The Birth of Jack Archer

Valentines day started like any other day. I felt fine in the morning and decided to go to the gym where I did yoga and ran a mile on the eliptacle. After the gym, I still felt fine.But by 6pm that night I started to feel some pain which I thought was because baby was moving. When Nathan came home at 7pm, I still didn't think they were contractions. But Nathan pointed out that it was a pain that came and went and wouldn't go away when I moved. Basically the definition of a contraction. And baby was moving A Lot! Nathan could see my belly moving like crazy during dinner and my bump was visibly lower so we started to time my contractions. Which were about 15-20 min apart.

By 10pm i was pretty sure that this was the real deal but still in disbelief. This entire pregnancy I was convinced that this baby was going to be late. Nathan started getting things ready for the hospital, and I tried to managed the increasingly painful contractions. The only problem was that the hospital won't admit me until my contractions were 5 min apart lasting 1min and have been going on for 2 hours. Mine were about 8min apart so I had to deal. Nathan would rub tennis balls on my back to counter pressure the contraction. I also tried a hot shower/bath but didn't find much relief for the back labor I was feeling. Eventually we both tried to get some sleep. Which didn't really happen for me, but Nathan got a few hrs in. I spent the night pacing, cleaning out my bowels (tmi), and tossing and turning in bed.

By 5:40 I woke Nathan up telling him it was time to go. My contractions weren't really 5 min apart, but I didn't want to be in morning traffic. We got everything ready and got in the car a little after 6am and started driving in the car for 2 min, when Nathan realized he didn't have his wallet. So we had to go back home, which I wasn't too happy about. Especially since Nathan asked me 3 times if I had my wallet. Once we were back on the road, I tried to quietly manage the pain. I didn't speak the whole way and kept my eyes shut. Luckily there was only half a mile of traffic right in front of the hospital. We drove around in the parking lot looking for a spot which brought out the crazy pregnant girl in me because they had free valet that we ended up parking in but Nathan took the long way to get there.

Our walk to the maternity ward probably looked ridiculous. I was in my pajamas, no makeup, hair in a high bun, with a blanket wrapped around me hanging on Nathan for support. After we finally got checked in the maternity ward, it was 7am. The nurse asked me stupid questions like "on a scale of 1-10 what is your pain level. And what is your maximum pain level." I obviously said the same number for both. At this point I was feeling nauseated, cold and clammy despite being wrapped in a blanket and was getting the shakes. The midwife did the check to see how far I was dilated and we were surprised to find I was at a 6. I thought I would be at a 4 maybe a 5.

Knowing that the worst was yet to come and I was already in a lot of pain, I immediately asked for an epidural. I figured I would, but wanted to try and reach a 7 or 8 first. Before I could get an epidural, I had to get an IV of fluid in me and I could no longer eat or drink anything, just ice chips. Once I finally got the epidural in it was about 8:45. Which thank goodness for some great nurses who helped me breath through my contractions while they were drugging me up.They checked me again to find that I was at a 7. At first they thought I was at a 10 because of the way I was laying in bed. They had to call the anesteologist back to give me a stronger dose of the drug because I was still feeling my contractions pretty strongly. Eventually I was completely numb on my right side and pretty numb on my left side but could still move my leg around. After getting that epidural, I became a completely different person. Before I wouldn't talk, or answer questions. But once I couldn't feel the pain I was all friendly and making conversation. Right after my epidural, I started to get the shakes so a nurse would hold a blanket on me to calm my body down. At one point, I felt a strong contraction followed by a pop, and I knew my water broke. The nurses eventually left the room and let Nathan and I get some much needed rest. Nathan's brother Josh, who was in San Diego for one last day after doing a rotation at the naval hospital, also showed up too and got to hang out for a while before going to the waiting room.

 By 12pm I got checked again and learned that it was time to push. I tried multiple pushing positions and made Nathan and the orher nurses get me ice chips to eat, cold compress for my forehead and Chapstick. 2 hours later at 2:18pm baby jack was born. While I was pushing Jack out, the nurse told me to reach down and grab my baby so I got to somewhat pull him out and put him right on my chest. Jack didn't really cry at all when he came out. While the midwife and nurses finished getting the placenta out, Nathan cut the cord. When they were putting jack back on my chest, Jack pooped right on my chest and then peed. Luckily the nurses cleaned me up pretty quickly. The nurses then left and we got an hour of just the 3 of us to bond as a new family. Little Jack weighed in at 6 lbs 9oz 20 3/4 inches long. And we are smitten with his cuteness.

 Can we just take a moment to admire how hot Nathan looks with a baby in his arms. Fatherhood suits him well and I am so grateful for all of his help with Jack and around the house. I wouldn't be sane without him. As I am typing this, Jack is asleep on Nathans chest, they look so cute together

More hospital pictures to come later 

I have a blog?…Say What?!

So I have obviously been neglecting this little blog. But I can't allow myself to blog when there is baby prep to be done. Speaking of baby prep, I don't think I will ever be mentally prepared. I have done SO much reading, research and watched way too many live births to prep myself for what my body could be going through any day now. And once this baby does come out, my life will never be the same. The thought that I am bringing home a baby and that baby is gonna be dependent on me for the next 18 years is kinda crazy. Nathan an I are currently enjoying what could be our last lazy Saturday. Meaning I skipped morning yoga and it's 10am and we are both in bed and Nathan is watching soccer. In just a few days we will have already fed baby, change a diaper or two and been spit-up on. Kinda crazy!

Baby isn't actually due till the 17th, and I am not dilated at all so I don't think he will be early. Actually I try to keep it in my head that he is gonna be late to not get my hopes up. But we will see what happens.

