Trey is here!

Dennis Dale Jackson III, One Sleepy Baby

Daddy and Son

Here are a few photos of Trey (most are on the video recorder and Cindy's camera, so those will have to wait for now). His labor and delivery went well. Doctor Keller broke my water around 7:30 am and then the contractions really started to get intense. It was around 10 am when I dilated to a 4 and was able to get my epidural. That was an experience different than the last time. The anesthesiologist ended getting some medicine in my spinal fluid and so my left side had a spinal block all day and then he stuck me two more times to get the rest of my right side numb. Finally I was able to relax after the meds. kicked in. We started pushing at 1 pm and after having pushed for 45 minutes he came at 1:45 pm. He was not going to come out on his own so the doctor had to use forceps and cut me a little. Trey weighed 9 lbs 14 ozs. He measured 21 1/2 inches and his head was 14 3/4 inches. His feet are huge! He did have some problems breathing after coming out but within 5 or so minutes he came around and started stabilizing. He had to give us a little scare, but is doing very well now. I am doing well too. A little sore, but over all well. I am looking forward to some sleep, if Trey lets me! Thank you for all your prayers and thoughts today. I couldn't have asked for a better delivery and a more perfect son. We are so blessed.

I will try to post some more pictures tomorrow!

We're off to the hospital!

We are getting ready to leave and go to the hospital to have the baby. I will be induced this morning since Trey didn't come earlier. I will try to keep everyone posted through blogs and emails. I will also try to post some photos as soon as we are able. I am not sure if NLR Baptist has Internet connections from the rooms or not. So, we will see. Thanks for all your prayers!

Last Family (of 3) Outing

Tonight I didn't really feel like making the dinner I had originally planned (Chicken N' Rice). So I thought it would be nice to take Hannah out to dinner one last time before Trey comes. DJ was game and picked Colton's Steak House, one of our favorites here in Benton. Hannah did so well. She acted well for her age and ate a lot of her Mac & Cheese. I was sitting there at the table thinking of all the times we went out with her and left the restaurant frustrated because of her behavior. We have finally reached the point were she will behave when asked (unless she is tired and then it is our fault for not making her take a nap) and will eat what we order her (as long as it is something she likes) with out throwing a big fit and causing a scene. With less than two days to go until Trey arrives I wanted to take it all in one last time. Now we will get to start all over with him. I can't wait! I am praying for a better mannered child this time around, one who will still be all boy, but will have some self control over his tantrums in public. I know, wishful thinking huh!

A Beautiful Wednesday

Today is so nice outside! I love warm weather, just when it is warm enough to go outside without sweating and getting to hot. During the heat of the summer I tend to stay inside if I can get away with it. Anyway, this morning after breakfast Hannah and I took a little walk around our neighborhood. Of coarse we had to stop at Mimi's house on the way out. We were outside just walking around and talking about the trees getting their new leaves and the birds that were out singing. It was a great walk. And then we ate some lunch and after took the bubbles and play-dough out on the porch to play. Hannah played for a bit while I swept and cleaned up the back porch. Our dog, Lexi, will shred anything in sight if it gets left outside. So, there was some paper from an unknown source and some dog toys that needed to be picked up along with all the winter leaves that seem to keep falling still. It is now a little past nap time and Hannah is laying down. We have pretty much spent the whole morning outside. It has been a great day. What are you doing to enjoy the beautiful weather?

Last Dr. Appointment

Well today was my last official doctor appointment. I will be induced next Monday so I shouldn't have to see my doctor until then (unless Trey comes early). The visit went well as usual. Trey was measuring at 39 cm. My cervix has dilated to a 2 now and is 50% effaced. So things seem to be progressing.

This last week I had several bouts of false labor (which helped my cervix progress) but were not fun at all. I would get my hopes up every time just to be disappointed. They would only last about 2-3 hours at a time and then stop as fast as they started. It always happened when I was getting ready for bed, so my anxiety would usually keep my from sleeping well. So needless to say this week I have been pretty tired. There have been some other things too that have kept me thinking he could come very soon, but nothing yet has caused that to happen. :( The good news is that I only have at most one more week and then he will be here. :)

Friday Night Family Fun

DJ had yesterday off (the start of a whole week off) and unfortunately it was raining all day. :( So, we basically did nothing and stayed inside the whole time. I did get out to run a few errands and to see Baby Jake and family, but DJ and Hannah needed something to do out of the house too. So, we decided to go to Play Time Pizza for dinner for the first time. I figured it would be busy since it was Friday night and a rainy day, but it really wasn't too bad. The food was good and Hannah really enjoyed the games and go carts. I think the price was a little high (for the adults, Hannah was free), but for occasional visits it is OK. I forgot the camera at home, so we will have to go back another time for pictures. It was nice to spend the time with all three of us instead of just me and Hannah. And it was nice to have that time with Hannah before Trey comes!

