some feeding issues.  Connor was tired from swimming and playing with Grammy and Pop-pop, and of course Chris and I were tired.  The Greenerts came by to visit, and we ordered Brucci's pizza for dinner.  Aaron went about 4 hours between night feedings so we got a little bit sleep (we are just thankful he wasn't on 2-hour feedings like Connor!).  We are just glad to be back in our home as a family of 4!

Connor Meets Aaron

My Dad brought Connor to the hospital to meet Aaron on Wednesday morning.  Although he was glad to see Chris and I, Connor was much more interested in the construction going on right outside my hospital window.  He loved watching the diggers, trucks, and firetrucks (ambulance) driving around.  Aaron gave Connor a few presents - two "big brother" books and three new choo-choos!  Connor really wanted to share his choo-choos with Aaron, but all Aaron wanted to do was nap!  He did give Aaron some sweet snuggles and helped me put his hat back on his head.  We just know that these two will be the best of friends as they grow up together.

Birth Story

After arriving at the hospital 3 cm dilated, I was given an IV of fluids at 10:00, and the doctor started pitocin at 11:30.   After about an hour, with the contractions getting stronger and stronger, the nurse came in and doubled my pitocin dose.  About 15 minutes later, with the contractions very intense and only about 2 minutes apart, she came back in and checked my monitors.  Apparently, my contraction monitor hadn't been in the right place for the past hour, so it looked like my labor wasn't progressing at all, and my OB advised her to raise the pitocin dose.  At this point, I started asking for my epidural since things were going so quickly.  The anesthesiologist finally arrived in my room at 2:00 and finished administering my meds at 2:25.  The nurse checked me at that point, and I was past 8 cm.  A flurry of activity began as the nurses started calling for my OB, I was given oxygen, and everything was set up to receive the baby.  After waiting for my doctor for about 10 minutes, with the baby's heartrate fluctuating pretty drastically, the five nurses in my room were ready to deliver the baby themselves.  The doctor walked in, and I started pushing.  Six pushes (five, then a long pause to unwrap the cord from baby's neck, then one more big one), and Aaron Matthew made a very vocal entrance into the world at 3:32 pm!  I immediately got to hold him on my chest before the baby nurse took him to measure him and clean him up.  He weighed in at 7 pounds, 11 ounces and was 21 inches long.  We are so thankful that Aaron is healthy and we're so glad he's a part of our family!

Headed to the Hospital

Instead of my weekly baby bump photo, I can finally start posts all about the new addition to our family, sweet Aaron Matthew!  After not going into labor on my own over the weekend, my doctor wanted to break my water on Tuesday morning.  Chris and I went to his office around 8:30, and the procedure was completed around 9:30.  We headed straight to Baptist South, where I was met by the nurses and taken to my room.  My mom came to the hospital around 9:45, and we all settled into my room for what we thought would be a long wait for baby boy's arrival!

Reading one more story with Connor before heading to the OB's office.  Connor enjoyed a fun day with Pop-pop.

One last belly photo.

One last photo as a family of three.

Settled into my hospital bed for what I thought would be a long afternoon...

Me and my mom.

39 Weeks

As of tomorrow, I am 39 weeks pregnant.  I was 2-3 cm dilated at my appointment last Thursday, so the doctor wants to break my water on Tuesday morning (June 28th) unless I go into labor on my own first.  My dad arrived in town on Friday night, and my mom is coming into town today.  We are so thankful for them and all of our great friends here in Jax who have offered to look after Connor during the next few days of transition.  I am definitely ready to have this baby!  Our bags are packed, the carseats are in the car, and we're about as ready as we can be!  Please pray for us on Tuesday morning!

Swimming!

We love our neighborhood pools!  Connor and I have been going 3-4 times per week in the afternoons (after nap and before dinner).  We have several little buddies who are usually there at the same time.  We also go as a family as much as possible.  Since the pool opened on March 25th, Connor has gained more and more confidence in the water.  For the first two days, he clung to Chris like a spider monkey.  Now he swims by himself in his "swim coat," walks / jumps up and down the steps, hangs from the "fire pole" on the steps, and climbs out and jumps in all by himself.  He goes under water without any hesitation.  He has so much fun in the pool, and we're so thankful that we have such great facilities in our neighborhood.

Floating?

Hanging onto the "firepole."

Swimming around.

Mommy, can you dive down and get my Matchbox car?

Jumping in all by himself!