Besides baby coming, which seems to be the only thing on my mind these days, Nathan and I have been trying to spend as much time as "just the two of us" as possible. We had a great holiday break and have been enjoying spending time with family and friends the past few weekends.

I don't know if I will catch up on everything that has happened to us before baby come. But I will try to be better at blogging.

Baby Moon

My laptop charger broke and I just got the replacement today so I can finally blog again. (all the pictures were on my laptop) 

Everyone and their mom has told Nathan and I to travel as much as you can before you have kids. We have always been good about taking some sort of little vacation a couple times during the year. This year we have been a bit eccentric. England, Hawaii, Catalina, Santa Barbra, and now the Bahamas/Florida. Let's just say we really took the advice to travel to heart.

We have been wanting to go on another cruise since we did one for our honeymoon. It's kinda fitting that we did a cruise for our baby moon too. At the beginning of the year, we did a timeshare presentation where the gift was a cruise. (yes those things really do work) So we only had to pay for the taxes which was a sweet deal. We originally were planning on cruising in December when it's summertime for the Bahamas. But alas Carnival has a policy where you have to be less than 25 weeks to cruise. So we went for the 23 week mark. After finding a killer deal on airfare we were set to go.

So on Saturday October 20th, Nathan and I took the red eye flight from San Diego to Orlando where we then went to Port Canaveral to sail away on the Carnival Sensation.

We ran into a few hiccups at first. Like our room door being open upon arrival and a dirty towel was left on the counter. But we were able to get our room steward to come finish cleaning. Also, since our cruise was booked through a travel agency we were a little surprised to find our room only had one twin bed and one pull down bunk bed that had to be done by a crew member. Naturally I expressed my concern that Nathan would roll off the bunk bed onto me squishing me and baby so we were able to get an extra bed put in. No big deal really.

Can I just say how much I love cruises. So relaxing, no worries, and all of your activities planed for you. We spent our first day at the beach and market in Freeport. I love how warm, waveless, and clear the water was. It was a lot of fun. We even got baby a little shirt. Nathan and I can't believe we are having a baby and that he is going to fit in such a tiny shirt! Our second day we spent in Nassau. Unfortunately unlike the first time we came here the weather was cloudy and a little windy. We did a sail and snorkel adventure which was fun. The fish got crazy close to us. I could touch them if I tried. Nathan didn't like the fish getting so close to us. Our third day we spent at sea trying to run away from hurricane sandy. This made for a super rocky voyage our last day. It wasn't bad, but it did take my body longer to find my sea legs. We had fun watching ice carving, people doing silly games, playing bingo, and a little black jack. But most importantly it was nice spending quality time together and talking. It's weird to think that in a few months, our lives will change forever and they will never be the same.

After our cruise ended, it was off to universal studios. Why might you ask? Harry Potter World! Yep we paid $90 for us to ride 3 attractions and walk around Harry potter world. Let's just say I am a big fan. I was so tempted to buy baby a Hogworts onesie. We had great weather while walking around the park. However, right when we started walking to the parking lot we got caught in a massive downpoor. We ended our trip by driving to west palm beach to stay with Nathan's aunt. Unfortunatly, because of the rain we had to stay indoors and couldn't go golfing.

We always have mixed emotions ending a vacation. Sad because it was nice relaxing, talking, cuddling and just being together. Nice because we hate spending money and we probably spent almost $10 just in tolls in Orlando. But overall it was a great baby moon trip and I am so glad Nathan was able to get the time off from work so we could have one last hurrah before baby comes.

26 Weeks

This baby is growing 

kicking

and my belly button feels like it is gonna pop out any day 

so far pregnancy has been easy 

which probably means baby will be a handful 

we still haven't decided on a name 

why are boy names so much harder to come up with

any suggestions? 

Day 3 in Hawaii

On Sunday we woke up early

 and went to the North Shore again.

 Only this time we went to Waimea bay. 

Again we found a shady place to layout

 and enjoyed watching

 the surfers, bodyboarders, waves, and people jumping off of jump rock.

 I did not jump off the rock like I did 5 years ago, 

I don't think baby would have liked it. 

I am 22 weeks pregnant in the above picture

Eventually I went in the water where the waves were not so big. 

I have to say I think that Wiama is my favorite beach for swimming.

 I love the texture of the sand, clarity of the water and ample space.

 After we spent half the day at the beach, 

it was off to One Love Surf Shop to get the Acia bowls. 

However when we got there,

 we found out they only had enough granola to make one more bowl.

 Let's just say that bowl was gone in 3 min.

 Deliciousness! 

We stopped at Turtle Bay 

and watched a little bit of the amateur paddle board competition

and walk around the resort  

We then stopped at Ted's for another pie. 

I had one bite and called it good. 

I am seriously having a food/sugar overload. 

My poor body is not used to eating so much rich food. 

I would say I should do one of those cleanses when I get home, 

but I don't think baby would like it very much.

 After Ted's we stopped at the Laiea temple and went to the visitors center. 

We had to have some sort of spiritual experience since we missed church.

 From there it was off to Pali lookout 

where we battled with the fierce wind. 

Way back in the day

 when King Kamahmaha was conquering the islands

 his men would fight each other in those mountains and push their enemy off the cliffs. 

Kinda extreme. 

 From the lookout it was Thai for dinner. 

This was my second time having Thai, it was pretty decent, 

but baby or my digestive system did not like it. 

Most of the girls were out at 10pm,

 but I stayed up to finish my book The Great Gatsby. 

My verdict, I still didn't like it. 

First time was because of Daisy,

 second time because of Gatsby. 

I mean seriously I want to slap these characters for the way they act. 

Overall it was another great day in paradise.