Our New Addition

At 6:30 a.m. Tuesday June 22, 2010 Jared and I arrived at the hospital. I was admitted by 9 a.m. and was dilated to a 5 with mild contractions (I still wasn’t sure I was feeling them). They started me on pitocin to help strengthen my contractions and move the labor along. I also received my epidural at this time. So we wait….and wait….things seemed to stop moving. With the epidural and not feeling any pain, you would have thought this time would have been carefree and joyful…but no. I was sick. Whether the combination of meds, lack of food, or excitement/nerves my body was not happy. At 5 p.m. my doctor arrived and broke my water. That did the trick! I rapidly progressed. I was starting to experience some “pain”. Fearful, my epidural was wearing off I called for the nurse and was dilated to 8cm and was told baby boy’s head was extremely low! The nurse left to call the doctor. At about 8:50 p.m. I began to push! At 9:37 p.m. on June 22nd Elliot was born! He weighed 7lbs 5oz and was 19.5 inches long.

We were moved to our hospital room around midnight, where we began our first night as new parents. Jared took diaper duty while I feed Elliot every 2 hours. This continued through Thursday….I must say, Jared is a PRO at changing diapers! Thursday evening after the pediatrician did a final check of Elliot we left the hospital.

My mom arrived Wednesday morning and has been staying with us and helping out with everything! Not sure how I would have survived without her!

Thank you to EVERYONE who has, called, texted, come by, sent flowers, gifts, dinner, offered help, or even just thought about us! We feel extremely loved and appreciated everything you have done for us!

Me before I felt sick and with an epidural
Jared using his body temp to regulate Elliot's body temp...I was busy.

Elsie meeting Elliot...she is still not so sure of him.

sleepy heads

First family photo

first family outing....went to breakfast

This is it!

I went to the doctors today for my 38 week check up and he said this is it! We will have a baby here today or tomorrow! I am about 5 centimeters dilated, fully effaced, and the baby's head is low. I was asked if I have been feeling contractions....this is a hard question, because having never been in labor before I don't know if what I'm feeling is normal "pregnancy" stuff. I described what I was feeling...some abdomen tightening, some pressure, a few cramps. He said I was contracting and in latent labor. If I don't go into active labor tonight I am to check in at the hospital at 7am tomorrow morning! I will keep everyone updated!

Maternity Photos

My friend Shonee and her husband Aaron recently took maternity pictures of Jared, Elsie, and me! I love them! I had a very hard time picking out the few I am sharing with you....there were so many great one! Thank you Shonee!

A Fun Evening with Friends

A week ago several of my friends put together a baby shower for me! Thank you Angie, AuBree, and Erin! I loved it! They made a beautiful table setting with a cascade of fruit and delicious dips! Thank you everyone who attended~i love and appreciate everything given to us!
Angie and Erin each made a blanket...and they matched! Love those colors!
AuBree and Angie

4.

This is just a sampling of some maternity pictures a friend of mine took! She is learning to use her camera and lighting....but I think she has mastered it! There will be more to come, so stay tuned.

My most recent doctors visit was an exciting one! I am 2 centimeters dilated! The doctor, who is usually reluctant to commit to certain dates, said I probably would not be lasting the full 40 weeks...."definitely not 4 more weeks"! Because he has said this, I will probably go over 40 weeks, but it's still exciting and stressful! Exciting because we are ready to meet our little man. Stressful because Jared is leaving for Florida Tuesday night and won't return until Sunday evening!

Memorial Weekend at Mission Beach

Jared and I had the opportunity to catch up with some K-State friends over Memorial weekend! Jon's girlfriend, Jamie, invited all of us to San Diego to stay at a family beach house on Mission Beach. Jon and Jamie drove in from Arizona, while Adam and Lisa drove down from Huntington Beach. It was really fun to see everyone! We stayed at a house that overlooked the boardwalk and beach! Needless to say, we spent most of our time on the sand! There were many bocce ball tournaments and much laying out. Jared, Jamie, Jon, Lisa, and Adam

We had a camp fire (yes, in a grill) and made s'mores

5.

I had my most recent doctors appointment on Tuesday. I will now begin my weekly appointments! I can't believe I am finally at that point! All is well. My platelet count only dropped a little...it is 109,000. That's good! At my appointment next week I will schedule another CBC to check my platelet count a final time before Baby Awesome comes!

On another note, Jared started his 3rd year of optometry school! Here he is off to school to see his first patient in clinic! This year along with lectures and labs, Jared will also work in the clinic with patients.