Baby Update

I had another weekly appointment today. The heart beat was normal (around 150) and I have dilated to 1 1/2 cm. My cervix has also softened some more since last week. He also clarified what a posterior cervix was. Apparently it is nothing important, just the location of the cervix in relationship to the baby's head. During early labor it will move anterior where it needs to be to deliver the baby. He said that it was not as posterior this week. So, it looks like things are progressing slowly and some small signs that the baby is getting ready to come. I can't believe that within 14 days I will have a baby! It has been an experience and I am so ready to meet our little man.

A Beautiful Day

Saturday was a beautiful warm day. DJ was off this weekend and so we decided to make the most of the spring weather. I wanted to take Hannah the Wye Mountain and get some pictures of her with the daffodils. It was a little cloudy and windy, but for the most part great weather. And the field of daffodils were almost in full bloom. Lately Hannah has been ignoring me when I want to take her picture. So most of the pictures I did get were of her not smiling or refusing to look at the camera. Here are the best ones (8 out of 99)!

Hannah loves to ride on DJ's shoulders. She will say to him "Hannah go high" and he will carry her around like this for a while.

This is one of my favorite expressions from her that day. I'm not sure what she was thinking, but it turned out pretty cute.

She found a flower that some one had picked and then started pulling off the petals one by one.

Showing off her flower with Daddy.

This is pretty much the only picture I could get her to smile in. It was the first photo I took from the day.

This is one where she isn't smiling, but I still like.

After she picked one flower she found another one on the ground.

Here is a picture when she was running around and I snapped the photo just as she looked back. You can't see it but she almost ran into someone while she was looking back.

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She also wanted to play with every kid (or as she says "kids" whether there is one or several) she saw. We had to explain to her they were trying to take photos with their families and couldn't play.

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After we were finished with photos at Wye Mountain we took Hannah to the zoo. It was a free day and I think the great part of LR decided to go that day too. DJ guessed there were near 20,000 people there. I had never seen that many people in the zoo before. Even though it was crowded we were still able to see all the animals. Hannah had a great time and so did we. I was glad to spend the time as a family. We haven't been able to do much with the colder weather. I am so glad it is spring time!

5 Years!

Five years ago today I married the love of my life. I can honestly say he is my soul mate, completing me in ways I didn't realize were empty. The last 5 years have been a roller coaster ride complete with thrill and excitement along with nervousness and some fears. All of which have made us stronger and closer than ever before.

I think a marriage and relationship starts with friendship. That is how our relationship started and it has grown over the years into love and I hope will continue to grow in ways that challenge us to be better. My respect for DJ has also grown over the years. He does so much for me and Hannah. He has been a wonderful provider and loving husband and father.

I am so thankful DJ is in my life. I am so thankful for the years we have spent getting to know each other more deeply and more lovingly. I look forward to many more years together and growing old and wrinkly with him.

I love you DJ! Happy Anniversary!

Baby Update and Room Update

I had my first weekly appointment today. The doctor said everything looked good. I have not gained any weight since my last appointment two weeks ago. The baby (belly) measurement was 38cm (two weeks ago it was 36cm). This means the baby has grown, but I have actually lost weight. Anyway, my cervix is soft, but not effaced and I have not really dilated (maybe a fingertip he said). The head was down and I have a posterior cervix. What does that mean?

Anyway, I will probably make it till mid March for sure. I am going to go ahead and pack my hospital bag (and Hannah's grandma bag) just to be on the safe side. Hannah was early and I want to be prepared in case Trey comes sooner than the doctor thinks he will. I am getting excited about him being here.

I have completed Hannah's new big girl room (with the exception of wall decor) and Trey's room is finished except for a few items I ordered to complete the look. Hopefully they will be here before he does! Here is a picture of Hannah's room and her new big girl bed.

Hannah playing with her dress up toys. There isn't as much room in there as before, but she still loves to play. Yesterday we had to put a few of her toys away for a couple of days because she refused to help pick them up. She will get them back probably by Wednesday, but we have to teach her to take responsibility for picking up after herself. So far it has been working and she doesn't hesitate now to pick up her room!

The view from the closet/window area.

The view from the door. We had to put her pretty toy chest that her Papaw made for her in the closet so there would be more room to play. It actually worked out really well. Now not all of her toys are out in the open. It looks less cluttered this way too! One last thing I still have to do is wall decor and get some more cheap pillows for her bed. It came with the shams and pillow cases, but we only had one pillow for her. So I think I might make a trip to Dollar General and get some cheap pillows so her bedding will look more complete. I am pleased with the way it looks now and more importantly Hannah loves it!

Here is a picture of her actual bed and night stand. We decided to get a full so she will be more comfortable as she grows into it and when we have company they will have a place to sleep other than the air mattress on the floor.